Up to 60,000 visitors expected to attend this Sunday's Tullamore Show

The importance of sustainability in farming is to be highlighted at this year's Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show on Sunday next.

“Irish farmers are playing their part by participating in sustainability programmes and have a unique advantage with their grass-based production system,” stressed Bord Bia's Joe Burke when speaking at the show schedule launch and sponsors night in Tullamore recently.

The action-packed programme for 2024 includes many new elements with the expansion of the Sustainable Livestock Village to feature aspects of biodiversity, water quality and the first ever Speakers Corner, kindly sponsored by FBD Insurance.

The new attraction will allow for ongoing discussions throughout the day on various sustainable topics with experts sharing their knowledge.

The first ever four and five star multi breed ram and ram lamb class will form part of a record-breaking number of breeds in sheep section. This section will also introduce the Belclare and Scottish Blackface breeds.

The Cattle section will host four breeds including Simmental, Charolais, Hereford and Limousin finals.

The Equine section will launch its first ever presentation area.

In the Cookery section the ever-popular Odlums pavilion will return with new chef at the helm, Aisling Larkin.

Entries in all sections have surpassed previous records and a bumper number of competitors will take part in all sections at this Sunday's event.

The Show takes place at the Butterfield Estate outside Tullamore with gates opening to the public at 8.30am.

The Sheep Section has introduced new breeds Lanark and Swaledale and numbers in this section have increased to over 920 as have entries in the Commercial Cattle Section.

As well as record new entries the show has introduced new attractions among them the “Sustainable Livestock Village' which features awards for most sustainable farmers.

“The introduction of the village provides a relevant and timely platform for farmers to learn more about practices that can further boost the sustainability performance of their farms,” commented Show Chairman, Joe Molloy.

The show will be officially opened at the band stand by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue at 12.30pm with dignitaries being serenaded to the platform by the local Mountbolus Pipe Band.

Earlier the Minister will open the Farm Safety Live Section which focuses this year on quad bike safety with several demonstrations.

Other attractions include the talks, tips and hints workshop, the national forestry village, the Experience Offaly pavilion, sheepdog demonstrations, vintage displays, rare breeds, lego competitions and much much more.

Competition will be keen in all classes in the FBD National Livestock Show with the Parade of Champions taking place at 4.30 pm.

There will also be intense rivalry in the Best Dressed Lady and Little Mr and Miss Offaly competitions while fashion shows will take place throughout the day.

A “trade town” featuring hundreds of shops, displays and exhibits will cover all show goers needs and interests.

Trade stands cover over 80 acres and include farm machinery, agricultural and industrial supplies, garden, home and leisure, food, crafts, tourism and travel, fashion not to mention new products to the market.

Entries on the day will be taken in the Cookery, Crafts, Horticulture, Art and Photography, Equine and Dog sections.

Up to 60,000 visitors are expected at the Butterfield Estate on Sunday with parking spaces provided for 20,000 vehicles. A garda plan will be in operation with show goers being directed to their