Balmoral Show draws farmers from across NI but recent challenges have left the future generation asking: ‘What's the point?'
The Balmoral Show may provide a brief chance to relax for Northern Ireland's farmers, but despite the sun and smiles, many are concerned about what the future holds for the next generation.
As Northern Ireland's biggest agricultural show reached its halfway point, looming problems mean the younger cohort of agriculturalists are asking: 'What's the point?'
That's the view of part-time beef farmer Cara Millar (23), who sees what was once regarded as a family job handed down from one generation to the next as more of a hobby, partly due to its 'unpredictable' nature.
The Co Antrim woman is instead pursuing a career in the agri-food sector where she can explore different aspects of the industry.
'Farming is probably just really a hobby for me,' Cara said.
'Our farm at home is not really big enough to be sustainable for that to be just your own business. I work at Dunbia and I'm on the graduate programme in the technical team. But because it's a graduate programme, I'll hopefully get moving about and see different areas of the business.'
Following the Labour Government's announcement of changes to inheritance tax, up to half of farms here could be impacted by the new levy, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Cara said the levy has left younger farmers questioning the future of the industry.
She added: 'I would say a lot of people could be put off by that because people are thinking, 'What's the point?'
"There's going to be nobody coming behind that's going to be able to take this on because nobody's going to be able to afford it. So, it's kind of a scary time for big farms.'
However, the Coleraine farmer said that 'dairy farming is completely different because the milk prices are so good' – a point Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) Dairy Chair Cyril Millar agrees with.
Mr Millar explained how recent good weather has seen animals performing well and producing a lot of milk.
The Co Antrim farmer said: 'Grass quality is a big issue in any of the rumen animal production. The better the grass, the better the animal performs. And because the grass is so nice and dry and palatable for the cows, they're performing well, which is excellent.
'You want your animals to do well, you want them to thrive well. Cows are very happy, they go out and they lie in the sun, they're enjoying this good weather just the same as we are.'
However, Mr Millar also shared Cara's concerns over inheritance tax changes set to take effect in April 2026.
From then, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million, which were previously exempt, will have to pay inheritance tax at 20%.
Mr Millar fears the changes could seriously impact the sustainability of the trade for the younger generations.
He said: 'In my own case at home, when you bring a son home and he needs a house, and his kids need shoes and they need clothes, you have to be able to make enough money to provide that.
'Any business, you have to have a certain throughput, a certain income to be able to bring the next generation in. Any business that doesn't bring the next generation in is doomed.'
As Balmoral celebrates its 156th year, the show remains critical to ensuring the agricultural community continues to foster relationships, says UFU Deputy President John McLenaghan.
'Balmoral's always a great opportunity for the industry to show itself at its best,' Mr McLenaghan said.
'Farmers like to get and like to socialise. They like to go out and meet people that they haven't met for a while, very often at Balmoral. It's a great process.'
Among the trade shows and hundreds of stalls this year are interactive games and activities designed to appeal to younger visitors.
Despite the lively atmosphere and family fun, Mr McLenaghan admitted the 'looming issue' of inheritance tax remains.
He said: 'I know it's a very big issue at the moment. And speaking to farmers today, it really reflects how detrimental it could be, not just to them, but to the younger generations.
'And while it is so great to see children here being encouraged by the show and giving them a bit of spark, there is this looming sort of issue.'
While the levy is a devolved issue and remains out of Stormont's hands, Mr McLenaghan affirmed that the UFU will continue to apply pressure to Westminster to address the 'harsh realities'.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart told this newspaper she will 'keep making the message clear' and continue to challenge Whitehall for change.
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