AD|ARC’s programme of public engagement at agricultural shows over summer 2024 is underway. So far we have been to the Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland, the Three Counties Show in England, and the Highland Show in Scotland. Next we’ll be taking part at the Great Yorkshire Show, the Royal Welsh Show, the Anglesey Show and the Pembrokeshire County Show. Let us know if you’ll be at any of these and would like a chat!

AD|ARC researcher Freya Pryce in conversation with farmers at the Balmoral Show

The team at the Balmoral Show in Northern Ireland: Sarah Lowe (AD|ARC researcher), Freya Pryce (AD|ARC researcher), Paul Caskie (AD|ARC Principal Investigator), Amy Dunlop (NISRA, AD|ARC-NI), and Laura Madden (AD|ARC researcher)

We are visiting agricultural shows to speak with farmers and people living in rural areas directly. The intention is to listen to people’s priorities, hear about the issues affecting them and share the AD|ARC project with the people who may be included in the datasets.

AD|ARC researchers Sarah Lowe and Laura Madden in discussion with sheep farmers at the Three Counties Show

The judging of sheep at the Highland Show

AD|ARC researchers Laura Madden and Sarah Lowe chat with sheep farmers at the Balmoral Show

These shows are also a chance for in-person discussions with partner organisations, including those who are part of AD|ARC’s Stakeholder Reference Groups. It’s been great to meet up with our partners from Public Health Scotland, Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, RSABI (Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution), the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association, the Scottish Crofting Federation and others.

The first three shows this year have gone really well, with show-goers keen to share their perspectives with representatives from AD|ARC. Farmers shared their concerns about rising costs affecting businesses, the difficulties in managing and maintaining farm businesses, which, some reported, can make it an off-putting career for young people. However, their passion and commitment to farming and to continuing family farms still shone through. We met young people keen to have a career in farming, who also stressed that it is not just a job but an entire lifestyle and full-time commitment.

We very much enjoyed hearing from farmers and other stakeholders and meeting their animals too!

Let us know if you’ll be at these or other shows we’ll be visiting later in the summer: The Great Yorkshire Show, the Royal Welsh Show, the Anglesey Show and the Pembrokeshire County Show – We’d love to see you there!

A Highland Calf at the Highland Show