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Annual show set to highlight farming industry

CALLUM STALEY/CSJ PHOTOGRAPHY A young man wearing a white coat holds the halter of a brown cow. The halter stap has four blue, white and red rosettes attached to it and there is an older man, also wearing a white coat, smiling in the background.CALLUM STALEY/CSJ PHOTOGRAPHY
The annual show features the Grand Parade to select the Supreme Champion animal

The first of the Isle of Man's major annual agricultural events is set to take place this weekend.

Held at Orrisdale Farm in Ballasalla, the Southern District Agricultural Show showcases the Manx farming industry to thousands of visitors.

As well as livestock competitions, the 2024 show will host a vintage tractor parade, dog agility classes, an archery display, and free Zumba sessions.

Show secretary Zoe Hampton said the event was an important opportunity for the agricultural community to get together and the public to learn about farming on the island.

The showground opens to the public between 09:30 and 18:00 BST on both days, with the Grand Parade, which sees the Supreme Champion animal crowned, scheduled to stat at 16:00 on Saturday.

CALLUM STALEY/CSJ PHOTOGRAPHY Tractors parading in a field with large crowds watching. The tractor at the front is blue and has an open cab. It is being driven by a man wearing a black T-shirt and baseball cap. CALLUM STALEY/CSJ PHOTOGRAPHY
Last year Southern Agricultural Show attracted about 12,000 visitors

Last year the event attracted about12,000 visitors over the two-day period.

During the show the public can visit local food stands, view arts and crafts on display and witness stock judging.

Ms Hampton said in the past the event, which was first held in 1914, was one of only a a few opportunities for the agricultural community to get together, but now created a good chance for farmers to "get out" and "talk to people".

CALLUM STALEY/CSJ PHOTOGRAPHY Crowds queuing for food, and people sitting down on benches in a grassed area on a sunny day. The stalls include a light blue and cream coloured Davison's ice-cream van.CALLUM STALEY/CSJ PHOTOGRAPHY
The annual event has been held at Orrisdable Farm since 2021

Ms Hampton said while the scrapping of the Isle of Man government's annual Food and Drink Festival in September was "sad", she hoped those with an interest in local produce would visit the agricultural show to see what's on offer.

Reflecting on the wet weather experienced on the island over the past 12 months, she said it had been a "difficult year" for farmers, particularly those growing crops.

The conditions also made a "big difference" to turnout at the two-day agricultural show she said, adding: "Hopefully the sun is going to shine."

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