What We Do
Leading Agricultural Shows
Each year the RUAS hosts three large events for anyone with an interest in agriculture and rural life. Each event acts as a fundraiser for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society and aims to improve the quality of agricultural enterprises across Northern Ireland by sharing and celebrating best practice.
As Northern Ireland’s largest agri-food event, this firm family favourite has something for everyone across 4 action-packed days.
Entering its eighth year, this renowned event has quickly become a highlight for farmers and leaders in the Beef and Sheep industries.
A special celebration of the Dairy industry, this festive Show features some of Northern Ireland’s finest dairy cattle.
Educational Support
At the RUAS, we believe in supporting our members and local students to further strengthen Northern Ireland's agricultural industry and secure its bright future. The initiatives supported by the Society vary from travel opportunities to bursary support for higher education students and engaging learning experience for younger pupils.
2025 RASC Mission, Botswana : Robert Wallace
After attending his first RASC Next Gen event in Scotland last year, RUAS member Robert Wallace decided to apply for the trip of a lifetime to Botswana thanks to financial support from the Society.
With a seven day itinerary exploring conservation projects, the Ghanzi Agriculture Show and unforgettable cultural experiences, Robert came home with a wealth of new knowledge and a few special stories to share with the Society's membership.
CAFRE FdSc Horticulture Bursary : Fiona Gavin
As part of its charitable objective to promote agriculture through educational opportunities, the RUAS recently sponsored a bursary through CAFRE’s inaugural Industry Support Programme.
In February 2025 the Society's bursary was awarded to Fiona Gavin from Donegal as an outstanding first year student on the FdSc in Horticulture programme. The funding is intended to support her career development in horticultural production, including the potential to visit innovative businesses abroad.
30th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference, Scotland : Jayne Harkness-Bones
In June 2024 member Jayne Harkness-Bones joined fellow RUAS representatives at the 30th RASC Conference in Scotland ahead of the Royal Highland Show.
Her trip, sponsored by the Society, entailed an action-packed itinerary of visiting local farms, the James Hutton Institute, Balcaskie Estate and other diversification enterprises that looked beyond the ordinary and embarked on exciting agricultural adventures of their own. You can read more on Jayne's story here.
Nuffield Annual Conference, Belfast : Zoe Weir, Tristan Wallace, Robert Wallace
Last autumn three Society members attended the 2024 Nuffield Conference as Next Gen delegates sponsored by the RUAS. The full programme included talks on new models for farming, the booming poultry industry, sustainability, and regenerative agriculture.
They also had the chance to hear from the first Nuffield Farming Next-Gen Scholars who shared their experiences from a 30-day study tour of the UK dairy industry.
Balmoral Show
For many the Balmoral Show is synonymous with fond childhood memories, days off school and trips to see all the wonders of the Show. Today the Balmoral Show not only hosts sector specific children’s trails, visual displays and hands-on experiences for families but has also developed an official Balmoral Show Schools Trail programme.
This initiative provides approximately 3,000 school children in Northern Ireland with an unforgettable and educational trip to the Show every year, with optional guides at hand to help answer their most pressing questions and ensure they get the most out of their visit.
Wool Innovators
Designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds, the Wool Innovators programme introduces Key Stage 2 pupils to the science, sustainability, and significance of wool through fun, hands-on activities and workshops. Since the pilot was developed in 2024, the programme's culminating showcase has been displayed at the Balmoral Show to help students reach a wider audience with their key message: wool is one of nature’s most remarkable fibres – renewable, biodegradable, and incredibly versatile.
Rewarding Excellence - President's Award
The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society has always been synonymous with recognising those who consistently go above and beyond to support and pursue the charity’s objectives.
Each year, the Society's president selects an individual (or individuals) who embody the spirit of service through their leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the RUAS.
