Cattle with pneumonia removed from the Balmoral Show

Mild weather blamed for respiratory symptoms in show cattle

The show’s senior vet said there is no evidence of anything serious and no cause for concern. Photograph: iStock
The show’s senior vet said there is no evidence of anything serious and no cause for concern. Photograph: iStock

Cattle have been removed from the Balmoral Show after exhibiting signs of pneumonia.

The illness was blamed on the extremely mild autumn weather which has led to cattle developing mild respiratory conditions including raised temperature and pneumonia in the cattle hall.

After consultation with vets, some exhibitors have decided to take their cattle home and the number of cattle put forward for the Saturday classes is expected to be lower.

The show’s senior vet said there is no evidence of anything serious and no cause for concern.

The show is taking place on the site of the former Longkesh Prison in Lisburn, Co Antrim.

It opened on Wednesday and is Northern Ireland’s largest agricultural show and one of the North’s biggest events.

In 2019 it attracted about 120,000 people over four days.

Usually held in May, it was cancelled last year due to Covid-19 and was postponed this year to September.

All entrants must prove they have been double vaccinated or have a negative Covid-19 test. It concludes on Saturday.

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Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times