Next September looks set to be a busy month with the Ploughing due to take place on Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 September at Ratheniska, Co Laois, and Balmoral Show announcing plans for the same days the following week.

That is a tough schedule for many businesses attending both events, but given what has happened in 2020, it’s probably a small price to pay.

Balmoral normally takes place in mid-May, and for 2022 it has already confirmed it is returning to that month. Hopefully by then COVID-19 will be a distant memory.

However, there is an upside to not having Balmoral in May. At least I won’t have to listen to smug dairy farmers telling me how they have their first cuts done. A few ewes at home knock that crazy notion on the head.

Even I should have the first cut in the pit by the time Balmoral rolls around in 2021.

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