A sustainable livestock village is the centrepiece of the Tullamore Show, which recognises farmers embracing environmentally friendly practices.
An estimated 60,000 people were expected to attend today's event in Co Offaly.
It is the biggest one-day livestock event in the country, showcasing pedigree breeds in a range of categories.
Looks really matter here and competition is keen. There are ribbons and rosettes to be presented, medals and cups to be won.
Some 1,000 competitions took place throughout the day with a prize fund of €175,000.
As well as the hundreds of beef and dairy, along with commercial pedigree cattle on show, there are horses and poultry and pigs, and also rare breeds.
The sheep section has increased to over 920 this year and there are horses, poultry and rare breeds on display as well.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue opened the show in the farm safety live section, which focuses this year on quad bike safety with several demonstrations.
Speaking from the show, Mr McConalogue defended the Government's investment and support in the agriculture sector.
"This is a more challenging year than last year was, prices... weather conditions... that has made it a more stressful year for farmers but as always farmers are showing their resilience in terms of working their way through it," he said.
He added that the Government is supporting farmers through various schemes that have been launched, following through on the 50% increase in funding for Common Agricultural Policy programmes from national funding.
The minister said it was the highest level of funding increase ever between programmes.
The reduction in carbon emissions remains a huge challenge and the minister encouraged industry, farmers and stakeholders to work together in achieving 2030 climate change targets.
He added that there was a lot of work going on across the country by family farms in relation to improving sustainability and reducing their carbon emissions footprint.
"The crucial work they carry out is food production and farmers not only produce food for this country, but 90% of the food that Irish farmers produce gets exported abroad, and that has to continue to be their core work," he said.
"And it's really important in a world where it's becoming more difficult to to produce food in many other parts of the world because of the climate challenge.
"Trying to reduce carbon emissions by 255% is a huge challenge.
"Irish farmers have done this before from the late 90s until about 2010. They reduced their carbon footprint by 15% and that's what we have to go about achieving again though in a very deliberate way."
Asked about a recent poll showing four out of five farmers would support a farmers' political party, the minister said it was a lot easier to talk about setting up a political party than to actually run one and develop clear policies which are going to deliver real impacts for farmers.
Sustainable farming
A new addition to the show is the sustainable livestock village which provides a platform for farmers to learn more about practices that can boost the sustainable performance on their farms.
A presentation of sustainable farmers awards, run by Bord Bia and Teagasc, was also set to take place.
Minister McConalogue said the sustainability village showcased what family farms are doing and how everyone can do more and take on new initiatives, "which can make a real difference in the years ahead".
The village aimed to showcase how farmers across different beef and lamb farming systems have implemented sustainability practices and highlight the impact they have had in terms of the environmental and economic performance on their farms.
Experts were on hand to give advice around breeding, animal performance, grassland management, animal health and nutrient management.
IFA President Tim Cullinan said the Tullamore Show is an opportunity to focus on the positive aspects of the farming sector after a difficult year so far, with the wettest July on record.
The organisation will use the platform to highlight concerns and challenges ahead of the upcoming budget
The parade of champions was set to take place at 4.30pm and is one of the most popular events of the day.
There was also set to be best dressed lady, bonny baby, glamourous granny and little mister and miss Offaly competitions, while fashion shows were due to take place throughout the day.
One of the organisers Brenda Kiernan said: "Tullamore Show is the perfect family day out with something of interest for everyone, whether it is the spectators looking in awe at those amazing livestock or the wonderful cakes and breads, stunning patchwork quilts, paintings or viewing the alpacas, Highland cattle or the beautiful Valais Blacknose sheep."
A "trade town" featuring hundreds of shops, displays and agricultural exhibits covers 80 acres of the Butterfield Estate, which hosts the show.
