The agriculture industry’s showcase opens in the Midlands on Thursday with organisers confident of no repeat of last year’s cancellation.

The four-day Royal Show, being held at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, lost one day last year because of heavy rainfall which deluged the showground.

It cost the event thousands of pounds and Denis Chamberlain, the show’s group marketing and communications director, said it led to the “loss of one quarter of the show and the revenue”.

Despite forecasts of rain this year, Mr Chamberlain said he was optimistic the showcase would not be affected. “The showground is dry and in perfect condition,” he said.

However, symptomatic of the problems blighting the farming industry, restrictions have been imposed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the movement of animals because of the bluetongue virus.

It is caused by a deadly virus spread by midges that mainly affects sheep but can also infect cattle, goats and deer among other animals. Bluetongue does not affect humans, dogs or horses.

With the Royal showground at Stoneleigh remaining a bluetongue surveillance zone, only livestock from within the zone or those animals vaccinated and blood tested in accordance with Defra regulations are being allowed into the event.

This has meant a large reduction in the amount of livestock at the exhibition. Mr Chamberlain said the numbers of cattle and sheep had been particularly affected by the restrictions and he would normally expect there to be “three times as many livestock”.

However, he added: “There will be 2,500 horses appearing in one of the largest equestrian shows of the year and there will still be over 1,000 cattle, sheep and pigs.”

Despite the restrictions, the show remains one of the most prestigious of the year and is of great importance to both farmers and the local community. Mr Chamberlain emphasised the educational role it played, with more than 5,000 school children expected over today and tomorrow, in which they can learn more about food and the farming industry.

He also said that with the support they received from the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and local councils, the Royal Show was proud of its contribution to the local economy.

The Royal Agricultural Society of England also use the event to present new technologies which provide the ideal opportunity for farmers to keep up to date.

Guests due to attend include Farming Minister Lord Rooker, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, members of the Saudi Royal Family and the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The show finishes on Sunday. Ticket details and admission times can be found at www.royalshow.org.uk.