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REPS and environment
- Lime helps nitrogen: The harvest has left many farmers wondering if the REPS guidelines for cereals are too restrictive - especially with the new fungicides which are now definitely seen as yield enhancing.
Winter wheat can only be given a maximum of 128 units of nitrogen. Winter oats, 96, and spring barley only 84. Nitrogen is used at maximum efficiency if soil pH is around 6.5 - get a soil test if it hasn't been done within the last two years.
- All slurry is meant to be out by October 1, so take advantage of any dry spells. Check the forecast to ensure that heavy rain is not approaching.
- Check plans to see what areas are seen as sensitive to poaching and get these grazed down before the specified date by which they have to be cleared of stock.
- It's a condition of the scheme that hedges cannot be cut between late February and August 30. (This is so as not to interfere with bird nesting). Now is the time to do it before ground gets mucky.
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