October REPS dates

By Catherine Kenna

Last chance to spread FYM

The end of October ends of spreading farmyard manure (FYM) in REPS. FYM, Spent Mushroom Compost and Poultry Manure shall not be spread from 1 November. Field storage from this date is also not allowed, except by farmers with less than 20 Livestock Units.

Livestock going home

If your REPS plan provides for the grazing of livestock owned by others, check your plan to see when they must go home. Such grazing is restricted to a maximum of three consecutive months between 1 April and 31 October. The taking in and grazing of sheep owned by others is permitted at any time during the year, subject at all times to a maximum period of three consecutive months. Animals taken in must be managed by the REPS participant, not the owner.

For horsebreeders and stable owners who own a minimum of four livestock units of horse on average throughout the year and maintain a minimum stocking rate of one horse LU for every four ha of grassland in the REPS plan, the grazing of livestock owned by others is permitted for a maximum period of seven months during the period 1 April to 31 October. Additionally, on such holdings, the taking in of horses owned by others is permitted throughout the year.

Burren winterages

Grazing is allowed from 1 October to 30 April in winterage areas. High levels of winter grazing with minimal external input from feed or fertilizer are needed to maintain the Burren's flora on upland grasslands.