Farmers participating in GLAS I and II should be aware that they are now allowed to top parcels for the Low Input Permanent Pasture (LIPP) action from 1 July. Last year, the start date for topping was 15 July.

A circular issued by the Department of Agriculture this week said the amendment in the date was issued for applicants to bring them in line with the topping date for farmers participating in GLAS III.

According to the Department, the objective of LIPP is to promote a grassland management system that through appropriate grazing levels and restriction on fertiliser and pesticide use results in a more diverse sward with an increase in flora and fauna.

Farmers should note that for this action parcels cannot be cut for hay or silage and the maximum chemical nitrogen usage is 40kg N/ha per annum.

The specification says pesticides are not permitted, except for spot treatment of noxious and invasive weeds and rushes. Where present, rushes must be controlled either mechanically, by weed wiping and or by spot-spraying. While weed-wiping or spot-spraying can take place between 15 March and 1 July, topping to control rushes cannot take place between these dates.

Traditional hay meadow

Despite suitable weather conditions over the past week, farmers in GLAS with a traditional hay meadow parcel had to resist the temptation to mow the crop. The meadow cannot be mowed between 15 April and 1 July annually for the duration of the GLAS contract.

Where, because of bad weather or for other reasons, hay cannot be saved, silage can be made, provided that it is turned at least twice before collecting.

This is important for the participant to ensure that the seeds are spread and that the meadow continues to have the required diversity of species throughout the five-year GLAS contract.

Silage plastic

Now is a prime opportunity to get rid of old silage plastic and net wrap. There are a number of bring centres around the country that take in these waste plastics for recycling. It is illegal to bury or burn plastic. Farm plastics are banned from landfill.