Oats certified seed is in short supply around the country. While spring planting of commercial crop is practically completed, GLAS participants need to sow wild-bird cover.

The good news is that oats is only one of the grain types approved for wild-bird cover – barley, wheat and triticale are also acceptable.

Keep proof of purchase

Participants need to remember to keep proof of purchase of certified seed at the required rate (75/kgha) and to use a second crop: oilseed rape, kale or linseed. This can either be mixed in or sown separately on half the ground selected for this measure. Farmers who sowed “half and half” last year only need to resow the cereal crop. Sowing must be completed by 31 May.