This Saturday, 1 July all farmers participating in GLAS will be allowed to top parcels that are in low input permanent pasture. Last year farmers who chose this action were not allowed to top these parcels until 15 July onwards. Pesticides are not permitted on these parcels, except for spot treatment of noxious and invasive weeds and rushes. In addition farmers in GLAS who have traditional hay meadows will be allowed to mow the meadows from 1 July onwards. With very strong growth rates recently farmers will be very keen to mow down these crops which have been left ungrazed since 15 April.