The Department of Agriculture has reminded Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) participants that the 'eye in the sky' will be used to help determine eligibility for the late meadow bonus applicable to eligible low-input grassland and low-input peat grassland parcels.

The area monitoring system (AMS) is to be used in addition to the submission of geotagged photos submitted through AgriSnap and the carrying out of standard on-the-ground checks by Department inspectors.

Farmers carrying out either of the two low-input grassland actions can apply for a €50/ha late meadow bonus associated with hay- or silage-making on parcels that meet the following criteria:

  • Meadows must be closed with no grazing or machinery operations to take place for at least six weeks before mowing.
  • Mowing cannot take place before 1 July and no later than 31 August.

    • A request is sent to all low-input grassland and low-input peat grassland participants annually and, if applicable, those cutting a parcel as late meadow can make a claim by submitting a geotagged photograph via the AgriSnap app showing the mown meadow on the date of mowing or within five days of mowing having taken place.