It has been a number of weeks since the Minister for Agriculture first announced that there would be flexibilities available for GLAS farmers to cut and remove fodder from low input permanent pasture (LIPP) parcels and fallow land.

Last Friday, these measures were finally confirmed and given the go-ahead.

The 37,800 GLAS participants with LIPP plots can use parcels for silage or hay production in the period 1 September 2018 to 1 December 2018.

From 1 September, farmers with fallow land in GLAS can use any off-takes from these parcels from 1 September 2018 (after the nesting season) to 1 December 2018.

There is no requirement to contact the Department in advance of doing so, as was previously suggested.

“These flexibilities have the potential to add to the quantities of winter fodder available by bringing over 260,000 additional hectares into fodder production,” the Minister said.

“I would like to thank Commissioner Phil Hogan for his early engagement and assistance in progressing my proposals on this issue.”

However, some farmers have expressed frustration at the length of time it took to get the go-ahead and commented that the quality of the crops in question were diminishing with each passing week.

Fertiliser

Other changes to the rules include an extension to the time farmers have to spread chemical fertiliser and slurry. The start of the closed period during which land-spreading of chemical fertiliser is forbidden will be pushed back from 15 September to 30 September and the closed period for slurry will not commence until 31 October instead of the normal 15 October.

Farmers should be aware that they could be hitting their fertiliser limits for the year and should check with their agricultural consultant before making more applications.

Derogation farmers should note that 50% of livestock manure produced on the holding must be applied by 15 June. Slurry applied after that date can only be applied using low-emission equipment.