Some 20,000 farmers normally miss out on the first Area of Natural Constraints (ANC) payment made in late September. The reason being is that they do not hit the stocking rate required by the end of August. The rules for the new scheme remain the same as the old Disadvantaged Area Scheme.

The two key criteria are that farmers must have a minimum stocking density of 0.15 lu/ha calculated over the 12 months of the 2015 calendar year. They must also have a stocking rate of over 0.15 lu/ha for seven consecutive months.

It means that farmers must have had stock from 1 February and also have averaged 0.23lu/ ha for the first eight months to ensure they get paid in the first tranche.

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The 0.23lu/ha gives that an average of 0.15 lu/ha over 12 months, even if they got rid of all stock in early September. The stocking rates for each of the eligible animals are shown in Table 1. Farmers must also own and maintain the stock on their farm. The only exception is where there is a contract-rearing agreement in place.

Payments for the ANC scheme remain the same, with mountain type getting €109.71 for the first 10ha and €95.99 for remaining hectares up to a maximum of 34ha.

More severely handicapped lowland gets €95.99 up to an overall maximum of 30ha.

Less severely handicapped lowland get €82.27 up to an overall maximum of 30ha. The islands get different payments.

Reader’s query

I am a full-time dry stock farmer. I receive basic payments and disadvantaged payments. If I let aftergrass for short-term grazing, will I lose my entitlements?

No, you will not lose your entitlements or the payment you receive from them.

Under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) you just have to have control of the area until 1 January to 31 May or from a period before 31 May to 31 December to claim entitlements.

So if you had it since 1 January, there are no issues letting land out for short-term grazing etc.

The farmer who takes it has to make sure it is kept in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC). If he does not, you are the one who could be penalised.

You also have to be wary of disease requirements.

If your stock is mixing with the farmer who is taking the land, you will have to test animals into your herd number and out again.

For disadvantaged area payment, it is now called Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC), but the rules have not changed.

You have to keep the land for 12 months and hit the required stocking rate.

If you are letting for sheep to graze, they will not count towards the stocking rate as they are not owned by you.