Asulox is the most common and effective form of chemical control of bracken. Farmers are only permitted to apply this chemical at certain times of the year, as it was removed from the market a number of years ago.

For the past few years, the chemical has been granted temporary approval for a few months. The deadline to spray bracken with Asulox this year is 30 September. Many farmers will have to control bracken to ensure they comply with the regulations of the Basic Payment Scheme.

For 2017, emergency clearance was granted from 1 July.

Other methods of chemical control are available to farmers, including the use of glyphosphate. However, the main advantage with choosing Asulox is that it is a selective herbicide and it will not kill grass.

If glyphosphate is used with a weed wiper, it will generally only hit the taller plants, meaning subsequent treatments will be required to ensure full control.

Bracken should always be sprayed when all leaves are fully expanded, but before yellowing of the leaves is evident.

GLAS training courses

All farmers involved in GLAS are required to complete a training course in environmental practices and standards before the end of their second full calendar year in the scheme. This means that for farmers involved in GLAS I and II, they must complete a training course before 31 December 2017. Farmers in GLAS III have until 31 December 2018 to complete the course.

The training courses are six hours in duration, run over two sessions. One of the sessions must be held on a GLAS participant’s farm where some of the actions being delivered as part of the scheme will be displayed.

The maximum attendance at any one meeting is 25 participants. The farmer themselves must attend the training day, with nominees only allowed in exceptional circumstances. A full list of approved advisers can be seen on the Department of Agriculture website.

Teagasc will have a timetable of courses out for the autumn period, which will be announced shortly.