Approximately 12,000 farmers have joined GLAS for the first time this year. Unfortunately, the scheme has been fraught with controversy for a number of months. Delayed payments has been the biggest issue, with the scheme affecting thousands of farmers. The Minister for Agriculture has made assurances that this will not happen for 2017 payments. Farmers will hope he holds true to his word and payment runs will be delivered on target in the future.

For farmers joining this year, there are a number of deadlines to be aware of. Obviously, all these deadlines will not apply to every farmer who has joined this year. The deadlines are fully dependent on the actions each farmer has chosen in their plan.

Here are some of the most popular actions farmers have chosen in their plans that need the most urgent consideration.

Traditional hay meadow

This action has the objective to promote the maintenance of a traditional method of forage conservation that is beneficial to grassland flora and fauna. Grazing cannot take place from 15 April until the meadow is mown annually, which must be after 1 July annually. Topping cannot take place from 15 March until after the meadow is mown annually.

Low input permanent pasture

The objective of this action is to promote a grassland management system that through appropriate grazing levels and restriction on fertiliser and pesticide use results in a more diverse sward with an increase in flora and fauna. Parcels cannot be topped between 15 March and 1 July annually. Maximum chemical nitrogen usage is 40kg N/ha/annum. Pesticides are not permitted, except for spot treatment of noxious and invasive weeds and rushes. Where present, rushes must be controlled either mechanically, by weed wiping and/or by spot spraying. While weed wiping and/or spot spraying can take place between 15 March and 1 July, topping to control rushes cannot take place between these dates.

Minimum tillage

Tillage farmers who have chosen the minimum tillage action in GLAS must establish a crop using minimum tillage equipment; ie it must be sown without inverting the soil (soil cannot be ploughed). The action must be delivered for the next crop established, following approval into the scheme and for all subsequent years of the contract.

Bat, bird and bee boxes

The deadline for erecting bat, bird and bee boxes is 31 May. The objective of these actions is to improve biodiversity in the farming landscape and replace habitats lost through changes in farming practice. Bird boxes cannot be on the same tree/stake/post as bat or bee boxes. They should also not be erected on or near ESB posts. The locations must be clearly marked on the map and must be maintained in the same position for the duration of the contract. More details of how to construct bird and bat boxes can be found here.

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