Environment: tidying up the farmyard

If the opportunity arises, take some time this month to do a general farmyard tidy-up. A farmyard certainly doesn’t need to be spotless, but it shouldn’t be an obstacle course either with no order.

Simple steps, such as parking equipment out of the way of the main traffic in the yard, can make a massive difference.

Tidying up tools and other gear and putting them back to their normal storage spaces is useful too. Check that gutters are all working and power-wash any remaining livestock sheds that need cleaning.

If the weather is suitable, there might be an opportunity to carry out some painting work.

The three steps to implement if doing the job yourself or getting a contractor in to do the work are:

Always keep safety to the fore when carrying out painting work on the farm.

If working at a height, it might be worth hiring the use of a hoist for a short period.

Never walk on a skylight, they are not designed to hold a person’s weight and can become frail and weaker over time.

Catch crops

The deadline for sowing catch crops in GLAS is 15 September 2018. However, the earlier you sow the more benefit you should get from the crop.

Light cultivation techniques should be used to establish the catch crop, by either broadcasting or drilling a seed mixture.

The cover crop species list allowed in the scheme is available on the GLAS section of the Department’s website.

As it stands, grazing of catch crops is not permitted between the date of sowing the catch crop and 1 December.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the Department is meeting the European Commission soon to discuss possible flexibilities to the rules of certain GLAS actions.

Last, week the Department said that, on an exceptional basis for 2018, applications in relation to the collection of toppings from low input permanent pasture parcels in GLAS could be submitted in writing and would be examined on a case-by-case basis.