GLAS III: readers’ questions answered

In last week’s Irish Farmers Journal, we featured the main points to consider when planning on making a GLAS III application. Since then, we have received several queries from farmers interested in joining the scheme. Teagasc GLAS specialist Catherine Keena and tillage adviser Ciaran Hickey have kindly answered some of these questions.

1 I am interested in joining GLAS III – what should I do?

First decide if the scheme is for you. The main point to consider is the duration of the scheme because it is a five-year commitment.

2 Is there any downside to joining?

It is another scheme on the farm, which represents another layer of paperwork and possible inspection. There is work involved carrying out the actions, but it is solid dependable money when the actions are carried out correctly.

3 How does the tier system work?

The primary ranking process within GLAS is through its tier structure: tier 1 receives priority over tier 2, which in turns receives priority over tier 3. Within tiers 1 and 2, and only if necessary, there is a further prioritisation of ‘assets over actions’. This means that within each tier, someone with a listed environmental asset is ranked higher than someone who gains access to that tier by selecting a particular environmental action. The ranking system only really comes into effect when the scheme is over-subscribed.

4 What is the first step to making an application?

All applications for GLAS III have to be made through a registered GLAS adviser. Every farmer planning on joining GLAS III should call an adviser immediately to get their application started. The farmer must give authorisation to the planner to carry out their plan. This is important because the GLAS adviser will carry out a preliminary check of your farm on the GLAS online planning system. The online planning system holds important information which will help assess if the farm has any priority environmental assets. Farmers with these priority assets will qualify for tier 1(a), which guarantees their access to the scheme once they choose actions suitable for the protection of these assets on their farm. So before an adviser ever visits your farm, they will have a good idea of the tier you should be aiming for.

5 How do I know if I have a priority environmental asset on my farm?

As mentioned above, it is not until your authorised GLAS III adviser checks on the GLAS online planning system for the existence of a priority environmental asset will you be sure if there are any present on your land and suitable for the scheme. Tier 1(a) priority environmental assets include:

Using the GLAS online planning system, advisers will also be able to check if there is vulnerable water area on a farm. With a vulnerable water area, an applicant would be eligible for tier 2(a). If you have any of the above environmental assets on the farm, you must choose the relevant actions in your plan.

6 I have a Connemara pony at home, will this qualify me for tier 1?

Yes, and this includes other rare breeds such as:

However, priority entry is only available to those who have been registered with a relevant breed society and have registered livestock/equine with the relevant breed society in 2012, 2013 and/or 2014. You cannot buy a rare breed today in order to qualify for tier 1.

7 There are no environmental assets or rare breeds on my farm. Can I still qualify for tier 1 or 2?

Yes, there are a number of instances where a farmer can successfully apply to the first two tiers of the scheme without having an environmental asset. This is possible for certain farming systems. For example, if an applicant (whether beef, sheep or dairy) with a whole farm stocking-rate exceeding 140kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare produced on the holding, or any farmer with more than 30ha of arable crops, wishes to be considered under tier 1(b), they must adopt at least one of the following four mandatory actions:

Some farmers without a vulnerable waterway on their farm can qualify for tier 2(b). This is provided one of the following actions are chosen and planned for:

It is not guaranteed that all eligible applicants in Tier 2 will get into the scheme and a scoring matrix will apply if necessary.

8 I do not qualify for tier 1 or 2, can I still make an application? Yes, farmers who do not qualify for the first two tiers can still apply by choosing general actions. However, choosing general actions will not guarantee entry to the scheme.

9 Is GLAS III suitable for a tillage farmer?

Yes, there are a number of actions tillage farmers can choose that are suitable for a tillage enterprise,.

10 I am a tillage farmer. How do I get into GLAS + to receive a higher payment and should I be aiming for this?

Yes, if you are a minimum tillage farmer currently and comfortable with the technique, it makes sense to aim for GLAS+. Where a farmer undertakes a combination of minimum tillage and catch crops actions and the value of this combination exceeds €5,000, GLAS + (a top up payment of up to €2,000) may apply where a minimum of 10ha of each action is delivered and subject to a maximum of 36ha of each action.

11 I am a tillage farmer currently in GLAS I, can I apply to GLAS III to qualify for GLAS +?

Yes, GLAS I or II applicants who are tillage farmers with sufficient land area to increase the areas under minimum tillage and catch crops to the level required to qualify for GLAS+ can apply for GLAS III without any clawback of GLAS I and II payments. All GLAS I and GLAS II applicants are free to apply for GLAS III at any stage up to the closing date. The application for GLAS III will go through a validation process and at that stage, the GLAS section will contact the applicant to inform them that they have both a current GLAS I/II contract and also a GLAS III application. They will be asked at that stage whether they want to proceed with the GLAS III application. If they wish to do so, they will have to withdraw their GLAS I/II application at that stage. Once they withdraw from GLAS I/II, it will not be possible to re-join that scheme in the event of their GLAS III application being unsuccessful. Farmers who never used minimum tillage techniques before should evaluate if this option is right for them because it requires a different approach to conventional ploughing in terms of weed control.

12 How much does it cost to make an application through a Teagasc GLAS planner?

The preparation of a GLAS plan including a farm visit costs €435. Once accepted into GLAS, a farm visit to review the plan before the end of the first year costs €465. This includes a nutrient management plan but soil samples are charged separately.