Maize acreage has increased by half, with over 16,000ha of the crop sown this year due to farmers replenishing fodder stocks after a long winter. Those who have planted it need to ensure that the crop is put on to the area aid application by the end of the month.

Farmers are also being advised to check their Basic Payment Scheme applications to ensure they have not included any ineligible land.

Ineligible features such as buildings, roads, yards, scrub, rock and land burned since 1 March should be excluded from any BPS applications.

Amendments can be made to applications until 31 May without penalty, or by 9 June with a penalty.

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Eye in the sky authorised to replace on-farm checks