With Tuesday's GLAS deadline out of the way, the focus is now on the next one: midnight Friday 29 May, the end date for other remaining schemes.

The most important is the Basic Payment Scheme. The latest figures show that 113,664, or over 85% of the total number expected, have handed in their paperwork. The number of online applications is 77,744 or 68% of the total.

With private planners refocusing on BPS, the rest should be submitted before the deadline. The Department is sending out reminder text messages to remaining farmers - although some that had already applied received them as well, which caused confusion.

Farmers can make amendments and add parcels without penalty until 15 June. After that date, a 4% penalty will be imposed until the cut-off on 23 June.

With inspections starting mid-June, you cannot make changes if you have been notified of an inspection. Check your form and maps carefully one last time before you file away this year’s application.

The Department helplines are open until midnight on 29 May. They are also opening the offices in Portlaose until midnight to accept forms from farmers who leave it until the last minute.

The Department also reported receiving 2,500 applications for the Scottish derogation as of Wednesday.This provisionwill see payment entitlements allocated tobeef, dairy, sheep or tillagefarmers who actively farmed in 2013 but never held entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme.