Tillage farmers are grappling with new nitrates regulations which have yet to be finalised and require farmers to shallow cultivate stubbles seven days after harvest or baling, and in all cases, 14 days after harvest.

Farmers are extremely frustrated by these rules, which also take away a major habitat for endangered birds such as yellow hammers and skylarks as well as adding a risk of soil erosion and damage when carried out in wet or very dry conditions.

The rules were to be updated at the beginning of July, but this has not happened. The update is expected to include an allowance for 10-15% of the land area to be left uncultivated to provide a habitat for birds.

However, the Department of Housing has failed to deliver any update on these changes.

How much carbon is being emitted undertaking the tasks?

In the meantime, winter barley, oats and oilseed rape are all being harvested and the spring barley harvest is starting in parts of the country.

Speaking to Bobby Miller of the Irish Grain Growers Association, he said farmers don’t know what’s required, adding that the complexity of the job, including the timing of stubble cultivation, was misjudged by the Departments of Housing and Agriculture.

Land was extremely dry in many areas last week when the seven days post-harvest and baling were up for many farmers.

Miller said farmers hesitated in carrying out the job, as they would be doing damage to the soil, wearing parts and burning diesel, and at the end of the day, plants would not grow in those conditions and it would be a “waste of time” when ground is so dry.

“These regulations might save a small percentage on nitrates, but how much carbon is being emitted undertaking the tasks?”

He added that the rules were largely based on a small percentage of catchment areas with free draining soils which do not represent the country as a whole.

“Where is the science behind this? We need to look at the bigger picture. What has the Department projected to be the net gain overall with this nitrates measure?” he said.

“We are not opposed to cultivation. We are striving to improve water quality. However, practicalities need to be first and foremost.”

Farm safety and stress

IFA grain committee chair Kieran McEvoy said that most tillage farmers are trying to get straw moved and land cultivated, but this is proving difficult. He said he encountered many frustrated farmers over the past few weeks.

He added that rain at the weekend and early this week stopped some straw from being baled, adding to the complications of getting stubbles cultivated 14 days after harvest.

McEvoy also added that the regulations are creating a risk to farm safety.

“I do think this is putting a lot of stress on farmers. They haven’t got the machinery to carry it out. There is already a huge stress and workload at harvest.”

He added that straw rakes have not yet been added to the TAMS grant and access to the right equipment is an issue.

McEvoy said there is a lack of information out there and farmers need clarity.

While weather has been dry and causing soil to be lost from fields where stubbles have been cultivated, he commented that wet weather is a whole other story which can cause compaction issues and as the harvest goes on, this is likely to become more of an issue.