Up to Friday 8 December, there was still a further 2,580 nutrient management plans (NMPs) yet to be submitted by GLAS applicants. If you are unsure whether your NMP has been submitted, make contact with your adviser immediately. The Department cannot commence paying 2017 GLAS advance payments until this is submitted.

Not only are farmers in GLAS I and II missing out on their 85% advance payment for 2017, but they are also still waiting on their GLAS 2016 15% balancing payment.

According to the Department, a total of €22m was issued in GLAS advance payments between 1 and 8 December to bring the total payments made to farmers to €112m. This is in part due to 1,338 commonage management plans (CMPs) being submitted in the same time period. However, a substantial 2,662 CMPs remain outstanding. Advance payments cannot be made to farmers until these are submitted.

Farmers in GLAS III are not required to have their NMP submitted until 31 March 2018. However, now is the time to look into getting soil samples taken for the NMP.

With a total of 13,689 applicants in GLAS III, this will be a significant workload for advisers in the springtime.

Soil sampling

January is the traditional month for soil sampling. It is at least three months since the last application of slurry or compound fertiliser and so is the ideal time to get it done.

Over time, nutrients become depleted due to offtakes from the land, either from animals grazing, in silage or arable crops being harvested.

When it comes to managing soils, it’s all about trying to create a balance. On the one hand, insufficient nutrients will lead to stunted crop growth and poor yields, while on the other hand, excessive nutrient levels are a waste of money and will lead to environmental damage and can damage crop health.

Soil sampling should be done on an individual field basis, with the sampling area not exceeding 4ha. It is also recommended that separate samples from areas that are different in soil type, previous cropping history, slope, drainage or persistent poor yields.