The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has today (Monday, March 4) announced amendments for farmers in tranche 1 of the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).
In a circular sent to agricultural advisors, the department said it was making changes to the specifications relating to catch crops and over winter stubble.
DAFM said that the amendments will replace previous requirements for these two actions as set out in the revised November 2022 Tranche 1 specification.
DAFM
The department has revised the list of prescribed species for catch crops with the inclusion of five new species.
These additional species are as follows: balansa clover; squarrosa clover; brown mustard; fodder radish and kale/rape hybrid.
Unlike the previous list issued by the department which gave a minimum seed rate based on a two-way mix, the revised list gives the associated monoculture rate for each prescribed species.
The full revised list of prescribed catch crops for farmers under tranche 1 of ACRES is as follows:
The department said that the revised catch crop seed mix must contain at least two species using the using the monoculture seed rates from the prescribed list.
There is no maximum in terms of the number of species that can be used, but at least 100% of a full sowing rate must be reached meaning that there is no minimum seed rate.
Farmers were advised that they should not have any more than one species at 60% of a full sowing rate in the mix.
It was also noted that the kale/rape hybrid is classified as one species by the department. Therefore, another species will be required to meet the minimum requirement of at least two species in the mix.
The department said that certified seed must be used under the scheme and farm-saved seed is not permitted.
“It is recommended that ACRES participants, particularly tillage farmers, should consider buying
seeds that are tested under the Higher Voluntary Standard (HVS).
“The seeds that meet this standard have been tested free of blackgrass, sterile brome and wild oats,” it stated.
Over winter stubble
The department has also added another cultivation option to the revised over winter stubble
specification under ACRES.
Participants in this action can either shallow cultivate the selected parcel or leave it uncultivated until February 1.
Following the harvest of a cereal crop, oilseed rape or linseed (but not maize), one of the two
options below must be implemented in line with the requirements set down in SI No 113 of 2022
(as amended):
- Option A: To provide a food source for birds, leave stubbles in situ until at least February 1 of the following year;
- Option B: Conduct shallow cultivation to encourage the emergence of a green cover within 14 days following harvest and leave in situ until at least February 1 of the following year.