Environment: rush control and derogation consultation extension

As part of the Basic Payment Scheme, farmers have to show that land is in a grazable condition.

Peter Varley

8 May 2019

Environment: rush control and derogation consultation extension

Heavy brown rushes should be cut first and the trash should ideally be removed.

After the mild, dry spring, it may be as good an opportunity as any to control rushes in grassland. The first step to controlling rushes is topping. This will promote green regrowth of rushes, which are more capable of taking in herbicide. After topping, spraying with products such as MCPA or 2,4-D, applied at their recommended rates and by a professional registered user, are particularly effective in decreasing the area infested.

After the mild, dry spring, it may be as good an opportunity as any to control rushes in grassland.

The first step to controlling rushes is topping. This will promote green regrowth of rushes, which are more capable of taking in herbicide. After topping, spraying with products such as MCPA or 2,4-D, applied at their recommended rates and by a professional registered user, are particularly effective in decreasing the area infested.

Extreme care should always be taken to avoid polluting watercourses when spraying. Roundup is very successful when used through weed-lickers, but care is needed, as it will kill more than just rushes.

Rushes occur on wetter soils with lower fertility levels

Spreading fertiliser after cutting will help promote grass growth, which will be better able to compete with the regrowths of rushes and, in turn, the more grass that grows, the more water that will be pumped out of the soil, which inhibits rush growth further.

Rushes occur on wetter soils with lower fertility levels. Therefore, a soil test will provide the basis for essential lime and fertiliser applications. Improving soil fertility will promote grass growth that can compete with the rush plant.

Derogation consultation extension

A short extension to the public consultation on Ireland’s nitrates derogation is now in place until 24 May 2019.

Notice of this extension was given by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Almost 7,000 intensively stocked farmers with an agricultural area of 466,000ha availed of the derogation in 2018

The reason given for the extension is to: facilitate all stakeholders in their engagement on this important issue.

Almost 7,000 intensively stocked farmers with an agricultural area of 466,000ha availed of the derogation in 2018. In 2014, there were 5,800 derogation farms and the agricultural area under derogation was 332,200ha.

The nitrates derogation allows farmers to exceed the limit of 170kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare set down in the nitrates regulations, up to a maximum of 250kg per hectare, subject to adherence to stricter rules.

Wild bird cover

Farmers in GLAS who chose the wild bird cover action should be making preparations for sowing this year’s crop. The deadline for sowing is 31 May and an extension to this deadline looks unlikely this year.