Due to the fodder crisis and ongoing issues with saturated land, farmers who chose the traditional hay meadow (THM) option under GLAS and AEOS, will have an extended grazing period, according to the Department of Agriculture.

In a statement, the Department said: “In order to alleviate the current forage supply problem and regarding the THM measure, AEOS is allowing an extension to the closing date for grazing livestock on land containing the traditional hay meadow action under the scheme, and grazing by livestock is now permitted up to 1 May this year (extension for 2018 only).”

Under normal requirements, grazing is not permitted from 15 April until after the meadow is cut, which must be after 1 July.

The statement stressed that all other requirements in relation to the scheme and the THM would remain the same, and must continue to be observed.

Fodder scheme: application forms and details for farmers and co-ops

Fodder crisis costing €2,500/week for Waterford farmers – IFAC

GLAS grazing extension for traditional hay meadow

With saturated land an ongoing issue in many parts of the country, a grazing extension has been granted to farmers who chose the THM under GLAS.