Rules governing temporary grazing of sheep

The torrential rainfall in recent days and housing of cattle has raised interest levels in temporary sheep grazing arrangements. A change in the terms and conditions of the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) whereby applicants have to maintain control of the land for at least 11 months has also raised question marks as to whether or not this limits temporary grazing.

It is true that a change in the terms and conditions for ANC limits farmers from renting out lands short-term, but as the majority of grazing agreements do not actually involve land rental and are negotiated on the cost for feeding, temporary grazing or B&B-type agreements can still take place as the owner of the land remains in control. Most deals are generally calculated on a per-head basis, either daily, weekly or negotiated for a period while grass supplies are present.

Rules and regulations

Temporary movements are governed by rules laid out in the National Sheep Identification System (NSIS). A permanent farm-to-farm movement involves notifying the local district veterinary office within seven days of movement (responsibility of keeper/purchaser to submit pink copy of dispatch document).

Regulations governing temporary movements differ from permanent movements, with circumstances on the farm taking in sheep influencing what regulations apply as outlined below.

Temporary movement to tillage land or a holding where there are no livestock: This may be more common this year given the increase in green cover crops. In this instance, the sheep can be moved to and from the temporary grazing without dispatch documents and without notifying DAFM of the movements.

Temporary movement to mixed farms on which there are livestock: If there are any livestock on the temporary holding (even if housed separately), then the movement to and from the temporary holding must be notified to DAFM.

However, as there is no change of ownership, the responsibility for notifying these movements is with the owner of the sheep. Notification is made by completing a dispatch document and sending the pink copy to the local Department office for recording.

Notification of the movement back to the holding of origin can be made by the owner sending the white copy of the same dispatch document to the local office clearly marked “Return movement from temporary grazing”.

If the number of sheep being returned to the original holding is less than the number sent in the first instance, then this should also be indicated.

Temporary movements to mixed farms with fragmented lands: Some farms consist of a number of land parcels or fragments which are all registered under the one herd number, but are standalone (outfarms or fields not adjoining the main holding for example).

In this instance, sheep can be temporarily moved to a parcel of land without the need for dispatch documents and movement notifications, provided there are no livestock on any part of the land that the sheep are being moved to.

Movement from temporary grazing land direct to mart, factory or abattoir: The initial movement to the temporary grazing land is covered by the previous explanations.

However, in all cases where sheep are moved from the temporary holding directly to a mart, factory or abattoir, then the normal NSIS requirements apply.

The owner of the sheep must complete a new dispatch document to accompany the sheep and must also record this movement in the flock register. It is not necessary to notify DAFM of a movement to a mart, factory or abattoir as the movement will be notified by those locations.

Tagging and record-keeping: It should be noted that NSIS rules apply for all sheep leaving the holding for temporary grazing. All sheep must be tagged by nine months of age or on leaving the holding of origin, whichever comes first.

In the case of any temporary movements that need to be notified to DAFM, the flock owner is required to keep a copy of the relevant dispatch document for a period of at least three years.

Nitrates credit: While uncommon, in some cases flock owners may wish to apply for credit for the organic fertiliser produced while sheep are temporarily grazing.

Where there are no sheep on any part of the receiving holding, credit can be obtained by submitting, in advance of movement, a Record 4 temporary movement form to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Nitrates Section, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford on or before 31 December of the calendar year.

This form, which must be signed by the owner and keeper from both the transferring and accepting herds, details the number and type of sheep being moved, the LPIS number details of the land parcels being grazed and the dates on which movements are made both into and out of the temporary parcels.

There is no requirement to submit a Record 4 in situations where sheep have been moved to a holding where there are sheep or other livestock.

In such cases, copies of dispatch document movement notifications should be forwarded to the nitrates section at the above address on or before 31 December of the relevant calendar year.