The grazing or incorporation of catch crops under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is permitted from 1 January 2024.
Some 22,000ha of catch crops were entered in ACRES. Not all of these crops will be grazed or be suitable for grazing.
While the later grazing date of 1 January is deemed late for grazing by many as crops may have seeded out and, as such, be harmful to animals, this may be less of an issue in early 2024 given inclement weather delayed sowing, while the debacle around new rules for grazing forage crops also delayed their planting.
Where grazing is taking place, ACRES specifications outline that a "light grazing" should be practiced, adding that participants should ensure grazing only takes place on parcels where soil erosion is not considered to be an issue.
Intensive strip grazing or zero-grazing is not permitted.
Watercourses
Where a watercourse is present on or adjacent to the parcel then bovines must be prevented from accessing it.
If no natural boundary exists, then the watercourse must be fenced at least 1.5m from the top of the bank when bovines are present and drinking points are not permitted.
There is no need to fence watercourses where sheep are present.
New rules
The new rules for grazing catch crops, which were so contentious when introduced, are not taken into account in ACRES specifications.
However, these rules must be adhered to and state that there must be a ratio of 30% lie-back for 70% of crop. The lie-back can consist of stubble ground or grassland.
Lambs are currently being finished on forage rape supplemented with 0.7kg concentrate per head per day.
Grazing animals must have access to the lie-back at the prescribed ratio.
Management practices
Allocating smaller volumes for grazing, as opposed to free access, will greatly enhance utilisation levels and allow for a much more concise feeding programme to be implemented.Grazing the crop in a long and narrow manner will work better than grazing with a short feeding face and wide allocation. Lighter animals generally work best.Target grazing animals close to finish if in doubt about volume of feed present. A good current in electric fencing is vital at the outset to train animals into grazing.A mineral bolus or access to minerals may be required where animals are grazing for a prolonged period and no minerals are provided via concentrate. Crops must be grazed before they start flowering. Avoid grazing frozen crops where possible.Seed mixture
Catch crops sown under ACRES will comprise of at least two crop species from the prescribed list detailed in Table 1.
The table also lists the minimum seed rates which must be adhered to. It is recommended to use three or more seed species to extend the functionality of the mix.
Where this occurs, the specifications state that at least two seed species from the prescribed list above must be selected using at least the minimum rates.
Any subsequent species may be used at whatever rate the participant deems appropriate.
Objective of catch crops
Detailing the reasoning for including catch crops, the specifications state “catch crops generate a large mass of herbage which helps protect the soil from exposure to heavy rainfall during the winter period".
"This reduces the potential of soil erosion and surface run-off while also increasing water infiltration.
"Catch crops utilise residual nutrients in the soil following the harvest of a cereal or oilseed crop, thus maintaining soil biology, preventing leaching of soluble nutrients while also helping to protect water quality.
“With their vigorous root systems, these crop species condition and break up the soil, making it more friable for ease of cultivation, while the residual herbage that remains greatly enhances the organic carbon content and structure of the soil."
Read more
Grazing of forage crops to stop for many due to CAP rules
Five tips for grazing forage crops over winter
The grazing or incorporation of catch crops under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is permitted from 1 January 2024.
Some 22,000ha of catch crops were entered in ACRES. Not all of these crops will be grazed or be suitable for grazing.
While the later grazing date of 1 January is deemed late for grazing by many as crops may have seeded out and, as such, be harmful to animals, this may be less of an issue in early 2024 given inclement weather delayed sowing, while the debacle around new rules for grazing forage crops also delayed their planting.
Where grazing is taking place, ACRES specifications outline that a "light grazing" should be practiced, adding that participants should ensure grazing only takes place on parcels where soil erosion is not considered to be an issue.
Intensive strip grazing or zero-grazing is not permitted.
Watercourses
Where a watercourse is present on or adjacent to the parcel then bovines must be prevented from accessing it.
If no natural boundary exists, then the watercourse must be fenced at least 1.5m from the top of the bank when bovines are present and drinking points are not permitted.
There is no need to fence watercourses where sheep are present.
New rules
The new rules for grazing catch crops, which were so contentious when introduced, are not taken into account in ACRES specifications.
However, these rules must be adhered to and state that there must be a ratio of 30% lie-back for 70% of crop. The lie-back can consist of stubble ground or grassland.
Lambs are currently being finished on forage rape supplemented with 0.7kg concentrate per head per day.
Grazing animals must have access to the lie-back at the prescribed ratio.
Management practices
Allocating smaller volumes for grazing, as opposed to free access, will greatly enhance utilisation levels and allow for a much more concise feeding programme to be implemented.Grazing the crop in a long and narrow manner will work better than grazing with a short feeding face and wide allocation. Lighter animals generally work best.Target grazing animals close to finish if in doubt about volume of feed present. A good current in electric fencing is vital at the outset to train animals into grazing.A mineral bolus or access to minerals may be required where animals are grazing for a prolonged period and no minerals are provided via concentrate. Crops must be grazed before they start flowering. Avoid grazing frozen crops where possible.Seed mixture
Catch crops sown under ACRES will comprise of at least two crop species from the prescribed list detailed in Table 1.
The table also lists the minimum seed rates which must be adhered to. It is recommended to use three or more seed species to extend the functionality of the mix.
Where this occurs, the specifications state that at least two seed species from the prescribed list above must be selected using at least the minimum rates.
Any subsequent species may be used at whatever rate the participant deems appropriate.
Objective of catch crops
Detailing the reasoning for including catch crops, the specifications state “catch crops generate a large mass of herbage which helps protect the soil from exposure to heavy rainfall during the winter period".
"This reduces the potential of soil erosion and surface run-off while also increasing water infiltration.
"Catch crops utilise residual nutrients in the soil following the harvest of a cereal or oilseed crop, thus maintaining soil biology, preventing leaching of soluble nutrients while also helping to protect water quality.
“With their vigorous root systems, these crop species condition and break up the soil, making it more friable for ease of cultivation, while the residual herbage that remains greatly enhances the organic carbon content and structure of the soil."
Read more
Grazing of forage crops to stop for many due to CAP rules
Five tips for grazing forage crops over winter
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