New rules tillage farmers need to remember

Tillage farmers have always had a lot to comply with when it comes to cross-compliance, now conditionality, and greening.

The new CAP and nitrates rules have increased the amount of regulations, and it is hard to keep track of all of these rules.

This article outlines some of the main rules facing tillage farmers at present.

Crop diversification

Crop diversification requirements continue in this CAP. Farms with more than 75% of the eligible area in permanent grassland do not need to comply with crop diversification.

Crop rotation

Farmers with more than 10ha of arable land must implement a crop rotation on their land in some circumstance. This means that at least two crops need to be grown on the same parcel of land over a four-year cycle.

So, if you plant spring barley in a field for three years, then you need to plant another crop in the field in the fourth year.

Farmers should try to implement this rule early, so that they are not stuck in year four and have to dramatically change their cropping plans.

Winter and spring cereals count as different crops. The crop rotation requirement applied to 2023, so this means that at least two crops need to be grown on a parcel from 2023 to 2026 inclusive.

Important point to note

Alternative

There is an alternative to crop diversification and crop rotation requirements, and that is to plant catch crops on the farm.

At least 50% of the arable area on the farm needs to be planted in catch crops. All parcels must be planted with catch crops during a four-year cycle. The catch crops must be planted before 15 September and need to remain in place until 1 December.

Crops planted under ACRES do not count towards this measure.

You cannot plough or cultivate within 3m of a watercourse for non-grass crops.

This buffer strip must also be kept free of fertiliser and pesticides. Watercourses are marked on your BPS maps.

However, the Department has suggested that drains which carry water for a few months in the year also qualify for a buffer.

If you grow seed crops or food-grade crops, then you are allowed to spray up to 25% of the contracted area with a non-selective herbicide before the crop is established, as the use of this herbicide is not allowed when the crop is established.

The herbicide can be applied after 15 October.

Stubble cultivation

Stubbles should be cultivated after all crops in these counties:

However, 20-25% of cereal land must be left as a habitat for birds over the winter.

Stubbles must be cultivated on 75% of cereal land on the farm, unless:

Spraying date

If stubbles have been cultivated after harvest, then these fields can be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide from 1 December.

However, the 20% to 25% of land not cultivated should not be sprayed or ploughed until 1 February, unless a crop is planted in this land.

Straw should be incorporated as soon as possible after harvest, but will need to comply with stubble cultivation rules.