Greening

Siamsa Sessions

Hi all,

We’re taking back another 10 acres next year that was leased to a tenant up to now. Don’t have the cash at the moment (or the confidence given current price) to buy extra cattle or sheep to stock it so was thinking of setting spring barley for 1-2 years.

We’re currently farming 20 acres (Tis a slow process building up the farm again) that’s under permanent pasture so I’m wondering if 10 acres out of 30 under tillage will impact the greening top-up of our SFP.

Or would it be OK as long as we planted a cover crop after the barley was cut?

I know I’m talking about all small numbers here, with stock, land, and SFP, but any pointers would be greatly received.

Thanks

Buford T. Justice XIX

Siamsa Sessions wrote: »

Hi all,

We’re taking back another 10 acres next year that was leased to a tenant up to now. Don’t have the cash at the moment (or the confidence given current price) to buy extra cattle or sheep to stock it so was thinking of setting spring barley for 1-2 years.

We’re currently farming 20 acres (Tis a slow process building up the farm again) that’s under permanent pasture so I’m wondering if 10 acres out of 30 under tillage will impact the greening top-up of our SFP.

Or would it be OK as long as we planted a cover crop after the barley was cut?

I know I’m talking about all small numbers here, with stock, land, and SFP, but any pointers would be greatly received.

Thanks

Tbh, I don't think having that 10 acres in tillage is going to affect Greening at all.

I'm sure one of the tillage lads will be able to give better advice like having to leave a headland a bit further out from the ditch and planting a strip of wildflowers or some such in it but there should be enough ditch around and inside your bounds that you're farming now that should leave you sorted.

That's my recollection of Greening anyway

davidk1394

You have to have over 30 acres or more for the rules of greening to apply to you

Siamsa Sessions

Thanks for the info.

It’s a complicated business, this farming lark!