New Acres scheme

Has anyone on here got lowland commonage as in grassland. Any idea how it's scored? I have the two shares of ot so only me grazing it but I haven't a clue how it will be scored.

Also joined organics this year so any land in Acres I would loose organic payment etc. is the main reason. The rules on organic was clear. Acres Coop….not so much bar telling you how much it could be worth maximum to you.

There are measures in Acres that don't take land from Organic payment, esp trees and hedges. I'm losing 2Ha from Organic as the payment on those for a riprarian zone is much higher. I too was wary of going into Acres.

Spot on re acres actions to choose if joining organic scheme.full symbol organic here and chose 2.5 k mtrs grassland margin ,2k mtrs riparian strip and new hedgerow .total 7k with .8 of a hectare deduction from organic payment eg 160 euro.

Anyone pull out of acres altogether? I'm guessing it's no big deal as long as you do it before the money is paid out?

Did any one else get a bill from teagasc today. I paid 550 for the plan last year and now 100.

Sher I didn't see a penny yet. I have nothing done yet either. Any one know the price of trees and hedging.

Had the adviser out here last week and told him the same thing.He said he's hearing the same from a lot of people.I think the advisers are just as pissed off about it as we are.

100 trees pays 621 per year....so 3105 for the entire scheme....and could cost 1500 plus the hardship of planting!!

Fùck that....

I put down 100 trees to get into the scheme....its just not worth it...

I have another question. I'm down for the 1m grass margins. Because it was fenced off for reps. Only problem is that some of it is full of bushes and briars. Will I have to clear. The scrub. With a digger or round up

I copied and pasted from ACRES specs for Grass Margins - Grassland.

"Requirements

1. Create a grass margin by 15 May in year 1 by erecting a permanent stock proof fence

2, 3, or 6 metres out from the field boundary. Only one margin width can be selected

across the holding. To be eligible for this action, the minimum continuous length to be

delivered is 10m. If selected as a priority action, the minimum length to be delivered

is 500m. The maximum length for payment is 2,500m.

2. The location and length (metres) must be identified on the LPIS parcel(s) and marked

on the map submitted.

3. To create a grass litter layer, you cannot cut or graze the margin between 15 May Year

1 and 31 August Year 2.

4. From year 2 onwards you must cut the margin between September and February but

not below 10cm to ensure the litter layer is retained. Alternatively, margins may be

managed by grazing, but this can only take place during the month of September and

ensure that no poaching occurs, and the litter layer remains.

5. Chemical or organic fertiliser or lime cannot be applied to the margin.

6. Pesticides and herbicides are not permitted, except for the spot treatment of

noxious/invasive weeds.

7. Margins must be stock proof and fenced with permanent stakes and wire appropriate

for the livestock type to exclude all livestock from the margin with the exception of

September if the margin is managed by grazing.

8. The margin(s) must remain in the same location for the duration of the contract.

Additional guidance

• Appropriate management to create this essential litter layer is to allow the grasses to

grow tall over summer in year one by not cutting or grazing so that this grass will then

collapse in the autumn. Fresh grass will grow up through this and the following

summer most of the first year’s growth will have died back and formed a litter layer.

• Depending on the height of the litter layer after year one you may need to cut higher

than 10cm.

• When margins are cut, it is recommended to remove offtakes to reduce the overall

fertility of the margin"

First Owl next box nearly completed. I will put a bit of mineral felt over the top of it even though I am fitting them inside.

You'd be better off phoning your advisor for advice. We didn't choose that option so I haven't a clue.

On the tree guard and stake, these look good value @ €1.95 each. I know you have to order 1,000 but a few sharing;

Was that an owl house built in the boom. Will have to reinforce the shed to hold that up. Where did you find the measurements