Ploughing date for spring cereal crops brought forward to December

THE ploughing date for spring crops has been brought forward by more than six weeks by Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith following talks with Environment Minister John Gormley.

It means the requirement for cereal farmers to establish green cover on arable lands will be relaxed this winter so as to allow them to plough for spring cereals from December 1 next rather than January 15, 2010, the date provided for in the nitrates regulations.

Mr Smith said the advice from Teagasc is that due to low soil temperatures in December and January, this adjustment can be made without any substantial increase in the risk of leaching of nitrates.