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ACRES: Change to deadline for mowing operations
In recognition of the pressure on winter fodder arising from the prolonged period of dry weather in recent months, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is advising that mowing operations are permitted on and from August 21 for the following ACRES actions, with this flexibility permitted in 2026 only.
General Actions
Action | Requirement | Change – for 2026 only | |
Grass Margin – Arable | The margin must be managed annually by either mulching or mowing. This management must only take place after August 31 and before January 15, 2027. Livestock are not permitted to access the margin. | This management may take place on or after 21 August 2026 and before 15 January 2027. | |
Grass Margin- Grassland | To create a grass litter layer, you cannot cut or graze the margin between 15 May and 31 August; 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. | For 2026, you must cut the margin between 21 August 2026 and end of February 2027 but not below 10cm to ensure the litter layer is retained. Alternatively, margins may be managed by grazing, but this can only take place from 21 August to the end of September 2026 and ensure that no poaching occurs, and the litter layer remains. | |
Riparian Buffer Zone/strip - Arable | Cutting is permitted but cannot take place between 1 March and the 31 August annually. Offtakes can be removed. | For 2026, cutting is permitted on or after 21 August 2026. Offtakes can be removed. | |
Riparian Buffer Zone/strip - Grassland | Cutting is permitted but cannot take place between 1 March and 31 August. | For 2026, cutting is permitted on or after 21 August 2026. | |
Riparian Buffer Zone/strip - Grassland | Cutting is permitted but cannot take place between 1 March and 31 August. | For 2026, cutting is permitted on or after 21 August 2026. |
Non-Productive Investments
Action | Requirement | Change – for 2026 only | |
Field Margins | To create a grass litter layer, do not cut or graze the margin from when the margin is created by erecting the fence until the 31st of August the following year. In the second year after the grass margin is created you must cut the margin between September and December 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. | Where 2026 is the second year after the grass margin was created, you must cut the margin between 21 August 2026 and end of December 2026 but not below 10cm to ensure the litter layer is retained. Alternatively, margins may be managed by grazing, but this can only take place from 21 August to the end of September 2026 and ensure that no poaching occurs, and the litter layer remains. | |
Riparian Margin and Riparian Margin (Sheep fencing) | Cutting is permitted but cannot take place between 1 March and 31 August. | For 2026, cutting is permitted on or after 21 August 2026. |