Defra has asked me for a forecast yield for linseed growing on eligible land. In the IACS form I provided a forecast yield for non-food linseed growing on set-aside, but not on the rest of our linseed which is on eligible land (but not set-aside). According to the Defra lady, she gets an error message when she enters the non set-aside linseed on her system without a forecast yield. Having searched the IACS booklets, I cannot find any requirement to provide forecast yield for linseed not on set-aside. Having put this point to Defra, I am told "you won't be paid without the forecast yield" (although they admit that the rules may not require it). Anyone else encountered this problem with linseed on their IACS forms?

You have to provide yield estimate for OSR in the same senario, its so you cant have 10t/ha on food use with 2kg/Ha on setaside,...or vice versa when the non food is worth more!!

Yes. Always. Unless you are seriously wealthy, and wish to contest the fact.

After wading through past years' booklets, it seems, from para K6 of the 2003 IACS1 book, that Defra is right. Thanks for your comments though. GG