Talk about working to the wire.
With not a day to spare, the Scottish Government finally submitted its plans on how it will implement the new Cap regime to Europe on its deadline day – August 1.
Most in the industry were expecting a full guide to the new regime with the submission of plans to Europe, yet farmers far and near remain relatively clueless about the regime.
NFU Scotland has been jumping up and down demanding answers about the greening rules, expressing disappointment that questions remain unanswered.
Arable growers are in the worst situation.
One north-east farmer this week asked me if his cropping would meet the three-crop rule.
These type of questions should not be getting asked at this stage in the year.
With combines rolling across the country farmers need full clarity on the greening rules so they can plan crop rotations for the year ahead.
Another concern is whether or not there will be enough time to get the new regime in place for payments next year.
One leading figure in the Scots agri-sphere told me stakeholders were told payments would be delayed in 2015.
Yet the Scottish Government is adamant its timeline is realistic.
There is no doubt the Scottish Government has been behind the curve, being the last administration in the UK to outline its plans for Cap reform.
And with less than four months until the start of the new regime, being told a letter with full guidelines will be sent “shortly” is simply not good enough.
Farming is a long-term industry and forward planning is key.
Mr Lochhead needs to get Cap guidelines out to farmers as a matter of priority.