SUSTAINABLE FARMING INCENTIVE – PILOT STARTING 2021 – IMPROVED GRASSLAND STANDARD
AIM 1: FIELD MANAGEMENT | ||
Introductory Level (£27 per hectare) | Intermediate Level (£62 per hectare) – All actions in Introductory level plus | |
1. Manage fields for grazing Do one of the following:
2. Manage historic features in grassland In areas with visible features of historic interest, for example ridge and furrow, barrows or deserted villages you must:
3. Allow tall vegetation and scrub to develop on 2% of grassland
Advice: |
1. Same as Introductory level 2. Same as Introductory level 3. Allow tall vegetation and scrub to develop on 5% of grassland (expands on Introductory Level)
4. Introduce clover and other legumes on 15% of improved grassland This will:
Advice: |
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Advanced Level (£97 per hectare) – All actions in Introductory and Intermediate Levels plus | ||
1. Manage fields for grazing(expands on introductory level) Allow wild or sown flowers to flower and produce seed by:
2. Same as Introductory level 3. Same as Intermediate level 4. Introduce diverse grass, herb and legumes on 20% of improved grassland (expands on Intermediate level) 5. Allow ryegrass to bear seed
Advice: |
AIM 2: HAY AND SILAGE FIELDS | ||
Introductory Level | Intermediate Level | Advanced Level |
1. Leave margins uncut to encourage flowers and seed
Advice: |
1. Same as Introductory level 2. Control cutting on silage fields On at least 60% of your silage fields do one of the following:
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1. Same as Introductory level 2. Same as Intermediate level |
AIM 3: USE OF BUFFERS TO PROTECT TREES | ||
Introductory Level | Intermediate Level | Advanced Level |
1. Create buffers around in-field trees
You’ll be paid £3 per tree. You can apply for funding for capital items to protect trees from damage by livestock. |
1. Same as Introductory level Advice: |
1. Same as Introductory level |
AIM 4: A PLAN TO REDUCE NUTRIENTS AND EMISSIONS | ||
Introductory Level | Intermediate Level | |
1. Create and follow a nutrient management plan to:
Advice: |
1. Same as Introductory level 2. Test your manures and soils To inform your nutrient planning:
3. Carry out a whole farm nutrient budget
4. Limit inputs of liquid manures
5. Use low emission technologies
Advice: |
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Advanced Level | ||
1. Same as Introductory level 2. Same as Intermediate level 3. Same as Intermediate level 4. Same as Intermediate level 5. Same as Intermediate level 6. Reduce nutrient inputs
This applies particularly:
7. Carry out soil mapping Carry out detailed soil mapping to test nutrient variations within fields, for example P, K, Mg and pH, on either:
8. Use efficient precision application equipment Use efficient precision application equipment for fertilisers and organic manures. Advice: |
AIM 5: DITCH MAINTENANCE | ||
Introductory Level | Intermediate and Advanced Levels | |
N/A | 1. Manage your ditches between 1 September and 1 April to minimise disturbance to wildlife
You can do in-channel management more regularly if you’ve been told to by a flood management authority. This requirement only applies where the applicant has control over the management of the ditch. Ditches managed by the Environment Agency or an Internal Drainage Board are exempt.
Advice: |
Eligible land:
All grassland that meets the definition of improved grassland is eligible for this standard, including:
- improved grassland on mixed farms
- temporary grassland – land that’s been in grass or other herbaceous forage for five years or less
To qualify as improved grassland, the sward composition should include at least 2 of the following:
- more than 30% cover of rye-grasses and white clover
- up to 8 species per m2, including grasses
- less than 10% cover of wildflowers and sedges, excluding white clover, creeping buttercup, docks, thistles and ragwort
Management of the land is likely to include:
- regular re-seeding, or within the last 15 years
- regular fertilising with typically at least 100 kg per ha of nitrogen as compound fertiliser or animal manures and slurries
- boom spraying herbicide to treat weeds
- active, well-maintained field drains
- taking any conserved forage as silage at least once a year
Ineligible land
The following land is ineligible for this standard:
- sites of special scientific interest (SSSI)
- areas of peat soils greater than 20% soil organic matter to a depth of 40cm or more
Funding for Capital Items
- fencing
- sheep netting
- permanent electric fencing
- rabbit fencing supplement
- fencing supplement – difficult sites
- wooden field gate
- small wildlife box
- medium wildlife box
- large wildlife box
Additional standards you can apply to this land
Land parcels you use for this standard can also be used for the:
These notes, prepared on the 09.07.2021, are only to be used as a part of a wider discussion/decision-making process undertaken with Townsend Chartered Surveyors also giving accompanying advice. TCS cannot be held responsible for their use other than in this context or for any resulting misunderstanding or damages. As a pilot the payment values and actions required may be subject to change as Defra develops the scheme.