AB8 Flower-Rich Margins remains one of the most searched Countryside Stewardship actions. Farmers want clear answers on payment rates, seed mix rules, width requirements and what the RPA actually checks during inspection.
This guide explains what AB8 is, who it suits, how much it pays in 2024 and 2025, what the technical rules are, and how to build evidence that stands up in an inspection.
What is AB8 Flower-Rich Margins?
AB8 is a Countryside Stewardship arable option designed to create species-rich grass and wildflower margins around arable fields. The aim is to provide pollen and nectar for pollinators, habitat for beneficial insects and improved biodiversity across farmed landscapes.
It is most suitable for:
- Arable farms
- Mixed farms with rotational arable land
- Farms looking to strengthen biodiversity alongside productive land
- Holdings wanting to align habitat delivery with wider environmental actions
The option typically runs as part of a multi-year Countryside Stewardship agreement.
Official option guidance confirms AB8 is intended to create and maintain flower-rich margins with specific establishment and management requirements.
Source: GOV.UK Countryside Stewardship option guidance
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-revenue-options/ab8-flower-rich-margins-and-plot-corners
What does AB8 pay in 2024 and 2025?
The payment rate for AB8 Flower-Rich Margins is:
£739 per hectare per year
This rate applies under Countryside Stewardship revenue options for 2024 and 2025 agreements.
Source: GOV.UK Countryside Stewardship revenue payment rates
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-revenue-options-payments
Because margins are often narrow strips, many farmers calculate this on a per-metre basis to understand true income impact across the farm.
What are the AB8 requirements?
This is where most compliance issues arise. AB8 has very specific establishment and management rules.
1. Minimum width
Margins must be at least 6 metres wide. They are usually positioned along field edges, but can also be placed as plot corners.
The width must be maintained for the full agreement period.
2. Seed mix requirements
The seed mix must:
- Contain a minimum proportion of wildflowers
- Include a diverse mix of species
- Meet the specification set out in the scheme handbook
You cannot simply sow a generic margin mix. It must meet Countryside Stewardship composition standards.
Source: AB8 option specification
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-revenue-options/ab8-flower-rich-margins-and-plot-corners
3. Establishment timing
Establishment must follow guidance in the scheme manual. Typically:
- Sown in spring or early autumn
- Ground prepared appropriately
- Competitive weeds controlled during establishment
Failure during establishment is one of the biggest risks to payment.
4. Cutting and management rules
Management requirements include:
- Cutting to control weeds
- Avoiding fertiliser and pesticide use unless specifically permitted
- Removing cuttings where required
- Preventing scrub encroachment
These margins are not just left unmanaged. They require active maintenance.
What evidence does the RPA expect for AB8?
This is where many farms fall short. AB8 can look good in the field, but inspectors require proof.
Strong evidence typically includes:
Dated establishment photos
Photos showing ground preparation, drilling and early growth stages.
Seed invoices
Proof of compliant seed mix purchase.
Field maps
Clear parcel mapping showing margin width and location.
Management logs
Records of cutting dates and weed control actions.
Ongoing condition photos
Images through the season showing species establishment and management.
Inspectors do not rely on memory. They rely on dated, location-specific proof that matches the agreement.
Source: Countryside Stewardship inspections and evidence guidance
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countryside-stewardship-inspections
Common AB8 mistakes that fail inspections
Based on inspection guidance and advisory feedback, common problems include:
- Margin narrower than 6 metres
- Non-compliant seed mix
- Poor establishment with grass dominance
- Lack of weed control
- No evidence of management
- Invoices missing or not linked to parcel
Often the margin exists, but the paperwork does not support it.
How to calculate AB8 return properly
Because AB8 pays £739 per hectare, narrow margins can still generate meaningful income when scaled across a farm.
For example:
- 6 metre margin along 1,000 metres of field edge = 0.6 hectares
- 0.6 ha x £739 = £443 per year
Multiply across multiple fields and AB8 becomes a significant environmental and financial contributor.
How JustFarm helps you manage AB8 margins properly
AB8 is simple in principle but technical in detail. That is where organisation matters.
JustFarm helps you:
- Map AB8 margins precisely and confirm correct width
- Store seed invoices against the correct parcel
- Capture dated establishment and condition photos
- Log cutting and management actions in the field
- Track agreement dates automatically
- Export inspection-ready evidence reports instantly
Instead of scrambling for photos and invoices at inspection time, your AB8 evidence builds naturally as you manage the margin.
AB8 margins are visible in the field. With JustFarm, they are visible in your compliance record too.
AB8 evidence checklist
Before inspection, make sure you have:
- Parcel map showing correct width
- Seed invoice that matches required mix
- Establishment photos
- Management logs
- Ongoing seasonal photos
- No fertiliser or pesticide use recorded unless permitted
If any of these are missing, fix it early, not when the RPA contacts you.
Final thought
AB8 Flower-Rich Margins can deliver strong biodiversity outcomes and reliable annual income at £739 per hectare. But payment depends on detail. Width, seed mix, management and evidence all matter.
The farms that pass inspections comfortably are the ones that treat evidence as part of farming, not an afterthought.
If you want a structured way to track your AB8 margins and evidence without adding paperwork, JustFarm makes that part of your normal workflow.
