AB2: Basic overwinter stubble - GOV.UK

Contents

1. How much will be paid
2. Where to use this option
3. Where this option cannot be used
4. How this option will benefit the environment
5. Aims
6. Prohibited activities
7. Recommended management
8. Keeping records
9. Additional guidance and advice
10. Pick the right location
11. Blocks or plot sizes
12. Enhance basic stubble
13. Rotational management
14. Biodiversity
15. Further information

How much will be paid

£58 per hectare (ha).

Where to use this option

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier on whole or part parcels in rotation on stubble that follows the harvest of:

• cereals (not maize)
• oilseed rape
• linseed

Where this option cannot be used

• Parcels at risk of soil erosion or runoff, as identified on the Farm Environment Record (FER)
• Organic land or land in conversion to organic status

How this option will benefit the environment

It provides a winter food source for seed-eating birds, which feed on spilt grain and the seeds of broad-leaved weeds. It also provides a foraging habitat for brown hare.

Aims

If you’re selected for a site visit, we will check that delivery of the aims is being met and the prohibited activities have not been carried out. This will ensure the environmental benefits are being delivered.

After the harvest there will be stubble until mid-February.

Prohibited activities

To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities:

• apply pre-harvest desiccants
• apply post-harvest herbicides
• apply any fertilisers, manures or lime to the stubble
• top or graze

On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any prohibited activities.

Recommended management

To assist you in achieving the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this option we recommend that you use best practice.

• Keep the stubble from harvest to 15 February each year.

Keeping records

Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

• An annual record of the location of the rotational options
• Field operation records at the parcel level, including associated invoices
• Photographs of the stubble area

Additional guidance and advice

The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.

Pick the right location

This option suits most soil types but works best when arable plants in the soil seedbank create a range of natural habitats that can support different wildlife.

The best overwinter stubbles come from spring sown crops, especially barley.

Blocks or plot sizes

Spread basic stubbles widely across the farm to help connect farmland wildlife with other farm habitats.

This option delivers most of its benefits at a larger scale, which provides the best opportunities for foraging and feeding. Very small areas of stubble at the edge of fields (or in areas of poor soil condition) are not suitable.

This option is designed to rotate around the farm so it:

• fits in with the crop rotations
• gives the most benefit for biodiversity

Enhance basic stubble

Enhance the stubble by broadcasting beneficial seed and nectar-producing plants, such as mustard and fodder radish. Do this after harvest on a maximum of 10% of the stubble area.

Use the stubble as areas for supplementary feeding when they are next to winter bird food plots.

Rotational management

Stubbles should be in place from harvest until at least 31 December in year 5 of the agreement, after which time you can then return it to the rotation.

Biodiversity

This option/item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.

The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier and Higher Tier including how to apply.

Published 2 April 2015 Last updated 8 February 2022 + show all updates

1. 8 February 2022

New payment rate from 1 January 2022

1. 3 February 2021

Option updated for agreements starting from 1 January 2021.

1. 11 February 2020

The Requirements and Keeping records' sections of this page have been updated

1. 8 March 2019

Updated keeping records section for evidence required with claim.

1. 6 March 2017

Updated for 2017 applications.

1. 29 March 2016

Information updated for applications in 2016.

1. 2 April 2015

First published.