£117.00
info Summary
This Countryside Stewardship option pays £117 per hectare yearly to establish and manage a multi-species ley on organic or in-conversion land, providing year-round habitat and food for pollinators and farmland birds. Management involves rotational cutting or grazing with specific timings to ensure flowering species throughout summer, while maintaining a diverse seed mix.
format_list_bulleted What to do
- Establish a multi-species ley in the first year, containing at least 5 grass species, 3 legume species, and 3 herb species.
- Manage with rotational cutting or grazing to ensure flowering species throughout summer.
- Do not allow the grass component to exceed 75% of the seed mix by weight.
schedule When to do
- Establish the multi-species ley in year 1 of the agreement.
- For 50% of the area, cut or graze between 1 April and 15 May, then rest until 1 August.
- For the remaining 50% of the area, cut or graze between 15 May and 30 June, then rest until 15 September.
- Check for breeding birds before operations, typically from mid-March until mid-July.
checklist How to do
- Establish a multi-species ley in year 1 with at least 5 grass, 3 legume, and 3 herb species.
- Manage with rotational cutting or grazing.
- Divide the area: for 50%, cut/graze 1 April to 15 May, then rest until 1 August.
- For the other 50%, cut/graze 15 May to 30 June, then rest until 15 September.
- Check for breeding birds (mid-March to mid-July) before any disturbing activities.
description Evidence Required
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.
- Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
- Stock records to show grazing activity on parcels
- A valid organic certificate and schedule for all the parcels entered into this option at application and on your annual claim – the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will not request this information if you have already supplied it for a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claim
tips_and_updates Additional Advice
- This rotational option can be moved between eligible parcels, but the same total area must be maintained each year.
- This option can contribute to an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, potentially limiting the need for Plant Protection Products.
- This option is beneficial for biodiversity recovery and should be linked with other habitat options for better connectivity.
View Official Guidelines
Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website