WBD4

Establish and maintain a diverse grass sward with at least 5 grass species. Manage it by grazing or cutting in spring and summer, with specific prohibitions on autumn/winter grazing, pesticide use, fertiliser/manure application timings and rates, and supplementary feeding.

If establishing a new sward, it must be sown by early autumn within the first 12 months of the action's start. Both new and existing swards must be maintained for the duration of the action.

You must follow the mandatory requirements and carry out the action in a way that is reasonably expected to achieve its aim. Reading the additional advice is optional.

You must keep written evidence that land entered into this action is either:

• at risk of soil erosion or surface runoff - you can use the soil management plan produced for CSAM1 or SAM1 to identify this
• important for buffering sensitive habitats

You must also keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as:

• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices, including details of the seed mix used
• stocking records to show grazing activity at a land parcel level
• input records of nitrogen application
• photographs and other documentation

If it’s not clear that you’ve done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence.

You must supply this evidence if we ask for it.

Advice is provided on selecting grass species tailored to local conditions, potentially including wildflowers for added environmental benefit. Regular cutting and weed control in the initial years helps establish the sward. Always check for nesting birds before cutting.