SW7
Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input
£489.00
info Summary
This Countryside Stewardship option supports the reversion of arable land to grassland with low fertiliser input. It aims to stabilize soil, reduce nutrient losses, buffer sensitive habitats, and mitigate flood risk by establishing a dense, diverse grass sward managed through grazing and/or cutting.
format_list_bulleted What to do
- Establish a diverse grass sward with at least 5 species, aiming for minimum bare ground.
- Graze and/or cut the sward during spring and summer, removing cuttings in late summer after the bird breeding season.
- Exclude livestock from the sward during autumn and winter.
- Do not use pesticides (except for specific weed control).
- Do not apply manure or fertiliser between 15 August and 1 February.
- Do not exceed 100kg/ha/year total nitrogen from livestock manures (or 50kg/ha/year from nitrogen fertiliser).
- Do not supplementary feed (except mineral blocks).
schedule When to do
- Establish a grass sward by 1 October (if reseeding).
- Manage the sward by grazing and/or cutting during spring and summer, removing cuttings in late summer after the bird breeding season.
- Exclude all livestock from 1 October to 15 March.
- Do not apply manure or fertiliser between 15 August and 1 February.
- Ensure less than 10% bare ground by year 2.
- Check for breeding birds before operating machinery during the breeding season (mid-March to mid-July).
checklist How to do
- If reseeding, establish a grass sward by 1 October using a seed mixture of at least 5 species.
- From year 2, manage the sward by grazing and/or cutting to achieve an average sward height of 5cm to 15cm in November, removing all cuttings.
- Exclude all livestock from 1 October to 15 March.
- Ensure less than 10% bare ground by year 2.
- Check for breeding birds before operating machinery during the breeding season (mid-March to mid-July).
- When preparing a seedbed, remove subsoil compaction (except on archaeological features).
- Control weeds and cut regularly in the first 12 to 24 months of establishment.
- Avoid cutting when the soil is wet to prevent compaction.
- Remove any cuttings that would damage the sward.
- Avoid supplementary feeding, except with mineral blocks.
description Evidence Required
You must send the following with your application.
- Written support from CSF
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
- Evidence that you are using a recommended fertiliser management system or that you are at low intensity farmer
tips_and_updates Additional Advice
- Use this option in targeted areas to reduce diffuse water pollution or buffer sensitive habitats.
- Avoid using on sites with archaeological interest or uncontrolled pests.
- When preparing a seedbed, remove subsoil compaction (except on archaeological features).
- Control weeds and cut regularly in the first 12 to 24 months of establishment.
- Avoid cutting when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
- Remove any cuttings that will otherwise damage the sward.
- Avoid supplementary feeding, except with mineral blocks.
- Tailor grass species choice to soil type and cutting regime, considering species like timothy, cocksfoot, crested dogstail, red fescue, and smooth stalked meadow grass.
- Consider adding robust wildflowers such as ox-eye daisy, black knapweed, bird’s-foot-trefoil, and common sorrel.
View Official Guidelines
Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website