UPL6: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (100% GLU)

This is an action in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme: expanded offer for 2024. You must read the SFI scheme information to understand the scheme rules and how to apply.

Duration

3 years

How much you’ll be paid

£23 per hectare (ha) per year

Action’s aim

This supplemental action’s aim is that all the grazing livestock units (GLU) on moorland are cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.

The purpose of this is to:

• create a more varied sward structure
• control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
• increase wildlife diversity

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land entered into one of the following base actions:

• UPL1: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
• UPL2: Low livestock grazing on moorland
• UPL3: Limited livestock grazing on moorland

If you apply for this supplemental action, you cannot apply for the following supplemental actions on the same are:

• UPL4: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 30% GLU)
• UPL5: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 70% GLU)

Eligibility of protected land

Available area you can enter into this action

This is the same as your selected base action.

Rotational or static action

This is the same as your selected base action.

What to do

100% of the GLU on land entered into UPL1, UPL2 or UPL3 must be cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.

You must include the following information in the written stocking calendar required for UPL1, UPL2 and UPL3:

• dates you plan to graze the land parcel with cattle, ponies or both during each calendar month
• monthly numbers of cattle, ponies or both, including the age bracket for cattle

When to do it

You must do this action from its start date, throughout each year of its 3-year duration.

How to do it

It’s up to you how you do this action, as long as you:

• follow this action’s requirements – these are identified by a ‘must’
• do the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim

You may find it helpful to read the ‘advice to help you do this action’, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

Evidence to keep

You must keep the required written stocking calendar and supply this evidence if we ask for it. It can be recorded on paper or electronically.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they’re done at a different time of year to this action. For example, winter cover followed by a summer companion crop. Read ‘What to do’ and ‘When to do it’ to find out when this action must be done.

If an action or option cannot be located on the same area, you may be able to do it on a different area in the same land parcel. Read section 6 ‘Eligible land in other funding schemes’ in the SFI scheme information for more details.

You can do one of the following supplemental actions on the same area as this supplemental action:

• SPM4: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (50-80%)
• SPM5: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (more than 80%)

Advice to help you do this action

The following advice may help you to do this action, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

How to calculate the livestock percentage

Once you’ve converted your livestock numbers into GLU using the values shown under ‘What to do’, you can use the Livestock grazing on moorland calculator to calculate the percentage of total GLU entered into your selected base action.

The GLU percentage is an annual average.

Grazing moorland with cattle and ponies

Before you graze with cattle or ponies, or a combination of both, it’s advisable to assess your moorland so you can manage grazing in a way that helps to:

• maintain, enhance or restore habitats
• protect historic and archaeological features

You can apply for CMOR1: assess moorland and produce a written record to help you identify opportunities for managing cattle and pony grazing on your moorland.

Type of cattle

Cattle with low nutritional requirements (such as dry suckler cows) are best for sites with fibrous herbage.

Mature and placid cattle are best suited for sites where there are ground-nesting birds, as they reduce the risk of trampling.

Type of pony

Hardy native ponies and their cross-breeds are well suited to the harsh conditions on moorlands.

It’s important that ponies can exhibit their natural herd behaviours, preferably with a mixed age of animals.

All ponies need access to drier areas for rest. This is particularly important for pregnant mares and foals.

Grazing purple moor-grass with cattle and ponies

Grazing purple moor-grass with cattle or ponies, or a combination of both, during the spring and early summer (usually between around mid-May and mid-July) can reduce species dominance. This is because the grassland is growing quickly and is most palatable.

You can choose to graze more heavily during the spring and summer. This can help to improve vegetation structure on areas dominated by purple moor-grass. [SFI]: Sustainable Farming Incentive [GLU]: grazing livestock units [SSSIs]: sites of special scientific interest [CS]: Countryside Stewardship *[ES]: Environmental Stewardship