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ARABLE FIELDS
(a) Biodiversity Cropping on In-Bye (Tier 2 and Tier 3)
Objectives
The aim of this measure is to increase the conservation value of arable land and to increase numbers of declining species of bird, by encouraging traditional crop rotations that provide cover and feeding areas for birds.
Scope and Actions
- Sow plots of spring cereals, fodder root crops or fodder rape each up to 2 hectares, and all plots should total no more than 4 hectares over the whole unit;
- Cultivations and the spreading of fertiliser may only take place from 1 March and should be completed by 15 May. Exceptionally, for fodder rape or root crops, cultivations may be carried out after 15 May; any nests located to be marked and avoided.
- Ensure herbicides and insecticides are not applied without the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers. Normally, this consent will only be given to allow spot-treatment or the weed wiping of scheduled weeds (creeping, spear or field thistle, curled or broadleaved dock, and common ragwort) or invasive alien species ( e.g. Himalayan Balsam, rhododendron and Japanese Knotweed);
- After cropping, beneficiaries must not plough or cultivate the area before 1 March of the following year.
- Any cropping rotation and crop within that rotation which is or has been 'traditional' in the area can be accepted. For example, it is now common practice to grow daffodils in the south of the Grampian area and therefore daffodil production may legitimately be considered 'traditional' to that area.
Arable silage is not an eligible crop for this option for the following reasons:
- This type of crop tends to be thicker and it is therefore unsuitable for some bird species;
- Birds will be deprived of cover very much earlier in the year; and
- Autumn 'stubbles' and residual crop will not be there as a source of food for the birds over the autumn\winter period.
A supplement will be paid where a cereal crop is harvested by binder and the stooks gathered into stacks.
If option is carried out under Tier 2 - Each year you can change the location of this option but the amount applied for in any year must be maintained for five years.
If the option is carried out under Tier 3 - The aim is to maintain a similar area of cropped land in each year of the plan, although minor adjustments to this area can be made to allow for differences in field sizes. Scottish Ministers need to be given details at application stage of the fields to be 'rotated' in this way, i.e. field identifiers and area measurements.
Geographical targeting
The option is available throughout Scotland. In-bye land means the part of a farm or croft other than hill and rough grazings. The bulk of this is to be used for arable and grassland production. Beneficiaries must not adopt this option on an area of land which is in conversion under an Organic Aid Scheme conversion agreement. Land receiving management payments under RSS and CPS is not eligible under this option.
Amounts of support
The payment rate has been calculated on the basis of additional cost and income foregone from the commitment made. Hectarage limits apply.
Payment rate £71/ha
Payment rate where cereal crop is harvested by binder and stooks gathered into stacks £471/ha
(b) Management of Cropped Machair (Tier 3)
Objectives
To encourage the traditional cropping of previously cultivated machair land, i.e. improved grassland, land in crop or lying fallow after an arable crop. This will provide feeding grounds for birds and following cultivation, will encourage a range of annual plants to grow and flower as the area reverts to natural grassland. Biodiversity Action Plan ( BAP) species that may benefit include Corncrake, Skylark, Corn Bunting, Northern colletes bee and Great yellow bumblebee.
Scope and actions
- To be eligible for a payment under this option, the site must be included in an arable rotation, comprise at least 15% of the ploughable area of the machair and be sown to an arable crop or left fallow.
- After the arable crop has been harvested, the site must be left fallow to revert to natural grassland for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 years.
- Cultivation or rolling may only take place from 1 March until 15 May inclusive.
- Shallow cultivation depth must not exceed 100 mm.
- Pesticides may be applied only with the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers.
- Seaweed and farmyard manure may be applied in accordance with traditional practice. A premium payment will be due in this circumstance.
- An area of land on the eligible machair can only be considered for management under this option if it is brought into the required crop/fallow rotation in the first, second or third year of participation in the Scheme by the sowing of a spring crop, and has been subject to cultivation within the last 10 years.
- If a cereal crop is harvested by binder and the stooks gathered into stacks, a supplementary premium payment will be due.
Description and justification of the different types of commitments, based on their expected environmental impact in relation to environmental needs and priorities
Support for traditional cropping of previously cultivated machair land, providing a feeding and breeding ground for birds and encourage a range of annual plants to grow and flower as the area reverts to grassland.
Geographical targeting
Previously cropped machair.
Amounts of support
The payment rate has been calculated on the basis of additional cost and income forgone from the commitment made. Hectarage limits apply.
Payment rate Arable cropping £233/ha (without farmyard manure/seaweed)
Payment rate £279/ha (with farmyard manure/seaweed)
Payment rate supplement: When harvested by binder and stooks gathered into stacks £222.
(c) Management of Conservation Headlands (Tier 2)
Objectives
To leave the headlands of arable fields free from broadleaf herbicides or insecticides. This will allow the natural development of a varied flora within the headland, which will become a feeding ground and habitat for insects, birds and small mammals. Some BAP species that may benefit: Grey partridge, Linnet, Bullfinch, Corn bunting.
Scope and actions
- Broadleaf herbicides and insecticides must not be applied to the headland without the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers. Such requests must be accompanied by a letter from The Game Conservancy Trust or any other recognised conservation organisation with appropriate expertise confirming the acceptability of the proposals. Circumstances under which consent may be given include where a serious infestation is putting at risk the establishment of the headland. Fungicides can be applied as required without reference to Scottish Ministers.
- Premium Payment - No application of nitrogenous fertiliser to the headland.
- Premium Payment - Retaining stubbles from harvest of the Conservation Headlands until at least the end of February will provide cover and feeding for birds over winter.
Also:
- Beneficiaries will have the flexibility to change the actual fields used but the number of hectares applied for in any year must be maintained for five years.
- Conservation headlands can adjoin both autumn and spring sown crops. Conservation headlands adjoining cereals to be harvested for arable silage before the grain is ripe will not be eligible for payment.
Description and justification of the different types of commitments, based on their expected environmental impact in relation to environmental needs and priorities
Leaving headlands free of broadleaf herbicides and insecticides will allow natural development of a varied flora within the headland, which will create favourable conditions for insects, small mammals and birds.
Geographical targeting
Headlands with a minimum width of 6 metres in arable fields on which cereal, linseed, oilseed or protein crops are being grown.
Amounts of support
The payment rate has been calculated on the basis of additional cost and income forgone from the commitment made. Hectarage limits apply.
Payment Rate: £70/ha
Premium Payment Rate: for no application of nitrogenous fertiliser to the headland £136/ha
Payment rate supplement: for retaining conservation headland stubbles over winter £21/ha.
(d) Retention of Winter Stubbles (Tier 2)
Objectives
To increase the number of birds that survive the winter.
Scope and actions
- Retain stubbles from the harvest of spring or winter cereals, protein or oilseed crops to provide cover and feeding for birds until the end of the following February. Therefore you must not plough or cultivate the area before 1 March following harvest.
- From crop emergence up to and including the last day of February each year herbicides and insecticides must not be applied without the prior written agreement of your SEERAD area office. Normally, this consent will only be given to allow spot-treatment or the weed wiping of scheduled weeds (creeping, spear or field thistle, curled or broadleaved dock, and common ragwort) or invasive alien species ( e.g. Himalayan Balsam, rhododendron and Japanese Knotweed).
- Arable silage is not an eligible crop for this option because autumn 'stubbles' and any remaining crop will not be there as a source of food for the birds over autumn and winter.
- Each year you can change the location of your winter stubble but the amount applied for in any year must be maintained for five years.
Description and justification of the different types of commitments, based on their expected environmental impact in relation to environmental needs and priorities
Support for retaining stubbles over the winter to provide cover and feed for birds.
Geographical targeting
A site comprising arable land on which is grown a spring or winter crop of cereals, protein or oilseed.
Amounts of support
The payment rate has been calculated on the basis of additional cost and income forgone from the commitment made. Hectarage limits apply.
Payment Rate £96/ha
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