Option 15 - Biodiversity Cropping on In-Bye
What this is about
This option aims to increase the conservation value of arable land and increase numbers of associated bird species.
What this will achieve
This option will increase the conservation value of arable land by encouraging traditional crop rotations to provide cover and feeding areas for birds. Spring cropping and low input management will support wildflowers and provide invertebrate food for birds. The structure of a spring crop is also favourable to ground nesting birds.
BAP species that may benefit include Brown Hare, Skylark, Common Linnet, Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow and Cornflower.
What you must do
Requirements
- Sow plots of spring cereals, fodder root crops or fodder rape each up to 2 hectares; their total area should not exceed 4 hectares over the whole unit;
- Only undertake cultivations and spread fertiliser between 1 March and 15 May inclusive. Exceptionally, for fodder rape or root crops, cultivations may be carried out after 15 May. Any nests that you locate must be marked and avoided.
- Do not apply herbicides and insecticides without prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers. Normally, this consent will only be given to allow spot-treatment or the weed wiping of scheduled weeds (Common Ragwort, Spear Thistle, Creeping or Field Thistle, Curled Dock or Broad Leaved Dock) or invasive
non-native species (e.g. Himalayan Balsam, Rhododendron Ponticum and Japanese Knotweed). - After cropping, you must not plough or cultivate the area before 1 March of the following year.
- You can include any cropping rotation and crops that are, or have been, 'traditional' to the area. 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:
- It is unsuitable for some bird species because its stems are closer together and it is a denser crop;
- Birds will be deprived of cover much earlier in the year; and
- It does not provide autumn 'stubbles' or a residual crop to act as a source of food in the autumn and winter.
A supplement will be paid where a cereal crop is harvested by a binder and the stooks gathered into stacks.
You can change the location of the plots but the amount applied for must be maintained for 5 years.
Who can apply
All land managers are eligible to apply for this option.
How to apply
Complete Section 4 of the LMO application form and columns M and N of your SAF Data Sheet using the following codes. The code required for the normal rate is LMOBCN and if you apply for the traditional cereal harvesting supplement the code LMOBCT must also be entered.
Eligibility criteria
This option is available on in-bye land throughout Scotland. This option cannot be adopted on an area of land which is in conversion under an Organic Aid Scheme (conversion) agreement or if you are applying for support under RDC - RP conversion to of organic farming.
Land receiving payments for similar management under other agri-environment schemes is not eligible under this option. The 4 ha limit applies across all the Agri-environment Schemes including LMCMS.
Rate of support
This is a 5 year commitment. We will pay at the end of each year.
Payment rate £70.94 per hectare per year.
Supplement rate where cereal crop is harvested by binder and stooks gathered into stacks £400 per hectare per year.
Inspections/Verification
The inspector will check the requirements of the option are being met (as detailed above under 'What you must do') by a visual assessment on the day of inspection.
You must comply with the requirements of cross compliance and the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products and you must avoid damaging or destroying any historic or archaeological features or areas (detailed in previous section).