Option 17 - Retention of Winter Stubbles
What this is about
This option provides support for retaining stubbles over the winter to provide cover and food for birds.
What this will achieve
Winter stubbles will provide cover, and food in the form of spilt grain and seeds, for birds which will increase the number of birds that survive the winter.
Biodiversity Action Plan ( BAP) species that may benefit include: Song Thrush, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Grey Partridge, Linnet and Corn Bunting.
What you must do
Requirements
- Retain stubbles from your harvest of spring or winter cereals, protein or oilseed crops to provide cover and food for birds until the end of February the following year. Once you have harvested you must not plough or cultivate the area before 1 March in the following year.
- You must not apply herbicides and insecticides without the prior written agreement of Scottish Ministers from when the crop emerges until up to and including the last day of February the following year. 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).
- Arable silage is not an eligible crop for this option because it does not provide autumn 'stubbles' and any remaining crop as a source of food for the birds over autumn and winter.
- You can change the location of your winter stubble but you must include the same number of hectares each year.
- The controlled grazing post-harvest will increase the available food supply to over-wintering birds because ground disturbance uncovers more seeds. Fallen grain and dunging supporting increased numbers of invertebrates. The grazing regime adopted for areas being managed under this option must be such that the aims of this option, providing cover and feeding areas for birds, is not frustrated.
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 code LMORWS.
Eligibility criteria
Land receiving payments for similar management under other agri-environment schemes is not eligible under this option.
The option is available on arable land.
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.
Rate of support
This is a 5 year commitment. We will pay £96 per hectare per year. We will pay at the end of each 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).