Option 9 - Wild Bird Seed Mix/Unharvested Crop
What this is about
This option provides support for the practice of leaving areas of crop unharvested, or cut and left in stooks, over the winter after spring sowing a mixture of seed bearing crops.
What this will achieve
Unharvested crops provide cover and feeding areas for birds. Biodiversity Action Plan ( BAP) species that may benefit include Grey Partridge, Skylark, Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Tree Sparrow and Corn Bunting.
What you must do
Either:
1 spring sow a mixture of annual crops, including at least one cereal, which will provide seed for the targeted species and do not plough down until after 15 March the following year;
Or
2 spring sow a mixture of at least two crops, one of which must seed in the first year and one in the second e.g. kale. Plough in after 15 March following last seeding year;
For both options:
- pesticides may be applied where necessary to aid establishment of the crop; otherwise, no application of pesticides is permitted.
- plots must be no more than 2 hectares in size.
In Corn Bunting areas (East Scotland, Uists and Borders) either one-year cereal-based mixes should be established or, where two-year mixes are sown, at least two plots must be established in alternate years.
To provide a safe retreat, plots should be located next to a hedge, isolated bush/tree or overhead wires but not dense woodland.
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 in your SAF Data Sheet using the code LMOWBS.
Eligibility criteria
Plots must be located on arable or improved grassland.
Land receiving payments for similar management under other agri-environment schemes is not eligible under this option.
This option cannot be adopted on an area of land which is in conversion under an Organic Aid Scheme ( OAS) (conversion) agreement or being maintained under an OAS (maintenance) agreement or if you are applying for support under RDC - RP conversion to a maintenance of organic farming.
Rate of support
This is a 5 year commitment. We will pay you £391.26 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).