South Downs ESA
- Aims and objectives
- Background to the ESA
- Tier 1 - Permanent grassland on the chalk
- Tier 2 - Permanent grassland in the river valleys
- Tier 3A - Reversion of arable land to chalk grassland
- Tier 3B - Arable reversion to permanent grassland
- Tier 4A - Winter stubbles with undersowing
- Tier 4B - Winter stubbles without undersowing
- Tier 4C - Conservation headlands
Aims and objectives
1.The South Downs ESA aims to maintain and enhance the traditional farmed landscape and associated wildlife and historic resources of the area by encouraging beneficial farming practices.
2. Specific objectives are:
| Related tier(s) | |
|---|---|
| To maintain and, where there has been intensification or abandonment, enhance the nature conservation interest of calcareous grassland. | 1 |
| To increase the extent of calcareous grassland on the downs, particularly where it will buffer or reinforce existing calcareous grassland and/or have the potential, in the long term, to develop into species-rich calcareous grassland. | 3A |
| To maintain the nature conservation interest of river valley grassland and associated watercourses. | 2 |
| To maintain and enhance the South Downs landscape by encouraging mixed farming, ensuring an appropriate balance between arable and grassland (according to landscape type), and by maintaining traditional landscape elements. | All |
| To enhance the nature conservation interest of arable land. | 4A-C |
| To protect archaeological and historic features. | 1, 2, 3 |
Background to the ESA
2.The ESA extends over 69,045 hectares in the counties of East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire. It is located on a chalk outcrop forming a line of hills bounded on the northern side by a steep escarpment and characterised by rolling chalk downland and dry valleys. The range of hills is breached in four places by the rivers Cuckmere, Ouse, Adur and Arun, which rise in the low-lying Weald to the north. Current farming in the area is a mix of livestock, mainly sheep and arable farming and it is the traditional sheep grazing that has given rise to the characteristic closely-grazed chalk downland turf.
3.The ESA is recognised as one of the most important chalkland landscapes in England and most of the area has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The ESA is noted for its few surviving areas of internationally important species-rich chalk grassland (many of which have SSSI status), which support a rich variety of wild flowers and associated invertebrate fauna, as well as breeding birds, such as lapwing and snipe. The wet grassland and the ditches in the valleys are also valuable habitats. There is a wealth of archaeological interest, including defensive sites, burial mounds and field boundaries, such as traditional flint walls and livestock enclosures.
4.The main threat in the area has been agricultural intensification which has resulted in the ploughing up or improvement of grassland and the loss of, or deterioration in, the condition of many historical features and boundaries. An additional threat has been the undergrazing or abandonment of escarpments which has resulted in the encroachment of coarse species and scrub across these areas.
5.This is a 'part-farm' scheme which started in 1987 and was first extended in 1988 by 34,600 ha and by a further 7,775 ha in 1992. The revised scheme was introduced in 1997. Overall uptake at the end of 1998 was c. 13,405 hectares.
6.A priority objective is to secure the favourable management of the calcareous grassland (Tier 1). The prescriptions for this tier have been improved to enable better targeting and enhancement of species-rich swards, through the implementation of grazing management plans and a strengthened prescription for the control of weeds. An additional improvement is the implementation of scrub management plans, through Conservation Plans, to prevent the loss of this valuable habitat and to enable abandoned areas to be brought under grazing management. This tier is the main mechanism for achieving the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets for chalk grassland in the area.
7.The retention of grassland in the valleys (Tier 2) is important to provide summer grazing for livestock and a sanctuary for over-wintering birds. All tiers aim to protect the landscape and its characteristic elements and historic features. Throughout the ESA, the enhancement of features, such as traditional buildings, dewponds, walls, hedgerows, ditches and historic artefacts, can be achieved through the Conservation Plans.
8.Another priority is to extend the area of calcareous grassland and grassland, through arable reversion, for wildlife, landscape and historic interests. Under Tier 3A there is now an increased emphasis on the use of a specified seed mix, containing species characteristic of chalk downland. The cost of this will be funded through a Conservation Plan. In some cases, farmers have found it difficult to sustain grassland swards on Tier 3B land. To overcome this the prescriptions have been modified to allow low levels of nutrients to be applied to help establish recently reseeded areas.
9.The scheme seeks to increase the wildlife value (in particular farmland birds) of arable fields by encouraging the retention of winter stubble (Tiers 4A & 4B). Another aim is to enhance the nature conservation interest of arable land through the continued environmentally sensitive management of arable field margins (Tier 4C). This tier is an important mechanism for achieving the BAP targets for the arable field margins in the area.
Tier 1 - Permanent grassland on the chalk
Scheme Prescriptions
1. Maintain grassland and do not plough, chain harrow, roll, level or reseed the land. No other form of cultivation is allowed.
2.Graze with cattle or sheep or both, but avoid poaching, under grazing or over grazing. Within 18 months of the start of the agreement agree a grassland management plan with the Project Officer which you must implement.
3.Do not cut the grass for hay or silage or top the grass before 1 July.
4.Do not apply organic or inorganic fertiliser.
5.Do not apply fungicides or insecticides.
6.Do not apply herbicides except to control nettles, spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock, broad leaved dock or ragwort. Weeds - such as those mentioned above - must be controlled. If herbicides are used they may only be applied by means of a weed wiper or spot treatment with a knapsack sprayer. Herbicides may also be used for treatment of stumps of cleared scrub.
7.Do not apply lime, slag or other substance to reduce the acidity of the soil.
8.Do not install any new drainage system or substantially modify any existing drainage system.
9.Maintain any existing ditches by mechanical means, not sprays. Do not fill in any ditches. Spoil must be levelled after allowing it to dry.
10. Restrict supplementary feeding of livestock to areas agreed in advance.
11. Protect and maintain dew ponds and ponds.
12. Maintain stockproof walling and hedges in a stockproof condition using traditional materials.
13. Any weatherproof field barns which you own or for which you are responsible must be maintained in a weatherproof condition using traditional materials.
14.Do not damage or destroy any features of historic interest.
15.Obtain written advice on siting and materials before constructing buildings, roads, or any other engineering operations which do not require planning permission or prior notification determination by the Local Planning Authority.
16. Obtain written advice on the management of scrub or proposals to plant any new woodland. You must agree a scrub management programme with the Project Officer which you must implement.
17.You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air published by the Ministry (references PB 0587, PB 0617 and PB 0618) as amended from time to time.
Agronomic Impact
1. The restriction on re-seeding is likely to reduce the stock carrying capacity of the land in the long term. A reduction in stocking rates of 0.05 GLU per hectare is considered a typical long term consequence of this prescription.
2. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
3. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
4. Current stocking rates are approximately 1.2 GLU per hectare with nitrogen fertiliser applications of 70 kg N per hectare. This prescription will result in a reduction in average stocking rates to approximately 0.45 GLU/ha. (An overall reduction of 0.5 GLU/ha when combined with the effects of prescription 1.) Approximately 50% of the GLU on this land is comprised of sheep, the remainder being suckler cows, store cattle and dairy heifers. There will be limited savings in labour and interest on working capital as a result of de-stocking and income to be gained from livestock quota leasing.
5. No significant consequences for Income Forgone
6. Extra costs associated with application of herbicides. Typically this involves a switch from using cheap herbicides on an overall basis to spot treatment or wick application of more expensive chemicals. Topping is also used to control weeds in both the non ESA and ESA situation.
7. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
8. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
9. Extra costs are, in general, associated with ditch maintenance. However, ditches are not a feature on the land eligible for this tier, and therefore this prescription has no economic consequences for this tier.
10. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
11. Extra cost of dewpond and pond maintenance. The cost implications of this prescription are relatively minor and therefore have not been included in the calculation of Income Forgone.
12. Extra cost of hedge and wall maintenance using traditional materials. The additional costs involve hedge laying on a regular cycle and trimming every other year.
13. Extra cost of maintaining traditional buildings using traditional materials. In practice there are few traditional buildings (estimated at 1 building per 700 ha). Thus the cost of their maintenance is minimal.
14. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
15. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
16. Cost of scrub management advice and implementation. In practice scrub management agreements are variable depending on the site. A typical participant with an agreement area of say 80 ha may be required to clear about 3 ha of scrub over the life of the agreement.
17. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
| £/ha | Loss | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Extra income | - | |
| Leasing of livestock quota | 10 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Costs Saved | - | |
| Forage costs | 28 | |
| Interest on working capital re: livestock | 11 | |
| Interest on working capital re: forage | 1 | |
| Labour savings re: livestock | 25 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Income lost | - | |
| Livestock gross margin from 0.5 GLU | 125 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Extra Costs | - | |
| Weed control | 10 | |
| Hedge and wall maintenance | 3 | |
| Scrub management | 1 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Total | 139 | 75 |
| Income forgone | 64 |
- Uptake Targets to January 2001
- 6,000 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £64/ ha
- Current Payment Rates
- £60/ ha
- Level of Incentive
- N/A
- Justification of Incentive
- N/A
Tier 2 - Permanent grassland in the river valleys
Scheme Prescriptions
18. Maintain grassland and do not plough, level or reseed the land. Do not use a chain harrow or roller between 31 March and 1 July. No other form of cultivation is allowed.
19.Graze with cattle or sheep or both, but avoid poaching, under grazing or over grazing. Within 18 months of the start of the agreement agree a grassland management plan with the Project Officer which you must implement.
20.Do not cut the grass for hay or silage or top the grass before 1 July.
21. Do not apply organic or inorganic fertilisers.
22.Do not apply fungicides or insecticides.
23.Do not apply herbicides except to control nettles, spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock, broad leaved dock or ragwort. Weeds such as those mentioned above - must be controlled. If herbicides are used they may only be applied by means of a weed wiper or by spot treatment with a knapsack sprayer. Herbicides may also be used for the treatment of stumps of cleared scrub.
24.Do not install any new drainage system or substantially modify, to bring about an improvement, any existing drainage system.
25.Maintain any existing ditches by mechanical means, not sprays. Do not fill in any ditches. Spoil must be levelled after allowing it to dry.
26.Where ditch water levels are within your control you must ensure that:
Between 31 March and 1 October the ditches contain at least 30 cm (12") of water and that the water level is not more than 60 cm (24") below grassland level and; Ditches at no time dry out completely.
27. Restrict supplementary feeding of livestock to areas agreed in advance.
28.Do not apply lime, slag or any other substance to reduce the acidity of the soil.
29.Protect and maintain ponds and reedbeds.
30.Maintain stockproof walling and hedges in a stockproof condition using traditional materials.
31. Any weatherproof field barns which you own or for which you are responsible must be maintained in a weatherproof condition using traditional materials.
32.Do not damage or destroy any features of historic interest.
33.Obtain written advice on siting and materials before constructing buildings, roads or any other engineering operations which do not require planning permission or prior notification determination by the Local Planning Authority.
34. Obtain written advice on the management of woodland trees or scrub or proposals to plant any new woodland. You must agree a scrub management plan with the Project Officer, which you must implement.
35.You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air, published by the Ministry as amended from to time.
Agronomic Impact
- The restriction on re-seeding is likely to reduce the stock carrying capacity of the land. A reduction in stocking rates of 0.05 GLU per hectare is considered a typical long term consequence of this prescription.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- The restriction on cutting dates and fertiliser application (Prescription 21) effectively precludes making high quality silage on these fields. It is estimated that in the non - ESA situation about 10% of this land would be cut for silage. Under ESA management poor quality hay is likely to be produced.
- Current stocking rates are approximately 1.5 GLU per hectare with nitrogen fertiliser applications of 100 kg N per hectare. The Arun, Ouse, Adur and Cuckmere valleys provide an important source of grazing in mid-summer when other land dries out. This prescription, taken together with Prescription 18, will result in a reduction in average stocking rates to approximately 1.0 GLU/ha. Typically, this land is grazed by suckler cows, beef cattle, dairy youngstock and sheep. There will be limited savings in labour and interest on working capital as a result of de-stocking and income to be gained from livestock quota leasing.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- Extra costs associated with hand application of herbicides. Typically this involves a switch from using cheap herbicides on an overall basis to spot treatment or wick application of more expensive chemicals. Topping is also used in both the non ESA and ESA situation.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- Extra costs of maintaining ditches by mechanical means. This involves cleaning out and mowing the ditches on a more frequent basis than is common on non agreement land.
- Maintenance of specified water levels potentially involves extra costs. In practice farmers are not required to carry out significant additional work. Therefore the cost implications of this prescription have not been included in the calculation of Income Forgone.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- Extra cost of pond maintenance. The cost implications of this prescription are relatively minor and therefore have not been included in the calculation of Income Forgone.
- Extra cost of hedge and wall maintenance using traditional materials. Typically this involves hedge laying on a regular cycle and gapping walls using local stone.
- Extra cost of maintaining traditional buildings using traditional materials. In practice there are few traditional buildings (estimated at 1 building per 700 ha). Thus the cost of their maintenance is minimal.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
| £/ha | Loss | Gain |
| Extra Income | - | |
| Leasing of livestock quota (90% of land) | 9 | |
| Hay production (10% of land @ £120/ha) | 12 | |
| Sub-total | 21 | |
| Costs Saved | - | |
| Forage costs (90%) | 36 | |
| Interest on working capital re: livestock | 12 | |
| Interest on working capital re: forage | 2 | |
| Interest on working capital re: silage | 2 | |
| Labour savings re: livestock | 8 | |
| Sub-total | 60 | |
| Income Lost | - | |
| Livestock Gross Margin from 0.5 GLU (90%) | 106 | |
| Silage Gross Margin on 10% of land | 33 | |
| Sub-total | 139 | |
| Extra Costs | - | |
| Weed control | 10 | |
| Ditch maintenance | 4 | |
| Hedge and wall maintenance | 3 | |
| Sub-total | 17 | |
| Total | 156 | 81 |
| Income Change Income Forgone | 75 |
- Uptake Targets to January 2001
- 550 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £75/ ha
- Current Payment Rate
- £60/ ha
- Level of Incentive
- N/A
- Justification Of Incentive
- N/A
Tier 3A - Reversion of arable land to chalk grassland
Scheme Prescriptions
Once under chalk grassland you must observe prescriptions 1-17.
36.Cease arable or intensive grassland production. Within 12 months of the start of your agreement establish a permanent grass sward using, where practical, suitable native species chosen from an approved list. The seeds mixture to be used must be agreed by the Project Officer.
37.During the first 12 months of the agreement do not apply any of the following without prior approval:
- Organic or inorganic fertiliser.
- Lime, slag or any other substance to reduce the acidity of the soil.
- Pesticides.
38.Cut the grass and remove as hay or silage during the first three years and graze the aftermath. Do not cut the grass before 1 July.
39.From the start of your agreement you must follow all the Tier 1 guidelines from prescription 8 onwards.
40.After the 12 month period you must follow all the remaining Tier 1 guidelines, other than rolling and chain harrowing, which will be allowed for the first three years.
Agronomic Impact
- Loss of arable gross margin, with some savings in associated fixed costs such as marginal labour use, machinery running costs and interest on working capital. There will be extra cost associated with the establishment of a sward of specified 'conservation grasses'. The cost of seed can be aided under a Conservation Plan and this has been taken into account in the calculation of Income Forgone which shows the annual cost of grassland establishment amortised over 10 years.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
- Hay sales are possible, though yield and quality will be poor due to grass species and low soil fertility. Very limited grazing of the aftermath is possible and typically this will be utilised by beef and sheep. Quota will be required for suckler cows and sheep, and the calculation includes an allowance for leasing the quota required. The provision of fencing and water will be necessary on most sites to allow grazing to take place. The additional labour required to manage the grassland and any stock has been taken into account in the savings attributed to cessation of arable cropping.
- Cost of following Tier 1 prescriptions.
- As for prescription 39.
| £/ha | Loss | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Extra income | - | |
| Hay production | 60 | |
| Aftermath grazing (0.1 GLU at £249) | 25 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Costs Saved | - | |
| Fixed costs re: arable cropping | 104 | |
| Interest on working capital re: arable crops | 8 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Income lost | - | |
| Arable crop gross margin | 416 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Extra Costs | - | |
| Weed control | 10 | |
| Hedge and wall maintenance | 3 | |
| Scrub management | 1 | |
| Interest on working capital re: livestock | 2 | |
| Livestock quota leasing | 2 | |
| Grassland establishment costs | 34 | |
| Fencing costs | 18 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Total | 486 | 197 |
| Income forgone | 289 |
- Uptake Targets to January 2001
- 1000 hectares 900 ha
- Income Forgone
- £289/ ha
- Current Payment Rate
- £330/ ha
- Level of Incentive
- 14%
- Justification for Incentive
- This tier plays an essential role in increasing the extent of species-rich calcareous grassland and enhancing the downland landscape. By careful targeting, existing permanent species-rich sites can be buffered and linked, as well as historic remains protected from damage.
Dairy and sheep sectors are the most threatened, leading farmers to get out of livestock. This is perceived as the biggest threat to attracting land into arable reversion and to keeping it in the Scheme. It was felt that there should be incentive payments.
The 1998 uptake of just over 600 ha is some way below the target for January 2001 of 900 ha (2% of the original potentially eligible arable area). It is considered important that the current payment rate is maintained in order to meet environmental objectives and to retain land in agreement at the five-year break point.
Tier 3B - Arable reversion to permanent grassland
Scheme Prescriptions
Once under permanent grass you must observe prescriptions 1-17 if it is on the chalk or prescriptions 18-35 if it is in the river valleys.
41.Cease arable or ley grassland production and establish a permanent grass sward within 12 months of the start of the agreement.
42.During the first 12 months of the agreement do not apply any of the following without prior approval:
- Organic or inorganic fertiliser except in accordance with Prescription 44 below.
- Lime, slag or any other substance to reduce the acidity of the soil.
- Pesticides.
43.From the start of the agreement you must follow all the Tier 1 or 2 guidelines from prescription 8 or 24 onwards.
44.After the 12 month period you must also follow all the remaining guidelines in Tier 1 or 2 except that you may chain harrow and/or roll the land, providing these operations are carried out before 31 March each year. Before carrying out chain harrowing and/or rolling you must obtain the Project Officer's agreement. When the sward has been established for more than three years you may apply a nitrogen fertiliser at a maximum rate of 40 kg N or 15 tonnes/ha of FYM annually. Before applying fertiliser you must consult the Project Officer.
Agronomic Impact
41. Loss of arable gross margin, with some savings in associated fixed costs such as marginal labour use, machinery running costs and interest on working capital. There will be extra cost associated with the establishment of a sward of agricultural species. The cost of sward establishment has been taken into account in the calculation of Income Forgone which shows the annual cost amortised over 10 years.
42. No significant consequences for income forgone
43. Cost of following Tier 1 prescriptions.
44. Limited grazing or conservation value of the pasture. This has some enhanced value owing to the possibility, if approved, of applying 40 kg N per hectare per year. Quota will be required for suckler cows and sheep, and the calculation includes an allowance for leasing the quota required. The provision of fencing and water will be necessary on most sites to allow grazing to take place. The additional labour required to manage the grassland and any stock has been taken into account in the savings attributed to cessation of arable cropping.
45. No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
| £/ha | Loss | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Extra income | - | |
| Hay production | 120 | |
| Aftermath grazing (0.2 GLU at £249) | 50 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Costs Saved | - | |
| Fixed costs re: arable cropping | 104 | |
| Interest on working capital re: arable crops | 8 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Income lost | - | |
| Arable crop gross margin | 416 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Extra Costs | - | |
| Weed control | 10 | |
| Hedge and wall maintenance | 3 | |
| Scrub management | 1 | |
| Interest on working capital re: livestock | 5 | |
| Livestock quota leasing | 4 | |
| Grassland establishment costs | 30 | |
| Fencing costs | 18 | |
| Sub-total | ||
| Total | 487 | 282 |
| Income Forgone | 205 |
- Uptake Targets to January 2001
- 5,100 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £205/ ha
- Current Payment Rate
- £240/ ha
- Level of Incentive
- 17%
- Justification for Incentive
- The income forgone has declined significantly, by 40%, in the last 2 years. However, it is considered important that a payment close to the current level continues to be offered in order to be able to target areas of high landscape or archaeological significance, as well as preventing land coming out of the Scheme at the five-year break point. The payment rate includes a 17% incentive element above the income forgone and represents a 4% decrease on the current payment rate.
Tier 4A - Winter stubbles with undersowing
Scheme Prescriptions
- Provide an area of arable stubble which must remain undisturbed until after 30th November in any year. Thereafter, a spring cereal crop must be sown which must be undersown with a grass/clover mixture. There will be no restrictions on the way the undersown crop is managed. The grass must remain in place until at least the 30th June in the year following harvest of the cereal crop.
- You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air, published by the Ministry as amended from time to time.
Agronomic Impact
45.Loss of gross margin from a winter sown crop. This is replaced by a spring barley grown on a regime designed to successfully establish a ley, this involves lower seed rates and the use of more costly herbicides that will not damage the grass. The spring crop will have a lower gross margin than the winter crop it replaces.
Loss of the second (winter) crop, replaced by the ley. The ley has a value for conservation or grazing purposes and it is assumed that this can be utilised effectively by participating farmers without needing to adapt their farming system. It is assumed, in the calculation of Income Forgone, that it will be used for silage. This is considered the most likely use for a one year ley in the arable rotation. However, a similar margin would result if used for grazing.
Fixed costs savings will be possible in relation to the elimination of a cereal crop - principally drying costs, associated with lower yielding spring cereal crop in the first year and replacement of cereal with grass in the second year. The grass crop will require considerable machinery input if utilised for silage and this has been included in the calculation of the gross margin for the crop.
46.No significant consequences for Income Forgone
| £/ha | Loss | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Extra income | - | |
| Barley Gross Margin | 419 | |
| Silage Gross Margin | 333 | |
| Sub-total | 752 | |
| Costs Saved | - | |
| Fixed costs re: 1 cereal crop | 81 | |
| Interest on working capital re: 2 winter cereal crops | 21 | |
| Sub-total | 102 | |
| Income lost | - | |
| Gross Margin from 2 winter cereal crops | 969 | |
| Sub-total | 969 | |
| Extra Costs | - | |
| Interest on working capital re: barley crops | 5 | |
| Interest on working capital re: grass crops | 16 | |
| Sub-total | 21 | |
| Total | 990 | 854 |
| Income forgone | 136 |
- Uptake Targets to January 2001
- 300 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £136/ ha
- Current Payment Rate
- £125/ha
- Level of Incentive
- N/A
- Justification for Incentive
- N/A
Tier 4B - Winter stubbles without undersowing
Scheme Prescriptions
- Provide an area of arable stubble, which must remain undisturbed until after 15 February in any year. Thereafter there will be no restriction on the subsequent use of the land.
- You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air, published by the Ministry as amended from time to time.
Agronomic Impact
- Loss of gross margin from a winter sown crop. This is replaced by a spring sown crop with a lower yields and gross margin exacerbated by the need to drill the crop later than normal. Some fixed costs savings associated with lower yielding spring crop can be achieved. These will typically be confined to drying costs and interest on working capital.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
| £/ha | Loss | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Extra income | - | |
| Late drilled Spring Barley Gross margin | 434 | |
| Sub-total | 434 | |
| Costs Saved | - | |
| Grain drying costs: 2 tonnes at £1.40 | 3 | |
| Interest on working capital re: winter cereal crop | 10 | |
| Sub-total | 13 | |
| Income lost | - | |
| Gross Margin from winter cereal crop | 485 | |
| Sub-total | 485 | |
| Extra Costs | - | |
| Interest on working capital re: late drilled barley crop | 6 | |
| Sub-total | 6 | |
| Total | 491 | 447 |
| Income forgone | 44 |
- Uptake Targets to January 2001
- 3,250 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £44/ ha
- Current Payment Rate
- £53/ ha
- Level of Incentive
- 20%
- Justification for Incentive
- Tier 4B is intended to increase the wildlife value of arable fields, particularly farmland birds, and was promoted at the last five-yearly review by various conservation organisations, including RSPB and the Game Conservancy. Leaving stubbles until 15 February still creates valuable feeding opportunities for a range of BAP target bird species.
The estimated income forgone has declined dramatically, by 46%, in the last 2 years. This is mainly due to the ability now, to sow newer varieties of spring barley for malting after 15 February. Clearly, the current payment level cannot could not be justified in the decrease in income forgone and the high level of uptake that has been achieved to date. However, to reduce the payment to the level of income forgone is would have likely to attracted significant criticism and is also likely would have been to be interpreted as a negative message to conservation organisations such as RSPB and the Game Conservancy regarding the perceived ecological value of this tier. An incentive payment is necessary to maintain interest in the Tier.
Tier 4C - Conservation headlands
Scheme Prescriptions
- Do not apply any insecticides to the strip except between 31 August and the following 1 January.
- Do not apply herbicide to a minimum 6 metre wide strip on the edge of any field growing cereals, other than:
- tri-allate, diclofop-methyl, difenzoquat, flamprop-m-isopropyl, benzoylpropethyl or fenoxapropethyl;
- glyphosate provided it is applied in the pre-harvest period by spot treatment and solely for the control of couch, black bent or onion couch;
- fluroxypyr provided it is applied by spot treatment and solely for the control of cleavers;
- other herbicides and their method of application which may be approved by the Minister.
- You may regularly cultivate and apply herbicides to a one metre strip on the edge of the conservation headland alongside a field boundary.
- You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air, published by the Ministry as amended from time to time.
Agronomic Impact
- Loss of yield due to weed infestation and aphid damage associated with the pesticide restrictions. This will also result in slower combining and higher grain cleaning costs.
- There will be savings in agro-chemical and application costs. However, due to restrictions on the use of grass weed herbicides it will be necessary to apply foliar acting graminicides to control grass weeds in the spring. These chemicals tend to be relatively expensive.
- As for prescription 50.
- As for prescription 50.
- No significant consequences for Income Forgone.
| £/ha | Loss | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Extra income | - | None |
| Costs Saved | - | |
| Pesticides | 54 | |
| Machinery costs | 12 | |
| Interest on working capital | 3 | |
| Sub-total | 69 | |
| Income lost | - | |
| Crop yield | 95 | |
| Sub-total | 95 | |
| Extra Costs | - | |
| Foliar acting graminicide | 47 | |
| Machinery costs | 22 | |
| Interest on working capital | 2 | |
| Sub-total | 71 | |
| Total | 166 | 69 |
| Income forgone | 97 |
- Uptake Targets to January 2001
- 80 hectares
- Income Forgone
- £97/ ha
- Current Payment Rate
- £90/ ha
- Level of Incentive
- N/A
- Justification of Incentive
- N/A
Page last modified:
17 August, 2005
Page published: 10 December, 2002