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Suffolk River Valleys ESA

Aims and objectives

1. The Suffolk River Valleys ESA aims to maintain and enhance the distinctive landscape character, nature conservation interest and historic value of the river valleys by encouraging extensive grassland management.

2. Specific objectives are:

    Related tier(s)
1. To maintain the landscape character of the grazing marshes, river valleys and fens and their associated features, such as hedgerows, trees and ditches/dykes. All
2. To maintain and enhance the nature conservation interest of the grazing marshes and river valleys by sustaining and extending the area under extensive grassland management, by managing ditch water levels and by increasing the area of land attractive to waders and wildfowl. 2, 2A, inc. Water Level Supplement
3. To promote sustainable management of fen vegetation. Fen
4. To strengthen the distinctive landscape character by reverting arable land to permanent grassland. 3, 1AR, 2AR
5. To protect the nature conservation interest of the water courses and hedgerows by establishing buffer strips. Buffer Strip Supplement
6. To protect archaeological and historic features. All
7. To maintain and enhance the nature conservation and landscape interest of small-scale native woodland. Woodland

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Background to the ESA

1. The ESA extends over 43,755 hectares and encompasses eight main river systems. These are mainly located in east and south Suffolk, with one bordering north Essex. Current farming in the area is a mix of arable cropping (chiefly cereals) and livestock grazing. The former is still the predominant land use.

2. Despite quite large scale conversions to arable use in recent decades, significant areas of grassland still occur and the landscape remains pastoral in character, contrasting with the larger-scale arable landscape of the surrounding countryside. The upper reaches of the valleys are narrow, and typically widen into the open coastal marshes to the east. The importance of this landscape is reflected in the fact that the area falls within two AONBs or within the County Council's designated special landscape areas. The area also has significant areas of wet meadow and coastal marsh which are of international importance as habitat for wading birds. Areas of dry acid grassland also provide habitats for interesting and characteristic flora and fauna. In addition, there is considerable archaeological interest, ranging from prehistoric burial mounds to post medieval buildings, such as watermills.

3. Since the 1940s drainage improvements and flood alleviation schemes within the valleys, together with incentives for increased food production, have led to the conversion of grassland for arable production. This has led to the deterioration of the landscape, ecology and historical value of the area. To counter these threats the Suffolk River Valleys ESA was launched.

4. This is a 'part-farm' scheme which started in 1988. It was extended in 1993 by 11,763 ha and by a further 21 ha when the scheme was revised 1998. Overall uptake at the end of 1998 was c. 9,816 hectares.

5. A priority objective is to maintain the traditional landscape character together with all of the field boundary and historic features. To help achieve this, selective seeding to damaged swards has been introduced to Tier 1. Enhancement of landscape elements, such as ditches, hedgerowsand historic features, is encouraged through the Conservation Plans.

6. A second objective is to secure the favourable management of the low input grassland and marshland (Tier 2/2A). The recent tier modifications allow limited grazing from May 1st to 15th which should ensure better environmental benefits by improving sward conditions. A water level supplement (requiring an in-field water management plan) is now available to increase in-field wetness and thus, encourage breeding waders. A new Fen Tier has been added, which through a site-specific fen management plan aims to support the traditional management of the fens. These tiers and supplements are the main mechanism for achieving the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets for these habitats in the area.

7. A further objective is to extend the area of grassland (Tier 3) for wildlife, landscape and historic interest, with increased emphasis put on the use of native seed mixtures of local provenance. A new supplement has been introduced to create grass buffer strips adjacent to hedgerows and water courses. These should improve habitat conditions for wildlife and reduce the damage, from agricultural inputs, to these boundaries.

8. Another addition to the scheme is the Woodland Tier which aims to maintain and enhance the wildlife and landscape interest of woodlands.

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Tier 1-Grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Maintain as grassland and do not plough, level or re-seed.

Graze with livestock other than pigs or poultry but avoid poaching, undergrazing or overgrazing.

If you cut the grass for hay or silage, graze the aftermath.

Do not increase your existing application rates of inorganic or organic fertiliser and, in any case, do not exceed 250 kg of total nitrogen per hectare per year. Do not apply organic fertiliser within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole that supplies water for human consumption, or within 10 metres of a watercourse.

Do not use fungicides or insecticides.

Do not apply herbicides except to control nettles, spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock, broad-leaved dock, ragwort or bracken. Infestations of these weeds must he controlled either by cutting or by herbicides. Apply herbicides by wick applicator or by spot treatment. Where bracken cannot be controlled by mechanical means then asulam must be used.

Do not install underdrainage or mole drainage or use a sub-soiler. Do not improve or substantially modify your existing drainage system so as to bring about improved drainage.

Maintain existing ditches and dykes (including banks and margins) in rotation over the period of your agreement by mechanical means, not sprays. Spoil must be levelled, after allowing to dry out, but must not be used to fill low areas.

Maintain trees, pollarded willows, ponds and reedbeds using traditional methods.

Do not remove any hedges, banks or parts thereof. Maintain all hedges using traditional methods and materials. All stockproof hedges must be kept in a stockproof condition. The Ministry will make a supplementary payment if you agree in writing with the Project Officer a programme to restore your non-stockproof hedges. This may involve replanting, laying, coppicing, gapping and back-fencing. Payment will be calculated on the basis of the length of hedge restored in each year.

Do not damage, destroy or remove any feature of archaeological or historical value or interest. Obtain written advice on the management of known and important archaeological sites and historical features on land covered by your agreement.

Obtain written advice on siting, design and materials before constructing buildings or roads or carrying out any other engineering or construction works which do not require planning permission or prior notification determination by the local planning authority.

Obtain written advice on the management of woodland, scrub or reedbeds or proposals to plant any new woodland unless previously obtained under a former ESA agreement.

Dispose of sheep dip safely. Do not spread sheep dip where it may affect areas of nature conservation value. (Annex IVII)

Agronomic Impact
  1. Modest reduction in average stocking rates.
  2. Additional costs of long term seeds mixtures.
  3. Most of the permanent pasture Tier 1 land is not ideally suited to arable production, but small areas plus all the previous Tier 3 Arable Reversion, does have a significant potential of higher income from arable cropping. Only the arable reversion land will have retained an eligibility for Arable Area Aid payments and could revert in most instances, providing the fixed cost infrastructure remains to accommodate such a change.
  4. A small proportion of the existing ESA agreement land is utilised by, or in connection with, dairy herds. In these cases the "income forgone" will be significantly higher than the average calculated, which excludes this more restricted and specialist grass use option.
  5. Potential savings in forage costs, working capital, capital investment in livestock and labour and machinery fixed costs.
  6. Extra costs associated with control of specific weeds, using more selective andlabour intensive techniques which avoid the need for boom application of herbicides.
  7. Extra costs of dyke maintenance by mechanical means, including levelling of spoil.
  8. Extra costs of tree and pond maintenance.
  9. Extra costs of hedge maintenance, using traditional methods and materials.
  10. Cost of obtaining written advice on management of archaeological feature.
  11. Cost of obtaining advice on management of scrub or reedbeds.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 1 Grassland
£/ha Loss Gain
Income lost
Livestock gross margin 129.0  
Sub-total 129.0  
Costs saved
Forage Costs   60.4
Interest on Working Capital re: Livestock   13.6
Interest on Working Capital re: Forage   2.1
Labour savings re: stock   20.5
Sub-total   96.7
Extra costs
Weed Control 14.0  
Ditch Maintenance 18.4  
Hedge Management 17.3  
Sub-total 49.6  
Extra income
Livestock Quota Leasing   7.8
Sub-total   7.8
Total 239.4 159.7
Income forgone 74.2  

NB Hedgerow Supplement £4.00/metre.

Uptake targets to January 2002
5,320 hectares
Income forgone
£79.7/ha
Current payment rate
£75/ha
Level of incentive
1%

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Hedgerow management supplement

Scheme Prescriptions

1. For a supplementary payment, you MAY agree a programme to manage stockproof hedgerows in a traditional manner, so that laying of the hedge occurs at the appropriate time in the management cycle.

Agronomic Impact

2. Additional cost of side trimming helps to maintain the density and vigour of the hedge whereas in the non-ESA situation lack of side trimming may lead to the hedge becoming thin and straggly. Loss of crop due to shading as the hedge grows up. In the non-ESA situation top trimming would reduce the shading effect, but top trimmed hedges are less accessible to birds.

Income Forgone Calculation - Hedgerow Management Supplement
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra income   None
Costs saved   None
Income Lost   None
Extra costs
Hedge laying 2.3  
Fencing 4.5  
Total 6.8  
Income forgone 6.8  
Income Forgone
£ 6.80 per metre
Current Payment Rate
£ 4.00 per metre
Level of Incentive
N/A

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Tier 2 - Low-input grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Observe prescriptions 1 - 15 (Tier 1) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-

Where the land lies on the flood plain or is inherently wet you must ensure that water levels:

  1. are maintained at not more than 45 cm (18") below marsh level between 31 March and 31 October (the "summer level");
  2. provide at least 30 cm (12") of water in the bottom of the ditches between 31 October and 1 March (the "winter level");
  3. begin to be raised no later than 1 March in order to achieve the required summer freeboard as early as possible.

Do not carry out any form of mechanical operations between 1 April and 16 July.

Do not graze between 1 April and 15 May where the land lies on the flood plain or is inherently wet(Livestock Unit) .

Do not top the sward or cut for hay or silage before 16 July.

Do not apply any organic or inorganic fertilisers or manure.

Do not apply lime, slag or any substance to reduce soil acidity.

Restrict supplementary feeding of livestock to areas agreed in advance in writing.

Within two years of the start of your agreement you must agree in writing a plan of ditch/dyke management and implement it thereafter.

Agronomic Impact
  1. Significant reduction in average stocking rates and utilisation by less productive livestock.
  2. Low-input grassland on valley sides (e.g. North side of Stour Valley) and dry flora rich meadows, will have inherently lower production potential and in these limited areas the income forgone will be somewhat lower.
  3. Potential savings in forage variable costs, working capital, capital investment in livestock and labour and machinery fixed costs, not all of which will be realised.
  4. Additional fixed equipment costs (especially fencing) where grazing management has to be introduced onto previously ungrazed areas.
  5. Extra costs associated with control of water levels.
  6. Purchase of forage to compensate for restrictions on grazing availability for part of year and deterioration in quality of conserved forage by delay in harvest.
  7. Additional costs of weed control resulting from restrictions on herbicide use, wet ground conditions and limitations on early grazing and mechanical topping,which result in more expenditure and vigorous weed growth.
  8. Additional costs of dyke management.
  9. Experience has shown that many weed problems originate from dyke spoil left to dry on the margins of fields and additional "spot treatment" measures to control such weeds is an associated additional cost.
  10. In addition to Tier 1 economic consequences.
£/ha Loss Gain
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 2 Low-Input Grassland
Income lost
Livestock gross margin 326.9  
Sub-total 326.9  
Costs saved
Forage costs   37.6
Labour costs re: Livestock   120.8
Interest on Working Capital re: stock   43.2
Interest on Working Capital re: Forage   4.2
Sub-total   205.9
Extra costs
Reseeding 2.0  
Weed Control 18.0  
Ditch maintenance 32.4  
Pond maintenance 11.9  
Hedge maintenance 18.4  
Water Penning: Capital 2.0  
Water Penning: Labour 30.2  
Sub-total 114.9  
Extra income
Livestock quota leasing   18.6
Extensification Premium   42.0
Sub-total   60.6
Total 444.9 259.5
Income forgone 185.4 185.4
Uptake targets to January 2002
1,500 hectares
Income forgone
£175.30/ha
Current payment rate
£190/ha
Level of incentive
7.7%
Justification for incentive
Limits on water availability are the overriding constraint on eligibility for this tier.

This is the largest area of ESA land which is delivering biodiversity benefits and at the most recent payment review it was considered essential to maintain the existing payment rate even though the Income Forgone had fallen to marginally below the existing level of payment.

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Tier 2A - Marshland

Scheme Prescriptions

Observe prescriptions 16-24 (Tier 2) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-

Begin to raise your water level to winter level no later than 1 November and maintain at marsh level so as to create field wetness or occasional shallow pools between 1 January and 30 April.

Do not graze with livestock between 1 November and 15 May.

Agronomic Impact
  1. Additional cost of purchased forage, or rented keep, resulting from restrictions on grazing access and reduction in grass production potential.
  2. Further reduction in average stocking rates and utilisation only by beef stores.
  3. Additional costs of extra water control methods.
  4. Possible reduction in average stocking rates resulting from decreased production or loss of grass cover, as a consequence of prolonged water-logging over winter. In some extreme cases reseeding of bare ground or thin sward areas that result, may be necessary.
  5. In addition to Tier 2 economic consequences.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 2A Marshland
£/ha Loss Gain
Income lost
Livestock gross margin 403.0  
Sub-total 403.0  
Costs saved
Forage Costs   115.0
Fixed Costs - Labour: Livestock   47.0
 Fertiliser Spreading   2.6
Interest on Working Capital: Livestock   55.9
 Forage   4.0
Sub-total   221.9
Extra costs
Forage Costs 1.0  
Reseeding 3.5  
Weed Control by Spot Treatment 23.5  
Ditch Management 37.0  
Pond and Tree Maintenance 16.0  
Hedge Management 21.4  
Water Penning: Capital 44.1  
Labour & Maintenance 1.5  
Sub-total 148.0  
Extra income
Livestock quota leasing   15.2
Extensification Premium   26.2
Sub-total   41.4
Total 551.00 263.3
Income foregone 287.7 287.7
Uptake targets to January 2002
490 hectares
Income forgone
£287.7/ha
Current payment rate
£80/ha
Level of incentive
N/A

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Water level supplement

Scheme Prescriptions

27.Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement an In-field Water Management Plan including the creation, re-instatement and management of ditches and foot drains.

28.Maintain ditch water levels within 15cm (6 inches) of marsh level from 15 March until 30 June.

29.Begin to raise ditch water levels to the maximum summer level no later than 1 March.

30.From 1 May until 30 June do not exceed a grazing density of 1 beast per hectare.

31.Do not graze sheep until 1 June.

Agronomic Impact
  1. Additional costs associated with water control and implementation of Water Management Plan.
  2. Reduction in average stocking density for Tier 2 and 2A livestock system, taking into account any temporary loss in grazing area (due to surface water and wetter ground conditions) but potential benefit of more reliable grass growth and production, especially during dry summers.
  3. Possible additional costs involved in removal of livestock and provision of alternative feed when land is in an unsuitable condition for grazing, or prescriptive limitations on grazing apply.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 2 Water Level Supplement
£/ha Loss Gain
Income lost
Livestock gross margin 26.2  
Extensification Premium 5.0  
Sub-total 31.2  
Costs saved
Interest on Working Capital   1.8
Fixed Costs - Labour   2.0
Sub-total   3.8
Extra costs
Water Control: Capital 4.0  
Maintenance 15.1  
Labour 19.4  
Sub-total 38.5  
Extra income
Livestock Quota Leased   1.6
Sub-total   1.6
Total 69.7 5.4
Income forgone 64.3  

Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 2A Water Level Supplement
£/ha Loss Gain
Income lost
Livestock gross margin 26.2  
Extensification Premium 5.0  
Sub-total 31.2  
Costs saved
Interest on Working Capital   1.8
Fixed Costs - Labour   2.0
Sub-total   3.8
Extra costs
Water Control: Capital 4.0  
Maintenance 19.4  
Labour 15.1  
Sub-total 38.5  
Extra income
Total 69.7 5.4
Income forgone 64.3  

NB A weighted average Income Forgone between Tier 2 (70%) and Tier 2A (30%) is considered appropriate i.e.:

Tier 2 54.1 x 0.7 = 37.8
Tier 2A 64.3 x 0.3 = 19.3
Total 57.1
Uptake targets to January 2002
420 hectares
Income forgone
£64.3/ha
Current payment rate
£60/ha
Level of incentive
N/A

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Tier 3 - Arable reversion to grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Cease arable production and establish a grass sward within 12 months of the start of the agreement. Agree in writing with the Project Officer before purchase the seed mix to be used. Seed of native origin and local provenance should be used wherever the Ministry considers it appropriate.

During the first 12 months of the agreement do not apply any of the following without obtaining prior approval:

  1. organic or inorganic fertilisers;
  2. lime, slag or any substance designed to reduce soil acidity;
  3. pesticides.

From the start of your agreement you must follow all the Tier 1 prescriptions from 7 onwards. After the 12 month period you must also follow the remaining guidelines in Tier 1 except you must not apply more than 125 kg/ha of nitrogen per year and must use no more than 90 kg/ha of nitrogen in any one application.

On grassland reverted from arable, do not exceed an annual average stocking level of 1.4 LU per hectare.

Agronomic Impact
  1. Loss or arable rotation gross margin, which will be extremely variable depending on such factors as soil type, field size, drainage, topography, availability of irrigation, machinery and labour resource and rabbit/arable weed infestation and control costs.
  2. Additional costs of grass sward establishment, investment in grazing livestock, livestock fixed equipment (including fencing, water supply and feed troughs), forage variable costs, livestock enterprise working capital and possibly specialist livestock labour, machinery and buildings.
  3. Saving in arable rotation working capital and potential savings in specialist arable labour and machinery fixed costs, not all of which are likely to be realised.
  4. Additional livestock gross margin or alternative of grazing rental if agreement holder decides not to invest in his own livestock and/or has difficulty in obtaining any beef or sheep premium "quota". In practice this remains a serious constraint on any increase in grassland area, since the surplus of grazing rentals in the area has resulted in no rental income in many instances.
  5. Tier 1 prescriptions also apply to this tier but with a lower upper limit on inorganic fertiliser use and hence the additional costs associated with these prescriptions are also incurred.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 3 Arable Reversion to Grassland
£/ha Loss Gain
Income lost
Arable System GM 542.7  
Sub-total 542.7  
Costs saved
Fixed Costs   119.2
Interest on Working Capital   12.0
Sub-total   131.1
Extra costs
Leased Ewe Quota 37.2  
Interest on Working Capital re: livestock 36.0  
Interest on Working Capital re: forage 2.1  
Labour 68.0  
Forage Costs 64.7  
Weed Control 14.0  
Ditch Management 13.0  
Hedge Maintenance 13.0  
Grassland Establishment 33.3  
Grazing Equipment 40.0  
Sub-total 323.4  
Extra income
Livestock gross margin   310.4
Sub-total   310.4
Total 866.1 441.5
Income forgone 424.6  
Uptake targets to January 2002
3,215 hectares
Income forgone
£424.60/ha
Current payment rate
£290/ha
Level of incentive
N/A

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Buffer strip supplement

Agronomic Impact
  1. Reduction in Tier 1 and 3 livestock system stocking density.
  2. Increased costs of non-herbicide weed control.
  3. Savings in cost of fertiliser, labour and interest on capital
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 1 Buffer Strip Supplement
£/ha Loss Gain
Income lost
Livestock gross margin 159.1  
Sub-total 159.1  
Costs saved
Interest on Working Capital re: Livestock   19.2
Interest on Working Capital re: Forage   2.1
Forage costs   84.8
Labour   16.2
Sub-total   121.1
Extra costs
Weed Control 58.0  
Sub-total 58.0  
Extra income
Livestock quota leasing   7.8
Sub-total   7.8
Total 217.1 13.01
Income foregone 95.6 95.6

Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 3 Buffer Strip Supplement
£/ha Loss Gain
Income lost
Livestock gross margin 104.8  
Sub-total 104.8  
Costs saved
Interest on Working Capital re: livestock   12.0
Interest on Working Capital re: forage   2.1
Forage costs   64.7
Labour   10.8
Sub-total   89.6
Extra costs
Weed Control 58.0  
Sub-total 58.0  
Extra income
Livestock quota leasing   7.8
Sub-total   7.8
Total 162.8 97.3
Income foregone 65.4  

NB A weighted average Income Forgone between Tier 1 (80%) and Tier 3 (20%) is considered appropriate: i.e.

Tier 1 87.0 x 0.8 = 69.6
Tier 3 65.4 x 0.2 = 13.1
Total 82.7
Uptake targets to January 2002
60 hectares
Income forgone
£82.7/ha
Current payment rate
£55/ha
Level of incentive
N/A

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Fen tier and implement (Annex VII)

Scheme Prescriptions

37.Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a Fen Management Plan.

38.Do not apply any inorganic or organic fertiliser.

39.Do not apply lime, slag or any substance to reduce acidity.

40.Do not use any pesticides, fungicides, insecticides or herbicides.

41.Do not damage or destroy any feature of historic interest.

42.You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (Annex IV) for the Protection of Soil, Air and Water, published by the Ministry (references PB 0617, PB 0618 and PB 0587) as amended from time to time.

Agronomic Impact
  1. Additional costs related to implementation of individual Fen Management Plans. A large variability in Plans is anticipated but most will include costs associated with the management of non-intensive livestock and grazed vegetation, water course, scrub and mixed tall vegetation.
  2. Some additional income from enhanced production of commercial reed and sedge might result, as well as more intensively grazed livestock, but this will be marginal.
  3. Reduced stocking density of livestock system. Potential costs savings from lower variable costs of forage production but increased costs of environmental management.
Income Forgone Calculation-Fen Tier
£/ha Loss Gain
Income Lost 0.0  
Sub-total 0.0  
Costs Saved   0.0
Sub-total   0.0
Extra costs
Restoration 90.7  
Livestock - Labour 61.6  
Fencing 17.3  
Scrub Management 18.4  
Dyke Reinstatement 34.6  
Forage Costs 18.0  
Mowing 34.6  
Sub-total 275.1  
Extra income
Royalties on commercial reed   5.2
Livestock gross margin   8.0
Sub-total   13.2
Total 275.1 13.2
Income forgone 261.9  

NB These costs have been derived from costs incurred on a typical fen of 30 hectares

Per hectare of agreement area = 262 (i.e. £171/ha excluding initial restoration)

Uptake targets to January 2002
180 hectares
Income forgone
£261.9/ha.
Current payment rate
£170/ha
Level of incentive
N/A

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Woodland tier

Scheme Prescriptions

43.Retain any woodland, copses or groups of trees. Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a programme to maintain and enhance the conservation and landscape value of non net-income generating woodland. All farm woodland on or adjacent to your agreement land must be entered into this woodland tier. Other woodland not on or adjacent to your agreement land may be entered at the discretion of MAFF. Seek written consent from the Project Officer before planting any woodland.

Agronomic Impact

The prescriptions for this tier have the following implications with a significant economic consequence.

1. Positive management actions of varying descriptions will need to be undertaken over the life of the agreement.

£/ha Loss Gain
Income Forgone Calculation-Woodland Tier
Income lost
Costs saved
Extra costs 23.0  
Sub-total 23.0  
Extra income
Total 23.0  
Income forgone 23.0  
Uptake targets to January 2002
50 hectares
Income Forgone
£23/ha
Current Payment Rate
£17/ha
Level of Incentive
N/A

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Page last modified: 17 August, 2005
Page published: 10 December, 2002

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs