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Test Valley ESA

Aims and objectives

  1. The Test Valley ESA Scheme aims to maintain and enhance the pastoral landscape character of the river valley, its associated nature conservation interest and historic resources. The Scheme encourages a range of environmentally friendly livestock grazing systems and other land management practices to meet these aims.
  2. Specific objectives are:
    Related tier(s)
1. To maintain and enhance landscape quality through the retention or re-creation of permanent grassland and through management of characteristic elements such as ditches and pollarded willows. All
2. To maintain and enhance the nature conservation interest of the river valley grassland by sustaining and extending the area under extensive management, by managing associated wetland habitats and by increasing the area of land attractive to waders and wildfowl. 1A, 1B, 1C, inc. Breeding Wader Supplement
3. To enhance the nature conservation interest of improved grassland and increase the protection of adjacent water courses by reducing inorganic fertiliser applications. Low Fertiliser Supplement
4. To create new grassland habitats and protect the nature conservation interest of watercourses by reverting arable to permanent grassland and by establishing grass buffer strips. 2A, 2B
5. To protect archaeological and historic features. All
6. 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 covers 4,850 hectares of central Hampshire and comprises much of the River Test valley floor and lower parts of all of its major tributaries, except the River Blackwater. The ESA comprises mainly grassland, used for a range of livestock grazing systems, with beef, sheep, dairying and horses.
  2. The River Test meanders through chalk downland and divides into many channels and streams which flow through pasture interspersed with trees. The distinct linear form of the landscape is emphasised by the drifts of tree cover at the water's edge. Past management and the retention of high water levels have led to the occurrence of extremely diverse plant communities. The grassland, associated wetland communities and the river channel vegetation are of national ecological importance. This is recognised by the designation of several areas of the ESA as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
  3. There are archaeological remains dating from prehistoric to more recent times. The most notable historical features are the remains of old water meadow systems which date from 17th and 18th Century, but which were mostly abandoned by the end of 19th Century. The main cause of detrimental change, both to landscape and wildlife, has been agricultural intensification of grassland. This has involved land drainage, use of artificial fertilisers and herbicides, reseeding, and the conversion of grassland to arable. These continuing practices were the major reason for the ESA's designation.
  4. This is a 'part-farm' ESA which started in 1988. It was extended by 2,145 ha in 1993 and by a further 73 ha when the revised scheme was introduced in 1998. The uptake by the end of 1998 was 1,222 ha.
  5. A priority objective for the ESA is to sustain and extend the area of grassland under extensive management. The tier structure has been amended to enable better targeting and to provide more flexibility, through the mechanism of Grassland Management Plans. For improved permanent grassland (Tier 1A), Plan will encourage the appropriate use of fertilisers, the use of environmentally friendly weed control techniques and will minimise the impact of supplementary feeding areas. A low fertiliser supplement is also available to help improve the value of watercourses for wildlife. Tier 1B is available to help achieve environmental benefits in the less improved permanent grassland.
  6. The new Breeding Wader supplement is available for Tier 1A and 1B land and limits stock densities during the nesting season on land suited to breeding waders. For wet grassland a new tier (Tier 1C) has been introduced to manage the grazing livestock and water levels to provide conditions suitable for wading birds.
  7. The above prescriptions are a key mechanism contributing to the Biodiversity Action Plan targets for the habitats in the area.
  8. Throughout the ESA, the opportunity to enhance historic features and landscape elements, such as ditches and pollarded willows, can be achieved through the Conservation Plans, which provide capital payments for agreed works.
  9. There is a continued priority to strengthen the pastoral landscape through the reversion of arable land to permanent grassland (Tier 2A), with increased emphasis on using native seed mixtures. A further objective (Tier 2B) is to protect water courses from agricultural pollutants by creating permanent grass buffer strips (which also provide wildlife habitat) along the margins of arable land. There is also a new woodland tier to encourage positive management and natural regeneration of small-scale native woods.

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Tier 1A - Improved permanent grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a grassland management plan which will cover grazing and mowing rotations, stocking densities, fertiliser and manure use, weed control and ditch maintenance.

Maintain grassland and do not plough, level or reseed the land. You may use a chain harrow or roller but no other form of cultivation is allowed.

Graze with cattle and/or sheep but avoid poaching, undergrazing or overgrazing. Other animals including horses may only be grazed by prior written agreement with the Ministry.

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

Do not increase your existing application rates of inorganic fertiliser or organic fertiliser and in any case do not exceed 250 kg per ha of total nitrogen 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 any watercourse.

Do not apply any fertilisers within 5 metres of hedgerows.

The Ministry will make a supplementary payment if you agree in writing with the Project Officer to restrict application rates of inorganic or organic fertiliser to 50 kg per hectare per year of nitrogen in total.

Injurious weeds (spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock, broad-leaved dock and ragwort) together with nettles must be controlled.

Do not use fungicides, insecticides and herbicides, except to control injurious weeds and nettles by spot treatment or weedwiper.

Supplementary feeding of livestock must be agreed in advance in writing with the Project Officer.

Do not moledrain, use a sub-soiler or install any new field drainage system or substantially modify any existing land drainage system so as to improve the drainage.

Maintain existing watercourses and ditches in rotation by mechanical means, not sprays. After drying, spoil must be spread adjacent to the watercourse or ditch. Do not fill in any watercourses or low areas in the field.

Retain and manage hedges. Stockproof hedges must be maintained in a stockproof condition using traditional methods.

Maintain ponds, lakes, pools, sedgebeds and reedbeds on a rotational basis. Obtain written advice within two years of the start of your agreement on the management of these features and implement it.

Do not damage, destroy or remove any feature of archaeological or historical value or interest.

Obtain written advice on siting 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.

17.Dispose of sheep dip safely. Do not spread sheep dip where it may affect areas of nature conservation value.

18.You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (see Annex IVII) 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

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

  1. Reduction in overall stocking rates by an average of 0.1 GLU/hectare as a result of restrictions on drainage and sward replacement.
  2. Minor reduction in stock carrying capacity of grassland associated with fertiliser spreading restrictions near to watercourses and hedgerows.
  3. Grassland management plans are likely to be neutral in terms of their effect on stock carrying capacity.
  4. Hand or weedwiper application of herbicides.
  5. Maintenance of ditches by mechanical means.
  6. Management of stockproof hedges by traditional means.
  7. Pollarding willows on a regular basis.
  8. Management of water features.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 1A Improved permanent grassland
£/ha Losses Gains
Extra income   nil
Costs saved
Interest on working capital re: stock   2.5
Labour savings re: stock   3.2
Income lost
Livestock gross margin at 0.1 GLU/ha 23.9  
Loss of grazing on field margins 8.3  
Extra costs
Hand application of herbicides 10.4  
Ditch maintenance 5.4  
Hedge maintenance 1.1  
Willow pollarding 1.1  
Water feature maintenance 1.1  
Total 51.2 5.7
Income Forgone 45.5  
Uptake targets to January 2002
450 hectares
Income forgone
£46/ha
Current payment rate
£35/ha
Level of incentive
N/A

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The low fertiliser supplement

Scheme Prescriptions

Prescription 7 of tier 1A - Improved permanent grassland

Agronomic Impact

The prescriptions for this supplement to Tier 1 have the following implications for husbandry with a significant economic consequence.

  1. Reduction in stocking rates of 0.5 GLU/ha from 1.8 GLU/ha to 1.3. Typical stock displaced are suckler cows, store cattle and dairy replacements.
  2. Reduction in fertiliser application.

Consequential savings in forage costs, labour requirement and interest on working capital.

Income Forgone Calculation-The Low Fertiliser Supplement
£/ha Losses Gains
Extra income
Livestock quota leasing at 0.5 GLU/ha   3.1
Costs saved
Labour costs on 0.5 GLU/ha   17.3
Forage costs at 1.8 GLU/ha   70.0
Interest on working capital re forage   3.2
Interest on working capital re stock on 0.5 GLU   13.3
Income lost
Livestock gross margin for 0.5 GLU/ha 121.7  
Extra costs
Forage costs 31.8  
Interest on working capital re forage 1.1  
Total 154.8 106.8
Income Forgone 47.8  
Uptake targets to January 2002
200 hectares
Income forgone
£48/ha
Current payment rate
£50/ha
Level of incentive
4.2%

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Tier 1B - Extensive permanent grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Observe all prescriptions 1-18 (Tier 1A) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-

  1. Do not use a chain harrow or roller during the period 1 April to 30 June.
  2. Do not top or cut the grass for hay or silage before 1 July.
  3. Do not apply inorganic or organic fertiliser except for farmyard manure (FYM) produced on the farm. Do not apply slurry.
  4. Do not apply more than your existing application rate of farmyard manure and, in any event, do not apply more than 12.5 tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare (5 tons per acre) per year.
  5. Do not apply farmyard manure during the period 1 April to 31 May and, outside this period, apply it only in a single dressing.
  6. Do not apply lime, slag or any other substance designed to reduce the acidity of the soil.
Agronomic Impact

The prescriptions for this tier have the following implications for husbandry with a significant economic consequence in addition to those for Tier 1a.

  1. Reduction in stocking rates from 1.8 GLU/ha to 0.8. Typical stock displaced are suckler cows, store cattle and dairy replacements.
  2. Consequential savings in forage costs, labour requirement and interest on working capital.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 1B Extensive Permanent Grassland
£/ha Losses Gains
Extra income
Livestock quota leasing at 1 GLU/ha   4.6
Costs saved
Labour costs at 1.0 GLU/ha   33.5
Forage costs at 1.8 GLU/ha   70.0
Interest on working capital re forage   3.2
Interest on working capital re stock at 1.0 GLU   26.6
Income lost
Livestock gross margin at 1.0 GLU/ha 234.4  
Extra costs
Forage costs 0  
Interest on working capital re forage 0  
Tier 1a prescriptions 45.5  
Total 288.9 137.8
Income forgone 135  
Uptake targets to January 2002
900 hectares ha
Income forgone
£151.1/ha
Current payment rate
£135/ha
Level of incentive
N/A

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Breeding water supplement

Scheme Prescriptions
  1. Restrict stocking densities to not more than 0.75 livestock units per hectare during the period from 1 April - 30 May on areas specified by the Project Officer to contain breeding wader birds. Stock more heavily in the summer and autumn to create an agreed sward condition for the following year. Sheep may only be grazed in conjunction with cattle.
Agronomic Impact

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

  1. For a supplementary payment on Tier 1b participants will need to reduce stocking rates in the spring. Typically, stocking rates would be reduced from 0.8 GLU per hectare to 0.6 for the season.
  2. Consequential savings in forage costs, labour requirement and interest on working capital.
Income Forgone Calculation-Breeding Water Supplement
£/ha Losses Gains
Extra income
Livestock quota leasing   1.5
Costs saved
Interest on work. capital re stock at 0.2/ha   5.0
Labour re 0.2 GLU   6.5
Income lost
Livestock gross margin at 0.2 GLU/ha 48.9  
Extra costs nil  
Total 48.9 13
Income Forgone Change 35.9  
Uptake targets to January 2002
100 hectares
Income forgone
£35.9/ha
Current payment rate
£40/ha
Level of incentive
11.1%
Justification for Incentive
This supplement is important for extending the positive impact of the ESA on breeding wader populations.

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Tier 1C - Wet grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Observe prescriptions 1-18(Tier 1A) and 19-24 (Tier 1B) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-

  1. Graze with cattle or cattle and sheep but avoid poaching, undergrazing or overgrazing. The land must not be grazed between 1 April and 31 May and during June the stocking density must be restricted to 0.75 livestock units per hectare. Stock the land in the summer and autumn to create an agreed sward condition for the following year. Do not graze with sheep from 1 September to 30 March.
  2. Manage field water tables so that at least 20% of the land under agreement in this tier is covered in shallow surface water from 1st December to 31 March and shallow pools remain over at least 10% of the same area until 31 May.
  3. Ditches should be maintained so as to allow the control of field water levels by the operation of appropriately sited water control structures. In order to achieve the surface pools it must be possible to bring ditch water levels up to bank top for short periods of time. At all times of year a minimum of 300 mm depth of water must be maintained in the ditches.
  4. No grazing must take place between 1 April and 31 May. During June stocking must be restricted to 0.75 livestock units per hectare. Sheep grazing is prohibited from 1 September to 30 March.
Agronomic Impact

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

  1. Areas of raised water levels would need to be created. Typically this would be carried out by modifications to the drainage system. Capital grant is available under a Conservation Plan at the rate of 80% of the cost.
  2. Additional labour would be needed to maintain water levels.
  3. Reduction in stocking rates from 1.8 GLU/ha to ý a store beef animal. Typical stock displaced are suckler cows, store cattle and dairy replacements.
  4. Consequential savings in forage costs, labour requirement and interest on working capital.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 1C Wet Grassland
£/ha Losses Gains
Extra income
Livestock gross margin (0.5 forward store)   39.5
Livestock quota leasing   4.6
Costs saved
Labour costs at 1.8 GLU/ha   60.5
Forage costs at 1.8 GLU/ha   70.0
Interest on working capital re forage   3.2
Interest on working capital re stock at 1.8GLU   47.3
Income lost
Livestock gross margin at 1.8 GLU/ha 437.8  
Extra costs
Labour costs for 0.5 forward store 1.1  
Interest on working capital re 0.5 forward store 4.2  
Forage costs 0  
Interest on working capital re forage 0  
Maintenance of water levels 35.6  
Tier 1a prescriptions 45.5  
Total 524.2 225.0
Income Forgone 273  
Uptake targets to January 2002
75 hectares
Income forgone
£299.2/ha
Current payment rate
£330/ha
Level of incentive
10.3% (£22 per hectare)
Justification for Incentive
This tier is crucial to attempts to encourage breeding wader populations and to the success of the ESAs as a whole. Entry into this tier is time consuming for potential participants as they need to plan and arrange for higher water levels to be available. Many perceive that the grassland will be totally unproductive as a result of the wet conditions persisting into the peak growing season. As a result, new applications for entry to this tier have been disappointing.

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Tier 2A - Reversion of arable land to permanent grassland

Scheme Prescriptions
  1. Cease arable production or ley grassland production. Within 12 months of the start of your agreement establish a permanent grass sward using suitable species chosen from an approved list. 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.
  2. During the first 12 months of the start of the agreement do not apply any of the following without obtaining the Ministry's prior written approval.
  • inorganic or organic fertiliser;
  • lime, slag or any other substance designed to reduce the acidity of the soil;
  • fungicides, insecticides or herbicides.
  1. Cut the grass and remove as hay, but not silage, during the first three years following grassland establishment and graze the aftermath. Do not cut the grass before 1 July.
  2. From the start of the agreement follow all the Tier 1A prescriptions from prescription 10, "Supplementary feeding of livestock...."
  3. After the 12 month period you must also follow the remaining prescriptions in Tiers 1A and 1B, except number 7.
  4. On grassland reverted from arable, do not exceed an annual average stocking level of 1.4 Livestock Units (LU) per hectare.
Agronomic Impact

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

  1. Arable production will cease resulting in a loss of gross margin from these crops.
  2. Field average yields provide higher gross margins than those at the field edge.
  3. A grass sward using approved species will need to be established.
  4. This grass can be grazed after the area is fenced and water provided. The capital cost of the fencing and water provision will be aided under a Conservation Plan at the appropriate standard payment rate.
  5. Fixed cost changes associated with arable reversion will be possible, though additional costs will be incurred as a result of the introduction of livestock.
  6. Tier 1a prescriptions will need to be followed.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 2A Reversion of Arable Land to Permanent Grassland
£/ha Losses Gains
Extra income
Hay production   48
Grazing (0.2 GLU at £234/GLU)   48.9
Costs saved
Interest on work. Capital on arable crops   12
Fixed costs savings   119.2
Income lost
Loss of arable gross margin 531  
Extra costs
Interest on work. cap. re livestock 5.0  
Livestock quota leasing 0  
Grass establishment (amortised) 38.4  
Fencing (amortised) 24.8  
Tier 1a prescriptions 45.5  
Total 644.7 228.0
Income forgone 416.7  
Uptake targets to January 2002
120 hectares
Income forgone
£417/ha
Current payment rate
£300/ha
Level of incentive
N/A

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Tier 2B - Arable margin buffer strips

Scheme Prescriptions
  1. Establish a permanent grass sward over a width of 5-30 metres using an appropriate grass seeds mixture. 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.
  2. Do not apply any fertilisers or pesticides on this strip.
  3. Agree in writing with the Project Officer appropriate management of the buffer strip. Normally this will involve either taking a hay crop or topping, both after 1 July. In the first years of establishment, topping to control weed growth may be permitted with written agreement from the Project Officer. Where the buffer strip adjoins a grazed ley it can be grazed, once it is established, rather than cut.
  4. You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (see Annex IVII) 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

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

  1. A conservation grass mixture is sown on an arable field margin of between 5 and 30 metres wide.
  2. This will result in loss of the arable gross margin. Field edge gross margins are lower than the average for the whole field.
  3. Some fixed costs savings can be made.
  4. Cutting is used to control weeds and thicken the sward in the first year. Thereafter cutting is to be carried out in rotation every other year.
  5. These strips will have limited forage value due to the sward type and accessibility. In the budget below it is assumed that 20% of the area can be cut for hay.
Income Forgone Calculation-Tier 2B Arable Margin Buffer Strips
£/ha Losses Gains
Extra income
Hay production   5
Costs saved
Interest on work capital on arable crops   12.0
Fixed costs savings   119.2
Income lost
Loss of arable gross margin 494.1  
Extra costs
Grass establishment (amortised) 32.3  
Total 526.4  
Income Forgone 390.3  
Uptake targets to January 2002
20 hectares ha
Income forgone
£390.3/ha
Current payment rate
£425/ha
Level of incentive
9%

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Woodland tier

Scheme Prescriptions
  1. 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 the Ministry.
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.
Income Forgone Calculation-Woodland Tier
£/ha Losses Gains
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