Rural Affairs

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Upper Thames Tributaries ESA

Aims and objectives

1. The Upper Thames Tributaries ESA aims to maintain and enhance the distinctive landscape character of the river valleys and their associated nature conservation interest and historic resources by encouraging the sensitive management of the grassland and surrounding features.

2. Specific objectives are:

    Related tier(s)
1. To maintain, enhance and extend the nature conservation interest of the extensively managed river valley grassland by encouraging appropriate management and increasing the grassland area through arable reversion. 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, inc. supplements
2. To maintain and enhance the landscape quality through the traditional management or restoration of characteristic elements such as hedgerows, pollarded trees and ponds. All, inc. hedge restoration supplement
3. To protect and enhance the nature conservation interest of ponds, ditches and rivers by establishing grass buffer strips on arable land. 3C
4. To protect archaeological and historic features. All

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Background to the ESA

1. The ESA covers 27,200 hectares of the Thames Valley and the lower reaches of five of its tributaries - the Windrush, Evenlode, Glyme, Cherwell and the Ray. The majority of the ESA lies within Oxfordshire, with areas extending into Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. Farming in the area is based mainly on dairying, summer grazing and arable production.

2. The ESA contains a rich and diverse mix of landscape features and areas of wildlife interest, which combine to form a strong riverine character. The valleys incorporate elements such as pasture, meadows, hedgerows, pollarded riverside willows, copses and parkland. The flat, open areas such as Otmoor contrast with the meandering, upper reaches of the Windrush and Evenlode valleys which form part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

3. The main environmental interest occurs in the valley bottoms, where pockets of semi-natural hay meadows and wet pasture still remain. These support extremely diverse plant communities, regionally important populations of breeding waders and a rich invertebrate fauna. The ESA also encompasses some areas of semi-natural calcareous grassland on the steep valley sides. Nineteen of these semi-natural grassland habitats have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and the meadows around Oxford are of international importance.

4. There are a wealth of archaeological remains, ranging from those which date from prehistoric times to more recent industrial structures, used particularly for milling and communication. The major cause of detrimental change, both in terms of landscape and wildlife, has been the agricultural intensification of much of the wet grassland. This resulted from improved flood defences and land drainage which, in turn, lead to the increased use of fertilisers and the conversion of grassland to arable. The continuing threat from intensive agriculture was the main reason for the ESAs designation.

5. This is a 'part-farm' ESA which started in 1994. The revised scheme has been introduced in 1999. The uptake by the end of 1998 was approximately 6,000 hectares.

6. A key objective for the ESA is to maintain, enhance and extend the area of grassland under extensive management. In 1999 some agreement tiers have been amended and additional supplements introduced in order to ensure improved targeting and management of priority habitats.

7. Tier 1A (permanent grassland) has been modified to allows the selective maintenance of existing mole drainage systems. There is also an Unfertilised Headland Supplement available to protect and enhance the often species-rich areas adjacent to hedges and watercourses.

8. New sSupplements are available for land in Tier 1B (extensive grassland) or 3A (reversion of arable land to extensive grassland). A Stock Exclusion Supplement offers payments for excluding stock in the spring months, with the aim of improving the nesting success of breeding waders in targeted areas. The Hay Making Supplement encourages traditional hay making to benefit the internationally important Meadow Foxtail-Great Burnet plant community and its associated fauna.

9. For Tiers 2 and 3B (the wet grassland options), revised prescriptions have been introduced to benefit the breeding wader interest. This includes the implementation of Grassland Management Plans to cover grazing and mowing regimes as well as water level management. A new Conservation Plan item promotes the establishment of shallow scrapes to provide improved feeding areas for wetland birds.

10. There is a continued priority to revert arable areas to extensively managed grassland under Tiers 3A & 3B agreements, with increased emphasis on the use of native seed mixtures. The new Tier 3C (arable margin buffer strips) has been introduced to reduce the impact of agricultural run-off and pollutants in to watercourses (rivers, ponds & ditches) by creating permanent grass buffer strips on arable land. These margins will also provide a valuable habitat for wildlife.

11. The above changes to prescriptions should make an important contribution to the delivery of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets for the priority grassland habitats and species in the area.

12. All of the ESA tiers aim to protect the landscape and its characteristic elements and historic features. The Hedgerow Restoration Supplement replaceds the Hedge Management Supplement which did not has not proved effective. This new supplement aims to makes the hedgerow management programmes simpler to administer and implement and should improves the effectiveness of hedgerow management in the ESA. Throughout the ESA, the opportunity to enhance landscape elements such as ponds and pollarded willows and historic features, can be achieved through Conservation Plans.

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Tier 1A - Permanent Grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

1. Maintain permanent grassland. Do not plough, level or reseed. Cultivate only with a chain harrow or a roller.

2. Graze with livestock other than pigs or poultry and avoid poaching, overgrazing or undergrazing. Horses may be grazed but only in association with cattle, sheep or both.

3. If you cut the grass for hay, continue to do so and graze the aftermath. Wilt and turn any grass cut for silage before removal and graze the aftermath.

4. Do not increase your existing application rates of organic or inorganic fertiliser. Do not apply any organic fertiliser within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole that supplies water for human consumption or within 10 metres of any watercourse.

5. For a supplementary payment you may agree not to apply fertiliser on land within 6 metres of any field boundary.

6. Do not apply fungicides or insecticides.

7. Do not apply herbicides except to control stinging nettles, spear thistle, creeping or field thistle, curled dock, broad-leaved dock or ragwort. Apply herbicides only by means of a wick applicator or by spot treatment.

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

9. Do not install any new land drainage system or modify any existing land drainage system so as to bring about improved drainage. Maintenance of mole drainage systems may be allowed with the Project Officer's prior written approval.

10. Maintain existing water levels. Maintain watercourses for which you are responsible (including margins and banks) in rotation and carry out any necessary management by mechanical means, not herbicides. After allowing spoil to dry out, spread it but do not use it to infill depressions.

11. Retain and, where necessary, manage ponds, lakes, fen habitats, reeds and wetland

12. Retain hedges and stone walls and do not remove any part thereof.

13. Maintain stockproof hedges and walls in stockproof condition using traditional materials.

14. Do not apply pesticides on land within 1 metre of any hedge or wall.

15. For a supplementary payment you MAY agree a programme to restore and manage non-stockproof hedges. Payment will be calculated on the basis of every metre of hedge restored in each year.

16. Retain and, where necessary, manage all individual trees, including any pollarded willows, and small groups of trees for which you are responsible.

17. Retain any broad-leaved woodland.

18. Do not plant any additional trees or woodland without the Ministry's prior written approval.

19. Within two years of the start of your agreement obtain written advice on the management of woodland and scrub.

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

21. At the start of your agreement obtain written advice on the management of known archaeological and historic features on your land. Where standard advice on agricultural management is provided this should be implemented within 12 months. Where more specific advice is required this should be obtained within the first 12 months of your agreement and appropriate advice implemented within two years.

22. Maintain any weatherproof traditional farm buildings for which you are responsible in a weatherproof condition using traditional styles and materials.

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

24. You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (Annex IVII) for the Protection of Soil, Air and Water, published by the Ministry (references PB 0617, PB 0618 and PB 0585) as amended from time to time.

Agronomic Impact
  1. The restrictions on reseeding and drainage improvement will result in the deterioration of the grassland in the medium term. The livestock carrying capacity of the heavier land, which accounts for 50% of the area of grassland, will be reduced by 0.25 Grazing Livestock Units (GLU) per hectare from 1.85 GLU/ha to 1.6 GLU/ha. The livestock carrying capacity of the lighter land, which accounts for 50% of the area of grassland, will be unaffected by these prescriptions.
  2. There will be associated opportunities to lease the surplus Suckler Cow and Ewe Quota.
  3. There will be savings in interest charged on working capital associated with these livestock systems.
  4. The Income Forgone calculation for the Headland supplement is shown separately.
  5. A 6 metre buffer strip along the field boundary is equivalent to 14% of a 5 ha field which is the average field size in the Upper Thames Tributaries ESA.
  6. Tier 1A prescriptions including restrictions on reseeding and drainage improvement will result in the deterioration of the grassland in the medium term. The livestock carrying capacity of the heavier land in Tier 1A, which accounts for 50% of the area, will be reduced by 0.25 Grazing Livestock Units (GLU)/ha from 1.85 GLU/ha to 1.6 GLU/ha). On the 6 meter buffer strip, which represents 7% of this area, grazing livestock units are reduced further from 1.6 GLU/ha to 0.55 GLU/ha.
  7. On the remaining 50% of land Tier 1A prescriptions have no economic impact and grazing livestock units are maintained at 1.85 GLU/ha. On the 6 metre buffer strips, which represent 7% of this area. grazing livestock units are reduced from 1.85 GLU/ha to 0.55 GLU/ha.
  8. As a consequence of de-stocking there will be associated opportunities to lease surplus Suckler Cow and Ewe Quota.
  9. The restrictions on reseeding and drainage improvement will result in the deterioration of the grassland in the medium term. The livestock carrying capacity of the heavier land, which accounts for 50% of the area of grassland, will be reduced by 0.25 Grazing Livestock Units (GLU) per hectare from 1.85 GLU/ha to 1.6 GLU/ha. The livestock carrying capacity of the lighter land, which accounts for 50% of the area of grassland, will be unaffected by these prescriptions.
  10. The Income Forgone calculation for this supplement is shown in the separate section dealing with the Hedgerow Restoration Supplement.
  11. Generally the supplement will apply to lengths where a mixture of gapping-up, laying and coppicing is being carried out in order to restore the hedge.
  12. In every case protective fencing will be required and an additional back fence required in 75% of cases.
  13. In the Upper Thames ESA for those hedges that require restoration, for every 100 metres 70m will need laying and 30m coppicing. In addition to this 30m of this 100m will also require gapping up. For every 100m back fencing will be necessary and 75m will require secondary fencing.
  14. There will be extra costs associated with the requirement to maintain traditional farm buildings.
Income Forgone Calculation - Tier 1A Permanent Grassland
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra Income -  
Quota leasing x 50% on 0.25 GLU/ha   3
Sub-total   3
Costs Saved -  
Interest on working capital on reducing livestock numbers from 1.85 GLU/ha to 1.6 GLU/ha x 50%   3
Sub-total   3
Income Lost   -
Loss of livestock Gross Margin @ 1.85 GLU/ha to 1.6 GLU/ha x 50% 32  
Sub-total 32  
Extra Costs   -
Herbicide application by wick applicator or spot treatment 4  
Ditch management 4  
Pond management 2  
Wall maintenance 2  
Management of individual and small groups of trees 4  
Traditional building maintenance 1  
Sub-total 17  
Total 49 6
Income forgone 43  
Uptake Targets to January 2003
3,800 hectares
Income Forgone
£43/ha
Current Payment Rate
£35/ha
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for Incentive
N/A

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Tier 1B - Extensive Permanent Grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Observe prescriptions 1-24 (Tier 1A) plus additional prescriptions set out below:

25. During the period 1 April to 30 June do not use a chain harrow or roller.

26. Do not top the grass or cut it for hay or silage until after 30 June.

27.For a supplementary payment you MAY agree in writing with the Ministry to exclude stock from specified areas where breeding waders are known to occur or where other ecological interest will benefit, between 15 March and 31 May.

28. For a supplementary payment you MAY agree in writing with the Ministry to carry out hay making. Do not graze after 1 March and do not cut the grass until after 10 July. The grass must be made into hay and not taken for silage. Graze the aftermath.

29. Restrict supplementary feeding of livestock to areas agreed in advance with the Project Officer.

30. Do not apply any organic or inorganic fertiliser except farmyard manure (FYM).

31. Do not exceed your existing application rates of FYM and, in any event, do not apply more than 20 tonnes of FYM per hectare in any three year period.

32. Do not apply FYM during the period 1 April to 31 May and, outside this period, apply it only in a single dressing.

33. Do not apply slurry, pig or poultry manure or sewage sludge

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

Agronomic Impact
  1. The combined effects of the prescriptions are to severely restrict the productive potential of the land entered into this Tier. Typical stocking rates will be reduced by 0.90 GLU/ha from 1.45 GLU/ha to 0.55 GLU/ha, with resultant loss of gross margin.
  2. As a consequence of de-stocking there will be associated opportunities to lease the surplus livestock quota.
  3. There will also be savings in labour and interest charged on working capital associated with these livestock systems.
  4. The Income Forgone calculation for this supplement is shown in the separate section dealing with the Stock Exclusion Supplement.
  5. The exclusion of stock in conjunction with no fertiliser application will considerably restrict stocking. Grassland could be lightly grazed by 0.5 forward store beasts from 31 May to housing. Current stocking is 0.55 GLU/ha.
  6. As a consequence of de-stocking there will be associated opportunities to lease out the livestock quota.
  7. There will also be savings in labour and interest charged on working capital associated with these livestock systems.
  8. The Income Forgone calculation for this supplement is shown in the separate section dealing with the Hay Making Supplement.
  9. Delays in harvesting will reduce the quality of forage produced. This will require extra feed to be purchased to compensate for the poorer quality.
  10. In certain years due to poor weather the feed value of the crop may be severely reduced.
  11. In all except exceptional years there will be a reduction in the availability of aftermath grazing.
Income Forgone Calculation - Tier 1B Extensive Permanent Grassland
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra Income -  
Quota leasing of 0.9 GLU/ha   22
Sub-total   22
Costs Saved -  
Forage costs @ 1.45 GLU/ha   54
Interest from working capital associated with forage costs   2
Interest on working capital on reducing livestock from 1.45 GLU to 0.55 GLU   21
Labour costs associated with a reduction in livestock from 1.45 GLU to 0.55 GLU   26
Sub-total   103
Income Lost   -
Loss of livestock Gross Margin @ 1.45 GLU/ha to 0.55 GLU/ha 233  
Sub-total 233  
Extra Costs   -
Herbicide application by wick applicator or spot treatment 4  
Ditch management 4  
Pond management 2  
Hedge and wall maintenance 2  
Management of individual and small groups of trees 4  
Traditional building maintenance 1  
Sub-total 17  
Total 250 125
Income forgone 125  
Uptake Target to January 2003
2,800 hectares
Income Forgone
£125/ha
Current Payment Rate
£105/ha
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for Incentive
N/A

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Tier 2 - WET Grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Observe Tier 1A and 1B prescriptions plus additional prescriptions set out below:

35. Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a grassland management plan which will cover grazing and mowing rotations and water level management.

36. Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a programme for ditch management.

37. Ditches should be maintained so as to allow the control of field water levels by the operation of appropriately sited water control structures. Manage field water levels so that approximately 10% of the site is covered by shallow surface splashing from 15 march to 31 May. In order to achieve surface splashing it must be possible to bring ditch water levels up to and over bank top for short periods of time. At all times of year a minimum of 30 cm depth of water must be maintained in the ditches.

38. Exclude stock from 15 March to 31 May. During June the stocking density must be restricted to 0.75 GLU/ha.

39. Do not apply any organic or inorganic fertiliser (including farmyard manure).

Agronomic Impact
  1. The prescriptions typically make forage production and grazing impractical for the major part of the year.
  2. As a consequence of de-stocking there will be associated opportunities to lease the surplus livestock quota. Current stocking levels are 1.8 GLU/ha.
  3. Grassland could be lightly grazed by 0.5 forward store beasts from 15 June to housing.
  4. There will be savings in interest charged on working capital and labour associated with these livestock systems.
  5. There will be extra costs associated with the range of 'environmental' measures prescribed under this tier including obtaining an abstraction licence, capital and running costs of pumping.
  6. Ditch maintenance will be higher than in non wet grassland tiers as a result of the higher water table.
  7. As a consequence of de-stocking there will be associated opportunities to lease the surplus livestock quota. Current stocking levels are 1.8 GLU/ha.
  8. Grassland could be lightly grazed by 0.5 forward store beasts from 15 June to housing.
  9. There will be savings in interest charged on working capital and labour associated with these livestock systems.
Income Forgone Calculation - Tier 2 Wet Grassland
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra Income -  
Quota leasing of 1.8 GLU/ha   44
Gross Margin @ 0.5 forward stores   53
Sub-total   97
Costs Saved -  
Forage costs @ 1.8 GLU/ha   80
Interest on working capital re forage @ 1.8 GLU/ha   3
Interest on working capital associated with livestock @ 1.8 GLU/ha   42
Labour costs @ 1.8 GLU/ha   51
Sub-total   176
Income Lost   -
Loss of livestock Gross Margin @ 1.8 GLU/ha 466  
Sub-total 466  
Extra Costs   -
Herbicide application by wick applicator or spot treatment 4  
Ditch management 7  
Pond management 2  
Hedge and wall maintenance 2  
Management of individual and small groups of trees 4  
Traditional building maintenance 1  
Pumping costs 31  
Labour costs for 0.5 store cattle 6  
Interest on working capital for 0.5 store cattle 5  
Sub-total 62  
Total 528 273
Income forgone 255  
Uptake Targets to January 2003
450 hectares (including original tier 2 closed after 1998 review)
Income Forgone
£255/ha
Current Payment Rate
£270/ha
Level of Incentive
5.8% (£15/ha.)
Justification for Incentive
Revised prescriptions, introduced (following the 1998 policy review), introduced greater restrictions, but added greater potential for environmental enhancement, to the benefit of Biodiversity Action Plan species. An incentive element is justified to encourage uptake of the revised tier.

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Tier 3A - Reversion of Arable Land to Extensive Permanent Grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

40. Cease arable production (including ley grassland production). Within 7 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.

41. During the first 7 months of the agreement observe all Tier 1A Permanent Grassland prescriptions from "do not install any new land drainage system or modify any existing land drainage system so as to bring about improved drainage" and do not apply any of the following without the Ministry's prior written approval:

  1. organic or inorganic fertiliser, (except farmyard manure),
  2. lime, slag or any substance designed to reduce soil acidity,
  3. fungicides, insecticides or herbicides.

42. After the first 7 months observe all the remaining Tier 1A prescriptions and all the Tier 1B Extensive Permanent Grassland prescriptions.

43. During each of the 3 years following establishment of the grass sward cut the grass, remove the cut crop and graze the aftermath.

44. On grassland reverted from arable do not exceed an average stocking level of 1.4 Livestock Units LU per hectare.

Agronomic Impact
  1. These prescriptions result in the loss of arable margins and the introduction of livestock, typically stocked at 0.55 GLU/ha.
  2. Investment in livestock fencing is required as the land in this Tier is currently in an arable rotation excluding grass.
  3. Savings in fixed costs including labour and machinery are possible as a result of cessation of arable cropping.
  4. Grassland establishment costs.
Income Forgone Calculation - Tier 3A Reversion of Arable Land to Extensive Permanent Grassland
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra Income -  
Livestock Gross Margin @ 0.55 GLU/ha   143
Sub-total   143
Costs Saved -  
Fixed cost savings as a result of reduced arable cropping   107
Interest on working capital associated with arable cropping   9
Sub-total   116
Income Lost   -
Loss of arable Gross Margin 568  
Sub-total 568  
Extra Costs   -
Labour costs associated with 0.55 GLU/ha 16  
Interest on working capital associated with 0.55 GLU/ha 13  
Herbicide application by wick applicator or spot treatment 4  
Ditch management 4  
Pond management 2  
Hedge and wall maintenance 2  
Management of individual and small groups of trees 4  
Traditional building maintenance 1  
Livestock quota leasing @ 0.55 GLU/ha 14  
Establishment of grassland using specified grass species 34  
Fencing 49  
Sub-total 143  
Total 711 259
Income forgone 452  
Uptake Targets to January 2003
1,200 hectares
Income Forgone
£452/ha
Current Payment Rate
£310/ha
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for Incentive
N/A

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Tier 3B - Reversion of Arable Land to WET Grassland

Scheme Prescriptions

Observe prescriptions 40-42 (Tier 3A) plus additional prescriptions set out below:

45. Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a grassland management plan which will cover grazing and mowing rotations and water level management.

46. Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a programme for ditch management.

47. After the first 7 months observe all the remaining Tier 1A permanent grassland prescriptions and all the Tier 1B Extensive Permanent Grassland and Tier 2 wet grassland prescriptions.

48. On grassland reverted from arable do not exceed an average stocking level of 1.4 Livestock Units LU per hectare.

Agronomic Prescriptions
  1. The prescriptions result in the loss of arable margins and the introduction of livestock typically stocked at 0.5 forward store cattle from 15 June until housing.
  2. The cost of fencing for livestock in an arable area.
  3. Savings in fixed costs, labour and machinery are possible as a result of cessation of arable cropping.
  4. There will be extra costs associated with the range of 'environmental' measures prescribed under this Tier including obtaining an abstraction licence, capital and running costs of pumping.
  5. Ditch maintenance will be higher than in non wet grassland tiers as a result of the higher water table.
Income Forgone Calculation - Tier 3B Reversion of Arable Land to Wet Grassland
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra income -  
Livestock Gross Margin 0.5 store cattle   53
Sub-total   53
Costs Saved -  
Fixed cost savings as a result of reduced arable cropping   107
Interest on working capital associated with arable cropping   9
Sub-total   116
Income lost   -
Loss of arable Gross Margin 568  
Sub-total 568  
Extra Costs   -
Labour costs associated with 0.5 store cattle 6  
Interest on working capital associated with 0.5 store cattle 5  
Herbicide application by wick applicator or spot treatment 4  
Ditch management 7  
Pond management 2  
Hedge and wall maintenance 2  
Management of individual and small groups of trees 4  
Traditional building maintenance 1  
Establishment of grassland using specified grass species 34  
Pumping costs 31  
Fencing 49  
Sub-total 145  
Total 713 169
Income forgone 544  
Uptake Targets to January 2003
450 hectares (including original tier 3B closed after 1998 review)
Income Forgone
£544/ha
Current Payment Rate
£435/ha
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for Incentive
N/A

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Tier 3C - Arable margin buffer strips

Scheme Prescriptions

Observe Tier 3A prescriptions plus additional prescriptions set out below:-

  1. Establish a permanent grass sward over a width of 5 - 30 metres using a seed mixture agreed in writing with the Project Officer.
  2. Do not apply any inorganic or organic fertiliser or pesticides on the buffer strip.
  3. Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement the appropriate management of the buffer strip which may include topping, mowing or extensive grazing.
Agronomic Impact
  1. A conservation grass mixture is sown on a margin of 5-30 metres wide.
  2. This will result in loss of arable or livestock gross margin. On the basis of current management practice 80% is in arable production whilst 20% is intensively managed grassland currently stocked at 1.85 GLU/ha.
  3. 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.
  4. Grazing is permitted on land adjacent to grassland. The restriction of fertiliser application will reduce output to grazing from 1.85 to 0.55 GLU/ha.
Income Forgone Calculation - Tier 3C Arable Margin Buffer Strips
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra Income    
Quota leasing x 20% @ 1.85 GLU/ha - 0.55 GLU/ha   2
Costs Saved    
Interest on working capital on arable crops x 80% x £14   11
Fixed Costs saving on arable crops x 80% £118   94
Interest on working capital on reducing livestock from 1.85 GLU/ha to 0.55 GLU/ha x 20%   9
Income Lost    
Loss of arable gross margin x 80% @ £659 527  
Loss of livestock gross margin 1.85 GLU/ha - 0.55 GLU/ha x 20% 72  
Extra Costs    
Grass establishment (amortised) x 80% 25  
Fencing amortised £36 x 20% 7  
Topping every other year £8/ha x 50% 4  
Total 635 116
Income forgone 519  
Uptake Targets to January 2003
875 hectares
Income Forgone
£519/ha
Current Payment Rate
£400/ha
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for Incentive
N/A

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Headland supplement

Scheme Prescriptions

Prescription 5 of Tier 1A

Agronomic Impact
  1. The restrictions on reseeding and drainage improvement will result in the deterioration of the grassland in the medium term.
  2. Livestock carrying capacity of the heavier land will be reduced. It is estimated that stock numbers will be reduced by 0.25 Grazing Livestock Unit (GLU) per hectare on 47.5% of the grassland in the ESA.
  3. The stocking rates on the unfertilised 6m buffer strips along hedges and ditches will reduce stocking rates from 1.85-0.55 on 7% land and from 1.60-0.55 on a further 7% of land.
  4. The cost of obtaining a woodland management plan will no longer be included in this tier as woodland management will now be covered under the proposed woodland tier.
  5. As a consequence of de-stocking there will be associated opportunities to lease surplus Suckler Cow and Ewe Quota.
  6. Consequential savings in interest charged on working capital associated with these livestock systems.
  7. There will be extra costs associated with the range of 'environmental' measures prescribed under this tier.
Income Forgone Calculation - Headland Supplement
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra Income   0
Costs Saved    
Forage costs at 1.85 GLU/ha on 7% of land   11.00
Interest on working capital re stock at 1.85 GLU/ha on 7% of land   8.00
Income lost    
Unfertilised buffer strip 1.85-0.55 GLU reduction on 7% of land 25  
Unfertilised buffer strip 1.60-0.55 GLU reduction on 7% of land 20  
Extra Costs 0  
Total 45 19
Income Forgone 26  
Uptake Targets to January 2003
875 hectares
Income Forgone
£26/ha
Current Payment Rate
£20/ha.
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for Incentive
N/A

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Stock exclusion supplement

Scheme Prescription

Prescription 27 of Tier 1B Extensive Permanent Grassland.

Agronomic Implications
  1. The exclusion of stock in conjunction with no fertiliser application will considerably restrict stocking.
  2. As a consequence of de-stocking there will be associated opportunities to lease out livestock quota.
  3. There will be savings in interest charges on working capital and labour associated with these livestock systems. Grassland could be lightly grazed by 0.5 forward store beasts from 31 May - housing.
Income Forgone Calculation - Stock Exclusion Supplement
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra Income    
Leasing of livestock quotas @ 0.55 GLU/ha   11
Livestock gross margin 0.5 Forward Stores   38
Costs Saved    
Interest on working capital associated with stock @ 0.55 GLU   19
Labour savings resulting from lower stock numbers   27
Income Lost    
Livestock gross margin @ 0.55 GLU 144  
Extra Costs    
Labour costs for 0.5 Forward Stores 2  
Interest on working capital 6  
Total 152 95
Income forgone 57  
Uptake Targets to January 2003
450 hectares
Income Forgone
£57/ha
Current Payment Rate
£50/ha.
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for Incentive
N/A

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Haymaking supplement

Scheme Prescriptions

Prescription 28 of Tier 1B - Extensive Permanent Grassland

Agronomic Implications
  1. Reduce quality of forage produced requiring extra feed to be purchased to compensate for poorer quality.
  2. In certain years the feed value of the crop may be severely reduced as a result of poor weather making good hay production impossible.
  3. In all bar exceptional years there will be a reduction in the availability of aftermath grazing.
Income Forgone Calculation - Haymaking Supplement
£/ha Loss Gain
Extra Income   0
Costs Saved   0
Income Lost    
Aftermath grazing 16  
Loss of hay crop 30  
Extra Costs    
Increased feed costs 26  
Total 72 0
Income forgone 72  
Uptake Targets to January 2003
460 hectares
Income Forgone
£72/ha
Current Payment Rate
£55/ha
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for Incentive
N/A

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Hedgerow restoration supplement

Scheme Prescription

Prescription 15 of Tier 1A - Permanent Grassland

Agronomic Impact
  1. Generally the supplement will apply to lengths where a mixture of gapping-up, laying and coppicing is being carried out in order to restore the hedge.
  2. In every case protective fencing will be required and an additional back fence required in 75% of cases.

Income Forgone Calculation - Hedgerow Restoration Supplement

Additional Costs

Cost of coppicing is less than for laying as it is a less skilled job. However, the cost of clearing debris will be greater as there is more to clear way.

Cost of coppicing:

£/metre
Coppicing 2.10
Clearing debris 2.00
Total 4.10

NB Where coppicing is part of the normal hedge maintenance routine (as page 4) the cost per metre should be allocated over the period of the rotation, eg 15 years to provide an annual cost: £4.10 + fencing cost/15. In this example coppicing is a restoration technique and therefore included in the supplementary cost calculation.

Gapping-up involves buying in hawthorn quicks and planting them in any gaps. This will normally be done in conjunction with coppicing and laying.

Cost of gapping-up:

£/metre
6 quicks required @ 23p each 1.38
6 guards required @ 30p each 1.80
Labour to plant (to include fixing guard with cane) 1.80
Total 4.98

The proportion of hedges requiring laying, coppicing and gapping-up will vary from one ESA to another.

In this example assume that of those hedges that require restoration, for every 100 metres 70m will need laying and 30m coppicing. In addition to this 30m of this 100m will also require gapping up. For every 100m back fencing will be necessary and 75m will require secondary fencing.

Therefore cost of restoring hedge:

  £/100 metres
Laying 70m @ £5.00/m 350.00
Coppicing 30m @ £4.10/m 123.00
Gapping-up 30m @ £4.98/m 149.40
Total 622.40

Cost of fencing:

  £/100 metres
Fencing @ £2.40/m 240.00
Back fencing 75m @ £1.20/m 90.00
Total 330.00
Total cost per 100 metres £952.40

Cost per metre £9.52

Uptake Targets to January 2003
5000 metres
Income Forgone
£9.52 per metre /m
Current Payment Rate
£7 per metre /m
Level of Incentive
0% N/A
Justification for 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