Appendix 1 - Land management options - Arable
- Floristically enhanced grass margin HE10
- Enhanced wild bird seed mix plots (rotational or non-rotational) HF12
- Fallow plots for ground-nesting birds (rotational or non-rotational) HF13
- Unharvested, fertiliser-free conservation headlands (rotational) HF14
- Reduced herbicide, cereal crop management preceding over-wintered stubble and a spring crop (rotational) HF15
- Fodder crop management to retain or re-create an arable mosaic (rotational) HG6
- Low input spring cereal to retain or re-create an arable mosaic (rotational) HG7
- Cultivated fallow plots or margins for arable flora (rotational or non-rotational) HF20
See also Arable Options on Set-aside
For each option, overall aims, management requirements and relationships with ELS and OELS options are explained. The exact management requirements for each option, including optional prescriptions, will be negotiated with you, and then included in your agreement. The prescriptions text between square brackets may be changed by advisers to suit particular situations and management needs.
Where HLS options can be located with ELS or OELS options this is highlighted at the end of the text describing the options, see below.
Arable farming creates the characteristic open ploughed land of areas such as East Anglia and the Vale of York. It is also an important part of the mixed farming tradition of areas such as the Midlands and the South West. However, modern crop management can limit the variety of insects, plants, birds and mammals traditionally associated with such land. For example, arable specialists such as the corn bunting, grey partridge, pheasant's-eye and cornflower have declined in numbers. Many field boundaries have been removed. In some circumstances, crop management may also cause soil compaction that can lead to increased run-off and erosion, which in turn may cause pollution of water courses or increased local flooding.
Arable options will normally be available only on land that has been in arable production, including set-aside, for at least five years. An exception to this will be options involving the re-creation of an arable mosaic (HG6 and HG7), where you can include land that has been in arable cultivation at any time in the last ten years.
For the arable set-aside options HF16 and HF17, management prescriptions may differ from the set-aside requirements of the SPS. Please see section 6.1 for more guidance.
Arable options should only be considered where you can provide evidence that your proposals will benefit:
- Species mentioned in your target statements.
- Priority declining farmland bird species either present or adjacent to your land (your RDS adviser will have a list).
- Rare arable plant species (your RDS adviser will have a list).
Rotational arable options can be moved from field to field to fit in with your crop rotation and to help reduce the build up of pests and diseases. If you choose any rotational arable options, you will need to complete a form in May each year to confirm the location of these options. If you do not return the form your payment will be delayed. Non-rotational arable options will be fixed in an agreed location for the duration of the agreement.
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Floristically enhanced grass margin HE10
This option provides feeding areas for insects and birds by maintaining field margins that contain a mixture of grass and wild flower species. The margins can be located along field boundaries or as a buffer strip around in-field features such as ponds or archaeological sites. This option must not run alongside any 6 to 10 m set-aside strips established under your SPS entitlement. This role does not apply to set-aside strips wider than 10 m, but the HLS margin must be next to the feature.
Management includes: establishing the margin by natural regeneration or by sowing a seed mix recommended by your RDS adviser; and once established, cutting or grazing the margin on a cycle agreed with your RDS adviser.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Enhanced wild bird seed mix plots (rotational or non-rotational) HF12
This option provides a valuable winter food source for declining farmland birds. The plots or margins will contain a small seed-bearing crop tailored to meet the needs of the target bird species. The size and location and the number of plots will also be appropriate for the target bird species.
Management will include establishing an agreed seed mixture every year or every other year and following an agreed pesticide and fertiliser programme.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options D3 and J1 without reducing your HLS payment.
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View prescriptions and indicators of success
Fallow plots for ground-nesting birds (rotational or non-rotational) HF13
This option provides breeding and foraging sites for ground-nesting farmland birds such as lapwing, stone curlew and skylark. The uncropped plots should be at least 2 ha in size and located in suitable arable fields. The plots can be kept in a fixed location or rotated around agreed locations.
Management includes cultivating the plot in the spring to produce a rough fallow. This fallow should be retained without the use of pesticides or fertilisers for an agreed period.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options D3 and J1 without reducing your HLS payment.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Unharvested, fertiliser-free conservation headlands (rotational) HF14
The option provides a year-round food source for declining populations of farmland birds. The restricted pesticide programme will allow insects to flourish, providing food for the chicks in summer. Over winter the unharvested crop will provide a food source for farmland birds by providing spilt grain and seeding arable plants. This option can also encourage rare arable plants. The headland has significant additional wildlife benefits when managed in conjunction with option HE10 (floristically diverse margins) or with ELS or OELS options E1, E2 or E3 (2-6 m wide buffer strips on arable land).
Management includes cultivating and sowing a cereal crop as usual. The outer 6 to 24 m of the crop is to be managed by following a restricted herbicide and insecticide programme and without the use of fertilisers. This headland is to be left unharvested until the following spring before resuming normal management.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options D3 and J1 without reducing your HLS payment.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Reduced herbicide, cereal crop management preceding over-wintered stubble and a spring crop (rotational) HF15
This option provides a food source for farmland birds, especially in the winter. The restricted herbicide programme will allow arable plants to flourish and set seed in the crop. Over-wintering the stubble rich in arable plants will provide a winter food source for farmland birds.
Management will include cultivating and sowing a cereal crop as usual, but following a restricted herbicide programme. The cereal crop should then be harvested without using a pre-harvest desiccant. Any soil compaction should be remedied following harvest to prevent increased run-off and erosion. The stubble should then be maintained without the use of pesticides, fertilisers, manures or lime until the following spring.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options D3 and J1 without reducing your HLS payment.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Fodder crop management to retain or re-create an arable mosaic (rotational) HG6
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Where arable farming has declined in traditionally mixed farming areas, this option returns fields to arable cultivation in order to provide valuable foraging sites for seed-eating birds. Fodder crops (brassica or root), grazed in situ, allow arable plants to persist and set seed within the crop.
Management includes: establishing a whole field of fodder brassica/fodder root crop before 1 July; following a restricted pesticide programme; grazing over the autumn and winter; and maintaining the stubble until the following spring.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Low input spring cereal to retain or re-create an arable mosaic (rotational) HG7
This rotational option provides an important habitat for declining farmland birds (e.g. grey partridge, skylark and corn bunting) and mammals (e.g. brown hare). The open spring crop will provide breeding sites for ground nesting birds and encourage rare arable plants. It is particularly applicable in areas where spring crops were traditionally grown but have now declined. This option will have significant additional wildlife benefits when managed in conjunction with grass margins. This option also provides an opportunity for ley establishment by under sowing with a grass/legume mixture.
Management includes establishing a spring cereal crop at a specified seed rate of not more than 100 kg/ha; following a restricted herbicide and fertiliser programme; and not harvesting the crop before 31 July.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options D3 and J1 without reducing your HLS payment.
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View prescriptions and indicators of success
Cultivated fallow plots or margins for arable flora (rotational or non-rotational) HF20
This option creates opportunities for rare arable plants to germinate, flower and set seed.
Management will include cultivation to establish a firm, fine tilth, either in the autumn or spring, depending on the target species. This fallow plot or margin should be retained for an agreed period without the use of pesticides and fertilisers.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options D3 and J1 without reducing your HLS payment.
View prescriptions and indicators of success
Page last modified:
21 March, 2006
Page published: 3 March, 2005