Appendix 1 - Land management options - Resource Protection
- Arable reversion to unfertilised grassland to prevent erosion or run-off HJ3
- Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input to prevent erosion or run-off HJ4
- In-field grass areas to prevent erosion or run-off HJ5
- Preventing erosion or run-off from intensively managed improved grassland HJ6
- Seasonal livestock removal on grassland with no input restriction HJ7
- Nil fertiliser supplement HJ8
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.
These options are designed to protect watercourses by reducing diffuse pollution. They buffer sensitive habitats and protect areas that replenish groundwater, by reducing the risk of soil erosion, nitrate leaching and phosphorus transport. They also contribute to flood management. Diffuse pollution is the contamination of watercourses by run-off laden with eroded soils and nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) from large areas of land. Increased run-off leading to soil erosion, nitrate leaching and phosphorus transport is often caused by the capping and/or compaction of soils in arable cultivation or intensively managed grassland systems.
Careful management of grass cover will improve soil structure and water infiltration, reduce run-off and provide protection from soil erosion. The options will be targeted at high risk land within priority catchments identified in your target statement and may be applied to part-fields or whole fields. These options can also help protect archaeological features.
Where resource protection options (including the nil fertiliser supplement HJ8) are proposed, you must also apply for and complete a Soil Management Plan (option M1) within the first agreement year. In addition, if you apply livestock manures, a Manure Management Plan (option M3) must be included in your application. Where fertilisers are applied, a Nutrient Management Plan (option M2) must be included in your application.
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Arable reversion to unfertilised grassland to prevent erosion or run-off HJ3
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Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input to prevent erosion or run-off HJ4
In fields identified in the FEP as being at high risk, these options stabilise soils and reduce nutrient losses by the establishment and maintenance of either an unfertilised or a nutrient-restricted fertilised grass cover. Maintaining a grass cover will help to improve soil structure and water infiltration, reduce run-off and protect against wind erosion. Zero or restricted inputs of nitrogen fertilisers and organic manures will reduce the risk of nitrate leaching.
Management will include: ameliorating any areas of soil compaction before sowing and establishing a specified grass mix (before 1 October); cutting the sward at least twice in the first year to encourage the tillering of grasses and, from the second year onwards, cutting once after mid-July. There should be no overgrazing or poaching and supplementary feeding will be restricted to mineral supplements.
Option HJ3 does not allow the use of fertilisers or organic manures.
Option HJ4 permits up to 100 kg/ha per year of total nitrogen from livestock manures or no more than 50 kg/ha per year of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser, which can only be applied between 1 February and 14 August.
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In-field grass areas to prevent erosion or run-off HJ5
This option reduces the movement of sediment, nutrients and pesticides by wind and water erosion, both within fields and from field to field, through the careful location of permanent grass areas.
This option can be used to achieve a number of different objectives depending on the type of pollution and the pollutant pathway. For example:
- a grass strip adjacent to a watercourse can filter surface run-off to reduce the amount of eroded soil, organic material, nutrients and pesticides reaching the watercourse
- grassing natural drainage pathways (e.g. valley bottoms) will help to reduce the channelling of run-off water that can produce rills and gullies
- a grass strip angled against the prevailing wind can reduce wind borne soil erosion
This option applies to part fields only, up to a maximum permissible area of 30% per field. Part or whole field arable reversion (HJ3 or HJ4) should be considered for larger areas.
Management will include: removing any areas of soil compaction before establishing a specified grass mix (before 1 October); cutting the sward at least twice in the first year to encourage the tillering of grasses. You must not use the area for regular access, vehicle turning or storage. Other management, including grazing and/or mowing regimes, fertiliser and supplementary feeding can be tailored to site objectives.
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Preventing erosion or run-off from intensively managed improved grassland HJ6
This option reduces soil compaction and surface run-off on improved grassland by extensive grazing. Extensive grazing will help to improve soil structure, water infiltration and reduce run-off. Restricting inputs of fertiliser and organic manures will reduce nitrate leaching.
This option is suitable for use on improved grassland that receives in excess of 200 kg N/ha and where there is evidence of soil erosion or run-off, or where a soil risk assessment indicates that a target feature is under significant threat from erosion or run-off. It may also be used to buffer sensitive habitats if used in combination with HJ8 Nil fertiliser supplement (see below). This option applies to the whole field.
Management includes: alleviation of severe soil compaction; application of up to 100 kg/ha per year of total nitrogen from livestock manures or no more than 50 kg/ha per year as inorganic nitrogen fertiliser. Supplementary feeding is restricted to mineral blocks or licks. Other management including grazing and/or mowing regimes will be tailored to site objectives.
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Seasonal livestock removal on grassland with no input restriction HJ7
This option supports the removal of livestock at specific times of the year to reduce compaction and run-off. This option is suitable for use on soils that are prone to water logging, compaction or poaching and applies to the whole field. Soil damage on other fields must not result through removing livestock from fields receiving this supplement.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options D2, D5, K2, K3, K4, K5, L3, L4 and L5 without reducing your HLS payment.
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Nil fertiliser supplement HJ8
This supplement supports the management of land under option HJ6 (Preventing erosion or run-off from intensively managed improved grassland) without the use of fertilisers. This will reduce nitrate leaching into ground and surface water. It may be applied to whole fields or part-fields greater than 1 ha.
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Page last modified:
21 March, 2006
Page published: 3 March, 2005