Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs

Where it applies

Temporary grassland, Improved grassland, Permanent grassland

Eligibility conditions

• Below the moorland line

What you'll do

Keep nutrient inputs very low: no more than 12 tonnes/ha a year of cattle farmyard manure, or the equivalent nutrients as fertiliser or other organic manure — never digestate or industrial by-products such as paper waste. Graze or cut the grassland so the sward develops flowering grasses and wildflowers, keep an intact sward year-round, and minimise bare ground, compaction and poaching (watch supplementary feeding areas). Don't plough, cultivate, re-seed or drain it, and only spot-treat or weed-wipe injurious weeds, invasive species or nettles. If you cut for conserved forage, first rest it from grazing and cutting for at least 7 continuous weeks in spring/summer, and leave an uncut margin around the edge.

Evidence to keep

• Field operations record at parcel level, with invoices
• Photographs or other documentation of the work done

When

• Mar–Aug: Mechanical work (including hay and silage cutting) must not disturb breeding birds or damage nests — they're protected by law
• Apr–Aug: If cutting for conserved forage: no grazing or cutting for at least 7 continuous weeks in spring/summer before the cut, and leave an uncut margin

Combining with other actions

Not captured for SFI 2024 actions — check your agreement and the SFI24 agreement holder's information on GOV.UK.