SP6: Cattle grazing supplement
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the cattle grazing supplement.
How much will be paid
£59 per hectare (ha)
Where to use this supplement
Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier
Only with a land management option where cattle grazing is appropriate for delivering the aims of the option. In Mid Tier with:
- GS5 Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDA’s
- GS6 Management of species rich grassland
- WD4 Management of wood pasture and parkland
- UP2 Management of rough grazing for birds
In Higher Tier:
- with a land management option where cattle grazing is appropriate for delivering the aims of the option
Where this supplement cannot be used
With:
Related Mid Tier options
This supplement can be located on the same area as the following supplements.
- GS15 – Haymaking supplement
- GS16 – Rush infestation control supplement
- WD7 - Management of successional areas and scrub
How this supplement will benefit the environment
The more varied sward structure and better control of scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation will increase wildlife diversity. This will be particularly beneficial in wet areas and difficult sites such as steep slopes.
Aims
If you’re selected for a site visit, we will check that delivery of the aims is being met and the prohibited activities have not been carried out. This will ensure the environmental benefits are being delivered.
Cattle grazing on site throughout the year. In Mid Tier, at least 60% of the grazing Livestock Units will be cattle.
Prohibited activities
To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities.
- None
On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any prohibited activities.
Recommended management
To assist you in achieving the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this supplement, we recommend that you use best practice.
- Please refer to Aims, Prohibited activities and Additional guidance and advice
Keeping records
Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.
- Stock records to show grazing activity on parcels
Additional guidance and advice
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
Type of cattle
Many cattle breeds or cross-breeds may be capable of meeting requirements:
- cattle with low nutritional requirements, such as dry suckler cows, are best for sites with fibrous herbage
- mature, placid cattle are best suited for sites where there are ground-nesting birds, as they reduce the risk of trampling
Timing
Graze different habitat types at different times of the year and with a range of cattle numbers.
Biodiversity
This supplement has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier and Higher Tier including how to apply.
Last updated 4 January 2024 + show all updates
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Update to How Much Is Paid
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New payment rate from 1 January 2022.
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WD7: Management of successional areas and scrub added to list of Related Mid-Tier options
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Option updated for agreements starting 1 January 2022
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016.
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First published.