Guidance

Options with temporary adjustments

Updated 26 September 2022

This guidance was withdrawn on

This guidance has been withdrawn as it is no longer current.

Applies to England

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hot-and-dry-weather-temporary-support-for-farmers-in-2022/options-with-temporary-adjustments

The table lists the Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) options that have a temporary adjustment. The current requirement is shown, together with the temporary requirement adjustment and possible use. (The requirement may differ slightly if your agreement is from 2020 onwards, so please check the wording in your agreement.)

The temporary adjustment also applies to those Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) options included in Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements as HLS options. The option codes are prefixed with an ‘H’ instead of an ‘E’ or ‘O’. For example, when EF4 Nectar flower mixture is entered into agreement as an HLS option, it is renamed HF4 Nectar flower mixture.

Countryside Stewardship

Option code Option title Current requirement Possible use Temporary requirement adjustment
AB1 Nectar flower mix Cut the whole area between 15 September and 30 March. Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
AB1 Nectar flower mix Do not graze between 15 March and 31 August. Grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
AB1 Nectar flower mix For agreements starting on or before 1 Jan 2021: You must establish by sowing a seed mix containing a minimum of 6 flower species as soon as possible after harvest and before 15 September, in year 1 and year 3 of your agreement. n/a Sow mixes up to and including 30 September
AB1 Nectar flower mix For agreements starting on 1 Jan 2022: Establish in blocks or strips between 1 March and 15 September by sowing a grass-free seed mix which contains a minimum of 6 flower species. n/a Sow mixes up to and including 30 September
AB8 Flower rich margins and plots Cut (and remove if dense) or graze 90% of the area between 15 August and 31 October to leave a plant height of between 10cm and 20cm. Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze 100% of area from 17 August to 31 October
AB8 Flower rich margins and plots For agreements starting on or before 1 Jan 2021: You must establish flower-rich margins and plots by sowing a seed mix which contains a minimum of 4 grass species and 10 flower species between 1 March and 15 September. n/a Sow mixes up to and including 30 September
AB13 Brassica fodder crop Commence grazing after 15 October. Grazing Graze from 17 August
AB15 Two year sown legume fallow Year 1 - Cut at least twice during the year as the mixture is establishing to stop blackgrass heading – do not cut after the end of October.
Year 2 - In the second year after establishment, cut once before the end of March if blackgrass is present.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze up to 100% of area from 17 August
AB15 Two year sown legume fallow For agreements starting on or before 1 Jan 2021: You must establish by sowing a seed mix containing a minimum of 6 flower species as soon as possible after harvest and before 15 September, in year 1 and year 3 of your agreement. n/a Sow mixes up to and including 30 September
AB16 Autumn sown bumblebird mix For agreements starting on or before 1 Jan 2021: Establish as soon as possible after harvest and before 15 September, in year 1 and year 3 of your agreement by sowing a seed mix containing a minimum of six flower species and six seed-bearing crops. n/a Sow mixes up to and including 30 September
BE1 Protection of in-field trees on arable land Once established, manage the sward: only cut to control woody growth. Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
BE2 Protection of in-field trees on intensive grassland Once established, manage the sward: only cut to control woody growth. Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
GS1 Take small areas out of management Only cut or graze 1 year in 5.
Do not cut or graze all areas in the same year if there is more than 1 area.
Do not cut or graze during the bird breeding season 1 March to 31 August.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
GS2 Permanent grassland with very low inputs outside SDAs Do not use supplementary feed except for mineral blocks Allowing temporary feeding From 17 August supplementary feeding is temporarily permitted (including hay, silage & energy blocks) where this is necessary to prevent animal welfare issues. However, Agreement holders must ensure they minimise any damage to the sward as a result of the supplementary feeding. For example, if ring feeders or racks are used, they should be re-located regularly to prevent damage to the surrounding area. If feeding loose hay, this should be spread in different locations across the parcel(s).
GS5 Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs Do not use supplementary feed except for mineral blocks Allowing temporary feeding From 17 August supplementary feeding is temporarily permitted (including hay, silage & energy blocks) where this is necessary to prevent animal welfare issues. However, Agreement holders must ensure they minimise any damage to the sward as a result of the supplementary feeding. For example, if ring feeders or racks are used, they should be re-located regularly to prevent damage to the surrounding area. If feeding loose hay, this should be spread in different locations across the parcel(s).
GS10 Management of wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl Do not use supplementary feed except for mineral blocks Allowing temporary feeding From 17 August supplementary feeding is temporarily permitted (including hay, silage & energy blocks) where this is necessary to prevent animal welfare issues. However, Agreement holders must ensure they minimise any damage to the sward as a result of the supplementary feeding. For example, if ring feeders or racks are used, they should be re-located regularly to prevent damage to the surrounding area. If feeding loose hay, this should be spread in different locations across the parcel(s).
OP1 Overwintered stubble Beneficial seed and nectar-producing plants, can be broadcast or sown on small areas (no more than 0.5 ha per 10 ha stubble) in either autumn or spring, to enhance the feeding and foraging value. Grazing Sow forage crops on up to 5 ha in 10 ha (50%) and graze until 14 February 2023
OP4 Multi-species ley Once established, manage with rotational cutting or grazing.

For 50% of the option area:
- cut or graze between 1 April and 15 May
- do not cut or graze this area again until 1 August
For the remaining 50% of the option area:
- cut or graze between 15 May and 30 June
- do not cut or graze this area again until 15 September		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze up to 100% of area from 17 August
SW1 4-6m buffer strip on cultivated land Once the strip has been established, cut between 1 and 3m of the strip next to the crop edge every year after 15 July.
Only cut the remaining width to control woody growth (leaving aside areas containing fallen timber).		 Bedding/fodder Cut up to 100% of buffer strip from 17 August (No grazing)
SW2 4–6m buffer strip on intensive grassland Leave an uncut buffer strip 4 to 6m wide around the edge of any fields that will be mown (livestock can graze this strip along with the aftermath).
Only cut the sward to control woody growth.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze up to 100% of buffer strip from 17 August
SW3 In-field grass strips Once it has been established, cut the entire area every year after 15 July. Exclude all livestock from the strip. Bedding/fodder/grazing Graze from 17 August
SW4 12m to 24m watercourse buffer strip on cultivated land Cut the 6m next to the crop along the entire length of the buffer strip every year after 15 July, once the strip has been established.
Only cut the remainder of the strip to control woody growth.		 Bedding/fodder Cut up to 100% of buffer strip from 17 August. (No grazing)
SW7 Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input Exclude all livestock from 1 October to 15 March. Grazing Graze until 31 October
SW8 Management of intensive grassland adjacent to a watercourse Exclude all livestock from 1 October to 15 March. Grazing Graze until 31 October

Environmental Stewardship: Entry Level Stewardship (ELS)

Option code Option title Current requirement Possible use Temporary requirement adjustment
EC24 Hedgerow tree buffer strips on cultivated land After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut the 3m next to the crop edge annually after mid-July.
Only cut the other 3m to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
EC25 Hedgerow tree buffer strips on grassland After the first 12 months of the agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut from 17 August
EE1 2m buffer strips on cultivated land After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once in every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut from 17 August
EE2 4m buffer strips on cultivated land After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once in every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut from 17 August
EE3 6m buffer strips on cultivated land After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut the 3m next to the crop edge annually after mid-July.
Only cut the other 3m to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years.		 Bedding/fodder Cut up to 100% of buffer strip from 17 August
EE4 2m buffer strips on intensive grassland After the first 12 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
EE5 4m buffer strips on intensive grassland After the first 12 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
EE6 6m buffer strips on intensive grassland After the first 12 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
EE9 6m buffer strips on cultivated land next to a watercourse After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut the 3m next to the crop edge annually after mid-July.
Only cut the other 3m to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years.		 Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
EE10 6m buffer strips on intensive grassland next to a watercourse After the first 12 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
EF1 Management of field corners After establishment, cut no more than once every 5 years to allow the development of tussocky grass and low scrub.
Do not cut between 1 March and 31 August.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
EF4 Nectar flower mixture Regular cutting and removal of cuttings in the first 12 months after sowing may be needed to ensure successful establishment of sown species.
Cut the whole area to 10cm between 15 September and 31 October, removing or shredding cuttings to avoid patches of dead material developing.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
EF6 Overwintered stubble Beneficial seed and nectar-producing plants, can be broadcast or sown on small areas (no more than 0.5 ha per 10 ha stubble) in either autumn or spring, to enhance the feeding and foraging value. Grazing Sow forage crops on up to 5 ha in 10 ha (50%) and graze until 14 February 2023
EF15 Reduced herbicide cereal crops followed by overwintered stubble Beneficial seed and nectar-producing plants can be broadcast or sown on small areas (no more than 0.5 ha per 10 ha stubble) in the autumn to enhance feeding and foraging value. Grazing Sow forage crops on up to 5 ha in 10 ha (50%) and graze until 14 February 2023
EF22 Extended overwintered stubble Beneficial seed and nectar-producing plants, can be broadcast or sown on small areas (no more than 0.5 ha per 10 ha stubble) in either autumn or spring, to enhance the feeding and foraging value. Grazing Sow forage crops on up to 5 ha in 10 ha (50%) and graze until 14 February 2023
EJ9 12m buffer strips for watercourses on cultivated land After the first 12–24 months, cut the 6m next to the crop edge annually after mid-July.
Only cut the remainder to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years.		 Bedding/fodder Cut up to full width from 17 August (No grazing)
EK1 Take field corners out of management After establishment, cut no more than once every five years to allow the development of tussocky grass and low scrub.
Do not cut during the bird-breeding season (1 March to 31 August).
Do not graze.		 Fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
EK3 Permanent grassland with very low inputs Do not supplementary feed Allowing temporary feeding From 17 August supplementary feeding is temporarily permitted (including hay, silage & energy blocks) where this is necessary to prevent animal welfare issues. However, Agreement holders must ensure they minimise any damage to the sward as a result of the supplementary feeding. For example, if ring feeders or racks are used, they should be re-located regularly to prevent damage to the surrounding area. If feeding loose hay, this should be spread in different locations across the parcel(s).
EL1 Take field corners out of management in SDAs After establishment, cut no more than once every five years to allow the development of tussocky grass and low scrub.
Avoid cutting between 1 March and 31 August, if nesting birds are thought to be present.
Do not graze.		 Fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
EL3 Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs Do not supplementary feed Allowing temporary feeding From 17 August supplementary feeding is temporarily permitted (including hay, silage & energy blocks) where this is necessary to prevent animal welfare issues. However, Agreement holders must ensure they minimise any damage to the sward as a result of the supplementary feeding. For example, if ring feeders or racks are used, they should be re-located regularly to prevent damage to the surrounding area. If feeding loose hay, this should be spread in different locations across the parcel(s).

Environmental Stewardship: Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS)

Option code Option title Current requirement Possible use Temporary requirement adjustment
OC24 Hedgerow tree buffer strips on rotational land After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut the 3m next to the crop edge annually after mid-July.
Only cut the other 3m to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
OC25 Hedgerow tree buffer strips on organic grassland After the first 12 months of the agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut from 17 August
OE1 2m buffer strips on rotational land After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once in every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut from 17 August
OE2 4m buffer strips on rotational land After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once in every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut from 17 August
OE3 6m buffer strips on rotational land After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut the 3m next to the crop edge annually after mid-July.
Only cut the other 3m to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years.		 Bedding/fodder Cut up to 100% of buffer strip from 17 August
OE4 2m buffer strips on organic grassland After the first 12 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
OE5 4m buffer strips on organic grassland After the first 12 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
OE6 6m buffer strips on organic grassland After the first 12 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
OE9 6m buffer strips on rotational land next to a watercourse After the first 12-24 months of your agreement, cut the 3m next to the crop edge annually after mid-July.
Only cut the other 3m to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years.		 Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
OE10 6m buffer strips on organic grassland next to a watercourse After the first 12 months of your agreement, cut buffer strips only to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years. Bedding/fodder Cut up to full strip width from 17 August
OF1 Management of field corners After establishment, cut no more than once every 5 years to allow the development of tussocky grass and low scrub.
Do not cut between 1 March and 31 August.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
OF4 Nectar flower mixture Regular cutting and removal of cuttings in the first 12 months after sowing may be needed to ensure successful establishment of sown species.
Cut the whole area to 10cm between 15 September and 31 October, removing or shredding cuttings to avoid patches of dead material developing.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
OF6 Overwintered stubble Beneficial seed and nectar-producing plants, can be broadcast or sown on small areas (no more than 0.5 ha per 10 ha stubble) in either autumn or spring, to enhance the feeding and foraging value. Grazing Sow forage crops on up to 5 ha in 10 ha (50%) and graze until 14 February 2023
OJ9 12m buffer strips for watercourses on rotational land After the first 12-24 months, cut the 6m next to the crop edge annually after mid-July.
Only cut the remainder to control woody growth, and no more than once every 2 years.		 Bedding/fodder Cut up to full width from 17 August (No grazing)
OK1 Take field corners out of management After establishment, cut no more than once every five years to allow the development of tussocky grass and low scrub.
Do not cut during the bird-breeding season (1 March to 31 August).
Do not graze.		 Fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August
OL1 Take field corners out of management in SDAs After establishment, cut no more than once every five years to allow the development of tussocky grass and low scrub.
Avoid cutting between 1 March and 31 August, if nesting birds are thought to be present.
Do not graze.		 Fodder/grazing Cut or graze from 17 August

Environmental Stewardship: Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)

Option code Option title Current requirement Possible use Temporary requirement adjustment
HE10 Floristically enhanced grass margin Mow/graze the same half/part of the margin each year before 15 June/after mid-July, and at least 75%/all of the margin after 15 September/leaving up to 25% of the margin uncut.
The example HLS requirement can vary in individual agreements.		 Bedding/fodder/grazing Cut or graze 100% of floristically enhanced grass margin or plot
HK3 Permanent grassland with very low inputs Do not supplementary feed Allowing temporary feeding From 17 August supplementary feeding is temporarily permitted (including hay, silage & energy blocks) where this is necessary to prevent animal welfare issues. However, Agreement holders must ensure they minimise any damage to the sward as a result of the supplementary feeding. For example, if ring feeders or racks are used, they should be re-located regularly to prevent damage to the surrounding area. If feeding loose hay, this should be spread in different locations across the parcel(s).
HL3 Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs Do not supplementary feed Allowing temporary feeding From 17 August supplementary feeding is temporarily permitted (including hay, silage & energy blocks) where this is necessary to prevent animal welfare issues. However, Agreement holders must ensure they minimise any damage to the sward as a result of the supplementary feeding. For example, if ring feeders or racks are used, they should be re-located regularly to prevent damage to the surrounding area. If feeding loose hay, this should be spread in different locations across the parcel(s).
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