Guidance
Options with temporary adjustments
Updated 12 August 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-prescription-adjustments/options-with-temporary-adjustments
The table below lists the Countryside Stewardship (ES) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) options that have a temporary adjustment. The current prescription is shown, together with the temporary prescription adjustment and possible use.
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.
These adjustments apply from 14 September to 31 December 2018, unless otherwise stated in the detail of the individual options.
From 1 January 2019 all options will revert to their original prescriptions.
1. Countryside Stewardship Options
| Option code | Option title | Current Prescription | Possible use | Temporary Prescription Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB1 | Nectar flower mix | Cut the whole area between 15 September and 30 March. | Bedding/fodder/grazing | Cut or graze from 14 September |
| AB1 | Nectar flower mix | Do not graze between 15 March and 31 August. | Grazing | Cut or graze from 14 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 14 September to 31 October |
| AB9 | Winter bird food | Please read separate guidance | ||
| AB13 | Brassica fodder crop | Commence grazing after 15 October. | Grazing | Graze from 14 September |
| 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 14 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| OP4 | Multi-species ley | Once established, manage with rotational cutting or grazing. For 50% of the option: - 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 14 September |
| SW1 | 4 – 6 m 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 14 September (No grazing) |
| SW2 | 4 – 6 m 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September. (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 |
2. Environmental Stewardship – ELS Options
| Option code | Option title | Current Prescription | Possible use | Temporary Prescription 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| EF6 | Over winter 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 2019 |
| 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 2019 |
| EF22 | Extended over winter 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 2019 |
| 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 14 September (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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
3. Environmental Stewardship – OELS Options
| Option code | Option title | Current Prescription | Possible use | Temporary Prescription 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
| OF6 | Over winter 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 2019 |
| 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 14 September (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 14 September |
| 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 14 September |
4. Environmental Stewardship - HLS only options
| Option code | Option title | Current Prescription | Possible use | Temporary Prescription 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. NB the example HLS prescription above can vary in individual agreements. |
Bedding/fodder/grazing | Cut or graze 100% of floristically enhanced grass margin from 14 September |