What the action involves
The aim of this supplemental action is that there’s an annual average of at least 60% of the grazing livestock units (GLU) made up of either:
- cattle
- ponies (where agreed with your Natural England adviser)
- a combination of both
The purpose of this is to:
- create a more varied sward structure
- control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
- increase wildlife diversity
What you must do
Your Natural England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.
To get paid for this supplemental action, you must make sure that an average of at least 60% of the GLU on land entered into the relevant base action are cattle, ponies or a combination of both.
Cattle and ponies will only be allowed where they meet the aims of the base action and are agreed with your Natural England adviser.
When to do it
You must do this action each year of its duration.
Evidence to keep
You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if they ask for it.
You must supply a written stocking record for each land parcel entered into this action if the RPA ask for it. The record must include the:
- land parcel reference number and its hectarage
- dates when grazing has taken place during each calendar month
- monthly numbers of livestock, including their type and age bracket
To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:
- Cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
- Cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
- Lowland ewe and lamb, or ram – 0.12 GLU
- Store lamb, hill ewe and lamb or hogg or teg – 0.08 GLU
- Goat – 0.12 GLU
- Pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
- Horse – 1.0 GLU
The same action appears in the other schemes under a different code. The work is broadly the same; the rate and the length of the commitment are not.
- SFI 2024 — GRH11: £59 per hectare (ha) per year, over 5 years
Where you can do it
You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land below the moorland line and in combination with a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier base action approved by Natural England.
Your Natural England adviser will agree with you what other supplemental actions may be needed to meet the intended environmental outcomes. This could include:
- CCT6: Coastal vegetation management supplement
- CGS16: Rush control supplement
- CGS23: Haymaking supplement
- CGS24: Haymaking supplement (late cut)
- CSP1: Difficult site supplement
- CSP2: Rewetting supplement
- CSP3: Bracken control supplement
- CSP5: Shepherding supplement (non-moorland)
- CSP11: Manage scrapes and gutters supplement
- CSP12: Rhododendron control and management supplement
- CSP16: Keep native breeds on grazed habitats supplement (50-80%)
- CSP17: Keep native breeds on grazed habitats supplement (more than 80%)
- CSP18: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (50-80%)
- CSP19: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (more than 80%)
- CSP9: Support for threatened species
- CSW26: Enhanced floodplain storage supplement
- CUP18: Manage features for wildfire management (fire and fuel breaks) supplement
- CWS10: 2-zone rides supplement
- CWS11: 3-zone rides supplement
- CWS7: Manage historic features in woodlands supplement
- CWS8: Manage native woodland including ancient semi-natural woodlands (ASNW) supplement
- CWS9: Manage woodlands for flood and drought mitigation supplement
Eligible land
Same as base action.
Available area
Same or less than the base action.
Rotational or static
Same as base action.
Consents and permissions
To apply for this action, you’ll need:
- Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
- consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
You may need to:
- agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
- get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
- get advice from your Forestry Commission woodland officer or Natural England adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).
If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.
Capital grants that support it
If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.
You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items.
