HLS
HJ3
£280/ha
HJ4
£210/ha
HJ5
£350/ha
HK8
£280/ha
HK17
£210/ha
5% certified common bentgrass
10% certified sheeps fescue
30% certified meadow fescue
15% certified red fescue
20% certified smooth meadowgrass
20% certified timothy
Ref.
MIXRG
This is a typical example of the mixtures which have been used to re-create
grassland from arable or intensive grass under the Countryside Stewardship
Scheme. If you enter HLS and have a requirement to recreate grassland then
your RDS advisor will prescribe a list of species to use. Often the list will
be the same or similar to the mixture below, if not then please fax, email
or phone the details through and we will cost the seed mix.
The mixture below is suitable for sowing on most soil types ranging from clays
to calcareous. Frequently this type of mixture provides grass for grazing
or hay production and the mixture is formulated with this in mind. However,
the mixture can be varied to suit individual requirements.
This long term mixture is best sown from mid March until mid September. Many
of the species included have small seeds and should therefore be surface sown
onto a fine, firm seedbed. If broadcast, the seed should be lightly harrowed
and rolled.
We recommend sowing a minimum of 25 kg per hectare.
Recreating
Grassland
Objectives
Environmental Stewardship provides the opportunity to re-create grassland.
There are many reasons why you may apply for this option. These include the
prevention of soil erosion, the protection of locally distinctive landscapes
and features and for provision of habitats for waders and wildfowl.
Only farmers entering Higher Level Stewardship will consider this option as
it will not be applicable to those in Entry Level. We expect that there will
be limited funds for this and it will be highly competitive. However, we believe
that payments will be attractive for those who are successful.
Realistic Expectations from Forage
The grass or grass/wild flower habitats that will be created offer only limited
forage value. Many of you have experience with similar grassland re-creation
schemes under ESA or CSS management agreements. The new scheme will deliver
similar results. The forage quality from ES mixtures will be lower than that
of an intensive ley. Additionally, due to grazing management rules and restrictions
on the use of fertiliser some of the grasses will become fibrous and less
palatable to livestock. The use of clover would help but in our experience
this is usually disallowed. However, this problem is compensated for by the
generous payments available.
The Addition of Wild Flowers
Due to a low acreage of seed production and high demand for seed the addition
of wild flowers is more expensive than grasses alone. But within HLS there
is a payment (GS) which if successfully applied for will pay 100% of the cost
of native seed. Refer to page 12 of HLS Payments for Land Management Options
booklet from RDS for further details.
5% certified common bentgrass
5% certified crested dogstail
20% certified smaller catstail
25% certified sheeps fescue
25% certified red fescue
20% certified smooth meadowgrass
Ref. MIXPGLM
A slow growing and more manageable seeds mixturefor those with low requirements
from permantent grassland. This mixture can be grazed periodically or topped
to keep a tidy appearance.
Sow between March and early May or August and late September at 15 kg per
acre or 37 kg per hectare.
Parkland
Grassland
Low Maintenance
