OP4: Multi species ley
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the multi species ley option.
How much will be paid
£117 per hectare (ha).
Where to use this option
Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier
- Whole or part parcel
- Rotational
Only:
- on land registered as organic or ’in conversion’’ with a Defra-licensed organic control body.
- if the land has been sown to grass it must be for fewer than 7 years.
Related Mid Tier options
These options can be located on the same area as this option.
How this option will benefit the environment
It provides a valuable year-round habitat and food for farmland wildlife such as pollinators and farmland birds.
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.
A multi-species lay will be established in the first year containing at least 5 grass species, 3 legume species and 3 herb species. Rotational cutting or grazing will ensure there are flowering species throughout the summer months.
Prohibited activities
To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities.
- Allow the grass component to exceed 75% of the seed mix by weight (measured in kilograms per hectare).
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 option, we recommend that you use best practice.
We recommend that you:
- in year 1 of the agreement, establish a multi-species ley containing at least:
- 5 grass species
- 3 legume species
- 3 herb species
- 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
- check for breeding birds before operating machinery or carrying out other activities which may disturb breeding birds or damage their nests. The breeding season tends to run from mid-March until mid-July, but it can start earlier and finish later, depending on the species and the weather.
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.
- Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
- Stock records to show grazing activity on parcels
- A valid organic certificate and schedule for all the parcels entered into this option at application and on your annual claim – the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will not request this information if you have already supplied it for a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claim
Additional guidance and advice
As this is a rotational option, it can be moved between eligible parcels but the same total area (hectarage) should be maintained each year.
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This option can form part of an IPM approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases. If successful, appropriate and within proximity of cropped areas, these may limit the need for the use of Plant Protection Products and enhance wildlife and biodiversity on your holding. Read information on IPM at AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Integrated Pest Management and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).
Biodiversity
This option 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.
Updates to this page
Last updated 4 January 2024 + show all updates
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Update to How Much Is Paid
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Update to additional guidance and advice section
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Can be used on Rotational land
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Removed 'Rotational' bullet point under 'Where to use this option' and removed 'As this is a rotational option, it can be moved between eligible parcels but the same total area (hectarage) should be maintained each year' from 'Additional guidance and advice'
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Payment rate corrected for 1 January 2022.
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New payment rate from 1 January 2022.
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Additional guidance and advice section updated - this option can form part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases.
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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.