How to do the SFI actions for farmland wildlife on improved grassland
Find out how you could do the SFI actions for farmland wildlife on improved grassland.
Applies to England
It’s up to you how you complete each SFI action, as long as you do it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve the action’s aim (which is described in each action).
This voluntary guidance includes advice on how you could do the SFI actions for farmland wildlife on improved grassland (IGL1 and IGL2).
You may find it helpful to read this guidance, but you do not have to follow it. The requirements you must follow for each SFI action are explained in the ‘Details of the SFI actions’, which you find in either:
- section 2 of the SFI handbook
- the webpage versions of the details of the SFI actions
How to take grassland field corners or blocks out of management (IGL1)
What you’re aiming to achieve
The aim of IGL1 is that grassland field corners or blocks are taken out of management so tussocky grass can develop.
Taking grassy field corners or blocks out of management
IGL1 requires you to leave grassland field corners or blocks unmanaged, so they’re uncut and un-grazed.
Where to locate the field corners or blocks
You can choose what shape and size the field corner or block is, as there’s no minimum or maximum area.
Using a number of smaller areas (for example, 0.5 hectares (ha)) spaced as evenly as possible across your land will create a network of habitats. For example, you could space 5 blocks of 0.5ha evenly across 100ha to allow pollinators, flying insects and birds to move between the areas.
You could choose to locate the field corner or block on areas:
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which are less productive, or difficult to reach with machinery
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to square up cultivated areas, which could help to speed up farm operations
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close to existing nectar and pollen sources to benefit insects, or existing winter bird food sources to benefit farmland birds
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close to cropped areas to help with an integrated pest management (IPM) approach – for example, once tussocky grass develops it can provide habitat for ladybirds which eat aphids
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near to existing habitat (such as woodland, hedgerows, waterbodies, heathland, fallow land, wildflower-rich grassland) to help farmland wildlife to move across your land
Managing field corners or blocks
IGL1 requires you to not cut or graze the grassland field corners or blocks with livestock. Temporary fencing can be used to prevent livestock accessing them. You can apply for CS Capital Grants for fencing to help you do this.
You may need to control weeds when they appear. To control injurious weeds or invasive non-natives, soft and hard rush, nettles or bracken, IGL1 allows you to:
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carry out localised cutting
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use herbicides to spot-treat or weed wipe
You can also control weeds by removing entire plants by hand before they have finished flowering.
How to maintain winter bird food on improved grassland (IGL2)
What you’re aiming to achieve
The aim of IGL2 is that improved grassland entered into this action is maintained so it’s left to go to seed during the autumn and winter months.
The autumn and winter months will usually include September, October, November, December, January and February, but this may vary according to your location and setting.
Maintaining improved grassland to provide winter bird food
To maintain the improved grassland, IGL2 requires you to manage it in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim (described above). This includes:
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cutting it for silage or hay in a way that allows it to go to seed
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leaving it un-grazed after the final cut for silage and hay
Where to locate the winter bird food
You can choose the size and width of the area, as there’s no minimum or maximum area or width. Using a number of areas (for example, at least 0.5ha) spaced as evenly as possibly across your land will benefit more birds. For example, you could space 5 blocks of at least 0.5ha evenly across 100ha.
To provide winter bird food, it will help to use sites with a high cover of perennial, Italian or hybrid ryegrass (for example, at least 50% of the area).
Maintaining improved grassland to provide winter bird food in different locations will attract a wider range of bird species. For example:
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near hedgerows for birds such as tree sparrows and yellowhammers
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away from hedgerows for open-country birds such as skylarks, corn buntings and grey partridges
If you’re using field edge strips, it will usually help if those are at least 10metres (m) wide and located away from busy roads.
Managing the improved grassland to provide winter bird food
Leaving the improved grassland uncut and un-grazed in the summer will help to produce adequate seed during the autumn and winter months.
The timing of when to do this will depend on which ryegrass species dominates the sward. You can usually cut and graze:
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perennial ryegrass until late May
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Italian and hybrid ryegrass until late June
Once cutting or grazing has stopped, try to minimise access by people, animals and vehicles. This will help to avoid the grass being trampled and producing a grass mat, which can make it difficult for the birds to access the seeds.
If you’re leaving the ryegrass in place, you can improve next year’s yield by either:
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harrowing the field, as long as it does not contain historic or archaeological features
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cutting the field and removing the cuttings
You can also continue to use fertiliser, where necessary, to help produce a good growth of grass.