Permanent Pasture into Arable

[Patrick_423]

I have 6 acres of land that has been grass for about 25 years. It never cropped very well so it been down as grass, which the neighbour grazes sheep on.
I was thinking of getting it into SFI. So my plan was to take it from grass to a cereal crop for a year and then enter it into SFI.

Is anyone familiar with the process of cropping grass land and what I need to do?

Thanks

 

[serf]

I have 6 acres of land that has been grass for about 25 years. It never cropped very well so it been down as grass, which the neighbour grazes sheep on.
I was thinking of getting it into SFI. So my plan was to take it from grass to a cereal crop for a year and then enter it into SFI.

Is anyone familiar with the process of cropping grass land and what I need to do?

Thanks

Sounds ok to me , in other words JFDI , no forms this year to fill in on bps is there ?

 

[Pan mixer]

You used to have to do an environmental impact survey if you hadn't got a lot of years of evidence of ferti;lising, baling and so on.

Not sure now, best ask as it will be difficult to deny it after you have done and sfi won't be possible for that.

What about some of the newer sfi schemes that are more friendly to permanent pasture - no fert, late haymaking, adding some legumes and so on?

 

[Patrick_423]

You used to have to do an environmental impact survey if you hadn't got a lot of years of evidence of ferti;lising, baling and so on.

Not sure now, best ask as it will be difficult to deny it after you have done and sfi won't be possible for that.

What about some of the newer sfi schemes that are more friendly to permanent pasture - no fert, late haymaking, adding some legumes and so on?

My idea was that having a crop before going in to SFI would mean that I can get access to the higher paying options in SFI.

The grass land options don't seem that attractive to me...

 

[DrWazzock]

And herein lies the madness that is SFI.

 

[Patrick_423]

And herein lies the madness that is SFI.

exactly

 

[delilah]

The only land use that should receive an area payment is Permanent Pasture. Somebody should have told them.

Just tried tagging Janet for her advice but appears she has unsubscribed.

 

[Flatland guy]

Have to check up on regulations but Iirc you could do 2Ha without any notification or limited notification without any comeback.

If you was clever you would remove the grass field from the rural land register first. At that stage the authorities have no remit as to who is in charge of field even more so if not on Land registry etc. Plough up grass etc so becomes arable. Then register field again a year later with Rural land register and everything is above board for higher Sfi option/payments.

 

[Bald Rick]

I have 6 acres of land that has been grass for about 25 years. It never cropped very well so it been down as grass, which the neighbour grazes sheep on.
I was thinking of getting it into SFI. So my plan was to take it from grass to a cereal crop for a year and then enter it into SFI.

Is anyone familiar with the process of cropping grass land and what I need to do?

Thanks

Strictly speaking, as the area is greater than 2ha and has been uncultivated over the past 15 years, is should be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening before any cultivations take place under The Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (England) Act 2006 as overseen by Natural England.

If there has been any claims such as BPS on the land, there will be a paper trail plus they could use satellite imagery to determine what crop was there as each crop gives off a different UV "fingerprint"

Whether they'd be bothered over a relatively small area, is a moot point but PP is quite a precious thing

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Strictly speaking, if its has any sprays or fertiliser in the last 15 years its classed as Chemically Cultivated the same as if you ploughed it

 

[Spencer]

Easier to ask forgiveness than permission…

 

[Huno]

And herein lies the madness that is SFI.

Totally agree

 

[AndrewM]

Mechanical cultivation is defined by Natural England as ‘agricultural soil-disrupting activities’ such as ploughing, tine harrowing, sub-surface harrowing, discing and rotovating. Chemical cultivation is defined as ‘chemical enhancement of the soil’ through the addition of organic and inorganic fertilisers or soil improvers.

 

[Bald Rick]

Easier to ask forgiveness than permission…

Try telling that to the bloke who ploughed 300ac of Wold many years ago ... and was forced to turn every furrow back over.
That was long before there was much eco consciousness

 

[spin cycle]

there's no point in jfdi cos you'll need a 'paper trail' to prove it's now arable and eligible for arable sfi....otherwise 'computer she say no'.....so getting an envo impact assesment is desirable

 

[Kentishfarmer]

If the PP has had enough manure, sprays and fert on it or a reseed in the last few years then it is classed as improved pasture and you don't need an environmental risk assessment before cultivating it.
You have to have evidence of these actions though if anyone comes asking. Spray records fert records etc should do if they exist

 

[onthehoof]

Was thinking just the other day, if you had 250 acres of fairly reasonable permanent grass and clover but not many hedges, and stocked reasonably well, you wouldn’t be able to get a lot of payments compared to if you had 250 acres of poor arable land

 

[milkloss]

PP is quite a precious thing

ya, of course it is. Just doesn't earn feck all or sequester any carbon.

Plough it in I reckon

 

[David.]

We have some flood meadows along a Main River, perfect for a scheme. Or so you would think.
Not on Magic Maps as a priority area. So next to buggerall.

 

[steveR]

My idea was that having a crop before going in to SFI would mean that I can get access to the higher paying options in SFI.

The grass land options don't seem that attractive to me...

Not very attractive to anyone with PP, to be honest...