Will the new Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) prove to be more attractive to tillage farmers than previous versions? Indeed, will tillage farmers qualify for access to the measures?

Access is controlled by a tiered system which governs qualification. Three tiers are to be used for qualification:

  • Tier 1 is for those participating in community-type schemes where a number of farmers participate for a common objective.
  • Tier 2 is the next level of priority and this is governed by participation in particular measures.
  • Tier 3 is for all general measures except where some can be used to pull an applicant up into Tier 2.

    • Many of the schemes of direct interest to tillage farmers are in the general scheme, which gets third priority in terms of access. This could make it difficult for some to quality but farmers who had more than 30ha of tillage crops in 2021 (tillage or mixed farmers) can consider specific measures to be eligible for Tier 2.

    This requires one of the following actions:

    a. Minimum tillage (min 10ha).

    b. Catch crops (min 6ha).

    c. Over-winter stubble (min 4ha).

    d. Grass margins arable (min 500m).

    e. Low-input peat grassland (min 0.5ha).

    These measures apply to a specific parcel or area in an individual year across the lifetime of the five-year contract.

    The low-input peat grassland option could work for some, while catch crops or min-till or grass margins may work for others.

    And for those who feel constantly plagued by geese or swans, if you are in one of these designated areas they can provide Tier 1 access.

    Tillage-specific measures

    There are a number of measures that apply specifically to tillage. These are described hereafter. The rotational ones also have a hedgerow obligation in the parcels carrying the measures to be managed in a specific way.

    If a measure appears attractive, a farmer should study the fine print and to financially assess its value. All measures apply for five years.

    Catch crops

    This measure involves the planting of a mix of species in autumn to help reduce nutrient leaching and soil erosion over winter. Such crops also provide biodiversity, sequester carbon, possibly provide animal feed, roots keep the soil open and add organic matter to the soil. In general, the earlier they are planted the greater the crop bulk produced and the higher the net benefit.

    This measure applies to parcels in tillage in 2023 and thereafter.

    Main requirements:

  • The catch crop must be established using non-inversion techniques before 15 September each year.
  • A full LPIS parcel(s) must be selected in year one but the entire area does not have to be entered for the action. If less than a full parcel, the specific areas must be marked on LPIS maps.
  • The minimum area is 0.5ha but a minimum of 6ha applies for priority access to Tier 2. The maximum area for payment is 20ha.
  • The crop mix must comply with basic requirements.
  • The catch crop must remain in place up to 1 January, after which light grazing or incorporation is permitted.
  • This measure can be rotated each year, providing the total area sown is at least equal to the contracted area in year one.

    • Comment: This action has become increasingly popular as growers see and reap the benefits in terms of improved soil and crop performance.

    Un-harvested cereal headlands

    The objective here is to provide food for seed-eating birds through autumn and winter. It involves leaving a cereal headland un-harvested to provide this food. Species such as reed bunting, tree sparrow, linnet and goldfinch prefer to forage on seeds from un-harvested crops while yellowhammer, skylark and grey partridge like to pick grains and nibble on broadleaved weeds that are found in open cereal stubbles.

    Main requirements:

  • The cereal crop needs to be sown as normal and a 12m, 21m, 24m or 30m headland can be left unharvested. The location and length must be marked on a LPIS parcel(s) map and then submitted.
  • The unharvested headland must not be touched until 1 February of the following year.
  • This/these headlands should not be treated with pesticides or pre-harvest desiccants but spot treatment of noxious or invasive weeds is allowed.
  • The designated headland(s) cannot be used for turning machinery or for materials storage and livestock are not allowed.
  • The specific headlands must be clearly identified with visible posts or markers.
  • This action must remain in the same location for the duration of the contract.

    • Comment: This measure seems attractive but the fact that it must stay in the same location may remove it as an option for those who follow rotation. It may work for a grower with cereals only. Avoid selecting headlands next to farmyards as mice and rats may be an unintended consequence. As well as the savings on chemicals, it is preferable if low or no nitrogen is used on these areas.

    Environmental management of arable fallow

    This measure aims to create a bare fallow field each spring for declining ground-nesting birds. A catch crop to help absorb residual nutrients must then be planted in the autumn.

    A particular target species is the lapwing, which prefers to nest in bare ground or short vegetation so that it can spot predators from its nest. This measure provides a rough, uneven surface for lapwing to nest, undisturbed by agricultural operations. The fallow ground will also provide a range of plants.

    Main requirements:

  • This action can only be used on LPIS parcels declared as a tillage crop in the previous year. It can be delivered as full or split LPIS parcels.
  • The minimum parcel size is 1.5ha, the maximum area for payment is 5ha and the same parcel must be used every year.
  • The area must be protected from livestock and the boundary of the fallow area must be clearly identified.
  • No fertiliser can be applied and the fallow area cannot be used for materials storage.
  • In spring the fallow area should be shallow-cultivated before 31 March each year to leave a rough, uneven surface. After that the area must be left fallow with no machine operations until after 1 July.
  • A catch crop must be established before 15 September using a non-inversion technique. This must be sown with a mix of at least two species from the prescribed list as per catch crop requirements. A light grazing or incorporation is permitted after 1 January.
  • The spring and autumn requirements must be repeated each year.

    • Comment: This may suit individuals that have a very awkward field or piece of a field that has questionable productivity.

    Grass margins – arable

    This measure aims to provide a habitat for pollinators and to support biodiversity including ground nesting birds like the grey partridge. The area may be selected along a field boundary or down the middle of a large tillage field. In some fields it may be particularly useful along a watercourse.

    Wide margins on a few target fields are seen as preferable to a lot of narrow margins.

    Once established, these areas cannot be used for machinery access, turning or storage.

    In some instances the use of riparian strips or zones may offer added flexibility.

    Main requirements:

  • Establish a 3, 4, 6, or 8m grass margin before 15 May 2023 by sowing a specified seed mix at 15kg/ha. The location and length must be identified on the LPIS parcel(s) map and submitted. The margin(s) must remain in the same location for the duration of the contract.
  • Once established, no further soil cultivation can be done on this area. However, the margin must be managed and can be mulched or mown between 31 August and 15 January.
  • No fertiliser or lime or pesticides can be applied but spot treatment of noxious/invasive weeds can be permitted.
  • Such areas already in GLAS can continue to be used in ACRES but they must not be ploughed to re-establish a new margin. The margins must be over-sown with the prescribed grass mix.

    • Comment: This may particularly suit along by a watercourse where a non-cultivated buffer is required. However, this measure is an additive to other obligatory buffers so it only applies to an additional margin which could make it less attractive. But it could be very useful in fields alongside a very sensitive water body.

    Minimum tillage

    This measure aims to reduce carbon emissions and to improve soil structure. It applies to the establishment of a tillage (cereal/break) crop.

    Main requirements:

  • The area must have a tillage crop established using min-till or direct drilling. It can be done on a full LPIS parcel(s) in year one but the entire area of the parcel does not have to be used for the action.
  • The minimum area is 0.5ha but this increases to 10ha if used as priority access for Tier 2. The maximum area for payment is 50ha.
  • This measure can be rotated, if necessary, providing the area(s) is at least equal in size to the initial contract area. The LPIS parcel and area must be declared each year.

    • Comment: This is a relatively simple measure for many farmers. However, it is most likely to be effective where there is good soil structure and soil health to begin with. It could be negative for crop yield if used on poorly structured land.

    Over-winter stubble

    This is to provide winter food for seed-eating birds that feed on spilled grains and broad-leaved weed seeds. Certain bird species prefer to forage on open stubbles – skylark, yellowhammer, grey partridge, sparrow, finches and pheasant – while linnet prefer oilseed rape stubbles. The measure can be used following cereals, oilseed rape or linseed. Barley stubble is seen as preferable to wheat.

    Main requirements:

  • It applies to stubble fields (but not maize) and shallow cultivation should be used to encourage green cover. The cultivation must be done within 14 days following harvest and no later than 30 September.
  • It must be done on a full LPIS parcel(s) in year one but the entire area does not have to be entered for the action.
  • The minimum area is 0.5ha, or 4ha if used for Tier 2 priority. The maximum area for payment is 50ha. The area must be protected from livestock.
  • No pre- or post-harvest herbicides are permitted, except on oilseed rape stubble. No fertilisers can be applied.
  • Grazing or topping is not permitted until 1 February.
  • This measure can be rotated each year providing the area(s) is at least equal to the contract area established in year one.

    • Comment: Seems relatively easy for most growers with spring crops. Sits in with nitrates derogation requirements but needs a bit more clarity.

  • There are a number of measures in ACRES designed for tillage farmers, some of which may suit different scenarios.
  • Access to ACRES will be helped by taking measures that give Tier 2 access.
  • Read the fine print and do a financial assessment ahead of application.
  • We will do a financial appraisal in the coming weeks.