Winter bird food on improved grassland

Where it applies

Temporary grassland, Improved grassland, Permanent grassland

Eligibility conditions

• Below the moorland line

What you'll do

Manage improved grassland so it feeds farmland birds over winter — start within 12 months and leave the grass to set seed through the autumn and winter. It works best where the sward has a high ryegrass content (around half the area or more). Leave it un-grazed after the final silage or hay cut so the seed stays available. You can keep it in the same place each year or move it for years 2 and 3.

Evidence to keep

• Photos showing the grass left to set seed through autumn and winter
• Dated management records (cuts, grazing on/off)
• A record of the final silage/hay cut date

When

• Sep–Feb: Leave the grass to set seed through autumn and winter

Combining with other actions

Actions that can be paid on the same area:

• SFI 2026: AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFC3, OFM1, OFM4, PRF1, PRF2, SOH1
• SFI 2024: AGF1, AGF2, CIPM1, CNUM1, CSAM1, OFC1, OFC3, OFM1, OFM4, PRF1, PRF2, SOH1
• SFI 2023: IPM1, NUM1, SAM1
• CS Higher Tier: CAGF1, CAGF2, CAGF3, CAGF4, CHS3, CHS9, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CSP20, CSP21, CSP9, CWS1, CWS3
• Countryside Stewardship: HS3, HS9, OR1, OR3, OT1, OT3