Arable reversion to grassland with low fertiliser input

Where it applies

Arable, Temporary grassland

Eligibility conditions

• Land identified as at risk of soil erosion or runoff, or buffering sensitive habitats — keep evidence

What you'll do

Revert arable land to a diverse grassland of at least 5 grass species, sown by early autumn within 12 months, to cut nutrient and sediment loss to water. Keep the sward intact year-round; graze or cut in spring and summer and remove cuttings in late summer; no grazing from early October to mid-March; keep fertiliser and manure low (no nitrogen fertiliser at 50 kg N/ha or more, no livestock manures at 100 kg or more total N/ha a year) and apply none between mid-August and the end of January.

Evidence to keep

• A dated sowing record with the grass mix (5+ species)
• Stocking and nitrogen-application records
• Photos of the established sward
• Seed invoices

When

• Aug–Sep: Sow by early autumn (within 12 months) (first year)
• Oct–Mar: No grazing from early October to mid-March

Combining with other actions

Actions that can be paid on the same area:

• SFI 2026: AGF1, AGF2, OFC1, OFM1, PRF1, PRF2
• SFI 2024: AGF1, AGF2, CIPM1, CNUM1, CSAM1, OFC1, OFM1, PRF1, PRF2
• SFI 2023: IPM1, NUM1, SAM1
• CS Higher Tier: CAGF1, CAGF2, CAGF3, CAGF4, CPAC1, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CSP20, CSP21, CSP9, CWS1, CWS3
• Countryside Stewardship: OR1, OT1