Herbal leys in the White Peak

Join CSF and host farmers for a one day self-drive tour taking in 3 farms participating in the White Peak Trials. The day focusses on herbal leys and the wider herbal ley farming system as an alternative to inorganic nitrogen fertiliser within intensive forage based systems. This includes full consideration of the various funding streams available such as Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship (CS) and opportunities through the private sector.

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Venue (including starting point) may vary from event to event, please check this page for updates prior to your booked date.

• Good yields without nitrogen fertiliser, saving money & reducing carbon footprint – 100ha holding with 120 cows plus followers could save circa £26,300/year on nitrate fertiliser

• Quality forage, high in protein and minerals

• Wide grazing window

• Versatile and tolerant of different growing conditions & seasons

• Good for wildlife, soil & water

• See establishment, grazing & mowing trials

• See herbal leys working at whole farm scale

• £382/ha (£155/acre) under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SAM3)

• Available on arable land, temporary grass or improved permanent grassland

• £382/ha under Countryside Stewardship (GS4)

• Rotate with low input cereals (CS AB14, £354/ha) and whole-crop cereals (CS AB7, £596/ha), which will grow without fertiliser following the ley

• Payments under the Severn Trent Water STEPS Scheme & National Park Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)

• Deliver more for wildlife alongside food production; less productive parts of the farm; steep slopes, dry or waterlogged soils

• Attractive payments under CS, SFI & private sector Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). CS Species-rich grassland (GS6-8) £646/ha, Wood Pasture creation (WD6/12) £544/ha, new Agroforestry payments £248-£849/ha

• Talk to your East Midlands CSF Advisers about capital grants & specialist advice visits

• Water & air quality capital grants available, where endorsed by your CSFA.

• Boundary grants for walls & hedgerows to help grazing management, enhance the landscape & help wildlife

• Farm Infrastructure Audits

• Slurry & manure handling

• Nutrient management planning

Host or Publisher CSF East Midlands