PA072/A/08 Why Not Consider Rough Grass Field Margins?

3 April 2008

By Graeme Campbell, Countryside Management Branch, DARD

As the drilling season fast approaches now is the time for Countryside Management Scheme participants to consider the rough grass field margin option.

A rough grass field margin is a strip of land around arable fields in which cereals, oilseed rape or protein crops have been planted. The aim of rough grass field margins is to provide habitat for over-wintering invertebrates and to provide nesting and forage sites for farmland birds such as the yellowhammer and the tree sparrow.

Margins must be between 2 and 12 metres wide and must be established on at least 50% of the field perimeter. Margins should be sited adjacent to a hedge, scrub, woodland or watercourse for maximum wildlife benefit.

It is very important to note that a mixture of non-cultivated grass species must be sown and a rate of 20kg/ha applied. Examples of non cultivated grass species suitable for use in rough grass margins include cocksfoot (no more than 15% of the seed mixture), yorkshire fog, common bent, creeping fescue, rough stalk meadow grass, red fescue, sheep’s fescue and meadow foxtail.

Rough grass margins must be retained for a minimum of three years (preferably five years) and cut at least three times during the year following sowing. Cutting encourages tillering and minimises weed development. It should take place between 15 July and 30 September.

It is important to note that no grazing, ploughing, cultivation, drainage, reseeding is permitted after establishment. Applications of fertilisers, slurry, farmyard manure, lime, pesticides or herbicides are not permitted at any time.

Henry Craig, Drumahoe, Londonderry has been a Countryside Management Scheme participant for almost three years now and opted for the rough grass field margin option as part of his agreement. Henry is currently noticing the benefits of rough grass margins on his farm and is intending to continue to use this option in the coming years.

For further information on rough grass field margins and their management please contact Countryside Management Branch at your local DARD office.

NOTES TO EDITORS

All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619.