07 October 2009

By Phelim Connolly, Countryside Management Adviser, DARD

Supplementary feeding sites are essential to many upland hill farms especially during the winter period to provide feed to livestock. When there is a need to provide additional silage, hay, concentrates or minerals to livestock in a field situation, this is called supplementary feeding. This allows the grazing season to be extended into the autumn or may even allow out-wintering of livestock. However, it is important to manage supplementary feeding sites correctly to meet the requirements of Cross-Compliance and avoid environmental damage.

If you are in receipt of Single Farm Payment, Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowance and / or any agri-environment scheme payment, you must meet the requirements of Cross Compliance. Maintaining land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) is one aspect of Cross Compliance, and management of supplementary feeding sites is one of the GAEC measures.

If correctly managed, supplementary feeding sites will cause minimal damage to underlying and surrounding plant cover and to the environment. Inappropriate management of supplementary feeding sites will cause damage to habitats, soil erosion and possible damage to the soil structure. If located close to waterways, there is a risk of pollution due to run-off.

Ideally supplementary feeding sites should be located on hardcore areas or laneways. If no hardcore areas are present, sites should be moved regularly. This will reduce the risk of excessive trampling, poaching or vehicle rutting when transporting feed to the site.

Supplementary feeding sites are not permitted on semi-natural habitats like woodland, scrub, moorland, wetlands, species rich grassland or near archaeological sites. Sites located within 10 metres of waterways or 50 metres from a borehole or well, 250 metres from a borehole used for public water supply are prohibited.

More information about Cross Compliance is available from Countryside Management Unit staff at your local DARD office.

Notes to Editors

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