Can I enhance my farm with available funding?

Participants in the Countryside Management Scheme (CMS) or Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme (ESA) are eligible to apply for additional funding to complete environmental enhancement work on their farm.

Field boundary restoration work is one item eligible for funding under Capital Enhancement Works.  Under the terms of Cross-Compliance hedge trimming, laying and coppicing cannot be carried out from 1 March to 31 August. However hedge planting can continue through to the end of March.  

Hedges may be planted from October to March inclusive. Autumn is best in free draining ground, spring is best in heavy soils. Waterlogged soils and very wet or frosty weather should be avoided.

When planting a new hedge, a mixture of native species should be used including 75 percent hawthorn and 25 percent other species such as black thorn, alder, hazel, beech, whin, willow, dog rose and guelder rose. These should be planted in a double staggered row 250 mm apart and with 300 mm between rows. There should be at least five species occurring per 30 m stretch. Additionally, native hedgerow tree whips should be planted roughly every 10 – 15 m, between the staggered rows.

After planting, thorn quicks must be pruned back to 10 cm to allow the hedge to thicken from the bottom, but tree whips and holly must not. It is essential that new and coppiced or layed hedges are protected from grazing livestock by erection of stock proof fence(s) as required and must be at least 1 m from the hedge. Weed control can be achieved by use of a plastic sheet pulled over the plants and weighed down with stones, or by the application of specific approved chemicals.

By planting new hedges and managing the ones already there farmers can control livestock movement effectively, present a barrier to the spread of disease, and provide shelter and shade for livestock and crops. Hedges are also a major source of food and shelter, act as wildlife corridors and provide a huge diversity of flora and fauna as well as contributing greatly to the appearance of the countryside.

For a practical demonstration of hedge planting, participants in DARD’s agri-environment schemes may attend a Field Boundary Management workshop run by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (CAFRE). The workshops are held on farms throughout Northern Ireland and over 1200 farmers have attended them this year so far.  For further information on when these workshops will be available in your area, contact Susan Cassley at Greenmount Campus, CAFRE, telephone: 028 9442 6874.

For a Capital Enhancement Works application form and explanatory leaflet, or advice on any aspect of hedge restoration contact Countryside Management Branch at your local DARD office.