Arable growers intending to increase production following this season’s suspension of set-aside should act now to construct a simple action plan to help them preserve the value of habitats created by set-aside.

That scheme has delivered large scale environmental benefits that both the NFU and CLA want retained, notes Simon Draper of DEFRA agency Momenta.

Government is also monitoring events and could enforce new regulations if farmland bird numbers decline. 

Farmers should also note that removing the requirement to manage set-aside has been confirmed for only one year, points out Mr Draper, an East Anglian agronomist.

“You might consider keeping some of the more valuable uncropped land on your farm. This will depend on whether you are cultivating land that has been uncropped for some time, or whether it is part of your normal rotation.”

Farmers fearing they could lose money by leaving land uncropped should remember there were sound financial reasons why most marginal set-aside areas were not cropped, he says.

Ideally, growers should pinpoint the most environmentally useful uncultivated land first, he advises.

* Generally, the longer it has been uncropped, the greater its environmental value.

* Are there valuable plant species or birds present?

* Is the land next to water, – so that it can capture run-off, nutrients, or spray drift?

* Is it close to another site of high botanical or species-rich value,?

* Is the land protecting some archaeology?

* Does its slope and aspect make it unsuitable for cultivation?

There are other, easy ways to retain good habitats, which should sit easily with current farm practice, says Mr Draper.

Awkward corners can remain uncultivated. And resist the temptation to remove all set-aside margins – leave a reasonable width to maintain connections between farm habitats.

Growers may worry that leaving land uncropped may lead to weed build-up, admits Mr Draper.

But they should remember that it will need managing under cross compliance’s GAEC 12 rules which allow problem weeds to be controlled and prevented from seeding.

Retain smaller areas of rotational uncropped land to help support plants and birds already using it.

Spring cropping can be especially useful, he adds.

“Leave your cultivations until early spring, providing your soil type allows. Any delay following harvest is valuable, as it provides birds with an opportunity to feed on shed seeds before they are buried. 

“Follow the stubble from a spring crop with another spring crop, as this retains the beneficial weed value from one crop to another.