Herbal Leys

STEPS-COV3

 

  • £300 per hectare per year
  • Annual equal payments
  • 4 Year Agreement

Why is this good for water quality?

Low input leys can improve soil organic matter which can benefit subsequent arable crops. Diverse root systems from mixed species enhance organic matter at different depths and support soil biology.

A period of low input to soils encourages natural processes (e.g. nitrogen fixation, diverse rooting, soil microbiome recovery), improves soil structure and ultimately results in less reliance on artificial products, which can pollute water sources through leaching and runoff.

Why is this good for my farm?

Low-input leys build long-term soil fertility, supporting better yields in subsequent arable crops.

This reduces the reliance on external inputs such as synthetic fertilisers and pesticides 

Option Specification:

Evidence Requirements:

Evidence to Apply 

Evidence to Claim 

Maps to show areas covered 

Invoices for seed mix used and amounts 

Representative photos of the target fields when in the previous crop 

Photos of the ley established 

Proposed seed mix and rate 

Annual data collection form 

 EA ALERT mapping 

 

PM plan for pesticide catchments 

 

What should I do if I want to apply?

If you would like to apply: