SP6: Cattle grazing supplement

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the cattle grazing supplement.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
4 January 2024 — See all updates
Grant type:
Supplement
Land use:
Biodiversity, Livestock management, Priority habitats and Uplands
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier and Offer: Upland
Funding (per unit per year):
Up to £100

How much will be paid

£59 per hectare (ha)

Where to use this supplement

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier

Only with a land management option where cattle grazing is appropriate for delivering the aims of the option. In Mid Tier with:

In Higher Tier:

  • with a land management option where cattle grazing is appropriate for delivering the aims of the option

Where this supplement cannot be used

With:

This supplement can be located on the same area as the following supplements.

How this supplement will benefit the environment

The more varied sward structure and better control of scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation will increase wildlife diversity. This will be particularly beneficial in wet areas and difficult sites such as steep slopes.

Aims

If you’re selected for a site visit, we will check that delivery of the aims is being met and the prohibited activities have not been carried out. This will ensure the environmental benefits are being delivered.

Cattle grazing on site throughout the year. In Mid Tier, at least 60% of the grazing Livestock Units will be cattle.

Prohibited activities

To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities.

  • None

On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any prohibited activities.

To assist you in achieving the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this supplement, we recommend that you use best practice.

Keeping records

Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

  • Stock records to show grazing activity on parcels

Additional guidance and advice

The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.

Type of cattle

Many cattle breeds or cross-breeds may be capable of meeting requirements:

  • cattle with low nutritional requirements, such as dry suckler cows, are best for sites with fibrous herbage
  • mature, placid cattle are best suited for sites where there are ground-nesting birds, as they reduce the risk of trampling

Timing

Graze different habitat types at different times of the year and with a range of cattle numbers.

Biodiversity

This supplement has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.

The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier and Higher Tier including how to apply.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 4 January 2024 + show all updates

  1. Update to How Much Is Paid

  2. New payment rate from 1 January 2022.

  3. WD7: Management of successional areas and scrub added to list of Related Mid-Tier options

  4. Option updated for agreements starting 1 January 2022

  5. Updated for 2017 applications.

  6. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  7. First published.

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