Retaining Winter Stubbles Benefiting Farmland Birds

There is a wealth of evidence to link the decline of farmland bird species with agricultural change.

A major change has been the switch from spring to autumn sown cereals, resulting in the loss of winter stubbles which are a key foraging habitat for birds, and spring germinating flowers of arable fields.

The retention of winter stubbles option under the Countryside Management Scheme and the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme aims to boost the availability of seed for birds, especially though the winter, as well as increasing the diversity of habitats and species on the farm.

To date farmers in Northern Ireland have retained over 4,900ha of winter stubbles for the benefit of our farmland birds.

A change in the scheme rules now means that all scheme participants with this option must retain winter stubbles until 15 February after harvesting. The hectarage entered for retention of winter stubble must be present in each year of your agreement to qualify for payment. If, in any year, you keep a smaller area of winter stubble than what is included in your agreement, then you must notify DARD by writing the actual amount to be claimed on the next annual management claim form.