The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: fl206 on February 18, 2013, 08:28:01 pm
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Hi,
Apologies if this isn't the correct board to post to, or if it's been asked and answered before.
What are the rules around ploughing permanent pasture? I've tried Google but some answers contradicted each other.
A 5/15 year period was mentioned as was the use of fertiliser. I'd be grateful if someone could shed some light on this!
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Unless you are receiving some sort of grant money which has conditions that say the land must remain as pasture I can't see any reason why you can't plough it. Rotating fields between pasture and crop growing has been a part of normal farming for hundreds of years. If I remember correctly land becomes classed as "permanent" pasture if it's been grass for four years or more.
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So as long as I don't receive payments from CAP such as SPS, I can do what I want and ignore all the cross-compliance stuff :D ?
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All that cross compliance stuff relates to the conditions set in place for a farmer who claims SFP or suchlike. ie If you don't do this, we'll withold your money. If you're not claiming they can't take your money off you. Obviously there are things that must be complied with by law but ploughing grassland isn't one of them.
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Thanks for the replies. I'm not going to run amok with the land, but it does make things easier if I don't have to worry about ploughing grass.