Tama Assist Optimising Grassland Management Under the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Structure
Not every farm field needs to be cultivated. Some land may offer more sustainable and ecological value when managed with less intensive input, especially when it can generate income through environmental schemes. That might involve cutting a bit later or changing the seed mix to include bee-attracting flowers and nitrogen-producing legumes. With the shift from previous farm payments to the Environmental Land Management Scheme, many UK farmers are considering using fields differently.
The Higher Tier part of Countryside Stewardship supports protecting habitats, restoring landscapes, and boosting biodiversity. The scheme offers funding to farmers to manage their farmlands in ways that protect and restore natural cycles.
Entering these areas into an agreement usually means following a detailed set of conditions, such as when the field can be cut, how livestock are managed or what sort of operations are allowed during the year.
These rules can shift the timing of work.
For example, if silage production is delayed, the crop may become too dry for optimum fermentation and can put more strain on balers.
Herbal leys are sown with mixes of grasses and legumes to build soil structure, encourage beneficial insects or control parasites. Be careful when including chicory seed in the seed mix for a herbal ley, as the tough stems can pierce bale wrap.
If these mixed crops are baled, they may be more fibrous than grass-only hay. This may affect how they run through a baler and which bale wrap you choose.
This is where heavy-duty netwrap and strong baler twine helps.
Tama’s CoverNet Preferred 3000m is a bale netwrap for tough crops and jobs. With superior tear resistance, it performs well in challenging conditions, offering secure bale coverage when crop texture and moisture vary. This matters when dealing with a narrow weather window or delayed cuts under stewardship rules.
Farmers entering Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship 2026 should consider which fields may be better left in production and which could generate more predictable income through environmental options. Ask yourself:
· Is the field producing strong early cuts, or is it slow to ripen?
· Could the ground be more profitably used in a scheme that rewards environmental management?
· Can your baling setup handle what the field is likely to produce or should you rather graze livestock?
Environmental schemes are becoming a part of long-term farm planning and allow farmers an income from non-arable land and poor soils. Apart from offering payments for improving natural resources, additional benefits include improved soil health and biodiversity.
To fully utilise mixed species forage and herbal leys, consider baling this forage and using top-quality and recyclable bale products. Tama products are eco-friendly and designed to reduce agricultural plastic.
If you are planning for Higher Tier agreements or adapting to new seed mixes and harvesting patterns, speak to Tama UK about the best products for your farm.