Cutting of Rush Pasture

This is an old version of the page

This is an old version of the page

Date published: 30 March, 2015

Date superceded: 2 June, 2015

The aim of this scheme is to benefit waders or Greenland white-fronted geese which like the cover of rushes but need open space to move between rush tussocks.

Cutting areas of dense rush in a random pattern will create open areas for the birds to feed whilst still maintaining some rush to provide cover.

Land that is grassland of a minimum block size of 0.05 hectares is eligible where rushes form more than 50 per cent in each square metre of the block.

You should not include areas of land covering rocks, scree, water, dense bracken etc. We will check this using the same approach we use to check land for the Basic Payment Scheme.

Assessing your land eligibility

If you are managing rush pasture for waders, you must combine this item with one of the following management options (these can be on different areas):

If you are managing rush pasture for Greenland white-fronted geese, you do not need to combine this item with one of those options.

You must prepare a map showing the location and extent of the area to be cut.

  • you must cut between 20 per cent and 45 per cent of the rushes between 1 August and 1 March
  • the cut must be in a random pattern to leave a mixture of tall and cut vegetation
  • do not plough, cultivate or reseed the area
  • do not carry out new drainage. Maintenance drainage may be carried out but this requires prior written notification
  • you must maintain a diary

You can claim £35 per hectare cut.

The inspectors will check:

  • the location and extent of the work
  • you have cut between 20 percent and 45 per cent of the rushes between 1 August and 1 March
  • the cut is in a random pattern to leave a mixture of tall and cut vegetation
  • you have not ploughed, cultivated or reseeded the area
  • you have maintained a diary