Key Dates

Some key dates to be aware of
31 August This is the deadline for making certain changes to a Countryside Stewardship (CS) revenue claim declaration that was submitted before midnight on 15 May (without reduction). If you missed the deadline for CS revenue claim declarations or Environmental Stewardship (ES) revenue claims without reduction on 15 May, 31 August at 11:59pm is also the deadline for late CS revenue claim declarations and ES revenue claims (with reduction). (GOV.UK)

1 September You can cut or trim hedges and trees from this date. (GAEC7a and GAEC7c)

1 September For any land located in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), this is the start of the closed period for applying organic manure with a high readily available nitrogen content (for example, slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge) to grassland on shallow or sandy soils. (SMR** 1)

1 September For any land located in an NVZ, this is the start of the closed period for applying manufactured nitrogen fertilisers to tillage land. (SMR**1)

15 September Extended deadline for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Wildlife Offers applications (GOV.UK)

15 September For any land located in an NVZ, this is the start of the closed period for applying manufactured nitrogen fertilisers to grassland. (SMR**1)

16 September For any land located in an NVZ, this is the start of the closed period for applying organic manure with a high readily available nitrogen content (for example, slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge) to tillage land on shallow or sandy soils that have been sown with crops on or before 15 September. (SMR**1)

18 September SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) application window opens. Farmers can register their interest from 30 August through the online Rural Payments Service.

In case you missed them…
1 August For any land located in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), this is the start of the closed period for applying organic manure with a high, readily available nitrogen content (for example, slurry, poultry manures or liquid digested sewage sludge) to tillage land on shallow or sandy soils (except where crops will be sown on or before 15 September). (SMR*1)

1 August If you have been granted a derogation by the Rural Payments Agency, you may be able to cut or trim hedges throughout August, to sow oilseed rape or temporary grassland. (GAEC*7a)

*GAEC = Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions
** SMR = Statutory Management Requirements

For more details about the information provided in the key dates table, visit the Guide to cross compliance in England 2023 and the Rural Payments Agency key dates 2023 pages of GOV.UK.