As in 2022, Wessex Water are offering funding support to farmers and land managers in parts of the River Tone, Parrett and Yeo catchments to reduce phosphorus inputs into farmland, prevent soil erosion and buffer watercourses from run-off. Applications are now being invited for the 2023 scheme, but these must be made by 23 February.
A notable aspect of the 2023 phosphorus reduction scheme is the increased payment for new 6-metre arable buffer strips alongside watercourses and ditches. This and the other types of fixed-rate payment are shown below.
Fixed-rate payments available under the phosphorus reduction scheme
- Fencing to exclude livestock from watercourses
- Grassland subsoiling
- Undersowing grass into maize
- Growing cover crops after maize
- Growing cover crops after combinable crops
- Establishing new or wider arable buffer strips
- Arable reversion to zero-input grass
- Arable reversion to low/medium-input grass
- Arable reversion to legume fallow
- Arable reversion to herbal ley
- Cross-slope hedgerow creation
Help to decide if applying is the right approach… and help to apply if it is
Wessex Water have published a flyer and web page with maps showing the geographic areas that are included. However, our team of in-house agricultural advisors can help you identify the specific areas of your land that may benefit from the scheme, and assess whether the scheme is right for you.
For example, apart from BPS, fields currently funded by other schemes such as CSS, ELMS or carbon offsetting will not be eligible. We can analyse the potential income from the phosphorus reduction scheme against CSS or ELMS to ensure you take the approach that delivers the best value.
We will also be happy to undertake the application process on your behalf and advise on implementation and monitoring.