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Note: The most up to date specifications are available on the dedicated ACRES / ACRES CP website under Non Productive Investments – Click Link Here
NPI Wild Bird Cover Plot
Provide mixed crops as habitat and food source for insects, birds and small mammals. Good hunting opportunities for Barn Owls and Hen Harriers.
Why?
For the full details on requirements for this action you should read the Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Specifications for Non Productive Investments.
Implementation Notes
Destroy existing sward by ploughing or application of herbicide.
Apply granulated lime and small amount of fertiliser at time of sowing.
Make sure to exclude livestock.
This action is available on CP parcels declared as arable and on Non-CP
parcels.
Good Locations:
Poor Locations:
Can I put a Wild Bird Cover plot on CP land?
Only if the land has been declared as a tillage crop on BISS applications. CP lands with assigned scorecards are not eligible for this NPI.
Can I put a Wild Bird Cover plot in a field with a water course?
No, this action is unavailable in fields that have a water course.
Do I have to plant Triticale, can I use Oats or Barley instead?
The seed mix must contain at least one or more of these cereals: spring oats/ triticale/wheat/barley and at least two or more of the following: linseed, oil-seed rape, phacelia, fodder radish, mustard, spring vetch, lucerne, chicory, or birds-foot trefoil.
Triticale is the favoured choice as it has a stringer straw and does not lodge as fast in the Autumn, it is more suitable for acidic soils, its seed germinates better at low soil temperatures and it seed is not utilised by birds as early in the Autumn ensuring that more food is available later in the winter.
Can I feed cattle in the field after the crop is finished?
Yes, but not until after March 1st the following year.
