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Maximising biodiversity benefit with EFA hedges and grass margins

The greening rules for the Basic Payment Scheme have changed in 2026, with new options and some changes to rules for existing options.听Full guidance can be found on the听听The听previous exemption for farmers with more than 75% forage has been removed, so any business that grows 15 hectares or more of arable (including temporary听grass) must听carry out听greening听measures.听This year for the first time many mixed farms will be introducing Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs). This presents an听opportunity听to听boost the biodiversity benefits听on your farm听associated with greening.听听

Greening measures can seem a daunting prospect, however,听for livestock farmers,听there are听plenty useful听options that can be beneficial for your business.听听

Hedges听can be used, and these can quickly add up to a good proportion of the requirement.听The rules for this year have changed though;听you will not be able to trim an EFA hedge from the 1 March听-听1 December, unless for road safety reasons, or in a field where oilseed rape or temporary grass is to be听established.听The extended period of no cutting听is much better for wildlife.听听

Hedge gaps听can now only be 5m (previously 20m).听If you听choose听hedges for EFA, it听gives an听opportunity to walk along the hedge, assess听any gaps, and consider听planting up with a mix of native species.听Plants should be planted at 6 per metre in staggered rows.听It might be necessary to control weeds in the first year of establishment.听It may听also be necessary to use vole guards or听spiral guards.听Whilst there is a cost associated with planting up hedge gaps, there are many benefits to wildlife from creating a continuous hedge.听Hedges act as important wildlife corridors and are particularly beneficial when they can link larger habitats such as woodlands.听They provide nest sites and food sources听for many farmland birds,听insects听and mammals.听They also provide shelter for livestock, and can harbour many beneficial insects, which have positive effects on controlling crop pests.听听

Many people听pair听EFA hedges with EFA grass margins.听The key rule change for this year is that EFA margins must now be a minimum of 3 metres wide.听听Any new margins, including extension to existing 2m听margins,听must be sown with a diverse grass sward or a wild bird mix (suitable species are listed online).听For many, this poses a dilemma where they have existing 2m margins, particularly if they are alongside hedges, as you cannot cultivate within 2m of the centre line of a hedge, and few people will be able to sow just an additional one metre of margin.听The best听option听might be to extend just some of the margins to 5m or 6m (depending on the width of the seed drill), and leaving some margins at 2m, knowing that they will no longer be claimable for EFA.听The benefits to wildlife of a wider grass margin are huge, and the enhanced species mix will mean that margins will have a greater diversity of plant species, attracting a wider range of insect species, and听where flowering plants are included, pollinators will increase.听Rough grass margins provide habitat for small mammals, which can help encourage barn owls.听听

The expense of cultivating, sowing and the cost of seed means that it is worth doing听a good job; choosing the right species and creating something that you enjoy looking at.听Discuss options with your seed merchant as they will know what species听will听do well in your area and with your soil types.听If you want the flowering species to survive and last well beyond the first year, it is important to mow or graze the margin in the first year to help control rank grasses and allow more delicate species to flourish.听If you go for a wild bird seed mix, it will need to be managed annually.听听

5 top tips听

1. Start with a map, marking on existing hedges and margins that can be used for EFA.听
2. Familiarise yourself with the new EFA rules, ensuring that you can meet the requirements of any options that you choose, but also that they are suitable for your farming system.听Don鈥檛听over complicate it!听
3. Check for any gaps greater than 5m in hedgerows and consider planting up gaps with a mix of native species.听听
4. If you currently have a network of 2m wide grass margins, now is the time to extend them.听Speak to your seed merchant to choose the right mix for your area, and to create a diverse and visually appealing margin.听
5. If you are听establishing听new margins, make sure to factor in time to manage them properly.听Whilst thick tussocky margins have some biodiversity benefit, you will get the most benefit and enjoyment from a听well-managed听margin.听This will require time to cut or graze in the first couple of years.听听

Mary-Jane Lawrie, Senior Agricultural Consultant,听Mary-Jane.lawrie@sac.co.uk

Posted by SAC Consulting on 18/05/2026