HS9: Restricted depth crop establishment to protect archaeology under an arable rotation

What is HS9?

HS9 is an action under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. It pays £257 per year for restricted depth crop establishment to protect archaeology under an arable rotation.

What do I need to do?

* Ensure all tillage, soil management, planting, and harvesting goes no deeper than 15cm

* Use a direct drill system where historic or archaeological earthworks are known to survive

* Use a sown cover crop for at least one year of the five-year agreement

What evidence do I need?

Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

A map of existing tracks - you can mark these on any map, including your Farm Environment Record (FER)

Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices

Consents or permissions connected with the work

Written approval for the use of this option from Historic England

How much does HS9 pay?

HS9 pays £257 per year.

Which land is eligible?

It’s available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier. In Mid Tier you can use this option only: on Scheduled Monuments on arable land or temporary grassland with the written approval of Historic England as confirmed on your Historic Environment FER (HEFER) consultation response In Higher Tier you can use this option: * on Scheduled Monuments where approved by Historic England and on historic or archaeological features identified in your HEFER. On parcels at risk of soil erosio

SFI HS9: Restricted depth crop establishment to protect archaeology under an arable