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AB12 Supplementary feeding for farmland birds is one of many schemes which are part of the government’s Countryside Stewardship initiative. The aim of which is to provide financial support for farmers and other land managers to implement supplementary feeding for farmland birds on their land, benefiting local wildlife and the environment.

Farmers and land managers will receive £732 per tonne of supplementary bird food provided across every 2 hectares (ha) of land.

Rules of the AB12 Supplementary Feeding Scheme

The AB12 scheme supports farmers and other land managers in providing supplementary feeding for farmland birds during winter. Note that this scheme is only available to anyone who has signed up to Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier and Higher-Tier schemes. Here are the key rules:

Where Can It Be Used?

The eligible land types are:

  • Arable land
  • Temporary grassland
  • Bush orchards

It can only be used on land where there is a qualifying area of AB9 Winter Bird Food in the agreement, (2 hectares of AB9 winter bird food allows for 500kg of supplementary feed per year, split between two feeding stations).

Restrictions: When This scheme Can’t Be Used

This scheme cannot be used on organic parcels or land that is in conversion to organic farming.

To meet the requirements and achieve environmental benefits, make sure you don’t do the following:

  • Use hoppers to supply more than 10% of the total feed during the feeding period.
  • Use tailings (small seeds or chaff removed from harvested crops) as feed.
  • Use a mix that contains more than 70% cereals.
  • Use any one species to supply more than 50% of the non-cereal seed by weight.

Keeping Records: What You’ll Need

If your application is successful, you must keep these records and supply them when requested

  • The weight and cost of the components used in the feed mixture.
  • The dates when the feeding took place.
  • The method of feeding- whether you used a hopper or spread the feed manually.
  • How much feed was used at each feeding.
  • The locations on the farm where the feed was provided.

How to Do This Successfully

While not mandatory, to get the best results, it is best to:

  1. Choose accessible feeding locations. Make sure that the feeding sites are easy to reach, especially during bad weather.
  2. Rotate feeding sites. Move the feeding areas around the farm to maintain clean and healthy feeding environments for the birds, but keep the sites near existing sown resources.

Environmental Benefits of AB12 Supplementary Feeding

The scheme helps to protect farmland bird species that rely on farms for food, especially during the winter when natural supplies are low. Some of the key birds that enjoy the benefit of this are:

  • Grey Partridges
  • Yellowhammers
  • Tree Sparrows
  • Corn Buntings
  • Linnets
  • Turtle doves (from late April)

Seed Mix To Use For The AB12 Supplementary Feeding

Key Considerations for Feeding Birds In Winter In The UK:

  1. It’s essential to begin supplementary feeding before the sown winter bird food runs out. This helps farmland birds maintain their use of the feeding areas and prevents a drop in their winter condition.
  2. Distribute only enough food to match bird consumption. If seed is left uneaten, it can go stale, impacting bird health, and may attract rodents. When ground feeding or using unprotected hoppers, this is especially important.
  3. Feed twice a week to make sure that no food remains uneaten by the second day, which helps to reduce the presence of rodents, crows, and pigeons.
  4. If turtle doves are included in a targeted agreement, feeding should extend until the end of May or beyond so that they are well-supported during their breeding period.

At Vine House Farm, we offer an approved AB12 seed mix and a cereal-free approved AB12 mix designed to support farmland birds during the critical winter hungry gap when natural food sources are limited. These mixes provide a balanced diet of red millet, white millet, canary seed and rape to help species like Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Grey Partridge, Reed Bunting, and Turtle Dove (from April), thrive during the winter months.

Our certified AB12 mixes are designed by farmers for farmers, developed on our own conservation award-winning farm based on personal experiences in supplementary feeding. These mixes are 100% suitable for Countryside Stewardship – AB12 and designed to meet the specific requirements of the scheme.

We can also provide expert advice to help you maximise the benefits of your feeding strategies and offer additional seeds to mix your own custom blend. For more information or to place an order, please call 01775 630208.