SFI CSAM3 / SAM3 - Herbal Leys
At Boston Seeds, we have a range of herbal leys that support the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) CSAM3 (2024/2025) & SAM3 (2023). Our mixtures are formulated to match the requirements from the SFI which requires a herbal ley to be established which contains a mixture of grass, legumes and herbs to provide varied root structures and areas of flowering plants from late spring and during the summer months.
Our CSAM3 mixtures are inline with requirements and contains 1 grass species, 2 legume species and 2 herb or wildflower species as a minimum - ryegrass and/or festulolium should not make up more than 70% of the seed mix. CSAM3 is a static or rotational action, and can therefore be carried out on the same area of land each year, or can be moved around the farm.
Our SAM3 mixtures include 5 grass species, 3 legume species and 5 herb or wildflower species as a minimum - ryegrass and/or festulolium should not make up more than 70% of the seed mix. SAM3 is a static or rotational action, and can therefore be carried out on the same area of land each year, or can be moved around the farm.
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Boston Seeds are proud to supply the EnviroSeeds range for biodiversity and sustainable farming.
Use this mixture for CSAM3 (2024/2025) and SAM3 (2023) Sustainable Farming Incentive, and Countryside Stewardship GS4 (Herbal Leys), to establish a mixed sward of grasses, legumes, herbs and wildflowers.
- A vigorous sward with abundant legumes and herbs, suitable for productive cattle and sheep
- Provides habitat and food for invertebrates and crop pollinators
- Improves soil structure and water infiltration.
- Use for static implementation of CSAM3 and SAM3 Herbal Ley schemes
- Sow in spring or autumn for optimum establishment
- Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): CSAM3 SAM3
- Suitable for Countryside Stewardship (CSS): GS1 GS4 GS8 GS14 SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4 SW7 SW8 WT1 WT2
- Contains: 40% Perennial Ryegrass, 20% Strong Creeping Red Fescue, 10% Sainfoin, 8% Meadow Fescue, 7% Timothy, 5% Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass, 5% White Clover, 2% Alsike Clover, 1.25% Lucerne, 0.5% Sheep's Burnet, 0.25% Sheep's Parsley, 0.25% Plantain, 0.25% Yarrow, 0.25% Black Medick, 0.25% Birdsfoot Trefoil
- Sowing rate: 20kg/ha. Pack size: 20kg
Boston Seeds are proud to supply the EnviroSeeds range for biodiversity and sustainable farming.
Use this overseeding mixture for CSAM3 (2024/2025) and SAM3 (2023) Sustainable Farming Incentive, and Countryside Stewardship GS4 (Herbal Leys), to establish a mixed sward of legumes and herbs into an existing grass sward.
- Using our Overseeding Herbal Ley mix to comply with SAM3 and GS4, the existing grass swards must have 5 grass species in
- If you have a sward with less than 5 grass species in, we recommend sowing our CSS2 Herbal Ley or CSS2/P Premium Herbal Ley
- Use for static implementation of CSAM3 and SAM3 Herbal Ley schemes
- Sow in spring or autumn for optimum establishment
- Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): CSAM3 SAM3
- Suitable for Countryside Stewardship (CSS): GS1 GS4 GS8 GS14 SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4 SW7 SW8 WT1 WT2
- Contains: 50% Sainfoin, 25% Red Clover, 10% Alsike Clover, 8% Perennial Chicory, 2% Sheep's Parsley, 2% White Clover, 2% Ribwort Plantain, 0.5% Yarrow, 0.5% Black Medick
- Sowing rate: 10kg/ha. Pack size: 20kg
Use this herbal ley for CSAM3 (2024/2025) Sustainable Farming Incentive (Herbal Leys), specifically formulated for grazing to increase diversity within the sward by including legumes and herbs that are rich in trace elements and minerals.
- Quick establishing, nitrogen-fixing legumes such as white clover and sainfoin
- Absence of red clover which can cause bloat and chicory which can be unpalatable if left to grow tall
- Use for static implementation of CSAM3 Herbal Ley scheme
- Sow in spring or autumn for optimum establishment
- Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): CSAM3
- Contains: 27% Late Perennial Ryegrass (dip), 19% Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (dip), 11.5% Strong Creeping Red Fescue, 9% Meadow Fescue, 8% Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass, 6.5% Sainfoin, 6% Vetch, 5.5% Timothy, 4% White Clover, 1% Sheep's Parsley, 1% Sheep's Burnet, 1% Ribwort Plantain, 0.5% Yarrow
- Sowing rate: 20kg/ha. Pack size: 20kg
Use this herbal ley for CSAM3 (2024/2025) Sustainable Farming Incentive (Herbal Leys), to establish a sward specifically formulated for cutting and to help soil fertility with nitrogen-fixing legumes and nectar-rich herbs.
- Suited to cutting with its addition of red clover with it's rapid regrowth and high yields
- Contains legumes and herbs that have high nutritional value when dried
- Use for static implementation of CSAM3 Herbal Ley scheme
- Sow in spring or autumn for optimum establishment
- Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): CSAM3
- Contains: 34% Late Perennial Ryegrass (tet), 14% Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (dip), 11% Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass, 7% Festulolium, 7% Cocksfoot, 7% Timothy, 6% Red Clover, 5% Lucerne, 3% White Clover, 2% Alsike Clover, 1% Birdsfoot Trefoil, 1% Sheep's Burnet, 1% Sheep's Parsley, 1% Ribwort Plantain
- Sowing rate: 20kg/ha. Pack size: 20kg
Use this herbal ley for CSAM3 (2024/2025) Sustainable Farming Incentive (Herbal Leys), to establish a sward comprising of grasses, two herbs and two legumes to provide forage whilst improving soil structure.
- Increases biodiversity and attracts beneficial pollinators and insects
- Helps to improve soil biology with a range of rooting types
- Use for static implementation of CSAM3 Herbal Ley scheme
- Sow in spring or autumn for optimum establishment
- Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): CSAM3
- Contains: 45% Intermediate Perennial Ryegrass (tet), 35% Strong Creeping Red Fescue, 10% Sainfoin, 5% Timothy, 3% Red Clover, 1% Sheep's Parsley, 1% Sheep's Burnet
- Sowing rate: 20kg/ha. Pack size: 20kg
Boston Seeds are proud to supply the EnviroSeeds range for biodiversity and sustainable farming.
Use this premium herbal mixture for CSAM3 (2024/2025) and SAM3 (2023) Sustainable Farming Incentive, and Countryside Stewardship GS4 (Herbal Leys), to establish a premium mix of legumes, herbs and grasses to improve soil structure and fertility.
- Create a diverse sward with a range of herbs and legumes in, suitable for productive grazing
- Produces a high volume of forage whilst improving the soil
- Use for static implementation of CSAM3 and SAM3 Herbal Ley schemes
- Sow in spring or autumn for optimum establishment
- Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): CSAM3 SAM3
- Suitable for Countryside Stewardship (CSS): GS1 GS4 GS8 GS14 SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4 SW7 SW8 WT1 WT2
- Contains: 30% Perennial Ryegrass, 15% Strong Creeping Red Fescue, 10% Meadow Fescue, 6% Sainfoin, 5% Festulolium, 5% Timothy, 5% Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass, 5% Red Clover, 3% Vetch, 3% White Clover, 2.5% Alsike Clover, 2% Sheep's Burnet, 2% Sheep's Parsley, 2% Chicory, 2% Lucerne, 1% Ribwort Plantain, 1% Birdsfoot Trefoil, 0.5% Yarrow
- Sowing rate: 20kg/ha. Pack size: 20kg
Use this premium overseeding mixture for CSAM3 (2024/2025) and SAM3 (2023) Sustainable Farming Incentive, and Countryside Stewardship GS4 (Herbal Leys), to establish diverse sward of legumes and herbs into an existing grass ley.
- Suitable for sheep grazing due to the absence of red clover
- Mixed blend of legumes and herbs to provide diversity and improve palatability
- Using our Premium Overseeding Herbal Ley mix to comply with SAM3 and GS4, the existing grass swards must have 5 grass species in
- If you have a sward with less than 5 grass species in, we recommend sowing our CSS2 Herbal Ley or CSS2/P Premium Herbal Ley
- Use for static implementation of CSAM3 and SAM3 Herbal Ley schemes
- Sow in spring or autumn for optimum establishment
- Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): CSAM3 SAM3
- Suitable for Countryside Stewardship (CSS): GS1 GS4 GS8 GS14 SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4 SW7 SW8 WT1 WT2
- Contains: 17.5% Vetch, 17% Sainfoin, 10% White Clover, 10% Alsike Clover, 9% Lucerne, 8% Sheep's Parsley, 8% Birdsfoot Trefoil, 8% Sheep's Burnet, 7% Black Medick, 5% Ribwort Plantain, 0.5% Yarrow
- Sowing rate: 10kg/ha. Pack size: 20kg
SFI CSAM3 / SAM3 - Herbal Leys FAQs
What is a herbal ley and why is it required for SFI CSAM3 and SAM3?
Herbal ley is required for SFI CSAM3 and SAM3 (part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme) as it helps farmers keep the land healthy.
Herbal leys are specifically formulated mixtures made up of grasses, legumes and herbs that are beneficial for agricultural purposes. They not only help improve the structure of the soil, can improve its fertility ready for other plants and provide resilience against drought, they are also great for grazing and cuttings.
Some specific species, such as plantain and chicory, are deep-rooting which can help improve soil structure, while legumes such as red clover, white clover or sainfoin fix nitrogen naturally and reduce reliance on artificial fertiliser.
At Boston Seeds, our SFI CSAM3 / SAM3 herbal ley mixtures are designed to help farmers establish a compliant herbal ley containing the required mix of grasses, legumes and herbs, with options suitable for different land types and farming requirements.
What's the difference between SFI CSAM3 and SAM3?
Both SFI CSAM3 and SAM3 are types of Sustainable Farming Incentives. However, they do slightly differ SAM3 was the original herbal leys action from 2023, whereas CSAM3 is the updated herbal leys action used in 2024, 2025 and most recently the SFI 2026 offer.
While both focus on growing and maintaining herbal lets, the main differences are the additional requirements surrounding them. Farmers should always check which agreement they are under, as the rules and rates may differ. It is important to choose a herbal ley mixture that meets the requirements of your specific agreement.
At Boston Seeds, we offer SFI herbal ley mixtures designed for CSAM3, SAM3 and related stewardship options.
When should I sow my herbal ley seed mix?
Herbal ley seed mixtures are typically sown from spring to late summer, once the soil is moist and warm enough for germination.
For CSAM3, the herbal ley must be established by early autumn to remain compliant, so it is important to plan ahead to ensure you don’t miss the window.
What are the benefits of sowing a herbal ley?
Herbal leys are beneficial for many reasons, they help improve the soil, by improving its structure, providing natural fertilisation and helping improve its resilience against drought. While doing this, it also provides a diverse source of forage for livestock.
While providing benefits for farmers, the mix of grasses, legumes and herbs can also support the environment overall, by being great for insects and improving overall biodiversity.
Which herbal ley mix should I choose?
The best herbal ley mix depends on your soil type, farming requirements and scheme type. A cutting ley may need a different balance of species compared with a grazing ley, while lighter or drought-prone soils may benefit from deeper-rooting species.
At Boston Seeds, we offer a range of SFI CSAM3 / SAM3 herbal ley seed mixtures to suit different requirements, including options for full reseeding and overseeding. If you are unsure which mix is most suitable, choose a mixture that meets the scheme rules and matches how the herbal ley will be managed on farm.
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