IN this week's NFU Countryside column, Hailey Shaw gives advice on summer grazing.

n Q. I have let some land to a local farmer for summer grazing. How should I go about bringing the licence to an end now that autumn is here? The agreement says that he is supposed to be off the land by 31 October?

n A. In most lowland areas the summer grazing season traditionally comes to an end on October 31.

Grassland needs a closed period during the winter months to enable it to recover. A closely-cropped sward at the end of the season means that stock has nothing to graze and, in extreme cases, there is a risk that the animals will try to break out.

Winter grazing can also lead to what is called poaching; permanent damage caused by hooves on wet ground.

There are other good estate management reasons for bringing to an end the summer let effectively.

Since the introduction of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, there is no longer a risk of longer-term tenancy rights being created if the occupation lasts more than a year (this was a very real possibility under the old regime ie pre- September 1995).

However, it is usually better to manage land on the basis of a clearly understood agreement, which will terminate all rights to use land on a specified date.

This will enable closed period recovery to take place and avoid the misunderstandings, which sometimes occur if the licensee is allowed to occupy indefinitely.

n Q. I have nothing in writing with the farmer - will this make a difference?

n A. A licence can be an oral licence but there are obvious disadvantages in having no point of reference if any issues crop up.

If you agreed with the farmer that the licence would end on a specific date, then you should write to him, drawing attention to what was agreed orally.

If nothing has been agreed, the licensee is entitled to a "reasonable" period of notice.

n NFU Countryside is the UK's fastest-growing member organisation offering anyone who lives, works or cares about the countryside (not just farmers) practical information, advice, assistance and benefits. It has over 80,000 member households.

Annual subscription to NFU Countryside costs £39.50, which includes a free gift of a exclusive wicker picnic hamper worth £46.99, exclusive member magazine, ticket offers, special member days out, savings at Travis Perkins, NFU Mutual Insurance, garden centres, BUPACare and much, much more. Visit www.nfu countryside.org.uk or call 0870 840 20 30 for further information.

Any advice in this column is generic in nature and should not be acted upon by individuals. If you have a similar problem, you should take independent legal advice or join NFU Countryside.