The second Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application window of 2026 opens for applications from 22nd September for 3-year agreements. Please note you will need to register with Rural Payments Agency for an Single Business Identifier (SBI) if not already registered.
What is agricultural land ?
This usually means grassland used for grazing or hay, pasture, meadows or other farmland. Woodland, ponds and scrub habitats are important habitats, but on their own they do not usually count towards the DEFRA 3-hectare minimum requirement.
Planning ahead
If you're considering an application, now is a good time to:
- Read the options and decide if this is relevant for you and the existing management of your site.
- Consider registering your land with the Rural Payments Agency (if over 3ha agricultural land)
- Check that your land parcels and mapping information are up to date.
- Explore how SFI may complement any existing or planned stewardship agreements.
SFI Key options for PNR owners to consider
The most suitable options will depend on your existing habitats, management objectives and any existing agreements. We advise that you read the requirements (referring to the DEFRA website) for each option to consider how workable this is for you over the 3 year agreement period.
|
SFI Option Code |
SFI Option |
Payment Rate |
| CLIG3 | Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs | £151/ha/year |
| GRH7 | Haymaking supplement |
£157/ha/year (in addition to the base action e.g. CLIG3)
|
| GRH8 | Haymaking supplement (late cut) | £187/ha/year (in addition to the base action e.g. CLIG3) |
| CGS22 (CS Higher Tier) |
Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland You will need to check land is already on the priority habitat inventory (check Magic Maps website). |
Payment varies under CSHT, expression of interest needs to be submitted. |
Natural Regeneration and Habitat Mosaics
For sites containing a mix of grassland, scrub, scattered trees and natural regeneration, the following may be useful:
|
SFI Option Code |
SFI Option |
Payment Rate |
| SCR2 | Manage scrub and open habitat mosaics | £350/ha/year |
| CLIG3 | Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs | £151/ha/year |
| HRW2 | Hedgerow management option | £13/m/year |
Ponds and Wetland Features
|
Option Code |
Option |
Payment Rate |
| WBD1 | Manage ponds | £257 per pond/year |
Woodland and Wood Pasture
DEFRA is increasingly directing woodland management through Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and woodland-specific schemes rather than SFI. In specific examples, woodland owners may wish to consider CSHT for single habitat agreements.
We recommend that you read recent DEFRA blogs on SFI and refer to DEFRA website for full list of SFI26 options and requirements before signing up to a new scheme.
Get in touch if you’d like to discuss, an SWT Adviser can help you explore your options. We are considering advice surgeries in 2027, please let us know if you’d be interested by emailing Farm.advice@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Further reading;
DEFRA blog SFI update, note the September application opportunity is ‘window 2’: SFI26: details, definitions and what to expect – Farming
DEFRA SFI26 Scheme guidance : SFI26: scheme rules and guidance - GOV.UK
