SFI 2026 Update

We finally have some useful information on SFI 2026 applications.   As expected, there are a range of changes, and there will be two application windows as previously announced.   

The first application round will open in June 2026 and remain open for around 2 months (although it will close sooner if demand is high).  This round will be open to farms under 50ha, AND farms of any size that do not currently have an environmental land management revenue agreement.

The second application round will open in September 2026 and will be open to all farms that are not eligible for round 1.   There will be no fixed closing date, the window will close when the pot is spent. 

The key changes for the 2026 scheme include (but not limited to): 

• Maximum agreement value of £100,000 per year 

• Each farm business can only have one 2026 SFI agreement 

• Farmers will no longer be able to increase rotational options at renewal above the year 1 level 

• AHW7 Enhanced Overwinter Stubble will be limited to 25% of the total agricultural area 

• Moorland grazing & shepherding rates have increased

• CSAM3 Herbal Ley rate will decrease from £382/ha to £224/ha for 2026 agreements 

• CAHL2 Winter bird food rate will decrease from £853/ha to £648/ha for 2026 agreements

• CNUM3 Legume Fallow rate will decrease from £593/ha to £532/ha for 2026 agreements 

• CIPM1 Assess Integrated Pest Management & Produce a plan has been removed as an option

• CSAM1 Assess soil and produce soil management plan has been removed as an option 

• CNUM1 Nutrient Management Review has been removed as an option 

• CHRW1 Assess and record hedgerow condition has been removed as an option

• CHRW3 Maintain or establish hedgerow trees has been removed as an option 

• Options for buffering ponds and trees have been removed 

• AHW1 Bumblebird mix has been removed 

• AHW12 Management of woodland edges on arable land has been removed 

There are some other small changes but the above list covers the majority. 

This updated guidance is very welcome and allows us to start planning applications with you ahead of the window opening.   We will be in touch with you individually in the coming weeks to start planning your 2026 applications, but please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries in the meantime.