SFI – what next?

What are the most recent SFI developments to be aware of?

A: The key development has been the announcement of detail on the 2024 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), and the subsequent closure of new applications for the 2023 SFI offer.

How do I keep abreast of the rapidly changing SFI guidance?

A: The SFI scheme is ever-evolving, so it is important to keep an eye on the official written guidance from the RPA.

You can find this on the gov.uk website. You can also speak to your Hutchinsons agronomist about how we can support you with integrating the SFI with your farm business.

I’m in an SFI 2023 agreement but would like to apply for some of the new 2024 SFI actions – how should I do this?

A: You will need to apply for a new SFI 2024 agreement when the application window opens later this summer. In the meantime, you can apply for early rollout by completing a short questionnaire, which can be found on the gov.uk website. There is no guarantee that you would be accepted for the early rollout scheme, but it may allow you access sooner.

When is the best time to complete my SAM1 soil management plan?

A: Some SFI agreement holders are coming towards the end of their first agreement year, which is 12 months in length. For many actions, agreement holders have 12 months to complete or establish their SFI actions.

With harvest well underway and as more land is cleared, now is a great time to plan and undertake any soil analysis which is needed for your SAM1 Soil Management Plan. The key is to try to take your soil samples at a consistent time of the year, e.g. consistently in the autumn, or the spring, to ensure they are comparable and not influenced by seasonal variations.

What’s the difference between the SFI 2023 offers and SFI 2024?

A: Big question! The basics of the scheme are the same, in that it is a rolling application window, with quarterly payments, an SFI Management Payment, flexible, rotational actions with the ability to decrease area by 50% on an annual basis. Some of the new actions will be familiar, as they are existing Countryside Stewardship options and have simply moved over to the SFI. Some of these actions create five-year agreements.

The key differences are:

• There are over 100 actions available in SFI 2024
• Some of the action prescriptions have changed, such as legume fallow now being a non-rotational action
• The action codes for some actions now have a ‘c’ infront of them to indicate they are part of SFI 2024.

It is important to read the guidance and prescriptions of the 2024 SFI to pick out any changes which might be relevant to you and your farm.

Is it possible to have a 2024 SFI agreement if already in SFI 2023, or Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier?

A: Yes – as long as you are utilising actions which are compatible (this information is given in the guidance) and aren’t claiming for the same action twice.

Is it possible to add SFI 2024 actions to a SFI 2023 scheme?

A: Unfortunately not at present. If you have a 2023 SFI agreement, and would like to access some of the 2024 actions, such as No-Till, you would need to set up a separate agreement under a 2024 scheme to host these.

Any advice on what I should be doing now?

A: Seeing as the application window is currently closed, now is a great time to plan for the 2024 SFI ahead of its opening later this summer. Consider whether you can utilise any of the new actions on the farm. if you’re ready to go, consider submitting an Expression of Interest to the RPA as above. If you are in a 2023 scheme, remember that you need to meet the action requirements. Some agreements will be coming up to their first claim submission window so keep an eye open for that opening in the coming months.

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