28/02/2026
🚜 SFI26 Update – Key Changes Farmers Should Know
DEFRA has announced the latest SFI26 updates, and if you’re thinking about applying this year, here’s a straightforward breakdown of the main changes:
✅ 71 actions available (reduced from 102)
✅ Minimum 3 hectares of agricultural land required
✅ £100,000 annual payment cap per agreement
📅 Application windows:
🔹 June 2026 – Farms up to 50 ha or those without an existing ELM agreement. Expected to stay open around 2 months but could close early if oversubscribed.
🔹 September 2026 – Open to all farms (no confirmed closing date yet).
🌱 Other important updates:
• Rotational actions can’t exceed the area declared in Year 1
• Overwinter stubble (AHW7) now counts towards the 25% land use cap
• Increased payments for upland & moorland grazing
• Reduced payments for some options including herbal leys and winter bird food
• Many 5-year actions reduced to 3 years, giving more flexibility
• Planning-only actions removed where no direct environmental benefit was shown
With demand expected to be high, applying sooner rather than later could make all the difference.
If your SFI plans involve fencing, grazing management, habitat work or boundary improvements, it’s worth getting work planned early so everything’s ready when you need it.
📞 Get in touch with Adam Jackson Fencing to discuss upcoming projects.
☎️01229717971 📱 07971562189
💻 [email protected]
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Whether it's wire, wooden or metal, Adam Jackson Fencing is your go-to fencing contractor. We serve the whole of Cumbria!
