Five ways to get your farm ready for SFI window 2

With window 2 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) opening in September 2026, farmers and land managers are advised to be ready for a competitive application period.

With £180m allocated, plus any unspent window 1 funding, early preparation will be essential to secure the best opportunities. Here, Mark Topliff, an associate in Knight Frank’s rural consultancy, sets out his advice for getting your business ready.

1. Be ready to apply on day one

Defra has not set a fixed closing date for window 2, meaning applications may close once the budget is allocated. Early, accurate submissions will be at an advantage. 

“Before the window opens, take a moment to check that the basics are watertight. Check your single business identifier [SBI] details are correct – it’s surprising how often small administrative errors slow everything down.”

See also: How mapping software could simplify and speed up SFI applications

Then he suggests farmers look closely at their land parcels and ensure they are all linked correctly.

“Decide which options you want to pursue ahead of the window opening, and gather any tenancy or management control evidence you will need. The famers who have already made those decisions will be the ones you can move confidently from day one.”

© MAG/Richard Allison

2. Review and update your RPA maps

Many applications are delayed because land cover and land use records do not match what is happening on the ground. SFI actions are linked to how parcels are recorded in the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) system.

Mark says farmer should spend time talking through their digital maps with the same care they would give to a cropping plan.

Check every parcel on the Rural Payments system and make sure what’s recorded truly reflects what’s happening on the ground.

If something looks off, deal with it now – mapping corrections can take time, and they have a habit of holding up otherwise strong applications, he says.

3. Prioritise high-value actions that fit your existing system

The most profitable SFI agreements are not necessarily those with the highest payment rates. The best returns often come from actions that require little change to existing management.

For many mixed and arable farms, actions around soil management, integrated pest management and low-input grassland can offer attractive margins where management already aligns with scheme requirements.

“Start by asking yourself what you’re already doing well. Often the most valuable actions are the ones that sit comfortably within your current system. Look for options with low implementation costs, and think about where actions can be layered or stacked to support your environmental aims.”

4. Think beyond the three-year agreement

SFI should form part of a wider farm business and natural capital strategy, rather than being viewed in isolation.

“Think of SFI as one piece of a much bigger picture,” Mark says. “Consider how it sits alongside Countryside Stewardship or Landscape Recovery, and where future biodiversity net gain (BNG) opportunities might emerge.

“Look ahead to carbon-, water- or nutrient-neutrality markets – even if they feel distant now, the groundwork farmers lay through SFI can make those opportunities easier to access.” 

5. Avoid overcommitting land

A common mistake is enrolling too much land into actions that later constrain cropping, grazing, stewardship flexibility or development opportunities.

“Before you commit land, pause and look ahead. Review your cropping plans, think about any diversification or development ideas and keep an eye on parcels that might be needed for BNG, woodland creation, infrastructure or tenancy changes.”

Mark adds that farmers need to make sure the obligations remain practical, even in difficult seasons. “It can be more profitable to take slightly less area and deliver it well than to overstretch and compromise your core business.”