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Know How / ELM

The Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme will replace basic payments to farmers in England. The scheme will provide payments for farming that improves the environment and mitigates climate change, such as hedge planting and river management.

We explain the details as they emerge to help farmers understand how they will qualify for payments under the scheme.

Advice and tips

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

A guide to staying SFI compliant

Unlike more rigid support schemes of the past, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is all about giving farmers greater flexibility to make actions work for their farm, while simultaneously delivering…

ARABLE

How SFI grassy corners and blocks can work most effectively

Grassy corners and blocks are perhaps potentially one of simplest of all the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) options to implement, but, as ever, to deliver the maximum benefit for the…

BUSINESS

How to bounce back from bad weather and drop in farm support

Labelled as a perfect storm, declining support payments, a new government, extreme weather and market disruption have combined to cause uncertainty and put incomes under pressure in 2024. Transition from…

OTHER CROPS

How to maximise SFI herbal leys in arable rotations

About 175,000ha of SAM3 herbal leys are due to be grown in Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 (SFI23) schemes, according to the figures released by Defra for agreements reached by the…

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Case studies

OILSEED RAPE

Oilseed rape grower sees helping hand from SFI

Hampshire oilseed rape grower Dick Hall is earning £369/ha from environmental payments, allowing the crop to rival winter wheat for profitability and making rapeseed the best break crop he can…

ARABLE

How SFI actions closely align with Herefordshire mixed farm

Chris Greenaway, farm manager at Garnstone Farms in Herefordshire is advising farmers to make the most of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), given the accelerated reduction in Basic Payment Scheme…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Why simple herbal ley mix benefits Durham mixed farm

Government clarification that growing one herb, one legume, and one grass together qualifies as a herbal ley under the Sustainable Farming Incentive is grist to the mill of a County…

ARABLE

How nature focus helps profits rise on east Kent farm

A switch to nature-friendly farming is boosting profitability on one east Kent farm, with inputs slashed, soils improved and price premiums gained as grain yields are held at high levels.…

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Insights

TENANCIES AND RENTS

Tenancy model promotes nature's recovery and diversification

All new farm tenancies on the Crown Estate are to be environmental farm business tenancies with a minimum 15-year term, no open-ended break clauses for the landlord but breaks for…

ELM

Sustainable Farming Incentive: Where next for farmers?

The sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to new applications has left the farming industry in England wondering what the future holds for agri-environment schemes. Defra’s decision, which…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Farmers share how bombshell SFI closure will affect them

Defra’s abrupt closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for new applicants has rightfully left farmers across England feeling frustrated and betrayed. Why did the Labour party decide to close…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme: All you need to know

A year later than expected, the stage is now set for a 2026 launch of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in Wales. Beset by delays and a not insubstantial measure…

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News

NEWS

Defra blunder leaves thousands of farmers in SFI limbo

Defra has apologised to farmers after a technical error in the 2024 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application process left thousands of applicants facing uncertainty. The department has admitted that outdated…

NEWS

Farmers seek legal advice over sudden closure of SFI

Farmers across England are considering legal action following the abrupt closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme by Defra, which left many in the midst of their applications with…

NEWS

Defra ‘blew up apple cart’ with SFI closure, says NFU chief

Farm leaders have warned of a growing crisis following the sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme to new applicants, describing it as a move that has “blown…

NEWS

Ministers invited to choose which wildlife plots must go

A Bedfordshire arable farmer has written to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, Defra ministers and chancellor Rachel Reeves to ask if they might help decide which wildlife plots to rip…

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Video

AGRICULTURAL TRANSITION

Video: Trade and food security top concerns for Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats have passed a wide-ranging motion pledging better support for British farmers to produce food more sustainably, protect the environment and uphold their high standards in trade deals.…

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