Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2022 is to be open for applications from the Summer, with no fixed application period, and the initial rates for the first 3 available standards have been announced:
| Standard | Level | Annual Payment |
| Arable and Horticultural Soils | Introductory | £22/ha |
| Intermediate | £40/ha | |
| Improved Grassland Soils | Introductory | £28/ha |
| Intermediate | £58/ha | |
| Moorland | Introductory | £10.30/ha
£265/agreement |
| Commons Only | Additional £6.15/ha |
Management control for a minimum of three years will be required.
Arable and Horticultural Soils
- For both levels, farmers will need to test for soil organic matter, develop a soil plan and ensure winter cover is in place for at least 70% of the land in the standard.
- At the intermediate level, a sown green cover crop must be in place for winter months on 20% of the area entered into that standard.
- Both levels will need organic matter applied each year to one-third of the area of land entered into the standard.
Improved Grassland Soils
- For both levels, farmers will need to test the land they enter for its soil organic matter. They will also need to develop a soil management plan.
- For both levels, there must be at least 95% green cover of the land in the standard over the winter.
- The intermediate level requires that herbal leys are established and maintained on 15% of the area entered into that standard.
Please contact Ellie Watkins for further information about the SFI and how it could relate to your land – 01432 656545 or ellie.watkins@ruraladvisor.co.uk