How to Carry Out Your SFI Hedgerow Assessment
Hedgerows are often overlooked in farm management, but under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), they hold significant value—both for the environment and your finances. With the SFI’s HRW1 action, assessing and recording the condition of your hedgerows is the first step toward unlocking these benefits. The winter months are a good time to nail your HRW1 obligations, so make use of Healthy Hedgerow resources to make sure you’re covered.
Why Assess Hedgerows?
Hedgerows contribute to the character of the countryside, provide habitats for wildlife, improve local air quality, and even help manage extreme weather by reducing flooding risks and providing shelter for livestock. By understanding their condition, you can plan effective management to maximize these benefits.
What Does HRW1 Require?
To meet HRW1 requirements, you’ll need to:
- Assess the condition of eligible hedgerows on one or both sides.
- Record details such as start and end points, structural changes, height, width, and gaps. Remember to count trees as you’ll need this to demonstrate your HRW3 hedgerow tree management obligations
- Complete the assessment within the first 12 months of your SFI agreement.
How to Conduct the Assessment
There’s no fixed format, giving you the flexibility to tailor the survey to your needs. Winter is a great time to assess hedgerows as the lack of foliage improves visibility. You can record observations on paper, via an app, or online—just keep a copy for reference. By carrying out this assessment, you’re not just meeting SFI standards but also setting the foundation for healthier, more productive hedgerows. It’s also an opportunity to note some future projects for coppicing, laying or gapping up, and where new fencing would be useful – note details for a potential Countryside Stewardship capital grant.
Ready to start? Download the Healthy Hedgerow resources from our website for templates and guidance.
