Scheme Update !

Sustainable Farm Incentive

Current agreements will run their course, and you should continue to fill in your annual declarations and Rotational Actions Form (ROF) which will release the final quarterly payment of the year.  The ROF states where options are to be located in the coming year.  You can increase the area of rotational actions currently in your agreement but cannot add any new actions.

You should email the RPA and put down in writing if something happens which might affect your ability to meet the requirements of your SFI agreement – Contact the RPA about SFI – GOV.UK 

SFI evidence checks

Once you reach the 12-month point of your agreement all actions and plans should be in place.  The RPA can request plans such as the Hedgerow Assessment (HRW1), Soil Management Plan (SAM1) and Nutrient Management Plan (NUM1) and review to be emailed in.

Top Tips for plans:

• SAM1: All fields need to have soil analysis results, including organic matter, within the last 5 years.  Smaller fields with the same soil type and management regime can be grouped together.
• NUM1: All fields should be included in a nutrient management plan for the coming year.  This plan should include a fertiliser recommendation for the planned crop taking into account cropping, previous inputs, soil analysis and any planned application of manures.  The review is an overview of nutrient management and some key recommendations.
• HRW1: Hedges need to be assessed individually for each length.  Each hedge should be assigned to a structural category and a management recommendation given. 

For further information click here: SFI Hedgerow Assessment | ELM Associates

On farm inspections

Some agreement holders are now receiving SFI on farm inspections.  If you are selected, the RPA inspector will walk all fields on the farm checking the measurement of options, the evidence for the actions and the plan paperwork.