This is a Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) supplemental action. Read the SFI26 scheme information to understand what you’re required to do under an SFI26 agreement and how to apply.
\n\nSelect ‘See all updates’ at the start of this page to find out how this supplemental action has changed for SFI26 compared with SFI24.
\n\nFor SFI24 actions, read the SFI24 agreement holder’s information.
\n3 years
\n\n£11 per hectare (ha) per year
\n\nThis supplemental action’s aim is that more than 80% of grazing livestock units (GLU) on moorland or lowland heathland habitats are either:
\n\npedigree rare native breeds
\nheritage semi-feral breeds
\nThe purpose of this is to maintain or increase the number of rare native breed or heritage semi-feral breed grazing livestock.
\n\nYou can do this supplemental action on eligible land that you’re grazing with livestock, which you enter into one of the following SFI26 base actions:
\n\nAGF1: Maintain very low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land
\nAGF2: Maintain low density in-field agroforestry on less sensitive land
\nUPL1: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
\nUPL2: Low livestock grazing on moorland
\nUPL3: Limited livestock grazing on moorland
\nUPL8: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for at least 4 months)
\nUPL10: Shepherding livestock on moorland (remove stock for at least 8 months)
\nSCR2: Manage scrub and open habitat mosaics
\nOFM3: Organic land management – enclosed rough grazing
\nYou can only apply for this supplemental action in the same SFI26 application as your selected SFI base action.
\n\nSites of special scientific interest (SSSIs): Same as your selected base action.
\n\nHistoric and archaeological features: Same as your selected base action.
\n\nSame as your selected base action.
\n\nThis is the same as your selected base action.
\n\nDuring each grazing season, more than 80% of total GLU on land entered into the relevant base action must be in the ‘at risk’ category on the UK native breeds support (NBS) list. The livestock must also be either:
\n\npedigree rare native breeds – this means they’re registered in a recognised pedigree breeding book
\nheritage semi-feral breeds – this means they’re registered in a recognised breeding book
\nWhere relevant, the stocking density (total GLU) on land entered into this action must be as required in the applicable base action.
\n\nTo convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values:
\n\nCattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU
\nCattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU
\nLowland ewe and lamb, or ram – 0.12 GLU
\nStore lamb, hill ewe and lamb or hogg or teg – 0.08 GLU
\nGoat – 0.12 GLU
\nPony or donkey – 0.8 GLU
\nHorse – 1.0 GLU
\nLambs at foot do not have a separate GLU allocation. They are included in the figures shown for ‘ewe and lamb’.
\n\nRead the ‘advice to help you do this action’ to find out how to calculate the livestock density.
\n\nYou must produce the following written records (which can be paper-based or electronic):
\n\na monthly record of grazing animals at the parcel level
\nunique individual animal movement identification numbers for each eligible animal
\nchanges to the original documentation since the action’s start date, such as replacement animals
\nthe unique individual permanent breed identification numbers for each eligible animal – either the pedigree registration number or birth notification number
\nbreed registration records and proof of animal provenance, parentage and availability for each animal
\nYou must do this action each year of its duration.
\n\nIt’s up to you how you do this action, as long as you:
\n\nfollow this action’s requirements – these are identified by a ‘must’
\ndo the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim
\nYou may find it helpful to read the ‘advice to help you do this action’, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.
\n\nYou must keep the required written records and supply this evidence if we ask for it.
\n\nYou can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.
\n\n| Scheme | \nAction or option codes | \n\n |
|---|---|---|
| \nSFI 2026 actions | \nSame as your selected SFI26 base action | \n\n |
| \nSFI 2024 actions | \nSame as your selected SFI26 base action | \n\n |
| \nSFI 2023 actions | \nSame as your selected SFI26 base action | \n\n |
| \nCSHT actions from 2025 | \nSame as your selected SFI26 base action | \n\n |
| \nCS options | \nSame as your selected SFI26 base action | \n\n |
| \nES options | \nSame as your selected SFI26 base action | \n\n |
If an action or option cannot be located on the same area, you may be able to do it on a different area in the same land parcel. Read section 5.6 ‘Land that’s already in other funding schemes or grants’ in the SFI26 scheme information for more details.
\n\nYou can apply for one of the following other supplemental actions in the same SFI26 application as this supplemental action:
\n\nThe following advice may help you to do this action, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.
\n\nOnce you’ve converted your livestock numbers into GLU using the values shown under ‘What to do’, you can use the to calculate your native breed percentage.
\n\nThis action explains which native breeds are eligible (under ‘What to do’).
\n\nIf you’re sourcing native breed animals, try to choose animals which have been bred and reared on a similar habitat to where you’ll be grazing them.
\n\nIf you have not used native rare breeds before you can get help from graziers or livestock conservation organisations like the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
\n\nYou may find it helpful to read the Grazing Animals Project Breed Profiles Handbook.
\n\nCattle, sheep, and ponies graze in different ways.
\n\nYou can achieve greater environmental benefits if you graze with:
\n\nYou can choose to mix livestock to create a more varied habitat.
\n\nUsing an unsuitable livestock species or level of grazing (overgrazing or under grazing) can:
\n\nPonies:
\n\nCattle:
\n\nCattle are more likely to cause poaching due to their size, particularly on wetter areas. You can remove them from the area over the winter months to reduce the risk of poaching.
\n\nSheep:
\n\nSheep can cause a decline in dwarf shrub cover due to selective browsing, particularly when out over the winter months. You can reduce the risk of this happening by:
\n\nIf the area of land you enter into this action is unfenced and adjacent land is grazed by other farmers or land managers, you may need to:
\n\n