UPL6: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (100% GLU) (updated for SFI26)
What you must do to get paid for this SFI26 action and advice on how to do it.
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.
Select ‘See all updates’ at the start of this page to find out how this supplemental action has changed for SFI26 compared with SFI24.
For SFI24 actions, read the SFI24 agreement holder’s information.
Duration
3 years
How much you’ll be paid
£23 per hectare (ha) per year
Action’s aim
This supplemental action’s aim is that all the grazing livestock units (GLU) on moorland are cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.
The purpose of this is to:
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create a more varied sward structure
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control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation
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increase wildlife diversity
Where you can do this action
You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land entered into one of the following base actions:
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UPL1: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland
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UPL2: Low livestock grazing on moorland
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UPL3: Limited livestock grazing on moorland
You can only apply for this supplemental action in the same SFI26 application as your selected base action.
If you apply for this supplemental action, you cannot apply for supplemental action UPL5: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 70% GLU) on the same area.
Eligibility of protected land
Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs): Same as your selected base action.
Historic and archaeological features: Same as your selected base action.
Available area you can enter into this action
Same as your selected base action.
Rotational or static action
Same as your selected base action.
What to do
100% of the GLU on land entered into UPL1, UPL2 or UPL3 must be cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.
You must include the following information in the written stocking calendar required for UPL1, UPL2 and UPL3:
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dates you plan to graze the land parcel with cattle, ponies or both during each calendar month
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monthly numbers of cattle, ponies or both, including the age bracket for cattle
When to do it
You must do this action from its start date, throughout each year of its 3-year duration.
How to do it
It’s up to you how you do this action, as long as you:
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follow this action’s requirements – these are identified by a ‘must’
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do the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim
You may find it helpful to read the ‘advice to help you do this action’, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.
Evidence to keep
You must keep the required written stocking calendar and supply this evidence if we ask for it. It can be recorded on paper or electronically.
Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action
You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.
| Scheme | Action or option codes | |
|---|---|---|
| SFI 2026 actions | Same as your selected SFI26 base action | |
| SFI 2024 actions | Same as your selected SFI26 base action | |
| SFI 2023 actions | Same as your selected SFI26 base action | |
| CSHT actions from 2025 | Same as your selected SFI26 base action | |
| CS options | Same as your selected SFI26 base action | |
| ES options | Same as your selected SFI26 base action |
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.
Other supplemental actions you can apply for with this supplemental action
You can apply for supplemental action SPM5: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (more than 80%) on the same area as this supplemental action. You can only do this in the same SFI26 application.
Advice to help you do this action
The following advice may help you to do this action, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.
How to calculate the livestock percentage
Once you’ve converted your livestock numbers into GLU using the values shown under ‘What to do’, you can use the to calculate the percentage of total GLU entered into your selected base action.
The GLU percentage is an annual average.
Grazing moorland with cattle and ponies
Before you graze with cattle or ponies, or a combination of both, it’s advisable to assess your moorland so you can manage grazing in a way that helps to:
- maintain, enhance or restore habitats
- protect historic and archaeological features
Type of cattle
Cattle with low nutritional requirements (such as dry suckler cows) are best for sites with fibrous herbage.
Mature and placid cattle are best suited for sites where there are ground-nesting birds, as they reduce the risk of trampling.
Type of pony
Hardy native ponies and their cross-breeds are well suited to the harsh conditions on moorlands.
It’s important that ponies can exhibit their natural herd behaviours, preferably with a mixed age of animals.
All ponies need access to drier areas for rest. This is particularly important for pregnant mares and foals.
Grazing purple moor-grass with cattle and ponies
Grazing purple moor-grass with cattle or ponies, or a combination of both, during the spring and early summer (usually between around mid-May and mid-July) can reduce species dominance. This is because the grassland is growing quickly and is most palatable.
You can choose to graze more heavily during the spring and summer. This can help to improve vegetation structure on areas dominated by purple moor-grass.
Updates to this page
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Added 'Advice to help you do this action' section.
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Changes made to this action for SFI26 (compared with the SFI24 version): You can only apply for this supplemental action in the same SFI26 application as your selected base action
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Duration - 3 years instead of ‘same as base action’. Where you can do this action - if you apply for this supplemental action, you cannot apply for UPL4 or UPL5 on the same area. Eligibility of protected land - added ‘your selected’ in relation to the base action. Available area - added ‘your selected’ in relation to the base action. Rotational or static action - added ‘your selected’ in relation to the base action. Other actions or options you can do on the same area - added ‘your selected’ in relation to the base action. Added supplemental actions SPM4 and SPM5. Published voluntary advice to help you do this action, but it's not part of this action’s requirements.
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First published.