SFI actions for farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land
Find out about the SFI actions for farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land, what land is eligible for each action and what to do to get paid.
Applies to England
This section contains the mandatory requirements for the SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) actions for farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land. These requirements are part of your SFI agreement.
You can choose which SFI actions to do and what area of eligible land to do them on. There are no mandatory combinations of actions.
What we explain in each SFI action
The details of each SFI action explain:
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the action’s aim
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where you can do the action - this includes what land is eligible, whether it’s a rotational or static action, and which other environmental land management actions or options you can do on the same area within a land parcel (noting that it may also be possible to do part-parcel actions on another area within the same land parcel)
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what you need to do for the action
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when to do the action
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how to do the action – which is up to you, as long as it’s done in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve the action’s aim
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what evidence to keep
SFI actions with an area limit
There are some actions in the SFI 2023 offer that:
- take land out of food production
- are intended to be done on a small proportion (up to 25%) of the farm, as part of a sustainable system – the actions are unlikely to deliver their intended aims if they’re done on more than 25% of the farm
For SFI applications submitted on or after 26 March 2024, there are 6 SFI actions which must only be done on a proportion of your farm. These actions are referred to as ‘limited area’ actions and include:
- IPM2: Flower-rich grass margins, blocks, or in-field strips
- AHL1: Pollen and nectar flower mix (which should be growing in blocks or strips in a land parcel)
- AHL2: Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land (which should be growing in blocks or strips in a land parcel)
- AHL3: Grassy field corners or blocks
- IGL1: Take improved grassland field corners or blocks out of management
- IGL2: Winter bird food on improved grassland
You can choose as many of these ‘limited area’ actions as you wish, but the total eligible area you enter into them must not be more than 25% of the total agricultural area of your farm. This does not apply to existing agreements or applications submitted before 26 March 2024.
For example, if the total agricultural area of your farm is 50ha, this means you must only enter up to a total of 12.50ha of eligible land into any combination of one or more of these ‘limited area’ actions.
For the purpose of these ‘limited area’ actions:
- ‘farm’ means all the land parcels that are linked to your SBI at the point you apply for an SFI agreement – these parcels are shown on your digital maps
- ‘agricultural area’ means the area in each of the land parcels that’s registered with an arable, permanent grassland or permanent crops land cover
Rotational SFI actions
If you choose a rotational SFI action, you’ll tell us the area and location of that action for the first year of your SFI agreement in your application.
It will be possible for you to vary the coverage of rotational actions, so they work with your crop rotation and different sizes of land parcels. This means that in the second and third years of your agreement, you’ll be able to do the action on:
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a larger area than you entered into the action for the first year of your SFI agreement
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a lower area, as long as it’s at least 50% of the area you entered into the action for the first year of your agreement – for example, if you enter 10ha into a rotational action for the first year, you can decrease that area to 5ha for the second year and then either keep it as 5ha for the third year or increase it again.
We’ll let you know how to tell us about a change to the area and location of rotational actions for the second and third agreement years.
Overview of the SFI actions for farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land
The SFI actions for farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land are focused on providing habitat and food sources for farmland birds, pollinators and a range of other farmland wildlife.
They can also support an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach if they’re done close to cropped areas, which can help to reduce costs and improve farm resilience.
The actions include:
- AHL1: Pollen and nectar flower mix
- AHL2: Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land
- AHL3: Grassy field corners and blocks
AHL1: Pollen and nectar flower mix
What you’ll be paid
You’ll receive £739 per hectare per year.
This action’s aim
This action’s aim is that there’s a pollen and nectar flower mix which produces areas of flowering plants from late spring and during the summer months.
The purpose of this is to:
- provide food for beneficial pollinators, such as bumble bees, solitary bees, butterflies and hoverflies
- encourage natural crop pest predators as part of an IPM approach if located close to cropped areas
Where you can do this action
You can do this action on eligible agricultural land located below the moorland line. The table below sets out what land is eligible for AHL1.
Eligible land for AHL1
| Eligible land type | Eligible land use code | Compatible land cover |
|---|---|---|
| Arable land, including temporary grassland | Arable crops | Arable land |
| Arable land, including temporary grassland | Leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops | Arable land |
| Arable land, including temporary grassland | FAO1 | Arable land |
| Arable land, including temporary grassland | TG01 | Arable land |
| Permanent crops – horticultural | TC01 | Permanent crops |
The glossary explains what we mean by land types, land use codes and compatible land covers.
The SFI application service will automatically calculate what area may be eligible for this action in each land parcel. This is called the ‘SFI available area’. You must check this area is an eligible land type. Find out how the SFI available area is calculated in the information on land that’s eligible for the SFI actions.
You can apply for this action on either the total SFI available area in each land parcel shown in your SFI application, or part of that area. However, this action is normally intended to be done on part of a land parcel as a block or strip.
For SFI applications submitted on or after 26 March 2024, this is a ‘limited area’ action. The total eligible area you enter into any combination of one or more of the ‘limited area’ actions must not be more than 25% of the total agricultural area of your farm.
Read the guidance on SFI actions with an area limit for more information and a list of ‘limited area’ SFI actions.
This action is rotational. You can do this action on the same area of eligible land for the duration of your 3-year SFI agreement, or you can move the area each year.
Other land management actions or options you can do on the same area as AHL1
The table below sets out which other SFI actions, Countryside Stewardship (CS) management options, Environmental Stewardship (ES) revenue options and SFI pilot standards can be located on the same area of eligible land as NUM2.
Actions or options that can be located on the same area as AHL1
| Scheme | Action or option codes that can be located on the same area as AHL1 |
|---|---|
| SFI 2023 | SAM1, IPM1, NUM1 |
| CS | OR3, OR4, OR5, OT3, OT4, OT5, SW17 |
| ES | No ES revenue options |
Use the CS grant finder to search for the CS option codes shown above.
The SFI actions for hedgerows (HRW1, HRW2 and HRW3), CS option BE3 and the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows can be done on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into AHL1.
If an action or option cannot be located on the same area within a land parcel as AHL1, this is because it’s not an eligible land type, or the activities are incompatible, or you would be paid twice for doing the same activities on the same land. In this case, that area will be automatically removed from the affected land parcel’s SFI available area in your SFI application.
If this is the case, you may be able to do the action on a different area in the same land parcel if:
- it’s an eligible land type for the action or option
- it’s a part-parcel action or option
- the area used for the action or option does not overlap with the area used for AHL1
Read the information about eligibility of land used for other schemes and funding sources to find out more.
What to do
You must establish and maintain blocks or strips of pollen and nectar flower mix on land entered into this action.
To establish the blocks or strips of pollen and nectar flower mix, you must sow a grass-free seed mix containing at least 6 flower species. A single species must not exceed 50% of the total seed mix by weight.
As a minimum, the grass-free seed mix must include at least 2 of the following, all of which can provide pollen and nectar from late spring and over the summer months and are suitable to be grown in all regions of England:
- Common knapweed
- Musk mallow
- Oxeye daisy
- Wild carrot
- Yarrow
Once established, you must maintain the blocks or strips of pollen and nectar mix. To do this, you must manage them in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.
You must not do the following on the blocks or strips of pollen and nectar mix once they’re established:
- cut or graze them with livestock in a way that means this action’s aim cannot reasonably be achieved
- apply any fertilisers or manures
- use pesticides, except for herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, nettles or bracken
You can maintain existing blocks or strips of pollen and nectar flower mix to meet this action if they:
- meet the requirements explained above
- are not already being paid for under another environmental land management scheme option, such as CS option AB1 (nectar flower mix)
When to do it
If you’re doing this action on the same area of land for the 3-year duration of your SFI agreement, you must:
- establish the blocks or strips of pollen and nectar flower mix during the first 12 months of your SFI agreement
- maintain the blocks or strips of pollen and nectar flower mix on the same area of land in each subsequent year of your 3-year SFI agreement
If you’re rotating this action around your farm, each year of your SFI agreement you must do it for a period of time that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.
How to do it
It’s up to you how you complete this action, as long as you do it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.
You may find it helpful to read the voluntary guidance on how to establish and maintain blocks or strips of pollen and nectar flower mix, but you do not have to follow it.
What evidence to keep
You should keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action. This will help if it’s not clear that you’ve completed the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. You must supply this evidence if we ask for it.
This evidence could include photographs and other documentation to show what you’ve done to complete this action. It could also include field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices. If you choose to take photographs, read the guidance on how to take photographic evidence for SFI actions.
AHL2: Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land
What you’ll be paid
You’ll receive £853 per hectare per year.
This action’s aim
This action’s aim is that there are areas of winter bird food that produce a supply of small seeds for smaller farmland birds from late autumn until late winter.
The purpose of this is to:
- provide food resources for farmland birds, especially in late autumn and winter
- encourage flowering plants in the summer, which will benefit insects including bumblebees, solitary bees, butterflies and hoverflies
- support an IPM approach if located close to cropped areas
Where you can do this action
You can do this action on eligible agricultural land located below the moorland line. The table below sets out what land is eligible for AHL2.
Eligible land for AHL2
| Eligible land type | Eligible land use code | Compatible land cover |
|---|---|---|
| Arable land, including temporary grassland | Arable crops, leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops, FA01, TG01 | Arable land |
| Permanent crops – horticultural | TC01 | Permanent crops |
The glossary explains what we mean by land types, land use codes and compatible land covers.
The SFI application service will automatically calculate what area may be eligible for this action in each land parcel. This is called the ‘SFI available area’. You must check this area is an eligible land type. Find out how the SFI available area is calculated in the information on land that’s eligible for the SFI actions.
You can apply for this action on either the total SFI available area in each land parcel shown in your SFI application, or part of that area. However, this action is normally intended to be done on part of a land parcel as a block or strip.
For SFI applications submitted on or after 26 March 2024, this is a ‘limited area’ action. The total eligible area you enter into any combination of one or more of the ‘limited area’ actions must not be more than 25% of the total agricultural area of your farm.
Read the guidance on SFI actions with an area limit for more information and a list of ‘limited area’ SFI actions.
This action is rotational. You can do this action on the same area of eligible land each year of your 3-year SFI agreement, or you can move the area each year.
Other land management actions or options you can do on the same area as AHL2
The table below sets out which other SFI actions, CS management options, ES revenue options and SFI pilot standards can be located on the same eligible area within a land parcel as AHL2.
Actions or options that can be located on the same area within a land parcel as AHL2
| Scheme | Action or option codes that can be located on the same area as AHL2 |
|---|---|
| SFI 2023 | SAM1, IPM1, IPM3 (only if the companion crop is not present during winter months), IPM4, NUM1 |
| CS | HS3, HS9, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT3, OT4, OT5, SW17 |
| ES | No ES revenue options |
| SFI pilot | No area-based SFI pilot standards |
Use the CS grant finder to search for the CS option codes shown above.
The SFI actions for hedgerows (HRW1, HRW2 and HRW3), CS option BE3 and the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard can be done on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into AHL2.
If an action or option cannot be located on the same area within a land parcel as AHL2, this is because it’s not an eligible land type, or the activities are incompatible, or you would be paid twice for doing the same activities on the same land. In this case, that area will be automatically removed from the affected land parcel’s SFI available area in your SFI application.
If this is the case, you may be able to do the action on a different area in the same land parcel if:
- it’s an eligible land type for the action or option
- it’s a part-parcel action or option
- the area used for the action or option does not overlap with the area used for AHL2
Read the information about eligibility of land used for other schemes and funding sources to find out more.
What to do
You must establish and maintain blocks or strips of winter bird food on land entered into this action.
To establish the winter bird food blocks or strips, you must sow a mix of at least 6 crops that will provide an extended supply of small seeds for farmland birds.
The mix you sow must not include any of the following crops, because these are not appropriate for the smaller farmland bird species this action is intended to support:
- artichokes
- reed canary grass
- giant and intermediate sorghum
- maize
- miscanthus
- sweet clover
- tic beans
If you sow an annual mix, it can include a range of cereals, brassicas or other small-seeded crops. If you sow a 2-year mix, it can also include biennial crops such as kale, stubble turnip or teasel.
Once established, you must maintain the winter bird food blocks or strips. To do this, you must manage them in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. You may need to re-sow the blocks or strips, as necessary, so they continue to produce an extended supply of small seeds.
You can maintain existing winter bird food blocks or strips to meet this action if they:
- meet the requirements explained above
- are not already being paid for under another environmental land management scheme option, such as CS option AB9 (wild bird food)
When to do it
If you’re doing this action on the same area of land for the 3-year duration of your SFI agreement, you must:
- establish the winter bird food blocks or strips within the first 12 months of your SFI agreement
- maintain the area of winter bird food blocks or strips in each subsequent year of your 3-year SFI agreement
If you’re rotating this action around your farm, each year of your SFI agreement you must do it for a period of time that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.
How to do it
It’s up to you how you complete this action, as long as you do it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.
You may find it helpful to read the voluntary guidance on how establish and maintain winter bird food on arable and horticultural land, but you do not have to follow it.
What evidence to keep
You should keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action. This will help if it’s not clear that you’ve completed the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. You must supply this evidence if we ask for it.
This evidence could include photographs and other documentation to show what you’ve done to complete this action. It could also include field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices. If you choose to take photographs, read the guidance on how to take photographic evidence for SFI actions.
AHL3: Grassy field corners or blocks
What you’ll be paid
You’ll receive £590 per hectare per year.
This action’s aim
This action’s aim is that there’s an intact grass sward throughout the year, without tracks, compacted areas or poaching, so tussocky grass can develop.
The purpose of this is to:
- provide year-round habitat for a range of wildlife
- support an IPM approach if located close to cropped areas
Where you can do this action
You can do this action on eligible agricultural land located below the moorland line. The table below sets out what land is eligible for AHL3.
Eligible land for AHL3
| Eligible land type | Eligible land use code | Compatible land cover |
|---|---|---|
| Arable land, including temporary grassland | Arable crops, leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops, FA01, TG01 | Arable land |
| Permanent crops – horticultural | TC01 | Permanent crops |
The glossary explains what we mean by land types, land use codes and compatible land covers.
The SFI application service will automatically calculate what area may be eligible for this action in each land parcel. This is called the ‘SFI available area’. You must check this area is an eligible land type. Find out how the SFI available area is calculated in the information on land that’s eligible for the SFI actions.
You can apply for this action on either the total SFI available area in each land parcel shown in your SFI application, or part of that area. However, this action is normally intended to be done on part of a land parcel as a field corner or block.
For SFI applications submitted on or after 26 March 2024, this is a ‘limited area’ action. The total eligible area you enter into any combination of one or more of the ‘limited area’ actions must not be more than 25% of the total agricultural area of your farm.
Read the guidance on SFI actions with an area limit for more information and a list of ‘limited area’ SFI actions.
This action is static. You must do it on the same area of eligible land each year of your 3-year SFI agreement. You cannot move the area each year.
Other land management actions or options you can do on the same area as AHL3
The table below sets out which other SFI actions, CS management options, ES revenue options and SFI pilot standards can be located on the same eligible area within a land parcel as AHL3.
Actions or options that can be located on the same area within the land parcel as AHL3
| Scheme | Action or option codes that can be located on the same area as AHL3 |
|---|---|
| SFI 2023 | SAM1, IPM1, NUM1 |
| CS | OR3, OR4, OR5, OT3, OT4, OT5 |
| ES | No ES revenue options |
| SFI pilot | No area-based SFI pilot standards |
Use the CS grant finder to search for the CS option codes shown above.
The SFI actions for hedgerows (HRW1, HRW2 and HRW3), CS option BE3 and the introductory level of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard can be done on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into AHL3.
If an action or option cannot be located on the same area within a land parcel as AHL3, this is because it’s not an eligible land type, or the activities are incompatible, or you would be paid twice for doing the same activities on the same land. In this case, that area will be automatically removed from the affected land parcel’s SFI available area in your SFI application.
If this is the case, you may be able to do the action on a different area in the same land parcel if:
- it’s an eligible land type for the action or option
- it’s a part-parcel action or option
- the area used for the action or option does not overlap with the area used for AHL3
Read the information about eligibility of land used for other schemes and funding sources to find out more.
What to do
You must establish and maintain grassy field corners or blocks on arable and horticultural land entered into this action.
To establish the grassy field corners or blocks you must either sow them or allow the areas to naturally regenerate.
During the first 12 months after sowing them, or allowing them to naturally regenerate, you can regularly cut or graze them to:
- control annual weeds
- encourage new grass shoots to develop
The grassy field corners or blocks will usually be established around 12 months after they’re sown or allowed to regenerate naturally.
Once established, you must maintain the grassy field corners or blocks. To do this, you must manage them in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.
You must not do the following on the grassy field corners or blocks once they’re established:
- graze them with livestock in a way that means this action’s aim cannot reasonably be achieved
- cut them, except for localised cutting to control injurious weeds or invasive non-natives, soft and hard rush, nettles or bracken
- use them for regular vehicular access, turning or storage
- carry out activities that may disturb breeding birds or damage nests
- apply any fertilisers, manures or lime
- use pesticides, except for herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds or invasive non-natives, soft and hard rush, nettles or bracken
You can maintain existing grassy field corners or blocks on arable or horticultural land to meet this action, if they meet the requirements explained above.
When to do it
You must:
- establish the grassy field corners or blocks during the first 12 months of your SFI agreement
- maintain the same area of grassy field corners or blocks in each subsequent year of your 3-year SFI agreement
How to do it
It’s up to you how you complete this action, as long as you do it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim.
You may find it helpful to read the voluntary guidance on how to establish and maintain grassy field corners or blocks, but you do not have to follow it.
What evidence to keep
You should keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action. This will help if it’s not clear that you’ve completed the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. You must supply this evidence if we ask for it.
This evidence could include photographs and other documentation to show what you’ve done to complete this action. It could also include field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices. If you choose to take photographs, read the guidance on how to take photographic evidence for SFI.
Last updated 25 March 2024 + show all updates
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The government is introducing new measures to limit the amount of land farmers can take out of productive actions. New section 'SFI actions with an area limit' added. 'Where you can do this action' sections for AHL1, AHL2 and AHL3 updated.
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Payment rates updated for AHL1 & AHL2
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Links added to voluntary guidance. AHL1 changed from static to rotational.
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First published.