SFI 26 – The Figures
Following pressure from the industry, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has released further detailed statics regarding the type of applications received during SFI26 application window 2, which opened and closed on 22 September 2026.
Approximately 12,200 applications were submitted during Window 2. This is nearly twice as many as were submitted in window 1, which saw around 6,700 applications. Around 8,800 of those farmers have an agreement under Countryside Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship or the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) that is due to expire on or before 28 February 2027. 10% of applications in Window 2 were from farm businesses with no existing agri-environment agreement, which is a similar percentage to Window 1.
The five most popular SFI 2026 actions in Window 2 were:
- Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs (CLIG3)
- Manage Hedgerows (CHRW2)
- Herbal leys (CSAM3)
- Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land (CAHL2)
- No use of insecticide on arable crops and permanent crops (CIPM4)
As of 24 September 2026, the average agreement value for SFI26 window one is £28,000. This covers 5,752 live agreements. The mean value of agreements under SFI23 and SFI expanded offer is £56,000. This is double the value in SFI26.
The value below which 90% of agreements fall has reduced from £126,000 in SFI23 and SFI expanded offer to £63,000 in SFI 2026. In other words, 90% if SFI26 Window 1 agreements are worth more than the £63,000, which suggests that there are fewer very high-value agreements. SFI26 agreements have an annual value limit of £100,000.
These figures may change considerably as more SFI26 agreements become live.
TFA Farm Policy Adviser, Lynette Steel, said: “The fact that 72% of applications submitted during Window 2, came from businesses with existing agri-environment agreements due to expire by 28th February 2027, highlights just how important SFI has become in providing continuity for farm businesses already delivering environmental outcomes. However, the speed at which the available budget was allocated also demonstrates that demand continues to exceed the funding available.
For the TFA, this reinforces the need for Government to provide greater long-term certainty over both future SFI budgets and to make changes to the system so that the available funding can be allocated in a more rational, equitable and effective way.”
Additional information about SFI agreement values is available in the SFI spend statistics notice January 2026 – GOV.UK.
If you have any questions or concerns about SFI26, please contact Lynette Steel, TFA Farm Policy Adviser, at Head Office.
This news article was written TFA Farm Policy Adviser, Lynette Steel
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