AHDB launches new SFI cost/benefit tool for farmers

A new online Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) cost/benefit tool to provide bespoke support for farmers has been launched ahead of the SFI26 scheme going live.

We have created the tool to help farmers better understand how SFI actions could impact their individual businesses and support more informed decision-making.

It is the latest in a series of resources we have developed to help farmers navigate the evolving SFI landscape, building on previous work that has supported industry understanding of scheme opportunities. 

Developed with farmers, it goes beyond headline payment rates by factoring in the costs of implementing specific SFI actions. This enables users to estimate not only the income they might receive but also the likely net financial benefit once costs are considered.

Building on our previous analysis, which used representative ‘model farms’ to illustrate potential impacts, the new tool allows farmers to input information relevant to their own businesses, providing a more accurate, tailored and practical assessment of options.

Designed with farmers in mind

It has been specifically designed to provide continued support for farmers and farm business decision-makers affected by the transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) while supporting those exploring opportunities under SFI 2026 across the cereals and oilseeds, beef and lamb, dairy and pork sectors.

By translating SFI actions into important business metrics such as income, costs and net financial benefit, the tool helps users:

• Identify which SFI actions are financially worthwhile
• Understand where on the farm those actions make the most sense
• Assess the opportunity cost of taking land out of production
• Explore how different actions work together when combined (stacking)

Dr Amandeep Kaur Purewal, AHDB Senior Economist, said:

"The aim of our tool is to help provide our farmers with more clarity around SFI, and to ensure farmers are better prepared to assess their options and maximise the value of the scheme within their own businesses.

"We’ve enabled farmers to factor in the costs of implementing specific actions as part of the SFI. This will provide a more comprehensive and realistic picture of what the benefit – or not – of any action taken will be and will enable levy payers to make more informed business decisions.

 "The tool has been tested with farmers and wider industry representatives to ensure it meets real-world needs and supports practical decision-making at farm level.

"AHDB’s previous work on the SFI, including our stacking analysis, was based on assumptions of model farms. While that was a useful starting point, farmers really wanted to know ‘What does selecting specific SFI actions mean for my farm?’

"We took that valuable feedback on board and our new tool addresses exactly that, effectively providing a bespoke solution for individual farm businesses. By focusing on both income and costs, it enables farmers to move beyond simply asking ‘What could I be paid?’ to understanding ‘What will this mean for my bottom line?’

"It will be an invaluable resource for farmers as part of their preparations for the next phase of SFI, helping them to choose the right actions for their businesses, land and long-term goals."

The user-friendly tool has been built with practicality in mind, offering a clear and accessible interface that explains calculations transparently and provides outputs tailored to individual farm contexts.

The launch comes ahead of key SFI 2026 application windows, with the first expected to open at the end of June 2026 for smaller farms (3–50 ha) and those without other live Environmental Land Management (ELM) funding agreements, followed by a second window in September 2026 open to all farms.