Farmers left without subsidised payments after the window for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) closed within six hours of opening are being urged to look at their alternatives

Accountants at Kinbrook Group’s Old Mill and Duncan & Toplis are encouraging farmers to explore other opportunities for funding and review their farm business plan.

Many farmers have had to adjust their expenditure after being unable to apply for the SFI in such a short timeframe.

Head of Rural at Old Mill, Willem Puddy said: “Missing out on anticipated income may require adjustments, but it also provides an opportunity to review the financial position of the farm and make sure future plans remain right for the business.”

Farmer income

Support payments are a heavy part of a farmer's income, according to Puddy.

He said that that client accounts from the year 2025 show that these payments formed part of 30% of the total business income.

Despite not being able to receive SFI26, farmers can still find other ways to support their environmental and land management plans, Puddy added.

He explained: “There could still be other support available and, dependent on your proposed activities, future opportunities that could be explored.” 

Puddy recommended keeping all SFI opportunities on the radar, stating that now is a perfect time for producers to gather information and make informed decisions on what is best for their farm.

"Preparing early can put farmers in a stronger position when new opportunities become available," he said.

Opportunities

Head of agriculture at Duncan & Toplis, Mark Chatterton recommended farmers to review their wider business plan to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Chatterton said: “The important question is whether the investment still makes financial sense.

"Consider potential returns, cashflow and the wider benefit to the farming operation.” 

However, he said it is understandable for some farmers to have “delayed, phased or reconsidered” following the news of the rapid closing of the SFI window.

He advised farmers to look at building up the resilience of their farm.

This can include assessing the profitability of individual enterprises; improving operational efficiency; and reducing unnecessary costs.

Chatterton said: “The aim is not to make significant changes simply because SFI funding was unavailable.

“It is about using the latest development as a prompt to make sure resources are being directed towards areas that support the farm’s priorities.”