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Improved grassland soils standard of the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot
The guidance on this page is for SFI pilot participants only. Please visit GOV.UK for the official Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme guidance.
Find out about the standard for improved grassland soils, what land is eligible and how much you can get paid.
Applications for the pilot have now closed. The Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 offer is due to launch from summer 2023. To find out more about the SFI 2023 offer, read the SFI Handbook for the SFI 2023 offer.
This information is for farmers piloting the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
How the standard works
There are 3 levels to the standard. Each level has a set of actions you must complete to get paid.
The levels build on one another - each one includes the actions from the previous levels.
If you’re already doing activities on your land that fulfil the actions in this standard, you can use these areas instead of creating new ones. This means you can maintain existing areas to complete actions that require you to ‘create’ or ‘establish’ something.
Anything you’re doing to complete an action only counts towards that action. It will not count towards the standard’s other actions, unless this guidance says otherwise.
When to complete actions
Because agreements will start from November 2021 at the earliest, it will be too late to complete some actions that must take place after harvest - for example, establishing a green cover by the end of September or mid-October.
Complete these actions within 12 months of your agreement start date. This means you can complete the post-harvest actions after harvest 2022.
Actions that need you to create a new habitat may not be practical during the winter months - for example, sowing a winter bird food mix. You should complete these actions within 12 months of your agreement start date.
If you're amending your agreement to add this standard, or to change the ambition level of this standard in an existing agreement, you'll need to complete all of the actions listed below within 12 months from when the amendment starts. For example, if you're adding this standard to an agreement with a 1 November 2021 start date for the second year of that agreement, the amendment would be effective from 1 November 2022 and the actions for this standard would need to be completed by 31 October 2023.
How much you’ll be paid
In January 2024, we reviewed the payment rates for the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot standards following our previous review in 2023.
Payment rates for the introductory and intermediate levels of the improved grassland soil standard were increased. There is no change to the advanced level.
For your agreement to show the revised payment rates, you need to sign into the Rural Payments service to ‘Generate’ and ‘Download’ an updated version of your agreement. Doing this will update your agreement document.
The levels and payments for this standard are set out in the table. These payment rates are annual.
| Level | Payment per hectare | Previous payment rate |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory | £34 | £31 |
| Intermediate | £55 | £53 |
| Advanced | £84 | £84 |
You’ll be paid for all the eligible land that’s in your agreement and you’ll have to complete the actions on all that land.
Some actions affect a smaller percentage of this land – for example, having a mix of herbs, legumes and grass on 5% of eligible land. You’re still paid for all the eligible land in your agreement, not just the 5%.
You can also apply for funding for capital items.
What land is eligible
Improved grassland is grassland you’re managing to improve your agricultural production. For example, you may have carried out regular reseeding or added fertiliser or organic matter, to improve crop growth.
To identify improved grassland, look for:
- a high coverage of rye grass, other agriculturally sown grasses and white clover – typically more than 30% of the grassland
- a limited range of commonly occurring or sown grasses and wildflowers
If you have improved grassland you’ll be managing your land through one or more of the following:
- regular re-seeding, or you’ll have reseeded within the last 15 years
- regular fertilising with fertiliser or animal manures and slurries (you’ll likely be using fertiliser levels of around 100kg of nitrogen per hectare)
- boom spraying herbicide to treat weeds
- maintaining active field drains
- taking any conserved forage as silage, usually more than once a year
Grassland defined as improved grassland encompasses a wide range of farm and land types, including organic systems.
Read how to assess the number of plant species per square metre of land.
Ineligible land
The following land is ineligible for this standard:
- low and no input grassland - use the low and no input grassland standard instead
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
- areas of peat soils greater than 20% soil organic matter to a depth of 40cm or more
Changes to the land because you’re completing actions
The land must be eligible at the start date of your agreement.
Changes to the land’s use, composition or cover that happen because you’re completing the actions in this standard do not affect eligibility, and you’ll continue to be paid under this standard, at your chosen ambition level.
Measuring areas for actions where there are hedgerows or water bodies
Some actions must be fulfilled on a percentage of the eligible land entered into the standard. For example, having a mix of herbs, legumes and grass on 5% of eligible land.
If you’ve entered the same land into the hedgerows standard or water body buffering standard, the percentage area for an action to be fulfilled under another standard cannot overlap with the hedgerow or water body buffer strips. Measure the percentage area from the edge of these buffer strips. If this is not the case, measure from the edge of the hedgerow or water body.
The area can include the 2-metre or 1-metre cross-compliance buffers required under GAEC 1, and the 2-metre green cover requirement under GAEC 7a, where relevant.
Aims of the standard
The aims of the standard are not mandatory but they describe what the outcome should look like if you follow the mandatory actions. The aims are the primary focus for site visits. Read more about monitoring and support.
Actions
Actions are mandatory. You must complete all actions at the selected ambition level.
Introductory level
You must do the following actions to be paid £34 per hectare (previous payment rate £31 per hectare).
1. Do a soil assessment
Aim
You’ll complete a soil assessment for all of the land entered into the standard at the start of the agreement. This will identify parcels at risk of surface runoff, soil erosion, compaction, waterlogging or regularly flooding, to inform land management actions. The assessment will include soil texture, drainage, slope and connectivity to a waterbody or sensitive habitat.
Each year, soil structure, soil biology and soil organic matter (SOM) will be assessed on at least 20% of land entered into the standard. This will inform actions to maintain or improve soil structure.
Action
Do a soil assessment to identify the priority areas on your farm for delivering water quality improvements, carbon storage, flood mitigation or biodiversity.
In the first year, across all of the land entered into the standard, assess:
- soil texture
- drainage
- slope
- connectivity to a waterbody or sensitive habitat
Record and keep observations and review the assessment every 2 years.
Every year, on at least 20% of the land entered into the standard:
- assess soil structure
- assess biological indicators, for example earthworm count
- analyse soil organic matter
Do this on a different 20% of the land each year.
Measure SOM by sending samples to a laboratory for analysis. You can test SOM alongside the standard nutrient and pH analysis that’s required as part of the Farming Rules for Water.
Required documents
You must keep your soil assessment documents for us to monitor. You do not need to send these to us unless we ask for them.
Information on soil assessments
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to complete a runoff and soil erosion risk assessment.
2. Alleviate soil compaction
Aim
You’ve taken measures to alleviate soil compaction where identified.
Action
Take measures to alleviate soil compaction identified in the soil assessment and soil management plan (soil management plan completed at advanced level only).
Measures include:
- grassland aeration
- sub-soiling
- additions of organic matter
- natural soil recovery through resting the field
Do not use sub-soiling or increase the depth of cultivation where you know there are buried archaeological features.
Supporting evidence
You may want to keep supporting evidence for this action. This is in case actions you have undertaken and aims or outcomes achieved are not clear from remote monitoring or at site visits.
Information on alleviating soil compaction
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to:
3. Add or retain a mix of legumes, herbs and grasses
Aim
There’ll be a sward with a mixture of grasses, legumes, herbs and wildflowers to provide varied root structures to improve and maintain soil structure, soil carbon, soil biology and soil fertility. Suitable species are described in the guidance notes below. This area will vary for each ambition level.
Action
Increase or maintain the diversity of improved grass swards by adding or retaining a mixture of legumes, herbs and grasses with varied root structures.
Do this on at least 5% of improved grassland entered into the standard.
Do not do this on parcels with historic or archaeological features.
Supporting evidence
You may want to keep supporting evidence for this action. This is in case actions you have undertaken and aims or outcomes achieved are not clear from remote monitoring or at site visits.
Information on adding or retaining a mix of legumes, herbs and grasses
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to:
4. Maintain permanent grassland on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff
Aim
Maintain permanent grassland on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment. Where you are re-seeding, do this by direct drilling or over-sowing only. This will maintain soil carbon, support biological activity and reduce erosion. The area will vary according to ambition level.
Action
Maintain permanent grassland and, where you are re-seeding, do this by direct drilling or over-sowing only.
Do this on at least 5% of improved permanent grassland entered into the standard. Target land at the highest risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment.
Information on maintaining permanent grassland
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to use min-till or no-till farming.
5. Manage livestock density on grassland at risk of erosion or surface runoff
Aim
To minimise poaching, soil compaction, bare ground and runoff, livestock will be removed or livestock densities reduced when the soils are wet on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff. The area will vary according to ambition level.
Action
Reduce livestock density or remove livestock when soils are wet. Do this on at least 5% of improved grassland entered into the standard. Target land at the highest risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment.
Information on managing livestock density
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to reduce livestock numbers to protect sensitive areas and water.
Intermediate level
At the intermediate level you must do the actions in the introductory level, plus the following actions, to be paid £55 per hectare (previous payment rate £53 per hectare).
1. Add or retain a mix of legumes, herbs and grasses
This action builds on the introductory level by increasing the area to a minimum of 10% of land entered into the standard.
Aim
There’ll be a sward with a mixture of grasses, legumes, herbs and wildflowers, as described in the guidance, to provide varied root structures to improve and maintain soil structure, soil carbon, soil biology and soil fertility. This area will vary for each ambition level.
Action
Increase or maintain the diversity of improved grass swards by adding or retaining a mixture of legumes, herbs and grasses with varied root structures.
Do this on at least 10% of improved grassland entered into the standard.
Do not do this on parcels with historic or archaeological features.
Supporting evidence
You may want to keep supporting evidence for this action. This is in case actions you have undertaken and aims or outcomes achieved are not clear from remote monitoring or at site visits.
Information on adding or retaining a mix of legumes, herbs and grasses
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to:
2. Maintain permanent grassland on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff
This action builds on the introductory level by increasing the area to a minimum of 10% of land entered into the standard.
Aim
To maintain soil carbon, support biological activity and reduce erosion, maintain permanent grassland on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment. Where you are re-seeding, do this by direct drilling or over-sowing only. The area will vary according to ambition level.
Action
Maintain permanent grassland and, where you are re-seeding, do this by direct drilling or over-sowing only.
Do this on at least 10% of improved permanent grassland entered into the standard. Target land at risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment.
Information on maintaining permanent grassland
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to use min-till or no-till farming.
3. Manage livestock density on grassland at risk of erosion or surface runoff
This action builds on the introductory level by increasing the area to a minimum of 10% of land entered into the standard.
Aim
To minimise poaching, soil compaction, bare ground and runoff, livestock will be removed or livestock densities reduced when the soils are wet on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff. The area will vary according to ambition level.
Action
Reduce livestock density or remove livestock when soils are wet. Do this on at least 10% of improved grassland entered into the standard. Target land at risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment.
Information on managing livestock density
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to reduce livestock numbers to protect sensitive areas and water.
Advanced level
For the advanced level you must do all of the actions listed in the intermediate level, plus the following actions, to be paid £84 per hectare.
1. Add or retain a mix of legumes, herbs and grasses
This action builds on the introductory level by increasing the area to a minimum of 15% of land entered into the standard.
Aim
There will be a sward with a mixture of grasses, legumes, herbs and wildflowers, as described in the guidance, to provide varied root structures to improve and maintain soil structure, soil carbon, soil biology and soil fertility. This area will vary for each ambition level.
Action
Increase or maintain the diversity of improved grass swards by adding or retaining a mixture of legumes, herbs and grasses with varied root structures.
Do this on at least 15% of improved grassland entered into the standard.
Do not do this on parcels with historic or archaeological features.
Supporting evidence
You may want to keep supporting evidence for this action. This is in case actions you have undertaken and aims or outcomes achieved are not clear from remote monitoring or at site visits.
Information on adding or retaining a mix of legumes, herbs and grasses
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to:
2. Maintain permanent grassland on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff
This action builds on the introductory level by increasing the area to a minimum of 15% of land entered into the standard.
Aim
To maintain soil carbon, support biological activity and reduce erosion, maintain permanent grassland on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment. Where you are re-seeding, do this by direct drilling or over-sowing only. The area will vary according to ambition level.
Action
Maintain permanent grassland and, where you are re-seeding, do this by direct drilling or over-sowing only.
Do this on at least 15% of improved permanent grassland entered into the standard. Target land at risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment.
Information on maintaining permanent grassland
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to use min-till or no-till farming.
3. Manage livestock density on grassland at risk of erosion or surface runoff
This action builds on the introductory level by increasing the area to a minimum of 15% of land entered into the standard.
Aim
To minimise poaching, soil compaction, bare ground and runoff, livestock will be removed or livestock densities reduced when the soils are wet on land at risk of erosion or surface runoff. The area will vary according to ambition level.
Action
Reduce livestock density or remove livestock when soils are wet. Do this on at least 15% of improved grassland entered into the standard. Target land at risk of erosion or surface runoff identified in the soil assessment.
Information on managing livestock density
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to reduce livestock numbers to protect sensitive areas and water.
4. Create a soil management plan
Aim
A full detailed soil management plan will be completed for the land entered into the standard. The plan will take account of soil biology, soil chemistry, soil organic matter, soil hydrology and soil structure, in addition to the soil risk assessment, and will be used to target and prioritise soil management interventions.
Action
Produce a soil management plan in the first year of your agreement to identify and action priorities to improve soil structure, soil carbon storage and soil biology and avoid and alleviate soil compaction.
This should build on the soil assessments and include soil respiration or microorganism assessments.
You must review the plan every 2 years.
Required documents
You must keep your soil management plan for us to monitor. You do not need to send this to us unless we ask for it.
Information on creating a soil management plan
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to create and use a soil management plan.
Further advice and information
For further advice on doing the actions in this standard read the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot: summary of advice.
Read more about how this standard will meet the environmental outcomes and benefits of the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot.
Funding for capital items
As a Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot participant, you can apply for funding to support your standards.
Capital items which may support the aims of this standard:
You can apply for these through Countryside Stewardship (CS) capital grants in the Rural Payments service. This is subject to the items being used as described in the ‘Where to use this item’ section for each item. To check where items can be used and the records you must supply you can use the CS Grants Finder.
If you’re successful you’ll be offered a separate Countryside Stewardship capital grant agreement. To be eligible for this funding you must not start capital items work (or order materials) until your Countryside Stewardship capital grants agreement starts.
You may also be able to get funding from other programmes for the following capital items:
- use of low ground pressure tyres
- reducing weight of field machinery
- use of direct drilling into crop stubble or cover crops
- use of minimum-tillage or no-tillage cultivation
- use of controlled traffic farming (Tier 1)
Monitoring and support
The Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot will use a new model for monitoring agreements. It will focus on outcomes and improvement instead of penalties.
Once your agreement has started, we’ll use various techniques to see whether you’re achieving the aims of the standards.
Read more about:
Additional standards you can apply to this land
The land parcels you use for this standard can also be used for the:
If you apply more than one standard to the same land, you must complete the actions for each separately.
Hedgerows buffer zone requirements take priority over any conflicting requirements.
Further information
See all the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot guidance.
