Following a busy summer of shows, including the Great Yorkshire Show, Ryedale Show, Aldborough & Boroughbridge Show and Nidderdale Show, it was great to catch up with so many clients and friends across the industry over the season. As we move into the autumn period, now is a good time to take a step back and look forward to the coming months.
Land Sales
The market for smaller parcels of land has remained active, and we are pleased to report a number of recent sales now agreed subject to contract. Two sales of 13.21 acres and 4.54 acres at Lower Dunsforth, 7.32 acres north of Marton-cum-Grafton and 8.05 acres on Haggs Road, Follifoot all generated exceptional demand, attracting interest from a variety of purchasers. We act for both sellers and buyers of farms, land and rural property, so whether you are considering bringing land to the market or looking to purchase, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
SFI 26
Window 1 of the new SFI opened on 30th June and closed on 28th August 2026, with the unspent Window 1 funds rolled over into Window 2.
Window 2, open to all eligible farmers with agreements expiring before 28/02/2027, opened on the morning of 22nd September at 10.00 and closed at 15:48 the same day, meaning it was open for less than six hours. The £253 million budget was made up of the £180 million originally allocated to the round, an additional £70 million announced as part of government support following drought and rising costs, and £3 million left unallocated from Window 1. Demand was immediate, and by 3pm it was confirmed that 75% of the budget had already been allocated. The window was closed as soon as enough applications had been received to use the full amount.
The speed of the closure has drawn strong criticism from across the industry, highlighting that the budget was insufficient for the level of demand. For those who were unable to secure an agreement, DEFRA has said eligible farmers and land managers will have another opportunity to apply for SFI in 2027.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund – Claims Now Open
Successful FETF 2026 applicants can now submit their claims, provided their business has accepted its Grant Funding Agreement (GFA). A separate claim is required for each GFA, and this can only be made once all the items within that agreement have been paid for and received.
The deadline for submitting FETF claims is midday on 20th January 2027. Given the volume of claims expected as the deadline approaches, we would recommend planning purchases and paperwork well in advance rather than leaving claims until the final weeks.
Capital Grants – 2026 Offer Now Closed
The 2026 Capital Grants scheme opened on 30th July and has now closed, having originally opened with a budget of £225 million. Demand was extremely high, with around 17,000 applications submitted nationally, and DEFRA confirmed on 1st September that the full budget had been allocated. Applications that were started but not submitted before the scheme closed will not be processed.
The RPA is continuing to assess applications and issue agreements, and this is expected to carry on throughout the remainder of the year. For those who are successful, it is important to note that items within a Capital Grants agreement must be claimed within 3 years of the agreement start date. Claims do not need to be made all in one go, items can be claimed in stages as works are completed and paid for, which can help spread both the workload and the cash flow involved in delivering the agreement.
Looking Ahead
A few further developments are worth keeping an eye on over the coming months:
- SFI 2027 – DEFRA plans to offer an SFI scheme in 2027 and will work with farming representative organisations and the wider sector to consider how the scheme can be refined before it opens. No dates or budget have yet been confirmed. Given how quickly Window 2 closed, anyone hoping to apply should be ready to submit on the day the window opens, with digital maps checked and suitable actions identified well in advance.
- Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) – applications are opening in September for those who have been invited to apply and have completed the required pre-application advice and preparatory work.
- Farmer Collaboration Fund – a new £30 million fund opened on 1st September to help farmers and land managers work together to share knowledge, reduce costs and build more resilient businesses.
Get in Touch
If you would like to discuss any of the above, including where you stand following the closure of SFI 26, what options may be available if your current agreement is coming to an end, preparing for SFI 2027, or making an FETF claim, please do not hesitate to contact us.
01423 860322
