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Know How / Payments, schemes and grants

Support payments are a vital income stream for almost every farm business – whether they are delivered through the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) or one of a range of agri-environment schemes.

This page offers the latest news on the main schemes operating across each of the devolved regions and also highlights other opportunities for farmers to access grant funds.

Key areas of focus:

  • Basic Payment Scheme developments
  • Agri-environment grant schemes
  • Grants to support equipment purchases
  • Rural development grant funding
  • Bursaries and scholarships

Case studies

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DAIRY

Grant brings 'excellent' improvements to youngstock handling

For his youngstock, spring block-calver Rupert Major installed an “excellent” curved handling facility instead of an “average” one to meet the requirements for Defra funding two years ago. Farmers Weekly…

ARABLE

Arable Insights farmers weigh up a future without subsidy

This month, our Arable Insights farmers are considering all the options as they ponder the future of farming. With government support for both food production and nature recovery paused in…

CROP MANAGEMENT

Why one Essex arable farm faces difficult decisions in 2025

Essex farmer Tom Streeter admits that he and his brother Will have some difficult decisions to make about the future of the family farming business, having looked at the details…

ARABLE

How SFI actions closely align with Herefordshire mixed farm

Chris Greenaway, farm manager at Garnstone Farms in Herefordshire is advising farmers to make the most of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), given the accelerated reduction in Basic Payment Scheme…

ARABLE

What the Budget means for new Arable Insights farmer panel

As farmers head to Westminster to protest at Budget measures affecting their businesses, including the unwelcome changes to inheritance tax, we look at the practical implications of the new regime…

ARABLE

No-till provides zero cost way into support scheme

Kent grower Richard Day is set to use his adoption of direct drilling and precision fertiliser techniques under new environment schemes to gain more than 40% of his old direct…

Practical advice

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PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

R&D tax relief - how to avoid the common pitfalls

Farming businesses set up as limited companies have been strongly encouraged over the past decade to claim research and development (R&D) tax relief, but the bar to qualify has now…

GRANTS

Grant funding for farm kit and research - how it works

Grants open next week for equipment, technology and small infrastructure to boost productivity, improve slurry management and enhance animal health and welfare.  The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) will…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Supply chain funding: What's on offer for regen farming

While both private and public funding have been available, the recent pausing of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and capital grants by the government is putting the onus on supply…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Advice on preparing early for new grant funding applications

A new round of standalone Countryside Stewardship (CS) Capital Grants 2025-26 will open this summer worth £45m and funding a significant proportion of the cost of a wide range of…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

A guide to staying SFI compliant

Unlike more rigid support schemes of the past, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) is all about giving farmers greater flexibility to make actions work for their farm, while simultaneously delivering…

ARABLE

Tips on achieving healthy hedgerows on farm

Hedges are a defining feature of our countryside and one of the best habitats for wildlife on any farm.  Far more than being a boundary, they also support farm business…

BPS calculator

BPS online calculator

Direct Payments in England will be phased out from 2021 to 2027 and details of the percentage reductions have now been released by Defra. Download this calculator, provided by Albert Goodman, to see how this affects you.

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Insights

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ARABLE

Getting the most from on-farm ponds for wildlife

Often one of the most neglected on-farm habitats, ponds can really have an impact on wildlife considering the small area they occupy. Providing they remain unpolluted, ponds are refuges for…

BEEF

Integrated beef schemes: What’s available and how they work

Dairy beef made up 37% of GB prime cattle slaughter, up from 28% in 2019, and integrated beef schemes between dairy farmers, beef producers and retailers/processors are on the increase.…

ELM

Sustainable Farming Incentive: Where next for farmers?

The sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to new applications has left the farming industry in England wondering what the future holds for agri-environment schemes. Defra’s decision, which…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

NI Sustainable Agriculture Programme – all you need to know

Farmers in all four UK countries are under pressure from their respective governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but livestock producers in Northern Ireland (NI) are perhaps shouldering the greatest…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Short window left for Welsh and NI entitlement trades

Farmers in Northern Ireland (NI) and Wales have just over a month to transfer any entitlements ahead of the 15 May deadline. The entitlements market in NI is expected to…

GRANTS

Rural England Prosperity Fund for diversifications extended

The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) has been extended for another year, with £33m available to fund projects which will improve local infrastructure or support businesses in rural areas looking…

GRANTS

Grants available for farms in England's protected landscapes

Many farmers and landowners in England do not realise the wide variety of projects that can be funded by the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) programme. As well as preserving…

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES

Farmers share how bombshell SFI closure will affect them

Defra’s abrupt closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) for new applicants has rightfully left farmers across England feeling frustrated and betrayed. Why did the Labour party decide to close…

ARABLE

How to get arable land ditches working for wildlife

There are 500,000km of ditches in the British countryside, reaching almost every corner of the land. Found in most parts of the lowlands and surprisingly far up in the hills,…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme: All you need to know

A year later than expected, the stage is now set for a 2026 launch of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in Wales. Beset by delays and a not insubstantial measure…

CROP MANAGEMENT

How low-input spring cereals SFI action may fit this spring

Low-input harvested spring cereal crops supported by the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) action AHW10 could be a good option for growers in 2025, given the payment rate of £354/ha. Use…

PAYMENTS, SCHEMES AND GRANTS

Outlook 2025: Farm policy and support in England and regions

Across the regions, all eyes will be on farm support being offered in existing and new schemes. In 2025 Wales and Scotland will continue to receive BPS with England seeing…