Carter Jonas is urging farmers and landowners to be prepared and alert to the imminent reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application window in June.

The national property consultancy says that businesses which fail to prepare now risk missing out on funding opportunities in what is likely to be a highly competitive environment.

Chris Turner, Partner at Carter Jonas, says farm businesses should already be reviewing their options ahead of the June opening for eligible smaller holdings, with broader access due later in the year.

"We currently await opening of the June round of Sustainable Farming Incentive, which will be available to farms under 50ha and where there is no other Environmental Land Management revenue agreement," says Chris.

"Defra has published the headline rates for the reduced number of options, but not as yet updated prescriptions, although they are likely to be generally very comparable."

Chris says strong demand is expected when the wider SFI 2026 offer opens in September, particularly against a backdrop of squeezed commodity prices and expiring stewardship agreements.

"SFI 2026 will be available to all other businesses in September of this year, with interest likely to be strong in light of commodity prices and numbers of existing agreements coming to a close," says Chris.

"All agreements will be subject to the overall cap of £100,000 per annum and area limits relating to the holding."

Carter Jonas warns that uncertainty around future schemes, coupled with tighter margins and pressure on public spending, means businesses cannot afford to take a passive approach.

"While the temptation to wait for a full picture is understandable, doing nothing is the last thing that landowners should consider," says Chris.

The firm is advising businesses to immediately review likely SFI and Countryside Stewardship options, model agreements against the £100,000 annual cap and prepare draft applications so they are ready to submit as soon as windows open.

Chris also warns farmers to ensure Rural Payments Agency data is fully up to date before demand increases.

"Update land use, boundaries, and holding links on the RPA portal now," says Chris.

"Rural Payments Service changes are quiet today, but they won't be once guidance drops."

Carter Jonas is also encouraging businesses to protect existing environmental features wherever possible, despite gaps between schemes and funding uncertainty.

"There may be no active agreement in place requiring features to be maintained after agreements end, and no BPS annual land-use return to evidence where features existed," says Chris.

"Where margins, corridors and other key features already exist, businesses should plan carefully before making changes."

The firm believes many farmers remain committed to environmental delivery despite frustrations around policy clarity and scheme administration.

"Farmers feel passionately about the environmental work they have done over the past 30 years and they want to carry it through," says Chris.

"Policy clarity may be slow, but farm businesses can't afford to be," says Chris.

"Get your plan on paper, fix your RPA data, and be poised to submit the day the window opens."