Sustainable Farming Scheme: key messages (June 2026)
26 Jun 2026 10:54 AM
Progressing your Universal Actions throughout the year.
Progress towards completing your Universal Actions
We are now halfway through 2026, and if you have applied to enter the Universal Layer of the SFS, you need to make sure you are progressing all the Universal Actions (UAs) which are applicable to you by the end of the year.
There is still plenty of time to complete your UAs, and we encourage you to integrate them into your annual management practices where they can provide the most benefit to you. However, there are some seasonal actions you need to be aware of if applicable.
Under UA5 Habitat maintenance you should be aware of the required summer sward conditions, and especially hay cutting dates. If you need to create new temporary habitats under UA6 Temporary habitat creation on improved land to meet the scheme requirement for 10% habitat on your farm, most of the applicable habitat types should be established by now. Please see UA6 temporary habitat on improved land: quick guide for the range of habitat types you may still be able to establish this season.
SFS Universal Dashboard
The SFS Universal Dashboard is now available via your RPW Online account. The Dashboard is designed to help you identify which UAs are applicable to your farm business, and to help you update and track your progress in meeting each of them during the year.
The Dashboard will be updated later in the year to automatically receive confirmation of any Benchmarking (appliable to UA3 Benchmarking) or learning (applicable to UA4 Continuous Professional Development - CPD) completed through Farming Connect.
A [How to Complete] guide is available, and we will also issue messages via RPW Online as the Dashboard is developed further.
We encourage you to check your Dashboard regularly to ensure you are on track to complete all UAs on time.
New Tree and Hedgerow Planting Opportunity Plan now available
The new plan will soon be available on RPW Online. It is designed to help you meet UA10 Tree and Hedgerow Planting Opportunity Plan and is applicable to all farm businesses who have entered the SFS Universal Layer.
There are many ways that trees can work for your farm; strengthening your hedgerows, planting in field corners, or creating woodlands – trees can provide shade and shelter, enhance landscapes, and create a long-term source of income.
The new plan is designed to help you take a whole-farm view and identify where trees and hedgerows could work best for you. The plan you create is indicative – you won’t be expected to plant in every location you include on the map if you later decide the location is unsuitable or other sensitivities prevent the planting going ahead.
You’ll need to complete your plan by the end of the year.
A [How to Complete] guide will be available, and support will be available through SFS Optional Actions to plant your new the trees and hedgerows.
Government Gateway closure – access to RPW Online and Farming Connect
You have a few days left until 30 June before the Government Gateway service is switched off. From 1 July 2026 onwards, access to RPW Online and Farming Connect is only available through GOV.UK One Login.
SFS delivery and administration is dependent on GOV.UK One Login. If you have not migrated your RPW Online account before 1 July, you should contact the RPW Customer Contact Centre for assistance.
You must register with Farming Connect to access FARMDATA+ to help with UA3 Benchmarking, or the Skills Hub to help with UA4 Continuous Professional Development – CPD. For more information on how Farming Connect can help with other SFS Universal Actions or to access support, contact the Service Centre on 03456 000813 or visit the website.