SFI 2026 Seed Mixtures: Planting Options for Farmers and Land Managers
With the controversial allocation of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2026 action now complete, those lucky enough to successfully secure funding are reviewing their options for the coming season. Understanding the latest actions and choosing suitable seed mixtures will be an important consideration for many.
At Bright Seeds, we supply a wide range of SFI 2026 compliant seed mixtures designed to help farmers and land managers meet the requirements of relevant SFI actions while delivering practical benefits for the farm.
Our SFI 2026 seed mixtures can support a range of objectives, including food production, biodiversity, habitat creation, pollinator resources and sustainable farm productivity. By implementing the right mixture for each area of land, farmers can combine environmental management with productive and practical land-use objectives.
What has changed in the SFI 2026 actions?
The SFI 2026 offer includes changes from the previous 2024 scheme, with revised actions, requirements and opportunities for farmers and land managers. Some of the key action changes include:
- Reduction in actions, 2026 sees 71 actions compared to the previous 102
- An annual agreement value limited at £100,000 per year for 2026 agreements
- Each farm business can have only one SFI26 agreement
- Only farms with at least 3 hectares of agricultural land are eligible to apply for an SFI26 agreement
- 5-year actions are no longer applied – instead almost all actions last for 3 years, except some organic conversion actions
- Supplemental actions can only be applied for if a supporting base action is selected in the same SFI26 application
You should always check the latest GOV.UK SFI26 scheme rules and guidance before entering an action, as eligibility, requirements and payment rates are subject to the official scheme rules.
What SFI actions can Bright Seeds offer?
Bright Seeds supplies a comprehensive range of seed mixtures suitable for farmers and land managers undertaking relevant SFI26 actions, including pollen and nectar habitats, winter bird food, flower-rich margins, buffer strips, legume fallow and herbal leys.
SFI 2026 Seed Mixtures by Bright Seeds
SFI actions for buffer strips
| CAHL4 | 4m to 12m grass buffer strip on arable and horticultural land | £515 per hectare |
SFI actions for farmland wildlife on arable and horticultural land
| CAHL1 | Pollen and nectar flower mix | £739 per hectare |
| CAHL2 | Winter bird food on arable and horticultural land | £648 per hectare |
| CAHL3 | Grassy field corners or blocks | £590 per hectare |
| AHW2 | Supplementary winter bird food | £732 per tonne |
| AHW3 | Beetle banks | £764 per hectare |
SFI actions for integrated pest management
| CIPM2 | Flower-rich grass margins, blocks or in-field strips | £798 per hectare |
SFI actions for nutrient management
| CNUM3 | Legume fallow | £532 per hectare |
SFI actions for soil health
| CSAM2 | Multi-species winter cover crop | £129 per hectare |
| CSAM3 | Herbal leys | £224 per hectare |
Official source: SFI26 scheme rules and guidance, GOV.UK, Annex A. SFI26: scheme rules and guidance – GOV.UK
Can Bright Seeds help me choose SFI 2026 Seed Mixtures?
Bright Seeds offers a wide range of seed mixtures designed for relevant SFI26 actions, and our team can help farmers and land managers identify a suitable mixture based on the action they are undertaking, the land available and their wider farming objectives.
The first step is to identify your SFI26 action code, as each action has specific requirements covering factors such as seed mixture composition, establishment, management and where the action can be carried out. The official SFI26 guidance sets out the mandatory requirements for each action, so these should always be checked before selecting and sowing a mixture.
CAHL2 | Expert Advice Section with Ben Dolbear
At Bright Seeds we offer a wide range of winter bird food mixtures suitable for the CAHL2 action. With a variety of seed combinations available, selecting the right mixture can
CAHL2 | AB9 Grass Buster
depend on your land, soil type, establishment conditions and the objectives you want to achieve. Whether you’re supporting farmland birds, providing winter food and cover, improving biodiversity or selecting a mixture suited to your particular site, we can help you explore the available options and identify a mixture suitable for you.
Not sure which CAHL2 mixture is right for you? Contact the Bright Seeds team for advice on selecting the most suitable option for your land and requirements.
Planning your SFI26 seed requirements
Choosing the right seed mixture is an important part of planning your SFI26 actions. While the payment available for an action is an important consideration, the most suitable mixture will also depend on your land, soil type, establishment conditions, farming system and the environmental objectives you want to achieve.
With a wide range of mixtures available across relevant SFI26 actions, Bright Seeds can help you explore the options available and identify a mixture suited to your individual requirements.
Explore our SFI 2026 seed mixtures
SFI26 information and guidance
Source note: All SFI26 action descriptions, requirements and payment rates referenced in this article have been sourced from the official SFI26 scheme rules and guidance – GOV.UK, including Annex A.
SFI26 rules and payment rates can change, so farmers and land managers should always check the latest official GOV.UK guidance before entering an action or purchasing seed.
Last reviewed: September 2026