A new online SFI cost-benefit tool for farmers has been launched by AHDB.

The tool has been created to help farmers better understand how SFI actions could impact their individual businesses and support more informed decision-making. This is the latest in a series of resources developed by AHDB to help farmers navigate the evolving SFI landscape, building on previous work that’s supported industry understanding of scheme opportunities.  


Net financial benefit

Developed with farmers, it goes beyond headline payment rates by factoring in the costs of implementing specific SFI actions. This enables users to estimate not only the income they might receive, but also the likely net financial benefit once costs are considered. 

Building on previous AHDB analysis, which used representative ‘model farms’ to illustrate potential impacts, the new tool allows farmers to input information relevant to their own businesses, providing a more accurate, tailored and practical assessment of options. 

By translating SFI actions into important business metrics such as income, costs and net financial benefit, the tool helps users to: 

  • Identify which SFI actions are financially worthwhile 
  • Understand where on the farm those actions make the most sense 
  • Assess the opportunity cost of taking land out of production 
  • Explore how different actions work together when combined (Stacking) 


Improved clarity

Dr Amandeep Kaur Purewal, AHDB senior economist, says the aim is to help provide more clarity and to ensure farmers are better prepared to assess options and maximise the value of the scheme within their own businesses. 

“We’ve enabled farmers to factor in the costs of implementing specific actions as part of the SFI. This will provide a more comprehensive and realistic picture of what the benefit – or not – of any action taken will be and enable levy payers to make more informed business decisions. 

“The tool has been tested with farmers and wider industry representatives to ensure it meets real-world needs and supports practical decision-making at farm level. 

“By focusing on both income and costs, it means moving beyond simply asking ‘What could I be paid?’ to understanding ‘What will this mean for my bottom line?’. It should be an invaluable resource for farmers as part of their preparations for the next phase of SFI, helping them to choose the right actions for their businesses, land and long-term goals.” 

Official launch

The tool’s launch comes ahead of key SFI 2026 application windows, with the first expected to open at the end of June 2026 for smaller farms (3-50ha) and those without other live Environmental Land Management (ELM) funding agreements, followed by a second window in September 2026 open to all farms. 

The SFI planning tool can be found here: https://tools.ahdb.org.uk/SFICalculator