Variable rate application of nutrients (updated for SFI26)

What you must do

You must apply all major nutrients across the land entered into this action using Variable Rate Application (VRA) equipment. The VRA equipment must be either: pre-programmed with a ‘variable rate file’ using data from zonal soil or crop testing and analysis or remote sensing linked to a tractor or sprayer mounted crop reflectance sensor You must make sure the VRA equipment automatically varies the application rate of the major nutrients in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim. The only exception to this is if you apply an initial ‘wake up’ application of nitrogen to arable crops in late winter or early spring. In this case, you can: use equipment that is not VRA equipment apply the nitrogen at a ‘flat rate’ for the initial ‘wake up’ application only For the purposes of this action, major nutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg), as relevant, contained in: manufactured fertilisers – solid or liquid solid manures – such as farmyard manure, poultry litter, sewage sludge or biosolids slurry or digestate, including separated liquid You do not need to use VRA equipment to apply: micro-nutrients, such as boron or sulphur lime, because is not a nutrient – it helps to increase the availability of major nutrients and controls soil acidity (pH) ‘Zonal’ soil testing means you divide land parcels into soil management zones and take soil samples within each zone. The data from zonal soil testing and analysis must cover a minimum of P, K, Mg and pH. You can use existing zonal soil testing analysis if it: meets this action’s requirements is less than 5 years old

When to do it

You must do this action from its start date, throughout each year of its 3-year duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as: invoices for zonal soil testing and analysis the ‘variable rate file’ uploaded to the VRA equipment an ‘as applied’ VRA record at a land parcel level initial flat rate N application records showing the product, the rate and date of application (if relevant) field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices contractor’s invoice if you use a contractor to do this action If it’s not clear that you’ve done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.

SFI26 actions v2.0, updated 7 July 2026 — verified 1 Aug 2026. Open official guidance