Low livestock grazing on moorland (updated for SFI26)

What you must do

You must make sure that the livestock density across the land entered into this action does not exceed 0.08 grazing livestock units (GLU) per ha at any time. Convert livestock numbers into GLU To convert livestock numbers into GLU, you must use the following values: Cattle over 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 1.0 GLU Cattle over 6 months to 2 years old at the start of an agreement year – 0.6 GLU Lowland ewe and lamb, ram – 0.12 GLU Store lamb, hill ewe and lamb or hogg or teg – 0.08 GLU Goat – 0.12 GLU Pony or donkey – 0.8 GLU Horse – 1.0 GLU Lambs at foot do not have a separate GLU allocation. They are included in the figures shown for ‘ewe and lamb’. Read the ‘advice to help you do this action’ to find out how to calculate the livestock density. You must not carry out supplementary feeding of livestock on land entered into this action, except with mineral licks. Supplementary feeding in extreme weather conditions You can carry out supplementary feeding of livestock in extreme weather conditions (defined as 2 or more consecutive days of deep snow or hard frost). In this case, you can feed hay or haylage, but only for the purpose of animal welfare. If you do this, you must: move the feeding sites around the land entered into this action to minimise damage to the soil and vegetation avoid transferring undesirable species which are in the hay or haylage, such as docks or rosebay willowherb You must not: feed livestock on or next to historic and archaeological features, steep slopes or footpaths use troughs or feeders You may need to reduce or remove livestock from the area to avoid damage to the soil and vegetation if you need to feed regularly during extreme weather. Produce a written stocking calendar At the start of each year of this action’s duration, you must produce a written stocking calendar for each land parcel entered into this action. This can be a paper-based or electronic record. The stocking calendar must show how you plan to meet this action’s requirements. It must include: land parcel reference number and hectarage dates you plan to graze the land parcel during each calendar month monthly numbers of livestock which will graze the land parcel, including their type and age bracket If you manage several adjacent land parcels as one grazing unit, you can keep one stocking calendar for that grazing unit. You must include all the land parcel reference numbers which comprise that grazing unit. If something happens which means you cannot complete this action, you must tell the RPA about this in writing as soon as possible. For example, if there are fodder supply issues, so you need to increase the stocking level. Read section 12.2 ‘What to do if you cannot comply with your agreement’ in the SFI26 scheme information to find out how to do this.

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 the required written stocking calendar and supply this evidence if we ask for it. It can be recorded on paper or electronically.

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