In this blog post, Senus Business Development and Partnerships Manager (UK) Imogen Turner, explores how different types of technology and digital tools can be used to meet the incoming SFS requirements in Wales. 

What is SFS and when does it start?

The incoming SFS (Sustainable Farming Scheme) launches on the 1st of January, 2026. Replacing the BPS (Basic Payment Scheme), which will now reduce each year until the final claim in 2028, the SFS is designed to reward sustainable practices across farms whilst also supporting rural businesses. 

Rural Payments Wales (RPW) will administer the scheme, and will amend or enhance processes as required as the scheme develops. Natural Resources Wales will work alongside RPW where scheme requirements require specific technical input or validation. In addition to this, the redesigned Farming Connect programme will support the delivery of the scheme.

There are 3 layers to the SFS scheme:

1. Universal Actions (UAs): Every participating farm needs to meet a set of UAs to receive the base payment. These UAs will depend on the type of farm you have, so not every UA may be relevant to your farm. 
2. Optional Actions: Farmers can choose more complicated environmental actions for access to additional payments. 
3. Collaboration Actions: These are for coordinated landscape-scale projects across multiple farms/holdings. 
   
   

The scheme requirements also include a Universal Code, which is a framework of non-regulatory requirements that has been designed to protect soils, trees, landscape features, and biodiversity. There are also 2 additional scheme requirements that are separate from the actions listed above. These are:

1. At least 10% of every participating farm must be habitat, either by managing existing habitat or creating new habitats. 
2. The establishment of a farm-level carbon baseline. 
   
   

Let’s dig deeper into the UAs…

What are the Universal Actions and how can technology be utilised to meet them?

There are 12 total UAs, and farmers are required to complete every UA that is relevant to their farm. 

1. UA: Soil health: Soil testing.
2. UA2: IPM: Assessment of pesticide use, alternatives, etc.
3. UA3: Benchmarking: Use of KPIs or benchmarking tool(s) to monitor business/environmental performance. 
4. UA4: Continuous Professional Development (CPD): Training/learning.
5. UA5: Habitat maintenance: Maintain existing semi-natural habitats. 
6. UA6: Temporary habitat creation: Create temporary habitat or improved land if needed to reach required 10%. 
7. UA7: Designated site management plan: For sites such as SSSIs, farmers will work with RPW and NRW. 
8. UA8: Hedgerow management plan: Hedgerows must be maintained in a way that supports biodiversity. 
9. UA9: Woodland maintenance: Maintenance of existing woodlands/trees. 
10. UA10: Tree and hedgerow planting opportunity plan: Produce a plan where new planting should occur. 
11. UA11: Historic environment: Manage cultural and/or historic features.
12. UA12: Animal health and welfare: Health, welfare, and biosecurity planning.
    
    

Each UA has detailed requirements which are specified in the Welsh Government Sustainable Farming Scheme 2026 Guidance Document. Multiple UAs require consistent monitoring and/or record keeping, such as test results, diaries, invoices and health plans. These have the potential to increase farmer’s administrative burden. Using the right digital tools can significantly lighten this burden. 

For example, UA1: Soil health, applies to any farm with agriculturally improved land that has received or may receive inputs (natural or artificial) and/or lime.

The requirements for UA1 are as follows:

• Soil testing on at least 20% of this improved land each year. This means that over 5 years, all relevant land will have been tested.
• A standard soil sampling procedure should be used.
• Testing for the following key parameters as a minimum: Potassium (K), Phosphorous (P), Magnesium (Mg), pH and Soil Organic Matter (SOM).
• Recording of soil tests on RPW online.
  
  

Here, technologies such as Senus Soil can be used to streamline the sampling process and maintain accurate results records. The Senus Soil app simplifies sample collection, allowing any soil parameters and sampling requirements (point or W) to be recorded. Each sample is GPS-tracked from field to lab analysis for full transparency and accountability. Once processed, test results are automatically uploaded to the platform. This makes it easy for farmers to record when and where their soil sampling occurred and a clear diary of their soil test results, ready to upload to RPW online or for inspector review. 

Another UA, UA5: Habitat Maintenance, can benefit from the use of the right technological tools. UA5 applies to any farm with semi-natural habitats on their land, as defined in the scheme. A broad range of habitat types are included, such as coastal saltmarsh, upland open habitats, wet grassland, hay meadows, permanent ponds, scrub, newly created habitats and more. 

The requirements for UA5 are as follows:

• All habitat areas on your holding need to be managed in line with the management requirements set out in Annex 5 of the scheme guidance. These requirements include “management requirements” (things you must or must not do) and management recommendations (best practice).
• There needs to be compliance with the general habitat rules stipulated in Annex 2 of the Universal Code to prevent damage to the habitat e.g. – avoid under/over grazing, compaction, use of agrochemicals on habitats, etc.
• Evidence and record-keeping for key actions and activities. An activity diary for each parcel of habitat needs to be maintained, including records of key actions e.g. – cutting, grazing, Stock movement changes. This diary needs to be maintained for 5 years so that it is available for inspections.
  
  

By using Senus Terrain to produce a habitat map, farmers can see a baseline of the habitat diversity and space for nature on-farm. This would allow farmers to see the % of their farm that is currently habitat, allowing them to identify whether temporary habitats (UA6) need to be created to meet the scheme minimum requirement of 10%. This data could also further inform plans for UA10 (Tree and Hedgerow Planting Opportunity Plan). From here, the Senus Terrain app can be used to record habitat condition; this is important as habitats only contribute to the 10% minimum if they are in ‘good condition’ e.g. – hedgerows. 

In Summary:

In conclusion, digital tools such as Senus Soil and Senus Terrain offer practical solutions to help farmers meet the requirements of the Sustainable Farming Scheme. By streamlining soil testing, habitat mapping, and record-keeping, these technologies reduce administrative burden while ensuring compliance with various UAs.