Last Updated on March 30, 2026 by Sophie Wilesmith
While the individual guidance for SFI 2026 has not been officially released, based on what we do know, options for Miscanthus growers have been reduced. Previously available actions have been removed, including SAM1, NUM1, IPM1, as well as the management payment and hedge options such as HRW1 and HRW3.
In addition, the CIPM4 ‘No use of insecticide on arable crops and permanent crops’ now states it applies only to “permanent crops – horticultural and non-horticultural (not Miscanthus)”.
As it stands, the only applicable option for Miscanthus within SFI 2026, as long as it is mapped as a permanent crop, is CIPM2 – ‘flower-rich grass margins or in-field strips,’ amounting to £45/ha/year, significantly limiting growers’ ability to access broader scheme support.
This comes alongside wider scheme changes, including a £100,000 cap per business and restrictions on some actions to a maximum of 25% of the farmed area. The scheme will open in two stages, with applications from June 2026 for smaller farms (3–50ha) and those without existing agreements, followed by a full rollout in September.
At a time when government support is being reduced, this further highlights the need for profitable, resilient cropping options. While it is disappointing that Miscanthus does not attract direct payment, it remains well-suited to low-input systems, standing up outside of subsidy and offering a stable, long-term income stream for farmers navigating a more limited and uncertain support landscape.
