UPL5: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 70% GLU) (updated for SFI26)

This is a Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 ( SFI26 ) supplemental action. Read the SFI26 scheme information to understand what you’re required to do under an SFI26 agreement and how to apply.

Select ‘See all updates’ at the start of this page to find out how this supplemental action has changed for SFI26 compared with SFI24 .

For SFI24 actions, read the  SFI24 agreement holder’s information .

Duration

3 years

How much you’ll be paid

£18 per hectare ( ha ) per year

Action’s aim

This supplemental action’s aim is that at least 70% of the grazing livestock units ( GLU ) on moorland are cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.

The purpose of this is to:

create a more varied sward structure

control scrub, bracken and coarse vegetation

increase wildlife diversity

Where you can do this action

You can only do this supplemental action on eligible land entered into one of the following base actions:

UPL1: Moderate livestock grazing on moorland

UPL2: Low livestock grazing on moorland

UPL3: Limited livestock grazing on moorland

You can only apply for this supplemental action in the same SFI26 application as your selected base action.

If you apply for this supplemental action, you cannot apply for UPL6: Keep cattle and ponies on moorland supplement (minimum 100% GLU ) on the same area.

Eligibility of protected land

Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs): Same as your selected base action.

Historic and archaeological features: Same as your selected base action.

Available area you can enter into this action

Same area as your selected base action.

Rotational or static action

Same as your selected base action.

What to do

At least 70% of the GLU on land entered into UPL1, UPL2 or UPL3 must be cattle or ponies, or a combination of both.

You must include the following information in the written stocking calendar required for UPL1, UPL2 and UPL3:

dates you plan to graze the land parcel with cattle, ponies or both during each calendar month

monthly numbers of cattle, ponies or both, including the age bracket for cattle

When to do it

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

How to do it

It’s up to you how you do this action, as long as you:

follow this action’s requirements – these are identified by a ‘must’

do the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim

You may find it helpful to read the ‘advice to help you do this action’, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

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.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Scheme Action or option codes

SFI 2026 actions Same as your selected SFI26 base action

SFI 2024 actions Same as your selected SFI26 base action

SFI 2023 actions Same as your selected SFI26 base action

CSHT actions from 2025 Same as your selected SFI26 base action

CS options Same as your selected SFI26 base action

ES options Same as your selected SFI26 base action

If an action or option cannot be located on the same area, you may be able to do it on a different area in the same land parcel. Read section 5.6 ‘Land that’s already in other funding schemes or grants’ in the SFI26 scheme information for more details.

Other supplemental actions you can apply for with this supplemental action

You can apply for supplemental action SPM5: Keep native breeds on extensively managed habitats supplement (more than 80%) on the same area as this supplemental action. You can only do this in the same SFI26 application.

Advice to help you do this action

The following advice may help you to do this action, but it’s not part of this action’s requirements.

How to calculate the livestock percentage

Once you’ve converted your livestock numbers into  GLU  using the values shown under ‘What to do’, you can use the  livestock grazing on moorland calculator  to calculate the percentage of total  GLU  entered into your selected base action.

The  GLU  percentage is an annual average.

Grazing moorland with cattle and ponies

Before you graze with cattle or ponies, or a combination of both, it’s advisable to assess your moorland so you can manage grazing in a way that helps to:

maintain, enhance or restore habitats

protect historic and archaeological features

Type of cattle

Cattle with low nutritional requirements (such as dry suckler cows) are best for sites with fibrous herbage.

Mature and placid cattle are best suited for sites where there are ground-nesting birds, as they reduce the risk of trampling.

Type of pony

Hardy native ponies and their cross-breeds are well suited to the harsh conditions on moorlands.

It’s important that ponies can exhibit their natural herd behaviours, preferably with a mixed age of animals.

All ponies need access to drier areas for rest. This is particularly important for pregnant mares and foals.

Grazing purple moor-grass with cattle and ponies

Grazing purple moor-grass with cattle or ponies, or a combination of both, during the spring and early summer (usually between around mid-May and mid-July) can reduce species dominance. This is because the grassland is growing quickly and is most palatable.

You can choose to graze more heavily during the spring and summer. This can help to improve vegetation structure on areas dominated by purple moor-grass.

Eligibility of protected land

Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs): Same as your selected base action.

Historic and archaeological features: Same as your selected base action.