Variable rate application of nutrients

Where it applies

Arable, Horticultural, Temporary grassland, Improved grassland, Permanent grassland, Permanent crops

Eligibility conditions

• Below the moorland line
• Improved permanent grassland only (low-input and unimproved are not eligible)
• Land receiving a major nutrient at typically above 100kg N, 40kg P or 40kg K per ha per year

What you'll do

Apply the major nutrients (N, P, K, Mg) with variable-rate equipment that adjusts the rate across the field from zonal soil testing or crop sensors, so you put nutrients only where they're needed (an initial flat-rate nitrogen 'wake-up' is allowed).

Evidence to keep

• Soil-testing invoices and the variable-rate application files
• 'As applied' VRA records at parcel level
• Field operation records, with contractor invoices

Combining with other actions

Actions that can be paid on the same area:

• SFI 2026: AGF1, AGF2, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW10, AHW11, CAHL2, CIGL2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM2, CSAM2, CSAM3, OFC1, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, PRF2, PRF4, SOH1, SOH3, WBD4, WBD6, WBD7
• SFI 2024: AGF1, AGF2, AHW1, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW10, AHW11, CAHL2, CIGL2, CIPM1, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CSAM1, CSAM2, CSAM3, OFA1, OFA6, OFC1, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8
• SFI 2023: AHL2, IGL2, IPM1, IPM3, IPM4, NUM1, NUM2, SAM1, SAM2, SAM3
• CS Higher Tier: CAB2, CAB5, CAB6, CAB7, CAB11, CAB14, CAB16, CAB17, CAGF1, CAGF2, CAGF3, CAGF4, CGS4, CHS3, CHS9, CPAC1, CSP13, CSP14, CSP15, CSP20, CSP21, CSP9, CSW7, CSW8, CSW13, CSW15, CSW16, CWS1, CWS3
• Countryside Stewardship: AB1, AB2, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, AB11, AB14, AB15, AB16, GS3, GS4, HS2, HS3, HS9, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT3, OT4, OT5, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW12, SW13