Farmers are being encouraged to carry out essential checks on their Rural Payments Agency (RPA) accounts ahead of the launch of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2026 scheme – including anyone looking to apply in September 2026. Rural consultancy Strutt & Parker expects the SFI26 budget to come under significant pressure when the scheme opens to all eligible applicants later this year, so submitting applications promptly could prove critical for farmers wishing to secure an agreement. “With SFI26 operating on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s important farmers don’t get held up by avoidable admin issues,” says Strutt & Parker farm…