Be inspection ready this winter: practical tips for farmers
December is the time farmers start thinking about inspections. Many search for “SFI evidence”, “scheme photos”, “field records” and “winter checks”. Winter offers a quiet window to organise parcels, gather baseline evidence and ensure records are complete before spring work begins. Below we answer the most common questions farmers are searching for and show how JustFarm simplifies the whole process.
What kinds of inspections might happen after winter?
Answer:
- Rural Payments Agency (RPA) site visits for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) or Countryside Stewardship (CS) actions. GOV.UK+2farmingadviceservice.org.uk+2
- Remote‑sensing or satellite inspections to check parcels, land use, declared features or land‑use compliance. NFU Online+1
- Environmental inspections by Environment Agency (EA) if there are compliance obligations around water protection, slurry/fertiliser storage or storage of potential pollutants. environmentagency.blog.gov.uk+2NFU Online+2
- Livestock, holding‑register or cross‑compliance audits, especially if you run cattle or other tagged animals or store fuel/chemicals, or manage slurry, pesticide, or other regulated items. GOV.UK+2GOV.UK+2
How JustFarm helps:
- Keeps all parcel boundaries, maps and land‑use records digital and up to date.
- Stores soil tests, photos, invoices and action logs linked to each parcel.
- Allows you to attach livestock or grazing records if needed for cross‑compliance or holding audits.
- Lets you export an organised, audit‑ready pack when inspection day comes.
What evidence will inspectors expect for SFI or CS actions?
Answer:
Inspectors commonly expect to see:
- Maps of land parcels and field boundaries, showing declared parcels match what is on the ground. GOV.UK+2NFU Online+2
- Records of management or action delivery — e.g. planting, buffer strips, habitat work, soil or water‑management actions. GOV.UK+1
- Invoices, receipts or bank statements for materials, seed, contractors or capital items used in actions. GOV.UK+2ruralpayments.blog.gov.uk+2
- Soil test results, lab reports or nutrient / slurry / fertiliser application records, when relevant to actions or environmental compliance. NFU Online+2environmentagency.blog.gov.uk+2
- Clear photographs of fields, boundaries, features or habitats, ideally dated, geo‑tagged, and linked to fields — especially when remote‑sensing is used or when physical verification is required. ruralpayments.blog.gov.uk+2NFU Online+2
How JustFarm helps:
- Maps your farm showing all actions.
- Stores all invoices, soil tests, lab reports and material receipts attached to the correct parcel.
- Lets you capture photos directly with GPS and timestamp, linked to the right action or parcel.
- Enables you to track capital items or habitat features over time and get reminders for maintenance or follow‑ups.
What if remote‑sensing flags an issue?
Answer:
If satellite imagery cannot verify land use, boundaries or declared features — for example due to tree cover, shadows or seasonal change — the inspector or RPA may request additional ground‑evidence. Acceptable evidence often includes annotated maps, geo‑tagged photos, crop or use records, soil or seed receipts, or professional surveys. NFU Online+2ruralpayments.blog.gov.uk+2
How JustFarm helps:
- Lets you store annotated maps, photos and all relevant documents linked to specific parcels.
- Provides a chronological history of land‑use, boundaries or feature changes.
- Lets you export all linked evidence in a structured, inspector‑ready pack — making any dispute easier to manage.
What paperwork should I have ready before inspection?
Answer:
You should have the following ready and organised:
- Parcel maps and boundary records. GOV.UK+1
- Land‑use history and field‑operation logs (for cropping, grazing, habitat works, water‑management, etc.) GOV.UK+1
- Soil‑test results, lab reports or nutrient / slurry / fertiliser application records, if required. NFU Online+1
- Invoices or receipts for seed, materials, contractors, capital items or habitat works. GOV.UK+1
- If applicable, livestock registers, passports, or grazing/stocking records. GOV.UK+1
- Environmental management plans, slurry‑store records or risk‑maps if subject to water‑quality or pollution regulation. NFU Online+1
How JustFarm helps:
- Stores all evidence digitally, organised by parcel, action or enterprise.
- Lets you attach photos, receipts, soil tests, livestock records or environmental documents to each parcel.
- Exports clean, inspector approved reports quickly — no rummaging through multiple paper files or emails.
Why winter is a good time to get inspection‑ready
Answer:
- Fields are often bare, boundaries visible and there is less crop or vegetation cover — making photos and mapping easier.
- There is often more admin time in winter to catch up on mapping, record‑keeping and evidence collection.
- Getting ready before spring rush avoids last‑minute scrambling and reduces risk of missing or disorganised evidence.
- Being prepared early means when inspections, remote‑sensing checks or unexpected visits come, you are ready.
How JustFarm helps:
- Lets you run a “winter sweep”: map parcels, capture photos, upload documents or lab results, and build a full baseline record for the farm.
- Lets you set reminders for follow‑ups, e.g. spring re‑checks, establishment photos or additional records.
- Provides a dashboard that shows what’s complete and what still needs attention — giving you a clear picture well before planting or busy season.
Winter is the ideal time to get inspection ready. Map parcels, capture photos, upload invoices and test results now — and you’ll be fully prepared for SFI, CS or regulatory inspections whenever they come. JustFarm keeps all evidence organised, export‑ready and easy to manage — giving you confidence and saving time.