SFI Nutrient Management: What You Need to Record (and What You Don’t)
If you’re working under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and opted into any of the nutrient management actions like CNUM1 (Assess nutrient management and produce a review report) or CNUM2 (Legumes on improved grassland), you’ve likely wondered:
What actually counts as “sufficient evidence”?
You're not alone. One of the most common sources of stress in SFI compliance is uncertainty, not just about what to do, but what proof you need to show you've done it. In this blog, we’ll break it down clearly and simply, and explain how JustFarm helps you get it right from day one.
Why Nutrient Management Matters
DEFRA’s push toward more sustainable practices means nutrient management is now front and centre in funding schemes. These actions aren’t just box-ticking exercises, they aim to reduce runoff, improve soil health, and make fertiliser use more efficient.
But like all compliance rules, the devil is in the detail. You’re required to assess your nutrient use, plan accordingly, and (crucially) record evidence that proves you’ve done both.
So, What Needs to Be Recorded?
Here’s a practical list of what’s typically expected under CNUM1 and related actions:
- A nutrient management plan for each relevant field (e.g. RB209 or PLANET-based)
- Soil test results (especially for P, K, pH and SOM if applicable)
- Dates and rates of fertiliser and manure applications
- Field maps showing where materials were applied
- Details of crop types, rotations, and estimated nutrient uptake
- Any mitigation actions (like buffer strips or reduced application rates in sensitive areas)
💡 JustFarm Tip: It’s not about writing everything down in a notebook. It’s about having a system that stores the right data, in the right format, and links it to the right field.
What You Don’t Need to Over-Record
One common trap we see: over-documenting everything “just in case.” This wastes time and clutters your records.
You do not need:
- Every daily operation logged to the minute
- Duplicated data across apps, spreadsheets, and paper files
- Complex software systems that don’t integrate with your farm workflows
What matters is clarity, traceability, and accessibility. And that’s where JustFarm comes in.
How JustFarm Makes Nutrient Compliance Simple
With JustFarm, recording nutrient management actions becomes second nature, because the system is designed around how real farms actually operate.
Here’s what you get:
- ✅ Pre-built templates for nutrient plans that align with DEFRA requirements
- ✅ A field-level compliance dashboard that tracks what’s done and what’s missing
- ✅ Mobile and desktop access to log fertiliser applications, upload test results, and add notes
- ✅ Audit-ready exports that you can send to inspectors with a click
- ✅ Alerts to keep you ahead of key reporting and application deadlines
No more guesswork. No more last-minute panic.
Final Word: Be Ready Without the Stress
You don’t need to be a compliance expert, you just need the right system. SFI nutrient actions are a fantastic way to unlock funding while improving long-term soil health, but only if you can prove what you’re doing.
JustFarm helps you do exactly that, without adding to your workload.
📍 Simplify SFI nutrient reporting and get your farm inspection-ready.