Winter cover crops are one of the most practical actions under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). They not only improve soil health but also play a key role in reducing nutrient loss and enhancing biodiversity. But like every SFI action, the rules can feel like a moving target — and missing a detail could put payments at risk. This is exactly where JustFarm steps in to keep you compliant, organised, and audit-ready.
What are winter cover crops in SFI?
Under SAM2, farmers establish winter cover crops to protect soil during fallow periods. These crops help prevent erosion, reduce nutrient leaching, and support biodiversity over the colder months.
📲 With JustFarm, you don’t need to memorise DEFRA’s wording. Our dashboard shows the full SAM2 action in plain English, and our companion app lets you log your chosen cover crops instantly.
Which crops count as SAM2?
The SFI handbook allows a range of non-harvested crops that provide ground cover through winter. Options include rye, vetch, clover, phacelia, or mixes tailored to your soil and rotation.
🌱 Instead of worrying about whether your seed mix qualifies, JustFarm stores the details of your mix, linked to the correct field parcel. That way, if the RPA asks for evidence, you’ve already got it recorded.
When to sow and what are the environmental benefits?
Cover crops should be sown after harvest, typically late summer to early autumn, to provide maximum soil cover before winter. Benefits include:
- Reduced soil erosion and runoff
- Improved organic matter
- Better soil structure for spring planting
- Increased biodiversity and habitat for pollinators
🌾 JustFarm helps you plan sowing windows, upload before-and-after images, and track residue management — so you’re not flipping between notebooks and spreadsheets to prove compliance.
How do you evidence compliance for SAM2?
Evidence usually includes seed invoices, field maps, sowing dates, and photos of establishment and maintenance. These need to be retained and ready for inspections.
📸 With JustFarm, you can upload all these files and evidence into the right place from the start. Take a photo in the field, log the sow date, and attach invoices or maps directly to the action. The system then pulls it all together into an audit-ready report automatically, so you never need to chase missing paperwork at the last minute.
Why JustFarm is essential for SAM2 success
Winter cover crops deliver real environmental benefits, but the compliance load can feel heavy. With JustFarm, the burden of storing seed mixes, tracking sowing dates, and pulling together evidence disappears. Farmers and land agents gain peace of mind knowing every action is logged, timestamped, and inspection-ready.
✅ Take Action: Sign up for JustFarm today to make SAM2 and all your SFI actions audit-ready, and never worry about missing evidence or deadlines again.