Every farm in the Sustainable Farming Scheme Universal Layer in Wales works through these twelve actions. Which of them apply to you depends on your land and stock; the check above works that out. Most are due by 31 December 2026 and are confirmed on the SFS Universal Dashboard by 15 January 2027.

1. Soil health (UA1). Soil test a fifth of your improved fields and enter the results. Rules booklet J1, page 49
2. Integrated pest management (UA2). Record every spray and write an IPM plan. Rules booklet J2, page 53
3. Benchmarking (UA3). Benchmark the farm with FARMDATA+ or an approved tool. Rules booklet J3, page 56
4. Training (CPD) (UA4). Six hours of learning plus the health and safety module. Rules booklet J4, page 59
5. Habitat maintenance (UA5). Manage mapped habitat by its type and keep a diary of the work. Rules booklet J5, page 63
6. Temporary habitat creation (UA6). Create temporary habitat on improved land to reach 10%. Rules booklet J6, page 66
7. Designated site management plan (UA7). Agree a management plan for your designated site with NRW. Rules booklet J7, page 69
8. Hedgerow management (UA8). Do not cut the same hedge two years running; keep hedgerow trees. Rules booklet J8, page 73
9. Woodland maintenance (UA9). Look after existing woodland: deadwood, damage checks, open rides. Rules booklet J9, page 77
10. Tree and hedgerow planting opportunity plan (UA10). Plan where trees could go by 31 December 2026; plant at least 0.1 hectares by 31 March 2029. Rules booklet J10, page 83
11. Historic environment (UA11). Inspect historic features once a year and do not damage them. Rules booklet J11, page 90
12. Animal health and welfare (UA12). Health cycle and biosecurity with your vet, plus welfare scoring. Rules booklet J12, page 96

Plain answers to the questions farmers ask about these rules