With the SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) closed to new applicants since March 2025, and BPS (Basic Payment Scheme) now capped at just £600 for 2026 and 2027, relying on subsidy income is no longer a viable strategy for any farm business.
The question is simple: how do you maintain profitability and cashflow without direct support?
Why cashflow matters more than ever
Even profitable farms can hit cashflow problems. Rising input costs, delayed crop payments, machinery investment, seasonal labour and volatile commodity prices all put pressure on working capital.
Without regular forecasting, it’s difficult to plan major purchases, manage borrowing, or prepare for seasonal swings.
From bookkeeping to business planning
The most useful farm accounting software now goes beyond year-end accounts, helping you answer the questions that matter: Which enterprise delivers the strongest margin? What happens if wheat prices fall by 10%? How will reduced support affect cashflow over the next three years?
How Landmark Systems can help
Landmark’s specialist farm accounting solutions, KEYPrime and KEYinfinity, are built specifically for the complexities of rural businesses – not adapted from generic packages. They give you:
- Enterprise analysis – understand profitability across arable, livestock, property and diversification, so you can see what’s working and what isn’t.
- Real-time cashflow visibility – monitor your financial position, budget performance, and outstanding debtors and creditors as they happen, not just at year-end.
Generic accounting software wasn’t built for agricultural VAT complexities, seasonal fluctuations, or scheme management. Farm-specific software is.
Building resilience for 2026 and beyond
The end of direct payments is one of the biggest shifts UK agriculture has faced in decades. But with accurate, real-time financial data, it becomes a manageable business challenge rather than a shock.
Read the full article at: Farming Without BPS: How to Keep Your Farm Finances on Track in 2026 | Landmark Systems