Get Funding Toward Your Soil Testing… And Stay Compliant With Farming Rules For Water!

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Ellice Hahne (Sherborne)

When I go out on farm to discuss SFI, I always ask farmers if they currently soil test, and if they currently include soil organic matter testing in their test.  I have been surprised to see the number of farmers who do not currently test their soil.

Under farming rules for water, it is a legal requirement to test your soil for pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and Magnesium (Mg) at least every 5 years, and use this to inform your nutrient use.  But rules aside, knowing your soil better can only be beneficial for your farm (and your wallet!).

Under the SFI, you can receive funding towards two of the requirements set out by farming rules for water: the soil testing and using the results to inform your nutrient use.

  • Soil testing: SFI Option CSAM1 (SAM1 in the previous iteration of SFI) will pay £6/ha + £97/agreement towards soil testing IF it includes soil organic matter testing.  Soil organic matter testing will add another layer of information to the soil test, which can help improve soil structure and water retention of the soil.  CSAM1 will further require you to create a soil management plan, inviting you to get to know your soil better and be curious about management practices that will preserve your soil health.
  • Using soil test results to inform your nutrient use: SFI Option CNUM1 (NUM1 in the previous iteration of SFI) will pay £652/agreement to pay for a FACTS certified adviser to create a nutrient management plan for your farm.  Such a plan will use the results of the soil test and, field by field, make recommendations about how much nutrients to apply and when.  With this information, you will know which crops are most likely to respond to nutrient applications, and which do not need as much as you have been giving them!  This is not only likely to reduce your fertiliser bill, but it will also be beneficial to soil health and the environment.  Who doesn’t like a win-win?

What is stopping you from starting to improve nutrient use on your farm, saving you money, while complying with farming rules for water?

If you would like help arranging an SFI, soil testing, a nutrient management plan or all of the above, please get in touch with Ellice at ellicehahne@fcgagric.com or call your local FCG office.

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