The Ulster Farmers’ Union this week encouraged farmers in Fermanagh and South Tyrone to take up the offer of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme which opened for applications on Monday past (26/06/2023).
The zone comprising Fermanagh, West Armagh and South Tyrone is now being tested this coming winter.
UFU president David Brown said, “After the successful roll out of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme in zone one, DAERA is now inviting farm businesses located in zone two to register. Farmers across Fermanagh, in the west of county Armagh and South Tyrone will receive a letter from AFBI with details on how to do this. We encourage them to submit their application as soon as possible as this new scheme will have massive benefits for their farm business as well as delivering for the environment. Farmers in other areas will have the opportunity to apply in future years as the scheme is rolled out across the country.”
The data retrieved from the scheme will provide farmers with vital information on soil nutrient levels for each field on their farm as well as an estimate of the amount of carbon stored in their soils, hedgerows and trees.
“UFU has been reassured by DAERA that it will not use this information from the scheme to regulate farmers but being part of the scheme will be a requirement for future agriculture support payments.
“NI is setting a high global standard as the first region to establish an extensive baseline of all farms on soil nutrients, below and above ground carbon stocks. The scheme will help to improve water quality and the progression towards climate change targets adopting a science led, evidence-based approach.
“This soil testing and LiDAR scheme has the potential to revolutionise the way we manage our land and soils as a region, helping us understand more precisely what is happening on our farms. Specific training is available to farmers in zone one and zone two to assist them with using the nutrient and carbon data, and they can register for this online,” said Mr Brown.
The closing date to register for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme zone two is August 31 2023.
Farmers can register for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme using their Government Gateway Account at the following address, DAERA online services | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk).
Project lead and DAERA’s Director of Natural Environment, Dave Foster explained: “The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme will provide farmers with important information on soil nutrient levels, for each field on their farm. Farmers will also receive a baseline estimate of the amount of carbon stored in their soils, hedgerows and trees.
“This information will help them more accurately match nutrient applications to crop need, thereby increasing efficiency, reducing excess run-off to watercourses and improving their economic and environmental sustainability.
“It will also support them in contributing to the climate change agenda established under the NI Climate Change Act.
“The scheme, which will be delivered by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) with 27,000 farms and up to 700,000 fields being sampled by the end of the project, he added.
To date over 6,000 farmers in Zone 1 have received soil analysis results for their farms, including pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S), together with crop specific lime and fertilizer recommendations.
“We are strongly encouraging all farm businesses in the Zone 2 area to apply for the scheme and benefit from all it offers and also because they will be required to participate if they wish to receive future funding such as the new Farm Sustainability Payment which can be crucial income for farms,” continued Mr Foster.
As well as being able to view results online farmers will have access to mapping identifying areas within the farm which could be prone to nutrient run-off to watercourses.
Another key benefit of participation is access to the CAFRE SNHS training(external link opens in a new window / tab) which provides advice on the interpretation of the analysis reports, preparation of nutrient management plans and the role of carbon on farms.
Scheme guidance (including maps of the specific sampling zones and opening times) is now available on the DAERA website.
(Source – Impartial Reporter – Farming – Brian Donaldson – 03/07/2023)