The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme is the largest baseline soil sampling programme ever undertaken. The £37M DAERA funded scheme is being managed by AFBI and due to it's scale and complexity it is being rolled out on a zonal basis, with all the zones completed by 2026.
The SNHS is one of the most comprehensive regional soil nutrient sampling schemes to be undertaken anywhere in the world. With the potential to sample approximately 700,000 fields it will provide the farmers of Northern Ireland with:
Detailed information on the nutrient status of their soils
Runoff risk maps for nutrient loss to waterbodies for each field sampled
Estimates of carbon stored in their soils and as above ground biomass for each farm
Training on the interpretation of soil nutrient reports and generation of farm nutrient plans (provided by CAFRE).
This information will allow farmers to optimize the application of crop nutrients to their soils and help increase farm profitability. This will result in a reduction in nutrient loss to waterbodies thereby contributing to achieving the targets of the Nutrient Action Programme. It will also provide a baseline assessment of farm carbon stocks in soils and hedgerow and contribute to the transition to Net Zero farming in Northern Ireland.
SNHS overview
Zones
As of July 2024 over 280,000 fields have been tested for soil nutrients. There has been an over 90% uptake in Zones 1 and 2. The main sampling period runs from November - February. All eligible farmers are notified by AFBI of registrations for their Zone.
Registrations to Zone 1 of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme opened in May to September 2022. Zone 2 opened in June to August 2023 with over 90% uptake in both zones. Zone 3 opened 24 June 2024, closing 31 August 2024.
Soil analysis results include: pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca) and sulphur (S), together with organic matter estimation and crop specific lime and fertiliser recommendations.
NB: Participation in the SNHS will be a requirement to receive payments under future farm support schemes. This conditionality requires completion of the CAFRE SNHS training when offered.
If fields are already registered for the Scheme and are unsampled this season, there is no need to re-register them, they will be sampled at the first opportunity next season. Farmers registered with SNHS who have not yet been sampled and are concerned, should contact RPS, the sampling contractors. E: afbi@rpsgroup.com T: 028 96928388
Training by CAFRE is available to all participating farmers in zones 1 & 2 who have received their analysis report. A series of 3 on farm events took place during September 2023, focussing on using the results and finding out about the training available. Training is available primarily online. The training will assist with understanding nutrient management, the role of carbon and guidance on completing a nutrient management plan. Completion of training is also a requirement to secure future farm payments. For more information please visit CAFRE Training.
Latest News
Zone 3 Registration Open
Zone 3 launch date announced: Andrew Muir (DAERA Minister), Dr Rachel Cassidy (AFBI) Andrew Thompson (CAFRE)
Andrew Muir MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs announced 24 June 2024 as the registration opening date for Zone 3 farmers in North Tyrone and Co Derry/Londonderry. Read more
