Soil Nutrient Health Scheme
The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) is the largest baseline soil sampling programme ever undertaken. The £45m Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs funded scheme is being delivered by AFBI.
The SNHS will reopen from 5 August 2026 to 7 September 2026 for FINAL registration. All remaining eligible farmers will be notified by AFBI of registration details via letter. Guidelines for registration.
The SNHS is a voluntary scheme; however, participation is a condition for the receipt of the Farm Sustainability Payment. This requires registering for SNHS and completing the CAFRE training course.
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 600,000 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 optimise the application of crop nutrients to their soils and help increase farm profitability. This will result in potential 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 Progress
As of June 2026 over 540,000 fields have been soil tested. This equates to over 90% of actively managed fields in Northern Ireland.
Soil analysis results include:
Fields are sampled and analysed for pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and sulphur (S), together with organic matter estimation (LoI) and crop specific lime and fertiliser recommendations.
SNHS Zonal Map
View the SNHS Maps for Zones 1-4
If fields are already registered for the scheme and are unsampled, there is no need to re-register them.
Farmers who have queries regarding their results should contact the AFBI SNHS Helpdesk:
Email: snhs@afbini.gov.uk
Telephone: 028 9025 5212
Training
Training provided by CAFRE has been created to help farmers understand their soil analysis report, nutrient management, the role of carbon and provide guidance on completing a nutrient management plan. Access CAFRE Training.
Research
Visit an overview of the research programme covering soil, water quality and carbon.
SNHS Farmer Case Studies
Click links below to watch videos of farmers speaking about the benefits of sampling with the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme and the training programme provided.
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| Adrian McGowan - Millbank Farm | John Milligan - Milligan Farm |
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| David Hall - Glebe Farm | Alistair Craig - Carsehall Farm |
Latest News
Last chance for farm businesses to sign up to Soil Nutrient Health Scheme
SNHS - Soil sampling update and results | Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
Contacts & Further Information
If you would like any further information please contact the
AFBI SNHS Helpdesk
T: 028 90 255212 E: SNHS@afbini.gov.uk
DAERA have provided further information and FAQs on the Scheme (Page 17)