Soil Nutrient Health Scheme

Areas of Expertise: Grassland and Plant Science

Service: Research & Development

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.

SNHS Zonal Map
View the SNHS Maps for Zones 1-4

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.
E: afbi@tetratech.com T: 02896 928 388

Farmers who have queries regarding their report or maps should contact the AFBI SNHS Helpdesk:

E: snhs@afbini.gov.uk
T: 028 9025 5212

See where the samplers are working currently using the
Sampler Location Map

Training

Training by CAFRE is available to all participating farmers in zones 1 & 2 who have received their analysis report.
A series of three 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 Uptake

Registration for Zone 3 of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme closed at the beginning of September 2024. There were 138,248 fields from 5927 farm businesses registered representing 90% of fields in Zone 3.
Read about Zone 3 uptake

More News

Co Down farmer reaping the benefits of soil scheme results
SNHS Active 'Zone 3' Registration Open
Active Zone 3 Soil Sampling Registration Open for Farmers
Farmers invited to apply for a major soil sampling scheme
Soil Sampling Scheme now open for 'Zone 3' farmers
Deadline approaching to register for Zone 3 of SNHS
Castlewellan farmer putting SNHS results into action
Soil Nutrient Health Scheme research ‘maps the way ahead’

Research

Visit an overview of the research programme covering soil, water quality and carbon.

Water Quality Researchers:
Taylor Harrison (AFBI), Kevin Acheson (UU), Thomas Service (AFBI), Paddy Jack (AFBI)

Farmer case studies

View case studies from year 1 of the project featuring farmers from Co Down. David Hall (Rathfriland), Adrian McGowan (Killinchy),
John Milligan (Castlewellan).

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