Minister announces final opening of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme
Date published:
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA has announced that the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) will open for the fourth and final time in June this year. Farmers in Zone 4 (Co Antrim) and all other farm businesses, that have not yet registered are invited to apply.
Speaking during a visit to Balmoral Show Minister Muir said: “I am delighted to announce that the period for registrations for Zone 4 of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme will open on 16 June and close again on 1 September 2025.”
Minister Muir continued: “Zone 4 will be the last phase of the SNHS and will be open to all farmers in Co Antrim. All remaining unregistered farm businesses across the rest of the country will also be offered a final opportunity to register for the Scheme when Zone 4 opens.
“There has been good uptake in Zones 1, 2 and 3, with over 90% of farms registered and over 400,000 fields tested for soil nutrients. I strongly encourage all eligible farm businesses to take this final opportunity to join this groundbreaking scheme.
Registration is a simple online process through the Government Gateway. Finally, it is important to note that taking part in the scheme and completing the training is planned to be a conditionality for the new Farm Sustainability Payment from January 2026.”
All farmers in the Scheme receive important information on soil nutrient levels for each field as well as maps of hotspots for nutrient runoff during rainfall events and an estimate of the amount of carbon stored in their soils, hedgerows, and trees. They are also offered training on interpreting results and preparing a nutrient management plan through the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).
Farmers who are eligible in Zone 4, and unregistered farmers from Zones 1, 2 and 3 who previously expressed an interest in the scheme, will be contacted by Agri-Food Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in advance of opening with details about how to register online.
Scheme FAQs are also available
CAFRE SNHS training is available(external link opens in a new window / tab)
Notes to editors:
Registrations to Zone 1 of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (County Down and parts of Counties Antrim and Armagh) opened from May to September 2022.
Zone 2 (Fermanagh, the west of County Armagh and South Tyrone) opened from June to August 2023.
Zone 3 (North Tyrone Co Derry/Londonderry) opened from June to August 2024.
Uptake by farm businesses across Zones 1,2 and 3 was at 90% overall.
Farmers in Zones 1, 2 and 3 who have not yet registered can apply to the scheme when it opens for Zone 4 registrations in 2025.
Registration is through DAERA online services using a Government Gateway Account at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-online-services.
The roll-out of the SNHS continues with the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) working closely with the 3 main sub-contractors for the delivery of the Scheme: RPS Group (soil collection), Cawood/NRM (soil analysis) and Field Group (LiDAR capture).
The AFBI SNHS Admin team can be contacted on 028 9025 5212 or via email at: SNHS@afbini.gov.uk.
AFBI is an arms-length body of DAERA delivering research and development, diagnostic and analytical testing, emergency response capability and expert scientific advice for DAERA and other government departments, public bodies and commercial companies in Northern Ireland, and further afield.
AFBI’s Vision is “Scientific excellence delivering impactful and sustainable outcomes for society, economy and the natural environment”.
AFBI’s Purpose is to deliver trusted, independent research, statutory & surveillance science, and expert advice that addresses local and global challenges, informs government policy and industry decision making, and underpins a sustainable agri-food industry and the natural and marine environments.
AFBI’s strategic priorities:
- Leading improvements in the agri-food industry to enhance its sustainability;
- Protecting animal, plant and human health;
- Enhancing the natural and marine environment;
- Delivering quality outcomes and impact;
- Enabling world class science through excellence in people, places & technology.