All farmers understand the importance of excellent soil health, as soil degradation on farm can lead to a direct impacts on farm business and productivity. In short, good soil means good business.
This year the NFU is making a clear priority in bringing soil and sustainable management to the top of the agenda. Soil management is essential to all farmers and we believe that it is important that soil is protected. However, making sure the regulatory framework is there to help, not hinder, is vitally important.
What is clear in 2015 is that farmers are not only responding to the regulation in place, but they are putting voluntary soil protection measures on their farm to make sure the land they farm is sustained for future generations.
Last year alone, over 72,000 hectares of agricultural land was put into voluntary soil protection measures under the Campaign for the Farmed Environment.. Furthermore, in 2014 alone, 70% of farmers voluntarily tested there soil for its nutrient content, making sure that they managed it correctly.
However, the UK farming industry can paint an even better picture than that when discussing soil issues, such as compaction. In the International Year of Soils we can state that:
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To reduce soil compaction in the last 12 months, 66% of farms removed compaction from headlands after harvest and 62% improved drainage
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The majority of farms that carried out a soil structure survey prior to cultivation or any other soil husbandry activity did so only where there was obvious soil compaction
These figures show that farmers are proactive about soil management, understand the importance of key soil issues such as compaction and look to sustain the natural nutrients of soil in the future.
With around 70% of farms testing the nutrient content and 70% testing the pH (acidity) of the soil at least once every 5 years it is clear that industry understands what it vitally important to implement sustainable soil management practices.
This year the NFU is taking the soil debate on the road making sure the UK perspective is being known at Global Soils Week in Berlin, at key industry trade shows such as Cereals and at European Commission’s ‘Green Week’ in Brussels.