天美影院

Duration

3 years

How much you鈥檒l be paid

拢6 per hectare (ha) per year and 拢97 per SFI agreement per year

Action鈥檚 aim

This action鈥檚 aim is that you:

• understand the condition of your soil
• effectively plan how to increase the long-term health, productivity, and resilience of your soil

Where you can do this action

You can do this action on agricultural land located below the moorland line that鈥檚:

• an eligible land type (as defined in section 5.1 鈥楨ligible land types for SFI鈥� in the SFI scheme information)
• registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
• declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover

For land above the moorland line, you can do CMOR1 to complete a survey to identify, assess and record the soil, vegetation and historic and archaeological features.

Eligible land

Eligible land type	Eligible land cover	Compatible land use code
Arable land used to grow crops	Arable land	Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
Temporary grassland	Arable land	TG01
Arable land lying fallow	Arable land	FA01
Permanent grassland 鈥� improved and low input	Permanent grassland	PG01
Permanent crops 鈥� horticultural and non-horticultural	Permanent crops	Land use codes for permanent crops

Eligibility of protected land

Protected land	Eligibility
Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs)	Eligible 鈥� you do not need to get SSSI consent for this action
Historic and archaeological features	Eligible 鈥� you must get a SFI HEFER before you do this action (read section 5.6鈥�鈥楲and with historic or archaeological features鈥� in the SFI scheme information to find out how to do this)

Available area you can enter into this action

Total available area in a land parcel.

Rotational or static action

This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action鈥檚 duration.

What to do

You must:

• assess the soil for all the land parcels entered into this action and produce a written soil management plan which covers that land
• test the soil organic matter (SOM) on all the land parcels entered into this action within the last 5 years

You can use the following to get paid for this action:

• an existing soil management plan that was written in the last 12 months, informed by a soil assessment
• existing SOM test results that are not more than 5 years old

To test the SOM for small land parcels, you can combine them into a single sample area if the soil type and past management is similar. This means you can take soil from each land parcel and combine it into a single sample to test the SOM.

If you need to take soil samples on areas within a land parcel containing historic or archaeological features, including scheduled monuments, you must follow the requirements explained in section 5.6: 鈥楲and with historic or archaeological features鈥� in the SFI scheme information.

To help improve national data on the condition of England鈥檚 soils, Defra or the RPA may ask you to provide some information about your soil assessment and SOM testing results during this action鈥檚 3-year duration.

This data is one of the public goods that this action is paying for and part of wider government measures in relation to our soils policy and strategy. We鈥檒l publish guidance on 天美影院 about what information is needed and how to supply it.

When to do it

For the soil assessment and soil management plan, you must:

• complete the soil assessment and produce the written soil management plan within 12 months of this action鈥檚 start date
• review the soil management plan in each subsequent year of this action鈥檚 3-year duration, adding any new soil analyses

For the SOM testing, each year of this action鈥檚 3-year duration you must:

• make sure you鈥檝e tested the SOM on all the land parcels entered into this action within the last 5 years
• retest that land if your existing SOM test results reach 5 years old

If the timing meets the requirements above, you can do the SOM testing at the same time as your other routine soil testing required in the farming rules for water.

If you enter land into this action which has not been tested for SOM within the last 5 years, you should try to do the SOM testing on that land during the first 12 months of your SFI agreement.

If the laboratory that tests your soil samples does not have capacity to do the tests during the first 12 months of this action鈥檚 duration, you must:

• get the tests done as soon as possible
• make sure you鈥檝e tested the SOM on all of these land parcels within the last 5 years by the end of your SFI agreement
• keep evidence of why it was not possible to complete the tests in the first 12 months, so you can provide it to us if we ask for it

How to do it

It鈥檚 up to you how you do this action, as long as you:

• follow this action鈥檚 requirements 鈥� these are identified by a 鈥榤ust鈥�
• do the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action鈥檚 aim

You may find it helpful to read the 鈥榓dvice to help you do this action鈥�, but it鈥檚 not part of this action鈥檚 requirements.

Evidence to keep

You must keep:

• the written record of your soil management plan, including your soil assessment
• the SOM test results

You must supply this evidence when we ask for it.

Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action

You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.

Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they鈥檙e done at a different time of year to this action. For example, winter cover followed by a summer companion crop. Read 鈥榃hat to do鈥� and 鈥榃hen to do it鈥� to find out when this action must be done.

Scheme	Action or option codes
SFI 2024 actions	CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW4, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CIGL1, CIGL2, CIGL3, GRH1, GRH6, HEF5, HEF6, CAHL4, CLIG3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, BFS6, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, AGF1, AGF2, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, SCR1, SCR2
SFI 2023 actions	AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, AHL4, IGL1, IGL2, IGL3, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, LIG1, LIG2, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, SAM2, SAM3
CS options	AB1, AB2, AB3, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, AB10, AB11, AB13, AB14, AB15, AB16, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, GS1, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, HS3, HS4, HS7, HS9, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, LH1, LH2, LH3, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9, WT10, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, WT1, WT2, UP2 (if located below the moorland line)
ES options	All ES revenue options
SFI pilot standards	SFI pilot arable and horticultural land standard 鈥� all levels SFI pilot improved grassland standard 鈥� all levels SFI pilot low and no input grassland standard 鈥� all levels SFI pilot water body buffering standard 鈥� all levels

If an action or option cannot be located on the same area, you may be able to do it on a different area in the same land parcel. Read section 6. 鈥楨ligible land in other funding schemes鈥� in the SFI scheme information for more details.

You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:

• SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2 and WBD2
• SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
• CS option BE3 (management of hedgerows)
• all levels of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard

Advice to help you do this action

The following advice may help you to do this action, but it鈥檚 not part of this action鈥檚 requirements.聽聽

Completing a soil assessment

To help you understand the condition of your soil, you鈥檒l usually need to assess:

• soil type 鈥� this includes sand, silt, clay, loam, chalk and peat (read the for more information)
• soil texture 鈥� this is the mix of sand, silt and clay in the soil (read for more information)
• soil structure 鈥� this is how the soil particles (sand, silt, clay, and organic matter) are held together
• soil biology 鈥� this includes the number of earthworms, levels of organic matter, and microbial activity
• risk of surface runoff and soil erosion

Spring or autumn are often the best time to assess your land parcels (fields) and take soil samples, when the soil is not too dry or too wet.

Where possible, avoid taking soil samples on any area of land with historic or archaeological features identified on your 鈥�SFI鈥�舛寞HEFER. If you need to take soil samples, read section 5.6 鈥楲and with historic or archaeological features鈥� in the SFI scheme information before doing so.

You can find out more about assessing your soil in the following guidance:

• the Environment Agency鈥檚
• the AHDB鈥檚
• the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB)

How to assess soil structure

Soil structure affects how well crops and grass can grow and how water and air moves in the soil.

To assess the structure of your soil, you can:

• look at the quality of the crop or grass sward growing on your land and identify areas where there may be soil structure issues聽鈥� read the Environment Agency鈥檚 鈥榯hink soils鈥� guide to for more information
• take a soil sample by digging out a block of soil to a depth of around 30cm (12 inches)
• score the soil sample by visually assessing it聽鈥� read the AHDB鈥檚 guidance on to help you do this

How to assess soil biology

Soil biology affects:

• the structure and health of your soil
• the growth of your crops and grass
• water infiltration and water-holding capacity of your soil

You can read the AHDB鈥檚 guidance on for more information.

To assess soil biology, you can take soil samples from your fields to:

• count the number of earthworms and other visible creatures (such as millipedes and spiders) 鈥� read AHDB鈥檚 factsheet on (and use the
• test the soil organic matter (SOM) 鈥� read 鈥楾esting soil organic matter鈥�
• assess microorganisms (such as fungi and bacteria) 鈥� these can be quite difficult to assess yourself, but you can ask a commercial laboratory to test soil samples for this (read AHDB鈥檚 factsheet on for more information)

How to assess the risk of surface runoff and soil erosion

Surface water runoff occurs when there is more rainfall than your soil can absorb, so the water drains away directly over the surface of land. This can cause soil erosion.

Runoff can wash soil from your fields:

• into waterbodies, such as ponds, lakes, ditches, streams and rivers 鈥� this can cause pollution, which can harm animals and plants that live in waterbodies
• across yards
• along tracks or roads
• into field drains

To assess the risk of surface runoff and soil erosion caused by water, you can look at factors such as:

• soil type 鈥� sandy and light silty soils in arable fields have a higher risk of runoff and erosion
• soil texture 鈥� this affects whether rain soaks into the soil or runs over the surface, and how easily soil particles will be washed away
• soil structure, including any compaction caused by machinery or livestock 鈥� this can reduce the movement of water through the soil, which increases the risk of runoff
• the steepness of slopes 鈥� steeper slopes have a higher risk of runoff and soil erosion as water runs more quickly over the surface聽(read 鈥楬ow to calculate the slope of a field鈥�)
• the length of slopes 鈥� long, unbroken slopes of around 150 metres or more will carry runoff more easily
• topography - land features such as valleys, and gateways, tend to concentrate the flow of water
• how often the land floods 鈥� it鈥檚 more susceptible to runoff and erosion if it floods frequently (at least once every 3 years)
• how close the land is to a waterbody聽鈥� land parcels which are close to a waterbody have a higher risk of runoff causing pollution
• past and present visible signs of runoff or ponding of water on the surface 鈥� if this happens in most years during wet periods, there鈥檚 a higher risk of runoff
• visible signs of soil erosion 鈥� such as rills (small streams) and gullies
• field drainage 鈥� poorly maintained or blocked drains may increase the risk of runoff
• your use of the land 鈥� how and when you cultivate the land, and which crops you plant, will affect the risk of runoff and soil erosion

Soil erosion can also be caused by the wind. There鈥檚 a higher risk of this occurring on fine sandy soils and light peaty soils. It鈥檒l be worse in dry conditions or where there鈥檚 drainage, bare land or fine dry seedbeds.

If your soil suffers from wind erosion, you may see:

• drifting soil or buried seedlings
• soil blown into hedgerows, ditches and onto nearby roads

You may find it helpful to read the Environment Agency鈥檚 for more information on factors that influence erosion and runoff.

How to calculate the slope of a field

To calculate the slope of a field, you can use equipment such as a clinometer. The risk of surface runoff is:

• high for steep slopes 鈥� these usually have an angle of 7 degrees or more (12%+ gradient)
• moderate for moderate slopes 鈥� these usually have an angle of 3-7 degrees (5-12% gradient)
• low for gentle slopes 鈥� these usually have an angle of 2-3 degrees (3-5% gradient)

Producing a written soil management plan

To produce the written soil management plan required by this action, you鈥檒l need to use the information from your soil assessment. This will help you to plan how to manage your land to improve your soil鈥檚 health.

For each field, or area within the field where the soils or slopes differ, you can record information in your soil management plan such as:

• soil type, structure and texture
• how you currently manage the area
• any historic or archaeological features (as identified in your SFI HEFER), so you can plan how to manage land above or around these features
• risks of surface runoff and soil erosion which you鈥檝e identified in your soil assessment
• proposed future management activities, including how you plan to reduce the risks of surface runoff and soil erosion which you鈥檝e identified in your soil assessment

When you review your soil management plan each year (as required by this action), you can update it to take account of:

• new soil analysis you carry out, including SOM testing
• new risks or continuing issues you have identified in your fields
• changes to proposed management activities for the next year

CFE has produced which may help with your proposed soil health improvement management activities.

How to record your soil management plan

You can choose how to record the written soil management plan. There鈥檚 no standard format.聽It can be on paper or digital. For example, you could use a map or spreadsheet to record the information.

This table is an example of how you could choose to record your soil management plan.

Field or part field reference	Field details	Risks and problems identified in the soil assessment	Proposed management actions
Field 1, part 1 ST0000 0000	Medium textured well-drained stable soil in combinable crop rotation. Slopes under 3 degrees. Soil structure good, no signs of runoff or erosion. Lower risk of runoff and erosion.	None identified	Maintain current management. Reconsider if cropping changes.
Field 2, SY0000 0000	Erodible light sandy soil in combinable crop rotation. Slopes over 7 degrees. Buried remains of Roman Villa. Next to road and watercourse. High runoff and erosion risk.	Soil/sediment deposition. Risk of compaction increasing runoff and erosion	Include cover crop in rotation to improve soil organic matter content.

Testing soil organic matter聽

Soil organic matter (SOM) provides many benefits to your soil鈥檚 health, including improving soil structure. You can read AHDB鈥檚 guidance on for more information.

To test your soil for SOM, you need to:

• select 鈥榮ample areas鈥� which have a similar soil type and have been managed in a similar way in the past
• take multiple soil samples from each sample area 鈥� it鈥檚 up to you how many soil samples to take, but to take enough to gain a good understanding of the SOM across each sample area
• combine the soil samples into a single sample that represents the soil across each sample area

You can take account of the field size when you鈥檙e selecting sample areas. This means you can:

• select one sample area in each field if you consider your fields to be an average size
• select a number of smaller sample areas in a large field
• combine a number of small fields into one sample area, so you take a soil sample from each field and combine it into a single soil sample 鈥� try to avoid the combined area being too large as this will reduce the soil testing analysis accuracy

If you combine a number of small fields into a single sample, you can decide what size field is a 鈥榮mall field鈥�. There are no precise area requirements.

When to take soil samples聽for SOM testing

It鈥檚 advisable to avoid taking soil samples if:

• the soil is waterlogged or very dry, because it may reduce the quality of the soil analysis
• manure or slurry has been applied within around the last 3 months, as it may affect the soil organic matter levels and give you a false result

If you鈥檙e taking soil samples on arable or horticultural land, you may find it easier to take soil samples in the spring or autumn:

• before you cultivate land
• to avoid damaging the crop

How to take soil samples聽across a sample area

To take soil samples across a sample area, you can:

• walk a 鈥榃鈥� pattern across the area and make 5-7 stops along each leg of the 鈥榃鈥� 鈥� this will give you around 25 soil samples
• at each stop, aim to take cores up to a depth of around 15 centimetres (6 inches)
• combine the soil samples in a clean plastic bag to form one bulk sample of around 0.5 kilograms

Where possible, avoid taking soil samples on any area of land with historic or archaeological features identified on your鈥�SFI鈥�舛寞HEFER. If you need to take soil samples, read section 5.6 鈥楲and with historic or archaeological features鈥� in the SFI scheme information before doing so.

It鈥檚 also advisable to avoid taking soil samples near to features that can distort the soil analysis results, such as:

• manure heaps
• pylons
• gateways
• headlands
• around trees

When you walk the 鈥榃鈥� pattern, as part of doing this action鈥檚 soil assessment, you can also assess the:

• topsoil structure and count earthworms at 5-10 stops across the whole 鈥榃鈥�
• subsoil structure at 3 of the stops, with one of these stops on a headland

You may find it helpful to read the AHDB guidance about .

How to test the soil samples聽

If you have the right equipment and expertise, you can test the soil samples yourself. However, sending your soil samples to a commercial laboratory will usually give more accurate results. You can find a list of on the AHDB website.

Try to use the same laboratory and method of testing if you鈥檙e repeating the tests over a number of years. Having a consistent approach will help you see how the SOM is increasing or decreasing over time.

If you use a laboratory, you can ask them to test organic matter content by using the:

• loss on ignition test (as a minimum level of analysis)
• Dumas test, which uses dry combustion to burn the samples