Soil Sampling (including SFS Soil Testing)
Compliance with Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Universal Action 1 (UA1: Soil Health) is a statutory requirement for nearly all livestock and arable farms across Wales. Routine soil analysis is also a fundamental part of robust nutrient management plans and effective nutrient applications, which are required by Farm Assurance Schemes and Wales NVZ (Control of Agricultural Pollution) regulations.
At Brynmair Farming Partnership, our BASIS and FACTS-qualified advisors and sampling team deliver independent, rigorous soil sampling services designed to satisfy regulatory obligations while optimising on-farm nutrient use in strict alignment with AHDB’s RB209 guidelines and efficient farm production.
Key Points to Remember:
20% Improved Land tested each year: All holdings with agriculturally improved land must test at least 20% of their area each year.
Analysed For: pH, P, K, Mg & SOM
31st December Deadline for analysis. Labs work reduced hours over Christmas, so you need to send soils into the labs by mid December at the latest to guarantee they will be processed!
Declare on RPW Online: Declared as completed on RPW Online, you don't have to input the results.
Pre-existing Soils Data: Existing P, K, Mg, and pH test results carried out up to four years prior to scheme entry count towards compliance.
Optional Year 2 Delay: SFS offers the option to skip Year 2 testing if extra time is required to interpret Year 1 results, effectively extending the initial compliance cycle to 6 years.
Be mindful of sampling with 3months of PK fertiliser and 6months of manure applications: These applications may affect the PK result. You'll still comply with SFS, but just means your understanding of your soils PK reserves may be a bit cloudy.
Understanding UA1: Who Does It Apply To?
UA1 is mandatory for all farms with agriculturally improved land - land that has received, or may receive, agricultural inputs, compound fertiliser, manures or lime.
Exclusions: Land classified under UA5 as permanent habitat is excluded from UA1 testing requirements.
The Core Requirement: Farmers must test at least 20% of their improved land annually, with 100% tested within the 5-year cycle. Analysis must include pH, P, K, Mg and SOM.
SFS UA1 Requirements
To meet Welsh Government standards, soil samples must be analysed for:
Analysis Parameters: Testing must measure Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), soil pH, and Soil Organic Matter (SOM).
Optional Year 2 Delay: SFS offers the option to skip Year 2 testing if extra time is required to interpret Year 1 results, effectively extending the initial compliance cycle to 6 years.
Pre-existing Soils Data: Existing P, K, Mg, and pH test results carried out up to four years prior to scheme entry count towards compliance.
Deadlines, RPW Online & Record Keeping
31st December: All required soil tests must be completed by the end of each calendar year.
Labs Christmas Closures: Be mindful that labs close for a week or so over Christmas, so ideally send your soil analysis in no later than mid December to guarantee they are processed before the 31st!
RPW Online Submission: Analysis declared as completed on RPW Online.
Keep Records for 5 Years: All analytical reports and sample records must be securely archived for a minimum of 5 years incase of any potential cross-compliance inspections.
Useful Farm Data
Robust soil analysis is much more than a tick-box regulatory exercise; it is the cornerstone of profitable farm management. By pairing accurate lab results with AHDB RB209 nutrient management standards, farmers can:
Prevent nutrient lock-up and avoid over-application of costly inorganic fertilisers.
Protect water quality by mitigating diffuse agricultural runoff and nitrate leaching.
Build long-term soil structural resilience, improving organic matter and maximising field productivity.
SFS Soil Testing Support
At Brynmair Farming, we offer a range of SFS Wales Support services for Universal Action 1, ranging from cost effective DIY Soil Sampling Kits to sending a member of our sampling team onto your farm to collect samples on your behalf.
For those who wish to have further support on all the SFS Universal Actions or require support to understand SFS and how it applies to your farm, Ben and Sam are avaliable to visit on farm. This service can also be 80% funded through Farming Connect.
