Technical advice line: 03000 200 301 | Email: advice@farmingadviceservice.org.uk

Soils

The Farming Advice Service understands the benefits of healthy soil to all farmers and the environment. We signpost help and guidance to improve and maintain soil health on farm.

Photograph of bare ploughed field

On this page you will find FAS content on soil related topics such as 

  • Soil properties
  • Soil testing
  • Sustainable Soil Management Practices
  • Government support and grants 

In February 2026 Defra launched a new nutrient planning tool, designed with industry input to offer a free, user-friendly tool to match nutrients to crop and soil need, cutting waste, supporting productivity, and protecting watercourses.

NMPT-GB is available now for England and Wales, via the GOV.UK website - click here to access the tool in your browser.

This tool helps farmers meet compliance requirements for the Farming Rules for Water and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones regulations. 

Newsletters

  • FAS June 2026

    Issue 124

    • Key dates to be aware of
    • FAS Webinar Recording - The Sustainable Farming Incentive Offer 2026
    • Upcoming Events
    • Window 1 of the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) is now open
    • New Funding Available for Lowland Peat Soils
    • Government publishes Farming Roadmap 2050: Growing England's Future
    • Managing Your Reservoir In Dry Weather
    • New Pig Sector Survey
    • A Reminder of the Hedgerow Regulations
    • Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: First Quarterly Update deadline
    • How Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier helped a Dorset farmer become more sustainable
    • Trees on Farm: The Rise of Agroforestry across England
    • How to apply for consent for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
    • Updates from the Environment Agency’s Water Resources team
    • Updates from the Defra Farming blog and industry announcements
    • Rural Payments Agency: Updates and Guidance
    • How can we help you?
    • Stay up to date with us
  • May Newsletter 26

    Issue 123

    • Key dates to be aware of
    • Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship revenue claim deadlines
    • Upcoming Events
    • SFI26: scheme information now available
    • Capital Grants 2026: Guidance now available
    • Funded poultry biosecurity vet visits now available
    • Planning your fertiliser and nutrient use – latest guidance and government consultation
    • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) regulations
    • Updates from the Environment Agency’s Water Resources team
    • Supporting More Sustainable Outdoor Pig Farming
    • Updates from the Defra Farming blog and industry announcementsNew guidance to help businesses prepare for EU trade agreement
    • Rural Payments Agency: Updates and Guidance, inc. a new RPA Podcast on IPM
    • How can we help you?
    • Stay up to date with us
  • April FAS Front Page

    Issue 122

    • Please complete the FAS User Survey
    • Key dates to be aware of
    • Upcoming Events
    • Get ready to apply for the Capital Grants offer
    • Online resources to help managing rising production costs
    • A new edition of the UK’s RB209 guide launches
    • New British Sugar and Soil Association Exchange Scheme
    • Apply for a Lowland Peat Water Discovery Grant
    • Environment Agency irrigation prospects - updated forecast for Spring 2026
    • Updates from the Farming blog and industry announcements
    • Rural Payments Agency: Updates and Guidance
    • How can we help you?
    • Stay up to date with us
  • FAS Front Page March 2026

    Issue 121

    • Key dates to be aware of
    • FAS Webinars
    • New FAS Technical Articles
    • Contacting the Rural Payments Agency about Grants
    • The 2026 Capital Grants offer
    • Apply now for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2026
    • Have your say: proposals for livestock health and welfare vet visits
    • Advice, Guidance and Support for Reservoirs Act Compliance
    • Abstraction licensing: How to comply with your hands off condition
    • Winter & all year water abstraction returns
    • Local Resource Option Screening Study Applications to Open this Spring
    • British Farming Awards 2026
    • Managing livestock and public access:
    • Updates from the Farming blog and industry announcements
    • How can we help you?
    • Stay up to date with us

Podcast

  • FAS podcast logo

    podcast

    Episode 7

    Nutrient Management with Mel Holloway

    16 mins
  • FAS podcast logo

    podcast

    Episode 1

    Reducing ammonia emissions on farm, with Keesje Avis and John Morgan of Creedy Associates

    24 mins

Upcoming Events

  • CSF

    Groundswell 2026 - Talk to CSF, Natural England and Defra

    Meet your local Natural England and CSF advisers on the Defra Group stand.

    1st - 2nd Jul 2026
    08:00 - 17:00 (BST)
    Lannock Farm, Hitchin Road, Weston Hitchin, SG4 7EE

    Find details of the event here

  • CSF

    NSA Sheep 2026 - Talk to CSF, Natural England and Defra

    Meet your local Natural England and CSF advisers on the Defra Group stand.

    28th Jul 2026
    09:00 - 17:00 (BST)
    Three Counties Showground, Malvern, WR13 6NW

    Find details of the event here

  • CSF

    UK Dairy Day 2026 - Talk to CSF and Defra

    Meet your local CSF advisers on the Defra Group stand.

    16th Sep 2026
    08:00 - 17:00 (BST)
    Telford International Centre, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4JH

    Find details of the event here

Webinar Recordings

  • FAS

    Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026

    View the recording of the June 2026 FAS webinar on the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 (SFI26) offer. This webinar was delivered in partnership with Defra, the Rural Payments Agency and Catchment Sensitive Farming.
  • FAS

    Nutrient Management Planning – what’s new for 2026

    Following the launch of the new Defra funded online Nutrient Management Planning Tool in February, we speak to expert farm consultant and FACTS & BASIS qualified advisor Mel Holloway about approaches to nutrient management planning for the new planting year. With an update from CSF on support available from their teams.
  • FAS

    Improving Water Resilience on Farm

    Improving Water Resilience on Farm – supporting farmers in England to reduce their vulnerability to future climate and water risks A free online event, delivered by Jerry Knox (Professor of Agricultural Water Management at Cranfield University) focused on the importance of water management on farm, the key challenges facing the sector, and approaches to help farmers understand risks and develop strategies to reduce their vulnerability to future water and climate shocks. Supported by CSF

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