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

  • 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
  • FAS front page February 2026

    Issue 120

    • Key dates to be aware of
    • Looking ahead to 2026
    • FAS Webinars
    • News from the National Farmers Union 2026 Conference
    • Hedgerow management rules: cutting and trimming
    • Urea: Red Tractor standards in their 3rd year
    • ADOPT Funding Competition and Round 6
    • Environment Agency Initial prospects for irrigation- forecast for 2026
    • Rural Payments Agency Updates and Guidance
    • Updates from the Farming blog and industry announcements
    • How can we help you?
    • Stay up to date with us
  • January 26 Front Page

    Issue 119

    • Key dates to be aware of
    • Looking ahead to 2026
    • Agricultural Machinery Emissions – Scoping Research and Decarbonisation Options Assessment
    • FAS Webinars
    • Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) closed period reminders
    • New SFI offering for 2026
    • Oxford Farming Conference announcement: Backing farmers with a new era of partnership to boost farm profitability
    • Tax is Changing in April 2026 – Act Now
    • On Site Flood Plan Review Guidance For All Reservoir Undertakers
    • Big Farmland Bird Count 2026
    • Rural Payments Agency Updates and Guidance
    • 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

    Pig and Poultry Fair 2026 - Talk to CSF and Defra

    Meet your local CSF advisers on the Defra Group stand.

    13th - 14th May 2026
    09:00 - 16:00 (BST)
    NEC, Birmingham B40 1NT

    Find details of the event here

  • CSF

    Defra Update & Building Resilient Soils for a Changing Climate - Herts

    Join Defra, your local CSF Team, and expert Mel Holloway talking soil biology, structure and nutrients to h...

    18th May 2026
    09:30 - 14:00 (BST)
    Great Gaddesden Parish Hall, Dagnall Road, Great Gaddesden, HP1 3BW

    Find details of the event here

  • CSF

    DEFRA/CSF Update & Building resilience in soils (Essex)

    Join Defra, your local CSF Team, and expert Mel Holloway talking soil biology, structure and nutrients to h...

    22nd May 2026
    10:00 - 14:00 (BST)
    Whitbreads Farm, Whitbreads Farm Lane, Little Waltham, CM3 3LQ

    Book your free place here

Webinar Recordings

  • 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
  • FAS

    Nutrient Management with Mel Holloway

    Mel Holloway, expert farm consultant and FACTS qualified advisor, gave a presentation and Q and A session on nutrient management planning, NVZs, and Farming Rules for Water.

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