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CAFRE

Soil Nutrient Health Scheme

The objective of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) is to test all, or the vast majority, of the 650,000 fields used for farming in Northern Ireland, in order to help farmers manage their nutrient applications.

Training is now available for farmers who have received their Soil Nutrient Health Scheme soil analysis results. Taking part in the SNHS Nutrient Management Plan training will enable you to fully utilise the information provided in your SNHS soil analysis report, maximise the nutrient potential of your soils and allow you take a planned approach to nutrient applications to benefit your business and protect the environment.

Participation in the SNHS is a condition for the receipt of the new Farm Sustainability and Farming with Nature Payments, this requires both registering for SNHS and completing the training being offered by CAFRE. Failure to complete both elements may affect your future payments.

There are three ways to access the CAFRE SNHS training:

1. Join the SNHS online training and complete the training at a time of your convenience and at your own pace.

2. Support is available at your local DAERA Direct Office to help you access online training, if you have poor internet connection or require assistance with using a computer.

3. Register for a webinar or to attend face-to-face group training held at a local venue, delivered over two sessions by a SNHS trainer.

All face to face SNHS courses for Spring 2024 are now fully booked. New dates will be available from September 2024.

About Soil Nutrient Health Scheme Training

Training is provided in two sessions.

  1. Understanding Nutrient Management
  2. Completing a Nutrient Management Plan

SESSION ONE – UNDERSTANDING NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT

The first stage of training will be a series of interactive online videos:
– Importance of soil analysis
– Understanding soil fertility
– Reading your soil analysis report
– Online map viewer overview
– Sources of nutrients
– Nutrient Management
– The role and importance of carbon on farms
– Protecting and enhancing carbon in your soils

SESSION TWO – COMPLETING A NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The second stage of training can only begin when phase one has been completed. This training will show you how to use the CAFRE Crop Nutrient Calculator to create a Nutrient Management Plan.

Both sessions need to be completed