The Environment Agency (EA) has announced an extension to its free soil testing scheme, which will help farmers test water quality. The news has been welcomed by Welsh farmers, as the free esting has so far yielded positive results in helping farmers apply nutrients with more accuracy, boosting profits while avoiding problems of run-off. image expired

For the past two years the free soil testing programme has been run for farms in the Afon Clwyd catchment area, but this has now been extended to encompass farms in other areas where issues with water quality are thought to be linked to agriculture.

Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) land use and parliamentary committee chairman Richard Vaughan explained the value of the scheme to Wales’ farmers, “This is an excellent initiative by the Environment Agency Wales that has proved very popular among farmers. With the ever-rising price of fertiliser putting financial strain on farmers, it is essential that the correct nutrients are applied at the right time to save money and to avoid any run-off. Soil testing allows a more precise approach to nutrient management.”

Environment Agency Wales spokesperson Nichola Taylor said, "The samples we take are tested for soil pH, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium so we can work out exactly what each field needs in terms of nutrients and liming. We are working with farmers to find simple solutions that help the environment but, more importantly for them, to help boost their profits."

The new catchment areas for the scheme are the Wen, near Chwilog; Ystrad, near Denbigh; Hiraethlyn, near Eglwysbach; Afon Bach, near St Asaph; Goch in the City Dulas area; Dolfechlas Brook in the Rhosesmor area, and farms around Llyn Coron on Anglesey.

Farmers in these areas interested in free soil testing and fertiliser planning should contact Nichola Taylor on 01248 484174 to register their interest. Testing will begin in the autumn.