A programme to test farmers’ soil for free is being extended after it proved a roaring success with farmers in Afon Clwyd, where it has been running for two years.

Environment Agency Wales, who will be rolling out the scheme, said farmers who used the service have saved thousands of pounds in fertiliser costs, seen improved yield which led to reduced feed costs, and better weight gain on livestock.

The testing has also led to important gains for the environment as fewer nutrients from the land get into rivers. Furthermore, less nutrients flow downstream to the sea, water quality on the beaches in tourist resorts is also improved as a result.

Now the programme is being extended to farms in other catchment areas in Wales where issues with water quality are thought to be linked to agriculture. 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
• Llyn Coron on Anglesey.

Nichola Taylor from Environment Agency Wales explained the process, "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.

"Low soil pH is a common issue for farmers. Simple things like liming can make quite a difference to silage yields and improved crop take-up can boost profits. If the pH is wrong the plants in the field can not make the most of the nutrients in the soil.

"Applying more fertiliser can be a waste of money – but there’s no way of knowing this without finding out what’s in the soil. Much of the nutrients which farmers pay good money for may end up leaching to nearby rivers, damaging the environment and doing nothing for their crops.

"We are working with farmers to find simple solutions that help the environment, but more importantly for them, to help boost their profits."

Farmers in these areas who are interested in free soil testing and fertiliser planning, which play an important part in nutrient management, should contact Nichola Taylor on 01248 484174 to register their interest. Testing will start in the autumn.