The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed it is reopening the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme for a final “mop-up phase” this summer.
The scheme aims 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.
The initiative, first launched in 2022, is managed by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
Registration windows the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme were previously opened for four different zones across Northern Ireland.
The scheme closed from September 9, 2025, with 92.5% of eligible farm businesses registered by that date.
Soil
The mop-up phase is opening to farm businesses in operation on or before September 8, 2025 that have not yet registered for the scheme.
DAERA noted that for farm businesses in operation on or before September 8, 2025, registering for the scheme and completing associated training is a conditionality of the Farm Sustainability Payment.
Farm businesses eligible to register during the mop-up phase will be contacted by AFBI in advance of opening with details about how to register online.
DAERA said a further announcement will be made in due course, detailing the opening period for online registrations.
Scheme
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir said it is “encouraging that over 90% of all farm businesses in Northern Ireland have already signed up for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme”.
“This groundbreaking initiative provides farmers with individualised, farm nutrient and carbon data that is incredibly useful for effective land management.
“That’s why I have decided to make one final opportunity available for remaining businesses to register for the scheme.
“Registering for the scheme and completing the associated training is a conditionality of the Farm Sustainability Payment, so I would encourage those farm businesses which haven’t already done so, to sign up for this final opportunity,” he added.