The final deadline for registering for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) is fast approaching, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland has said.
Farm businesses in Co. Antrim (zone 4) and any other farms across zones 1 to 3 which have not already registered should do so before the closing date of midnight on September 1.
This is the last time the scheme will be open for registration.
The soil scheme, first launched in 2022, is managed by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
Farmers in the soil scheme
Over 18,600 farm businesses in Zones 1, 2, and 3 are already taking part in the scheme.
Zone 1 of the scheme (Co. Down and parts of counties Antrim and Armagh) opened from May to September 2022.
Zone 2 (Co. Fermanagh, the west of Co. Armagh and south Co. Tyrone) opened from June to August 2023.
Zone 3 (north Co. Tyrone and Co. Derry) opened from June to August 2024.
Uptake by farm businesses across zones 1, 2, and 3 was at 90% overall.
Farmers in these zones who have not yet registered can still do so.
Zone 4 opened for online registrations on June 16, 2025, and to date, over 2,000 farm businesses have registered.
As part of the scheme, farm businesses receive information to help match slurry, fertiliser and lime applications to crop needs more accurately. This aims to increase efficiency and protect the environment.
Taking part in the scheme and completing the training is planned to be a conditionality for the new Farm Sustainability Payment from January 2026.
