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Attention is increasing across all sectors on the need to preserve soil quality
and maintain soil sustainability. The Farm Soils Plan is aimed at farmers,
crofters and contractors across Scotland. It could help you to protect soils,
meet environmental standards and benet the farm business. The Farm Soils
Plan provides basic guidance and reminders on:
Section 5 contains a guide to help you establish whether you are complying
with the soil related aspects of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition
(GAEC). Farmers should refer to the Cross Compliance section of the Single
Farm Payment Explanatory Notes (see Section 7 for details) for information
on meeting all GAEC requirements.
The Scottish Executive Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of
Environmental Pollution From Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA Code) contains information on soil protection and ways to reduce the
risk of diffuse pollution arising from agricultural activities. Guidance to reduce diffuse pollution risk from livestock operations is
contained in The 4 Point Plan. These documents are available free from your local SEERAD ofce.
Agricultural soils are a blend of sand, silt, clay, organic matter, water and air, coupled with a wide
range of living organisms. On a global scale, soils are inuential in a range of ecological functions
from water cycling to carbon storage. Protecting soil quality through early recognition of poor soil
conditions, remedial treatments and improved management is important. Soil erosion, reduction
in organic matter, over-compaction through increased trafcking, overstocking and poaching by
livestock can all pose a signicant threat to long term soil quality, crop and livestock yields and
the wider environment. This section will highlight the importance of soil organisms, differences
between soil texture and structure, outline some common soil problems and suggest ways to improve
soil quality.
mites, springtails
The range of microbes at work in soils can include root nodule forming nitrogen xers (more active in soils without N applications),
through to large fungi which can help to breakdown organic matter or act as feeding tubes for plant roots. Some nematodes and
arthropods can help to recycle nutrients, suppress disease and increase microbial decomposition of organic and surface matter.
Methods to increase soil microbe numbers include reduced pesticide and chemical applications, conservation tillage and increased
organic matter inputs such as livestock manures or composted material.
Composting
Composting can reduce the volume of animal
manures, reduce weeds and pathogens, increase
benecial soil microbes and increase levels of soil
organic matter. Composting relies on fungal and
bacterial decomposition of organic matter and
heaps must be monitored and turned on a regular
basis.
Of the more visible soil organisms, arthropods and earthworms
help to breakdown and mix organic matter within the topsoil.
Arthropods feed on potential crop pests whilst earthworms
help to increase aeration and drainage in soils.
The soil textural triangle is a common method used to determine soil textural class
10
90
if you already know the percentage of clay, sand and silt in a soil sample. If these
20
80
factors are known, you can follow the three lines coming from the percentage
30
70
Clay
numbers until they all intersect at a point, indicating your soil texture type.
40
60
Clay
30
20
Silty
Clay
Sandy
Clay
10
Loamy
Sand
Sand
0
80
100
90
Sandy
Loam
60
Silty
Clay Loam
Clay
Loam
Sandy
Clay Loam
Alternatively, when percentages are not known soil texture can be estimated
Silt
50
50
40
70
Sandy Silt
Loam
80
90
Silt
Loam
100
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Sand
Surface capping
Problem
Heavy rainfall on bare soils can break down soil surface structure leading
PROBLEM
Suggested actions
Avoid producing too ne a seedbed during cultivation and where possible, retain residues of the previous crop at the surface
ACTION
as a protective layer. The incorporation of organic matter (e.g. composted material, straw or dung) can greatly improve soil
structure and reduce capping risk. When capped soil dries, break the cap with a light harrow or Cambridge roller.
Compaction
Problem
Compaction compresses the soil and restricts drainage, aeration and rooting depth. Over
PROBLEM
Suggested actions
Identify depth of compaction (see Section 6).
movement or root growth then consider altering cultivation or ploughing depth to get
ACTION
below this layer and break up the compacted soil. Ideally, loosen such layers before the
winter and mix in crop residues so that weathering and biological activity can loosen
and split the clods produced by tillage. Subsoiling, moling or grassland aerators (e.g.
spiked or knife rollers) may help to remediate soil compaction. These operations should
be carried out in dry conditions at working depth to avoid further soil damage. Avoid
over trafcking and restrict access when soil is saturated.
Compact sandy loam soil before (left) and after breaking into coarse clods.
Note how few roots are visible.
Anaerobic layers
Problem
Anaerobic layers are wet, (permanently or over long periods,
especially in winter) are often blue-grey in colour and can give a
PROBLEM
Suggested actions
ACTION
Improve drainage of the soil within and below the anaerobic layer.
Planting a vigorously growing crop (e.g. a grass ley) can help to
deplete moisture and promote soil structural development.
Poor drainage
Problem
Poor drainage is common in many soils and can be aggravated by
an ineffective or blocked drainage system or compacted soil layers
PROBLEM
Suggested actions
Assess drainage by digging soil inspection points. If the soil is dry
deeper in the prole, then localised waterlogging could be present.
ACTION
Recommended measures
Maintain eld drainage systems (unless there are good reasons
not to).
Where possible, avoid working or grazing wet land as this may
lead to smearing, and/or compaction. Consider using smaller
or lighter vehicles, low ground pressure tyres, dual wheels or
tracked vehicles to minimise soil damage.
Keep trafcking to already established tramlines where
possible.
Reduce the frequency of trafc over the eld. Soil damage and
What to do next
Using the eld notes in Section 6, assess your soils and consider what action can be taken to maintain and
enhance soil quality across the farm. See Section 7 for a list of further information sources.
Keeping your land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition; this will be a requirement for receiving your
Single Farm Payment.
Erosion is
These
Water erosion
Water erosion can lead to severe and extended soil loss. The impact of
heavy rain breaks down soil aggregates and dislodges small particles
exceeds the rate at which the water inltrates into the soil and water
begins to run across the soil surface. The faster and more powerful
the water ow, the larger the particles moved and the further the
Loss of topsoil and soil organic matter can reduce soil rooting
potential.
Higher
Fine seedbeds
Potatoes
De-stoning practices
Erosion risk
Maize
Turnips
Winter wheat/barley
Winter oil seed rape
Spring oil seed rape
Spring wheat/barley
Grass
Cereal stubble
Lower
Recommended measures
Time applications of manure to maximise nutrient use and
help to increase topsoil stability. Organic inputs such as
manure, straw, composted materials and non-agricultural
bio-wastes may help to preserve soil organic matter and
improve soil stability.
Change seedbed cultivation to produce a coarser tilth.
Fine seedbeds can increase erosion risk, destabilise soil
structure and lead to the surface becoming sealed or
capped.
Consider sowing grass as part of a rotation to improve soil structural stability and make the soil easier to manage, especially on
sites at risk from erosion.
Cultivate compacted bare land left after potato harvest and eld grazed forage crops as soon as possible.
Consider using minimum or reduced cultivation (min-till) techniques where suitable.
Retain stubbles for as long as possible over the winter period or leave soils roughly ploughed.
Where possible, tramlines should run across slopes. Alternatively a buffer area at the bottom of the slope may also help to reduce
run-off risk.
Retaining stubbles over the winter months will protect the soil surface from erosion.
What to do next
Consider the recommended measures - these could help you meet some of
the requirements under GAEC. Section 5 contains a checklist to help you
decide if you are complying with the soil related GAEC measures.
Your
agricultural consultant should be able to give you further details on the topics
mentioned.
Lead to potential cost savings on inorganic fertilisers through more efcient use of slurry and manure.
Allow inorganic fertiliser inputs to be adjusted to more accurately meet crop requirements across the farm.
Minimise surplus nutrients, saving money and reducing the risk of pollution of watercourses and groundwater around the farm.
Nutrient application
To minimise environmental pollution risk, both organic and
inorganic fertilisers should be kept away from watercourses and hedges. Applying nutrients to these areas is not only a waste,
but could lead to pollution or prevent the growth of less nutrient-demanding hedgerow species, reducing biodiversity on the farm.
Spreaders should be calibrated on a regular basis to assess rate and spread pattern; you may be applying fertiliser unevenly with some
of the crop getting too little and some too much. Using headland deector plates can help to minimise accidental spreading.
Remember the 10m no spread zone bordering watercourses and 50m around wells or boreholes used for dairies or drinking water when
spreading slurry and manure.
Soil and pH
Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity and
affects the availability of nutrients to the
growing crop. The pH of mineral soils
should be maintained at about pH 6.3
for arable crops and pH 5.8 for lowland
grassland. Lime applications help to
increase soil pH, but over-liming should
be avoided as this will reduce the chemical
availability and plant uptake of some trace
elements.
Recommended measures
Carry out soil analysis for nutrients and pH on a three to ve year cycle. Knowing soil nutrient status and pH will help you to
accurately target nutrient and lime applications and could cut costs.
Calculate N, P & K additions from manure and slurry and take these into consideration with soil test results when planning
nutrient applications.
Prompt ploughing-in of manure after spreading will minimise the risk of ammonia losses to the environment (however, working
on wet soils could lead to soil damage and increase risk of capping and runoff).
Time nutrient applications to meet crop requirements and minimise risk of direct losses, e.g. from wind or runoff.
Keep fertiliser or manure applications away from hedgerows and watercourses. The use of deector plates, uncropped eld
margins or conservation headlands will help to reduce this risk.
Make sure machinery is accurately calibrated.
Phosphate
Nitrogen
nutrients when inputs and offtakes were compared, with only one
200
150
Kg/ha
100
50
0
Hill Sheep
Upland
Stock
Lowland
Stock/Arable
Dairy
General
Arable
Intensive
Arable
Farm type
What to do next
Consider how you could improve organic nutrient use and fertiliser management
and calculate potential savings it could bring to the business. Methods to
calculate the potential value of slurry and manure from housed livestock can
be found in The 4 Point Plan, available from your SEERAD ofce. Help is also
available through the EMA (Environmental Management for Agriculture)
CDROM to draw up your own nutrient budget. Alternatively, your agricultural
consultant can help you draw up a nutrient budget for your farm. Section 7
contains a list of useful publications.
habitats.
Flooding and farmland
Recommended measures
assistance
under
agri-environment
Buffer strips can protect watercourses from run-off whilst also improving habitat
for wildlife.
their land
Adding buffer strips along water margins and replanting and fencing
off hedges are just two of the measures we are employing here at
Hillocks of Clunie to protect surrounding water quality.
What to do next
Consider areas that could pose a risk to soil and
water quality around the farm. There may already
be partnership projects running in your area that
could assist with funding or advice for specic
measures. Your agricultural consultant should
be able to provide details of national or local
schemes to consider.
Question
Yes
No
GAEC measure 1
GAEC measure 3
Yes
No
Yes
GAEC measure 2
Comment
No
Question
Yes
Do you try to prevent erosion
around the banks of watercourses,
watering points and feeding
areas as a result of heavy
grazing, trampling or poaching by
livestock?
No
Yes
Are ditch and drainage systems
maintained?
No
GAEC measure 5
Yes
No
GAEC measure 6
GAEC measure 7
GAEC measure 4
Comment
Yes
No
Question
Yes
No
GAEC measure 8
Comment
Yes
No
GAEC measure 9
No answers
Field Notes
Yes
No
Sand
Yes
Loamy Sand
No
Sandy Loam
Yes
Yes
Is it difcult to roll the soil into a ball?
No
No
Does soil feel
smooth and silty as
well as gritty?
Does soil mould to form an
easily deformed ball and feel
smooth and silky (butter)?
Yes
Silt Loam
No
Does soil mould to form a
strong ball which smears, but
does not take a polish?
Yes
Clay Loam
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Clay
Yes
Sandy Clay
Yes
Silty Clay
Taken from Controlling soil erosion: a eld guide for an erosion risk assessment for farmers and consultants. MAFF, PB 4092 Crown
Copyright 1999.
A good soil has pores for water and air to enter and medium sized, stable aggregates
Take note of
How to do it
Possible structural
indications
Soil surface
Compacted zones
Root development
(this may be less relevant
for freshly ploughed sites)
Take note of
Structure and organisation
of particles
How to do it
Gently break large clods and
plates by hand
Possible structural
indications
Good structure
Poor structure
Poor structure
Poor structure
Could have impeded drainage
and/or compaction problems
Good drainage
Good structure
A more detailed soils assessment guide is available from The UK Soil Management Initiative. For details see Section 7.
1.
2.
Baked
Dry on top
Hard
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Very soft
Waterlogged
Damp and
Damp and
Squelchy
Squelchy
rm
soft
in patches
all over
Good Condition
Poor Condition
of damage.
From 6-8 stock or trafc on the
land could result in signicant soil damage.
What to do next
Once you have assessed your soils look again at Section 1. There may
be some ideas for you to consider to improve soil quality. You may want
to discuss your ndings and any possible remedial actions with your
agricultural adviser.
Services/Information
Contact details
LEAF
(Linking Environment And Farming)
NFU Scotland
Content
Contact Details
Content
Contact Details
Contact dpi@sepa.org.uk
www.herts.ac.uk/aeru/ema
HGCA
www.sepa.org.uk/publications/index.htm
Information source
Content
Contact Details
Muirburn Code
Contains recommendations to reduce risk Available free from local SEERAD Ofce.
when carrying out burning. See also The www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/
Muirburn Code a Guide to Best Practice. environment/mbcd-00.asp
NetRegs
www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/
Information source
Content
Contact Details
Available free from your local SEERAD
Ofce.
www.sac.ac.uk/4pp
Handbook showing how new technologies Available from Scottish Natural Heritage,
can be used in farming to benet both
Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW.
the farm business and environment.
Tel: 01738 444177.
www.snh.org.uk/tibre
www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk