A programme to test farmers’ soil for free is being extended after it proved a roaring success with farmers in one area.
Environment Agency Wales has been running the programme for farms in the catchment of the Afon Clwyd for the past two years.
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.
This has also led to important gains for the environment as fewer nutrients from the land get into rivers.
And as less nutrients flow downstream to the sea, water quality on the beaches in tourist resorts is also improved.
Now the programme is being extended to farms in other catchment areas 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 as well as farms around Llyn Coron on Anglesey.
Nichola Taylor from Environment Agency Wales 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.
"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."
Soil testing is an important part of nutrient management and Environment Agency Wales has teamed up with Farming Connect to promote the financial and environmental benefits of Nutrient Management Planning to farmers throughout Wales.
Farmers in these areas who are interested in free soil testing and fertiliser planning should contact Nichola Taylor on 01248 484174 to register their interest. Testing will start in the autumn.