NRM’s annual national soil summary once again shows nutrient imbalances across two thirds of UK soils

NRM has published its annual soil summary report for 2022-2023, with consolidated data from thousands of soil samples across the UK. Results once again demonstrate imbalances in key nutrients across most (two thirds) of UK soils, maintaining a 30-year trend.

As the UK’s leading provider of soil analysis, NRM has been gathering soil analysis data since 1995. This year’s soil summary includes data from soil samples collected between June 2022 and May 2023 from four different crop categories. This data helps farmers and their advisors understand current nutrient status across the UK, benchmark against other farms with current data, and improve soil health to optimise crop production.

‘It’s clear from our results that testing is extremely important,’ said Sajjad Awan, Agronomy Manager at NRM. ‘There are a lot of farmers not yet testing, not testing regularly enough, or not using their results as effectively as they could. Improving crop production starts with regular testing, as growers and advisors can then use their results to adjust nutrient management plans, ensuring their crops are getting everything they need to thrive. It can also help growers improve year-on-year so they can see the positive impact on productivity and profitability over time.

‘The fact that we are still seeing deficiencies in the majority of UK soils in our summarised data is a worrying trend,’ Sajjad continued. ‘This needs addressing if we are to optimise crop production across the country.

‘Only a third of samples were at the recommended index for phosphorus, and a significant proportion of samples, nearly 37%, were below potassium index 2-. This is exacerbated by the extreme weather conditions we are more consistently experiencing. The profound implications for crop growth and development resulting from lower availability of soil potassium, for example, are made worse during the drought conditions we have seen during late spring and summer over the last few years.

‘Abiotic stress on crops can result in reduced yields and grain quality. Heat and drought stress can affect crop size and bushel weight, whilst insufficient water availability can also lead to reduced nitrogen and phosphorus uptake. These nutrients often remain in the soil after harvest and are at risk of environmental loss through leaching and runoff—which we are seeing this year after a particularly wet autumn and winter. So, keeping an eye on weather conditions throughout the year and committing to regular soil testing means growers are making the most insightful management decisions possible, helping crops thrive sustainably.’

NRM’s standard soil package provides soil indices using PB209 advice and an analysis of plant available phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and soil pH. Combining this with other analyses, including soil organic matter, soil carbon, and soil mineral nitrogen, gives farmers a well-rounded view of the condition of their soils and helps them make better decisions with each new season for optimal crop production and yield.

‘It’s important to observe large-scale results like these and benchmark against other farms to make sure growers improve their management practices year-on-year,’ continued Sajjad. ‘Not only does regular soil analysis help boost crop performance, but using innovative analyses to guide our management decisions is a key step on the journey towards sustainable food production.’

‘Cawood’s core values involve supporting sustainable food production and a safer, healthier planet,’ said Sean Stevenson, Commercial Director of NRM’s parent company, Cawood Agriculture. ‘As the UK’s leading provider of agronomic analysis in the UK, NRM is in a unique position to gather a large amount of soil and crop data for representative results. We are strong advocates of sharing this insightful information with the industry to help farmers meet their goals and improve crop productivity.’

View our soil summary here to see how UK soils have fared this year.