Data from ADAS has revealed that around 90% of UK wheat crops are still nutritionally limited, despite evidence that wheat yields of 15 t/a are achievable across the UK. These findings highlight the significant opportunity growers have to improve nutrient management and crop performance, particularly as climate variability continues to influence nutrient uptake and grain filling.

‘The reality is, most yield loss is invisible without grain analysis,’ said Alli Arden, NRM’s Agronomy Manager. ‘The data highlights a new risk: climate stress is shortening the grain-filling period and disrupting nutrient uptake. The key question for growers is no longer how much fertiliser they should be applying. It’s: what’s actually holding crops back and preventing them from reaching their yield potential? NRM’s GrainCheck service helps farmers answer this question.’

Grain analysis identifies which nutrient is limiting yield, confirming how effectively a crop converts nutrients into yield under stress. Testing not only reveals how crops performed during challenging weather conditions, but also how farming systems can adapt nutrient strategies and build resilience to better handle future extremes.

‘As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, understanding nutrient use efficiency is becoming an essential part of nutrient management planning,’ continued Arden. ‘Grain analysis not only helps explain why yields may have fallen short of expectations, but also helps growers make more targeted fertiliser plans for the following season.’

Turning grain analysis into practical nutrient management

NRM’s innovative grain analysis service, GrainCheck, helps growers measure nutrient offtake and evaluate the effectiveness of their crop nutrition strategy.

Suitable for winter and spring cereals, GrainCheck:

• Gives growers a good indication on how well they are managing nutrients for future adjustments
• Identifies hidden nutrient limitations that may have restricted crop yield or quality
• Allows farmers to use NRM’s nutrient offtake calculator alongside soil analysis results to adjust next season’s nutrient management plans accordingly, if offtake levels are smaller or larger than expected
• Comes with specialist insights by our team of expert agronomists
• Helps to finetune the following crops’ nitrogen requirement and next season’s fertiliser inputs, if used alongside soil and plant tissue testing

Every GrainCheck order includes a FREE sampling kit, containing everything needed to collect and submit grain samples after harvest.

With harvest in full swing, now is the ideal time to order a free sample kit so you’re ready to assess this season’s crop and use the results to improve nutrient management decisions for next year. Contact your agronomist or advisor or contact NRM directly for your kit now.

Watch our insightful GrainCheck videos here to learn more about NRM’s innovative grain analysis service and how to interpret your reports.

Originally launched with 47 analytes, Marchwood has since expanded its service to 52 PFAS analytes to help companies comply with upcoming legislation, safeguard public health, and protect the environment.

‘Marchwood is now operating a targeted PFAS screen with 52 PFAS analytes, including PFOS and PFOA in clean waters, dirty waters, and solids,’ said David Elo, Senior Business Development Manager at Marchwood. ‘The methodology is based on the most recent version of the US EPA method for full compliance and incorporates the PFAS listed on the new Drinking Water Inspectorate guidance. As the UK’s leading dioxins and furans analysis laboratory, we are always looking for ways to innovate and satisfy customer requests. So, we have recently extended this list to 52 PFAS analytes, further allowing us to meet all customer requirements effectively.’

The limits of detection for PFAS are between 1 and 5mg/l for clean water samples. To meet such a low detection limit, and to eliminate background noise and cross-contamination, Marchwood has dedicated its LC/MS QQQ instrumentation to solely carrying out PFAS analysis. The team has modified the LC to meet this method detection limit and equipped it with PFC-free parts to eliminate any environmental contamination.

‘Regional environment protection agencies will soon be bringing out legislation around PFAS for utilities. So, we made sure to implement these new tests with plenty of time,’ continued David. ‘We have also applied for UKAS accreditation for some of the matrices to give our customers further confidence in the accuracy and reliability of our results. By analysing effluents, sewage, soils, fertiliser, and waste, we are not only using our extensive expertise in this area to limit exposure to PFAS, safeguarding public health and protecting the environment, but we are also ensuring our customers remain fully compliant.’

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a group of synthetic chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings that help to resist heat and repel oil, stains, grease, and water. More commonly known as “forever chemicals”, they can persist in the environment for a very long time, moving through soils and bypassing wastewater filtration systems without breaking down. PFAS are hazardous to public health, leading to adverse effects including altered immune and thyroid function, liver and kidney disease, reproductive and developmental issues, and cancer.

Click here to learn more about our PFAS analysis services.

For more information on our chemical analysis services, contact us.

This news article has been updated to reflect changes made in 2026.

Marchwood has achieved UKAS accreditation for brominated dioxins analysis, reinforcing its position as the UK’s leading specialist in stack emissions testing. This specialist analytical service plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health and protecting the environment, while helping plants secure the necessary permits for commercial incineration under Environment Agency (EA) legislation.

‘On 1st January 2023, new EA legislation came into force requiring plants to test stack emissions for brominated dioxins twice a year,’ said Alan Wilson, General Manager at Marchwood. ‘At that time, no laboratory in the UK was offering this type of analysis. We were the first to carry it out and developed a robust analytical method to meet the new regulatory requirements. This enabled customers to comply from day one. That method has now been accredited by UKAS, reinforcing the confidence customers already have in our service and recognising the expertise and hard work of our teams.’

Marchwood’s brominated dioxins testing is part of its comprehensive range of analytical services for stack emissions. The analysis can be undertaken as a standalone service, or alongside chlorinated dioxins and PCBs within the same sampling train. By sampling them all at the same point, customers can save a significant amount of money and time while maintaining full regulatory compliance.

‘We are proud to have achieved UKAS accreditation for our brominated dioxins analysis,’ said Felicity Lenyk, Director of Product at Cawood. ‘As the first laboratory in the UK to initially develop and deliver this service, we have built significant technical expertise and practical experience in brominated dioxins analysis. The UKAS accreditation is the result of months of rigorous method development, validation and collaboration across our technical teams. Their expertise and dedication keep our customers compliant and reflects our continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and quality in environmental testing.’

Marchwood provides a comprehensive analysis service for stack emissions. For more information, contact us.

 

 

Over the past three years, NRM has recycled more than 10 tonnes of laboratory plastic through its partnership with RecycleLab. This achievement places NRM at the Platinum level of RecycleLab’s Recognition Scheme, highlighting our ongoing commitment to reducing and recycling plastic waste across the agricultural and environmental industries.

“This is a major sustainability milestone for us at NRM,” said David Harding, NRM Purchasing & Stock Manager. “Since beginning our journey with RecycleLab three years ago, we have recycled a total of 17,732 kg of plastic, which actually significantly exceeds the maximum Platinum threshold of 10 tonnes. Working with RecycleLab is a fantastic step towards a safer, healthier planet, as every kilogram recycled contributes to keeping valuable materials out of incineration. It also supports the creation of high-quality recycled polymers that can be used again in science and healthcare applications.”

The RecycleLab Recognition Scheme celebrates laboratories that are actively cutting their environmental footprint by diverting plastic away from landfill and incineration. Reaching Platinum status is an impressive accomplishment, equivalent to recycling the weight of two African elephants, and reflects sustained effort across multiple teams and sites.

“This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of our teams across NRM, who have embraced recycling as part of their day-to-day operations,” said Sean Stevenson, Director of Product for Cawood Agriculture. “Special thanks go to all teams for their continued commitment, to the Stores team for facilitating and managing the recycling operation so effectively, and to David Harding, who spearheads the whole project.

“Ultimately, every box collected, every test tube sorted, and every process improved has played a part in reaching this achievement,” continued Harding. “We look forward to building on this success and continuing to reduce our environmental footprint in the years ahead.”

Marchwood has been granted UKAS accreditation for its nitrous oxide analysis (N₂O) services. This service is vital to help employers and occupational hygienists protect workers and ensure a safe working environment while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.

‘Nitrous oxide, or Entonox, is commonly used in medical settings to provide short-term pain relief and to calm anxiety in childbirth, minor surgery, and dental treatments,’ said Jenny Wraith, Business Development Manager at Marchwood. ‘Despite these benefits, acute exposure is extremely dangerous. Because only 0.004% of nitrous oxide is metabolised by the body, almost all of it is exhaled unchanged, maintaining its potency in the surrounding air. In environments with inadequate ventilation, this can lead to harmful accumulation, posing a risk to medical and clinical staff.

‘With this in mind, protecting workers and monitoring air quality in areas where Entonox is used is absolutely essential. To do this, employers must conduct regular analysis to assess exposure levels and implement necessary safety measures. At Marchwood, we can help.’

Marchwood provides comprehensive air quality analysis services using molecular sieve tubes for sample collection. These tubes can be deployed as static samples within rooms or used with lapel clips to measure exposure within a worker’s breathing zone. Samples are analysed using thermal desorption, with a limit of detection of 1.8 micrograms, ensuring exceptional sensitivity and precision.

‘Our newly awarded UKAS accreditation to ISO 17025 should assure our clients that our nitrous oxide analysis meets the highest standards of technical competence and reliability,’ continued Jenny. ‘Achieving this accreditation ultimately shows our dedication to supporting safer workplaces through robust, scientifically validated analysis.’

Acute exposure to Entonox could lead to vitamin B12 depletion, resulting in anaemia, and could impair mental performance, audio visual ability, and manual dexterity. At its worst and with chronic or habitual exposure, it can cause severe neurological damage. To maintain a safe working environment where Entonox and similar gases are used, it is essential to ensure adequate ventilation, regular air monitoring, and ongoing staff education about the potential risks of exposure.

For more information on our services, contact us.

NRM has released new data from hundreds of thousands of soil samples in its soil summary 2024-2025, which suggests the stark differences seen in phosphorus levels across the UK require tailored management practices. Ultimately, managing levels carefully is key to optimising crop production whilst limiting losses to the environment.

NRM has been collecting soil analysis data since 1995. Following the company’s expert webinar on managing soil phosphorus effectively earlier this year, NRM has taken a deep dive into the consolidated, anonymised data on soil phosphorus levels gathered from over 350,000 samples analysed from June 2024 to May 2025. This data will help farmers design and implement insightful management plans to help improve soil health and optimise crop production whilst transitioning towards more sustainable agricultural practices.

“Phosphorus (P) is a cornerstone of plant growth and productivity. Despite its importance, we’ve found that P levels vary widely across the UK,” said Sophie Cath, Sales & Business Development Manager for Soil & Animal Health at Cawood Agriculture. “In Eastern arable areas, fewer livestock mean less manure recycling, so P levels often fall below target, leading to deficiency. Meanwhile, the livestock-rich northwest tends to show higher P levels as a result of years of regular manure use. Understanding these differences and tailoring management plans helps make sure that nutrients are managed efficiently and sustainably.”

Whilst arable soils overall were found to have maintained good levels of fertility, grassland soils shifted compared with last season. Sophie noted that a third of arable soils reached the target Index 2, similar to last year’s results.

“While arable results were steady, on grassland, 30% were on target, but 37% were higher,” she explained. “This small shift toward higher P levels shows why it’s important to keep fertiliser inputs in balance. This will help farmers to get the best from their soils without overloading them.”

 

Phosphorus management in the wider landscape: soil summary 2024-2025

Managing phosphorus isn’t just about boosting crop growth: it’s about getting the balance right. Applying fertiliser accurately helps crops thrive while reducing the risk of pollution.

“P losses to water pose a major environmental concern,” said Sophie. “Every year in England and Wales, around 2 million tonnes of soil and organic matter are lost to water. Much of it contains phosphorus, which can cause serious water quality problems when it runs off the land.

“To limit these losses to the environment, our experts suggest tailoring management practices to specific circumstances—particularly if your soils are in excess of P. Field management strategies like buffer strips and cover crops will help limit phosphorus losses, and careful nutrient planning and timing using expert analysis will help optimise crop production overall. Better decision-making informed by accurate and reliable results leads to improved soil health and compliance with sustainability objectives, both of which help to bolster the resilience of farming businesses.

NRM’s standard soil package provides soil indices based on RB209 guidance and an analysis of crop-available phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and soil pH.

With Christmas only a few weeks away, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their business during 2025, and to let you know our operating plans for the holiday period.

Our laboratory and courier arrangements for Christmas and New Year are listed below. Please note that, while many of our business units close for a short period over the holidays, we also have specific cut off dates for the receipt of some sample types. Please check the details for each business unit.

For any enquiries, or to book in your samples, please speak to your usual Cawood contact.

NRM
Closed from Wednesday 24^th December at 12:30pm and reopening on Monday 5^th January. For full details of our laboratory and courier arrangements over the holiday period, click here.

Sciantec
Closed from Wednesday 24^th December at 12:30pm and reopening on Monday 5^th January. For full details of our laboratory and courier arrangements over the holiday period, click here.

Sci-Tech (IRE)
Closed from Wednesday 24^th December at 12:30pm and reopening at 8:30am on Friday 2^nd January. For full details of our laboratory arrangements over the holiday period, click here.

IAS
Closed from Monday 22^nd December and reopening on Monday 5^th January. Full details of our laboratory and courier arrangements over the holiday period, click here.

Marchwood (Manchester)
Closed from Wednesday 24^th December at 12:30pm and reopening on Friday 2^nd January. For full details of our laboratory and courier arrangements over the holiday period, click here.

Marchwood (Southampton)
Closed from Wednesday 24^th December at 12:30pm and reopening on Friday 2^nd January. For full details of our laboratory and courier arrangements over the holiday period, click here.

Enitial
All services running as usual.

One size does not fit all when it comes to managing phosphorus (P). This, as well as the overwhelming importance of data when making nutrient management decisions, were the key takeaways from NRM and Natural England’s recent webinar, “From data to decisions: making the most of soil phosphorus for sustainable agriculture.”

“Phosphorus imbalances are widespread across the UK. From our extensive database of 170,000 fields analysed over the last 5 years, we found that nearly 30% of soils were deficient, while over 40% contained more than multiple crops over a rotation realistically need. This is a big problem,” said Dr Sajjad Awan, Soil & Crop Nutrition Agronomist at NRM. “Without phosphorus, roots cannot develop, leaves cannot form, and yields collapse. Essentially, no phosphorus means no growth. However, too much phosphorus means increased risk of losses to the environment.

“What we must remember is that phosphorus rarely acts alone. Crops require a balanced diet, and phosphorus interacts closely with nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, and other key nutrients. P imbalances reduce efficiency and hold back yield potential. So, it’s incredibly important to analyse throughout the year and make full use of your data to make the best decisions for your farm and the environment.”

NRM’s data revealed that regional differences in P levels were significant. Whilst Northeastern arable regions tended to show deficiencies, the livestock-intense northwest region often tested above target. According to Dr Awan, this is likely due to soil pH, as well as varying tillage and sampling methods.

“When pH drifts above or below the optimal range, phosphorus can bind with iron, aluminium, or calcium, reducing availability and preventing crops from achieving optimal yield,” said Dr Awan. “Additionally, many farmers may not realise that different tillage methods and required sampling depths may have an effect on P levels. For example, if fields are ploughed, we advise sampling to the traditional 15cm. If they are min-tilled, we advise sampling to 23cm to avoid overestimating soil P content, which tends to accumulate nearer the soil service. Sampling to the correct depth prevents inaccuracies in the assumed content of P in the soil, giving farmers a clearer indication if they need to supplement with fertiliser or not.”

Nigel Simpson, Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Agricultural Lead at Natural England, placed phosphorus within a broader environmental and practical context.

“Only around 0.2% of soil phosphorus is immediately available to crops,” said Nigel. “This availability relates to soil pH, but as phosphorus losses to water in soil particles are also a major environmental issue, we can’t just apply more fertiliser. Excess phosphate fuels algal blooms, which strip oxygen from lakes and rivers, threatening biodiversity, fish stocks, and rural livelihoods. In England and Wales, an estimated two million tonnes of soil and organic matter are lost to water each year, much of it carrying phosphorus with it. Losses can be especially severe on sloping clay soils, where runoff and sheetwash erosion risk can be high.”

To avoid these issues, Nigel suggested adopting more careful management practices.

“Buffer strips, beetle banks, grassed tramlines, cover crops, and sediment ponds will help limit phosphorus loss to the environment,” Nigel said. “Additionally, avoiding applications on high-index soils, applying manure and fertiliser when the crop is going to use the nutrients they supply, and regularly analysing organic manures for accurate nutrient values before applying are all fantastic ways to help limit losses and balance crop productivity with environmental stewardship.”

The webinar, held on Wednesday 24^th September 2025, attracted over 135 attendees from across the agricultural industry. It featured engaging discussions, an interactive Q&A session, and valuable expert recommendations.

“The opportunity lies in using data not just as evidence, but as a guide to smarter, more sustainable farming,” Dr Awan concluded. “By prioritising routine testing and managing phosphorus effectively, growers can optimise management plans and support sustainable farming practices.”

Key takeaways from the webinar include:

• Many soils are off target for P in the UK
• Data, rather than intuition, is required to guide and drive management decisions
• Balancing yield targets with environmental risk is crucial to optimise crop development and minimise losses
• One size does not fit all: different soils require different management plans to build, maintain, or decrease P levels
• Environmental concerns means that sustainable P management is more of a regulatory and public interest issue than ever before, so adopting data-driven strategies are required to satisfy both agronomic and environmental goals
• Year-round soil, tissue, and grain analysis is vital in tracking phosphorus levels, adjusting fertiliser plans effectively, and better managing crop productivity whilst protecting the environment.

For those who missed the live session, you can watch the full webinar recording here.

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to this successful webinar!

Our recent webinar, “From data to decisions: making the most of soil phosphorus for sustainable agriculture”, was a resounding success, attracting 150 attendees from across the agricultural industry. Hosted by experts from NRM and Natural England on 24^th September, this informative session provided crucial insights into the latest soil analysis data and how it can guide phosphorus nutrition planning to support optimal crop yield whilst minimising environmental impact.

Key highlights include:

• Expert presentations from Dr Sajjad Awan (NRM) and Nigel Simpson (Natural England), who shared fantastic insights on optimising phosphorus nutrition for both improved crop yields and sustainable agriculture.
• An interactive Q&A session, where attendees engaged with our experts, asking insightful questions about regional phosphorus data, best practices, and environmental schemes.
• A strong industry response, with many attendees submitting their BASIS details to receive 1 CPD point for their participation.
• All questions from the webinar have been compiled and will be published to ensure the entire agricultural community benefits from the discussion.

For those who missed the live session, you can watch the full webinar recording here.

‘Without up-to-date analysis data, you can’t make informed decisions for your farm,’ said Dr Sajjad Awan, Soil & Crop Nutrition Agronomist at NRM. ‘What’s become clear from our webinars is just how strong the appetite is among farmers for reliable information. The data provides that foundation, and it shows us that informed decisions simply aren’t possible without it. The enthusiasm we’re seeing is proof of how essential accurate, timely data has become in modern farming.’

Stay tuned for more events and insights, and thank you to all who attended and contributed to this successful webinar!

24^th September 2025 at 2pm-3pm BST

Agronomists, growers, and other agricultural industry professionals are invited to a critical webinar on Wednesday 24^th September titled “From data to decisions: making the most of soil phosphorus for sustainable agriculture”. Register here now to secure your space.

Understanding what’s in the soil before applying inorganic phosphorus fertiliser is essential. Soil phosphorus (P) levels that are too high or too low can undermine crop performance and harm the environment. Excess P can cause nutrient imbalances and water quality issues, while deficiency restricts root growth, development, and yield. With NRM’s dataset showing that nearly 70% of soils in arable rotations are off target, striking the right balance is critical.

Hosted by experts from NRM, the UK’s leading agricultural analysis laboratory, and Natural England, the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, this free virtual event focuses on how the latest soil analysis data can guide phosphorus nutrition planning to support optimal crop yield whilst minimising environmental impact.

“This webinar will bring together leading experts to help farmers and advisers understand how soil and grain analysis data can improve phosphorus nutrition planning whilst minimising environmental impact,” said Sophie Cath, Sales & Business Development Manager for Soil & Animal Health at Cawood Agriculture. “Attendees will discover the latest research and trends on phosphorus across the UK, explore insightful data from one of the UK’s largest datasets to understand where soils are under or over-supplied, gain innovative and practical strategies for making the most of soil phosphorus, learn about the importance of improving sustainable farming practices, and engage in a live Q&A session with our experts.”

With perspectives from agronomists and discovery leaders, this webinar is essential viewing for anyone in agriculture, from farmers to advisors to change makers.

“NRM’s most recent dataset from 2020-2025 not only shows that nearly 70% of arable soils are off target, but that 70% in grass silage and 75% in grazing systems are off base too,” said Dr Sajjad Awan, Soil & Crop Nutrition Agronomist at NRM. “Grain analysis for winter wheat reflects a similar trend. So, the question is: does current phosphorus management truly support both yield and environmental goals, or do we need to rethink our approach using data-driven insights?”

Sajjad and Sophie will be joined by a panel of agricultural experts, including:

• Nigel Simpson, Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Agricultural Lead at Natural England
• Alli Arden, Agronomy Manager at NRM, supporting all things agronomy
• Sean Stevenson, Director of Product at Cawood Agriculture, answering questions around analysis in the laboratory
• John Davies, Senior Advisor (Agriculture), Environment & Business Directorate at the Environment Agency, for any queries around the Farming Rules for Water

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with our speakers, gaining practical insights for efficient and sustainable nutrient planning. A live Q&A session will also give attendees the opportunity to question our experts.

Plus, you’ll get 1 BASIS CPD point just for attending!

Event details:

Title: From data to decisions: making the most of soil phosphorus for sustainable agriculture
Date: Wednesday 24^th September
Time: 2pm-3pm BST
Platform: Microsoft Teams
Register here.

Can’t make it? Register anyway and we’ll let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Our webinar is ideal for anyone interested in understanding soil analysis data and how it can improve phosphorus nutrition planning whilst minimising environmental impact.

• Farmers & growers: understand the role of P in crop performance, optimise fertiliser spend, and improve yields.
• Agronomists & crop advisors: support nutrient recommendations with evidence-based data.
• Environmental advisors/Catch Sensitive Farming officers: balance crop productivity with water quality and sustainability goals.
• Food industry & supply chain managers: understand how nutrient use efficiency and assurance schemes support sustainability.
• Researchers, students & technical staff: obtain a clear, data-backed refresher on P dynamics in soils and crops.

Early registration is encouraged to reserve your space.