Final call for farmers to register for Soil Nutrient Health Scheme before upcoming deadline

Farm businesses in County Antrim and across Northern Ireland are being urged to register for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) before the final deadline of midnight on 1 September 2025.

This marks the last opportunity for farmers to join the scheme, which provides tailored soil analysis to help match slurry, fertiliser and lime applications more precisely to crop needs.

Over 18,600 farm businesses in Zones 1, 2 and 3 have already signed up and are benefitting from the scheme’s insights, which aim to boost farm efficiency while safeguarding the environment.

A DAERA spokesperson said:

“Farm businesses receive valuable information to help match slurry, fertiliser and lime applications to crop needs more accurately. This will help to increase efficiency and protect the environment.”

No enforcement – research-only data use

Officials have stressed that data gathered through the SNHS will not be used for enforcement purposes. It will be shared only with the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) for research and with approved contractors who collect and analyse soil samples.

Future payment link

Participation in the SNHS and completion of related training will be a planned requirement for receiving the new Farm Sustainability Payment from January 2026.

“It is important to note that taking part in the Scheme and completing the training is planned to be a conditionality for the new Farm Sustainability Payment from January 2026,” the spokesperson confirmed.

Registration process

Farmers can register easily via the DAERA Government Gateway Account at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/daera-online-services

Those who need assistance can contact their local DAERA Direct office, speak to a local agent, or visit the AFBI website at: https://www.afbini.gov.uk/article/soil-nutrient-health-scheme

Scheme roll-out timeline

• Zone 1 – County Down and parts of Counties Antrim and Armagh: registrations opened May–Sept 2022

• Zone 2 – Fermanagh, west of County Armagh, and South Tyrone: June–Aug 2023

• Zone 3 – North Tyrone and County Londonderry/Derry: June–Aug 2024

• Zone 4 – County Antrim: registrations opened 16 June 2025

Uptake in the first three zones reached 90%, while over 2,000 farm businesses have so far registered in Zone 4. Farmers in any zone who have not yet joined are still eligible to sign up.