CSAM1: Assess soil, produce a soil management plan and test soil organic matter
What you must do to get paid for this action and advice on how to do it.
This is an action in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme: expanded offer for 2024. You must read the SFI scheme information to understand the scheme rules and how to apply.
Duration
3 years
How much you바카라 사이트檒l be paid
拢6 per hectare (ha) per year and 拢97 per SFI agreement per year
Action바카라 사이트檚 aim
This action바카라 사이트檚 aim is that you:
- understand the condition of your soil
- effectively plan how to increase the long-term health, productivity, and resilience of your soil
Where you can do this action
You can do this action on agricultural land located below the moorland line that바카라 사이트檚:
- an eligible land type (as defined in section 5.1 바카라 사이트楨ligible land types for SFI바카라 사이트� in the SFI scheme information)
- registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
- declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover
For land above the moorland line, you can do CMOR1 to complete a survey to identify, assess and record the soil, vegetation and historic and archaeological features.
Eligible land
| Eligible land type | Eligible land cover | Compatible land use code |
|---|---|---|
| Arable land used to grow crops | Arable land | Land use codes for arable crops or leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops |
| Temporary grassland | Arable land | TG01 |
| Arable land lying fallow | Arable land | FA01 |
| Permanent grassland 바카라 사이트� improved and low input | Permanent grassland | PG01 |
| Permanent crops 바카라 사이트� horticultural and non-horticultural | Permanent crops | Land use codes for permanent crops |
Eligibility of protected land
| Protected land | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) | Eligible 바카라 사이트� you do not need to get SSSI consent for this action |
| Historic and archaeological features | Eligible 바카라 사이트� you must get a SFI HEFER before you do this action (read section 5.6바카라 사이트�바카라 사이트楲and with historic or archaeological features바카라 사이트� in the SFI scheme information to find out how to do this) |
Available area you can enter into this action
Total available area in a land parcel.
Rotational or static action
This action is static. This means you must do it at the same location each year of this action바카라 사이트檚 duration.
What to do
You must:
- assess the soil for all the land parcels entered into this action and produce a written soil management plan which covers that land
- test the soil organic matter (SOM) on all the land parcels entered into this action within the last 5 years
You can use the following to get paid for this action:
- an existing soil management plan that was written in the last 12 months, informed by a soil assessment
- existing SOM test results that are not more than 5 years old
To test the SOM for small land parcels, you can combine them into a single sample area if the soil type and past management is similar. This means you can take soil from each land parcel and combine it into a single sample to test the SOM.
If you need to take soil samples on areas within a land parcel containing historic or archaeological features, including scheduled monuments, you must follow the requirements explained in section 5.6: 바카라 사이트楲and with historic or archaeological features바카라 사이트� in the SFI scheme information.
To help improve national data on the condition of England바카라 사이트檚 soils, Defra or the RPA may ask you to provide some information about your soil assessment and SOM testing results during this action바카라 사이트檚 3-year duration.
This data is one of the public goods that this action is paying for and part of wider government measures in relation to our soils policy and strategy. We바카라 사이트檒l publish guidance on 바카라 사이트 about what information is needed and how to supply it.
When to do it
For the soil assessment and soil management plan, you must:
- complete the soil assessment and produce the written soil management plan within 12 months of this action바카라 사이트檚 start date
- review the soil management plan in each subsequent year of this action바카라 사이트檚 3-year duration, adding any new soil analyses
For the SOM testing, each year of this action바카라 사이트檚 3-year duration you must:
- make sure you바카라 사이트檝e tested the SOM on all the land parcels entered into this action within the last 5 years
- retest that land if your existing SOM test results reach 5 years old
If the timing meets the requirements above, you can do the SOM testing at the same time as your other routine soil testing required in the farming rules for water.
If you enter land into this action which has not been tested for SOM within the last 5 years, you should try to do the SOM testing on that land during the first 12 months of your SFI agreement.
If the laboratory that tests your soil samples does not have capacity to do the tests during the first 12 months of this action바카라 사이트檚 duration, you must:
- get the tests done as soon as possible
- make sure you바카라 사이트檝e tested the SOM on all of these land parcels within the last 5 years by the end of your SFI agreement
- keep evidence of why it was not possible to complete the tests in the first 12 months, so you can provide it to us if we ask for it
How to do it
It바카라 사이트檚 up to you how you do this action, as long as you:
- follow this action바카라 사이트檚 requirements 바카라 사이트� these are identified by a 바카라 사이트榤ust바카라 사이트�
- do the action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve this action바카라 사이트檚 aim
You may find it helpful to read the 바카라 사이트榓dvice to help you do this action바카라 사이트�, but it바카라 사이트檚 not part of this action바카라 사이트檚 requirements.
Evidence to keep
You must keep:
- the written record of your soil management plan, including your soil assessment
- the SOM test results
You must supply this evidence when we ask for it.
Other actions or options you can do on the same area as this action
You can do the following actions or options on the same area in a land parcel as this action.
Some actions or options can only be done on the same area if they바카라 사이트檙e done at a different time of year to this action. For example, winter cover followed by a summer companion crop. Read 바카라 사이트榃hat to do바카라 사이트� and 바카라 사이트榃hen to do it바카라 사이트� to find out when this action must be done.
| Scheme | Action or option codes |
|---|---|
| SFI 2024 actions | CSAM2, CSAM3, SOH1, SOH2, SOH3, SOH4, CAHL1, CAHL2, CAHL3, AHW1, AHW3, AHW4, AHW5, AHW6, AHW7, AHW8, AHW9, AHW10, AHW11, AHW12, CIGL1, CIGL2, CIGL3, GRH1, GRH6, HEF5, HEF6, CAHL4, CLIG3, BFS1, BFS2, BFS3, BFS4, BFS5, BFS6, OFC1, OFC2, OFC3, OFC4, OFC5, OFM1, OFM2, OFM4, OFM5, OFM6, OFA1, OFA6, WBD3, WBD4, WBD5, WBD6, WBD7, WBD8, AGF1, AGF2, PRF1, PRF2, PRF3, PRF4, CIPM1, CIPM2, CIPM3, CIPM4, CNUM1, CNUM2, CNUM3, SCR1, SCR2 |
| SFI 2023 actions | AHL1, AHL2, AHL3, AHL4, IGL1, IGL2, IGL3, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, IPM4, LIG1, LIG2, NUM1, NUM2, NUM3, SAM2, SAM3 |
| CS options | AB1, AB2, AB3, AB5, AB6, AB7, AB8, AB9, AB10, AB11, AB13, AB14, AB15, AB16, BE1, BE2, BE4, BE5, GS1, GS2, GS3, GS4, GS5, GS6, GS7, GS8, GS9, GS10, GS11, GS12, GS13, GS14, HS3, HS4, HS7, HS9, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT7, LH1, LH2, LH3, WT6, WT7, WT8, WT9, WT10, OP1, OP2, OP4, OP5, OR1, OR2, OR3, OR4, OR5, OT1, OT2, OT3, OT4, OT5, SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW12, SW13, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, WT1, WT2, UP2 (if located below the moorland line) |
| ES options | All ES revenue options |
| SFI pilot standards |
SFI pilot arable and horticultural land standard 바카라 사이트� all levels SFI pilot improved grassland standard 바카라 사이트� all levels SFI pilot low and no input grassland standard 바카라 사이트� all levels SFI pilot water body buffering standard 바카라 사이트� all levels |
If an action or option cannot be located on the same area, you may be able to do it on a different area in the same land parcel. Read section 6. 바카라 사이트楨ligible land in other funding schemes바카라 사이트� in the SFI scheme information for more details.
You can do the following actions or options on the eligible boundaries of a land parcel entered into this action:
- SFI 2024 actions: CHRW1, CHRW2, CHRW3, BND1, BND2 and WBD2
- SFI 2023 actions: HRW1, HRW2, HRW3
- CS option BE3 (management of hedgerows)
- all levels of the SFI pilot hedgerows standard
Advice to help you do this action
The following advice may help you to do this action, but it바카라 사이트檚 not part of this action바카라 사이트檚 requirements.聽聽
Completing a soil assessment
To help you understand the condition of your soil, you바카라 사이트檒l usually need to assess:
- soil type 바카라 사이트� this includes sand, silt, clay, loam, chalk and peat (read the for more information)
- soil texture 바카라 사이트� this is the mix of sand, silt and clay in the soil (read for more information)
- soil structure 바카라 사이트� this is how the soil particles (sand, silt, clay, and organic matter) are held together
- soil biology 바카라 사이트� this includes the number of earthworms, levels of organic matter, and microbial activity
- risk of surface runoff and soil erosion
Spring or autumn are often the best time to assess your land parcels (fields) and take soil samples, when the soil is not too dry or too wet.
Where possible, avoid taking soil samples on any area of land with historic or archaeological features identified on your 바카라 사이트�SFI바카라 사이트繏�HEFER. If you need to take soil samples, read section 5.6 바카라 사이트楲and with historic or archaeological features바카라 사이트� in the SFI scheme information before doing so.
You can find out more about assessing your soil in the following guidance:
- the Environment Agency바카라 사이트檚
- the AHDB바카라 사이트檚
- the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB)
How to assess soil structure
Soil structure affects how well crops and grass can grow and how water and air moves in the soil.
To assess the structure of your soil, you can:
- look at the quality of the crop or grass sward growing on your land and identify areas where there may be soil structure issues聽바카라 사이트� read the Environment Agency바카라 사이트檚 바카라 사이트榯hink soils바카라 사이트� guide to for more information
- take a soil sample by digging out a block of soil to a depth of around 30cm (12 inches)
- score the soil sample by visually assessing it聽바카라 사이트� read the AHDB바카라 사이트檚 guidance on to help you do this
How to assess soil biology
Soil biology affects:
- the structure and health of your soil
- the growth of your crops and grass
- water infiltration and water-holding capacity of your soil
You can read the AHDB바카라 사이트檚 guidance on for more information.
To assess soil biology, you can take soil samples from your fields to:
- count the number of earthworms and other visible creatures (such as millipedes and spiders) 바카라 사이트� read AHDB바카라 사이트檚 factsheet on (and use the
- test the soil organic matter (SOM) 바카라 사이트� read 바카라 사이트楾esting soil organic matter바카라 사이트�
- assess microorganisms (such as fungi and bacteria) 바카라 사이트� these can be quite difficult to assess yourself, but you can ask a commercial laboratory to test soil samples for this (read AHDB바카라 사이트檚 factsheet on for more information)
How to assess the risk of surface runoff and soil erosion
Surface water runoff occurs when there is more rainfall than your soil can absorb, so the water drains away directly over the surface of land. This can cause soil erosion.
Runoff can wash soil from your fields:
- into waterbodies, such as ponds, lakes, ditches, streams and rivers 바카라 사이트� this can cause pollution, which can harm animals and plants that live in waterbodies
- across yards
- along tracks or roads
- into field drains
To assess the risk of surface runoff and soil erosion caused by water, you can look at factors such as:
- soil type 바카라 사이트� sandy and light silty soils in arable fields have a higher risk of runoff and erosion
- soil texture 바카라 사이트� this affects whether rain soaks into the soil or runs over the surface, and how easily soil particles will be washed away
- soil structure, including any compaction caused by machinery or livestock 바카라 사이트� this can reduce the movement of water through the soil, which increases the risk of runoff
- the steepness of slopes 바카라 사이트� steeper slopes have a higher risk of runoff and soil erosion as water runs more quickly over the surface聽(read 바카라 사이트楬ow to calculate the slope of a field바카라 사이트�)
- the length of slopes 바카라 사이트� long, unbroken slopes of around 150 metres or more will carry runoff more easily
- topography - land features such as valleys, and gateways, tend to concentrate the flow of water
- how often the land floods 바카라 사이트� it바카라 사이트檚 more susceptible to runoff and erosion if it floods frequently (at least once every 3 years)
- how close the land is to a waterbody聽바카라 사이트� land parcels which are close to a waterbody have a higher risk of runoff causing pollution
- past and present visible signs of runoff or ponding of water on the surface 바카라 사이트� if this happens in most years during wet periods, there바카라 사이트檚 a higher risk of runoff
- visible signs of soil erosion 바카라 사이트� such as rills (small streams) and gullies
- field drainage 바카라 사이트� poorly maintained or blocked drains may increase the risk of runoff
- your use of the land 바카라 사이트� how and when you cultivate the land, and which crops you plant, will affect the risk of runoff and soil erosion
Soil erosion can also be caused by the wind. There바카라 사이트檚 a higher risk of this occurring on fine sandy soils and light peaty soils. It바카라 사이트檒l be worse in dry conditions or where there바카라 사이트檚 drainage, bare land or fine dry seedbeds.
If your soil suffers from wind erosion, you may see:
- drifting soil or buried seedlings
- soil blown into hedgerows, ditches and onto nearby roads
You may find it helpful to read the Environment Agency바카라 사이트檚 for more information on factors that influence erosion and runoff.
How to calculate the slope of a field
To calculate the slope of a field, you can use equipment such as a clinometer. The risk of surface runoff is:
- high for steep slopes 바카라 사이트� these usually have an angle of 7 degrees or more (12%+ gradient)
- moderate for moderate slopes 바카라 사이트� these usually have an angle of 3-7 degrees (5-12% gradient)
- low for gentle slopes 바카라 사이트� these usually have an angle of 2-3 degrees (3-5% gradient)
Producing a written soil management plan
To produce the written soil management plan required by this action, you바카라 사이트檒l need to use the information from your soil assessment. This will help you to plan how to manage your land to improve your soil바카라 사이트檚 health.
For each field, or area within the field where the soils or slopes differ, you can record information in your soil management plan such as:
- soil type, structure and texture
- how you currently manage the area
- any historic or archaeological features (as identified in your SFI HEFER), so you can plan how to manage land above or around these features
- risks of surface runoff and soil erosion which you바카라 사이트檝e identified in your soil assessment
- proposed future management activities, including how you plan to reduce the risks of surface runoff and soil erosion which you바카라 사이트檝e identified in your soil assessment
When you review your soil management plan each year (as required by this action), you can update it to take account of:
- new soil analysis you carry out, including SOM testing
- new risks or continuing issues you have identified in your fields
- changes to proposed management activities for the next year
CFE has produced which may help with your proposed soil health improvement management activities.
How to record your soil management plan
You can choose how to record the written soil management plan. There바카라 사이트檚 no standard format.聽It can be on paper or digital. For example, you could use a map or spreadsheet to record the information.
This table is an example of how you could choose to record your soil management plan.
| Field or part field reference | Field details | Risks and problems identified in the soil assessment | Proposed management actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field 1, part 1 ST0000 0000 | Medium textured well-drained stable soil in combinable crop rotation. Slopes under 3 degrees. Soil structure good, no signs of runoff or erosion. Lower risk of runoff and erosion. | None identified | Maintain current management. Reconsider if cropping changes. |
| Field 2, SY0000 0000 | Erodible light sandy soil in combinable crop rotation. Slopes over 7 degrees. Buried remains of Roman Villa. Next to road and watercourse. High runoff and erosion risk. | Soil/sediment deposition. Risk of compaction increasing runoff and erosion | Include cover crop in rotation to improve soil organic matter content. |
Testing soil organic matter聽
Soil organic matter (SOM) provides many benefits to your soil바카라 사이트檚 health, including improving soil structure. You can read AHDB바카라 사이트檚 guidance on for more information.
To test your soil for SOM, you need to:
- select 바카라 사이트榮ample areas바카라 사이트� which have a similar soil type and have been managed in a similar way in the past
- take multiple soil samples from each sample area 바카라 사이트� it바카라 사이트檚 up to you how many soil samples to take, but to take enough to gain a good understanding of the SOM across each sample area
- combine the soil samples into a single sample that represents the soil across each sample area
You can take account of the field size when you바카라 사이트檙e selecting sample areas. This means you can:
- select one sample area in each field if you consider your fields to be an average size
- select a number of smaller sample areas in a large field
- combine a number of small fields into one sample area, so you take a soil sample from each field and combine it into a single soil sample 바카라 사이트� try to avoid the combined area being too large as this will reduce the soil testing analysis accuracy
If you combine a number of small fields into a single sample, you can decide what size field is a 바카라 사이트榮mall field바카라 사이트�. There are no precise area requirements.
When to take soil samples聽for SOM testing
It바카라 사이트檚 advisable to avoid taking soil samples if:
- the soil is waterlogged or very dry, because it may reduce the quality of the soil analysis
- manure or slurry has been applied within around the last 3 months, as it may affect the soil organic matter levels and give you a false result
If you바카라 사이트檙e taking soil samples on arable or horticultural land, you may find it easier to take soil samples in the spring or autumn:
- before you cultivate land
- to avoid damaging the crop
How to take soil samples聽across a sample area
To take soil samples across a sample area, you can:
- walk a 바카라 사이트榃바카라 사이트� pattern across the area and make 5-7 stops along each leg of the 바카라 사이트榃바카라 사이트� 바카라 사이트� this will give you around 25 soil samples
- at each stop, aim to take cores up to a depth of around 15 centimetres (6 inches)
- combine the soil samples in a clean plastic bag to form one bulk sample of around 0.5 kilograms
Where possible, avoid taking soil samples on any area of land with historic or archaeological features identified on your바카라 사이트�SFI바카라 사이트繏�HEFER. If you need to take soil samples, read section 5.6 바카라 사이트楲and with historic or archaeological features바카라 사이트� in the SFI scheme information before doing so.
It바카라 사이트檚 also advisable to avoid taking soil samples near to features that can distort the soil analysis results, such as:
- manure heaps
- pylons
- gateways
- headlands
- around trees
When you walk the 바카라 사이트榃바카라 사이트� pattern, as part of doing this action바카라 사이트檚 soil assessment, you can also assess the:
- topsoil structure and count earthworms at 5-10 stops across the whole 바카라 사이트榃바카라 사이트�
- subsoil structure at 3 of the stops, with one of these stops on a headland
You may find it helpful to read the AHDB guidance about .
How to test the soil samples聽
If you have the right equipment and expertise, you can test the soil samples yourself. However, sending your soil samples to a commercial laboratory will usually give more accurate results. You can find a list of on the AHDB website.
Try to use the same laboratory and method of testing if you바카라 사이트檙e repeating the tests over a number of years. Having a consistent approach will help you see how the SOM is increasing or decreasing over time.
If you use a laboratory, you can ask them to test organic matter content by using the:
- loss on ignition test (as a minimum level of analysis)
- Dumas test, which uses dry combustion to burn the samples
Updates to this page
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AHW4, AHW12, CIGL3, GRH6, BFS6, SCR1 and SCR2 added to SFI 2024 actions.
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Where you can do this action - an eligible land type is defined in section 5.1 바카라 사이트楨ligible land types for SFI바카라 사이트� in the SFI scheme information. Published voluntary advice to help you do this action, but it's not part of this action바카라 사이트檚 requirements.
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First published.