Northern Ireland is offering a free soil sampling and analysis scheme that will be funded under the EU’s Exceptional Adjustment Aid (EAA) package.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the soil sampling service will provide participating farmers with detailed information on their soils, such as pH level and nutrient requirements.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says it welcomes the recent announcement, saying there were difficulties including depressed prices in the arable sector.
The EU commission intended that this funding package would be used to specifically assist the livestock sectors.
The UFU said it wanted to ensure that this would be used strategically in Northern Ireland to invest in the future of the industry.
'Beneficial'
Commenting on the opening of the scheme, UFU President Barclay Bell said: “It is great to see farmers being offered this free soil sampling and analysis service, something that will be beneficial to all eligible farms.
“This scheme will provide farmers with detailed information on their soils to help with optimising nutrient management planning, maximising yields and improving soil fertility. It will also help in reducing costs on farm which is to be welcomed.”
The UFU says it is aware that there are some specific rules around how the funding under the EU’s Exceptional Adjustment Aid (EAA) package is spent.
“One EU specific requirement is that you must be a registered livestock farmer in Northern Ireland,” said Mr Bell.
“The UFU is encouraging all farmers eligible for the scheme to register before the 19th June noon deadline to avail of the benefits this scheme is offering, those in the targeted Catchment Scheme area will also receive further details directly from AFBI.”
It is hoped that all successful applicants will be notified by 31st July 2017 with the scheme commencing November 2017 to February 2018.
