NRM’s annual soil summary is available as an interactive map for the first time this year. Now farmers can drill down into crop type and nutrient summaries for their region and county, so the data they receive is more relevant than ever before.
The interactive map follows the publication of NRM’s 2020-2021 soil summary with data from thousands of soil samples from farms across the UK collected between June 2020 to May 2021. The interactive map allows farmers and their advisors to select a region and then a county to localise their nutrient summary. Data for phosphorus, potassium and magnesium is split out by arable and grassland and summarised according to the 9th edition of the RB209.
Deficient in 3 nutrients
‘For the last 30 years, we have found that two thirds of most soils are deficient in the 3 key nutrients. This year was no different,’ said Alli Grundy, Agronomy manager at NRM. ‘There are some really interesting variations across the UK as well. For example, while arable soils in Cumbria in the North West of England are high in phosphorus but low in potassium, those in Greater London in the south are low in phosphorus and middling in potassium.’
Viewing the consolidated data in this way is more relevant to farms and their conditions than ever before, helping farmers understand the current nutrients status of their soils and benchmark against other farms. Farmers and advisors can then use the data to enhance performance and make insightful decisions about the next year of farming and beyond.
Adding value
‘A core focus of Cawood is looking for new ways to add value for our customers,’ said Simon Parrington, chief executive officer at Cawood. ‘The interactive soil map, developed by NRM, presents an innovative solution for our customers to easily see how they compare with the rest of the UK and to help them meet their goals. We are really pleased with our digital and data services, which efficiently and effectively help us support a safer, healthier planet.’
