A picture of UK soil health: Insights for farmers
Soil is the backbone of productive, resilient, and sustainable agriculture – yet national soil analysis data continues to reveal a mixed picture.
Nutrient imbalances, regional disparities, and underuse of organic matter analysis remain critical challenges for UK farmers, even as soil health gains growing attention in agricultural policy and climate discussions.
So, what do the latest insights tell us? NRM’s latest comprehensive Annual Soil Summary offers a revealing snapshot.
UK soil nutrient imbalances: Key findings and what they mean for your farm
Across over 25,000 samples, the results from NRM’s 2023-24 Annual Soil Summary paint a concerning picture of key nutrient availability.
Two-thirds of UK soils were found to be outside the recommended index range for at least one of the three major nutrients: phosphorus (P), potassium (K), or magnesium (Mg).
- Phosphorus (P): Only 35% of soils were at the target index (Index 2). Meanwhile, 42% exceeded this level, posing risks of nutrient lock-up and pollution, while 23% fell short, limiting plant development and yield potential.
- Potassium (K): The split was similarly inconsistent. with just over a quarter of soils (27%) reported below the recommended levels. While 35% were at target, 38% had excessive potassium, which can disrupt the soil’s nutrient balance and increase the risk of leaching.
Learn more about the importance of phosphorous and potassium availability.
- Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium fared slightly better, with 41% of soils at the target index. However, 26% were deficient, posing a threat to crop quality and photosynthesis, especially in cereal and vegetable crops.
These numbers highlight a common problem on many farms – basing nutrient decisions on estimation or usual habits, rather than what the soil actually needs.
It is clear that regular, accurate soil testing is the way forward, rather than relying on assumptions or what worked last season.
Regional differences in UK soils
Soil health challenges also vary significantly by region, as NRM’s interactive map demonstrates.
Dorset’s arable fields, for instance, tend to show high phosphorus levels and optimal pH – indicating likely regular organic matter inputs.
In contrast, parts of Worcestershire are struggling with phosphorus deficiencies, despite adequate soil structure.
In Yorkshire, high pH chalky soils are commonly associated with low available phosphorus. Here, the issue is not absence but availability, with phosphorus being locked up in forms inaccessible to crops.
On the other hand, South East England shows consistently high phosphorus levels, likely reflecting the long-term use of manures and biosolids.
This regional variation reinforces the message that localised data, ideally tailored to individual fields, is essential for informed decisions.
The importance of soil organic matter in farm productivity and sustainability
While nutrient levels tend to dominate soil conversations, soil organic matter (SOM) continues to be overlooked – despite its role in fertility, structure, water retention, and carbon storage.
According to NRM’s findings, only around 17% of the samples included SOM testing, even though 90% of farmers are conducting basic nutrient analysis.
This gap is significant. As regenerative farming and sustainability schemes gain momentum, SOM is becoming more than just a sign of soil health – it can also be a way to boost farm income.
Regular testing helps demonstrate carbon stocks, build natural capital baselines, and measure long-term improvement, helping farmers access environmental-focused rewards.
Moving forward: Evidence-led, field-specific soil management
What is clear from the latest UK-wide data is that soil health must be managed with nuance and accuracy.
The blanket application of fertilisers is no longer sustainable – either environmentally or economically.
Instead, farmers are encouraged to tailor nutrition strategies by testing soils regularly at a field scale.
Ideally, one-quarter of all fields should be tested each year on a rolling basis, ensuring a complete dataset every four years.
Soil organic matter (SOM) also needs to be included in soil tests. As weather extremes increase and carbon measurement enters the mainstream, ignoring organic matter is a missed opportunity.
Improving UK soil health: The importance of tailored, data-driven soil management
The current picture of UK soils is one of potential – but also imbalance.
The good news is that we can make progress, if a more tailored approach to soil health is taken, backed by real data.
Regular testing, paying attention to soil structure and biology, and adapting to what each field needs are key to running a more sustainable and productive farm.
To access the full report and explore the interactive soil map, visit NRM’s Soil Summary 2023–2024.