Protecting soils and income

in Scotland

Introducing the Farm Soils Plan

Attention is increasing across all sectors on the need to preserve soil quality
and maintain soil sustainability. The Farm Soils Plan is aimed at farmers,
crofters and contractors across Scotland. It could help you to protect soils,
meet environmental standards and benet the farm business. The Farm Soils
Plan provides basic guidance and reminders on:

Recognising poor soil conditions

Maintaining soil structure and rooting potential

Reducing soil erosion and protecting water quality

Targeted nutrient application

Protecting your soils and the Single Farm Payment.

Section 5 contains a guide to help you establish whether you are complying
with the soil related aspects of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition
(GAEC). Farmers should refer to the Cross Compliance section of the Single
Farm Payment Explanatory Notes (see Section 7 for details) for information
on meeting all GAEC requirements.
The Scottish Executive Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of
Environmental Pollution From Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA Code) contains information on soil protection and ways to reduce the
risk of diffuse pollution arising from agricultural activities. Guidance to reduce diffuse pollution risk from livestock operations is
contained in The 4 Point Plan. These documents are available free from your local SEERAD ofce.

Diffuse pollution and soils

Diffuse pollution from agricultural practices has
been recognised as a priority for action. It can be
characterised by the gradual and often unnoticed
contamination of soil, air and water from a range of
pollutants e.g. soil particles, pesticides, nutrients,
and faecal bacteria. Contaminants could have
originated from a large number of small sources and
could be transported through run-off and leaching.
Individually, they have a limited impact but
collectively can lead to increased pollution risk. As
it can occur over large areas, and affect all surface
waters, the control of diffuse pollution requires a
catchment level approach.

Finding out more

The measures contained in this publication are for guidance only; you may need to seek advice from your agricultural or conservation
consultant regarding specic measures or other practical actions to manage soil and improve water quality. Section 7 gives contact
details of a range of organisations, other publications and website addresses that you may nd useful.

Know your soils

Agricultural soils are a blend of sand, silt, clay, organic matter, water and air, coupled with a wide
range of living organisms. On a global scale, soils are inuential in a range of ecological functions
from water cycling to carbon storage. Protecting soil quality through early recognition of poor soil
conditions, remedial treatments and improved management is important. Soil erosion, reduction
in organic matter, over-compaction through increased trafcking, overstocking and poaching by
livestock can all pose a signicant threat to long term soil quality, crop and livestock yields and
the wider environment. This section will highlight the importance of soil organisms, differences
between soil texture and structure, outline some common soil problems and suggest ways to improve
soil quality.

Life in the soil

Estimates suggest that one gram of healthy soil can contain in the region of
one billion organisms including 5 million bacterial cells, 10,000 protozoa,
200m of fungal hyphae and around 100 nematodes. Along with earthworms
and arthropods (e.g.
Reducing disease risks.

mites, springtails

Some interactions between soil and microbes can

help to suppress pathogenic activity within the
soil. Soil microbes can protect against disease in
other ways such as out-competing pathogens
and immune response triggers.

and beetles) these

organisms play an
important role in
maintaining soil
health.

The range of microbes at work in soils can include root nodule forming nitrogen xers (more active in soils without N applications),
through to large fungi which can help to breakdown organic matter or act as feeding tubes for plant roots. Some nematodes and
arthropods can help to recycle nutrients, suppress disease and increase microbial decomposition of organic and surface matter.
Methods to increase soil microbe numbers include reduced pesticide and chemical applications, conservation tillage and increased
organic matter inputs such as livestock manures or composted material.

Organic farming systems

All farm systems need to build and conserve natural soil
fertility, but this is especially important in organic farming
systems.
Organic standards promote the use of a soil management
plan to demonstrate that consideration has been given
to soil fertility and protection and enhancement of soil
structure over the course of a crop rotation. Organic
rotations are developed to balance both nutritional and
structural demands on soils, whilst providing an adequate
break between crops to avoid specic pests and diseases.
Rotations aim to balance cropping with fertility building.
Legumes, cover crops and green manures can all help to
assist natural fertility building processes within the soil.

Composting
Composting can reduce the volume of animal
manures, reduce weeds and pathogens, increase
benecial soil microbes and increase levels of soil
organic matter. Composting relies on fungal and
bacterial decomposition of organic matter and
heaps must be monitored and turned on a regular
basis.
Of the more visible soil organisms, arthropods and earthworms
help to breakdown and mix organic matter within the topsoil.
Arthropods feed on potential crop pests whilst earthworms
help to increase aeration and drainage in soils.

Soil texture and soil structure

Soil texture is dened by the proportion of sand, silt and clay particles bound together by organic matter. Soil organic matter
- or humus - is a vital component of soil, inuencing fertility, soil structure,
workability and water holding capacity, as well as storing carbon.
Soil texture is very variable and can indicate a range of soil properties, for
example:
Loamy sands and soils with a high content of ne sand and silt are
susceptible to soil problems watch out for surface capping, compaction
and erosion damage unless high organic matter levels are maintained.
Sandy loams and sandy silt loams (soils with <18% clay) most suitable Hand texturing soils will indicate soil texture class.
soils for all enterprises in wetter areas and suitable for more intensive
cropping.
Clay soils and sandy clay loams (containing >18% clay particles) tend to be
imperfectly or poorly drained. Even when the drainage system is working well,
the range of moisture contents when clay soils are suitable for cultivation is
small. These soils are prone to drainage related problems and poaching,
compaction and smearing.
100

The soil textural triangle is a common method used to determine soil textural class
10

90

if you already know the percentage of clay, sand and silt in a soil sample. If these
20

80

factors are known, you can follow the three lines coming from the percentage
30

70
Clay

numbers until they all intersect at a point, indicating your soil texture type.
40

60

Clay

30
20

Silty
Clay

Sandy
Clay

10
Loamy
Sand
Sand
0
80
100
90

Sandy
Loam

by laboratory analysis or hand texturing (see Section 6).

60

Silty
Clay Loam

Clay
Loam

Sandy
Clay Loam

Alternatively, when percentages are not known soil texture can be estimated

Silt

50

50
40

Soil structure is the arrangement of particles in blocks or aggregates

70

Sandy Silt
Loam

within the soil. Structure is strongly inuenced by tillage, cropping,

80

texture, organic matter, compaction and biological activities and can

90

Silt
Loam

100
70

60

Smearing is the localised spreading and

smoothing of soil by applied pressure,
often by slipping tractor wheels. Smeared
soil will present a barrier to the movement
of water and roots.

50

40

30

20

10

be affected by drainage status and weathering.

Maintaining a good, stable soil structure can

Sand

The eld notes with this pack show

you how to assess soil texture and
structure

Increase water holding capacity

Promote root growth

Maintain aeration and drainage Make cultivation easier

Reduce erosion risk.

Common problems seen on Scottish soils

A wide range of soil problems can go unseen. After examining soils you can consider
actions needed to rectify any problems. It may be necessary to seek specialist advice,
as general recommendations may not be appropriate to all soil types and conditions.

Surface capping
Problem
Heavy rainfall on bare soils can break down soil surface structure leading

PROBLEM

to the formation of a surface crust or cap (1 to 10 mm thick). This makes

it harder for seedlings to emerge from the soil, reduces water inltrating
through the soil surface and increases run-off risk. Fine sandy and silty soils
are particularly at risk from capping. The formation of erosion rills and gullies
can result in soil deposition at sides of elds, on roads or in watercourses and
ditches.

Grassland productivity can be decreased

by soil compaction, surface smearing and
wheeling damage to the sward.

Suggested actions
Avoid producing too ne a seedbed during cultivation and where possible, retain residues of the previous crop at the surface

ACTION

as a protective layer. The incorporation of organic matter (e.g. composted material, straw or dung) can greatly improve soil
structure and reduce capping risk. When capped soil dries, break the cap with a light harrow or Cambridge roller.

Compaction
Problem
Compaction compresses the soil and restricts drainage, aeration and rooting depth. Over

PROBLEM

-cultivation (the production of an excessively deep and/or ne structured seedbed) and

heavy trafcking, such as multiple passes of machinery on wet soils, will increase the risk
of soil over-compaction, plough or wheeling pans. Such pans can extend into the subsoil,
particularly if vehicles are heavy and sink during wet conditions. Poaching and shallow
pan formation from livestock is a common problem on grassland soils.

Suggested actions
Identify depth of compaction (see Section 6).

If the plough pan restricts water

movement or root growth then consider altering cultivation or ploughing depth to get

ACTION

below this layer and break up the compacted soil. Ideally, loosen such layers before the
winter and mix in crop residues so that weathering and biological activity can loosen

The upper layer of soil shows a pan

formed by livestock. A wheel pan
is also visible at the base of the
topsoil.

and split the clods produced by tillage. Subsoiling, moling or grassland aerators (e.g.
spiked or knife rollers) may help to remediate soil compaction. These operations should
be carried out in dry conditions at working depth to avoid further soil damage. Avoid
over trafcking and restrict access when soil is saturated.

The term wet soils usually refers to

soil which is at or wetter than eld
capacity (the moisture content of a
soil after excess water has drained
away about 1-2 days after heavy
rainfall). Soils stay wet after heavy
rainfall if they are in a low lying
area or because of compact layers
in the topsoil or upper subsoil
preventing drainage.

Compact sandy loam soil before (left) and after breaking into coarse clods.
Note how few roots are visible.

Heavy trafcking can damage soils.

Anaerobic layers
Problem
Anaerobic layers are wet, (permanently or over long periods,
especially in winter) are often blue-grey in colour and can give a

PROBLEM

foul, sulphurous (rotten eggs) smell. Roots cannot grow in anaerobic

conditions and nitrogen can be lost as a gas from anaerobic soils.
In some instances, incorporating crop residues to anaerobic soils
can increase the problem, as valuable oxygen is used up during the
decomposition process.

Suggested actions

ACTION

Improve drainage of the soil within and below the anaerobic layer.
Planting a vigorously growing crop (e.g. a grass ley) can help to
deplete moisture and promote soil structural development.

An anaerobic layer of blue-grey soil can be seen

below the tilled layer at the knife blade. These
conditions were attributed to severe compaction
and rut formation as the prole face was located
near to a eld entrance.

Poor drainage
Problem
Poor drainage is common in many soils and can be aggravated by
an ineffective or blocked drainage system or compacted soil layers

PROBLEM

preventing drainage. Indicators of poor drainage include:

anaerobic soils

wet areas impeding machinery operations and stock turnout

patchy yellowing of crops

This compacted loam topsoil is showing signs of

localised waterlogging illustrated by the grey soil area.

excessive growth of weeds.

Suggested actions
Assess drainage by digging soil inspection points. If the soil is dry
deeper in the prole, then localised waterlogging could be present.

ACTION

You may need to consider whether to repair or renew the drainage

system. Alternatively, persistent areas of poor drainage could be
used to create a wetland. Funding to support wetland creation may
be available through agri-environment schemes.

Poor drainage can be highlighted by yellowing of crops.

Recommended measures
Maintain eld drainage systems (unless there are good reasons
not to).
Where possible, avoid working or grazing wet land as this may
lead to smearing, and/or compaction. Consider using smaller
or lighter vehicles, low ground pressure tyres, dual wheels or
tracked vehicles to minimise soil damage.
Keep trafcking to already established tramlines where
possible.
Reduce the frequency of trafc over the eld. Soil damage and

reductions in yield quantity and quality may be apparent.

Consider how poor soil conditions could be rectied as part
of the next cultivation.
Consider a more varied rotation to exploit the different soil
management and root growth habits of different crops in
generating and preserving soil structure.
Put wet elds under low intensity grass or allow them to
form wetlands. Agri-environment funding may be available
for this.

What to do next
Using the eld notes in Section 6, assess your soils and consider what action can be taken to maintain and
enhance soil quality across the farm. See Section 7 for a list of further information sources.

Reducing soil erosion

Soil erosion by water and wind can be a

big problem for some farms, removing
fertile topsoil, clogging drainage systems
and polluting watercourses. Poaching from
livestock gathering around feeding rings
and at access points can increase the risk
of soil erosion and contribute to soil loss.
Simple changes in practices may help to
reduce the occurrence and intensity of
erosion events and so give rise to a range
of benets for the farm.
Cattle gathering around feeding rings can damage soil structure.

Reducing soil erosion- benets to you and your business

For areas that have been identied as at risk of erosion through soil assessment or experience from land management, reducing soil
erosion could benet your business by:

Keeping your land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition; this will be a requirement for receiving your
Single Farm Payment.

Reducing loss of valuable topsoil and soil organic matter.

Sustaining long term land use and cropping potential.

Reducing watercourse and drainage maintenance.

Taking a closer look

Soils can protect and maintain archaeological sites. These

features can be lost or damaged by ploughing, drainage,
subsoiling or other cultivations. Erosion and degradation
of soils over archaeological sites may also breach GAEC
requirements (see GAEC measures 12 and 17).

Many practices can increase the risk of soil erosion,

especially on land prone to soil loss.

Erosion is

normally a result of wind and/or water action and

can have hidden costs for both the farm and the
surrounding environment.
Wind erosion
Wind can pick up and move smaller soil particles
or tiny aggregates at the soils surface.

These

smaller particles can be formed as a direct result

of cultivations on light, weakly structured land,
for example cultivation to produce a ner seedbed.
Windblow can result in large quantities of soil being
deposited in surrounding elds, roads, watercourses.
Wind erosion is common on soils with low structural
stability, such as light sandy loams and loamy
sands.

Soil moved by wind action.

Water erosion

Attached to soils are nutrients, pesticides and potentially

Water erosion can lead to severe and extended soil loss. The impact of

harmful bacteria, which enter local ditches, burns and

heavy rain breaks down soil aggregates and dislodges small particles

rivers, representing a cost to both the farmer and to the

which are then susceptible to erosion. Run-off occurs when rainfall

environment this includes damage to natural habitats and

exceeds the rate at which the water inltrates into the soil and water

increased costs of water treatment.

begins to run across the soil surface. The faster and more powerful
the water ow, the larger the particles moved and the further the

Ian Robertson, Linkwood Farms, Elgin, Morayshire.

distance these particles can be transported. The action of the owing

300 dairy cows plus followers on 800 hectares with

405ha in arable at any one time.

water dislodges more particles, increasing the rate of soil loss.

We have light, sandy soils here and our main soil

issue is erosion through wind blow; some areas on the
farm being more prone to soil loss than others. We
have moved to a min-till approach to protect soils in
some of the elds and we are really starting to see the
benets, especially now that we have a good rotation
in place. Even though min-till can sometimes need
more in the way of herbicides to control weeds, we are
saving on diesel and labour costs when compared to a
traditional ploughing system, with the added benet of
protecting our soils.
Switching to a min-till system on some of our elds,
ploughing-in farm manure to increase organic matter
and leaving stubbles on elds after harvest has certainly
helped to improve soil condition, drainage and reduced
soil loss around the farm.
Rainfall and snowmelt can dislodge soil particles and lead to soil loss and
polluting runoff.

The hidden cost of soil erosion

To the farm business:

Loss of topsoil and soil organic matter can reduce soil rooting
potential.

Repeat drilling of seeds and extra applications of fertilisers or

herbicides may be required as a result of water or wind erosion.

Loss of land due to riverbank erosion.

Silt deposition can increase the need for ditch clearing

operations and can make sites more prone to ooding.

To the surrounding environment:

Run-off containing soil can reduce water quality.

Fine sediments can clog the river bed, detrimentally affecting

sh and other aquatic life.

Some soil types and cropping patterns can lead to a greater

Nutrient enrichment of waters can result in loss of biodiversity

and amenity with the potential for algal blooms that can affect
wildlife, humans and livestock.

of slopes can increase the risks of run-off, removing soil

Pesticides adsorbed onto soil particles may be transported to

water.

methods and cropping on high-risk sites.

Sediment can be deposited on public and private roads as well

as hardstandings.

wind and water erosion depending on management factors,

Flooding risk may increase due to drain blockages or loss of

channel depth.

organic matter, increased topsoil stability, crop cover or

risk of soil erosion, as illustrated in Figure 1. Steepness

particles. Tramlines can increase water ow down slopes.
You may need to seriously consider altering cultivation
Lighter soil

textures, for example sandy soils, will be more prone to

length and steepness of slope and season. Maintaining
shelter from hedges and forestry plantations can all help
to reduce erosion risk.

Minimum or conservation tillage

Minimum tillage (min-till), using reduced
cultivation techniques, can protect soil
structure and reduce the costs of cultivation
whilst increasing or maintaining yields. A
minimum tillage system may involve quicker
and fewer passes at a shallower depth, or
avoid cultivation by direct drilling. Min-till
is suited to well-drained light to medium
textured soils, although these systems do
require careful control of compaction and
weeds. Min-till can save time and money
and in some cases could be better for the
environment.

Minimum tillage can protect and enhance soil structure.

Figure 1. Soil erosion risk

Crops on vulnerable soils

Higher

Fine seedbeds

Potatoes

De-stoning practices

Erosion risk

Maize

Turnips
Winter wheat/barley
Winter oil seed rape
Spring oil seed rape

Bare land after root crop harvesting

Livestock feeding, watering, shelter
and access points
Outdoor pig rearing areas

Spring wheat/barley

Rough ploughed land

Grass

Cereal stubble

Lower

Recommended measures
Time applications of manure to maximise nutrient use and
help to increase topsoil stability. Organic inputs such as
manure, straw, composted materials and non-agricultural
bio-wastes may help to preserve soil organic matter and
improve soil stability.
Change seedbed cultivation to produce a coarser tilth.
Fine seedbeds can increase erosion risk, destabilise soil
structure and lead to the surface becoming sealed or
capped.

Erosion risk scenarios

Land with good crop/vegetation cover

Do you need such a ne seedbed? Fine seedbeds have many

small sized aggregates making them prone to erosion,
capping and slaking following heavy rain. They need to
be managed well and covered quickly to reduce erosion
risk, especially on lighter soils. Mulches, light rolling and
nurse crops (e.g. sowing barley at the same time or slightly
before sowing carrots) can all help to reduce erosion risk on
vulnerable soils.

 Consider sowing grass as part of a rotation to improve soil structural stability and make the soil easier to manage, especially on
sites at risk from erosion.
Cultivate compacted bare land left after potato harvest and eld grazed forage crops as soon as possible.
Consider using minimum or reduced cultivation (min-till) techniques where suitable.
Retain stubbles for as long as possible over the winter period or leave soils roughly ploughed.
Where possible, tramlines should run across slopes. Alternatively a buffer area at the bottom of the slope may also help to reduce
run-off risk.

Retaining stubbles over the winter months will protect the soil surface from erosion.

What to do next
Consider the recommended measures - these could help you meet some of
the requirements under GAEC. Section 5 contains a checklist to help you
decide if you are complying with the soil related GAEC measures.

Your

agricultural consultant should be able to give you further details on the topics
mentioned.

Targeted nutrient application

In the past, Scottish agricultural soils were often low

in P (phosphorus) and required regular additions of
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)
this nutrient along with K2O (potassium or potash) and
To comply with the EC Nitrates Directive, a number
N (nitrogen). Research has shown that an increasing
of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones have been designated.
These are areas where surface freshwaters or
number of soils have adequate reserves of P while
groundwaters exceed or are likely to exceed
some soils contain an excess of P from years of slurry,
50mg nitrates per litre. These areas have Action
manure and fertiliser applications. Lack of soil analysis
Programme Regulations with which farmers have to
to inform nutrient management, repeat applications of
comply.
manure or slurry and adding the same rate of inorganic
nutrients on a regular basis can lead to a signicant
waste of nutrients, time and money. Adding more nutrients than is needed by crops or grass will
also greatly increase the proportion that is lost from your land and could pollute surrounding
watercourses. Excess nitrogen in surface and groundwaters has led to the designation of Nitrate
Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in some areas.

Slurry and manure applications help to maintain soil nutrient status.

Targeted organic nutrient application - benets to you and your business

Targeted nutrient application can:

Lead to potential cost savings on inorganic fertilisers through more efcient use of slurry and manure.

Allow inorganic fertiliser inputs to be adjusted to more accurately meet crop requirements across the farm.

Minimise surplus nutrients, saving money and reducing the risk of pollution of watercourses and groundwater around the farm.

Taking a closer look

Knowing current levels and trends of soil pH, nutrient status and

Nutrient loss whats the problem?

the nutrient contribution from slurry and manure applications

Ammonium and nitrate mixes readily with water and is easily

moved off the land through leaching and eld run-off. In
contrast, phosphorus binds tightly to soil particles, and is
more often lost due to erosion. Surplus nutrients above crop
requirement are easily lost to the environment and represent
an ongoing cost to the business. Nutrient losses to freshwater,
especially phosphorus, can soon tip the balance and lead to
an increased growth of aquatic algae. Occasionally, freshwater
algae can be toxic, affecting both wildlife and livestock using
this as a drinking source and signicantly reduce amenity
value. Losses can also occur via gaseous emissions of nitrogen
compounds to the atmosphere, thus contributing to air pollution
and climate change on a much larger scale.

will allow you to calculate the quantities of inorganic fertilisers

and lime needed to meet crop requirements, keep nutrients
in balance and optimise crop and/or grass growth. A more
targeted application can save money, minimise losses and
reduce pollution risk. Soils should be sampled and analysed
approximately every ve years; appropriate lime applications
should achieve the correct balance between nutrients and target
pH for crop or grass growth. The cost of soil analysis could be
recovered through good organic manure and fertiliser use.

Nutrient application
To minimise environmental pollution risk, both organic and
inorganic fertilisers should be kept away from watercourses and hedges. Applying nutrients to these areas is not only a waste,
but could lead to pollution or prevent the growth of less nutrient-demanding hedgerow species, reducing biodiversity on the farm.
Spreaders should be calibrated on a regular basis to assess rate and spread pattern; you may be applying fertiliser unevenly with some
of the crop getting too little and some too much. Using headland deector plates can help to minimise accidental spreading.
Remember the 10m no spread zone bordering watercourses and 50m around wells or boreholes used for dairies or drinking water when
spreading slurry and manure.

Soil and pH
Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity and
affects the availability of nutrients to the
growing crop. The pH of mineral soils
should be maintained at about pH 6.3
for arable crops and pH 5.8 for lowland
grassland. Lime applications help to
increase soil pH, but over-liming should
be avoided as this will reduce the chemical
availability and plant uptake of some trace
elements.

Effect of range of pH on barley growth.

Recommended measures
Carry out soil analysis for nutrients and pH on a three to ve year cycle. Knowing soil nutrient status and pH will help you to
accurately target nutrient and lime applications and could cut costs.
Calculate N, P & K additions from manure and slurry and take these into consideration with soil test results when planning
nutrient applications.
Prompt ploughing-in of manure after spreading will minimise the risk of ammonia losses to the environment (however, working
on wet soils could lead to soil damage and increase risk of capping and runoff).
Time nutrient applications to meet crop requirements and minimise risk of direct losses, e.g. from wind or runoff.
Keep fertiliser or manure applications away from hedgerows and watercourses. The use of deector plates, uncropped eld
margins or conservation headlands will help to reduce this risk.
Make sure machinery is accurately calibrated.

Examining nutrient applications could you save money?

Balancing nutrient inputs and outputs on your farm could reduce costs with no loss of productivity, beneting both the business and
the surrounding environment.
In 2002, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) commissioned a study looking at agricultural environmental management
on six different farm types. One part of this work compared the amount of nutrients in fertilisers, animal feeds and bought-in
manure (inputs) with nutrient removed in the form of harvested crops, livestock and manure (offtakes) on different types of working
farms. The balances (or excesses) from six different farm types are presented in Figure 2 (adapted from The Impacts of Agricultural
Environmental Management: Case Studies from Theory to Practice,
SEPA Report, 2002).

Figure 2 Nutrient balances from 6 different farm types (SEPA 2002).

250

All farms in the SEPA study demonstrated a signicant excess of

Phosphate
Nitrogen

nutrients when inputs and offtakes were compared, with only one
200

farm close to balancing P requirements. These positive nutrient

balances were far greater than needed to maintain productivity
when additions of slurry or manure and soil nutrient status were

150

Kg/ha

taken into account.

100

Obviously, every farm will be different, but importantly, Figure

2 illustrates that all six farm types were able to make nancial
savings based on reduced nutrient inputs, with an average saving

50

around 1,500 a year on fertiliser bills through accounting for

soil and organic nutrients.

0
Hill Sheep

Upland
Stock

Lowland
Stock/Arable

Dairy

General
Arable

Intensive
Arable

Farm type

How would you compare and how much could you

save? A simple programme of soil analysis could
highlight if nutrient additions are in line with crop
requirements, or if you are applying more than is
needed. Your agricultural consultant should be able
to draw up a nutrient plan for your farm, illustrating
potential savings.

Slurry and manure are a valuable source of nutrients.

What other farmers have said about nutrient applications

We vary rate and ratio of nutrient applications on results from soil analysis. It may initially seem like a hassle to change from
compounds to straights, but its a waste to put on nutrients that your soil and crops just dont need.
Our average annual spend on bagged fertiliser was around 20k. We have been able to save around 4k through making better
use of slurry.
Getting soils analysed and taking account of nutrients in slurry has allowed us to cut costs on P and K application.
Our soils were already well up into the moderate status where phosphorus and potash were concerned. Now we dont need to add
any P and K on grazing elds, perhaps only just a top dressing of 25:5:5. Soil analysis has allowed us to save at least a couple of
thousand pounds on bagged fertiliser costs.

What to do next
Consider how you could improve organic nutrient use and fertiliser management
and calculate potential savings it could bring to the business. Methods to
calculate the potential value of slurry and manure from housed livestock can
be found in The 4 Point Plan, available from your SEERAD ofce. Help is also
available through the EMA (Environmental Management for Agriculture)
CDROM to draw up your own nutrient budget. Alternatively, your agricultural
consultant can help you draw up a nutrient budget for your farm. Section 7
contains a list of useful publications.

Preventing soil loss protecting water quality

Nutrients, pesticides, harmful bacteria and soil particles can be lost as a result of soil erosion. Soils
can end up on roads and other elds around the farm and in watercourses leading to lochs or coastal
waters. Changes in agricultural practices may be complemented by mitigation measures, some of
which could be funded under agri-environment schemes, helping to further protect land and reduce
the risk of soil losses to the surrounding environment.

Benets to you and your

business
Protecting water around the farm through reducing
soil losses can:

Reduce the risk of penalties under the Single

Farm Payment Scheme.

Reduce hidden costs from

clearing out silt build-up in rivers and
streams
time and money spent on drainage
maintenance.

Attract funding from agri-environment

schemes or local initiatives.

Reduce risk of diffuse pollution.

Improve biodiversity, sheries and wildlife

Excess nutrients in watercourses will increase the occurrence of algal blooms.

habitats.
Flooding and farmland

Taking a closer look

Preserving good water quality around the farm is
important for both biodiversity and amenity value.
Livestock dunging in burns, run-off and eroded
soil from tracks, yards and around feeding rings
can all represent a signicant source of diffuse
pollution and soil loss from the farm. Livestock
need access to water, but free and unchecked
access can damage bankside vegetation and soil
structure. Buffer strips, vegetated headlands and
wetlands can all help to intercept nutrient and soil
losses and provide important breeding and feeding
habitats for wildlife whilst protecting water quality
around the farm.

Flooding is something that appears to be happening more frequently. Farmland

prone to frequent ooding is less suitable for cultivation or cropping but may
play an alternative useful role by retaining ood water. Allowing these wet,
unproductive areas of farmland to ood could reduce ooding risk further
downstream. It could also provide valuable habitats for wildlife and birds and
may act as a lter between your land and the neighbouring watercourse.
Funding to utilise these wet areas may be available through agri-environment
schemes or local initiatives.

Recommended measures

Consider the use of buffer strips around watercourses.

Financial

assistance

under

agri-environment

schemes or local initiatives may be available.

Avoid creating ruts and wheelings with farm

machinery. Vehicle tracks can act as channels for
run-off. If possible, use contour tramlines.

Reconsider crop choices for problem areas. Areas at

high risk of erosion may need to be kept in grass to
stabilise soils.

Maintain or replant hedges. Hedges can reduce the

impact of wind erosion, provide shelter for crops
or livestock and offer habitat for many wildlife
species.

Buffer strips can protect watercourses from run-off whilst also improving habitat
for wildlife.

Additional measures for farmers with livestock on

Kenny Cannon, Hillocks of Clunie, Snaigow Estates, Blairgowrie.
250 cattle with followers on over 1,000 ha plus 280 ha cereal.

their land

Where possible, provide drinking troughs and

minimise livestock access to watercourses.

Make sure feeding rings and trailers are suitably

positioned, i.e. well away from watercourses and not
on ground sloping towards a watercourse.

Select drier elds for winter grazing. Ideally, stock

should be removed from land which is becoming
heavily poached.

Minimise stock movement on farm tracks prone to

erosion, or prevent run-off from entering burns and
streams.

Laying specially constructed cow tracks

using bark may result in less soil erosion; tracks have

also been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of
foot damage to livestock.

Adding buffer strips along water margins and replanting and fencing
off hedges are just two of the measures we are employing here at
Hillocks of Clunie to protect surrounding water quality.

Consider pollution risk when strip grazing and

grazing stock on fodder crops. Temporary fences for
strip grazing should run across the slope rather than
up and down if possible.

Buffer strips around watercourses provide a twofold benet as not

only do they remind you to keep a distance when spreading fertilisers
and manure, but also increase suitable habitat for game and other
birds supplying a source of food, shelter and places to nest. A lot of
these measures we managed to put in place ourselves. For others we
were able to access funding under a local initiative run by Scottish
Natural Heritage (SNH) and through the Rural Stewardship Scheme
(RSS).
Keeping arable elds in stubble over the winter rather than ploughing
in autumn and carefully choosing sites for temporary eld heaps are
just two of the other measures we have introduced to help protect water
quality within the catchment. Spreading manure and ploughing-in in
early spring makes much more sense as it incorporates the nutrients
into the soil and boosts soil organic matter. It also helps to reduce
the risk of soil loss, especially over the winter months

What to do next
Consider areas that could pose a risk to soil and
water quality around the farm. There may already
be partnership projects running in your area that
could assist with funding or advice for specic
measures. Your agricultural consultant should
be able to provide details of national or local
schemes to consider.

Protecting your soils and

Single Farm Payment
The points in the table below are a guide to the conditions required under the soil aspects of GAEC (soil erosion, soil organic matter
and soil structure). If you answer no to any of the questions or are unsure of the answer, you should refer to GAEC guidance
for full details as all or part of your Single Farm Payment may be at risk. To comply with GAEC you also need to observe the
minimum level of maintenance conditions relating to the protection of habitats and landscape features. The full requirements under
GAEC can be found in the Cross Compliance section of the Single Farm Payment Explanatory Notes (details in Section 7).

Question

Tick appropriate box

Yes

Are elds protected by crop or

grass cover or a roughly cultivated
surface over the winter months?

No

GAEC measure 1

Do you take measures to reduce

soil loss as a result of wind
erosion from erosion prone sites?

GAEC measure 3

Crop cover can signicantly cut wind and

water erosion risk, reducing siltation of
drains and nutrient loss to watercourses.
Consider other actions that may decrease
the risk of soil erosion e.g. avoidance
of over-compaction, reducing heavy
trafcking or maintenance of hedges and
vegetation cover.
Finely prepared seedbeds or lack of crop
cover could increase the risk of soil
erosion. Crop cover, keeping stubbles over
the winter months or leaving a roughly
cultivated surface (created by the use
of discs or tines) can all help to protect
the soil surface from erosion, depending
on slope and weather conditions. Where
suitable, spring cropping or direct drilling
or min-till techniques for winter crops are
all worth considering to reduce erosion
risk.

Yes

Reducing soil loss will benet your farm

and surrounding land and watercourses.

No

Maintaining crop cover, using coarse

seedbeds, shelterbelts, nurse crops,
mulches or taking a minimum tillage
approach could help minimise soil loss
from your farm.

Yes

This will help to reduce run-off and protect

soil structure

GAEC measure 2

Do you take capping risk into

consideration when planning
rotations and break any caps that
form?

Comment

No

Capping can lead to poor seedling

emergence and increase run-off risk.
Maintaining soil cover, leaving a rough
seedbed and reduced cultivation (for
example leaving a coarse tilth or avoiding
rolling seedbeds) could help to reduce
capping risk.

Question

Tick appropriate box

Yes
Do you try to prevent erosion
around the banks of watercourses,
watering points and feeding
areas as a result of heavy
grazing, trampling or poaching by
livestock?

No

Yes
Are ditch and drainage systems
maintained?
No

GAEC measure 5

Yes

No
GAEC measure 6

When applying inorganic

fertilisers, do you budget
for nutrients in slurry and
manure and match to crop or
grass demand?

GAEC measure 7

Preventing overgrazing and heavy poaching

will protect soil structure. Regularly check
elds where stock are grazing for poaching
and soil damage.
Heavy poaching or overgrazing could
indicate over stocking and may lead to
SFPS penalties. Avoid siting feeding rings
near watercourses and rotate feeding sites
to minimise soil damage. On sites of low
erosion risk, e.g. improved grassland/
arable a sacricial feeding area may be
easier to manage.
Areas of conservation interest should not
be used for feeding sites.

GAEC measure 4

Do you follow the

Muirburn Code?

Comment

Yes

No

Check ditches, drains and pipe outlets on

a regular basis.
Blocked ditches and ineffective pipe drains
could increase maintenance costs and lead
to a greater risk of erosion and ooding
(unless blocked for environmental gain,
e.g. moorland grips). It may be more cost
effective to leave broken eld drains and
create wetland for environmental gain a
conservation or agricultural adviser should
be able to advise the best course of action
for your situation.
Following the Muirburn Code could help to
avoid damage to property, wildlife, game
and archaeology.
The Muirburn Code gives guidance for
those carrying out muirburn on their land
(see Section 7 for details). Extensive
erosion could occur on steep sites through
inappropriate burning.
This will make the most of nutrients
contained in slurry and manure and reduce
the risk of nutrient losses from your farm.
Be aware of the amount of valuable
nutrients contained in slurry and manure
applications and tailor nutrient additions
accordingly. The 4 Point Plan will help
you to estimate nutrients in slurry and
manure from housed livestock.

Question

Do you incorporate livestock

manure within 2 weeks after
spreading on stubbles?

Tick appropriate box

Yes

Incorporating manures will increase soil

organic matter content.

No

Nutrients in manures left on the soil

surface could be lost through runoff.
In areas prone to wind erosion, manure
incorporation can be delayed.

GAEC measure 8

Do you check ground conditions

are suitable before carrying out
machinery operations?

Comment

Avoiding cultivation or machinery

operations when water is standing on the
soil surface or the ground is saturated
will protect soil structure. SEERAD dene
saturation by the appearance of water
from the soil when pressure is applied e.g.
from a footprint.

Yes

Heavy vehicle weight is a prime cause of

compaction even when spread over wide
tyres to reduce ground pressure. Frequent
vehicle movements or cultivation of wet
or waterlogged soils could lead to erosion,
rutting or sub-soil compaction, which may
be difcult to eradicate. The use of light
vehicles, low tyre ination pressures, dual
wheels or tracked vehicles will minimise
impact on soils.

No

GAEC measure 9

How did you do?

Yes answers

No answers

You are fullling many of the requirements under

the soil component of GAEC. If you answered no to
any of the key points, refer to the SEERAD guidance
(details in Section 7) and consider any practices you
can use to improve soil condition and keep your land
in good agricultural and environmental condition.

Look again at the key points - are there any changes

you can make to improve agricultural and environmental
conditions on your land? You need to check up on the
GAEC requirements as failure to comply with conditions
could lead to loss of payments under the SFPS. Consult
the SEERAD guidance (see Section 7) or speak to your
agricultural consultant.

Field Notes

Assessing your soils

Assessing soil textures in mineral soils
When you do not know the proportion of sand, silt and clay particles in your soil, you can estimate using the following method. Take
about a dessert spoon of freshly dug out soil. If too dry, wet up gradually, kneading between nger and thumb until soil crumbs are
broken down. Enough moisture is needed to hold the soil together and to show its maximum stickiness. Follow the paths in the
diagram to get to the texture class.

Assessment of Soil Texture

Start
Is the moist soil predominantly
rough and gritty?

Yes

Does the soil stain the ngers?

No

Sand

Yes

Loamy Sand

No

Sandy Loam

Yes

Sandy Silt Loam

Yes
Is it difcult to roll the soil into a ball?
No
No
Does soil feel
smooth and silty as
well as gritty?
Does soil mould to form an
easily deformed ball and feel
smooth and silky (butter)?

Yes
Silt Loam

No
Does soil mould to form a
strong ball which smears, but
does not take a polish?

Yes

Clay Loam

Also rough and gritty

Yes

Sandy Clay Loam

Also smooth and silky

Yes

Silty Clay Loam

No

Soil moulds like plasticine,

polishes, and feels very sticky
when wet

Yes

Clay

Also rough and gritty

Yes

Sandy Clay

Also smooth and buttery

Yes

Silty Clay

Taken from Controlling soil erosion: a eld guide for an erosion risk assessment for farmers and consultants. MAFF, PB 4092 Crown
Copyright 1999.

Assessing soil structure

Assessing topsoil structure can help you identify
potential soil problems. It is useful to compare
different elds with different soil structures.
Consider previous land use in these areas, e.g. are
these elds in grass or have they received heavy
machinery trafc? If possible, choose several sites
around a eld to assess soil structure; the best time
to look at topsoil is when the soil is moist and during
spring or early summer when root development will
be most obvious. It will be difcult to assess soil
structure if soil is very wet or too dry.
You will need to take a spade and a knife plus pen
and paper or camera if you want to record your
results. Comparison of photographs of soil often

A good soil has pores for water and air to enter and medium sized, stable aggregates

reveals information about the soil which was not

with crop residues to provide protection from rainfall.

obvious in the eld.

Using the spade, dig out a square or spit of topsoil, keeping the spade as vertical as possible in the soil. Alternatively you could
dig a hole of around 40cm (16 inches) in depth to reveal the soil prole.
Using the following table, examine the soil prole both on the spit of soil and in the hole where it came from. Your ndings should
allow you to make a basic assessment of soil structure.

Take note of

How to do it

What to look for

Possible structural
indications

Soil surface

Examine the surface of the soil Resistance to penetration

and a visible crust may have
developed

Capping at the soil surface

Compacted zones

Using the knife, move down

the soil prole and look for
any hard or compacted layers

Compaction / poor structure

Hard layer present in soil

prole
Note the depth and thickness
of any hard or compacted
layers

Root development
(this may be less relevant
for freshly ploughed sites)

Using knife or ngers gently

prise apart the roots from
the soils

Look at root structures.

In well-structured soils, roots
should be growing without
restriction and should be
numerous and well branched
with plenty of ne root hairs
and occupying the whole soil
volume

Note maximum depth of

rooting and depth of any
growth restriction

Signs of growth restriction

may be seen, e.g. roots
running sideways, conned
to pores or growing between
clods (although this may be a
feature of a heavy clay soil)

Soil could be suffering from

compaction

Take note of
Structure and organisation
of particles

How to do it
Gently break large clods and
plates by hand

Possible structural
indications

What to look for

Predominantly stable crumb
structure made from a mixture
of small more rounded and
easily broken aggregates

Good structure

Note size and shape of clods

and aggregates and how
friable they are.
Absence of crumbs and
presence of large blocky or
horizontal plates, often hard
to break in clay and loamy
soils
Colour of soil prole and
presence of cracks

On large clods look for cracks

On whole section look for

difference in coloration, e.g
mottling, presence of greyishblue or orangy patches or
layers and a bad smell (rotten
eggs)
Worms and other biological
activities

Poor structure

Absence of crumbs. Almost

single grain structure seen in
sandy soil

Poor structure

If cracks less than 0.2mm

Poor structure
Could have impeded drainage
and/or compaction problems

Gleying is sign of anaerobic

conditions and reduced
aeration

Could indicate impeded

drainage and/or compaction

Homogenous brown colour

Good drainage

Presence of worm activities.

Channels at depth and casts
at surface

Good structure

Look for fungus mycelium.

Indicative of more acidic
conditions

Possible drainage problems

A more detailed soils assessment guide is available from The UK Soil Management Initiative. For details see Section 7.

Ground condition assessment using the heel or squelch test.

Walking on elds and taking note of how the ground feels underfoot can give a simple indication as to how vulnerable soils could be
to damage from trafc or livestock.

1.

2.

Baked

Dry on top

Hard

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Very soft

Waterlogged

Damp and

Damp and

Squelchy

Squelchy

rm

soft

in patches

all over

Good Condition

Poor Condition

From 1-3 the soil is suitable for

From 4-8 the soil is increasingly likely to suffer from

stocking and trafcking with low risk

compaction and rutting

of damage.
From 6-8 stock or trafc on the
land could result in signicant soil damage.

What to do next

Once you have assessed your soils look again at Section 1. There may
be some ideas for you to consider to improve soil quality. You may want
to discuss your ndings and any possible remedial actions with your
agricultural adviser.

Finding out more

Contact details for organisations that could provide further advice or guidance are contained in Table 1.1. Table 1.2 contains a list
of publications or further information that you might nd useful.

Table 1.1 Organisations that could provide further advice

Organisation

Services/Information

Contact details

Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

(FWAG Scotland)

Specialist and general advice on agrienvironment and conservation issues.

Able to provide nutrient budgeting
services and point of contact for Rural
Stewardship Scheme.

Algo Business Centre, Glenearn Road,

Perth, PH2 0NJ.
Telephone 01738 450 500
www.fwag.org.uk/scotland

Independent accredited agricultural

consultants

Provide a range of services from soil

sampling to RSS applications to drainage
plans.

See local phone book.

www.yell.co.uk

LEAF
(Linking Environment And Farming)

UK wide charity helping farmers to

improve environment and business
performance through network of
demonstration farms.

LEAF, National Agricultural Centre,

Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ.
Tel 02476 413911,
www.leafuk.org

NFU Scotland

Provides political representation for

Scottish farmers.

NFU Scotland, Rural Centre - West

Mains, Ingliston, Midlothian, EH28
8LT. Telephone: 0131 472 4000.
www.nfus.org.uk

SAC (Scottish Agricultural College)

Provides consultancy services to the

agricultural sector. Subscribers to SAC
receive Technical Notes covering a
range of subjects, e.g. crop fertiliser
requirements, minimum tillage.

SAC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh,

EH9 3JG.
Tel: 0131 535 4000
www.sac.ac.uk

Scottish Environment Protection

Agency (SEPA)

Provides guidance on pollution

prevention measures and enforces
environmental legislation. Contact local
SEPA ofce for site specic information.

Contact local SEPA ofce.

24 hour Pollution hotline 0800 807060
Floodline 0845 988 1188
www.sepa.org.uk

Scottish Executive Environment

and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD)

Government department responsible for

legal and technical matters relating to
agriculture and rural development.

Contact local SEERAD Ofce or SEERAD

Scottish Executive, Pentland House, 47
Robbs Loan, Edinburgh. EH14 1TY
Tel: 0131 244 6015
www.scotland.gov.uk

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

Administers the Natural Care programme

for farmers with sites of special scientic
interest (SSSI) or Natura 2000 sites on
their land. May have local grant schemes
for habitat enhancement or water
protection.

For advice contact local SNH ofce.

For publications contact Scottish Natural
Heritage, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1
3EW.
Tel: 01738 444177.
www.snh.org.uk

Scottish Organic Producers Association

(SOPA)

Organic certication body that promotes

the sustainable growth of farming
businesses.

Scottish Organic Centre

10th Avenue, Royal Highland Centre
Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NF
Tel: 0131 333 0940
www.sopa.org.uk

Table 1.1 Organisations that could provide further advice continued

Information source

Content

Contact Details

The Soil Association

A UK wide campaigning and certication

organisation for organic food and
farming.

Soil Association Scotland

18 Liberton Brae, Tower Mains,
Edinburgh, EH28 8NF
Tel: 0131 666 2474
www.soilassociationscotland.org

WWF Scotland (formerly World Wildlife

Fund)

Global conservation charity.

WWF Scotland, Little Dunkeld, Dunkeld

Perthshire, PH8 0AD
Tel: 01350 728200
www.wwf-uk.org

Table 1.2 Further information

Information source

Content

Contact Details

BMP Guidance; Farm Scale Audit &

Manual.
To be published in 2006

Contains information & design guidance

on a range of farm based Best
Management Practices to reduce diffuse
pollution risk.

Contact dpi@sepa.org.uk

Environmental Management for

Agriculture (EMA)

A computer-based tool looking at

solutions to improve environmental and
business performance. Price 47, free
tutorials and demonstration available
online.

www.herts.ac.uk/aeru/ema

Farming and watercourse management

A good practice handbook.
(SEPA, SNH and WWF Scotland)

Handbook identies practical ways

that management could be improved to
benet watercourses. Price 10. Hard
copy or download free from SEPA.

Hard copy available from Scottish Natural

Heritage, Battleby, Redgorton,
Perth, PH1 3EW.
Tel: 01738 444177.
www.snh.org.uk or free download at www.
sepa.org.uk/pdf/guidance/hei/wwf.pdf

Farm Management Handbook

- SAC Publication

The UK reference handbook for farm

business management. Price 21.00

SAC, West Mains Road. Edinburgh,

EH9 3JG
Tel: 0131 535 4000 Fax: 0131 535 4246
www.sac.ac.uk

HGCA

HGCA supports the UK cereal and oilseeds

industry in improving its competitiveness
in UK and overseas markets. Contains
useful links to soil publications.

Home-Grown Cereals Authority

Caledonia House, 223 Pentonville Road
London, N1 9HY
Tel: 020 7520 3920
www.hgca.com

Impact of agricultural environmental

management: case studies from theory to
practice.
SEPA publication, 2002

Study of six farm types to investigate

best management practices that could
benet both farms and the environment.

www.sepa.org.uk/publications/index.htm

Manure Nitrogen Evaluation Routine

(Manner)

Computer program used to predict the

fertiliser nitrogen value of organic
manure on a eld specic basis.

Available free from ADAS, Gleadthorpe

Research Centre, Meden Vale, Manseld,
Notts NG20 9PF. Tel 01623 844331.
www.adas.co.uk/manner

Land Management Contracts Menu

Scheme & LMC Guidance Note

Menu of options designed to release

annual funding for economic, social &
environmental benets.

Available free from local SEERAD Ofce.

www.scotland.gov.uk

The Macaulay Institute

Carries out research on land and

environmental management plus
consultancy services. See homepage for
links to soil conservation information.

The Macaulay Institute

Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH
Tel: 01224 498200
www.macaulay.ca.uk

Managing River Habitats for Fisheries

(SEPA, Fisheries Research Service, SNH
and Scottish Executive)

Joint publication looking at planning,

design and implementation of river
management schemes.

Contact SEPA Corporate ofce.

Tel: 01786 457700
www.sepa.org.uk

Minimum Tillage SAC technical note

TN 553

SAC technical note containing

Contact your local SAC ofce or see
information and case studies on Minimum address in Table 1.1
Tillage.

Information source

Content

Contact Details

Muirburn Code

Contains recommendations to reduce risk Available free from local SEERAD Ofce.
when carrying out burning. See also The www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/
Muirburn Code a Guide to Best Practice. environment/mbcd-00.asp

NetRegs

UK web site to help small businesses to

understand regulations affecting their
environmental obligations. Contains both
mandatory measures required by Scottish
law and good practice measures.

www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) Action

Programme Guidance Notes

Guidance for farmers within NVZs.

Contains tables showing how to calculate
nutrient requirements. Also available in
CD ROM format.

Available free from local SEERAD Ofces

within NVZs.
www.scotland.gov.uk

Managing River Habitats for Fisheries

(SEPA, Fisheries Research Service, SNH
and Scottish Executive)

Joint publication looking at planning,

design and implementation of river
management schemes.

Contact SEPA Corporate ofce.

Tel: 01786 457700
www.sepa.org.uk

Opportunities for saving money by

reducing waste on your farm A manual
for farmers and growers
(PB4819)

Booklet highlighting cost effective

techniques to minimise waste around the
farm.

Available free from DEFRA Publications,

Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX.
Tel 08459 33 55 77
www.defra.gov.uk

Ponds, pools and lochans

ISBN 1-901322-16-5

SEPA publication giving guidance on

good practice in the management
and creation of small waterbodies in
Scotland.

Contact SEPA Corporate ofce.

Tel: 01786 457700
www.sepa.org.uk

Prevention of Environmental Pollution

From Agricultural Activity Code of Good
Practice (PEPFAA Code) Dos and Donts
Guide
ISBN 0-7559-0481-8

Abridged version of the PEPFAA Code.

Available free from local SEERAD Ofce.

www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2005/
03/20879/54890

Prevention of Environmental Pollution

From Agricultural Activity Code of Good
Practice (PEPFAA Code)

Scottish Code of Good Farming Practice.

Available free from local SEERAD Ofce.

www.scotland.gov.uk

Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS)

Competitive agri-environment scheme

paying the farmer for carrying out
environmentally friendly farming
practices to maintain and enhance
habitats on the farm.

Further details of the RSS can be

obtained from your local SEERAD Ofce or
agricultural consultant.
www.scotland.gov.uk

Scottish Agriculture A guide to grants

and services.
ISBN 0 7559 4262 0

Lists grants available for agricultural

businesses in Scotland.

Available free from local SEERAD Ofce.

www.scotland.gov.uk

Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme and

Farmland Premium Scheme

A range of grants are available for

planting and management of woodlands.

Forestry Commission, 231 Corstorphine

Road, Edinburgh. EH12 7AT.
Tel: 0131 334 0303
www.forestry.gov.uk

Scottish Native Woods

Restoring and Managing Riparian
Woodlands
ISBN 0 9529283 2 9

Booklet illustrating importance of

riparian woodlands and suggesting
techniques to manage, restore or create
riparian woodlands.

Available from Scottish Native Woods,

1 Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire.
PH15 2BJ
Tel 01887 820392
www.scottishnativewoods.org.uk

Single Farm Payment Scheme

Explanatory Notes

Series of leaets outlining requirements

under the Single Farm Payment Scheme.
Contains information on GAEC under
Cross Compliance.

Available free from local SEERAD Ofce.

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Agriculture/
CAPRef/SFPS/Introduction

Soil Management on Organic Farms.

Soil Association

Advice and guidance on maintaining soil

health and fertility. Price 5.00.

Available from the Soil Assocaiation

Address in Table 1.1

Information source

Content

Contact Details
Available free from your local SEERAD
Ofce.
www.sac.ac.uk/4pp

The 4 Point Plan

SEERAD, SAC, SEPA, NFU Scotland, SNH,
WWF Scotland and FWAG Scotland.
ISBN 1 85482 813 4

Straightforward guidance for livestock

farmers to reduce the risk of diffuse
pollution . Contains information on
minimising dirty water around the
steading and how to do a simple risk
assessment for spreading slurry and
manure.

TIBRE Arable handbook

ISBN 1 85397 4161

Handbook showing how new technologies Available from Scottish Natural Heritage,
can be used in farming to benet both
Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW.
the farm business and environment.
Tel: 01738 444177.
www.snh.org.uk/tibre

UK Soil Management Initiative

Independent organisation to promote

systems designed to protect and enhance
soil quality. Website contains range of
information and contacts plus summary
of case studies. Also produce a visual soil
assessment booklet, available free from
website.

UK Soil Management Initiative Ltd,

The Paddocks, Powey Lane, Mollington,
Chester. CH1 6LH
www.smi.org.uk

The Voluntary Initiative

The Voluntary Initiative focuses on best

practice concerning pesticide use in
agriculture and horticulture across the
UK.

www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk