Rural Payments Agency
Its up to you how you complete each SFI action, as long as you do it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve the actions aim (which is described in each action).
This voluntary guidance includes advice on how you could do the SFI actions for nutrient management (NUM1, NUM2 and NUM3).
You may find it helpful to read this guidance, but you do not have to follow it. The requirements you must follow for each SFI action are explained in the Details of the SFI actions, which you can find in either:
-
section 2 of the SFI handbook
-
the webpage versions of the details of the SFI actions
How to complete a nutrient management assessment and produce a review report (NUM1)
What youre aiming to achieve
The aim of NUM1 is that you assess your current approach to nutrient usage and effectively plan how to:
-
manage your nutrient usage more efficiently and effectively
-
optimise your use of organic sources of crop nutrition
Finding a FACTS qualified adviser
You can use the BASIS Find an Adviser tool (available from late summer 2023) to help you find a FACTS qualified advisor to:
- complete the nutrient management (NM )assessment
- help you produce a written NM review report
Completing an NM assessment
You can choose how the FACTS qualified adviser completes the NM assessment required by NUM1.There is no standard format.
To help you achieve the aim of NUM1 (described above), you can do the following to plan the right amount of nutrients for the soil:
-
calculate the nutrient and pH requirements of the crop
-
sample and test the soil in each field for pH, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium its usually best to do this every 3 to 5 years
-
calculate the nutrient levels that will be supplied from organic sources, such as legumes, manure, slurry or digestate, or nutrients recycled from the return of crop residues (for example, straw)
-
calculate the amount of artificial fertiliser youll need to apply so it does not exceed the requirement of the crop - maximising nutrient supply from the soil and organic sources will reduce the need for artificial fertiliser
Its best to take soil samples at a time when nutrient levels are likely to be lowest. This is usually between September and March after the previous crop has been harvested. This will help to identify the residual nutrients left in the soil that will be used by the next crop.
Where possible, avoid taking soil samples on any area within a land parcel containing historic or archaeological features identified on your?SFI?Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (SFI?HEFER). If you need to take soil samples, read the information on historic and archaeological features before doing so (or read section 4.3.2 of the SFI handbook).
You can find more guidance about nutrient management in the following:
Producing a written NM review report
You can choose how to produce the written NM review report required by NUM1. There is no standard format.
You may find it helpful to read the Tried & Tested Nutrient Management Plan guidance for a step-by-step guide on creating farm nutrient plans. It also includes a template.
How to establish and maintain legumes on improved grassland (NUM2)
What youre aiming to achieve
The aim of NUM2 is that there are legumes growing from spring until early autumn.
Spring until early autumn will usually include March, April, May, June, July, August and September, but this may vary according to your location and setting.
Establishing legumes
Choosing a seed mix
NUM2 explains what types of legumes you can use on improved grassland (under What to do).
Sainfoin, lucerne and alsike clover are more suited to grassland thats being cut.
Your seed supplier can help you choose a seed mix thats the best match for your land and local conditions.
Where to sow the seed mix
It will help to sow the seed mix where you want to reduce your fertiliser use. To help you plan where and how to do NUM2, you may find it helpful to do NUM1 (assess nutrient management and produce a review report).
Nitrogen fixation from the legumes will be reduced if the soil phosphate and pH are not at optimal levels.
Spreading the legume areas across the farm will help to provide a network of habitats for farmland wildlife.
Sowing the seed mix
Your seed supplier can advise you on an overall sowing rate for the seed mix you choose.
You can sow the seed mix shallowly into a firm seedbed or overseed into an established grass sward.
Sowing the seed mix in March or April will usually help germination. Alternatively, you can sow after a silage cut, as the grassland is likely to be more open. You may get better results after the second silage cut (or late hay cut), as the regrowth is less vigorous. Sowing legumes after August may not allow them to establish sufficiently before the winter.
Managing the legumes on improved grassland
During establishment
Its advisable to keep livestock off the areas of legumes while the seedlings establish. This will prevent new grasses or legumes being grazed out.
Maintaining established areas of legumes
Once the areas of legumes are established, you can cut them or graze them with livestock as long as you do it in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve the aim of NUM2 (described above).
To help you achieve this aim, you can manage the areas of legumes by cutting them or grazing them with livestock. This will help to reduce competition from existing plants.
You may find it helpful to read Farm Wildlifes advice on rotational legume and herb-rich swards for livestock farming. This includes guidance on how you could manage the legume areas (under ongoing management).
How to establish and maintain a legume fallow (NUM3)
What youre aiming to achieve
The aim of NUM3 is that theres a legume fallow that produces areas of flowering plants from late spring and during the summer months.
Late spring and during the summer months will usually include May, June, July and August, but this may vary according to your location and setting.
Establishing a legume fallow
Choosing a seed mix
NUM3 explains the minimum requirement for flowering species, including legumes, in the seed mix (under What to do).
Your seed supplier can help you choose a seed mix thats the best match for your land and local conditions.
Where to sow the seed mix
It will usually help to use sites:
-
that receive plenty of sunlight, to help provide better foraging habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects