Farming rules for water (FRFW) was introduced in April 2018 to help protect water quality throughout England. FRFW requires farmers to keep soil on the land (no run-off), match nutrients to the crop and soil needs and keep manufactured fertilisers and organic manures out of watercourses.
There are eight significant rules within FRFW, three of which are based on the management of soils, but rule number 1b is also an important rule that seems to be overlooked by many.
Soil testing for Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg) and pH, as well as an assessment of Nitrogen, is now a legal requirement throughout England. Rule 1b requires soils to be tested at least every 5 years on cultivated land. DEFRA’s definition of cultivated land, is land that you’ve ploughed, sowed or harvested at least once in the last year, and or land that has received fertiliser at least once within the previous 3 years.
Soil tests must be assessed and used correctly. Regular soil tests will determine what nutrients are already within the soil and what the soil requires for it to produce a high yielding crop. Using these results along with reference to RB209 will establish what and how much fertiliser is needed. Following this system will reduce the use of excess and unnecessary fertiliser, reduce the risk of water pollution through run-off, erosion, and nutrient leaching, and in time save money.
Based on soil type, condition and soil nutrient analysis results, farmers are expected to plan their fertiliser (organic and/or manufactured) applications to cultivated land to meet the crop and soil needs.Factors farmers must also consider, which might increase the threat of water pollution, include weather conditions, time of application, the gradient of the land (this must not be greater than 12 degrees) and any land drains.
Precautionary measures that farmers can carry out include planting crops in early autumn and in dry conditions, checking the moisture level in the soil, incorporating organic manures within 12 hours of application, checking spreading equipment for leaks and calibration, and installing drainage or irrigation.
