Fermanagh farmer highlights benefits of Soil Nutrient Health Scheme

Date published: 26 November 2025

Russell Smyton, a Beef and Sheep farmer from Fivemiletown, has praised the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) as a game-changer for his business. As a participant in Zone 2 of the DAERA-funded initiative, Russell was delighted to have his entire farm soil sampled free of charge.

The SNHS provides farmers with comprehensive soil analysis and detailed nutrient reports, enabling informed decisions on fertiliser use and soil management. The real value, Russell found was completing the online training delivered by CAFRE. This helps farmers interpret results and develop effective nutrient management plans.

“I had previously soil sampled through different groups such as the Vaughan Trust and the CAFRE Business Development Groups, but it was great to get the whole farm done in one go,” Russell explains.

Russell runs a suckler and sheep enterprise, a flock of pedigree Beltex ewes alongside his suckler herd of pedigree Charolais and native breeds. His focus in recent years has been improving soil pH across the farm saying: “The results from the scheme were very beneficial for planning lime applications. It was great to see the improvements on paper as well as in the grazing.”

Soil pH is a key insight from SNHS reports. Many fields in Northern Ireland fall below the optimum pH for grass and crop growth, averaging around 5.7–5.9. This acidity reduces fertiliser efficiency, meaning farmers pay more for less benefit.

Russell has invested heavily in reseeding and drainage, applying lime to seedbeds before sowing. He says: “The SNHS results confirmed that this approach worked really well, I was able to use the results to plan fertiliser use, and the training was a great refresher on using the Nutrient Management Calculator tool online.”

Applying lime is the most cost-effective way to correct soil pH. Correcting soil pH has many benefits including improving nutrient uptake. Russell’s farm is completely surrounded by a water course that runs into the River Cleen so he is conscious of fertiliser applications to avoiding leaching.  Incorrect pH levels in a field can lead to the waste of fertiliser and money. Correcting soil pH can also improve soil structure, improve drainage and root development.

“The training was a good reminder of how to use the Nutrient Management Calculator tool on the Online Services. I found the videos interesting and very useful. It was easy to work online once I got going,” says Russell.

The training is fully online, available 24/7, and can be completed at your own pace. Short, interactive videos cover everything from soil fertility basics to carbon management.

Farmers who have yet to complete the training are strongly encouraged to act now and complete their training online.

Act now! Completing SNHS training and acting on your soil analysis is the fastest route to:

• Lower input costs.
• Higher yields.
• Compliance with future farm support requirements.

Sign up today via the CAFRE website and start turning your soil data into profit.