Soil health monitoring in North Lincolnshire

Anglian Water believes that improving soil health can improve soil stability, soil water holding capacity, improve degradation of pesticides and improve nutrient capture and capacity to reduce soil erosion leading to Phosphate loss. 

Within North East Lincolnshire, Anglian Water abstract water from groundwater sources which are higher than the drinking water standard for nitrate levels.  Anglian Water is working with the agricultural industry specifically in this area to understand the measures that can be used to reduce nitrate losses to these groundwater sources.  One measure is looking at improving soil health and how this improves the nutrient holding capacity of the soil, reducing losses.

In spring 2019 Anglian Water funded 18 1:1 soil health visits with Philip Wright, a well known and respected soil scientist. Phillip Wright worked with the farmers to identify a ‘good’ field e.g. a field that yielded well or was consistent from year to year, and a ‘poor’ field e.g. a field that did not yield as well and would warrant further investigation. Detailed soil analysis was carried out on both of these fields and a structural analysis undertaken. The results were fed back to the farmers in the form of a soil health report. Philip will then return to the farms later in the year to discuss the report with the farmers.

The overall aim of the visits were for the farmers to make practical changes to their soil management based on independent soil analysis results and expert advice. As a result of this work, the farmers are more informed and aware of the impact of soil health.  Many have already, in a short space of time, made adjustments to machinery to reduce compaction e.g. changed tyres.