Defra

Soil management plan

Defra advice (available from Defra publications - Tel: 08459 556000) is contained in the Soil Code and the Controlling Soil Erosion series, which comprises:

• A field guide for an erosion risk assessment for farmers (PB 4092).
• An advisory booklet for the management of agricultural land (PB 3280).
• A manual for the assessment and management of agricultural land at risk from water erosion in lowland England (PB 4093) [285KB].
• Advisory leaflets for preventing erosion:
  • By grazing livestock in lowland England (PB 4091).
  • By outdoor pigs (PB 5820 C).
  • In the uplands (PB 5820 A).
  • By wind (PB 5820 B).

With the exception of 'A manual for the assessment and management of agricultural land...', the above guidance notes are available in a single, combined leaflet [2.2MB].

In addition you may wish to refer to the following:

• Rural Development Service - Producing a Soil Management Plan for Environmental Stewardship.
• Environment Agency - 'Best Farming Practices' handbook (Tel: 08708 506 506 or e-mail: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk). This handbook is also available to download from www.environment-agency.gov.uk
• National Soil Resources Institute (NSRI) Guide to Better soil structure (www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/nsri/).
• Soil Management Initiative (SMI) Guide to Managing Crop Establishment (www.smi.org.uk).

Nutrient management plan

• The Defra 'Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops (RB209)', 7th Edition 2000 (obtainable from The Stationery Office) is one example of a recognised fertiliser recommendation system for non-organic land, but other sources can be used for guidance.
• The PLANET Nutrient Management software provides a computerised, interactive, version of the Defra Fertiliser Recommendations (RB209). To obtain a copy, either visit www.planet4farmers.co.uk or ring the PLANET Helpline on 0845 6023864.
• Guidance on the assessment of the nutrient supply from organic manures is available from the above publication, or from the MANNER (Man ureN itrogen E valuation R outine) Decision Support System. This guidance is available free of charge from ADAS Gleadthorpe Research Centre (Tel: 01623 844331). For organic farms, see the Defra handbook 'Managing Manures on Organic Farms'.

Manure management plan

• Defra advice on manure management is provided in the 'Step by step guide for farmers', available on the Defra website and in the Water Code (PB 0587), obtainable free from Defra Publications - Tel: 08459 556000). The Water Code is also available on the Defra website
• Independent professional advice is available from members of the National Farm Waste Register, Races Farm, Aston Tirrold, Didcot, Oxford OX11 9DJ (Tel: 01398 361326).

Crop protection management plan

• Detailed guidance on the production of crop management protection plans is available under the Voluntary Initiative (VI). Please see www.voluntaryinitiative.org.uk for more details.

Site navigation

• © Crown copyright
• Terms & conditions
• Privacy
• Access keys
• Help
• Feedback

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs