UA1: Soil Health
What is UA1?
UA1 requires soil testing on improved agricultural land to provide baseline soil information for management decisions. This Universal Action supports regular soil testing to help farmers make informed decisions about inputs, cultivation patterns, and soil husbandry to benefit crops, pasture, and the environment.
What do I need to do?
Test at least 20% of your agriculturally improved land per year (completing a 5-year cycle for all relevant land)
Test land that has previously received or may receive inputs (natural and artificial fertilisers) or lime
Collect soil samples using standard procedures
Test for minimum range: Potassium (K), Phosphorous (P), Magnesium (Mg), pH, and Soil Organic Matter
Record test results on Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online
Complete all testing by the end of each calendar year
Who needs to complete UA1?
All farm businesses with agriculturally improved land that has previously received or may receive inputs (natural and artificial) or lime. This excludes land classified as habitat under UA5: Habitat maintenance.
UA1 is not applicable if your agriculturally improved land has not previously received and may not receive inputs or lime.
What evidence do I need?
Soil testing results for each relevant land parcel entered into RPW Online
Test results must include the minimum range of nutrients and soil properties
Records should be kept for 5 years and made available for inspection if requested
Soil testing undertaken up to 4 years prior to entering the scheme counts towards this action
How much does UA1 pay?
Payment for UA1 is included in the Universal Payment received for completing all applicable Universal Actions. The Universal Payment represents the costs of undertaking these actions and the social benefits from sustainable food production.
When do I need to complete this?
All soil testing must be completed by the end of each calendar year
Technical guidance will help you choose optimal sampling times
You may take a break in testing in your second scheme year to interpret and act on first-year results (extending cycle to 6 years)
How can I prepare?
Soil testing including K, P, Mg and pH undertaken up to 4 years prior to entering the scheme will count
Familiarise yourself with soil sampling procedures
Consider using Farming Connect advice and guidance
Records should be kept for 5 years even for pre-scheme testing
Benefits of UA1
For your farm:
Informed decisions on input quantities and timing
Targeted inputs to balance soil indices and prevent waste
Better crop and pasture performance through improved soil health
Reduced need for irrigation and chemical inputs
Prevention of soil and nutrient loss (cost savings)
For the community:
Increased carbon sequestration in soil organic matter
Better water flow regulation reducing flood risk
Improved air and water quality through targeted input use
Flexibility options
Test more than 20% per year if preferred
Combine field parcels with similar soil conditions or management
More detailed testing for horticultural crops with variable management
Option to take a one-year break in second scheme year
Support available
Farming Connect advice and guidance on soil management
Technical notes with detailed sampling procedures
Potential access to Optional Actions for soil health improvement
Industry benchmarking tools to track performance improvements
This information is provided by Farmwalk based on published government guidance. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.