[Marches Farmer]

It appears my Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship application needs a soil analysis (despite the whole farm being permanent pasture which has had only FYM spread in the last 55 years).  I asked Natural England what exactly was needed and if they had a list of approved companies, to which the reply was that they were sure I'd find someone ....  Google it and you get a variety of companies with many different options.  Ideas or recommendations welcome.

[F.CUTHBERT]

We use SAC for soil analysis or SRUC as they call themselves now but in the past have used Phosyn/Lancrop at Pocklington York (www.lancrop.com). SOYL , www.soyl.co.uk or Soilquest, part of Agrii would all do soil analysis. A simple PH P & K sample is pretty cheap if you want more such as heavy metals the price goes up.

[TJHutchison]

When I was doing my Masters in Ecology I had the occasional private landowner asking for some soil analysis.  Takes a few hours to prepare samples and run them for ICP-MS or AAS depending on what you want analysed.  Maybe contact your local university and see if a willing post-grad can take up the challenge in exchange for some small recompense?  It will definitely, definitely be cheaper.

[arobwk]

I haven't sent any soil samples for professional analysis yet, but two lab' services on my list to check out are the Forestry Commission and Mole Valley Farmers!