Add this measurement to the farm’s regular soil analysis and monitor it over time, especially in fields or whole systems where you may get a response to changes in management such as switching to low-or-zero-tillage, and using cover crops.

In order to be able to make valid comparisons over time, the samples should be taken from the same locations and same time of year on each resampling occasion. Each sample should be made up of random sub-samples taken from across the area to be monitored.

Sampling soil in a cereal field © Jason Nye/FWI