Northern Irish farmers face losing future farm payments if they don’t sign up to the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme before the upcoming deadline.

Claimants in Fermanagh, in the west of county Armagh and South Tyrone, have until 31 August to join the scheme face cuts. According to the Department of Agriculture (DAERA) most farmers have not replied.

The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme will be a requirement for future agriculture support payments alongside the Farm Sustainability Payment, Beef Sustainability Scheme and Farming With Nature Scheme.

The three new payments will be significant income streams for farmers going forward, replacing the majority of support currently offered by the BPS.

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) said the 60% figure was 'extremely worrying': “I do not want any of our members to lose this essential support because they missed the deadline for the soil scheme," said president David Brown.

"If farmers do not apply, it will also put them a step behind those who do. This new scheme will have massive benefits for farm businesses as well as delivering for the environment."

NI is the first region of the UK to establish an extensive baseline of all farms on soil nutrients, below and above ground carbon stocks.

To date over 6,000 farmers have received soil analysis results for their farms, including pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S), together with crop specific lime and fertilizer recommendations.