The James Hutton Institute is again looking for farmers around the country to enter samples of their soils - either organically or conventionally managed - for the Best Soil in Show 2018 competition.

The Institute and partners National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS), the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) and Soil Association Scotland are offering cash prizes in this year’s competition, as well as the Best Soil in Show trophy and a full soil analysis.

The competition judges entries on their physical and chemical properties, and assesses the husbandry as much as the inherent cultivability of the soil type to identify the winner at the Royal Highland Show 2018.

With growing awareness of the role of soils in life as we know it, the competition draws attention to the need for active management of the vital resource that soil is: it is about what you do with what you have got.

The Best Soil in Show award asks entrants what they are growing in the soil, the rotations they are operating and what they are adding to the soil. Grass pasture as well as arable soils are in scope.

Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, said: “Best Soil in Show highlights the importance of maintaining healthy soils and the many basic agricultural and ecological benefits they deliver. Farmers can use the characteristics of their soil and influence its condition in their decisions about its management.”

With soil management being increasingly linked to policy developments around agricultural and environment condition and climate change, farmers need to be looking at their soil more than ever.

Speaking ahead of the competition launch, Lyn White, Farming and Land Use Manager at Soil Association Scotland, said: “Soil is a farmer’s best asset – everyone has it, and it has the biggest influence on a farm’s production and yield.

“It is important we recognise the efforts farmers and crofters make to nurture and get the best out of their soil, which is why we welcome this competition. Get digging everyone, and good luck!”

The competition is open to all farmers across Scotland, with additional categories for Young Farmers and Organic Farmers, with recent overall winners coming from organically-managed land.

Andrew McCornick, NFUS President, commented: “Healthy soils are fundamental to sustainable and profitable farming, so NFU Scotland is delighted to be supporting this very worthwhile competition – and in particular the category for young farmers, who will need the next generation of farmers and custodians of Scotland’s soils.

“I encourage NFU Scotland members to get involved in this competition and show the good work they do to protect and improve their soils.

“Healthy soils are precious and vital to the future of our industry. I’m delighted that the Union is supporting this competition which will help ensure that the health of Scotland's soils is sustained and improved for the future.”

The prize-giving for Best Soil in Show will take place at the Royal Highland Show, in the James Hutton Institute marquee. As well as the trophies and the glory (and the new cash prizes) the winners will receive full compositional, structural and chemical analyses of their soil and free entry to the Show.

This year, the closing date for entries has been extended to 30 April. 

Further information, sampling instructions and entry forms are available HERE.