Seven Ways Better Soil Means Better Business for Farmers

It’s been another tough season. The long, dry spells this year have pushed soils (and our wits) to the limit across much of the UK. Whether you’re managing crops or grazing livestock, the chance is your soils have had a workout. 

And it’s not a one-off. With wetter winters, drier springs, and unpredictable summers, it looks like extreme conditions are becoming the norm. Which is why more and more farmers are asking: how can I build resilience into my business from the ground up? 

At Soil Association Exchange, we work with thousands of UK farmers, helping them measure and improve soil health as part of our holistic environmental assessments. What we’re seeing, time and time again, is that farmers who invest in their soil are better equipped, not just to weather the storm, but to run a more profitable, future-proofed business. 

Here are seven ways better soil can mean better business for you: 

1. Unlocking soils hidden value 

There are huge reserves of nutrients tied up in our soils – and understanding the biology and chemistry of your soil can help you access what is already there. Healthy, biologically active soils are better able to supply plants with nutrients and micro-nutrients already present. Simple tests like worm counts, and spade-based visual assessments can tell you a lot about structure and biology, while lab-based nutrient and organic matter tests give you the data to make informed decisions. Getting the soil food web working for you to unlock plant-available nutrients is key to reducing synthetic input needs over time, improving margins.

2. Healthier soils = resilient plants 

Healthy plants with good root structures stem from healthy soils. Healthier plants can withstand more pest and disease pressures, which means less requirements for pesticide and fungicides.

3. Drought and Flood Resilience This year’s dry spring was a reminder of how quickly crops and grass can suffer. Soil with good structure holds moisture for longer, helping plants through dry spells. An extra 1% in soil organic matter can help soil hold up to 20,000 litres more water per hectare — a critical buffer in dry years. In heavy rain, better structure also means improved infiltration, less runoff, and less erosion.

4. Healthier Livestock from Healthier Forage If you’re in a grass-based system, the link between soil, plant, and animal health is clear. Herbal leys — rich in deep-rooting species like chicory, plantain, and legumes — not only improve soil structure and organic matter but also provide diverse, nutrient-rich forage. The result? Better daily liveweight gains, improved milk yields, and reduced reliance on veterinary treatments.

5. Access to New Income Streams There’s growing demand from businesses looking to support nature and carbon improvements on UK farms. Mechanisms like Exchange Market connect farmers with buyers for these environmental benefits, helping turn new practices into an additional income stream.

6. Meeting Supply Chain Expectations Retailers and processors are increasingly committed to reducing their environmental footprint. Demonstrating improvements in soil health by monitoring through a platform like Soil Association Exchange can strengthen your position when securing contracts or meeting sustainability criteria, helping build long-term, trusted relationships with buyers. 

7. Supporting the Ecosystem

Soils are alive — home to countless microbes and fungi that recycle nutrients, build structure, and keep the whole system running. What happens underground shapes life above it, supporting diverse habitats and encouraging beneficial insects such as hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which help reduce pesticide needs. Feed the soil life below ground, and it will help sustain biodiversity and productivity above it.

Soil is a farmer’s most valuable asset. It’s a living system that underpins productivity, resilience, and long-term profitability. Understanding how it functions — and how to improve it — is now essential know-how for all farmers.

This season has been another reminder: the practices you put in place today will shape how well your farm fares tomorrow. In an era of uncertainty, investing in your soil isn’t just good stewardship — it’s good business.

This article was previously featured in 'The Farmers Guardian'.

Soil Association Exchange exists to help farmers become more profitable by pairing cutting-edge data with expert, independent advice. We are here for all farmers, to help you transition to more sustainable practices and ensure you get fairly rewarded on the way.

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