In a year of high input costs, soil acidity correction and agri lime application will be key to achieving a maximum response from fertiliser applied. Maintaining soils at the correct soil pH will increase the release of soil N and improve the availability of soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) after application.

When liming, it is important to follow the 4 w’s of applying lime to help achieve maximum fertiliser response in the soil. 

1. What lime to apply?

Both Calcium Lime and Magnesium Lime are excellent at correcting soil acidity. In the South- East, most soils are predominately high in Magnesium and deficient in Calcium. If your soil is deficient in Calcium, this impacts on grassland productivity, and ultimately, animal performance.

Calcium ground limestone is the most common. Its fast acting, it has a rapid pH adjustment, and it improves soil structure and drainage.

Our Hi-Calcium Agri Lime is comprised of 98% Calcium Carbonate, which is essential to restore the soils lime status to the desired pH for optimum soil fertility and ensure improved soil structure and drainage. The calcium content is also essential for healthy plant and animal growth.

Magnesium (Dolomitic) ground limestone is a good source of magnesium for soils with low levels. Compared to calcium ground limestone, it is slower to react and does not have the same positive effect on soil structure.

Granulated Lime is fine limestone powder reformed into a granule, that is available to the soil immediately. It is recommended to apply as maintenance product where soil pH is in the optimum range.

2. When to apply lime?

Lime application is not subject to a farming calendar, however waiting until the end of the year can be risky due to poor weather and un-trafficable soil conditions.

Instead, it is recommended to apply lime in the spring and summer to ground that has been recently grazed or has recently had silage harvested so that covers are low to also reduce the risk of lime residues on the grass. With silage season in full swing, the next few weeks will present ideal spreading conditions.

Don’t forget, if you wish to spread slurry on fields that require lime, apply the slurry first followed by the lime 7 to 10 days later. Spreading slurry after applying lime where there hasn’t been sufficient rainfall to wash away the lime can result in losses of up to 50% of the available N in the slurry.

It is recommended to apply lime in the spring and summer to ground that has been recently grazed or has recently had silage harvested.

3. Where to apply lime?

For farmers to recognise the nutrient requirements of their soils, it is important to test soils on a regular basis (every 3 to 5 years) to determine lime requirements.

Lime should only be applied on the basis of a recent soil test report (1 to 3 years old). Typical lime requirements are 2.5 to 5.0 tonnes per ha, every 3-5 years. Apply a maximum of 7.5t/ha (3.0t/ac) in a single application, however on very acidic soils with a high lime requirement, apply 50% now and remainder in 2 years’ time.

4. Why apply lime?

Increased grass and grain yields of at least 1.5 t/ha are common when optimum soil pH is achieved. This represents a 7:1 return on investment; €7 in additional grass yield for each €1 invested in lime. Applying agri lime regularly releases up to 80kgs of N/ha/Year and unlocks P and K from organic soil reserves, reducing the need for applied fertilisers.

Earthworms and other soil organisms are sensitive to soil acidity, maintaining a neutral soil pH allows them to thrive and breakdown plant residues, animal manures and release nutrients. Applying agri lime regularly will help condition the soil, which in turn, will improve soil structure and drainage and allow for better root development and nutrient uptake.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Bennettsbridge Limestone is a member of GROLIME, Ireland’s only agricultural lime quality assurance scheme. For further liming advice or to learn more about our Hi-Calcium Agri Lime, click here. 

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Trials have shown that by increasing soil pH from 5.5 to 6.3, increased grass production of at least 1.5t DM/ha/year can be achieved, which represents a 7:1 return on investment; €7 in additional grass yield for each €1 invested in lime.

Correcting soil pH allows for more efficient use of Nitrogen (N) fertilisers, meaning less N will be required to grow the same amount of grass. A regular application of lime releases up to 80kgs of N/ha/year and unlocks phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from organic soil reserves, which reduces the need for applied fertiliser.

Regular liming will also be a key requirement where clover swards are being established as clover has shown to have a lower tolerance for pH when compared to ryegrass.

Now is the time to lime

Unless you have plans to take a 3rd cut of silage, now is a great opportunity to act on your soil samples and spread lime. August and September are particularly good months for spreading on grazing grounds while rotations extend and ground conditions remain good.

• To reduce the risk of lime residues, apply lime to low grass covers and when rain is forecast. If the lime has been washed off the leaf by rain, animals may be let back in to graze again.
• If applying lime to a grass reseed, apply after ploughing and incorporate into the seedbed to increase the availability of nutrients (NPK) and maximise germination and establishment.
• There is no problem spreading CAN-based fertiliser and/or CAN- based compounds with lime. There is also no need to leave a gap between lime and protected urea as the protection on the urea reduces N losses as ammonia gas.
• If the slurry is applied first, allow it to wash into the soil for 7-10 days, and then apply lime. If lime is applied first, wait three months to spread slurry.
• If spreading urea before lime, leave 10 days between applications. If spreading lime first, avoid applying urea for 3 months.
• Apply a maximum of 7.5t/ha (3.0t/ac) in a single application. Where more lime is recommended, apply the balance after two years.

Unless you have plans to take a 3rd cut of silage, now is a great opportunity to act on your soil samples and spread lime. 

Lime Type

No two farms are the same, therefore it is essential to soil test every 3-5 years to identify the rate of lime required for your individual farm. Soil testing regularly and liming as per soil test is the best approach to maintaining soil pH and achieving long-term benefits.

It is also important to select the correct type of lime. Both calcium lime and magnesium lime are excellent at correcting soil acidity. Calcium ground limestone is the most common form of lime spread. It is readily available in most parts of the country and is fast-acting and gives rapid pH adjustment.

In the Southeast, most soils are predominately high in magnesium and deficient in calcium. Where soil magnesium is low (<50ppm), applying magnesium limestone to correct both soil pH and Mg levels is most efficient. If your soil is deficient in calcium, this impacts on grassland productivity, and ultimately, animal performance.

Applying calcium in the form of calcium carbonate will raise the level of calcium in the soil, which in turn will help condition the soil, improve soil structure and drainage, and allow for better root development and nutrient uptake.

Lime Quality

The importance of a good-quality lime product cannot be underestimated. Minimum standards for ground limestone include:

• The product must have a Total Neutralising Value (TNV) greater than 90 percent.
• 100% must pass through a 3.35 mm sieve (very coarse limestone is less effective at increasing pH due to lower reactivity and needs additional time to break down and dissolve).
• At least 35% must pass through a 0.15 mm sieve (finely ground).
• The moisture content must be less than 3.0%.

Here at Bennettsbridge Limestone, we undergo independent twice-yearly testing for TNV, moisture value, and grading.

Hi-Calcium Agri Lime

Bennettsbridge Limestone is a member of GROLIME, Ireland’s only agricultural lime quality assurance scheme. We undergo independent twice-yearly testing for TNV, moisture value and grading.

Our Hi- Calcium lime has a consistent Total Neutralising Value (TNV) of 98%, which is a measure of how effective a lime is at neutralising the acidity in the soil. Using lime with a high TNV will result in a large cost saving for the user as less material will be needed to adjust the soil pH.

At Bennettsbridge Limestone, we also place a large emphasis on lime fineness, consistently manufacturing lime with 33% more powder than the Department of Agriculture specification.

Need help and advice?  

For further liming advice or to learn more about our Hi-Calcium Agri Lime. 

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Optimising Lime

For the majority of farmers, they are not optimising lime due to the lack of knowledge around soil testing and pH levels. Similar to any business, it is important to ensure that your farm is achieving a positive return on investment. By optimising the pH of soils, farmers can increase their annual grass output by up to 1tDM/ha.

Planning

One of the biggest reasons for the fall in spreading of lime is the lack of planning; it is essential that farmers put together a pH plan as the application of lime can have a positive impact on grass growth. Although many farmers believe there are specific times lime can be applied, it can actually be spread year-round with mid-summer and autumn, following silage cuts, are the optimal times.

In order to put together a pH plan, farmers must first soil sample the farm to identify the pH requirements for specific soils. Following this, soil sampling must occur every 3-5 years in order to maintain the correct pH levels in the soil.

Bennettsbridge Limestone is a member of GROLIME, Ireland’s only agricultural lime quality assurance scheme.

To view our full range of agricultural lime products, click here. 

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