The Facts On Applying Lime

The Facts on Applying Lime
1
PADDOCK AVAILABILITY
Once fields have been grazed-off and grass covers are low,
it is an ideal time to apply lime. Identify blocks of land that
require lime, for example this could require ordering a load
of lime (20t) after each grazing rotation to correct soil pH
(covers approx. 10 ac @ 2t/ac lime application rate). Aim to
avoid high grass covers > 800kg DM/ha.
2
LIME RESIDUE ON GRASS
Ideally apply lime to low grass covers to reduce the
risk of lime residues. Rainfall will typically wash most
of the lime from the grass down to the soil. Where
a small amount of lime remains on the leaf will not
affect grazing animals. Grass covers on farms tend to
be lowest (500kg DM/ha) during April and August
(PastureBase Ireland (PBI)) and presents good timing for
lime application.
3
SOFTENING OF THE GROUND / SOD
Soil types where a relatively thick (5-10cm) organic
layer has formed above the top soil may be more prone
to poaching during wetter period of the year. This organic
layer holds a large store of acidity. Liming these soils to
neutralise acidity and raise pH will create favourable
conditions for biological activity (e.g. grass roots, earth
worms, etc…) and the release of the nutrients stored in
the organic matter.
As nutrients are released from organic matter, the resistance of the top few
centimetres of soil to heavy trafficking may be temporarily reduced. To minimise
these effects apply lime on “a little and often basis” and improve soil pH in stages
over time. Don’t exceed 5t/ha in a single application or apply split applications (2.5t/
ha) over a number of years.
4
SILAGE FIELDS
Leave sufficient time (up to 3 months in dry weather)
between applying lime and closing for grass silage for the
lime to be fully washed into the soil. If lime is transported
to the silage clamp or picked up in the baled silage, it may
affect good preservation conditions for the silage (acidic
conditions).
5
LIME & SLURRY
Spreading cattle slurry on fields that have received lime
recently or freshly limed land, where the lime has not had
sufficient time or rainfall to be washed into the soil, can
result in a loss of up to 50% of the available slurry N.
To minimise these N losses from slurry apply cattle slurry
first and then apply the lime 7 to 10 days later.
6
LIME & UREA
For urea, a similar situation to cattle slurry where increased
N loss (ammonia-N volatilisation) may occur where straight
urea fertiliser is applied on recently limed land. Therefore
apply urea first and apply the lime 7 to 10 days later to
reduce the risk of N losses. However, where protected urea
is being applied, early trial work indicates that it is safe
to apply protected urea to fields that have been limed
recently.
7
LIME & HIGH MOLYBDENUM SOILS
Soils with high Mo status may increase the risk of
inducing a copper deficiency in grazing animals. On
these soils increasing soil pH above pH 6.2 increases the
availability of Mo in the soil and higher uptake of Mo
by actively growing grass. Where farms are affected by
high Mo soils maintain soils at or below soil pH 6.1 - 6.2.
Alternatively, apply lime as recommended and supplement
animals with copper.
8
SPEED OF REACTIVITY
Once lime is applied and is washed in it starts to adjust
soil pH. At least 35% of ground limestone (350 kg/tonne)
has a particle size < 0.15mm. This component of the
lime is fast acting and very reactive and will start
working immediately (0-6 months). The remaining 65%
lime (650 kg/tonne) will be broken down in the soil in the
medium term (6-24 months) and helps to maintain soil pH
levels in the longer term until the soils are re-sampled in
year 4-5.
9
RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)
Research shows that liming acidic soils increases grass
production by 1.0t DM/ha. On a drystock farm this is
valued at €105/tonne DM and €180/t DM on a dairy farm.
An application of 5t/ha of ground limestone to correct soil
pH represents a cost of €25/ha/year over 5 years. The return
on investment from lime gives €4 to 7 worth extra grass for
every €1 invested in lime.
10
LIME TYPE
There are two main types of ground limestone that are
available nationally – Calcium & Magnesium. Calcium
lime is most widely available while Magnesium is mainly
available in the South East.
Prepared by: Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Johnstown Castle
For more information visit: www.teagasc.ie/crops/soil--soil-fertility/

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The Facts on Applying Lime

Prepared by: Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Johnstown Castle

For more information visit: www.teagasc.ie/crops/soil--soil-fertility/

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