One of the most cost-effective ways to improve pasture is performance is correcting soil pH. Autumn is the perfect window to apply lime to set the foundation for productive pastures and better animal performance.
Soil pH and calcium impact the availability of macro and micronutrients, biological activity, soil structure, and the ability to allow water to readily infiltrate. Soil test to identify the current state of your soil’s pH. Soil naturally acidifies gradually over time, so regular lime applications helps maintain ideal pH levels.
Legumes, desirable in most pastoral situations, are more sensitive to acidic soils than grasses. When soil is too acidic, pasture production lowers as legume production declines along with inputs of symbiotic Nitrogen (N) fixation. Lime applications, either capital or maintenance, are essential to counter the effects of soil acidification.
Regardless of when lime is applied, soil’s greatest response to lime usually occurs during early summer or autumn. Autumn applications offer better spreading conditions than winter as soil is firm enough for trucks. Soil test all new pastures and apply lime, as needed, before sowing. However, take caution when applying lime from late autumn to early spring, as it can cause metabolic issues in lactating animals.
Lime particle size matters. It is the main determining factor in the speed of pH change. So, when applying standard agricultural lime to correct pH, allow six to 12 months for the change to occur. Lime movement and pH change through the soil profile can be slow and linked to water volumes and infiltration. To speed up this process, incorporate lime into the soil by hoeing or tilling. Most crops and pastures require a pH around 5.8 to 6.2. The pH scale is a logarithmic scale: every single unit is a tenfold change. For example, a pH of six is 10 times more acidic than seven.
As an important and low-cost investment, every farmer should include lime in their soil fertility plan. Maintaining the ideal pH with lime unlocks multiple pasture and soil health advantages. It also improves fertiliser efficiency, ensuring you get maximum return on every dollar invested in nutrients.
Talk to your local PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative today to review your soil tests and plan your lime applications. A small step now can deliver big gains for your pasture productivity and farm profitability.
