Around 80 farmers attending the event in Sallins, Co Kildare, heard that Heinz conducts regular soil sampling on the 75ha heavy farm he manages and prioritises acidity control.

“This field was tested four years ago and had a pH of 6.3, which was perfect,” said local Teagasc advisor Fiona Doolan. “It is now 5.9,” she added, advising that any reading under six needed remediation.

I’m a great believer in reseeding, but I’m a bigger believer in fertility first

Heinz spread the field with 1t of lime as part of his routine application. “For the past eight years, I’ve been using 40t every two years. I’m a great believer in reseeding, but I’m a bigger believer in fertility first,” he said.

“Forty tonnes every two years won’t break the bank,” Fiona added. All the lime spreading needed around the farm this year cost €1,000, which Heinz said was very good value.

Fiona’s advice

  • Conduct soil sampling regularly.
  • “If it shows that only 0.5t/ha or 1t/ha of lime is required, it is often not seen as a need, but it should be.” Don’t wait to take action as soil acidity will keep growing.
  • Soil acidity prevents other nutrients from being utilised. If the pH isn’t right, up to a quarter of the nitrogen you spread will be lost. You will also lose a lot of P and K. “It’s like a bucket full of holes: fix the biggest hole first.”

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