Over 1.3m tonnes of lime were spread in Ireland in 2021.

According to Teagasc lime usage has jumped a whopping 50% from 887,320t in 2020 to 1,330,000t in 2021. That’s an increase of 442,680t in just one year.

When compared to 2019, it’s an increase of 567,136t from 762,864t to 1,330,000t.

The increase is a sign of farmers moving to alleviate the impact of high fertiliser prices on farms and can also no doubt be attributed to a good awareness campaign around lime usage.

Lime helps to increase soil pH and having soils at optimum levels for pH helps to increase nutrient availability. Soil functions are improved and crop growth will be improved.

By increasing soil pH soil levels, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) indices can also increase as nutrients become more available.

Cheap investment

Lime is one of the cheapest investments which can be made on farm and significantly reduces fertiliser bills. It will also help deliver on commitments to reduce artificial nitrogen use.

Having correct soil pH, of 6.5 or above, is also essential where farmers are trying to establish clover to reduce nitrogen on grassland farms or to plant peas or beans on tillage farms.

The news is positive and hopefully the trend will continue as only 20% of soils are at optimum levels for soil pH, P and K levels and lime can help with all three of these.

Teagasc also estimated that 50% of drystock farm soil samples are still deficient in lime.