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The British Survey of Fertiliser Practice for crop year 2013, highlights a significant reduction in the liming of arable land during the past 12 months, whilst the grassland liming trend has effectively remained static in the same period, as shown in table 1:

Table 1: Liming trends from the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice.

 

The data emphasises the long term reduction in lime use, with a dramatic 35% decline in grassland liming in the past 24 months, and a 25% decline in arable rotations in the past 12 months. These are the lowest levels since 2001, coinciding with two wet winters that will have contributed to increased lime losses, and made liming application more challenging!

Sub-optimal soil pH will compromise crop yield and quality, risking drastic reduction in the efficient utilisation of essential N, P and K macronutrients, as well as many micronutrients.

Therefore, routine pH testing and liming for all rotations is frequently required to ensure consequential loss of yield and quality is avoided by maintaining soil pH at an appropriate level. Cutting out liming can prove to be a very costly mistake even in the short to medium term.

LimeX is the ideal product for fast acting, but lasting pH correction on arable and grassland cropping, and can be used in organic farming systems.

Furthermore, the integral nutrient package within LimeX contributes to maintaining soil fertility by supplying P2O5, MgO and SO3. At an application rate of 5 tonnes per hectare these are worth over £60 per hectare.

LimeX is available to order now for summer 2014, or alternatively order now for early campaign back-loading!

For more information on LimeX please contact 0870 2402314, or visit: limex.co.uk