The Dairy Edge

Dairy adviser Ger Courtney joins Emma-Louise Coffey to discuss liming protocol to optimise lime pH on farm.
 
Ger explains that there is a positive trend from 2014 when 36% of soils were at optimum pH compared with 60% in 2017.  Target soil pH is 6.3 and 5.5-5.8 in peaty soils.
 
Optimum pH leads to greater biological activity, microorganism activity, nitrogen fixation and root structure. Research has shown an increase in grass growth in the region of 1.5-2 tonnes while palatability and utilisation also increases.
 
Return on investment is considerable and increases over time. In the initial years, a return on investment of €3 for every €1 invested in a liming protocol. Once soils reach optimum pH, a consistent return of €6 for a €1 invested in maintenance liming.
 
For more information:
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Advice-on-Liming-Leaflet.pdf
 
For more episodes and information from the Dairy Edge podcast go to:
 https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

Show Notes

Dairy adviser Ger Courtney joins Emma-Louise Coffey to discuss liming protocol to optimise lime pH on farm.
 
Ger explains that there is a positive trend from 2014 when 36% of soils were at optimum pH compared with 60% in 2017.  Target soil pH is 6.3 and 5.5-5.8 in peaty soils.
 
Optimum pH leads to greater biological activity, microorganism activity, nitrogen fixation and root structure. Research has shown an increase in grass growth in the region of 1.5-2 tonnes while palatability and utilisation also increases.
 
Return on investment is considerable and increases over time. In the initial years, a return on investment of €3 for every €1 invested in a liming protocol. Once soils reach optimum pH, a consistent return of €6 for a €1 invested in maintenance liming.
 
For more information:
https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2016/Advice-on-Liming-Leaflet.pdf
 
For more episodes and information from the Dairy Edge podcast go to:
 https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/

What is The Dairy Edge?

The Dairy Edge is Teagasc’s dairy podcast for farmers with the latest information, insights and opinion to improve your dairy farm performance.

Visit the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/