Liming for soil condition and ph

[SteveE]

Firstly apologies if this has been asked before.

Recently had some soil tests done and had been advised that we have a high magnesium to calcium ratio. Some fields also require some pH balancing. We had been advised to apply calcium based lime or gypsum to help the soil but just wanted to gather people's opinion on which would be best for the job. Liming hasn't happened on these fields for a number of years but in the past we have just used lime from local quarry which is mag based.

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[teslacoils]

Put soil analysis on here.

 

[SteveE]

Apologies.

Had just standard tests done on some other fields showing pH of sometimes down to 5 most hovering between 5.8 up to 6.6. So would only be looking for soil conditioner on some and obviously start to sort pH on worst ones. Obviously can see lime required values for some fields but again just seeing people's opinions on gypsum or calcium lime as have never done much with it and need to sort some of these issues out.

 

[SteveE]

Put soil analysis on here.

Perhaps I'm over thinking it! It's been a while since tests were done but family farm and they got left to one side and just wanted to start sorting some stuff out.

 

[teslacoils]

Who suggested lime or gypsum? Do you have grass in the rotation? Do you use slurry / manures?

 

[SteveE]

Soil analysis guy - Ian Robinson I think it was. Don't have grass in rotation, use some fym but no slurry. Had been using chicken manure for 30+ years but dropped that given advise on high p levels and last few winters been quite glad given trying to store it over winter and apply.

 

[Hilly]

Firstly apologies if this has been asked before.

Recently had some soil tests done and had been advised that we have a high magnesium to calcium ratio. Some fields also require some pH balancing. We had been advised to apply calcium based lime or gypsum to help the soil but just wanted to gather people's opinion on which would be best for the job. Liming hasn't happened on these fields for a number of years but in the past we have just used lime from local quarry which is mag based.

Any advice much appreciated.

Loads same , i startes using calciuM lime and now get sh!t load of staggers and cows critical for mag , considering going back to using mag lime .

 

[SteveE]

Loads same , i startes using calciuM lime and now get sh!t load of staggers and cows critical for mag , considering going back to using mag lime .

Just planning on arable land here so far.

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

Loads same , i startes using calciuM lime and now get sh!t load of staggers and cows critical for mag , considering going back to using mag lime .

Out of interest, what Potash products do you use and when do you make the the applications?

 

[Hilly]

Out of interest, what Potash products do you use and when do you make the the applications?

Muck , , spring , summer … if i sample
Soil mag is always off the scale … iM the only farmer here to have ever applied lime so its not to much mag lime ..

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

Muck , , spring , summer …

Are your soil Potash levels high?

 

[Hilly]

Are your soil Potash levels high?

Reasonably high yes.

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

I appreciate that muck is available on the farm and you will have to get rid of it when you can. Forgive me if you are aware but plant will often take up Potash in preference to Magnesium which can then lead to staggers.

 

[Hilly]

I appreciate that muck is available on the farm and you will have to get rid of it when you can. Forgive me if you are aware but plant will often take up Potash in preference to Magnesium which can then lead to staggers.

I export the muck now …

 

[Hilly]

I appreciate that muck is available on the farm and you will have to get rid of it when you can. Forgive me if you are aware but plant will often take up Potash in preference to Magnesium which can then lead to staggers.

Dodnt the old farmers say mag lime to prevent staggers ?

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

It will but high mag levels will be detrimental to the soil.

 

[Hilly]

It will but high mag levels will be detrimental to the soil.

Calcium lime dose not seem to be reducing the mag . Can anything else ?

 

[Luke Cropwalker]

Calcium lime dose not seem to be reducing the mag . Can anything else ?

Gypsum is supposed to strip out mag from soils but I understand very high application rates have to be used, no experience of this personally.

 

[teslacoils]

I appreciate you say you have other soil with lower pH, but if my soil analysed like that id be over the moon. Your mag is really nothing compared to what ours are like here.

A lot would, for me, depend what products you have available and how much you want to spend. If you have an existing "regime" that has left your soil in that condition id probably stick with it, and then lime the lower pH fields depending on the realtive costs of whatever liming products are in your area.

 

[clemmo]

Gypsum is supposed to strip out mag from soils but I understand very high application rates have to be used, no experience of this personally.

Correct I doubt you could apply enough to make a difference

As far as I’m aware max application is 1t/ha ( may be able to get a derogation for higher rates, would imagine it’s lots of paperwork though )