Which is best, lime dust or lime granules

[Ffermer Bach]

This is what I would do.

Every other liming thread on TFF seems to end up with at least 3 people telling us all why they won't do conventional liming. It's mind boggling to me in all honesty. You make what, two phone calls? A man tips the stuff up somewhere and another comes and spreads it. I could do that sat in bed if I had to.

I prefer is the contractor has ramps and loads straight into the spreader, I know of two contractors here who do that

 

[Ffermer Bach]

The cost is haulage. Lime is relatively cheap ,so if you live near a quarry it will be a lot cheaper than mine that's hauled 150 miles

surely G D Harries in Laugharne is a lot closer

 

[neilo]

I prefer is the contractor has ramps and loads straight into the spreader, I know of two contractors here who do that

One of our local guys does that too. I’d never seen it before I moved up here.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

surely G D Harries in Laugharne is a lot closer

For the reasons I gave above I chose not to use Buxton Lime . One sample was to course the other which I used to use in my corn ground as it was very fast acting is to fine . It runs down the yard like water when tipped, there may be other grades at Buxton that suit I dont know

 

[wr.]

One of our local guys does that too. I’d never seen it before I moved up here.

And ours does. No waste.

 

[Bury the Trash]

And ours does. No waste.View attachment 884767

Lorry s hanging around wastes a bit of time and wouldn't help costs plus more freedom for smaller / independant contractor / easier planning / bigger lorry loads del. ...and modern tractors with forend loaders that's why it changed.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

The SoilStik is a good electronic tester Steve. Easy to use and, although I don’t use it a lot, I find it accurate.

just ordered one off ebay, so I wonder what it will show (250 tons of lime in the last 3 years, but also 64" of rain a year and a sandy loam soil)

 

[Cab-over Pete]

And ours does. No waste.View attachment 884767

Duggans?

 

[Macsky]

That’s a good way of looking at it. But there will be plenty more of the sample that’s good stuff too. You really need to see a sample I think.
I know that’s completely unscientific, but you can’t beat actually seeing what you’re buying.

I have had both before, they look very similar, but the Parkmore lime is noticeably finer overall. I think it’s worth paying a bit more for for sure, it’s the flour I’m really interested in. Maybe it would be worth asking for some samples and getting then analysed properly.

 

[Boohoo]

Contractor we used loaded with an elevator. They do tip and reload if there's somewhere suitable but the lime needs to be clean and dry for the booms.

 

[upnortheast]

This is our local man`s kit

He has great faith in the wagon drivers` ability to fill the spreaders accuratly.
Apart from the Saturday morning (after late friday night ) when all 20 tonnes came out at once

 

[Macsky]

Has anyone seen any evidence that coarser lime ‘lasts longer’? There must have been some longer term trials done somewhere to see if there was a more sustained lift in soil pH with coarser applications.

Or is it just a good line for making a sale?

 

[roscoe erf]

just ordered one off ebay, so I wonder what it will show (250 tons of lime in the last 3 years, but also 64" of rain a year and a sandy loam soil)

have you got a link to that cheers

 

[e3120]

So, just to raise more aggro, does the collective think this is any use? It is certainly going to add OM and eat nitrogen, but will it raise pH? Says tnv 30%.

 

[ollie989898]

Paper sludge is alright, the worms like it- you will see funny coloured worm casts for ages after.

Never knew it had a neutralising value, but logically I can see it would contain a lot of calcium.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It says a NV of 30% but the top document says “lime equivalent “ 53%.
Not heard that before and I’m assuming it leads to about a 15%NV.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Has anyone seen any evidence that coarser lime ‘lasts longer’? There must have been some longer term trials done somewhere to see if there was a more sustained lift in soil pH with coarser applications.

Or is it just a good line for making a sale?

Again, it will depend on the parent rock. If it’s soft it probably breaks down, if not, it’ll just sit there.
Of course, if you ask some salesmen they will answer either depending on their agenda.

 

[wr.]

The SoilStik is a good electronic tester Steve. Easy to use and, although I don’t use it a lot, I find it accurate.

This?

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Yes.

 

[ollie989898]

The labs use pH probes to measure soil pH but they test the soil in solution which is very different from putting the probe directly into soil.