Nutrient Efficiency Working Group – lime campaign 2013-2017

David Wall, Mark Plunkett

Industry impact: Over the 2012-2014 period only 37% of soil samples in the soil fertility database (110,523 samples) had optimal soil pH levels (>6.2). A lime campaign was initiated in late 2013 with regional farmer and industry workshops held at Teagasc farmer training colleges. Over the subsequent four years, research-supported knowledge on the importance of lime has been disseminated widely to the agricultural industry at the national soil fertility conferences, national open days, advisory and industry training events, farmer discussion groups and through a series of technical bulletins, advisory leaflets and social media videos. Through the concerted efforts of Teagasc research and advisory, in conjunction with lime and fertiliser industry groups, this lime campaign has led to a rapidly improving trend in soil pH levels nationally, with 45% of soil samples currently having optimal soil pH (109,894 samples). The campaign has promoted good nutrient management practice across Irish farms, helped to underpin the Government’s Food Wise 2025 strategy for agricultural growth, while simultaneously helping farmers to achieve their profitability and environmental sustainability goals.

Contribution of non-research stakeholders: Teagasc knowledge transfer and advisory, which disseminated the benefits of the lime application message to farmers and the agri-industry. The Fertiliser Association of Ireland, which published Technical Bulletin No 2: ‘Soil pH and Lime’. The Ground Limestone Association of Ireland. Grolime promoted the use of lime across different media.

Funding: Teagasc grant-in-aid funding.