Apply for National Liming Programme before April

There is a large demand for lime on tillage farms. From 4,325 soil samples analysed on tillage farms in 2022, 39% of tillage had a soil pH less than 6.5. Ciaran Collins, Teagasc Tillage Specialist, outlines why liming is necessary in this article.

Correct soil pH is crucial for nutrient use efficiency on all farms. Maintaining the soil pH at the optimum level will increase the microbiological activity of the soil, and result in better soil nutrient recycling and release. Soil pH is also critical for maximising the availability of nutrients (N, P and K) applied in organic and chemical fertilisers. Estimates also show that soils with the correct pH will release up to 80kg of N/ha/year.

The recently announced National Liming Programme is a welcome incentive, which will provide a financial contribution of €16 to participating farmers per tonne of lime delivered and spread on their holding. The aim of the programme is to incentivise farmers to purchase and spread Calcium ground limestone / Magnesium ground limestone, in accordance with the lime requirement stated in the soil analysis report.

Some key points for tillage farmers in relation to the liming programme:

• Applicants (or their advisor) must complete an online Application Form on agfood.ie.
• Application closing date is April 20^th 2023.
• Farmers with a grassland stocking rate above 170kg livestock manure nitrogen/ha prior to export in 2022 are not eligible as liming is a mandatory requirement on these farms.
• Farmers who are participating or intend to participate in the 2023 Eco-Scheme practice relating to soil sampling and liming are not eligible to participate in this programme given this action would be already supported under that measure.
• Payment will only be made on valid claims relating to a minimum of 10t of ground limestone and a maximum of 200t.
• Must have soil test reports for the land (within the last four years from date of purchase) that indicates a lime requirement.
• Maximum application rate is 7.5t/ha.
• The ground limestone must be purchased directly from a licenced quarry. A list of licenced quarries is available here.
• Claims for payment must be submitted by 31^st October 2023.