Liming Programme 2023

Anne O’ Malley, Teagasc Advisory Ballina

Farmers participating in the lime programme have received an approval letter and eligible applicants can claim for the purchase and spread of up to 40 tonne of ground limestone. The claims system is open online at www.agfood.ie and invoices can be uploaded for eligible applicants who have purchased and spread lime. All claims must be lodged online by 31 October 2023. Proposed payment is at a rate of €16 per tonne of ground limestone.

Ground limestone can only be applied in accordance with the lime requirement stated on up-to-date soil analysis reports (maximum of four years old from date of purchasing the lime). Apply lime as per soil test results and do not exceed 3 tonne per acre in one application. In general 2 tonne per acre is recommended on bare or well grazed grassland and 3 tonne per acre on new reseeds. Where there is a higher lime requirement apply the remainder in 2 years.

Lime is a key component of soil fertility, particularly in the current climate of high costs and actions required to reduce GHG emissions. Lime is a soil conditioner and controls acidity by neutralising the acids generated by N fertiliser, slurry and high rainfall. Aim to maintain mineral soils in the pH range of 6.3-7.0 and peat soils in the pH range 5.5 – 5.8 to maximise nutrient supply of N, P and K in the soil and from applied nutrients. The lime focus should be maintenance of optimum pH on productive silage and grazing ground.

The Teagasc Soil Fertility Report 2022 indicates that while soil fertility nationally has improved it is still estimated that up to 57% of our soils require lime. Liming not only increases soil microbial activity but can also unlock soil phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) and increase their availability in the soil. Research also indicated that increasing soil pH to optimum levels allows for the release of up to 80Kg Nitrogen per hectare per year. Achieving optimum soil pH and soil P and K status in combination with reduction in nitrogen fertiliser, enhanced use of clover and multi-species swards and the use of Low Emissions Slurry Spreading will lead to a significant reduction in Nitrous Oxide (N2O) emissions.

To qualify for payment, all ground limestone purchased must meet the specifications set down in S.I. No. 248/1978. The ground limestone must be purchased directly from a licenced quarry. Valid soil samples must be available to show the need to correct soil pH (maximum of 4 years old from date of purchasing the lime).

All invoices or receipts should be original, on headed paper and at least include the name, address, phone number and VAT number/Tax reference Number (TRN) of the licensed quarry. In addition the invoice must indicate:-

• The name and address of approved applicant
• The invoice number and date
• The quantity of ground limestone (tonnes) purchased and price charged per tonne
• Invoice from contractor showing the cost of lime spread per tonne (if invoice from quarry does not include spreading)
• All invoices must be marked paid

Land Categories excluded from the liming programme include environmentally sensitive permanent pasture, designated land under Natura 2000, National Heritage Areas (NHAs) or proposed NHAs and Annex 1 grassland. Contact your local advisor if you need any further clarifications and note that all claims must be lodged online by 31 October 2023.