THE grassland management experts at Teagasc have shared a seasonal guide to applying lime.

If you are applying lime in autumn, it can benefit soil by correcting acidity over the winter, which prepares it for better growth in the spring and makes nutrients more available for plants.

Application of lime when soils are dry and trafficable is ideal as the winter rains will help to move the lime into the soil where it can do its work, leading to improved soil structure and nutrient availability in spring for healthier grass growth.

Some soils may already be too wet to traffic. Delaying liming until spring will mean early grass growth on low pH soils will be compromised. In particular, the plant availability of phosphorus, the most expensive macronutrient to purchase, is limited by low soil pH.

Prevent copper deficiency

Lime should only be applied based on a recent soil test report. Target pH 6.3 for grassland (mineral soils) and 5.5 to 5.8 for grassland (peat soils). Soils with high Molybdenum - target pH 6.0 to 6.2 to prevent copper deficiency in grazing animals. Calcium ground limestone is the most common form of lime and best value liming material. If ground conditions on your farm are not suitable for traffic (too wet), then lime can still be applied early next spring.