Top 10 Reasons for Fall Ag Lime
Oct 30, 2024
Fall ag lime applications make good agronomic and economic sense.
Of course, soil sampling is essential before applying ag lime, noted Ryan Peterson, Federated’s custom application manager. A soil test lets you know exactly how much lime is needed. It’s easier overall – and easier on the pocketbook – to spread 2 ton/ac. rather than waiting [until the need is even greater] and end up spreading 4 ton/ac.
Peterson offered his top 10 reasons to apply lime now:
10 – There’s more time available for lime applications in the fall than in the spring.
9 – Fine ag lime needs about one full year to be fully activated into the soil.
8 – Coarse ag Lime needs about two full years to be fully activated into the soil. (Thus, spring applications delay the process.)
7 – Ag lime is drier in the fall. “You don’t pay for water weight,” Peterson said. Fields are dry, and roads are unrestricted, too.
6 – Lime increases the availability of nutrients to the plant.
5 – Lime enhances the effectiveness of some herbicides.
4 – It improves the physical and biological properties of the soil.
3 – Ag lime is critical to achieving proper soil pH. “It’s just as important as a proper fertilizer nutrient plan,” Peterson said.
2 – It is a great way to add calcium and magnesium to the soil.
1 – Ag lime provides a positive return on your investment, more so with fall application.
Talk to your Federated Agronomist and then schedule your fall lime applications as soon as possible. And “remember to stay safe through the rest of harvest,” said Peterson.
Of course, soil sampling is essential before applying ag lime, noted Ryan Peterson, Federated’s custom application manager. A soil test lets you know exactly how much lime is needed. It’s easier overall – and easier on the pocketbook – to spread 2 ton/ac. rather than waiting [until the need is even greater] and end up spreading 4 ton/ac.
Peterson offered his top 10 reasons to apply lime now:
10 – There’s more time available for lime applications in the fall than in the spring.
9 – Fine ag lime needs about one full year to be fully activated into the soil.
8 – Coarse ag Lime needs about two full years to be fully activated into the soil. (Thus, spring applications delay the process.)
7 – Ag lime is drier in the fall. “You don’t pay for water weight,” Peterson said. Fields are dry, and roads are unrestricted, too.
6 – Lime increases the availability of nutrients to the plant.
5 – Lime enhances the effectiveness of some herbicides.
4 – It improves the physical and biological properties of the soil.
3 – Ag lime is critical to achieving proper soil pH. “It’s just as important as a proper fertilizer nutrient plan,” Peterson said.
2 – It is a great way to add calcium and magnesium to the soil.
1 – Ag lime provides a positive return on your investment, more so with fall application.
Talk to your Federated Agronomist and then schedule your fall lime applications as soon as possible. And “remember to stay safe through the rest of harvest,” said Peterson.