Healthy soil is the foundation of profitable and sustainable farming.

Post-harvest is a crucial time in soil management and presents the ideal opportunity to invest in your soil’s long-term health by correcting acidity levels through the use of lime.

Irish soils are primarily acidic, given our acid bedrock and rainfall levels, which presents a persistent challenge for farmers.

According to Teagasc’s Soil Fertility Report 2024, despite improvements on the previous year’s results, soil pH on Irish dairy farms remained significantly below the levels required for optimum pasture growth and nutrient use efficiency (NUE).

The report revealed that only 24% of soils had optimum pH, potassium (P), and (potassium) K levels, while 61% of the soils recorded a pH over 6.2.

Teagasc research has proven that on grassland sites with sup-optimal pH, P and K, correcting soil pH alone results in an improvement in fertiliser NUE of 18%, increasing the grass growth response to applied N fertiliser from 35-53%.

Lime also boosts soil biology. When soil is at its optimum pH, microbial activity can release up to 70kgs of nitrogen (N)/ha.

Macro fauna, including earthworms, prefer a neutral soil pH in which they mix up layers, and regenerate soil structure by reducing compaction and by introducing organic matter further into the soil.

Lime plays a fundamental role in boosting and maintaining soil health by correcting acidity, improving soil structure, unlocking nutrients, and supporting soil biology.

It increases soil strength and provides benefits beyond crop productivity by increasing environmental sustainability.

Regular soil testing, followed by the targeted application of lime, provides the foundation for any nutrient management plan on your farm.

As Teagasc research has consistently underlined, lime is a critical element required in optimising both fertiliser efficiency and soil health.

Unlike fertilisers, which have to be applied annually, lime - depending on soil type, stocking rate and rainfall levels - has a residual effect of three to five years on soil biology, fertility and structure.

This makes lime one of the most cost-effective soil investments available to farmers.

Applying lime to correct and maintain soil pH also makes economic sense, with Teagasc estimating a return of €6-€10 for every €1 invested in lime.

All Grolime-certified suppliers are licenced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to manufacture and sell ground limestone for use as a soil conditioner in Ireland.

In line with the national specification for ground limestone, all Grolime-certified suppliers undergo independent twice-yearly testing for total neutralising value, moisture value, and grading.

By choosing Grolime, farmers are making the best possible long-term investment in soil health.