Key points
- New Zealand ground spreading equipment is not ideally suited to lime application.
- A comparison of five ground spreaders showed highly variable lime spread across the standard 12 m bout width.
- Overlapping passes to reduce bout width to six metres resulted in relatively consistent lime application.
- Applying lime more regularly and at lower rates also reduced the impacts of variable application on soil pH.
- Overlapping passes and more regular applications will increase costs.
- Lime spreading equipment is available internationally that applies lime at a more uniform rate than the current fleet of twindisc spreaders.
Lime spreading tips
- Apply lime when ground conditions are dry, and use flotation tyres to minimise soil compaction
- Apply no more than 3 t/ha in a single application.
- Use dry, Fertmark™ certified lime.