The British Survey of Fertiliser Practice* suggests that the steady decline in agricultural land area receiving lime in Britain appears to be reversing.
However, the survey also concludes that this area is still considerably less than that calculated to require liming. In addition, it states the principle causes of acidification have not lessened, and it is reasonable to believe that significant areas of arable land, and more particularly grassland, are at a pH level which could limit productivity.
*Organised and jointly funded by the Fertiliser Manufacturers' Association (FMA), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs.
Proven over more than 70 years, LimeX is an easily spreadable, high-quality liming material ideal for the correction of soil acidity and general conditioning. It is suitable for agriculture, brownfield restoration and the built environment.
In attaining the status of the UK's No.1 liming product, LimeX has gained innumerable satisfied customers. Here, some of these users tell in their own words the results they've achieved:
LimeX products have been used successfully in agriculture for over 80 years. Customers remain loyal due to the consistent, cost-effective results achieved every time.
LimeX has been used for a number of years in the restoration of brownfield sites where its unique properties have proved very effective in adjusting the pH and encouraging soil-forming.
Cropwise supply agrochemicals, seeds and fertilisers across the UK and are one of the largest privately owned distributors in the UK.
Dave Hanabury comments on the particular issues facing farmers in Cumbria: “Farm enterprises in this area now have a number of different interests including dairy, cereals, maize and oil-seed rape. Many formerly relied on grassland as their principle crop and it became apparent that there was a need to address the problem of low pH. Field analysis revealed ranges from low 5s to low 6s, which is partly due to the soil types in Cumbria and previous crop regimes, however the major factor is the high rainfall.”
“Historically magnesium lime was widely used as the liming medium,” he continues “but analysis revealed magnesium indexes of 4, 5, and 6 and in some cases 7 along with low calcium statuses. We needed a lime that could deliver high amounts of calcium, be effective in the season of application, long-lasting, easy, safe and quick to apply plus economically viable on all the soil types of Cumbria.
After research into a number of alternatives, LimeX70 seemed to tick most of the required boxes, and in the autumn of 2001 we made the first applications. Our experiences with LimeX70 to date have shown not only benefits in the improvement of the pH and calcium statuses of fields in Cumbria but a significant improvement in soil structure, worm counts and cost benefits in crop health and yield. The short time required between harvesting and sowing has never been compromised by the logistics of delivery to farm, and our customers now regard LimeX70 as an important part of their fertiliser programme.”
Ray Craggs is both a farm and contracting business operating from East Close Farm in Sedgefield, County Durham. Over the past few years, they have used LimeX70 as an essential application in their crop rotation to improve the yield of oilseed rape.
Stephen Craggs says “We have found on our own farm that oilseed rape grown on clay loam responds well to LimeX70 at a rate of 5 tonnes per hectare. It encourages rapid and uniform crop growth that is less susceptible to pigeon damage. This direct experience of LimeX encouraged us to strongly recommend its use to our contract customers, to whom we provide a spreading service”.
On its unique benefits, Stephen comments that “LimeX70 establishes crops quickly, producing fewer stunted plants with reduced stress related problems”, and adds “it is a useful source of calcium in a predominantly high magnesium index area, and the fineness of the product ensures rapid increase in pH levels that lasts over the rotation”.
Finally, in conclusion, Stephen says “the integral nutrients in LimeX70 exceed those of any other liming product, giving better value as well as superior performance - a winning combination.
John Orford and his daughter Sheila Johnson, operate a specialist lime and fertiliser spreading service as part of their farming and contracting enterprise based at Fersfield near Diss, Norfolk. For some time now, they’ve been using LimeX successfully on a number of their customers’ land.
John says "The great thing about Limex is that it has more than one benefit; not only do you correct your pH, but it conditions and maintains soil fertility. Plus there is an outstanding customer support service including a quick soil-testing service and knowledgeable advice from the Area Management team. And finally, it is excellent value for money".
UK Coal (formerly RJB Mining), needed to restore and landscape colliery sites at Askern and Rossington, near Doncaster and the Thoresby colliery at Mansfield. Their objective was to develop sustainable green cover, in the form of grassland and combined grassland/woodland planting.
Soil-forming material was required as the inert colliery materials that form the basis of site landscapes have little or no ability to sustain plant growth.
LimeX was chosen to fulfil this task as it is a high-quality liming material, with excellent soil-forming properties; due to its pH-ameliorating characteristics and integral nutrient content ...
