Top tips to help prepare for spreading LimeX

Thu 4 September 2025

Over 50% of arable soils are below the target pH of 6.7 recommended in AHDB’s Nutrient Management Guide (RB209), according to the results from over 50,000 soil samples analysed by NRM between June 2022 and May 2023.

Nearly 25% of the samples were pH 5.8 or lower, which is extremely low for arable crops, and only about a fifth of all samples were in the acceptable target pH range of 6.5 to 7.0.

Those results tie in with industry studies suggesting arable land is only being limed on average once in 12 years – way below the recommendation of one in 3-5 years.

Soil sampling is the easiest way to understand whether a field needs liming. British Sugar can make this easy for you. If you’re in a beet growing area and have a British Sugar account, log onto the ‘My British Sugar” portal to input fields and the type of analysis you need. Your local British Sugar Agricultural Manager can help with this if you need support.

You don’t have to be a beet grower, though. We offer our soil sampling service to all farmers and landowners across East Anglia and the East Midlands – simply call 0800 090 2376 and our British Sugar Services team will assist you.

Once ordered, the soil sampling team will ring you to arrange an appropriate time to visit and take the samples. Results will be ready within 21 days, and a member of our FACTS-qualified Agriculture team will get in touch to take you through them.

If you’re based outside the beet-growing area, find a reputable soil testing service to carry out a pH test. One sample per acre is best practice, but sampling in a “W” pattern will give a good indication of any pH issues.

If you need advice on lime application rates, your local Agricultural Manager or one of the LimeX team will be available to provide guidance.

Ordering LimeX

We offer three packages:

• Collect – customer arranges haulage
• Delivery – British Sugar Agricultural Manager or LimeX team use our network of approved hauliers to provide the best quote and confirm with customer
• Delivery and spreading – if in the beet growing area, our Agricultural Managers can also arrange spreading with a local spreading contractor

Once a tonnage has been confirmed, we will ask you where you want it tipped. We need a specific location and/or postcode for this.

Several factors are important when considering tip sites. First, are there any overhead power lines in the vicinity? Is this site suitable for an artic lorry, or would an eight-wheeler be more suitable? Ideally, we would recommend tipping onto a concrete pad – in winter or when it is wet, hauliers won’t do field tips. Accessibility for the delivery vehicle is important – gateway widths and narrowness of roads and lanes need to be factored in.

Again, in the beet area, these are all things your British Sugar Agricultural Manager can help with to make the process as easy as possible for you.

Once sorted, the haulier will ring you to arrange delivery. Your British Sugar contact will check with the haulier when LimeX can be delivered, and will stay in touch to let you know when it has been tipped for you to arrange spreading or when both delivery and spreading has happened.

Case study: GJ Orford & Partners, Hill Farm, Fersfield, Diss

Long term lime spreading contractors, GJ Orford & Partners work closely with British Sugar Agricultural Managers and local hauliers to provide a smooth service for growers requiring LimeX spread on their fields.

Typically, the Agricultural Manager will contact Orford’s following soil tests on the customer’s farm with the location of where the LimeX will be tipped, says Orford director, Sheila Johnson.

“They also email us maps. Some fields will receive blanket treatment across the entire field, while others will have a standard rate but only applied to parts of fields where needed,” she says.

“Other bits of critical information for us include any safety considerations for the location of where the LimeX is tipped and phone numbers and contact details for the customer, as well as an order number for the invoice.”

Using trailed KRM Bredal lime spreaders pulled by JCB Fastracs, Orford’s provide a complete self-contained spreading service that requires no involvement from the grower.

“We have a good working relationship with both British Sugar and the local hauliers that usually make it a simple process for the grower,” Sheila says.

Do you have the equipment to spread LimeX yourself?

Below is the list of spreaders that can spread LimeX, as provided by their manufacturers or dealers (accurate as of January 2025). For further information, we recommend speaking with your supplier or dealer directly.