Posted 9 February 2021
"I regard this study as a novel and useful application of the Long-Term Liming Experiment, showing that liming greatly improves the economic returns of most arable crops"
Long-term liming strategies in arable rotations could lead to significant increases in farm profitability, according to a new study co-authored by a Harper Adams University professor.
The study, co-authored by Elizabeth Creak Chair in Agri-Tech Economic Modelling and Harper Adams University Professor, Karl Behrendt, and St Andrews-based Dr Jonathan Holland, utilised data from long-term trials run by Rothamsted Research between 1962 and 1996 to determine the economic benefits of long-term liming strategies.
Using data from two sites, Rothamsted and Woburn, the study found an additional economic gain of £436 per hectare per year at Rothamsted and £208 per hectare per year at Woburn when adopting the most profitable liming treatments compared to zero liming treatment.
There are increasing concerns that many arable soils in the UK are below the optimal soil pH for arable cropping due to inadequate liming. The study showcases that by not looking at liming strategies, growers could be foregoing potential long-term profits for short-term savings.
Professor Behrendt said the study shows that a substantial economic benefit can be made using liming when taking crop rotation into account and explained that the next phase for the project intends to further support farmer decision-making across different soil types.
“This study highlights some very important aspects when it comes to liming,” Professor Behrendt said. “You have to be persistent to make it pay and you can make the most of it by being clever about the crop rotation.
“The next steps we are looking into is how we make those decisions for different farming systems on different soil types under continually changing markets, with special consideration of the opportunities that variable rate lime application technologies might present.”
Sustainable Soils Research Fellow at Rothamsted Research, Professor Keith Goulding, said the study should lead to a larger use of lime within the UK farming economy.
"I am delighted to see this paper published,” Professor Goulding said. “As a long-time supporter and user of long-term experiments, I regard this study as a novel and useful application of the Long-Term Liming Experiment, showing that liming greatly improves the economic returns of most arable crops. The paper should stimulate the use of lime and further research on the economic importance of liming in UK farming."
Read the Soil Use and Management journal article about the study.
More information can also be found in the Farmer's Weekly article about it.
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