Alston, George D.

Gray, Carl

Novosad, Albert C.

Pratt, J. Neal

Welch, C. D.

Texas A&M University

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE
FORAGE
PROFITS
WITH
LIME
J. NEAL PRATT, Extension Agronomist
CARL GRAY, Extension Soil Chemist
C. D. WELCH, Extension Soil Chemist
ALBE RT C. NOVOSAD, Extension Pasture Specialist
GEORGE D. ALSTON, Extension Area Agronomist
Texas A&M University
THE NEED FOR LIME
Four million acres of pasture soils in Texas
need LIME, according to a recent summary of
thousands of soil samples. Forage growth and quality
and profits are restricted on these acres that need
LIME. Potential forage production is tremendous in
the area as shown on the map. The high rates of
nitrogen improve forage' growth, production and
profits; but nitrogen causes acid conditions in soils.
Legumes also improve forage quality and profits, and
need LIME for maximum growth.
VVHY USE LI E'?
/:l~ to increase forage growth
~ r:::::!J to improve forage quality
~ to make phosphorus more available
c:::=::J to reduce concentration of toxic ele-
\\~ ments-like manganese, and aluminum
~ to supply calcium and magnesium-~ ~ essential nutrients for forage
_~ ~ to improve drouth tolerance$ ®:; to enhance legume growth
to grow healthier cattle
... . in short, use LIME to
High-quality clover-grass pastures on Limed soils. Clovers
provide high-quality forage and improve calving percentage,
increase weaning weights and mean more profits from
Better Forage.
WHAT IS SOIL ACIDITY?
Soi Is have elements wh ich are Acid, such as
hydrogen and aluminum. Soils also have chemicals
which are basic-such as calcium, magnesium, potas-
sium and sodium. When the Acid chemicals out-
number the basic chemicals, the soi I is called uAcid"..
Soi I acid ity is caused by: (1) removal of bases
(mainly Ca, Mg) by growing forage plants; (2)
weathering of soil minerals; (3) leaching of bases and
(4) ammonium nitrogen fertilizers. Soil pH is an ex-
pression of the chemical reactions of soil; pH 7.0 is
neutral; less than 7 is acid; and above 7 is basic. More
than 50% of the acreage shown on the map has a pH of
6.5 or lower and Needs Lime. Only one of ten acres is
currently receiving sufficient lime..
pH SCALE
8.0 7.0
pH VALUE
6.0 0.5
LIME NEUTRALIZES ACIDITY
When sufficient Lime is added to acid soi Is, the
acid is neutralized. This permits Better Forage
growth, Better Use of fertilizer and More
Profits . .. as shown in Table 1 for Coastal bermuda-
grass.
H
Ca
Mg
HOW MUCH TO APPLY
This depends on soil pH, cropping systems, soil
texture, and other factors. The following table shows
amounts recommended. Lime is more effective if
thoroughly mixed with topsoil.
pH level Rates in tons per acre
Sandy loams Clays and
Legumes Grass Sands & loams clay foams
6.0-6.4 5.8-6.2 Y2 1'12
5.6-5.9 5.4-5.7 1 1'12 2
5.0-5.5 5.0-5.3 2 3 4
No lime
pH 5.4
Lime
pH 6.5
LIME is needed on acid soils to grow high-quality clover-grass
pastures. LIME reduces the effect of toxic elements, and
improves fertilizer efficiencies for grass pastures, also.
Lime can be applied any time of the year to correct soil
acidity and grow BETTER FORAGE for BIGGER PROFITS.
TEST YOUR SOIL
Do this to find out how much Lime is needed.
Then apply the amount recommended. Lime can be
applied Any Time. No need to wait-the sooner the
better.
Appreciation is expressed to Wayne D. Taylor and James T.
Long, Extension economists-management, for economic
analyses.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home
Economics, Texas A&M University and the United States
Department of Agriculture cooperating. Distributed in fur-
therance of the Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as
amended, and June 30, 1914.
25M-2-71 AGR7


English

Forage Profits with Lime.

https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/1969.1/165031/6/981/Leaf0981.pdf

Forage Profits with Lime.

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