Variable Rate Lime

I read an article about variable rate lime today.  One of the first uses of variable rate technology that you might want to consider is variable rate liming.  Soil pH controls the availability of all the essential nutrients to one extent or another.  I sometimes use maps like the one about to illustrate the need for variable rate lime.  In general what happens on full coverage applications is that some areas get too much lime and some the right amount, or some areas get the right amount and some areas not enough.  The map above shows that in general, the slopes have not gotten enough lime because they have higher clay content which in turn gives them a higher exchange capacity.  Higher exchange soils need more lime to move the pH.  Over time, a situation as shown above can develop.

Even if you do not have the equipment yourself, hiring someone to spread your lime by variable rate should pay off in savings on materials and in better crops through more favorable soil conditions.