Fall is a great time to get lime applied, according to Ryan Peterson, Federated agronomy sales rep at the Osceola location. And here’s why:

Proper soil pH is just as important as crop nutrients, though it is often given lower priority. The primary function of ag lime is to increase the soil pH balance. Ag lime is a natural way to improve crop yields in a wide range of soil conditions.

Fall is the perfect time to prioritize lime applications because lime applied in the autumn can be incorporated into the soil so it’s more available to the new crops next spring.

Ag lime serves other useful purposes as well. Ag lime:

• - improves the physical structure of the soil;
• - gives crops the ability to better tolerate drought or wet conditions by increasing root and water penetration through the soil;
• - and ag lime has been shown to improve the effectiveness of herbicides by increasing nutrient availability to plants while adding calcium to the soil.

And from a practical standpoint, Peterson noted, “Federated has more time to apply lime in the fall, rather than in the spring.” Spring brings road restrictions and wet lime from the quarry – both of which can delay applications when growers are poised to get planters in the field.

As harvest approaches, give your Federated Agronomist a call to schedule fall lime applications as soon as your crops come off. And, Peterson added, “Have a safe harvest!”