Ground Lime v Gran Lime

razor8

quick one, 1 tonne of Ground lime is equal to how much gran lime, can anyone tell me? Have heard different volumes quoted. I know there is a difference in performance and how quick it works, average figure is all i want

bbam

razor8 wrote: »

quick one, 1 tonne of Ground lime is equal to how much gran lime, can anyone tell me? Have heard different volumes quoted. I know there is a difference in performance and how quick it works, average figure is all i want

I happen to have a teagasc leaflet here in my folder, only picked it up last week...

They quote 370kg standard limestone per Ha to be the same as 125kg gran lime per Ha..

My sums are rusty but would that be 1tonne of ground lime = 384kg of gran lime.

I thought the gran was worth more than that... 3:1, I was shocked as I thought it was more like 10:1


I've seen figures of €25 per acre per tonne spread for ground lime, gran lime would work out about double that cost, €50 for the same concentration treatment, then factor in that gran lime doesnt last past the year and ground lime can last 3 years.. to use gran lime for the 3 years to get the same results as ground lime would be like comparing €25 spent on ground lime for three years to €150 for grannular lime to cover for three years.. now its looking like bad value, very bad value indeed.

Maybe someone better at sums could do better math ??

bob charles

The quality of lime is so high in most of Ireland it will swing into action straight away. I would never contemplate using gran lime over a large area. I use a ton at max a year usually before direct drilling grass just to neutralize the decaying grass as its convenient. wouldnt like to phone the lime guy to spread half a load at half ton to the acre

Figerty

I use gran lime to get into areas that the ground lime couldn't get to..in other words nearly all the farm for the last 3 years.

It's dearer but has it's advantages.

razor8

just the answer i needed, thanks lads

roadtripman

1 ton of ground lime = 1 ton gran lime

lime is lime, the gran lime is finer therefore quicker acting but dos'nt last as long so unless you need a quick response its a dear way to put out lime.

Figerty

roadtripman wrote: »

1 ton of ground lime = 1 ton gran lime

lime is lime, the gran lime is finer therefore quicker acting but dos'nt last as long so unless you need a quick response its a dear way to put out lime.

Not true. It's about the particle size and the ability/rate to be absorbed into the ground.

If you are told to put out 1 tonne of ground lime and you put out 1 tonne of gran lime. your ph level would be very interesting as well as the hole in your pocket.

Do a bit of reading on http://www.gouldings.ie/our-products/fertiliser/gran-lime/ and other links.

bob charles

Figerty wrote: »

Do a bit of reading on http://www.gouldings.ie/our-products/fertiliser/gran-lime/ and other links.

They wouldnt happen to be selling it would they?:rolleyes:

Figerty

bob charles wrote: »

They wouldnt happen to be selling it would they?:rolleyes:

They would Bob. but the information is the most accessible if you aren't a chemical engineer. Filter out the sales pitch and you get the information that is relevent.

Injuryprone

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=84008128&postcount=28

just do it

Injuryprone wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=84008128&postcount=28

But the starting position is unknown. Maybe pudsey is lucky to have land with a low lime requirement. Maybe fine for maintainance but what if you've a low pH to start with? I did the costings about 3 years ago and it worked out 4 times more expensive. And that isn't factoring time and money spent spreading it yourself vs. the contractor doing it all in one go.

just do it

Having said that I used a few bags of it the same year for spreading clover with the wagtail.

Hugh 2

"Can be used in conjunction with Urea-based fertilisers when spread separately" quote from http://www.gouldings.ie/our-products/fertiliser/gran-lime/
This is the part I found interesting I wonder how through a statement it is?

freedominacup

Lads last price quoted for CAN on the fert prices thread is €325/tonne or €15.60/50kgs. Lime spread/tonne in this area is less than €25 for certain probably could be got a couple of euro cheaper. When was the last time anyone had a debate with themselves or anyone else about spreading a bag/bag and a half of CAN/acre and yet there are pages of threads about spreading lime. I would doubt there's anyone posting here myself certainly included that doesn't need to spread at least a couple of loads of lime this year. Stop debating it and just order the stuff. You'll easily get your money back in reduced fert costs/increased returns from fert. A rule of thumb I heard quoted recently was that 50kg of CAN removes 50kg of lime per acre. On a heavily stocked farm that's close on a half a tonne per acre per year.

Conmaicne Mara

IMO, ground lime is the only option if you can handle it, or machinery can get in to spread it. Gran lime works out a lot more expensive. Even in the other thread two ton gran lime was €180 I think, versus under €50 for two ton of ground lime.

Figerty

You are spot on... the big problem for most of us in west clare is travelling the ground. Hill tops are dry, lower fields generally heavy.

I have small fields in heavy ground. If I bring in the contractor, they will be only able to hit the good ground. I would have 5 ton of lime in some acreage and 1 ton at best somewhere else.

That is why I opt for Gran lime, more expensive I know, but I can control the spreading and the timing.