Variable lime application trial

2013 - 2016
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Wayne Burton (PPS)
Rachael Campbell (Ag Vic)
Rob Shea (PPS)
Year(s) 2013 - 2016
Contributor Perennial Pasture Systems
Trial location(s) Dobie, VIC
Joel Hill, VIC
Mooneys Gap, VIC
Stawell - Barn, VIC
Stawell - Napiers, VIC
Stawell - west, VIC
Warrick Road, VIC
Variable lime application trial locations
Aims

To address the following questions.

  • Is the variable lime technique applicable/economic in a pasture system or is it more suited to cropping systems?
  • Is it viable in the smaller size paddocks that are usual in pasture systems?
  • Can you measure economic gains using the technique in pasture paddocks?
Key messages
  • The variable lime technology soil pH testing and subsequent variable lime rate applications have the potential to be an efficient method of ensuring that soil pH is in the target range for optimum plant growth.
  • The variable lime technology has the potential to create savings for farmers addressing soil pH in pasture systems as evidenced in the case study on page 14. It should be noted though, that in some cases the variable lime technology soil measurements may identify a higher requirement for lime than that calculated from conventional testing.
  • The trial analysis suggested that six out of the seven paddocks in the trial would have potential cost savings if variable or targeted liming was implemented when compared to conventional testing and lime application rates. The seventh paddock had a pH below target levels over the entire area and required a blanket lime application and there would have been no cost saving benefit in this case.
  • For further key findings please see the attached trial report.
Lead research organisation Perennial Pasture Systems
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source Caring for our Country
Trial funding source Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Trial funding source Wimmera CMA
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Funding: the Australian Government 'Caring for our Country' through the Glenelg Hopkins and Wimmera Catchment Management Authorities for funding support.

Technical Assistance: Andrew Whitlock, Brendan Torpy, Meera Dawson, Andrew Lay; Precision Agriculture Ballarat, Westlake Fertilisers Lake Bolac, Lisa Warn; Warn Ag Melbourne.


Special thanks to Brendan Torpy from Precision Agriculture for his expertise and patience in constructing the maps and then reconstructing them a few times at the PPS project manager’s request.

Final Report: Wayne Burton; PPS President (2015 – 2017) - assistance final report, Rachael Campbell, Extension Officer; Agriculture Victoria, Ballarat – assistance with report review.


Photos: PPS, Peter Ring; Victoria University.&

Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type None: No crop specified
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Improvement
  • Soil Improvement: Application Method
Trial type Precision agriculture
Trial design Not applicable

Dobie 2013

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Dobie 2014

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Dobie 2015

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Dobie 2016

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Joel Hill 2013

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Joel Hill 2014

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Joel Hill 2015

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Joel Hill 2016

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Mooneys Gap 2013

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Mooneys Gap 2014

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Mooneys Gap 2015

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Mooneys Gap 2016

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Stawell - Barn 2013

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Stawell - Barn 2014

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Stawell - Barn 2015

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Stawell - Barn 2016

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Stawell - Napiers 2013

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Stawell - Napiers 2014

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Stawell - Napiers 2015

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Stawell - Napiers 2016

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Stawell - west 2013

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Stawell - west 2014

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Stawell - west 2015

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Stawell - west 2016

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Warrick Road 2013

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Warrick Road 2014

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Warrick Road 2015

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Warrick Road 2016

Sow date Not specified
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Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Dobie, VIC Not specified
Joel Hill, VIC Not specified
Mooneys Gap, VIC Not specified
Stawell - Barn, VIC Not specified
Stawell - Napiers, VIC Not specified
Stawell - west, VIC Not specified
Warrick Road, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Dobie, VIC Sodosol
Joel Hill, VIC Sodosol
Mooneys Gap, VIC Sodosol
Stawell - Barn, VIC Sodosol
Stawell - Napiers, VIC Sodosol
Stawell - west, VIC Sodosol
Warrick Road, VIC Sodosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Dobie VIC Joel Hill VIC Mooneys Gap VIC Stawell - Barn VIC Stawell - Napiers VIC Stawell - west VIC Warrick Road VIC
2016 691.8mm621.3mm590.5mm586.8mm586.8mm620.4mm678.7mm
2015 678.9mm578.0mm545.1mm561.7mm561.7mm595.5mm659.1mm
2014 654.9mm562.0mm542.8mm560.6mm560.6mm593.3mm656.5mm
2013 647.1mm587.3mm545.8mm571.7mm571.7mm604.0mm662.3mm
2012 680.7mm606.0mm605.3mm576.4mm576.4mm610.2mm672.5mm
2011 685.1mm674.7mm627.8mm590.5mm590.5mm623.3mm682.7mm
2010 708.6mm675.4mm640.6mm600.5mm600.5mm634.1mm688.2mm
2009 686.3mm601.6mm547.2mm585.3mm585.3mm618.4mm667.3mm
2008 668.2mm622.2mm523.9mm570.8mm570.8mm603.8mm658.9mm
2007 682.7mm636.1mm560.3mm578.8mm578.8mm611.8mm667.8mm
2006 684.0mm606.2mm561.4mm554.3mm554.3mm587.2mm649.9mm
2005 684.2mm660.9mm604.4mm582.0mm582.0mm615.2mm676.2mm
2004 679.7mm644.0mm599.0mm576.3mm576.3mm609.0mm671.4mm
2003 710.7mm621.1mm574.9mm587.2mm587.2mm619.4mm672.1mm
2002 657.0mm531.6mm546.1mm559.5mm559.5mm591.1mm659.9mm
2001 647.2mm535.0mm575.9mm584.9mm584.9mm616.5mm682.8mm
2000 628.2mm543.6mm523.3mm545.2mm545.2mm565.9mm633.1mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Dobie VIC

Joel Hill VIC

Mooneys Gap VIC

Stawell - Barn VIC

Stawell - Napiers VIC

Stawell - west VIC

Warrick Road VIC

Dobie VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Joel Hill VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Mooneys Gap VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Stawell - Barn VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Stawell - Napiers VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Stawell - west VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Warrick Road VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2013 trial report



Trial last modified: 16-08-2021 13:42pm AEST