The effect of a low rate of lime on North Island hill country
pasture and animal production and the economics of use
M.B. O'Connor; H.R. Foskett and A. Smith
Ruakura Soil and Plant Research Station, Hamilton; Te Kuiti
Research Area, Te Kuiti and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,
Thames
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1981, 41: 82-87
A low rate of lime on a steep hill country soil near Te Kuiti
increased pasture and animal production. There was no response for 15
months but thereafter lime increased liveweights by approximately 5
kg/ewe, fleece weight by 0.5 - 0.6 kg/ewe and lamb liveweight at weaning
by at least 6%, enabling earlier drafts to be taken. The response
appeared to be due to an increased pasture production rather than any
improvement in pasture quality. An economic appraisal of the results
suggests lime usage is very profitable.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
