Liming is a central element of sustainable soil management on our arable farm Gut Feichten – Staudham.

Why liming matters

Liming improves soil structure in the long term and optimises nutrient availability. Neutralising soil acidity with lime stabilises the pH value, which increases the availability of essential nutrients such as phosphorus and boron. At the same time, a balanced pH promotes the activity of soil organisms, which are crucial for humus formation and nutrient release. Lime also contributes to the physical stability of the soil: calcium compounds promote a crumbly structure, improve water-holding capacity and reduce the risk of capping and compaction – important conditions for healthy crops and stable yields.

Liming is usually carried out after the cereal harvest, when the soils are dry and can carry machinery. The lime is generally incorporated during stubble cultivation, which ensures good distribution in the soil. Depending on soil type and rotation, lime is applied every three years or as part of the crop rotation.

We mostly use carbonated lime (Carbokalk), a by-product of sugar production, which we obtain from Südzucker AG. What makes this special: we grow sugar beet on our land and deliver it to Südzucker – the carbonated lime produced in the process then returns to our fields as a valuable soil conditioner. This practice is a good example of regional nutrient cycles: resources are used efficiently, transport distances are minimised and natural cycles are closed. Besides lime, carbonated lime also supplies organically bound nutrients and thus improves soil fertility in the long term.

For us, liming is an investment in the future. Continuously improving soil quality secures stable yields and lays the foundation for sustainable agriculture.