Posted 2008-03-07 5:12 PM (#78955 - in reply to #78922) Subject: RE: Lime?
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Urbana,MD
In my dirt lot they pee alot .We clean it out from time to time with the tractor,but it can still be kinda stinky.I keep the run in cleaned out but right out side it it gets mucky when it rains then the poop and pee mixes with it making it stinky.
Posted 2008-03-07 6:35 PM (#78961 - in reply to #78922) Subject: RE: Lime?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
The only difference is in absorption... Pellets will take more time to break down and the powdered lime will leach into the ground quicker. I always like using powdered lime for pastures and hay fields...but if you don't have access to a lime spreader then pelletized is easier to spread and not as messy...
In the mud paddock...I just use the tractor's FEL and skim the paddock until it is all scooped up...no lime...yet...
Posted 2008-03-08 6:26 AM (#78984 - in reply to #78922) Subject: RE: Lime?
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Urbana,MD
Just 2 horses.It is easy to keep things clean in the dry months, but we are having a very wet time,and they are in this lot all winter to keep them off the field.It gets really mucky and then they just mush the pee and poops in with the muck ,so it is not very easy to keep things cleaned up.Under my run in is dry and I do pick it out so they do have a place to stand out of the muck.
Posted 2008-03-08 8:04 AM (#78990 - in reply to #78922) Subject: RE: Lime?
Veteran
Posts: 270 Location: Roanoke IL
I'm having the same problem, don't get hydrated lime, it is different than AG lime or barn lime. Hydrated lime has warnings on the bag and is very toxic. The other stuff is safe and has no warnings on the bag. Look back at the thread regarding dirt stall floors, people had some good ideas on permanently fixing the muck soup problem. I'm shopping for gravel and such right now...
Posted 2008-03-08 8:34 AM (#78993 - in reply to #78922) Subject: RE: Lime?
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Urbana,MD
I must say I have tryed the gravel ,and it only works for awhile.Once they dump hay on it then poop and pee it all up it is a mess again.Then if you have a tractor with a bucket ,and try to clean the area out the gravel comes up with it.I spread my manure and then you get gravel all over the field.If hydrated lime is so toxic,....why can you spread it on feild where animals eat?
Posted 2008-03-08 9:54 PM (#79046 - in reply to #78993) Subject: RE: Lime?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by horsecrazi on 2008-03-08 9:34 AM
I must say I have tryed the gravel ,and it only works for awhile.Once they dump hay on it then poop and pee it all up it is a mess again.Then if you have a tractor with a bucket ,and try to clean the area out the gravel comes up with it.I spread my manure and then you get gravel all over the field.If hydrated lime is so toxic,....why can you spread it on feild where animals eat?
Because it is absorbed into the soil...
Ground limestone is almost almost pure calcium carbonate and comprises the largest % of all lime used in the United States - it is abundant and the cheapest form of lime. Also, it is not caustic or disagreeable to handle like burnt or hydrated lime. It may also contain varying amounts of magnesium carbonate. Limestones containing significant amounts of magnesium carbonate are called dolomitic limestones. Dolomitic limestone contains about equal parts of magnesium and calcium carbonate. Hydrated/slaked lime pound for pound is about 1-1/2 times more effective (at raising pH) and quicker to react than ground limestone (calcium carbonate).
Soil acidity is a natural phenomenon which can be accelerated by productive farm practices.
It is caused by accumulation of soil organic matter, nitrogen fixation, leaching of nitrate and removal of alkalinity in plant produce and animal products. All these processes leave an accumulation of acid hydrogen ions (H+) in the soil and result in losses of nutrients such as Ca, K, Mg.
Soil acidity restrains productivity
Dangerous levels of acidity are indicated by a soil pH
Ca <5.5 for crops and pHCa <5.0 for pastures. Below these levels crop, pasture and livestock productivity decreases, return on farm inputs such as fertilisers declines and eventually the soil can become irreversibly damaged. Soil acidity can be prevented or corrected by applying lime.
Acidity is accelerated by good farming
Maximising farm productivity is important but, as this accelerates soil acidification, strategic applications of lime should be part of routine farm management to ensure soil pH is maintained above critical levels.
Factors affecting acidification rates
Soil type
pH drops faster in sandy soils which are less able to retain nutrients against leaching.
The greater cation exchange capacity of clay soils can buffer against acidification.
Rainfall
Higher rainfall increases the rate and intensity of alkalinity leaching.
Land use
Higher intensity production systems and greater alkalinity removal in farm produce increases the rate of acidification.
Farm inputs encourage acidity
All farm inputs such as fertilisers and chemicals indirectly accelerate acidity because of greater rates of product removal.
The effects of fertilisers on acidity
Ammonium-based fertilisers such as ammonium sulphate, urea and ammonium nitrate are converted in soil to nitrate in a chemical reaction that releases some acid hydrogen (H+) ions.
Posted 2008-03-19 6:03 AM (#79861 - in reply to #78922) Subject: RE: Lime?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 304
So, I can spread ag lime or zeolite in my muddy paddock and let the horse walk around in it? Or does it have to absorb into the muck 1st? What affect does the lime have on there feet?
We have a muddy mess right now, and are looking for some kinda solution.
Lime?
