Introduction: Practical steps for a profitable, greener 2025
As farmers prepare for the final months of the year, two practical, high-impact investments stand out for autumn 2025: spreading lime to optimise soil health and conducting a detailed silage analysis to safeguard feed quality and animal performance. endorsed by Enda Geoghegan, Climate and Sustainability Advisor at Teagasc Ballina, these actions offer a clear path to stronger farm profitability while supporting environmental sustainability.
Action 1: Spread lime to unlock soil health and growth
With beef, sheep, and dairy incomes trending higher in 2025, farmers have an opportunity to reinvest in land. Spreading lime is one of the smartest, most reliable returns on investment for pasture-based farms. Maintaining soil pH at optimal levels—around pH 6.3 on most clay soils—facilitates the same amount of grass with less fertiliser and better utilization of available nutrients.
What does lime achieve for the bottom line and the climate?
– It can release up to 70 kg of soil nitrogen per hectare per year, helping reduce chemical nitrogen requirements.
– By boosting soil pH, lime can lift grass growth by about 10–15%, enhancing pasture quality and yield.
– Economic returns are compelling: roughly €5 gained for every €1 spent on lime on a drystock farm and about €7 on a dairy farm, according to Teagasc estimates.
Environmental benefits go hand in hand with profitability. Less reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers means lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable farm system.
Practical timing and considerations
- Timing matters: plan lime applications with respect to silage management and slurry or urea applications to maximise retention of nitrogen.
- For silage fields, allow adequate time between lime spreading and silage closing to avoid preservation issues.
- Apply slurry first, then lime 7–10 days later to prevent significant losses of slurry nitrogen.
- After lime, consider a waiting period before applying unprotected urea; protective urea can be used on limed fields per trial guidance.
Action 2: Silage analysis to safeguard feed quality and performance
In 2025, silage analysis is not only a best practice; it is also a requirement of the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Understanding silage quality helps ensure that cattle and sheep receive the right balance of energy, protein, and minerals, reducing the need for costly concentrates.
High-quality silage translates into better animal performance and lower feed costs. With concentrate prices ranging from €340 to €420 per tonne depending on protein and specification, the savings from improved silage quality can be substantial. A clear example shows how poor silage quality can escalate feeding costs: weanlings fed on 66% DMD silage need more concentrate than those offered 75% DMD silage, resulting in thousands of euros in extra feed costs over a winter. Improving silage quality reduces reliance on concentrates, supports faster weight gains, earlier finishing, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product.
How to act:
- Schedule a silage analysis with your adviser and review results together to identify gaps in energy, protein, or minerals.
- Adjust rations and concentrate intake based on analysis outcomes to optimise animal performance and feed efficiency.
- Consider how silage quality interacts with overall herd or flock performance and target markets for the coming year.
Final note: A cost-effective path to profit and sustainability
Spreading lime and analyzing silage are practical, cost-effective strategies that deliver tangible farm profitability while helping the environment. As October begins, prioritising both actions can set a strong foundation for 2025 and beyond. The Teagasc Signpost Advisory Programme, led by Enda Geoghegan in Mayo, highlights how tailored climate and sustainability advice helps farmers implement high-impact actions on their land.
About the Teagasc Signpost Advisory Programme
The Teagasc Signpost Advisory Programme provides enhanced advisory and training support to farmers, helping them select and implement climate and sustainability actions that are appropriate and impactful for their farms.
