How should I deal with this??

I have just acquired some new ground to rent, about 60 acres. I'd like to soil sample it mostly to find the ph of the soil, but the local co-op says they can't spread lime anymore this spring as all their drivers are spreading fertilizer and spraying now that the busy planting season is upon us. So being I can't get any lime broadcast onto these fields, can I apply lime with my planter? I have a JD 7000 with dry fertilizer on it. I am looking to plant these fields into soybeans, as they were corn last year. Also, what, if any fertilizer would you place on these fields when you don't know what your dealing with as far as nutrients already in the soil?

I hate guessing like this, but I wanna do all I can to try to get a decent crop. I did have my beans treated, should I just plant and see what I get? That seems like a gamble too. I really wish I could just get some darn lime on there, but I'm not even sure it needs it. What does a guy do in a case like this?? seems either way is a gamble?

update: The co-op just called me, they are suggesting 100 lbs of lime and 100 lbs of Potash mixed and applied through my planter in row. Does this seem like a decent idea?

I would still get the soil tested to see what you are working with this year. If the PH and other nutrients are off enough to limit your yields you can adjust your inputs to a lower yield target and maybe try to get an adjustment on the rent from your landlord. A test now will also establish a baseline for a possible reimbursement when you end the lease.

I've mixed pelleted lime with dry fertilizer for oats and alfalfa. I'd say it sure better than nothing if you can't get it spread. It'll be banded in the row where it'll do the most good too.

I have always been told that most lime takes time to actually work into the soil and bring up the pH. In our orchard last fall I put a ton of lime to the acre. Soil test last year to this only shows a .2 increase in pH. In my opinion any lime you put down now is not going to do much for the crop you are planting right now.

Get a sample done, your local garden supply places have them. Then lime is slow release but you could if need be find a calcium source.

Lime should be put on the year before, not at planting. If your planting after corn there's usually enough fertilizer left over you don't need any on the beans.

Do you have any place locally that will rent you a lime spreader so you can spread it yourself? There's always a dump truck driver available that could drop you off a load of lime, then you load it in the spreader yourself and spread it with your tractor.

I don't think you can put enough lime on through the fertilizer applicators on your corn planter to do any good. You'd have to have the fertilizer going wide open to make it worthwhile, and you'd constantly be refilling the hoppers about once an acre or more.

I would just have peletized lime added to my fertilizer mix. its slow release .

You will never get enough lime to do any good with the planter boxes. I would do 11 52 20 fertilizer here. We don' t need a lot of pot ash here. Your mileage will vary.

Put liquid lime on it acts faster.

Do not put any fertilizer or lime on until you test the soil.

You will need P&K for the beans, and might not even need lime, I also think it is late to add lime.

100 lbs for how far? Lime usually goes on at about 5 times the application rate of N. You would need to refill pretty frequently.

to late for phosphate. plant the beans and get a soil test, that way you can be ready to go in the fall. take the samples yourself. that way you know where they came from. when my local coop does it they seem to always find spots in the field that cost me money.

You will get little to zero return out of any lime spread now in this year's crop. That is why lime is normally fall applied. It takes six months to a year to get any response and then you get action for about two years after that. Pelleted lime will work faster but cost 10 to 15 times as much money. I can get regular lime applied for $10 a ton where Pelleted lime is around $200.

You did not say where your located at????? This makes world of difference. Does your area have a history of being lime deficient??? If not then I would forget lime now and just fertilize for your "normal" yield. Then this fall soil test and adjust your fertility then. You will get a better return on investment from just fertilizer this first year.

Also how long do you have the field rented for??? The norm around here is for the landlord to have to pay back the tenant for lime applied if they are not the tenant the next few years. It is a sliding scale. First year after application 75% of the original cost. Second year 50% of the original cost. Third year 25% of the original cost. So I would only lime if I had a longer term contract or a lease spelling out the cost share of any lime application.

I agree ,, or liguid lime .....

I vote with JD seller Just add the amount you would normally and fall apply it. If you are that worried about it then use the liquid lime as mentioned. Through the planter it would take a lot of material to do much. It would be in the row so it would be the most good for this crop.
I like to put about 200 pounds of 6-15-40 on beans. We call for potash on test results though. I like 9-23-30 on corn. I then spread potash as required in the fall and add lime then. I have been liming a bout 30-40 acres a year. At about 40 dollars per ton for lime hauled and spread it adds up.