Avoca Lime Co. promotes soil health, helps farmers get better results

While there has been a lot of focus placed on fertiliser applications over the years, Neil Crowson, sales and marketing manager at Avoca Lime Co, emphasises the vital role lime plays in complementing this for optimal soil and pasture performance and the potential gains farmers can make.

“Supplying lime adjusts soil pH, increases biological activity, improves nutrient availability and ultimately boosts pasture production and palatability,” he says. “A recent example on a beef farm demonstrated that applying both lime and the required nutrients led to greater liveweight gains and allowed cattle to be grown out more quickly.”

Avoca has built its reputation on helping farmers get the best from their land through expert advice and a comprehensive range of products. Its services include soil and herbage testing, specialised soil consulting and the supply of lime and fertiliser. “Our consultants provide impartial advice, taking soil samples, analysing lab results and preparing customised fertiliser recommendations tailored to each farm’s unique soil and pasture needs.”

Central to Avoca’s offering is agricultural lime. Sourced from three quarries throughout Northland – Rarewa, Pokapu and Port Albert – Neil says the lime is processed to meet New Zealand standards, and being Northland lime, it is soft and faster-acting in the soil.

Avoca also supplies a wide range of fertiliser products, including phosphate, potash, sulphur, magnesium and trace elements. Customised blends ensure efficiency and avoid over-supplying unnecessary nutrients.

“Custom fertiliser blends that include lime cut down on application costs by providing all the nutrients the soil needs in one pass, maximising fertiliser spend without waste,” says Neil.

“By combining traditional expertise with modern soil science, Avoca helps farmers optimise pasture growth, improve livestock performance and ensure sustainable land management.”

A standout product is Dicalcic Phosphate, a unique combination of lime and superphosphate. “It offers a cost-effective, environmentally responsible solution for the many New Zealand soils where soluble phosphate fertilisers are unsuitable. Delivering at near-neutral pH, it is a product that helps reduce leaching, runoff and ensures a more efficient, sustained supply of phosphorus for longterm pasture production,” explains Neil.

Avoca also offers biological products such as Effective Microorganisms to improve soil health. These can be used alongside lime and fertiliser to enhance soil biology and nutrient cycling, increasing the efficiency of fertiliser use.

It supplies limestone aggregate products for farm races, roading and drainage. Neil says Avoca’s soft lime rock, ideal for farm races, can be a real game changer in reducing the impact of lameness.

Avoca’s roots trace back to 1947 when Jim Manderson recognised the need for bulk lime and fertiliser in farming. The company was established in the Tangowahine Valley near Dargaville, at a time when newly developed farmland had low pH and phosphate levels. The company has remained in family ownership with Jim’s son Bryce, expanding the business over the following decades, adding quarries and bulk stores to meet growing demand.

Avoca now services the upper North Island, from Hamilton northwards, including the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, and as far south as Opotiki. Neil says Avoca continues to focus on personal service. “Each customer receives tailored advice, soil testing and fertiliser planning, ensuring the right nutrients are applied at the right time for the best outcomes.”

“Ultimately, our goal is to help farmers get the best results from their land by making sure lime and fertiliser work together in harmony for healthier soils, more productive pastures and stronger livestock performance.”