Siblings Pamela and Guillaume Patry, who farm in Western France, talked to us about how Omya Calciprill has positively impacted their land, improving the quality and sustainability of their organic mixed farming operations.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your farm and your approach to liming?
Pamela Patry: We manage 265 hectares in Dournazac, Haute-Vienne. Our farm consists of two units: a beef cattle unit and a large arable unit, both certified organic since 2020. We allocate around 120 hectares to pastures for cattle and the rest to large-scale crops. Calcium carbonate liming is essential for us. We've used it since we started, continuing a family tradition of over 60 years. This approach regulates our soil pH, making it more fertile and suitable for our organic crops. Over the years, we've refined our practices to meet the specific needs of our fields while maintaining organic standards. Using calcium carbonates enhances soil health and the quality of our agricultural products.
Q: Has regular liming made a significant difference to your land?
Pamela Patry: Yes, we’ve seen notable improvements. For example, three years ago, we took over a new plot next to one that has been regularly limed for 60 years. In the fall, we planted mustard on both plots. The mustard on the regularly limed plot grew beautifully, while the new plot showed minimal growth. This clearly demonstrates the positive impact of liming on soil fertility and productivity.
Q: How did you discover Omya Calciprill and what motivated you to use it on your farm?
Guillaume Patry: We discovered Omya Calciprill through Lisa Sarny of Meac. She suggested it as an alternative to another product we used to spray, which required heavy equipment and limited our application options. Omya Calciprill interested us because it’s available in 600kg big bags, making it easy to spread on pastures and small, hard-to-reach plots. The first rain dissolves the granules quickly, ensuring good soil integration. Additionally, Omya Calciprill allows flexible spreading with our own equipment, which is a significant advantage for our farm.
Q: Would you recommend Omya Calciprill to other farmers?
Guillaume Patry: Yes, we are very satisfied with our first use of Omya Calciprill. It allows us to treat pastures and plots that are difficult for spreading companies to access, especially wet or irregularly shaped ones. Also, Omya Calciprill produces no dust during spreading, which is a major benefit. Its practicality and effectiveness make it a product we would highly recommend to other farmers.
Q: Finally, what do you see as the main benefit of liming your plots?
Pamela Patry: The main benefit is maintaining good soil quality to ensure optimal yields. Adding all the necessary nutrients is important, but without regular maintenance, the soil won't be productive. In organic farming, mixed farming is essential. Cows provide manure that enriches the land, and with mineral amendments, we get a mix that promotes healthy crop growth. This cycle allows us to feed our cows with quality crops, strengthening the balance and sustainability of our farm.
This interview highlights the positive impact of strategic liming choices on soil health and the sustainability of family farms, illustrating Omya’s commitment to responsible and productive agriculture.