AG Lime Quality Calculator

AG Lime is applied to to neutralize soil acidity and raise soil pH. Lime quality is dependent on the fineness of the material and the percent calcium carbonate of the limestone source.

In Arkansas, ag lime does not have to meet a minimum quality standard, but each lime vendor is required by state law to have their ag lime product testing for sieve size and % CCE (calcium carbonate equivalent). The fineness measure used in Arkansas is the amount of material passing through 10, 60, and 100 mesh sieves. The University of Arkansas ag lime recommendations are based on a lime product with a liming value of 47%(see definitions below)

To use this calculator, lime test information is needed from the lime vendor for the percent of the lime product passing through 10, 60, and 100 mesh sieves and the percent CCE. Cost per ton material, including hauling, and spreading cost, can also be included so lime products can be compared for economic value per pound of ECCE (see definitions below)

Up to three Ag lime samples can be evaluated with this calculator

Definitions

CCE - Calcium Carbonate Equivalent - from the lime analysis; basically a measure of the purity of the limestone rock

Fineness Rating - The total relative liming value of the sample based on the % within each seive size range {how fine it is ground) - must be multiplied by the CCE for final liming value

ECCE (Liming Value) - Effective Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (liming value) calculated from the %CCE and fineness rating of the lime sample

ENM - Effective Neutraling Material - This is a measure of liming value used in Missouri