Soil fundamentals library

[Wind Gypsy]

please excuse me if this isn’t wanted but I want to added that lime is different because of the various mfg processes that can lead to less or more potent forms of lime. If we are compared lb for lb the same CCE of each type of lime, we can reasonably say that the lb for lb difference and impact on soils will be negligible. However, if we were comparing a higher cce lime to a lower cce ag lime - than in that case one could make the argument for the pellet lime being more effective per lb basis.

This then would come down to partial size, reactivity of the lime put down, moisture in soil, etc.

So although i don’t think we could come up with a 10x difference- I do think the lime argument could be made for more dense, less volume, equal or better effectiveness - due to the varying options available for ph altering via CAO, Ca(oh)2, etc.

I don’t believe this to be the case for gypsum as the active ingredient is the same CaSO4.2H2O

Hope this is useful!!

I've only seen a couple Ag lime source test results but CCE seemed to vary at most around 20ish% but usually less IIRC. That's a far cry from 90%.

 

[Buckhunter10]

I've only seen a couple Ag lime source test results but CCE seemed to vary at most around 20ish% but usually less IIRC. That's a far cry from 90%.

Yes sir. Exactly. I don’t believe you’ll find that variance (I could be wrong). I’ve see some
Suggestions around the particle size and such but again, I don’t believe we’ll find a 10:1 variance that is often promoted at the local garden center.

I mostly wanted to highlight that although this is similar in nature to the conversation around gypsum, the chemical structure and density to volume argument that could be made with lime, doesn’t seem to fit.

As always - hope the input is useful. I love this forum and following along - altho I don’t comment as often.

Keep up the great convos.

 

[SD51555]

SD any lime reaction to this loll.

Yeah, I don't know about that. Maybe.

Here's how I'd approach this given it's become a real pain to source this and all the farm coop guys ain't never heard nothing bout it.

I'd get 3 bags from menards and come home and test some spots around your fields. A single 40 lb bag on an area 55 feet by 55 feet mimics a 1/2 ton rate. If you're gonna get a truck to come do this, I'd do at least a half ton. Mark it out with posts, spread that bag, and let it get rained in once good, and wait a month.

If you don't see the plants unavoidably greener, taller, better looking, and more favored by deer if that plant is in browse season, I wouldn't spend the money.

 

[matinc]

SD in your opinion for those that disc or roto wouldn't the lime be wasted quicker as it get saturated in the soil and leaches out

 

[davidhelmly]

I wanted to follow up on this from doing some research. I talked with a gypsum producer today that recommended 200#/acre if going to pelletized versus 2000#/acre on the loose applications. His reasons were that the pellets are so compacted with gypsum you're really getting nearly 10x in usable product pound for pound.

This makes the pelletized option way more feasible IMO as well as cost effective. He said most farmers are mixing in the gypsum with their granular NPK ammendments and the pelletized stuff breaks down just fine without soil incorporation.

He sounds like a pellet salesman.

 

[Brian662]

He sounds like a pellet salesman.

Ironically the only thing he couldn't sell me was pellets. He could sell private sales in bulk but has some agreement with distributors/vendors that he couldn't sell me pellets.