Limestone Program Producers Information

              The application of limestone to Illinois
cropland is a time tested method of controlling soil
acidity. It can help maintain optimum nutrient
availability and consequently, crop production.
However, variations in limestone quality
from the many sources available to farmers can
make consistent and economical application
difficult. This publication indexes many Illinois
sources of agricultural limestone as a function of
their  effective  neutralizing  value.  Calcium
Carbonate Equivalents and Fineness Efficiency
of the different limestones have all been figured
for the producer.
The result is a correction factor at the end
of each entry. Multiply this figure by the ton-per-
acre of limestone recommended in your soil test
for the correct application rate of each quarry s
limestone.
Obtain the greater than #8 mesh figure by
subtracting the #8 mesh percent weight from
1.00. to obtain the #8 to #30 mesh, subtract the
percent passing # 30 from the percent passing #8
to obtain the #30 to #60 figure, subtract the #60
from the #30. The passing #60 figure is already
given in the table.
Here is an example TFEV computation for
particle size intervals.
For more information, see  A Guide to
selecting Agricultural Limestone Products , by
Jonathan H. Goodwin. Illinois Mineral Note 73,
November, 1973. Illinois State Geological Survey
and, Illinois Agronomy Handbook 1995-96 Circular
1333, Cooperative Extension Service, U of I. Or,
you may contact your County Extension Advisor.
The application rate number is figured with
a one and four year conversion rate.
Figuring ENV for one year conversion rates
The effective neutralizing value of a limestone
product is determined by multiplying the Calcium
Carbonate Equivalent (CCE given in booklet) by
the total fineness efficiency value (TFEV).
You must figure this from data included in
the booklet.
Total fineness efficiency values (TFEV s)
are determined by first obtaining the weight
percent (multiply by .01) of stone in the four
particle size intervals. These are:
1. Greater than  #8 mesh
2. #8 to #30 mesh
3. #30 to #60 mesh
4. #60 and finer mesh.
Particle  Size  Interval  Analysis
Passing Passing Passing
#8 #30 #60
Step  1
Jones County
    Cr Stone 85.9 35.2 21.4
Weight  Percent
Step  2
(Multiply by .01) .859 .352 .214
Step  3
1.00-.859 (#8 figure for #8 larger particle size) = .141
Step  4     One  Year  Conversion  Constants*
*The four bold constants are always used when figuring 1 year conversion rates.
.141 x 5 = .70
.507 x 20 = 10.14
.138 x 50 = 6.90
.214 x 100 = 21.4
39.14 = Total Fineness Efficiency Value
Step  5
(TFEV) 39.14 x (CCE) .9363 = 36.65 (product)
Step  6                   One Year application Rate
Always divide the product of step 5 into 46.35. 46.35
= 1.26
36.65
Step  7
1.26 x (ton-per-acre recommendation in your soil analysis) = ton-per-acre of Jones County Cr Stone to apply.
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