With the growing season starting soon, you may be wondering about the best way to whip your soil’s pH into shape. Agricultural lime products for soil remediation are popular with farmers throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. But with so many different products of different compositions—what should you be using for your fields?
Norstar Agriculture is your team of expert soil and crop consultants in Western Canada. Our knowledgeable agronomists aid farmers throughout the Canadian Prairies with comprehensive, science-backed solutions. Read on as we explore the key differences between cement kiln dust and ag limestone, two popular agri lime supplements.
What Is Cement Kiln Dust and Limestone?
Cement kiln dust (CKD) is an ultra-thin powdery byproduct of cement kilns. Cement is manufactured by several processes in which clay and other materials are heated to extremely high temperatures. As the heating occurs, dust-like particles are filtered through. This powder is composed of calcium oxide (CaO), silica, and other trace minerals.
Limestone, on the other hand, is a sedimentary rock. Over thousands of years, when organisms decompose, they compact into the ground. This calcium-rich matter layers further into the soil, eventually creating limestone. Limestone is primarily made from the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) of fossilized matter.
Both CKD and limestone are widely used as agricultural soil amendments to adjust soil pH to optimal levels.
How Each Amendment Raises Soil pH
When CKD’s calcium oxide (CaO) reacts with water, it quickly creates calcium hydroxide. The ions of calcium hydroxide then react with the soil’s acidic hydrogen ions, effectively neutralizing them. This quick-working process begins as soon as the CKD comes into contact with moisture. As a result, the soil’s pH is raised.
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from limestone is a much more gradual process. Unlike calcium oxide, it’s not water-soluble. As such, soil composition changes take place more slowly, only after breaking down. The limestone’s carbonate CO₃²⁻ ions then react with the soil’s acidic H⁺ molecules.
Additional Benefits of Each Amendment:
CKD-based amendments, like NOR-Cal, offer several key advantages for soil. NOR-Cal is a more comprehensive agri lime composition consisting of both calcium carbonate and calcium oxide. It also goes a step further. Several key nutrient processes work hard behind the scenes to ensure your soil is productive. The inclusion of micronutrients provides crops with the availability of resources for microscopic processes. For example, proper levels of sulphur are essential for protein synthesis and crop production. Meanwhile, phosphorus helps ensure productive energy transfer and production, which is essential throughout germination and maturation.
Our NOR-Cal ag lime amendment features:
- Calcium (30%)
- Silicon (25%)
- Magnesium (1.37%)
- Sulphur (1.0%)
- Potassium (0.4%)
- Phosphorus (0.5%)
Ag limestone, on the other hand, is a relatively straightforward solution to unbalanced soil pH. It doesn’t typically contain any additional nutrients beneficial for soil health.
Soil Reactivity and Efficiency: What’s Faster?
For farmers seeking a liming method, efficient soil reactivity is essential. Crop growth has several stages, including germination, root development, and maturation. Faster reactivity means your soil composition can adapt early on. As such, cement kiln dust changes quickly—completely revitalizing soil within the first two years.
Thanks to its fine particles, cement kiln dust is a powerhouse for rapid soil reactivity. CKD breaks down almost immediately. Meanwhile, the efficiency of ag limestone depends on how coarse it is, with larger particles acting slower.
Better Soil with Agricultural Innovations
The key to greater crop yields isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you’re looking to resolve crop nutrient deficiencies and improve your field health comprehensively—look no further than Norstar Agriculture. We take care of the entire process, from soil analysis to crop amendment applications. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and have healthier fields in time for the next crop season.
