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Dolomite vs pelletized lime ratio?

Posted on 4/1/25 at 2:59 pm
Posted by PT24-7
Member since Jul 2013
4517 posts
Posted on 4/1/25 at 2:59 pm
If I have a soil test that calls for 1,000lb/acre of dolomite but I can’t get dolomite in there what does my application need to be of lime pellets? AI is telling me 1/10 but that seems really low to me. Anyone have any experience with this?
Posted by swamptiger99
Member since Aug 2024
226 posts
Posted on 4/1/25 at 3:12 pm to
(no message)
This post was edited on 4/1/25 at 4:21 pm
Posted by WillFerrellisking
Member since Jun 2019
1937 posts
Posted on 4/1/25 at 4:19 pm to
I may be wrong but I assume he’s talking about his soil ph and to raise it to around 7 for food plots.
Posted by TheDrunkenTigah
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2011
17851 posts
Posted on 4/1/25 at 4:33 pm to
What you wave to compare is the neutralizing value of the two limes, I don’t remember them off the top of my head but pellet lime is a little higher due to purity and finer particle size. No way it’s 10x better though, you might be able to use 800lbs an acre.
Posted by highcotton2
Alabama
Member since Feb 2010
10040 posts
Posted on 4/1/25 at 7:43 pm to
Pellet lime will act a lot faster than ag lime but you will have to apply it a lot more often because the effects run out faster than regular ag lime. Pellet lime is made up of very fine particles with a binder to hold them in pellet form. These particles react fast but also melt away fast. Ag lime usually has all sizes of limestone from dust to almost bb sizes of limestone with the larger pieces acting as a slow release form of lime. They make what they call premium ag lime that is super fine and will show results in 3 weeks with rain.

As far as dolomite lime is your soil test showing a magnesium deficiency?

For your original question about how much pellet lime to use you will have to have the CEC of the pellet lime to determine this. Should be printed on the bag.
This post was edited on 4/2/25 at 5:23 pm
Posted by PlaySomeHonk
Montegut La and Liberty MS
Member since Jan 2023
428 posts
Posted on 4/2/25 at 9:30 am to
I never use pelletized lime because it only lasts a year. Use ag lime, which should last for 3-5 years. Ag lime ends up being cheaper over time, and fewer applications. Soil tests from LSU and MS State normally recommend tons/acre of Ag lime.
Posted by WillFerrellisking
Member since Jun 2019
1937 posts
Posted on 4/2/25 at 9:50 am to
How are y’all getting ag lime? Dues it come in 50# bags?
Posted by PT24-7
Member since Jul 2013
4517 posts
Posted on 4/2/25 at 1:27 pm to
I’d love to but can’t get it to those plots
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
26902 posts
Posted on 4/2/25 at 1:35 pm to
quote:

How are y’all getting ag lime?


Local co-op delivered it to my place.

I think it was $13 per ton delivered with a $25 delivery fee or something. Very cheap. That was in 2022.
Posted by junkfunky
Member since Jan 2011
34962 posts
Posted on 4/2/25 at 4:11 pm to
Posted by nogoodjr
Member since Feb 2006
831 posts
Posted on 4/3/25 at 8:49 am to
Had the same issue last year. Cost's to have someone haul and deliver ag lime and then another person to come spread it was out of my price range. I purchased 40lb bags of pellitized lime at Home Depot for 3.50 a bag. I had several pastures that needed lime at either 1 or 2 tons per acre rate. That would be 2-4000lbs. I did the 1/10th rate of application and put 400lbs/acre of pelletized lime out. We did about 60 acres, so 600 bags. That cost me about 2100 plus my time to spread it.

Ag lime is better, but it would have cost me twice that. A lot depends on how close you are to the source of the lime.

My repeat soil tests a year later showed marked improvement. Some needed zero lime, some still need a little more. Price has gone up at Home Depot this year, so costs will be different this year.
Posted by PT24-7
Member since Jul 2013
4517 posts
Posted on 4/3/25 at 10:43 am to
Thank you
Posted by highcotton2
Alabama
Member since Feb 2010
10040 posts
Posted on 4/4/25 at 2:14 pm to
To make it simple for pellet lime to have the same effectiveness as ag lime you would have to use the same rates. Pellet lime is not “stronger” than ag lime on changing soil pH. The rates would be the same one you just use less up front. If you have the land for more than one year ag lime is always better and cheaper. People use pellet lime on a yard just because it is easier on small scale.
Posted by Dissident Aggressor
Member since Aug 2011
4682 posts
Posted on 4/5/25 at 8:28 am to
quote:

soil ph and to raise it to around 7

difficult to get it to 7
anything in the 6s is good
as mentioned, pelletized will react faster but, does not have the longevity of bulk…
Posted by plazadweller
South Georgia
Member since Jul 2011
11814 posts
Posted on 4/5/25 at 1:20 pm to
I absolutely recommend getting it put out by a fertilizer company. I’ve done the bagged shite on a 4.5 acre plot. frick that shite. It’s cheaper in bulk also
Posted by PT24-7
Member since Jul 2013
4517 posts
Posted on 4/6/25 at 1:02 pm to
I think everyone missed the part where I said you can’t get dolomite to the site….


If I could have I would have. I ended up doing 50% rate of pelletized and hoping for the best
Posted by highcotton2
Alabama
Member since Feb 2010
10040 posts
Posted on 4/6/25 at 4:12 pm to
quote:

think everyone missed the part where I said you can’t get dolomite to the site….


Yea I read that as you couldn’t get dolomite like you didn’t have access to it. Still need to address the magnesium deficiency.
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