Effective Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (ECCE)

The fineness of lime products is expressed as the Effective Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (ECCE). The Effective Calcium Carbonate Equivalent is a measure of AgLime effectiveness is based on the combined effect of chemical purity (CCE) and fineness of the product. It also can be referred to as effective neutralizing value (ENV), total neutralizing power (TNP) effective neutralizing material (ENM) and in one state as the "lime score". ECCE required for labeling purposes in some states. 

Grind fineness is just as important as the purity of calcium carbonate. Large pieces of lime will not dissolve in the soil. The finer the particle the more quickly and completely it will react to neutralize soil acidity. Finely ground lime is only effective if it reaches your field. The majority of fine lime is lost to drift, making it ineffective.

The effective portion of AgLime consists of the 30 to 60 mesh particles. Some AgLime quarries crush their lime even finer to increase the ECCE. While increasing effectiveness this also increases cost and drift loss. The finer the particle is, the more susceptible to it is to drift

Lime that is not ground to at least 30 mesh will not make a significant impact on soil pH. more on mesh size

Pelletizing is the best way to put fine particles on the ground.

Remember most ag-lime has an ECCE of only 50% while Calcium Products SuperCal 98-G is at 91%.  

What does that mean to you?  It means that you will have to add nearly 5x as much ag-lime as SuperCal 98-G to obtain the same results per acre.

Clearly SuperCal 98-G is a much better buy.