Convert a soil-test lime recommendation in tons ECCE/acre to product tons/acre using the lime’s ECCE percentage.
Use this when your soil report recommends lime as tons of effective calcium carbonate equivalent (ECCE) per acre and the quarry ticket lists product ECCE %.
If the report already gives product tons for a named lime, you may not need this conversion.
Product rate rises when ECCE is below 100% because more material is needed to deliver the same effective lime.
product_tons_ac = reco_ecce_tons_ac ÷ (ECCE% ÷ 100)
field_tons = product_tons_ac × acres
Recommendation 2.0 tons ECCE/acre, product ECCE 80%, 25 acres:
Product = 2.0 ÷ 0.80 = 2.5 tons/acre → field = 62.5 tons.
Assumptions: recommendation is already in ECCE tons/acre; product ECCE matches the load you will apply.
Limits: does not choose target pH, tillage depth, or timing. Fine vs coarse grind affects reaction speed beyond ECCE.
Responsibility: follow soil-test lab guidance and applicator calibration.
Effective Calcium Carbonate Equivalent — a quality index combining purity and fineness used on many Midwestern soil reports.
CCE is related but not identical. Use the same basis your lab and lime ticket share, or ask the lab how to convert.
Some high-quality products approach or slightly exceed 100% on certain scoring systems. Enter the ticket value; the formula still holds.