Background
Gypsum is best known today as the main ingredient in wallboard, but in colonial times, George Washington and Benjamin
Franklin promoted its use in agriculture to maintain chemical balances between soil, water and plants. Since then,
agriculture research has generated a wealth of information about what constitutes a good chemical balance. The challenge
is how to use this information to create the best possible conditions for your crops.
Gypsum is a unique material that performs well as a soil amendment. Gypsum, chemically known as calcium sulfate dihydrate
(CaSO4 • 2H2O) readily dissolves to release calcium ions (Ca+2) and sulfate-sulfur
ions (SO4-2).
Gypsum application benefits
- Rehabilitation of high sodium, magnesium and aluminum impacted soils.
- Soil structure improvement.
- Surface crusting elimination to improve water penetration and aeration.
- Increased release of soil nutrients to crop roots, reducing need for expensive fertilizer applications.
- Greater yield for alfalfa, corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts and potatoes.
Now available in Wisconsin
Gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral actively mined as close as Iowa and Michigan, is nothing new in agriculture.
What is new for Wisconsin farmers is having a locally produced gypsum supply.
As part of our environmental commitment to reduce emissions and minimize landfill of coal combustion products,
we installed flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems that produce a high purity gypsum product. We are now making this gypsum available to Wisconsin farmers.
Distribution
We Energies contracts Beneficial Reuse Management to market and distribute our
gypsum to the Wisconsin agricultural community under the Gypsoil brand name. Inquiries
about availability and pricing can be quickly and easily answered by contacting Beneficial Reuse Management at 866-GYPSOIL (866-497-7645) or
email.
Licensed and approved in Wisconsin
Our gypsum is licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and approved by
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a soil amendment.
We Energies gypsum typical characteristics (dry basis)
| Purity (CaSO4 • 2H2O) |
> 95% |
| Calcium content |
> 20% |
| Sulfur content |
> 16% |
| Particle Size - % passing 200 mesh sieve |
> 95% |
| Angle of Repose |
49° |
We Energies gypsum - particle size distribution chart
Advantages of We Energies gypsum
- Our local production in southeastern Wisconsin reduces haul distance, which reduces emissions and delivery cost to your field.
- Higher purity than natural gypsum delivers more calcium sulfate per ton to your field.
- Fine particle size assures even distribution with conventional lime spreading equipment and rapid release of calcium and sulfur.
Related information about FGD gypsum and coal combustion products
