WV Farm Bureau Magazine December 2014 | Page 14

Boxley Opens New Ag Lime Plant in Pocahontas County Boxley Aggregates of West Virginia has opened a new state-of-the-art agricultural lime plant at Mill Point in Pocahontas County. quality lime, the region can expand its agricultural opportunities as well as improve water quality of area streams.” The lime will be primarily used by the farming industry to raise pH levels in the soil to improve the quality of pastureland and crop production. Lime produced at the plant is also being used by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to elevate the pH in the headwaters of streams and rivers located throughout the region—including the Williams, Cranberry, Gauley and Shavers Fork—to provide a more optimal environment for trout populations. Construction of the plant was made possible by a $500,000 loan provided to Boxley through the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (GVEDC). The funds came from the State of West Virginia Department of Commerce at the request of Commissioner Helmick. The agricultural lime plant has two 25-ton bins for feeding material to the plant. The material is fed to a 54” four row cage mill that produces a minimum of 50 tons per hour of lime. The output from the cage mill is screened so the final product meets the fineness standards in Title 61 Legislative Rule Series 6A, WV Agricultural Liming Material. The plant can produce all three of the fineness standards. The calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) for Boxley’s product meets or exceeds 90% compared to the WV minimum of 80%. The finished product is stored in a 6,000 square foot structure that can hold approximately 2,500 tons of dry lime. The fineness of the product and the effort to keep it dry make the lime easier to spread. “The opening of this facility provides our farmers throughout this region with a source of high quality lime to assist them in improving their land and boosting future production,” West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick said. “As we continue in our efforts to grow our Agriculture base in West Virginia, facilities like this play a vital role. We are very pleased that this project has come to fruition.” “Boxley’s Mill Point lime plant is a great example of how business and government can work together to address the unique needs of the region,” said Ab Boxley, President. “Through access to high 14 West Virginia Farm Bureau News Selling Alfalfa Hay Dairy Quality 3x3, 3x4, 4x8 bales delivered to you by Semi Truckload 877-285-8200 or 620-285-6971