A Proven Formula for Cleaner, Healthier Cubicles

Bennettsbridge Limestone’s Cubicle Lime is a unique disinfectant blend made from superfine limestone powder and hydrated lime. The hydrated lime delivers exceptional killing power, effectively destroying harmful bacteria on contact. Combined with the superfine limestone powder, this carefully balanced formula provides all the antibacterial strength of hydrated lime in a mild, super-absorbent blend that helps inhibit bacterial growth and reduce somatic cell counts (SCC) for cleaner, healthier cubicles.

The product is available in four blends, all supplied in convenient one-tonne bags:

• Superfine Regular Lime
• 15% Hydrated Blend
• 30% Hydrated Blend
• 50% Hydrated Blend

The superfine texture ensures high surface coverage and maximum absorption, keeping cows cleaner and drier for longer — and helping maintain teat health for easier milking.

How It Works

Cubicle Lime raises the pH of treated areas above 12.5, successfully deactivating E.coli, Salmonella and mastitis-causing bacteria such as Staphylococcal and Streptococcal.
“Our Cubicle Lime is formulated using superfine limestone powder and hydrated lime sourced from the makers of White Rhino in Carlow,” explained Eoin O’Carroll of Bennettsbridge Limestone. “The stronger the hydrated lime blend, the longer it sustains high pH levels in treated areas, providing lasting protection for animals.”

Best Practice for Application

For best results:

• Stir, agitate and aerate the product before use to achieve a light consistency.
• Apply 300–500g per cubicle daily (actual usage may vary by farm).
• Clean cubicles twice daily and scrape passages regularly to minimise moisture buildup.
• Always wear eye protection, gloves and a dust mask during application.

Cubicle design also plays a big role in maintaining hygiene. The brisket board should sit on or just above the mat to stop cows lying too far forward — keeping the rear of the cow off the back of the mat and improving overall cleanliness.

On-Farm Success Stories

“Mastitis is down to a minimum” – The Houlihan Farm, Kilkenny

Brian Houlihan, a dairy farmer from Dunmore, Co. Kilkenny, has used Bennettsbridge Limestone’s 30% Hydrated Blend for almost a decade.

“It works really well for our cows; it keeps them comfortable and leaves their teats in great condition,” said Mikey Butler, who works on the Houlihan farm.

“We’ve seen a big reduction in somatic cell count, and cases of mastitis are down to a minimum. Plus, delivery is always prompt – if you order on Monday, the lime is with you by Wednesday, and there’s no minimum order.”
“A win-win all round” – The Cotter Farm, Cork
In Castlelyons, Co. Cork, Emma Cotter has been using Cubicle Lime for over 12 years.
“The cubicles are cleaned each morning and evening when the cows are dry and milking,” she explained. “We hand-apply lime to every cubicle, and the cows are noticeably more comfortable afterward. Our automatic scraper runs every two hours to keep passages clean.”

Thanks to consistent use, the Cotters’ SCC has dropped to 84, with fewer mastitis cases and healthier cows overall.

“We first met the BBL team at the National Ploughing Championships,” Emma recalled. “Since then, we’ve had excellent service from Sales Rep Joey Ryan and the entire team. Deliveries are quick – usually within two days – and the drivers are always great to deal with.”

Added Value for Farmers

In addition to on-farm health benefits, farmers can recover up to 50% of the cost of Cubicle Lime as a source of agricultural lime. “Through its high neutralising value, our Cubicle Lime also improves slurry quality and stays in suspension, providing additional benefits to farmland,” added Eoin O’Carroll.

Reliable, Proven, and Delivered Nationwide

From mastitis prevention to improved cow comfort and milk yield, Cubicle Lime from Bennettsbridge Limestone works – and it’s backed by satisfied farmers across Ireland.
Bennettsbridge Limestone provides nationwide delivery, on time, every time.

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As cows rest, their body heat transfers to the cubicle surface, where bacteria can thrive and multiply. Dairy cows are particularly vulnerable to infection during this period, as their teat canals remain open for a few hours each day, unlike those of dry cows. Cows nearing calving are also at higher risk. To reduce these risks, most farmers rely on cubicle lime to raise the pH of cubicle beds and prevent bacterial growth.

Preventative approach to reducing mastitis

One such farmer is Richard Barron, who milks 240 cows on a 400ac platform in Co. Waterford. Watch the video below to hear Richard explain how Bennettsbridge Limestone’s cubicle lime has played a key role in reducing bacterial build-up, supporting him with the prevention of mastitis.

Richard explained: “I’ve stayed away from sawdust blends because they just don’t work in my yard. I wanted a product with hydrated lime in it for its killing power.

“To try and avoid any mastitis developing, we lime the cubicles twice a day – morning and evening – to keep the cows’ teats dry and in good order.”

Richard uses Bennettsbridge Limestone’s 15% Hydrated Lime Blend, which provides extra protection while maintaining cow comfort.

Keeping cubicles, teats, and udders dry is crucial for cow hygiene and preventing bacteria. The Co. Waterford farmer added: “Bennettsbridge Limestone Cubicle Lime soaks up moisture and keeps the bed really dry.

“When the cows come into the parlour, their teats are in good condition and their udders are dry, immediately reducing the risk of mastitis.

“We don’t need to wash or draw cows; we just cup them on straight away. A well-limed teat means we also have a hugely reduced prospect of any bacterial transmission crossing over.”

Richard keeps his liming routine simple and effective – filling a container with lime and using a scoop to apply an even layer to each cubicle.

“When you’re dealing with numbers of stock, you want to keep things as straightforward as possible,” he explains in the video.

Alongside this routine, Richard also pays close attention to cubicle design.

“We have a good brisket board on the front, which makes the cow sit back a bit so, generally, the beds never get overly dirty in terms of cowpats – it’s usually just milk stains which get scraped off before fresh lime is applied and that dries up the bed really well.” Richard said.

Bennettsbridge Limestone Cubicle Lime for healthier herds

According to Eoin O’Carroll, “At Bennettsbridge Limestone, we understand how important it is to keep cows clean, dry, and comfortable.”

“That’s why our cubicle lime is uniquely formulated using hydrated lime and a superfine limestone powder, produced at our state-of-the-art blending and bagging facility in Bennettsbridge Quarry, Co. Kilkenny.

He explained that the unique formulation of the lime inhibits the growth of bacteria, aids in the prevention of mastitis, and keeps cows comfortable. The finely ground lime ensures high surface area coverage and maximum absorption, helping to maintain a clean, dry environment for longer.

By raising the pH above 12.5, it successfully deactivates harmful bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and mastitis-causing bacteria like staphylococcal and streptococcal.

Bennettsbridge Limestone offers a full range of Cubicle Lime Blends:

“The stronger the hydrated lime blend, the longer it will sustain pH levels in treated areas for lasting animal protection,” Eoin explained.

High-quality products backed by exceptional customer service

Richard Barron has been using Bennettsbridge Limestone on his farm for some time and has built up a strong relationship with Joey Ryan, his Bennettsbridge Limestone technical sales representative. Richard appreciates not only the quality of the products but also the personal service he receives. He said Joey is always helpful, gives great advice, and makes sure Richard has everything he needs – that personal touch, combined with reliable deliveries and high-quality lime, is what really sets Bennettsbridge Limestone apart.

“Deliveries are always prompt – it’s just a matter of texting an order and it’s here within two days – the service is second to none.”

“I’m very happy with Bennettsbridge Limestone and wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them to another farmer based on how effective I’ve found both their Cubicle Lime and Agri Lime, along with the back-up I get from them,” Richard said

Eoin O’Carroll of Bennettsbridge Limestone said: “We deliver on a nationwide basis to our customers – and there’s no minimum order.

“For example, if a customer makes an order on a Monday, generally, they’ll receive their delivery by Wednesday.

“For anyone interested in purchasing Cubicle Lime from Bennettsbridge Limestone or seeking technical assistance from Joey Ryan, our Technical Sales Rep, please pick up the phone and give us a call in the office.”

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The 2022 Young Hurler of the Year, who was also named as right corner-back in the PWC GAA/GPA All Star selection in his debut senior campaign, works on Brian Houlihan’s farm on Bleach Road, Dunmore, County Kilkenny.

On pivoting between his work and inter-county commitments, the O’Loughlin Gaels clubman commented: “I love my job, I love hurling and they both get my full focus. It’s all about balance and over the past year and a half, I’ve got into a good rhythm between farming and hurling.”

Mikey added: “We run 180 cows on this farm, mostly Holstein Friesian and we calf from the start of January to the end of April. To grow as much grass as possible, we soil test regularly to keep our nutrient management plan up to date.

“Over the past four to five years, we’ve prioritised getting our lime out and maintaining our soil pH at 6.5, which we’ve in place across most of the farm.

“We get our calcium lime from Bennettsbridge Limestone and we’ve a very strong relationship with Joey Ryan in sales and his colleague John Donnelly. In turn, their contractors who spread the lime are also very reliable and do a top-class job for us”, said Mikey.

Bennettsbridge Limestone’s Hi-Calcium Agri Lime

Bennettsbridge Limestone’s Hi-Calcium Agri Lime, sourced from our high purity calcium quarry in Kilkenny, is ground in a modern automated plant on site.

This high calcium carbonate content with a Total Neutralising Value (TNV) of 98%, is essential to restore the soil’s lime status back to the desired pH for optimum fertility, while ensuring improved soil structure and drainage.

The more finely ground a lime is, the greater a surface area it has, which makes it more available to react with the acidity in the soil to neutralise it. We place a major emphasis on agri lime fineness, consistently manufacturing lime with 33% more powder than the currently stated Department of Agriculture specification.

Bennettsbridge Limestone proudly belongs to Grolime, the exclusive agricultural lime quality assurance programme in Ireland. This membership guarantees that farmers receive lime of the utmost quality and adhering to the highest standards.

We recognise that farmers have a very short window of opportunity to apply lime when it’s required, so we work with a group of dedicated lime spreading contractors to ensure you get your lime when and where you want it.

“We’re definitely growing more grass,” said Mikey. “We’ve grown 13 tons of dry matter per hectare this year. As a result of using lime, we’re also getting better graze outs. Our grazing season has been extended at both ends of the year due to a better soil structure as a result of calcium in the lime. We reseeded 20 acres this year and lime was a key part of ensuring the establishment of a new pasture. We also include clover in all reseeds and it takes very, very well.”

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Trials have shown that by increasing soil pH from 5.5 to 6.3, increased grass production of at least 1.5t DM/ha/year can be achieved, which represents a 7:1 return on investment; €7 in additional grass yield for each €1 invested in lime.

Correcting soil pH allows for more efficient use of Nitrogen (N) fertilisers, meaning less N will be required to grow the same amount of grass. A regular application of lime releases up to 80kgs of N/ha/year and unlocks phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from organic soil reserves, which reduces the need for applied fertiliser.

Regular liming will also be a key requirement where clover swards are being established as clover has shown to have a lower tolerance for pH when compared to ryegrass.

Now is the time to lime

Unless you have plans to take a 3rd cut of silage, now is a great opportunity to act on your soil samples and spread lime. August and September are particularly good months for spreading on grazing grounds while rotations extend and ground conditions remain good.

• To reduce the risk of lime residues, apply lime to low grass covers and when rain is forecast. If the lime has been washed off the leaf by rain, animals may be let back in to graze again.
• If applying lime to a grass reseed, apply after ploughing and incorporate into the seedbed to increase the availability of nutrients (NPK) and maximise germination and establishment.
• There is no problem spreading CAN-based fertiliser and/or CAN- based compounds with lime. There is also no need to leave a gap between lime and protected urea as the protection on the urea reduces N losses as ammonia gas.
• If the slurry is applied first, allow it to wash into the soil for 7-10 days, and then apply lime. If lime is applied first, wait three months to spread slurry.
• If spreading urea before lime, leave 10 days between applications. If spreading lime first, avoid applying urea for 3 months.
• Apply a maximum of 7.5t/ha (3.0t/ac) in a single application. Where more lime is recommended, apply the balance after two years.

Unless you have plans to take a 3rd cut of silage, now is a great opportunity to act on your soil samples and spread lime. 

Lime Type

No two farms are the same, therefore it is essential to soil test every 3-5 years to identify the rate of lime required for your individual farm. Soil testing regularly and liming as per soil test is the best approach to maintaining soil pH and achieving long-term benefits.

It is also important to select the correct type of lime. Both calcium lime and magnesium lime are excellent at correcting soil acidity. Calcium ground limestone is the most common form of lime spread. It is readily available in most parts of the country and is fast-acting and gives rapid pH adjustment.

In the Southeast, most soils are predominately high in magnesium and deficient in calcium. Where soil magnesium is low (<50ppm), applying magnesium limestone to correct both soil pH and Mg levels is most efficient. If your soil is deficient in calcium, this impacts on grassland productivity, and ultimately, animal performance.

Applying calcium in the form of calcium carbonate will raise the level of calcium in the soil, which in turn will help condition the soil, improve soil structure and drainage, and allow for better root development and nutrient uptake.

Lime Quality

The importance of a good-quality lime product cannot be underestimated. Minimum standards for ground limestone include:

• The product must have a Total Neutralising Value (TNV) greater than 90 percent.
• 100% must pass through a 3.35 mm sieve (very coarse limestone is less effective at increasing pH due to lower reactivity and needs additional time to break down and dissolve).
• At least 35% must pass through a 0.15 mm sieve (finely ground).
• The moisture content must be less than 3.0%.

Here at Bennettsbridge Limestone, we undergo independent twice-yearly testing for TNV, moisture value, and grading.

Hi-Calcium Agri Lime

Bennettsbridge Limestone is a member of GROLIME, Ireland’s only agricultural lime quality assurance scheme. We undergo independent twice-yearly testing for TNV, moisture value and grading.

Our Hi- Calcium lime has a consistent Total Neutralising Value (TNV) of 98%, which is a measure of how effective a lime is at neutralising the acidity in the soil. Using lime with a high TNV will result in a large cost saving for the user as less material will be needed to adjust the soil pH.

At Bennettsbridge Limestone, we also place a large emphasis on lime fineness, consistently manufacturing lime with 33% more powder than the Department of Agriculture specification.

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Mastitis in dairy cows is caused by udder infections, usually resulting from bacteria which can develop during milking or through the cow’s environment. Examples include poor milking procedures, teat injuries or direct exposure to bacteria such unhygienic cubicle beds and lying areas.

Cost of mastitis

There are underlying costs associated with the presence of mastitis, including a loss in milk production from reduced milk yield, and the volume of milk discarded due to the use of antibiotics. It is also important to note that farmers can face penalties for a reduction in milk quality as it may not be suitable for manufacturing when tested.

Other underlying costs associated with mastitis include veterinary fees and the cost of culling the animal or mortality. Taking all of this into account, it is therefore critical that prevention and control of mastitis should be a priority on all dairy farms.

Mastitis prevention and control

The use of cubicle lime is critical in order to increase the pH of cubicle beds and inhibit the growth of bacteria. In addition to a good cubicle lime routine, the below steps should be implemented to help minimise the growth of such bacteria.

1. Passageways should be scraped down and cleaned twice daily. When using automatic scrapers, it is recommended to run these six to eight times per day in order to reduce the volume of dung being brought onto the cubicle bed.
2. The use of rubber mats are also recommended as they make the cleaning process easier and increase hygiene levels.
3. Hydrated cubicle lime is recommended as a cubicle disinfectant as its pH is 12.4 above the tolerance threshold for streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria; two of the most common causes of mastitis. Although the pH in hydrated lime is significantly higher than the pH of cubicle lime (8.4), it does not irritate the cow’s teats and it also leads to increased cow comfort.
4. When applying cubicle lime, the optimum amount per cubicle is approximately a fistful. Other ways of administering cubicle lime include using a scoop to ensure an even amount is spread. Gloves and goggles should always be worn when applying cubicle lime as it can lead to severe eye irritation.

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Optimising Lime

For the majority of farmers, they are not optimising lime due to the lack of knowledge around soil testing and pH levels. Similar to any business, it is important to ensure that your farm is achieving a positive return on investment. By optimising the pH of soils, farmers can increase their annual grass output by up to 1tDM/ha.

Planning

One of the biggest reasons for the fall in spreading of lime is the lack of planning; it is essential that farmers put together a pH plan as the application of lime can have a positive impact on grass growth. Although many farmers believe there are specific times lime can be applied, it can actually be spread year-round with mid-summer and autumn, following silage cuts, are the optimal times.

In order to put together a pH plan, farmers must first soil sample the farm to identify the pH requirements for specific soils. Following this, soil sampling must occur every 3-5 years in order to maintain the correct pH levels in the soil.

Bennettsbridge Limestone is a member of GROLIME, Ireland’s only agricultural lime quality assurance scheme.

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