Farming Advice
How Much Cubicle Lime Do I Need Per Cow?
Keeping cubicles clean and dry is an important part of winter housing management, particularly for dairy cows. But how much cubicle lime should you actually be using? A useful guideline from Teagasc is 1 tonne of lime for every 20 cows over a five-month winter. This works out at approximately 50kg of cubicle lime per cow for a 150-day housing period.
How Much Cubicle Lime Do I Need Per Cow?
Keeping cubicles clean and dry is an important part of winter housing management, particularly for dairy cows. But how much cubicle lime should you actually be using?
A useful guideline from Teagasc is 1 tonne of lime for every 20 cows over a five-month winter. This works out at approximately 50kg of cubicle lime per cow for a 150-day housing period.
So, as a simple rule of thumb:
Number of cows ÷ 20 = tonnes of cubicle lime required for a five-month winter.
For example, a 100-cow herd would require approximately:
100 ÷ 20 = 5 tonnes of cubicle lime
Cubicle Lime Requirements by Herd Size
Using the 50kg-per-cow guideline, the following table gives an estimate of the amount of cubicle lime required over a five-month housing period.
| Herd Size | Approx. Lime Required |
|---|---|
| 40 cows | 2 tonnes |
| 50 cows | 2.5 tonnes |
| 60 cows | 3 tonnes |
| 80 cows | 4 tonnes |
| 100 cows | 5 tonnes |
| 120 cows | 6 tonnes |
| 130 cows | 6.5 tonnes |
| 140 cows | 7 tonnes |
| 150 cows | 7.5 tonnes |
| 160 cows | 8 tonnes |
| 180 cows | 9 tonnes |
| 200 cows | 10 tonnes |
| 220 cows | 11 tonnes |
| 250 cows | 12.5 tonnes |
| 300 cows | 15 tonnes |
These figures should be treated as a practical planning guide. Actual usage will vary depending on housing length, cubicle condition, bedding system and how frequently lime is applied.
How Much Cubicle Lime Is That Per Day?
The Teagasc recommendation of 1 tonne per 20 cows over 150 days equates to approximately 32kg of lime per day for a 100-cow herd. Teagasc suggests this could be split into approximately 16kg in the morning and 16kg in the evening.
That works out at roughly:
- 50 cows: 16–17kg per day
- 100 cows: 33kg per day
- 150 cows: 50kg per day
- 200 cows: 67kg per day
- 250 cows: 83kg per day
Rather than estimating by eye, it is worth weighing the amount of lime held in your usual bucket or scoop. You can then work out how many buckets should be used each day for your herd.
Why Is Cubicle Lime Used?
Cubicle lime helps maintain a cleaner and drier lying surface for housed cattle.
Keeping cubicle beds clean and dry is particularly important around the udder. Teagasc advises that cubicles should be cleaned twice per day and that the area coming into contact with the udder should be covered with lime, or sawdust mixed with lime.
Good cubicle hygiene is especially important:
- During lactation
- In the early dry period
- Before calving
- During extended periods of indoor housing
Environmental hygiene forms an important part of mastitis and SCC management because dirty or wet beds can increase exposure of the udder and teats to environmental bacteria.
How Often Should Cubicles Be Limed?
Cubicle management should be part of the daily housing routine rather than something carried out occasionally.
Teagasc guidance recommends cleaning cubicles twice per day, with lime applied to the area where the udder rests.
A practical routine could therefore include:
- Remove dung and contaminated bedding.
- Clean the rear of the cubicle.
- Apply the appropriate amount of cubicle lime.
- Repeat as required during the day.
- Keep passageways regularly scraped and clean.
Consistency is more useful than applying a large quantity occasionally.
How Do I Calculate My Own Cubicle Lime Requirement?
For a five-month or approximately 150-day housing period, use:
Number of cows × 50kg = total kilograms of cubicle lime
Then divide the result by 1,000 to convert kilograms to tonnes.
Example: 120 Cows
120 × 50kg = 6,000kg
6,000kg ÷ 1,000 = 6 tonnes
A 120-cow herd would therefore require approximately 6 tonnes of cubicle lime over a five-month winter.
Example: 180 Cows
180 × 50kg = 9,000kg
9,000kg ÷ 1,000 = 9 tonnes
A 180-cow herd would require approximately 9 tonnes.
Example: 250 Cows
250 × 50kg = 12,500kg
12,500kg ÷ 1,000 = 12.5 tonnes
A 250-cow herd would require approximately 12.5 tonnes.
What If My Cows Are Housed for Less Than Five Months?
The 50kg-per-cow figure is based on approximately 150 days of housing.
A simple daily estimate is therefore:
50kg ÷ 150 days = approximately 0.33kg per cow per day
For a shorter housing period, multiply:
Number of cows × number of housing days × 0.33kg
For example, for 100 cows housed for 90 days:
100 × 90 × 0.33kg = approximately 2,970kg
That is approximately 3 tonnes of cubicle lime.
Why Clean and Dry Cubicles Matter
Cows can spend a significant proportion of the day lying down, so cubicle comfort and cleanliness are important parts of housing management.
Teagasc highlights three key requirements for cubicle housing: adequate space, comfortable and clean cubicles, and adequate feeding space. Clean cubicles are also important for maintaining animal health and reducing contamination around the udder.
Cubicle hygiene should therefore be considered alongside:
- Regular scraping of passageways
- Good shed ventilation
- Suitable cubicle dimensions
- Adequate bedding
- Teat and udder hygiene
- Mastitis and SCC monitoring
Lime should form part of the overall hygiene programme rather than being relied on as a replacement for regular cleaning.
Practical Tip: Know How Much Is in Your Bucket
One of the simplest ways to improve consistency is to weigh a full bucket or scoop of lime.
For example, if your bucket contains 8kg and your target is 32kg per day, you know that approximately four buckets are required.
Writing the required number of buckets on a notice beside the lime storage area can make it easier for everyone working on the farm to apply a consistent amount.
Teagasc specifically recommends weighing the lime in the bucket and putting clear daily instructions near the lime storage area.
Cubicle Lime Safety
Always follow the instructions provided for the specific lime product being used.
Lime dust can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system. Appropriate protective equipment should be worn when handling or spreading lime. Teagasc recommends using gloves and eye protection, while respiratory protection should also be considered where dust is generated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cubicle lime do I need per cow?
A useful Teagasc guideline is approximately 50kg of lime per cow over a five-month or 150-day winter housing period.
How many cows will one tonne of cubicle lime cover?
Using the same guideline, one tonne will cover approximately 20 cows for a five-month housing period.
How much lime would 100 cows need?
Approximately 5 tonnes for a five-month winter.
How much lime would 150 cows need?
Approximately 7.5 tonnes for a five-month winter.
How much lime would 200 cows need?
Approximately 10 tonnes for a five-month winter.
How often should dairy cubicles be cleaned?
Teagasc recommends cleaning cubicles twice daily, with the area in contact with the udder covered with lime or an appropriate lime/bedding mixture.
Order Cubicle Lime from Feirm Supplies
Planning your winter requirements in advance makes it easier to keep a consistent cubicle hygiene routine throughout the housing period.
At Feirm Supplies, we supply cubicle lime for Irish dairy and livestock farms, with farm delivery available.
Use the table above to estimate the amount required for your herd, or contact the Feirm Supplies team if you need help working out your winter requirement.
Shop Cubicle Lime Online at FeirmSupplies.com
Figures in this article are planning guidelines based on published Teagasc recommendations. Always follow the instructions and safety information for the specific product you are using.
