Useful information about cattle clipping

Why and when is clipping cattle sensible?

Cattle are usually not clipped, unlike sheep or horses.Cattle have a different coat and their hair serves to protect them from various weather conditions. However, there are situations where clipping cattle might be considered, although this is more the exception than the rule. Here are some reasons:
  1. Heat Stress: In hot climates, clipping cattle can help reduce heat stress. By removing the fur, cattle are able to dissipate heat better and improves thermoregulation. This can be especially important to minimize heat stress during the hot summer months. The frequency of clipping depends on the animal's needs and the climatic conditions. In hot climates, clipping before the summer months can be sensible, while in cooler regions, clipping might be needed less frequently.
  2. Hygiene: In some cases, clipping cattle can improve hygiene. If cattle are heavily soiled, clipping can help ease cleaning and reduce the risk of skin infections.
  3. Medication Application: In veterinary medicine, clipping cattle may be necessary to apply medications topically to the skin. This is especially important when treating skin diseases.
  4. Winter Clipping: Clipping in winter is generally not recommended as the coat protects the animals from the cold. Exceptions: For specific medical needs.
Eine Kuh wird am Körper geschoren
It is important to note that clipping cattle should be done carefully to avoid injuries and ensure that the animals remain protected from the elements. In most cases, clipping cattle is not routinely practiced and should only be considered under certain circumstances. It is always advisable to consult an experienced veterinarian or a professional in this field before making such decisions.
 

 
Ein Landwirt geht mit einer Scvhermaschine in der Hand zu den Kühen im Stall
 
 

How to prepare cattle for clipping

  • Calmness: Ensure the animal is calm and relaxed.
  • Restraint: The animal should be securely restrained to prevent injury.
  • Cleaning: Remove coarse dirt and tangles from the coat.
  • Safety: Be careful not to injure the skin and use well-sharpened clipping blades.
  • Time frame: The duration depends on the type of clipping and the experience of the person clipping. A complete body clip can take between 30 minutes and an hour
 

 
Eine Kuh wird an einer empfindlichen Stelle geschoren
 

How to prevent skin injuries during clipping

  • Well-sharpened clipping blades: Always use sharp and clean blades.
  • Right technique: Clip in even strokes and avoid unnecessary pressure.
  • Skin care: Make sure the skin is clean and healthy.
 

 

Which body parts of the cattle should be clipped?

  • Complete body clip: For maximum hygiene and heat stress reduction.
  • Partial clip back: To improve heat dissipation.
  • Partial clip legs / tail base / tail: To ease cleaning and care.
 
Einer Kuh wird das Fell am Schwanz geschoren
On our homepage, you will find detailed information about clipping types for cattle and which Aesculap clipping machine is best suited for which part of the body.
 

 

Which clippers are suitable for cattle?

Our product recommendations:
High-quality brands like Aesculap clippers offer powerful and durable clipping machines specifically designed for the needs of agriculture. There are various models of clippers that vary depending on the need and area of application:
  • Econom II GT474: Powerful machine for complete body clipping.
  • Econom CL GT804 / GT806: Suitable for extensive clipping tasks.
  • Bonum GT644-BL / GT464-BL: Flexible and handy, ideal for smaller clipping tasks.
 

How to maintain clippers for cattle

  • Cleaning: Thoroughly clean after each use to remove hair and dirt.
  • Oiling: Regularly oil the clipping blades and moving parts.
  • Sharpening: The clipping blades should be regularly sharpened or replaced to ensure optimal cutting performance.
 
On our homepage, you will find plenty of important information, maintenance guides, useful tips, user manuals, and spare parts lists for download.
 

 
Our experts are available to assist you with advice and support.
 

 

Conclusion

By clipping cattle completely or partially, the following can be achieved:
  • Higher hygiene levels in the barn
  • Improved animal health and 
  • more animal welfare
Clipping is a good but operation-specific task – it cannot be generalized. Powerful and high-quality clippers and blade sets from the Aesculap brand optimally support clipping work!