Hair removal from cow’s udders has advantages for both the animal and the farmer. Thanks to thermal hair removal, you can work in much better hygienic conditions and save time for faster milking. Express Farming offers you quick, easy and painless solutions for your cows.
The principle of thermal hair removal
Cow hair makes it difficult to use the robotic milking machine and above all provides a breeding ground for all kinds of infections, especially mastitis. With the cold winter temperatures, a cow’s hair becomes even thicker, causing sweating and reducing the efficiency of the machine.
Shaving the udder is a solution to these problems, but the whole process is stressful for the animal, takes valuable time and must be frequently repeated. The thermal hair removal process is more comfortable for the animal and takes less time. With this method, hair removal only needs to take place between 6 and 8 times per year.
The principle of thermal hair removal
Ultra simple ignition
Thermal hair removal is also called cold flame depilation. This is done using a lance connected to a gas cartridge that produces a yellow flame. It is called a cold flame because it is the result of the incomplete combustion of propane with very little oxygen. Therefore, the temperature does not exceed 300°C, whereas the usual upper temperature of propane fuelled flames is 1000°C. The cold flame provides a warm sensation that is never painful.
To perform a thermal depilation, simply hold the cold flame 10 to 20 centimetres from the udder and form a figure eight for 2 to 4 seconds. Then apply gel to the udder and your thermal hair removal is complete.
The advantages of thermal hair removal
Cold flame depilation is painless for the cow; all that can be felt is a warm sensation, but never a burn. Since the time it takes is very short, the animal does not have time to stress.
Thermal hair removal has another crucial asset for animal welfare: hygiene. Burning removes all impurities embedded in the hair, as well as germs and bacteria. The udder is much healthier and the risk of mastitis is considerably reduced, especially in winter when humid air promotes bacterial growth.
Hairless udders improve the efficiency of the robotic milking machine and also make teat cleaning easier.
For the breeder, thanks to the variable length of the lance, flame depilation guarantees they can work more safely to either the side or rear of the cow. The preparation time for milking is then shortened.
Express Farming solutions for thermal hair removal from cows’ udders
TERRA portable gas hair remover Cat. No. 15655
Express Farming offers you two models of TERRA thermal depilators, one with a straight lance, the other with a curved lance. The straight lance is suitable for the parlour, while the curved lance will be more useful for the stall.
Other features are similar on both models. You will find all the advantages of painless flame hair removal for the cow in less than four seconds per animal.
Express Farming’s thermal epilators save you time: They are ready to use in less than two minutes and allow faster udder cleaning before milking. You have a 1 metre long stainless steel lance that leaves you free to move. You can connect your flame epilator to a gas bottle or cartridge – a cartridge will give you two hours of use time.
The other saving comes from the fact that you don’t have to reprocess the milk. You get better quality milk, faster and with a better level of comfort of your animals.
