Possible the most important new "cattle helper" for years - FerAppease

FerAppease is a “spot-on” product designed to reduce stress in cattle, particularly during high-stress events like weaning, Tb testing, minor surgery, transport, or mixing / regrouping.

‘Cutting to the chase’- get a bottle and use it on 30 animals !

a) Sucker herds e.g. TB test, weaning, castration & disbudding, arriving stores

b) Dairy e.g. at drying off, new-calved (both these cover group changes and support immunity including less metritis). Robot milking introduction. You will see peak lactation sooner, higher and a better lactation to the tune of +300L per heifer.

What Is FerAppease?

• Type: Liquid pheromone-based product for pour-on / topical application
• Active Ingredient: A copy of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) made from plant and yeast extracts. It is a mix of 8 fat related substances in an oil carrier liquid. It also is approved for use in UK organic systems by  OMSCO.
• How to apply: 5ml applied to the muzzle and 5ml to the poll (back of the head)
• When to use: It just depends what gives your cattle stress in your system on your farm. E.g. high-stress events like suckler weaning, Tb testing, minor surgery like castration and disbudding, transport, mixing / regrouping, introduction to robotic milking
• How long does it last?- 14 days, but the benefits of this easier period and better immunity continue for much longer
• What’s it cost? Less than £4

This mimics the natural pheromones secreted by lactating cows, which help calm calves and promote bonding during suckling. This effect continues into later life and benefits calves, older youngstock, heifers, bulls and cows.

How It Works

• The pheromone is detected by receptors in the calf’s nose. This is a special sensing organ called the Vomeronasal Organ.
• It sends calming signals to the brain, reducing the stress and improving growth. The science is that Gaba-A receptors in the hypothalamus of the brain are blocked. This the causes the adrenal glands to make less cortisol and adrenaline. Also there is a reduction in the acute-phase-inflammation protein called ‘Haptoglobin’ and in ‘Substance P’ which is linked with pain. As cortisol ‘turns off’
• There is less cortisol produced and so a better immune system. Less adrenaline , so the cattle are less agitated and so settle calmly, eat and chew the cud.
• These effects last up to 14 days after a single application. But the inderect effects of this better start continue much longer.

 Benefits

• Improved Weight Gain: Up to 0.17 lbs/day additional gain in American trials. A farm trial in UK showed 12.5kg extra weight gain in the ten weeks after weaning
• Calmer Behaviour: Farmers reported that calves were noticeably quieter, more settled, and began eating sooner after weaning or mixing groups. This behavioural shift is crucial for maintaining feed intake and reducing illness. It’s a switch from ‘striving to thriving’.

• Bigger, Better Carcases:
  • Average of 15.6 lbs more hot carcass weight in the US
  • Higher marbling scores
  • Greater percentage of Choice or Prime grades on the US system
• Reduced Mortality: Some trials suggest significant reductions in calf mortality under high-risk conditions. Lower need to treat with medicines is a very common finding
• Lower Vet Bills: reports from farmers show fewer sick cattle and reduced treatment costs. Also seen are less calves needing a second course of treatment for respiratory disease. In dairy cows an application at drying-off and when new-calved reduce retained cleansings, infected womb and improved lactation
• Enhanced Feed Intake: Cows, store & alves reportedly start eating sooner and more consistently
• Calmer Behaviour: Easier handling, less agitation during stressful events

• It’s not classified as a veterinary medicine, doesn’t need putting in the medicines book, reduces drug use and does not have a meat or milk withdrawal period

Feel free to email me on [email protected] or phone me on 07778 191964 with further question or to start using FerAppease.

Graham Shepherd BVM&S MRCVS