New research published in Translational Animal Science, an official journal of the American Society of Animal Science, details the positive impact on both gain and carcass value from applying FerAppease to low-risk yearling Angus steers upon initial processing and when re-implanted in the feedlot.
“We have previously observed how FerAppease can improve the health and well-being of high-risk cattle during stressful times in their lives,” said research lead Dr. Reinaldo Cooke, the Burkhart Endowed Professor for Beef Cattle Research at Texas A&M University. “Going into this research, our hypothesis was that low-risk cattle could also benefit from application of the maternal bovine appeasing substance (mBAS) when being handled in the feedyard, and the results of this study proved just that.”
MBAS, the active ingredient of FerAppease, is the synthetic analogue of an appeasing pheromone that is naturally secreted from the mammary gland of lactating cows, which promotes a calming effect to the offspring. However, cattle remain sensitive to the calming effects of mBAS until adult life. FerAppease is applied topically behind the poll and across the muzzle of cattle.
In the latest study, 240 Angus yearling steers were sourced from a stocker operation after backgrounding. Upon arrival at the research feedyard in Bushland, TX, steers were divided into 15 pens with eight steers per pen. Half of the pens received FerAppease (10 mL per steer) and the other half received mineral oil (placebo control, 10 mL per steer) during initial processing at the yard. Steers were on feed for 138 days until slaughter. After 75 days on feed, all steers were re-implanted and received a second dose of their respective treatment. All other conditions, such as nutrition, access to water, etc. were equivalent between both groups of cattle.
“We detected notable improvements in both live and carcass performance of the treated steers,” said Cooke. “Steers receiving FerAppease had greater average daily gain (0.17 pounds per day more) compared to the control, equating to an additional 23.5 lbs. over the 138-day feeding period; and an average 15.6-lb. heavier hot carcass weight.”
Steers treated with FerAppease had higher marbling scores at a low 500 (average 508.1 marbling score), compared to a high 400 for the control steers (average 481.7 marbling score). Accordingly, treated steers graded higher with 94.9% grading Choice or Prime (including 48.3% as Premium Choice), compared to 87.9% of the control steers (34.5% as Premium Choice). The proportion of carcasses grading Select decreased from 12.1% in control steers to 5.1% in FerAppease steers.
According to Cooke’s estimates, these improvements in live weight and carcass value pencil out to a $90.50 per head profit difference for carcass value, 15:1 return on investment (ROI), and $60 per head profit difference for live weight (10:1 ROI) for cattle treated with FerAppease versus those who were not.
“Stress compromises animal performance, health and carcass quality,” said Rodrigo Bicalho, DVM, Ph.D., CEO of FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals. “Due to the nature of how we handle cattle [on trailers, through chutes, etc.], stress is inevitable, but the negative impacts don’t have to be. This research affirms that we can set livestock up for success on both hoof and rail using FerAppease.”
View the full manuscript online (doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf022), or in the next issue of Translational Animal Science and learn more about FerAppease at www.feraah.com. — FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals
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