By Rob Hall

We know that stress and stress hormones like cortisol have a huge negative impact on cattle (and farmers!). Stress can be caused by physical issues like calves getting caught in a draft, adult cows getting too hot, and disease outbreaks. Physiological stresses can also create problems – things like mixing groups of cows, transporting them long distances, putting them into new environments and exposing them to loud noises or dogs! Basically, anytime a cow feels under threat they are likely to perceive stress.

Stress knocks the immune system so cattle will get more illnesses, feed intakes will drop leading to lower growth rates and milk production, and we also see issues with milk let down. Every farmer has had issues with a newly purchased or fresh calved cow not letting down milk in the parlour, or not feeding a calf properly – and stress is to blame!

What is FerAppease?

FerAppease is an oil-based solution containing a synthetic analogue of maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (MBAS). A dose of the oil is applied to the muzzle (5ml) and another dose is applied to the back of the head behind the poll (5ml). It is not classed as a veterinary medicinal product which means it does not have to undergo any independent assessment for efficacy and safety before it is marketed and sold.

MBAS is naturally emitted by mothers while they are suckling their calves. The idea is that this pheromone induces the sense of calm that cattle felt while they were with their mothers. Similar products for dogs and cats have existed for years – as sprays or plug-in scented candles!

Does it work?

We’ve looked at 12 published studies on FerAppease and other bovine appeasing pheromone products which have examined potential effects on calf growth, stress levels, behaviour and other aspects of productivity. Generally, these are small trials with flaws in their methodology, making them highly likely to be biassed in their results. The results of the trials themselves lack reliability and are inconsistent – outcomes are improved by BAS in some studies, or at some time points, but not others. Average daily weight gain (but not overall bodyweight) has been positively affected at some time point in most of the trials; it most consistently had beneficial effects when used at weaning.

One trial showed “83% reduction in mortality” – within the high-risk farming system used, 10 calves died in the untreated group and 1 in the treated group. However, another study showed more deaths in treated group! One small trial showing a result like this isn’t enough to convince me that a pheromone will save 9 out of 10 calves!

Most of the trials have been done in Brazil or the USA, using intensive beef systems – think of large feedlots with long haulage distances before arrival, blanket antibiotic treatment and growth promoters. The contrast with the average UK farming system means their findings probably aren’t immediately relevant. However, a UK study using a different brand of MBAS showed the same overall growth rate (0.68 kg/day for BAS treated, and 0.69 kg/day untreated), but treated calves did have a 0.15 kg/day higher growth rate during the weaning phase. Possibly a sign of some positive effects during the highest stress period?

Published trials aside, I’ve worked with a few early-adopters who have tried the product on their own farms and feel they are seeing benefits. A flying-herd gives the product to newly purchased heifers to help them settle into the herd, and feel they are calmer in the parlour and start eating well right from the off. Two dairy farms in Lancashire have been using FerAppease while training their heifers onto robotic milking and feel it helps keep the animals calm during the adaption process. Another farmer, a beef rearer, gives the product on arrival and feels that animals “take off” better rather than “standing still” in terms of their feed intakes and growth rates in the first weeks after arrival.

Summary

FerAppease is a topical bovine appeasing pheromone product which is not a licensed medicine. Most of the trials have been in the USA or Brazil and its’ effects within UK production systems are unknown. The product may improve average daily gain at certain points in the production cycle, research. Farmers who have used the product do feel their cows are calmer during periods where they are adapting to stressful changes. For those of you wanting to make up your own mind – please ask your vet how best to give the product a try!