Evaluation of FerAppease Administered at Arrival and Time of Reimplant on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Yearling Beef Steers

Summary with Implications Cattle experience stress in the feedlot during handling events such as initial processing and reimplant that can negatively impact morbidity and mortality, feedlot performance, and carcass outcomes. Application of a maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) marketed as FerAppease (FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals) has been hypothesized to mitigate stress in cattle. A commercial feedlot study compared the effectiveness of FerAppease applied in 10mL doses to yearling native beef steers at initial processing and reimplant to a placebo product on cattle performance, morbidity and mortality parameters, and carcass traits. Steers administered FerAppease tended to have improved feed conversion on a carcass-adjusted basis. FerAppease did not impact intake or average daily gain. Carcass traits, morbidity, and death loss were not impacted by application of FerAppease. These data suggest that FerAppease may be effective in improving feed conversion when applied at arrival and reimplant to yearling feedlot steers.