FerAppease Beef has successfully secured a spot in the ever-evolving landscape of UK agriculture. Innovations that enhance animal welfare while improving productivity are highly prized, this such breakthrough, FerAppease Beef, is a topical product designed to reduce stress in cattle using a synthetic analogue of the Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (MBAS). This pheromone-based solution has gained significant traction among UK farmers and recently made headlines by winning recognition at Dairy Day 2025. We were lucky enough to have a call with Rob Drydesdale from FerAppease for our vets to learn more about the product and ask any questions they had.
What is FerAppease?
FerAppease is a non-medicinal, oil-based solution applied to the muzzle and poll of cattle. It mimics MBAS, a naturally occurring pheromone secreted by lactating cows to calm their offspring. When applied, FerAppease interacts with the vomeronasal gland in the animal’s nose, sending signals to the brain that reduce threat perception and stress responses.
Unlike many traditional veterinary medicines, FerAppease does not require a prescription, has no withdrawal period, and is considered safe for both animals and humans.
Proven Benefits in UK Farming
FerAppease has shown remarkable results in trials and on-farm applications across the UK:
- Improved Growth Rates: A trial at a farm in Surrey comparing 50 treated and 50 untreated calves revealed that those given FerAppease doubled their daily liveweight gain post-weaning (0.7kg/day vs. 0.35kg/day). Over 70 days, treated calves gained 12.5kg more, equating to a net benefit of c. £30.50 per animal.
- Calmer Behaviour: Farmers reported that treated calves were noticeably quieter, more settled, and began eating sooner after weaning. This behavioural shift is crucial for maintaining feed intake and reducing illness.
- Reduced Stress During Husbandry: FerAppease is particularly effective during stressful procedures like weaning, castration, dehorning, transportation, and vaccination. Foyle Food Group’s Farms of Excellence noted 5–10kg of extra liveweight gain during finishing periods when FerAppease was used.
- Enhanced Welfare in Dairy Systems: In dairy herds, FerAppease has helped heifers transition into robotic milking systems more smoothly and reduced stress-related issues like poor milk let-down and feeding reluctance. During the training period those treated with FerAppease produced 1-2L more milk per day than those not treated.
Scientific Backing and Global Success
There is no doubt that some of our vets on the call joined the discussed with a sense of cautious optimism due to the novelty and apparent simplicity of the product. Their initial perceptions and thoughts were discussed with Rob and global and domestic trails were shared that demonstrated the consistent benefits of using FerAppease. These include:
- Lower cortisol levels, indicating reduced stress leading to more food intake, higher milk yields, and higher weight gain through to slaughter.
- Improved immune response, an increase in vaccination ability, especially to pneumonia vaccines.
- Increased levels of weight gain, reducing the carbon and monetary footprint of the animal as they are getting to slaughter weight at a quicker pace.
Over 16 million doses have been sold in the US in the past year alone, and UK adoption is steadily increasing.
Recognition at Dairy Day
FerAppease’s impact was formally acknowledged at Dairy Day 2025, where it was celebrated for its contribution to animal welfare and performance enhancement. The product’s ability to reduce stress and improve outcomes in both beef and dairy cattle earned it accolades among industry professionals, veterinarians, and producers. Its success at the event has further cemented its reputation as a transformative tool in livestock management.
Final Thoughts
FerAppease Beef represents a new frontier in stress management for UK cattle farming. By harnessing the calming power of maternal pheromones, it offers a natural, effective, and economical solution to one of the most persistent challenges in livestock production. Whether used during weaning, operations, or integration into new environments, FerAppease is proving to be a valuable ally in the pursuit of better welfare, improved growth, and enhanced farm profitability.
We are looking forward to trialling the product across our practices and putting it to the test. We will continue to monitor the results and chat with the farmers to see the real-life benefits of this exciting new product. If you would be interested in using some of the product for yourself, just give us a call on 01746 713911 and our vets can chat with your further.
