Ferappease Reduces Health Challenges and Pain

Postpartum Research Shows that Ferappease Reduces Health Challenges and Pain Levels, While Boosting Milk Production

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (July 17, 2025) — In a recent University of Florida postpartum study (Santos et al., 2025)*, researchers evaluated the effects of a single dose of FerAppease – a unique analogue of the naturally occurring Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS) – on dairy cow health, pain response, and milk production.

The study showed that FerAppease treatment at freshening reduced metritis by 54.9% compared to the placebo group, lowered overall fresh cow morbidity by 11.3%, and halved the number of cows experiencing multiple diseases during the first 60 days postpartum. Additionally, cows treated with FerAppease recorded 29% lower pain scores and produced 4.94 more pounds of milk per cow per day at four weeks fresh. These research findings were presented at the 2025 American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting, and the results have been recognized by key industry communication channels across multiple countries, highlighting the significant impact of FerAppease on dairy cow health and productivity.

“The trial evaluated disease incidence in early lactation, including metritis, mastitis, lameness, digestive disorders and respiratory disease, along with behavioral modulation, pain scores, cortisol concentration, and markers of inflammation,” says Dr. José Eduardo P. Santos, Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida and lead investigator of the study. “Daily milk yield was also tracked throughout lactation, with particular focus on the early lactation phase”.

According to Dr. Santos, these findings highlight the importance of managing the transition period with a focus on reducing physiological and behavioral stress. “Key results included a 54.9% reduction in metritis incidence among cows treated with FerAppease, decreased incidence of clinical mastitis, and higher daily milk yield during the first 7 weeks post-calving. Treated cows also lowered pain scores, suggesting improved welfare and metabolic resilience. These improvements were consistent across farms and parity groups.”

The study involved 1,725 dairy cows — 636 primiparous and 1,089 multiparous — from three large commercial dairy operations in California. Cows were blocked by farm and parity group and within each farm, cohorts were randomly assigned to receive 15 mL of either mineral oil placebo (CON: 44 cohorts, 816 cows) or FerAppease (44 cohorts, 909 cows), with 10 mL applied to the muzzle and 5 mL behind the poll. Treatments were applied topically within 12 hours of calving to ensure consistency across farms and minimize external influences.

“The objective of the study was to determine whether FerAppease – a mixture of fatty acids mimicking the composition of bovine pheromone, proven to reduce stress responses in cattle – could lower disease incidence and enhance the wellbeing of early lactation dairy cows,” explains Dr. Rodrigo Bicalho, D.V.M., founder and CEO of FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals. “This large, multi-farm study demonstrate that FerAppease is an effective strategy for reducing fresh cow diseases and boosting milk production across all parities.”

FerAppease works by mimicking the natural appeasing signal that nursing cows use to calm and reassure their calves. By harnessing this biological pathway, FerAppease helps reduce stress-related hormonal fluctuations, such as elevated cortisol levels, which are known to compromise immune function, feed intake, and reproductive performance. This science-based solution supports both animal health and productivity during one of the most critical periods in the dairy production cycle.

All ingredients in FerAppease are FDA-approved under GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). Its use does not require a veterinarian’s prescription or a Veterinary Feed Directive plan, and there are no meat or milk withholding requirements, making it easy to integrate into standard herd management protocols.

By combining innovation, scientific research, and animal welfare, FERA continues to develop tools that address the hidden health and economic costs of cattle stress. FerAppease represents a new generation of non-pharmaceutical interventions that promote calmness, reduce disease risk, and contribute to more sustainable dairy production systems.

Learn More

To learn more about FerAppease, explore the findings of this study, review additional research, or place an order, visit: Ferappease.com/dairy.

FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals, a privately held animal health company based in College Station, Texas, combines cutting-edge science with practical innovation to deliver proven solutions that enhance livestock health, welfare, and performance.

*Effects of a Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance on Health and Production Performance in Dairy Cows. Julia Rasia, M.N. Marinho, A.S. Coelho, T.C. Santos, G.C.E.C. Evangelista, M.C. Perdomo, and J.E.P. Santos.