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8 Covetrus | ph: 855.724.3461 | fx: 888.329.3861 | northamerica.covetrus.com Scientists have been studying maternal bovine appeasing substance (MBAS), which could improve animal welfare while increasing cattle health and profitability for ranchers. Rodrigo Bicalho, DVM, Ph.D., CEO of FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals, says MBAS is a combination of fatty acids produced by the skin near the mammary gland of lactating mammals. When nursing, these chemicals enter a gland in the calf 's nose. This gland directly connects to the hypothalamus and amygdala, regions of the brain that recognize and process stress reactions. The MBAS molecules seem to neutralize the calf 's perception of stressful situations, allowing it to feel protected and safe while nursing. "Although most beef breeds benefit from this treatment, animals with a larger flight zone may benefit more," Bicalho explains. "We're tapping the well-being of animals by exposing them to this substance, so they calm down, reduce their threat perception and, consequently, feel less stress when we're exposing them to stressful events." A research team evaluated the use of MBAS during weaning stress, applying one treatment of MBAS to half of a group of calves on the first day of weaning. The remaining animals were the control group and did not receive MBAS. Researchers kept each set of calves in separate pastures. Maternal bovine appeasing substance reduces stress, improves productivity By Gilda V. Bryant, Contributing Editor, Calf News Editor stressful that are production weaning, han- During animals and are respiratory could profit- Ph.D., com- by gland nurs- gland in directly and perception it to feel nursing. benefit with a more," that had been weaned for a month," Bicalho reports. " The untreated group bunched up in the fence corner, look- ing for their mothers, raising dust and bawling." Researchers have also seen fewer cases of respiratory disease in treated animals, which would be helpful to ranchers who precondition weaned calves. MBAS reduces threat perception. Pen riders spot sick calves sooner, providing treatment more quickly, which means animals are more responsive to antimi- crobials. We saw both the percentage of steers requiring retreatment and mortal- ity rates reduced." When feedyards ship finished steers for harvest, stress causes an increase of pH levels leading to dark cutters. Treated steers displayed reduced dark cutter carcasses with lower pH values. "It's the last hurdle of being able to provide proper welfare before we slaughter them," Bicalho explains. Reinaldo F. Cooke, Ph.D., Pro- fessor with Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Animal Science, is one of the scientists who conducted several MBAS research studies. Passionate about animal produc- tivity and welfare, he has been surprised how consistent results have been during the testing phase. He plans to study the effects of this technology on artificial insemina- tion and embryo transfer. " The benefits of this product include production efficiency and increased animal welfare," Cooke reveals. "Con- sumers want to know they are eating beef from animals raised humanely." Cooke advises ranchers and feedyard Bovine Appeasing Substance Stress, Improves Productivity " Treated calves in a preconditioning program are calmer, their dry matter intake is higher, and they're gaining weight after weaning," Bicalho asserts. "When calves are weighed before moving to the next production stage, the rancher Beef cattle are exposed to stressful management procedures that are mandatory in beef production systems, including weaning, handling by humans and transport. During and after stressful conditions, animals often stop eating, lose weight and are more likely to develop bovine respiratory disease (BRD).