Short communication: Administration of an appeasing substance to Bos indicus-influenced beef cattle improves performance after weaning and carcass pH

•Administration of Bovine Appeasing Substance to beef cattle at weaning improved performance•Risk of dry, firm, and dry cuts were reduced approximately by 61% following Bovine Appeasing Substance administration•Bovine Appeasing Substance is a promising alternative to improve performance of beef animals Stressful situations, such as weaning and transport, are known to impact beef cattle health and performance. Hence, alternatives to minimize these stress-related losses are warranted and the bovine appeasing substance (BAS) is expected to have calming effects in cattle going through stressful events. Therefore, 2 studies were designed to investigate the impacts of BAS administration at weaning (Experiment 01) and immediately prior to transport to slaughter in beef animals (Experiment 02). In Experiment 01, 120 Bos indicus-influenced calves were weaned at 7 mo of age (day 0). At weaning, calves were ranked by BW and assigned to receive BAS (Nutricorp; Araras, SP, Brazil; n = 60) or water (CON; n = 60). Treatments (5-mL) were topically applied to the nuchal skin area of each animal. Calf body weight (BW) was recorded twice on days 0, 14, and 45 of the study. Calves that received BAS were heavier than CON cohorts at the end of the experimental period (P 5.80 were classified as higher-risks for having dark, firm, and dry (DFD) and was further evaluated herein. Additionally, for animals originated from farm 1 (n = 59), a portion of the Longissimus dorsi muscle was collected for colorimetric analysis. A treatment effect was detected for meat pH (P