15 startups shaking up animal health, nutrition and precision farming

The virtual Animal AgTech Innovation Summit, coming up next month, is set to showcase 15 international startups with pioneering technologies aimed at disrupting animal health and nutrition, from probiotics, to machine vision to artificial monitoring.

Hosted by an investor panel with Cavallo Ventures, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures and Zoetis, the following six start-ups will take to the digital stage to present:

Aquafort​ (Canada) has a predictive data analytics platform that helps finfish producers to lower mortality rates and improve yield quality and quantity through automation and predicting ecosystem health. The technology diagnoses fish health and welfare problems, replacing manual and reactive processes that contribute 30% of production costs.

Armenta​ (Israel) has developed a non-antibiotic treatment for bovine mastitis using acoustic pulse technology (APT). Mastitis causes annual losses of over US$6bn in the US and Europe. Infected cows treated with APT have shown 70% cure rates and consequently a 10% increase in milk yield, claims the startup.

Bezoar Laboratories​ (US) is bringing Fortis to market, a probiotic that is designed to reduce enteric methane formation in ruminants.

EmGenisys​ (US) has developed an embryo evaluation system to improve pregnancy outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in livestock. EmGenisys’ technology utilizes computer vision to evaluate real-time cellular activity in bovine embryos.  

iYOTAH Solutions​ (US) has developed a platform that connects the various stakeholders and datasets within the value chain to provide high-value, prescriptive, and actionable solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, boosting profitability, and ensuring sustainability, traceability, and compliance objectives.

Precision Livestock Technologies​ (US) uses a machine vision and artificial intelligence platform to help producers increase profits while improving quality and animal well-being. Its initial target market is the US$40bn beef cattle feedlot industry, where its Bunk Management System looks to deliver metrics that optimize feeding, save on labor, and provide accurate data to consulting nutritionists and veterinarians.

Nine additional early-stage animal agtech companies will exhibit within the summit’s virtual platform:

Cynomys​ (Italy) has a patented IoT solution for monitoring environmental parameters in animal housings. By providing continuous monitoring and access to real-time data from any connected device, Cynomys Livestock System turns the spotlight onto the farming environment, with the goal of optimizing animal productivity as well as quality of life.

Farmsee​ (Israel) utilizes computer vision and AI to provide the pig production industry with critical information, providing actionable insights to drive revenue growth and cost optimization, while ensuring animal welfare.

FarmTrace ​(US) has a cloud-based software that connects isolated farm systems to create a single access point or ‘plugin’ for farm suppliers and vets to run tailored tools and services on farms. It also offers its own veterinary software and works with its customers to tailor or develop new digital services.

FarrPro​ (US) has developed a platform aimed at reducing piglet mortality, saving energy, and improving sow welfare by creating a microclimate environment for piglets to stay safe, warm, and healthy.  

General Probiotics​ (US) develops cellbots and antimicrobial probiotics designed to eliminate harmful pathogens in livestock, to enable the production of safe food, and reduce the current dependency on antibiotics. Its core competency is the precise engineering of advanced probiotics using synthetic biology and artificial intelligence.

Nutrivert​ (US) is developing patented non-antibacterial growth promoters for livestock producers worldwide, feed additives that look to increase livestock feed conversion efficiency, enabling customers to get better output from their livestock and to control diseases in them.

OneCup AI​ (Canada) has an animal facial recognition technology that tracks livestock individually and at scale using only computer vision. Its AI, BETSY, or Bovine Expert Tracking and Surveillance monitors and analyzes health, growth, activity, and nutrition. Its first product is an AI-powered Calving Cam, proactively notifying ranchers when a heifer needs help.

Rakr ​(Canada) claims it is saving farms over US$30K annually by improving margins through smart and effective cost-cutting measures. Rakr’s first device, the NeatMeter, is a sensor solution that collects and processes barn data to make farms more energy efficient and reduce machine breakdowns through predictive maintenance thereby helping farmers save thousands.

SomaDetect​ (Canada) provides farmers with the information they need to make the best possible milk. The company’s core technology is an in-line sensor capable of monitoring critical indicators of reproductive status, health, and milk components from individual cows. SomaDetect bridges the information gap by providing data from every cow at every milking.