15 innovations poised to shake up animal health and nutrition

Fifteen start-ups from around the globe will showcase their pioneering technologies during the virtual Animal AgTech Innovation Summit on March 8, 2021. Of those, six will take the digital stage to present their concepts to a panel of investors hosted by Cavallo Ventures, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures, and Zoetis.

Aquafort. This Canadian company has developed a predictive data analytics platform that helps finfish producers lower mortality rates and improve yield quality and quantity. Through automation and predicting ecosystem health, the technology diagnoses fish health and welfare problems. This replaces manual and reactive processes, which contribute 30% to the cost of production. The platform has the potential to help turn around the projected 50 million metric ton finfish supply gap that threatens global food security.

Armenta. Mastitis is disease that causes over $6 billion in losses annually in U.S. and Europe. Using acoustic pulse technology (APT), this Israeli company has developed the first non-antibiotic treatment for bovine mastitis. Infected cows treated with APT have shown 70% cure rates and, therefore, a 10% increase in milk yield.

Bezoar Laboratories. Based in the U.S., Bezoar Laboratories is a research and development company dedicated to bringing innovations to market that will benefit farm animals, producers, and the planet. Its first product is Fortis, a probiotic that reduces enteric methane formation in ruminant by 50%. 

EmGenisys. This U.S. company has created a comprehensive embryo evaluation system to improve pregnancy outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in livestock. EmGenisys’ technology uses computer vision to evaluate real-time cellular activity in bovine embryos. This solution offers a practical and objective approach to evaluate bovine embryo health in the lab or chute side.

iYOTAH Solutions. Based in the U.S., this service technology company empowers the animal protein value chain to build smart, agile, and efficient businesses that produce more with less. The platform connects various stakeholders and datasets within the value chain to provide high-value, prescriptive, and actionable solutions that enhance operational efficiency, increase profitability, and help meet sustainability, traceability, and compliance objectives.

Precision Livestock Technologies. This U.S. company has developed a machine vision and artificial intelligence platform that helps producers increase profits while improving quality and animal well-being. Its initial target market is the $40 billion beef cattle feedlot industry, where its Bunk Management System delivers metrics that optimize feeding, save on labor, and provide accurate data to consulting nutritionists and veterinarians.

Virtual Exhibition

The nine early-stage companies below will be in the summit's virtual exhibition.

Cynomys. This Italian company is the first to patent an IoT solution for monitoring environmental parameters in animal housing. By providing continuous monitoring and access to real-time data from any connected device, Cynomys Livestock System optimizes animal productivity as well as quality of life.

FarmSee. Using computer vision and AI, this Israeli company provides the pig industry with critical information. FarmSee’s solution provides actionable insights that drive significant revenue growth and cost optimization, while ensuring animal welfare.

FarmTrace. Based in the U.S., FarmTrace's cloud-based software connects isolated farm systems, which creates a single access point or ‘plug-in’ for farm suppliers and veterinarians to run tailored tools and services on farm. The company also offers its own veterinary software and works with customers to tailor or develop new digital services.

FarrPro. This U.S. company's Haven platform reduces piglet mortality, saves energy, and improves sow welfare by creating a microclimate environment for piglets to stay safe, warm, and healthy. The platform is FarrPro's first milestone on its roadmap to bring traceability and automation to the pork industry. It provides the insight and control required to prevent disease outbreaks, rapidly develop vaccines, and safeguard the pork supply chain.

General Probiotics. Based in the U.S., General Probiotics develops cellbots and antimicrobial probiotics that eliminate harmful pathogens in livestock, enable the production of safe food, and reduce dependency on antibiotics. Its core competency is the precise engineering of advanced probiotics using synthetic biology and artificial intelligence.

Nutrivert. This U.S. start-up has discovered that antibiotics reduce producers’ costs in a way that doesn’t actually require antibacterial efficacy. As a result, it is developing patented non-antibacterial growth promoters for livestock producers worldwide. The company's postbiotics is a formulation of a feed additive that increases livestock feed conversion efficiency, enabling customers to get better output from livestock and control diseases.

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

Rakr. By improving margins through smart and effective cost-cutting measures, this Canadian start-up is saving farms over $30,000 annually. NeatMeter, Rakr's first device, is a sensor solution that collects and processes barn data to make farms more energy efficient and reduce machine breakdowns through predictive maintenance.

SomaDetect. The Canadian company’s core technology is an in-line sensor that monitors 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.

About the Summit
The Animal AgTech Innovation Summit is an international networking and deal-making event for livestock and poultry producers, animal health providers, feed companies, ingredients manufacturers, technology companies, entrepreneurs and investors. More than 350 animal ag tech leaders will gather virtually on March 8, 2021, to accelerate innovation in animal health and welfare, sustainability, and farm-to-fork solutions. The full program and information on registration are available at animalagtech.com.