Key Takeaways
- Antler Bio raises $4.3 million to expand EpiHerd, a gene expression-based system for dairy farming
- Funding led by The First Thirty Ventures, with participation from Endgame Capital and Generation-RE
- EpiHerd helps farmers detect stress and nutritional issues in cows, boosting milk yield and quality
- Deployed across over 100 farms in the UK, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark
- Comes amid mounting pressures on dairy farms due to input costs, pricing, and policy changes
Antler Bio Expands EpiHerd Deployment With New Investment Round
Antler Bio, an AgriTech company focused on dairy farming, has announced a $4.3 million investment to accelerate the rollout of its EpiHerd technology. The system, which interprets gene expression to monitor cow health and environmental responses, is currently in use across more than 100 farms in several European markets, including the UK, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.
EpiHerd provides insights into how cows respond to stress and nutrition at a genetic level. The tool allows farmers to take proactive steps to enhance animal wellbeing, leading to increased milk production and improved product quality.
EpiHerd Delivers Measurable Results for Farmers
Antler Bio reports that EpiHerd has helped partner farms achieve:
- Up to 22% increase in milk yield
- 6% rise in milk fat
- 5% gain in milk protein
These results contribute to both financial returns and improved animal welfare, with the company stating an average 7:1 return on investment for users. The technology is aimed at improving fertility, longevity, and herd resilience, aligning with broader regenerative agriculture goals.
Context: Dairy Farming at a Crossroads
The investment comes as the dairy industry faces multiple challenges. In the UK alone, 440 dairy farms closed between April 2023 and April 2024, driven by rising costs and regulatory pressures. Meanwhile, policy shifts in the U.S. and EU are increasing the emphasis on milk quality over quantity.
In this environment, Antler Bio positions EpiHerd as a tool for maximizing value from existing herds, offering data-driven insights to help farmers respond to changing economic and policy conditions.
Antler Bio Investor Support and Strategic Direction
The round was led by The First Thirty Ventures, with participation from Endgame Capital and Generation-RE. Antler Bio has now raised $8.5 million total, including grant funding.
CEO and Co-Founder Maria Jensen commented, “This investment will enable us to scale EpiHerd to thousands of farms across Europe, grow our team, and continue refining the technology to meet the evolving needs of farmers.”
Naeem Lakhani, Managing Partner at The First Thirty, added, “Antler Bio is a great example of how biology and technology can reshape the food system. Their work supports animal welfare, enhances farm efficiency, and leads to improved nutrition.”
