Deeptech/Agritech/News/ Connecterra gets €7.8m boost for connected cows A system that monitors cows wearing Fitbit-style sensors can help increase milk yield and decrease the amount of antibiotics used in dairy farming. By Maija Palmer 22 June 2020 Photo by form PxHere Photo by form PxHere \Deeptech Batteries, urine and seaweed — how startups plan to solve the fertiliser crisis By Mimi Billing 21 March 2022 Deeptech/Agritech/News/ Connecterra gets €7.8m boost for connected cows A system that monitors cows wearing Fitbit-style sensors can help increase milk yield and decrease the amount of antibiotics used in dairy farming. By Maija Palmer 22 June 2020 Connected cows just got a €7.8m boost as Dutch startup Connecterra raised what is thought to be the biggest Series B investment round for a European livestock tech company. Connecterra has developed an artificial intelligence-based system that allows dairy farmers to monitor their herds with more precision. Cows wear Fitbit-like sensors that monitor their movements and the system analyses these to flag up any problems — cows not eating as much as usual, or moving less than normal. The system can allow farmers to detect conditions such as lameness and mastitis early — as well as indicating when cows are in heat and ready for insemination. Connecterra says the system can eliminate the use of hormones in dairy farming and reduce the use of antibiotics by 50%. The Covid-19 crisis has speeded up the adoption of technology in the farming sector, as in other sectors. Agriculture already suffers from a dwindling workforce and the need to do more with fewer resources has been exacerbated by the pandemic. A handful of companies is coming up with innovative robot and artificial intelligence-based solutions for everything from chickens to cows, and Connecterra is among the best-funded of these, having raised a total of around €18m since launch. The new funding will be used to fuel Connecterra’s expansion in Europe, the US and New Zealand. Investors in this round include ADM Capital (investor in AeroFarms, the agtech startup that raised $100m last year and is building some of the world’s biggest vertical farms) and food safety company Kersia. Big-name customers include Danone and Bayer. Related Articles Chicken robots, fitbits for horses, connected cows — here’s what’s going on in animal tech By Maija Palmer Click here to read more The startup waging war against cows farts By Michael Stothard Click here to read more Member 20 European foodtech startups to know in 2020 By Kim Darrah Click here to read more Most Read 1 Member \Venture Capital German VCs are the second best paid in Europe 2 \Startup Life Where are Europe’s top digital nomad villages? 3 \Venture Capital New platform enables ‘everyday’ folk to invest in VC 4 \Venture Capital Europe gets its first creator-founded, creator-backed VC 5 \Public & Academic The European Commission has a big new plan for startups. Here’s what you need to know about it 2 Join the conversation Subscribe newest oldest Notify of new follow-up comments new replies to my comments Mike van DeryAn Israeli company called “Afikim” (Afimilk: Advanced Dairy Management Solutions) used to provide that exact service plus many other digital services, more than 30 years ago 🙂 EmmyHi Mike, Connecterra is unique in that it had a solution for the individual farmer but also dor stakeholders in the dairy chain. No other Artificial Intelligence company in the livestock space is taken this full food chain approach.
Chicken robots, fitbits for horses, connected cows — here’s what’s going on in animal tech By Maija Palmer Click here to read more