Operating across key European markets including the UK, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, EpiHerd provides farmers with a unique understanding of their cows’ health. Using advanced data analytics, the technology interprets how a cow’s genes respond to its environment, detecting stress and nutritional imbalances, and helping farmers take proactive measures that improve wellbeing and increase milk yield, ultimately boosting farm profitability.

The investment round is led by The First Thirty Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage agricultural technologies delivering health outcomes. It also included Endgame Capital and regenerative agriculture angel syndicate Generation-RE, bringing Antler Bio’s total raised to $8.5 million including grants.

A world-first approach to decoding dairy herds

Working with over 100 farms across Europe, Antler Bio’s EpiHerd has delivered transformative results, including milk yield increases of up to 22%, a 6% rise in milk fat, and a 5% increase in milk protein. These improvements deliver not only higher volumes but also better quality, more nutritious milk, helping farmers earn better prices while promoting healthier cows. This holistic approach to dairy farming drives profitability alongside enhanced fertility, resilience, longevity, and overall herd wellbeing, with an average return on investment to the farmer of more than 7:1.

Supporting farmers at a critical moment

The investment comes at a pivotal time. Between April 2023 and April 2024, over 440 dairy farms in the UK exited the industry, squeezed by low milk prices, rising input costs, and regulatory pressures. In the US, upcoming changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order will reward milk quality over quantity, while EU milk production is forecast to drop to 149.4 million metric tons in 2025. Farmers worldwide are under pressure to do more with less.

Antler Bio is stepping in with a timely solution, helping farmers unlock new value from existing herds by identifying and addressing hidden factors limiting performance, as well as improving overall herd wellbeing.

Maria Jensen, CEO & Co-Founder of Antler Bio, said: “Bringing a technology like EpiHerd to an industry that has never seen anything quite like it is no small task, but we’re incredibly excited about the future. 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, benefiting their profits but, importantly, the wellbeing of their animals.”

Naeem Lakhani, Managing Partner at The First Thirty, added: “At The First Thirty, our AgriHealth Investment Strategy backs world-class companies creating value where agriculture meets human health. Antler Bio is a great example, combining biology and technology to help reshape the global food system. Their work supports animal welfare, enhances farm efficiency, and leads to improved nutrition for consumers. As a company at the forefront of this change, we’re proud to support their journey.”

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