A New Zealand startup is getting new attention after raising $220 million in a fresh funding round led by Founders Fund. Valued at $2 billion, Halter is developing a simple yet ingenious concept: solar-powered collars for cattle control.
Halter’s system enables farmers to shepherd their herds without traditional fences, dogs or vehicles. Rather, every cow wears a smart collar that links to towers and a mobile app. Farmers can create virtual barriers and direct animals with acoustic and vibration signals. For most cattle, it takes only a few tries before they figure out the appropriate response.
It also tracks animal health and behavior through a collar. It can identify symptoms of illness, monitor breeding cycles and send real-time updates. The company has accumulated a significant amount of data about cattle movement over time, which helps refine its system. Its latest version is already being tested with users in the United States.
The company was started by 21-year-old Founder and CEO Craig Piggott. He was raised on a dairy farm and studied engineering. His brief experience at Rocket Lab led him on the path to building a tech-driven business in agriculture.
Halter's collars are now used on over one million cattle on 2,000 farms in New Zealand, Australia and the U.S., after nearly a decade of work. Farmers can boost land productivity by as much as 20 percent if they manage grazing better, according to the company. In some instances, output has doubled.
Halter isn’t the only player on this space. Companies such as the pharmaceutical giant Merck offer similar systems, and new startups are examining alternative concepts like drone-based herding. Yet Piggott thinks collars are still the best option for now.
He says the greatest challenge isn’t competition, but breaking old habits. Many farmers continue to use conventional methods. Halter’s emphasis has been on demonstrating clear financial gain, removing some rationale for users to switch to new technology.
The company has raised roughly $400 million to date, with plans for further expansion into the U.S., South America and Europe. To date, the success of the tech firm is patchy but with billions of cattle remaining across the globe, an untapped market remains.
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