Barnwell Bio, an innovative company specializing in animal health monitoring, has successfully closed a $6 million seed funding round. This capital will be utilized to enhance their capabilities in responding to poultry diseases that threaten the global food supply, as confirmed by co-founders in an interview with AgTechNavigator.

Innovative Monitoring Through Metagenomic Sequencing

Founded in 2024, Barnwell Bio utilizes metagenomic sequencing techniques to analyze livestock wastewater. This allows them to detect specific bacteria, indicating the presence of diseases such as avian influenza and egg drop syndrome. According to co-founder and COO Casey McGinley, Barnwell supplies food producers with wastewater collection kits that are sent back for analysis.

McGinley’s partnership with the other co-founders—Michael Rhys and Jake Byrne—began during her tenure at Biobot Analytics, where she worked on wastewater analysis related to COVID-19. This experience inspired the founding of Barnwell, focusing on better animal health outcomes in the poultry industry.

Funding and Future Goals

The initial funding round was led by New York venture firm Twelve Below, with contributions from AgVentures Alliance, Alumni Ventures, Banter Capital, Daybreak Ventures, Dorm Room Fund, Max Ventures, and Planeteer Capital. Rhys stated that the company plans to use this funding to develop its analytical and AI capabilities, alongside hiring an in-house veterinarian to ensure the relevance of insights for industry users.

Aiding Producers in Navigating Challenges

With rising concerns about livestock diseases and their potential effects on food supplies and human health, Barnwell Bio aims to simplify the response processes for producers. This includes navigating complicated treatment options, aided by data-driven insights. Rhys emphasized the importance of robust data in helping producers make informed decisions, which can ultimately lead to cost savings and improved animal health.

The company’s dashboard provides veterinarians and food producers with crucial information, allowing them to analyze historical data and compare different barns for trends. McGinley noted that expanding their data collection will make their insights increasingly actionable over time.

Demonstrating ROI in Livestock Management

In an environment where livestock operating margins are tight, Barnwell Bio is showcasing a return on investment through improved treatment plans and early disease detection. The company is already collaborating with notable clients like Mississippi State University, West Liberty Foods, and Vital Farms.

Rhys highlighted the significant financial benefits of early disease detection, suggesting that preventing mortality and production losses can save producers substantial amounts. He remarked, “We always make it a priority to validate with our customers that they are realizing value from what we are developing.”