Revolutionizing Poultry Health: Barnwell Bio’s Innovative Approach

The poultry industry is at a critical juncture, facing an increase in disease challenges while consumers demand higher standards in animal management. This situation has inspired companies like Barnwell Bio, which focuses on transforming livestock health through cutting-edge metagenomic biosurveillance.

The Context of Poultry Health Challenges

Veterinary partners, like Dr. Liz Beilke from West Liberty Foods, have noted that intuition is often a powerful tool for managing poultry barn health, yet it can feel like a game of “whack-a-mole” when it comes to disease challenges. Many industry stakeholders share the sentiment that existing systems offer insufficient data, complicating efforts to tackle these issues effectively.

Data-Driven Solutions from Barnwell Bio

With a foundation in Covid-19 wastewater monitoring, the Barnwell Bio team brings valuable experience to the poultry sector. The company addresses critical pain points through innovative data solutions, enabling producers to:

• Detect disease issues at an early stage
• Evaluate the effectiveness of treatments and interventions
• Access tailored microbiome intelligence specific to each barn

Funding and Future Prospects

Recently, Barnwell Bio announced the successful raising of $6 million to expand its offerings and empower producers and veterinarians alike. Acknowledgments go to AgFunder and AgTechNavigator for their support and partnership in this journey.

Case Studies: Advancing Poultry Health

Mississippi State and Early Pathogen Detection

Working with Dr. Luis Munoz at Mississippi State University, Barnwell Bio initiated weekly monitoring in two commercial broiler barns. This proactive approach enabled the detection of a spike in Enterococcus cecorum before any clinical signs appeared, allowing for timely interventions to mitigate increased mortality rates.

Understanding Intervention Effects at Amick Farms

Dr. Jason Sousa at Amick Farms faced escalating issues of Focal Ulcerative Dermatitis Syndrome (FUDS). Through monitoring the effects of a litter amendment, the team discovered unexpected declines in Staphylococcus levels, paving the way for better intervention strategies tailored to specific barns.

Layer Operations and Microbiome Monitoring

The egg industry is undergoing significant changes with a rise in consumer demand for cage-free and organic practices. Barnwell Bio’s collaboration with layer operations focuses on subtle health issues, enhancing understanding of how management practices influence the barn ecosystem.

Proactive Biosurveillance: A Game-Changer

By harnessing data to track pathogen dynamics and production metrics, Barnwell Bio empowers stakeholders to transition from reactive measures to a proactive stance in health surveillance. This data-centric approach aims to preemptively identify trends, ensuring healthier flocks and enhanced productivity.

In conclusion, Barnwell Bio’s innovative strategies and commitment to leveraging data for improved poultry health is a testament to its mission. As the industry continues to evolve, collaborations and advancements like these are critical for nurturing the next generation of poultry production.

Source: Barnwell Bio