A Recent Zealand agritech startup, Scanabull, has secured NZD $1.1 million in a funding round led by Sprout Agritech, aiming to revolutionize how cattle weight is measured in the beef industry. The company’s technology offers a faster, more accurate alternative to traditional weighing methods, potentially saving farmers and processors time and money while reducing stress on livestock. This investment will fuel further development of Scanabull’s artificial intelligence models and data collection efforts, bringing the company closer to widespread adoption of its innovative system.
For decades, estimating cattle weight has relied heavily on visual assessment, a practice prone to inaccuracy. Traditional weighing requires moving animals into yards and onto platforms, a labor-intensive process that can disrupt animal behavior and add significant costs. Scanabull’s system bypasses these challenges by utilizing the LiDAR sensor found in iPhone Pro models or its own dedicated Scanabull Weigh Point camera to create a precise 3D model of each animal. This model is then analyzed by proprietary software to estimate live weight in approximately one second, offering a real-time solution for a longstanding industry problem.
From Farm Gate to Processing Plant: A New Level of Precision
Founded in 2024, Scanabull is already conducting trials and demonstrations across New Zealand, including a partnership with major meat processor Silver Fern Farms. The company offers two primary products: the WeighApp, designed for farmers, stock agents, and veterinarians to scan animals directly in pens or near farm gates, and the Weigh Point system, which automates weighing in paddocks for continuous growth tracking. The core technology hinges on the ability to process spatial data at a rate of 30 times per second, achieving over 93% accuracy for individual animals, with accuracy improving as more data is collected.
“Many animals are bought and sold based on visual estimates rather than objective measurements,” explains Dan Bull, Scanabull’s co-founder and CEO. “When those estimates are wrong, it can result in significant financial differences for farmers, traders and processors.” The company’s approach addresses a critical pain point in the supply chain, where inaccurate weight estimations can lead to pricing discrepancies and inefficient planning. According to Scanabull, its models have been trained on more than 100,000 animal data points, and crucially, the processing occurs directly on the device, eliminating the need for reliable internet connectivity – a significant advantage for farms in rural areas.
Beyond Weight: Expanding the Scope of Data-Driven Farming
The benefits extend beyond simply obtaining a more accurate weight. Reducing the need for traditional weighing infrastructure, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars and require specialized facilities, represents a substantial cost saving for farmers. Minimizing handling reduces stress on the animals, contributing to improved animal welfare. Dr. Ursula Haywood, Scanabull’s co-founder and chief commercial officer, emphasizes the broader goal of empowering farmers with better decision-making tools.
“The beef sector is still heavily reliant on estimation and manual processes,” Haywood stated. “By introducing objective measurements that can be captured quickly in the field, we can facilitate farmers manage their animals more effectively and make more informed decisions about when to sell.” Processors too stand to gain from improved data visibility earlier in the supply chain, potentially reducing inefficiencies and fostering stronger relationships with farmers. Bull notes that processors often lack reliable data about animals before they arrive at the plant, hindering optimal processing strategies.
Investor Confidence in Agritech Innovation
The NZD $1.1 million funding round included participation from Enterprise Angels and support from Callaghan Innovation’s Deep Tech Incubator programme, highlighting the growing interest in agritech solutions. Sprout Agritech, the lead investor, recognized the potential of Scanabull’s technology to transform livestock management. Crispin Dye, investment manager at Sprout Agritech, commented, “Technologies that bring reliable data into agricultural supply chains have enormous potential. Scanabull’s use of computer vision and on-device AI opens up new possibilities for livestock management and supply chain transparency.”
A key technical achievement for Scanabull lies in its ability to run complex neural networks on edge devices – smartphones and dedicated cameras – without relying on cloud processing. “No one is running neural networks at this speed on edge devices for livestock applications,” Bull explained. “Scanabull has developed our own proprietary architecture and training models to make it possible.” This on-device processing not only addresses connectivity concerns but also enhances data privacy and security.
Looking Ahead: Carcass Prediction and Body Condition Scoring
Scanabull’s ambitions extend beyond live weight estimation. The company envisions expanding its system to predict carcass weight and assess body condition scoring, providing a comprehensive data set for the entire beef production cycle. “Our ambition is to help bring data-driven decision making into the beef industry from birth through to processing,” Haywood said. “Once farmers have accurate, real-time data about their animals, everything from farm management to market pricing becomes more efficient.”
The company is continuing to refine its AI models and collect additional data to improve accuracy and expand the range of applications. The next phase will focus on scaling up production of the Weigh Point system and expanding trials with additional meat processors and farmers across New Zealand. Scanabull plans to share updates on its progress and new product features through its website and industry events.
This article provides information for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute financial or agricultural advice.
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