Weekly Livestock-Equine News: June 30, 2025

Halter, provider of cattle management system, raises $100MM in Series D fundraising

Halter raised $100 million in a Series D fundraising round led by BOND, a technology investment firm, with new investment from NewView and continued support from Bessemer Venture Partners, DCVC, Blackbird, Icehouse Ventures and Promus Ventures. The Halter system includes a smart collar for each cow, towers for connectivity and an app that lets ranchers manage their cattle and pasture from their phone.

Texas governor signs into law a ban on lab-grown meat

Texas is now the seventh state that has passed legislation to ban lab-grown meat as Governor Greg Abbott signed SB261 prohibiting the sale of cell-cultured protein for human consumption in the state. The law is set to go into effect on Sept. 1 andl expire on Sept. 7, 2027. The law pushes back on “certain radical groups and companies who seek to end traditional animal agriculture,” said the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Study links poultry antibiotic use and human drug resistance

A study published in the journal mSphere suggests some antibiotics used in conventional poultry farming may contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans. This research, conducted by Dr. Alex Wong, Asalia Ibrahim and Jason Au of Carleton University’s Department of Biology, focuses on ionophores, a class of antibiotics commonly used in conventional poultry farming and previously described as “not important to human medicine.”

ADM opens R&D center focused on animal microbiomes

ADM has opened a new R&D center in Switzerland for pre-clinical research on the use of biotics and other fermentation-derived ingredients to support the health and well-being of pets and farm animals. The gut microbiome has been linked to immune, digestive and absorptive functions, thereby affecting animal protein production and resource usage across species, according to ADM.

NOVUS International announces business realignment

Novus International, Inc. announced it will create two separate business units under the NOVUS umbrella – one dedicated to liquid methionine solutions and the other focused on specialty feed ingredients. Dave Dowell has been appointed president of the Methionine Business Unit, and Ed Galo will lead the Specialty Business Unit. NOVUS CEO Dan Meagher will continue to lead the parent organization and provide strategic oversight across both businesses.

Calf transport can affect long-term health and performance

Transporting calves is more than a logistical step, said David Renaud, Ph.D., a veterinarian and researcher at the University of Guelph, explained during a recent Heifer Academy webinar. “It’s a pivotal control point for long-term health and performance.” Calves endure a unique combination of challenges during transport, such as limited access to food and water, temperature swings, crowding and exposure to new pathogens.