A New Zealand startup, Halter, is nearing a $2 billion valuation as it secures investor funding to deploy AI-powered cow collars amid rising U.S. beef prices and shrinking cattle herds. The company’s funding round is expected to be led by billionaire Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, according to Bloomberg.
AI Technology Aims to Reduce Costs and Labor Needs for Ranchers
Halter’s solar-powered collars use artificial intelligence, GPS, sound, and vibration to herd cattle without fences, controlled via a smartphone app. The system also monitors livestock health and movement in real time, allowing ranchers to manage herds remotely with fewer workers. This technology targets improved land use efficiency and reduced operational expenses in farming.
Beef Prices Soar as U.S. Cattle Herds Decline
U.S. Department of Agriculture data show beef prices at grocery stores rose about 18%, from $8.60 per pound in February 2025 to $10.12 per pound a year later. The U.S. cattle herd is at its smallest size in 75 years, a reduction driven by prolonged drought, increasing costs, and an aging workforce. Experts warn the herd’s recovery will take years, suggesting continued elevated beef prices.
Renewed Investor Confidence in Precision Agriculture
Halter has expanded its operations to the U.S. with a Colorado office, aiming to capture a key market among American ranchers. The company represents a broader trend toward precision agriculture, where technology modernizes farming practices. This sector had faced previous setbacks with startups folding and investor withdrawals, so the anticipated funding round signals renewed optimism in AI applications for agriculture.
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