DairySmart
DairySmart is a New Zealand-based animal health technology company providing AI-powered mastitis diagnostics for dairy farmers and veterinary practices. Its Jupiter diagnostic machine, proprietary culture plates, and 24-hour pathogen identification enable targeted antibiotic treatment across 16 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersPukekohe East, New Zealand
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DairySmart does
DairySmart is a New Zealand-based animal health technology company that provides AI-powered diagnostic systems for mastitis testing and treatment in dairy cows. Founded in 2021 by Chris Brook in Waimakariri, North Canterbury, and headquartered in Rangiora, the company serves dairy farmers ranging from small operations to large-scale commercial enterprises as well as veterinary practices that operate Jupiter diagnostic machines on-farm or process samples for clients. The company addresses the NZ$180 million annual cost of mastitis to the New Zealand dairy industry and an estimated US$1 billion globally, helping farmers transition from blanket dry cow antibiotic therapy to selective, culture-based treatment.
The product portfolio is anchored by the Jupiter Diagnostic Machine, an automated plate reader that captures digital images of incubated culture samples and processes them through proprietary AI pattern recognition software to identify more than 10 bacterial pathogens, including Staph aureus, Strep uberis, and coliforms, within 24 hours. The diagnostic workflow combines specialized agar culture plates (Mastitis Test Plates and Subdetect Test Plates) with a patent-pending in-line sampling tool that captures clean milk samples during milking at up to 200 samples per hour, and an RFID-enabled sampling system that matches each sample to individual cow EID tags for traceability. Diagnostic offerings include SmartScreen (whole herd pre-dry-off screening), Subdetect (high somatic cell count cow screening), Bulk Milk Tank Analysis, and Individual Cow Testing, with results delivered through the DairySmart Web Application. Sample processing is conducted at an IANZ-approved laboratory (SVS Laboratories), and the system reports 97% diagnostic accuracy on the SmartScreen workflow, validated against a 4,185-cow, nine-farm North Canterbury dataset from 2022.
DairySmart operates a hybrid razor-and-blade revenue model: the Jupiter Diagnostic Machine and Incubator are sold as one-time hardware purchases, while Mastitis Test Plates, Subdetect Test Plates, and accessories are sold as recurring consumables in boxes of 101. Additional revenue streams include usage-based laboratory testing services (Subdetect at NZ$14.95 per cow), on-farm staff training, and mastitis risk investigations. Go-to-market combines regional territory managers across four New Zealand regions, veterinary clinic partnerships that resell Jupiter machine access, event-driven Farmer Days, an 0800 hotline for inside sales, and an e-commerce storefront for direct product orders. As of 2024 the company employed six full-time staff with expertise spanning veterinary science, microbiology, and customer success. Funding is limited to approximately NZ$18,000 in Callaghan Innovation grants (2021 and 2023), indicating a bootstrapped operating model despite international reach across 16 countries by the end of 2025.
DairySmart firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DairySmart
- Legal name
- DairySmart
- Website
- https://dairysmart.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DairySmart is a New Zealand-based animal health technology company providing AI-powered mastitis diagnostics for dairy farmers and veterinary practices. Its Jupiter diagnostic machine, proprietary culture plates, and 24-hour pathogen identification enable targeted antibiotic treatment across 16 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DairySmart industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Livestock Diagnostics
- NAICS
- Veterinary Services (54194)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Agricultural Services (700), Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dairy Farm Data, Monitoring & Precision Dairy Operations (AFAEACAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Milk Quality Testing & Sampling Equipment (SCC, Conductivity, Analyzers) (AFAAAIAD), Food Animal & Herd Health Diagnostics (Surveillance, Production Medicine Lab Testing) (HLAMADAL), Veterinary Microbiology & Infectious Disease Testing (Culture/PCR/Serology) (HLAMADAC)
Keywords
Where DairySmart is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pukekohe East
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
DairySmart business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Diagnostic Equipment Sales: Jupiter Mastitis Diagnostic Machine & Incubator sold as one-time hardware purchase
- Diagnostic Plates (Consumables): Recurring sales of Mastitis Test Plates and Subdetect Test Plates in boxes of 101; available in Farmer Kit and Vet Only versions
- Laboratory Testing Services: Sample processing at certified National Animal Health Laboratory; results available within 24-30 hours of sampling
- Accessory Products: Paper towels, teat disinfectant wipes, sample pottles, plating loops, and other consumables
- Education and Training Services: On-farm staff training and mastitis risk investigations offered as services
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Subdetect testing for high SCC cows |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mastitis Test Plates - Farmer Kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mastitis Test Plates - Vet Only |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Subdetect Test Plates - Farmer Kit |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Jupiter Mastitis Diagnostic Machine & Incubator |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | On-Farm Staff Training |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
DairySmart product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DairySmart designs, sells, and supports an AI-powered mastitis diagnostic system for dairy farmers and veterinarians, centered on the Jupiter Diagnostic Machine, proprietary Mastitis and Subdetect culture plates, and an in-line sampling tool. Samples are cultured and read via computer-vision AI to deliver bacterial identification within 24 hours, enabling farmers to replace blanket dry cow antibiotic therapy with targeted, evidence-based treatment decisions.
Product overview
DairySmart offers a unified diagnostic ecosystem centered on AI-powered culture-based mastitis testing. The core portfolio consists of SmartScreen (whole herd pre-dry-off screening), Subdetect (high SCC cow screening), Bulk Milk Tank Analysis, and Mastitis Test Plates—all processed through the Jupiter Diagnostic Machine which uses computer vision and AI pattern recognition to identify bacterial pathogens within 24 hours. These are complemented by the DairySmart Web Application for result delivery, proprietary RFID sampling hardware for error-free sample tracking, and the patented in-line sampling tool for efficient herd-wide sample collection. Education and training services support adoption. The system enables farmers to move from blanket dry cow therapy to targeted, evidence-based antibiotic treatment, reducing antibiotic use by up to 90% while maintaining herd health outcomes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SmartScreen: Whole herd testing solution for Dry off and Emergency Screens using diagnostic tools to identify cows with pathogens for better dry-off decisions.
- Subdetect
- Individual Cow Testing
- Bulk Milk Tank Analysis
Products and services
- SmartScreen Whole-Herd Pre-Dry-Off Screening Whole-herd pre-dry-off screening service using patented inline sampling and AI-powered diagnostics to identify cows harbouring specific pathogens, enabling farmers to make selective dry cow antibiotic therapy decisions.
- Jupiter Diagnostic Machine and Incubator Automated plate reader and incubator that captures images of cultured samples and runs them through AI pattern recognition software to identify bacterial pathogens within approximately 24 hours of incubation. Sold as a one-time hardware purchase to farmers and veterinary clinics.
- Mastitis Test Plates Proprietary culture plates with specialized media that highlight mastitis-causing bacteria, designed for use with the Jupiter diagnostic system to enable AI-powered pathogen identification. Sold in boxes of 101 plates in Farmer Kit and Vet Only versions.
- Subdetect Test Plates Specialized test plates designed to identify cows with Staph aureus and other major pathogens among high somatic cell count cows flagged through herd tests and positive RMT results, with results delivered in 24 hours. Sold per cow from $14.95 and as boxes of 101 plates.
- Bulk Milk Tank Analysis Diagnostic test using a single bulk tank milk sample to identify the key mastitis-causing pathogens active within a milking herd for early detection and targeted control measures.
- Individual Cow Mastitis Testing Individual cow mastitis testing service using the Mastitis Test Plate and Jupiter Diagnostic Machine to deliver a 24-hour bacterial diagnosis for targeted treatment decisions.
- Pre-Purchase Screening Biosecurity testing service for detecting key mastitis-related pathogens including Staph aureus, Strep uberis and Prototheca species before animals enter or leave a property.
- Johnes Disease Testing Diagnostic test to detect cows with Johnes disease, recommended for autumn testing and run from the same aseptic milk sample collected for mastitis culture.
- BVD Testing Diagnostic test to detect BVD-positive cows in the herd, using the same milk sample collected for mastitis culture.
- Patented In-Line Sampling Tool Patent-pending in-line sampler installed on milking cups that captures a clean milk sample from just behind the milking cluster, processing up to 800 cows in 5 hours and reducing contamination compared to traditional hand sampling.
- RFID Sampling System Proprietary RFID wand and sample pottles that read cow EID tags and patch them directly onto the sample pottle, eliminating manual data recording errors and ensuring traceability from cow to sample.
- Education and Training Services Education and training services including free Farmer Days events, on-farm staff training in milking sheds, mastitis risk investigations, and on-demand tutorials covering aseptic sampling and plating techniques.
- DairySmart Web Application Web and mobile application that delivers test results along with analytics, trends, predictions, and alerts to farmers and their nominated veterinarians to enable accurate treatment planning.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 90% less Dry Cow antibiotics used in first year
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use DairySmart
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DairySmart technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
DairySmart partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Rangiora Vet CentrecorePivotal validation trials completed in 2022 proving reliability and efficacy of DairySmart culture-based testing model; early partnership bridged veterinary expertise with practical on-farm application
- SVS LaboratoriescoreLaboratory partner using Jupiter reader to catalogue every sample and process diagnostics; provides quality assurance through certified National Animal Health Laboratory
- EpiVetssupportingEpidemiology research partner that analyzed data from 9 North Canterbury farms (4,185 cows) during 2022 dry-off to validate DairySmart culture results against SCC data
- Certified National Animal Health LaboratorycoreQuality assurance partner for sample processing; ensures confidence in every result through IANZ-approved laboratory standards
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DairySmart competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BouMatic: Manufacturer of milking systems and dairy farm equipment with on-farm milk quality and herd management technology. Comparable because it sells hardware that sits in the milking parlor and collects cow-level data, overlapping with DairySmart's in-line sampling and on-farm diagnostics.
- Afimilk: Israeli dairy cow monitoring and management technology provider offering in-line milk analysis, mastitis detection, and herd health solutions. Comparable to DairySmart because it sells hardware-plus-software systems to dairy farms for udder health and milk quality management.
- Allflex Livestock Intelligence (Datamars): Provider of livestock EID tags, RFID readers, and on-farm identification infrastructure used in dairy operations worldwide. Comparable because DairySmart's RFID Sampling System integrates directly with cow EID tags, making Allflex a technology supplier and adjacent solution provider in the same dairy workflow.
Broad incumbents
- NEOGEN: Animal safety and genomics/diagnostics company with culture-based pathogen detection products for food and livestock. Comparable because it sells diagnostic kits and consumables used by veterinarians and farmers to identify mastitis-causing and foodborne pathogens.
- IDEXX Laboratories: Global leader in veterinary diagnostics including livestock and dairy testing products and laboratory services. Comparable as a broader incumbent in animal-health diagnostics that competes for the same customer wallet share around pathogen identification.
- Zoetis: Largest global animal health company with diagnostics, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals for livestock including dairy. Comparable because Zoetis controls both antibiotic treatments and a growing diagnostics portfolio, putting it in direct strategic competition with DairySmart's culture-based approach.
- DeLaval: Global dairy farm solutions provider offering milking equipment, herd management software, and milk quality testing. Comparable because it competes for the same dairy farm capex and opex around mastitis management, milk quality, and herd monitoring.
Regional players
- Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC): New Zealand-based farmer-owned cooperative providing dairy genetics, herd testing, and on-farm technology to NZ farmers. Comparable as a NZ-headquartered dairy technology peer serving the same farmers and offering herd health and milk recording services.
Others
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life sciences and diagnostics company supplying culture media, lab automation, and diagnostic instruments. Comparable as an enabling/infrastructure player in the same dairy diagnostic ecosystem that DairySmart operates in.
- Bio-Rad Laboratories: Life science and clinical diagnostics manufacturer producing culture media and laboratory testing products. Comparable as an enabling supplier category for in vitro diagnostic substances and culture-based test components used in mastitis workflows.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DairySmart social profiles
Digital presenceDairySmart compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
DairySmart financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DairySmart leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
DairySmart funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DairySmart M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DairySmart
What does DairySmart do?
DairySmart designs, sells, and supports an AI-powered mastitis diagnostic system for dairy farmers and veterinarians, centered on the Jupiter Diagnostic Machine, proprietary Mastitis and Subdetect culture plates, and an in-line sampling tool. Samples are cultured and read via computer-vision AI to deliver bacterial identification within 24 hours, enabling farmers to replace blanket dry cow antibiotic therapy with targeted, evidence-based treatment decisions.
Is DairySmart a public or private company?
DairySmart is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DairySmart founded?
DairySmart was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DairySmart based?
DairySmart is headquartered in Pukekohe East, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does DairySmart make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Diagnostic Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are diagnostic Plates (Consumables), laboratory Testing Services, accessory Products and education and Training Services.
Who are DairySmart's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BouMatic, Afimilk and Allflex Livestock Intelligence (Datamars). Broad incumbents are NEOGEN, IDEXX Laboratories, Zoetis and DeLaval. Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) is listed as a regional player. Others are Thermo Fisher Scientific and Bio-Rad Laboratories.
Does DairySmart have an API?
No public API is recorded for DairySmart.
What industry is DairySmart in?
DairySmart's product category is Livestock Diagnostics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEACAO, Dairy Farm Data, Monitoring & Precision Dairy Operations, with a secondary code of AFAAAIAD, Milk Quality Testing & Sampling Equipment (SCC, Conductivity, Analyzers). Its NAICS code is 54194 and its SIC code is 2835.