The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that salmonella is responsible for 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year.
A new platform launched by Antera looks to improve these numbers. The program offers a “BioBarrier” against salmonella through surveillance systems and data analytics for improved poultry productivity compliance.
The platform, Ancera Salmonella System Monitoring, promises to deliver deeper and more timely insights around Salmonella throughout the poultry supply chain. By tapping its comprehensive network of mobile surveillance systems, CRISPR databases, epidemiological models, and software warning systems, Ancera is helping the U.S. poultry industry simultaneously reduce risk and improve margins.
“As the animal protein industry faces increasing economic and regulatory pressure, Ancera is empowering the poultry industry to reduce threats and increase margins through better intelligence,” said Arjun Ganesan, CEO of Ancera. “This is about more than improving brand equity — our technology and approach to commercializing this intel is transformative for the industry. Our beta customers are already doing more to understand and de-risk their supply chains than any company in the history of poultry production. This technology is fundamentally streamlining the productivity and efficiency of the supply chain.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service recently launched an initiative known as the Salmonella Grand Challenge to understand better how and where Salmonella causes high risk to meat and poultry products, with a goal of cutting the number of people infected by Salmonella 25 percent by 2030.
With 2,500 salmonella serotypes, sophisticated technology and systems are the key to identifying systemic risks and ensuring efficient and effective control strategies.
Antera’s platform is built on foundational diagnostic CRISPR-SeroSeq technology developed by Dr. Nikki Shariat and researchers from the University of Georgia’s Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Ancera is already monitoring farms and reporting the trends back to customers — initial customers are currently focused on improving their USDA FSIS Salmonella categories, tracing Serotypes of Human Health Concern from breeder flocks to broilers, and improving plant yields through the strategic use of interventions. By providing this “BioBarrier” against Salmonella, Ancera delivers access to the first data-driven intelligence platform so users can take immediate action, increase profitability, and create a healthier supply chain.
The launch of Ancera Salmonella System Monitoring follows the launch of Ancera Coccidia System Monitoring, which has tracked over 100 Million broilers to date to improve feed utilization and control program spend. As the company continues to expand its existing Salmonella and Coccidia monitoring technology to additional customers, it is building a suite of production optimization software tools based on customer demand.
»Related: CDC says stop cuddling your chicken to avoid salmonella