AgriZeroNZ backs Australian company specialising in cattle IVF

31 October 2025

AgriZeroNZ has invested AU $1.5 million (NZ $1.69 million) in agri-biotech company Nbryo to accelerate the development of its proprietary reproductive technologies and bring them to New Zealand.

This marks AgriZeroNZ’s tenth equity investment as part of its efforts to provide Kiwi farmers with a range of affordable, effective emissions reduction tools.

Queensland-based Nbryo has developed a technology platform that enables the production and transfer of high-quality embryos at scale, allowing farmers to breed more emissions efficient livestock faster.

Nbryo CEO Paul Niven says the company’s in vitro fertilisation (IVF) platform effectively takes the guesswork out of mating by selecting and combining both parents’ genetics in the lab.

“Our technology allows us to select the genetic traits a calf will have before it creates a pregnancy, guaranteeing offspring that’s tailored to a farmer’s breeding objectives. This allows for faster progress in sought-after traits such as productivity, fertility and lower methane emissions.”

While similar technology has been used in cattle breeding programmes for decades, Niven says Nbryo aims to make embryo transfers more accessible and affordable for everyday farmers.

“Our technology has the potential to provide farmers with a breeding option that delivers faster genetic improvement embryo transfers are renowned for, but in a way that’s on-par with artificial insemination (AI) when it comes to conception rate, cost and service delivery.”

Paul Niven, Nbryo CEO

“Imagine the AI technician pulls up to a farm but instead of a tank of bull semen, they’ve got a tank of embryos. The moment you put them in your cows, your herd is years ahead genetically.”

Although Nbryo is in the early stages of bringing its technology to New Zealand, AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee says it could be a powerful tool to support the spread of low methane genetics.

“Low methane genetics will soon be an option for dairy and beef farmers and this technology has the potential to amplify its impact by spreading these genetics more rapidly and broadly.”

Wayne McNee, AgriZero^NZ chief executive

“By partnering with a genetics company, Nbryo’s technology could be built into a farm’s existing mating plans, making embryo transfers a cost-effective and simple option for farmers to choose alongside other breeding options.”

Niven says the company is about to start a 1,500-cow trial in Australia to test its transfer device and is looking forward to breaking into the New Zealand market.

“With AgriZeroNZ’s investment we’re focused on laying the foundations in New Zealand. Our key priority is establishing the partnerships we need to make our technology a viable option for Kiwi farmers.”

To help inform their plans, AgriZeroNZ has organised for Nbryo to attend its next Farmer Focus Group meeting so they can hear feedback direct from New Zealand farmers.

McNee says this investment, which saw AgriZeroNZ co-lead the funding round, is a welcome addition to its diverse portfolio which includes probiotics, inhibitors, vaccines and pasture.

“We’re backing a range of options because we know farmers will want choices, and some early-stage ventures may not make it to the farm at all. Based on current progress I’m optimistic farmers will have a range of options to choose from by 2030.”