VistaMilk Launches New AgriTech Test-Bed Facility to Accelerate Innovation from Concept to Deployment

VistaMilk Explore will provide innovators and businesses with direct access to agricultural researchers, specialist expertise and world-class research infrastructure at Teagasc Moorepark.

VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre has announced the launch of VistaMilk Explore, a new AgriTech innovation facility that will help innovators and businesses develop, test and advance agricultural technologies towards the market. Based at Teagasc Moorepark, County Cork, it will provide access to agricultural researchers, technical expertise, working farm and laboratory facilities, and practical business support.

VistaMilk Explore has been developed to accelerate the journey from concept to commercialisation, by connecting innovators with the expertise, infrastructure and real-world testing environments needed to bring new technologies closer to market. Companies will have access to scientists and technical support, as well as working farms, laboratory facilities and dedicated testing spaces. This combination will allow businesses to develop and test their technologies in real-world conditions.

The facility will operate through a staged testing model, allowing innovators to engage at different phases of technology development. Early-stage concepts can be assessed through short proof-of-concept trials, while more advanced technologies can progress to larger-scale validation and demonstration activities within research and commercial farming environments. Participating companies will also benefit from dedicated on-site support from a VistaMilk research technician, helping to coordinate trials, collect data and ensure technologies can be efficiently tested and evaluated under real-world farming conditions.

VistaMilk Explore builds on the success of VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre, Ireland’s national centre for science and digital innovation in pasture-based dairy. VistaMilk is uniquely co-funded by Research Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is hosted by Teagasc. Since its establishment in 2018, the centre has collaborated with more than 60 industry partners and published over 700 scientific papers focused on advancing sustainability, animal health, breeding, methane emissions, precision agriculture, sensing technologies and data-driven decision-making across the agri-food sector.

Speaking about the launch, Elizabeth Walsh, Operations Manager in VistaMilk, said: “The launch represents a natural extension of VistaMilk’s mission to ensure research delivers meaningful impact beyond academia. By opening access to its expertise, infrastructure and research ecosystem, VistaMilk and Teagasc aim to support companies developing the next generation of agricultural technologies while accelerating the adoption of technologies at farm level through encouraging innovation across all aspects of the agrifood ecosystem.”

Laurence Shalloo, Deputy Director of VistaMilk and Head of the Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation programme at Teagasc, said: “Ireland has developed an international reputation for agricultural research and innovation in pasture-based agrifood production. VistaMilk Explore provides a new pathway for businesses to access that expertise and translate promising ideas into practical solutions that can be adopted on farms.”

“This new initiative provides a platform where researchers and subject matter experts can interact with companies to develop technologies and solutions for real-world problems within a research environment. We believe this facility will significantly accelerate innovation and strengthen Ireland’s position as a leader in technology development and deployment.”

In addition to scientific and technical support, participating innovators and businesses can be connected with Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West for practical business guidance. Depending on their needs and eligibility, businesses may be directed towards relevant advice, mentoring, training and financial supports to help them develop their business model and plan their route to market.

Kevin Curran, Head of Enterprise at Cork County Council’s Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West, said: “Developing a technology that works is only one part of building a successful business. Companies must also understand their customers, establish a viable business model and identify the right route to market. Through VistaMilk Explore, participating businesses will be able to connect with the Local Enterprise Office for practical business advice and guidance. Depending on their needs and eligibility, this may include mentoring, training and information on relevant financial and business development supports. Combining this commercial guidance with VistaMilk’s scientific expertise and real-world testing facilities will give companies a more complete pathway from initial concept to market.”

Innovators and businesses developing technologies or solutions for the dairy and livestock sectors are now invited to tell us what they want to test with VistaMilk Explores.

Find out more here or start a conversation with the VistaMilk Explore team by emailing vistamilk@teagasc.ie