RESEARCH IMPACT Overview
At VistaMilk, our mission extends beyond generating new knowledge — it is about translating world-class science into real-world benefits for farmers, industry, consumers, and the environment. Research impact captures the tangible difference our work makes beyond academic circles. It encompasses how VistaMilk’s research contributes to innovation in sustainable agri-food systems, supports evidence-based policy, drives technological advancement, and enhances environmental and economic resilience across Ireland and beyond.
The case studies below highlight examples of how VistaMilk research has delivered impact in practice — from improving animal health and soil management to advancing digital agriculture and sustainability. Each demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that publicly funded research creates lasting value, drives innovation, and supports Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable, high-tech agri-food future.
GENERATING COUNTRY SPECIFIC ENTERIC METHANE CONVERSION FACTORS FOR IRISH DAIRY SYSTEMS
This case study generated Ireland-specific data on methane emissions from dairy cows, revealing that national models have overestimated emissions and showing that the carbon footprint of Irish milk is lower than previously calculated.
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BEEF-ON-DAIRY TRILOGY OF TOOLS
This case study showcases the development of three innovative dairy-beef tools that combine genetics, data science, and economics to improve breeding decisions, calf value, and sustainability across the dairy and beef sectors.
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QUANTIFYING UNCERTAINTY IN MILK QUALITY PREDICTIONS
This case study looks at research carried out during Phase I that developed a new statistical method, Bayesian Probabilistic Least Squares (BPLS) regression, which predicts milk quality traits while also providing uncertainty estimates to support more reliable decision-making. The work reduced error in heat-stability prediction by 8.9% and delivered a freely available software tool, bplsr, now downloaded over 2,680 times in 86 countries.
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VISTAMILK SCHOOL TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME
This case looks at VistaMilk’s tailored transition year programme. This programme is helping to address deficiencies in agri-tech careers by exposing secondary school students to a variety of career types in the agri-food and technology sector, providing both male and female role models in these careers, and providing students with hands-on experience to demonstrate the link between theory and practice.
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GROUNDTRUTH: A CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT ON SOIL HEALTH
GroundTruth was a one-year citizen science project funded through Research Ireland’s Discover call that aimed to raise awareness of soil health and empower people to assess their own soils. Using simple, low-cost DIY tests that required no specialist skills or equipment, the project supported learning and practical change across homes, schools, and farms.
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SMARTER MILKING SYSTEMS IMPROVE DAIRY EFFICIENCY
This case study demonstrates how research at Teagasc Moorepark improved understanding of the relationship between milk-flow dynamics, machine settings, and cow response during milking. The work showed that optimising ACR thresholds, dynamic pulsation, and mechanical stimulation strategies could improve milking efficiency while supporting teat condition and cow comfort.
DEVELOPMENT OF SOIL MICROBIAL DATABASE
Soil hosts a metropolis of microbes that play a pivotal role in soil health; to date, however, the vast majority of these microbes remain unknown due to inaccurate soil microbial databases. This case study created a Soil Health Metagenomic Database with an associated Profiler Tool to improve classification of microbes living in soil, which are essential for nutrient cycling, carbon storage and soil fertility.
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COUNTING CARBON
Ireland is developing a coordinated national approach to carbon accounting, with a focus on accurately measuring soil carbon sequestration across different scales. Through collaboration between NASCO and the Signpost Programme, advanced tools and Irish-specific data are being used to track both emissions and long-term carbon storage. Early findings show that well-managed soils can capture significant amounts of carbon, with most Irish grassland soils in good condition and strong potential for further sequestration, particularly in higher clay soils.
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AUTOMATED ANOMALY DETECTION IN DAIRY COW MILK RECORDING DATA
Reliable data is essential for effective decision-making in dairy farming, yet field-collected milk records are often prone to errors. This work has developed an objective, data-driven approach to detect anomalies in milk yield and composition by comparing new records against established population norms from Irish dairy herds. Now integrated into the national database, this system improves data accuracy, supports better herd management and breeding decisions, and enhances long-term productivity across the dairy sector.
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A MATING RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM TO REDUCE INHERITED EMBRYO OR FOETAL LOSSES
Lethal genetic mutations can lead to embryo or foetal loss when two carrier animals are mated, creating both economic and animal welfare challenges in dairy systems. With widespread genotyping of calves in Ireland, carrier status is now known, enabling more informed breeding decisions. This work supports a national mating recommendation system that helps farmers avoid high-risk pairings, improving herd outcomes and reducing losses.
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