From Soil to Society
VistaMilk’s research spans the entire dairy system. We examine how healthy soils support productive grasslands, how grass-fed systems influence animal performance and milk quality, how milk is processed into high-value products, and how the sector impacts climate, communities and the wider economy.
Everything we do is focused on real-world impact. Our research is shaped by practical challenges and designed to deliver solutions that work on farms, in processing facilities and across the wider food system.
Our Approach
VistaMilk’s strength lies in integration. By connecting research across themes and platforms, we move beyond isolated studies and deliver coordinated solutions that improve sustainability, productivity and global competitiveness.
Thematic Research Areas
Soil
The Soil Theme focuses on understanding how soil health, biodiversity and management influence the performance of pasture-based dairy systems. By measuring and modelling soil processes, the research aims to support better soil management that improves nutrient cycling, water regulation and long-term farm sustainability.
Pasture
The Pasture Theme focuses on improving how grass is grown and managed within pasture-based dairy systems. By developing knowledge and practical tools, the research aims to help farmers produce greater quantities of high-quality grass to support efficient and sustainable milk production.
Animal
The Animal Theme focuses on improving the health, performance and productivity of dairy cows within pasture-based systems. Through research on breeding, management and animal biology, the work aims to support the production of consistently high-quality milk in a sustainable and efficient way.
Food
The Food Theme focuses on developing the next generation of dairy processing technologies and products. The research explores how dairy ingredients behave during digestion and how milk and dairy foods can contribute to improved human nutrition and health.
Platform Research Areas
System of Systems Platform
The System of Systems Platform brings together data and models from across the dairy production chain, linking information from soil, pasture, animals and processing. By integrating these systems, the platform enables whole-system analysis and scenario modelling to support better decision-making across the sector.
Impact Platform
The Impact Platform examines the wider social, economic and behavioural factors that influence how research and innovation are adopted in the dairy sector. Its work focuses on understanding stakeholder perspectives, supporting responsible innovation and ensuring that research outcomes translate into meaningful benefits for farmers, industry and society.
Emerging Technologies
The Emerging Technologies Platform explores new sensing and monitoring technologies that can transform how dairy systems are measured and managed. This includes the development and testing of advanced sensors, imaging systems and other digital tools that enable more precise and efficient farm and processing operations.
Agrifood Informatics
The AgriFood Informatics Platform develops the data infrastructure and analytical tools required to manage and interpret the large volumes of data generated across modern dairy systems. Its research focuses on data integration, modelling and artificial intelligence to transform raw data into insights that support farmers, researchers and industry partners.
