At the launch of phase two of the VistaMilk Research Ireland Centre in Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork: Professor Frank O'Mara, director Teagasc; Noel Grealish, Minister of State with special responsibility for research; Professor Donagh Berry, director VistaMilk; Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Dr. Siobhán Roche, Research Ireland. Photo: O'Gorman Photography.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon and Minister of State with special responsibility for research, Noel Grealish officially launched the phase this week. Speaking at the event, Minister Heydon said: “Ireland’s agri-food sector, and particularly our world-renowned dairy industry, plays a vital role not just in rural communities, but also the national economy. It is critical that we continue to invest, though initiatives like VistaMilk, to ensure that we remain global leaders. This multi-disciplinary research centre, with important industry partners, will continue to deliver real-world impact through science and collaboration.”
The launch of phase two will allow VistaMilk researchers to advance research in areas spanning soil health, pasture management, animal wellbeing, and food innovation all for the benefit of farmers, industry, and the environment.
Minister of State, Noel Grealish highlighted the structure and significance of the centre’s funding: “VistaMilk is uniquely co-funded by two Government departments – Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. This joint investment underlines the national importance of the centre’s work, both for scientific excellence and for the future of sustainable farming in Ireland. I am pleased that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is investing over €8.66m our largest ever single investment in a research centre.”
This phase of VistaMilk also marks a significant boost to the local economy in north Cork, with the centre set to recruit more than 130 personnel, most of whom will be based at Teagasc Moorepark. Building on the success of its first phase, which secured more than €20m in competitive EU funding, VistaMilk has set a similar target for phase two. This funding will play a critical role in driving forward world-class research and innovation while enhancing global engagement and collaboration. Industry backing remains strong, with over 50 partners contributing €12 million during the initial phase and continuing their support into the second phase. This investment reflects a balanced mix of local enterprise and foreign direct investment from leading multinational companies, according to Teagasc.
Its director, Professor Frank O’Mara, welcomed the collaboration: “Research is the backbone of progress in agriculture. At Teagasc, we are proud to support VistaMilk and its interdisciplinary approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our dairy sector today. The outcomes from this centre are already influencing best practices on farms and informing national policy.”