Robert Poyntz

Robert Poyntz is a Certified Irish Angus beef farmer located outside the village of Ballyhaise in Co. Cavan. When asked to describe his family, he says “I am married to Doris, I have two sons, four grandchildren and a herd of Irish Angus cattle.” For Robert, treating his Angus animals like family is a natural part of his duty as a farmer.

Recently retired, Robert worked full-time as a farm liaison officer for and Irish co-operative for 47 years. For the last two decades Robert also farmed part-time after taking over his father’s farm in 2003.  “I would find it very therapeutic coming home from a hard day’s work and getting out into a field of cattle. Angus are very friendly animals and I loved nothing more than them coming up to me in the evening, licking me and I would talk to them.”

When Robert retired, he found the transition to a slower pace of life difficult at first as he was so used to juggling a full-time job on the road with part-time farming but he said after a while he began to see the benefits of reconnecting with nature. “When you get out into a field of cattle and the birds are singing and the cattle are nudging you, it’s lovely, heavenly in fact. I couldn’t think of a better way of life and I am honoured to be able to farm such a docile breed who make my life easier!”

Robert is keenly aware of his role as a custodian of the land and farms with integrity and sustainability front of mind. He maintains the hedgerows and habitat around his farm to encourage biodiversity.

Robert is proud to be one of 10,000 Certified Irish Angus Beef Farmers.