Never be afraid to make mistakes; just try not to make the same one twice!

Coole, Ballacolla, Co. Laois, Ireland, R32 EV97

Contact ♣ Tel Robin 086 2693164 ♣ Ann 087 2207327 ♣  e-mail cooleballacolla@gmail.com ♣

Robin Talbot is the fourth generation of his family to live and farm in Coole, Ballacolla, Co Laois. He is a commercial beef and suckler farmer, producing quality cattle for the Irish and European markets.

He uses Belgian Blue and Limousin stock bulls while the cows are Limousin cross. Their progeny are aimed at the high end of the quality market with the majority finished at under 20 months.

The focus is on compact calving with all the cows calved in the Autumn, from August to October.

The farm is also focused on maximising weight gain from grass and thus early turnout.

Robin also hosts farm visits; mainly by other farmers and agricultural students but also by others from the broader agri sector and will always try to facilitate anybody wishing to visit. 

“In order for farming to survive I believe it is critical that farmers help each other by sharing their experiences and information.”

 

Family

Robin is married to Ann (nee Fitzgerald) who has worked as an agricultural print journalist for over twenty years, including seven years as Livestock Editor with the Farming Independent.

Since 2004, along with looking after the farm's paperwork, she has primarily been a homemaker but has resumed some journalistic work since 2012.

They have two daughters, Sarah, aged 14, and Ruth, 10.