Tributes paid to dairy farmer David Brookes

NFU dairy board chair Paul Tompkins described Mr Brookes as a ‘larger-than-life’ character

Alex Black
clock • 1 min read
Tributes paid to dairy farmer David Brookes

Tributes have been paid to dairy farmer and NFU dairy board member David Brookes, who has died aged 65.

NFU dairy board chair Paul Tompkins said: "David was a larger-than-life character whose passion and enthusiasm for farming and the dairy sector in particular was unrivalled. He will be greatly missed.

READ NOW: Dairy Talk - Paul Tompkins: "I am confident that we are finally on the right path to building a stronger, more resilient future for the UK dairy sector"

"I was lucky enough to count David as a friend after first meeting him nearly 10 years ago when he was quick to offer me guidance and support. His wisdom helped steer the dairy sector though some challenging times including the SOS Dairy campaign. 

"He was rightly proud of his achievements at Lower Loxley and when I visited the farm, I was always impressed by his focus on the future of dairy production.

"David was also a family man and always put great emphasis on the importance of multi-generational farming.

READ NOW: Latest milk prices for dairy farmers

"I know his untimely death will come as a great shock and I pass on my condolences to his wife Brenda and all his family and friends at this difficult time."

More on Dairy

The smallholder farmer: The backbone of the Kenyan dairy sector

The smallholder farmer: The backbone of the Kenyan dairy sector

Kenya was host to this year's International Federation of Agricultural Journalists World Congress, where Katie Fallon gained an insight into the country's dairy sector

clock 16 January 2026 • 7 min read
How a Cornish grazed dairy herd maximises butterfat for Rodda's creamery contract

How a Cornish grazed dairy herd maximises butterfat for Rodda's creamery contract

The Warren family run a mixed breed herd on their Cornish unit, with quality bonuses from a local creamery contract making up a large percentage of the milk cheque

Katie Jones
clock 14 January 2026 • 6 min read
Gold Cup finalists announced

Gold Cup finalists announced

Five dairy businesses from across the UK have made the final of the 2025 National Milk Records (NMR) Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RADBF) Gold Cup, with the winner set to be announced on February 4, 2026 at DairyTech, Stoneleigh

clock 08 January 2026 • 3 min read