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

Free access vs guided robotic milking: Which system is right for your dairy farm?

Free access vs guided robotic milking: Which system is right for your dairy farm?

For UK dairy farmers considering a move from a parlour to robots, one of the first decisions is whether to run a free access or guided system but what are the pros and cons of each?

clock 22 May 2026 • 6 min read
Heat stress in dairy cows: Lessons from a Cumbrian dairy farm

Heat stress in dairy cows: Lessons from a Cumbrian dairy farm

With the arrival of summer prompting the mercury to rise, Dairy Farmer looks at how heat stress can affect milk yield and conception rates in high yielding dairy cattle, and how to mitigate its impact

clock 20 May 2026 • 9 min read
Breeding could help cut dairy farm emissions, report reveals

Breeding could help cut dairy farm emissions, report reveals

Can genetics play an important role in helping to lower a farm’s carbon footprint?

Chris Brayford
clock 17 May 2026 • 2 min read