Warm tributes paid to Staffordshire farmer who championed the dairy sector

David Brookes has died at the age of 65. He was a branch, county and regional officeholder over many years and helped drive the NFU’s SOS Dairy campaign back in 2012.

The Lower Loxley farmer was a husband, father, and grandfather and was also NFU Staffordshire Council delegate finishing in post earlier this year and was active within Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society.

He also served as NFU Uttoxeter, Abbots Bromley and Burton-upon-Trent branch chairman in 1996 and 2012, was NFU Staffordshire chair for a two-year term and elected as NFU West Midlands regional board chair in 2022.

Abi Reader, NFU Cymru Deputy President, said: “David really cared about farming people. 

“There was always a warm welcome when he was around and his jokes never failed. He was a good friend and will be deeply missed.”

An Arla supplier, he built up his 250-strong herd of Holstein-Friesian cows and improved on farm infrastructure seeing benefits for both cow health and increased milk yields.

David also had a high-profile role on his local authority but stepped down to spend more time on the family dairy farm although he was the serving chairman of Uttoxeter Rural Parish Council at the time of his death.

Farmer Paul Brown, NFU Staffordshire chair, said: “We are absolutely devastated to hear this news. 

“David was such a staunch advocate and ambassador for the farming industry, particularly on dairy issues.

“He always wore his heart on this sleeve and was passionate about making sure the industry was properly represented.

“He was always happy speaking to fellow farmers and shoppers about food production and producing milk.

“David gave greatly and his loss will be keenly felt across the farming community and by all those who knew him.

“He was enjoying time away from his officeholder role as a grandfather and we send our heartfelt thoughts to his wife Brenda and family at this very difficult time.”

Happy to share his farming knowledge and experience with others

David was always happy to share his farming knowledge and experience with others.

He welcomed dairy enthusiasts from across the Midlands to his farm to see the new set up to talk to them about the plans that had been put in place for his dairy herd.

In September, the Brookes family hosted the Uttoxeter Ploughing and Hedgecutting Match and he was also a big supporter of the Staffordshire Show and young farmers.

Philip Atkins, OBE, said: “Besides being a fellow Uttoxeter and Staffordshire farmer, David was a good friend for many years.

“We will all have many memories of David, from shearing through to dairy campaigns, to our great rural social life which we all can still enjoy. 

“Rural friendship and camaraderie goes deep and is still there, and with our recent changes and challenges we are all coming together again as one, which is something David would have been heavily involved in.

“Besides his active work in the NFU and Staffordshire Agricultural Society, David became involved in local politics over 30 years ago. 

“Despite David never standing in the ward he lived, he always worked hard to represent the area he was elected for and go that extra mile. 

“He would often stand up and robustly both challenge or defend a position. 

“I know NFU colleagues also witnessed this at first hand, as I did as a fellow borough and county councillor. 

“This is something you only see in someone with real conviction.”

“A larger-than-life character he will be missed.

“Our thoughts should be with Brenda and their children Will, Georgina, Charlotte and Vicky and grandson George at this time.”