Tributes paid to Staffordshire farmer

The farming community has paid tribute to a Staffordshire farmer respected for his in-depth knowledge and for championing the industry over many decades.

Growers and livestock producers across the country have remembered Robert Lockhart, of Drayton Bassett, who died aged 71 on 22 June after being diagnosed with cancer.

The husband, father and grandfather was a key figure in agriculture and the NFU at a national, regional and county level, as he campaigned for a better deal for family farms.

A branch chairman of Lichfield, Rugeley and Tamworth NFU, Mr Lockhart twice served as Staffordshire NFU county chairman. He chaired the NFU West Midlands combinable crops board and was vice-chairman of the national combinable crops board.

His wife Karen said: “Robert always felt that whatever he did and wherever he was in relation to his NFU work that he got back an equal amount from all those he met, discussed, debated, laughed and drank with.

“He especially enjoyed travelling around the county to the annual general meetings of all the branches in whatever weather. He really valued the friendships he made in the county, regionally and nationwide many of which still endure.”

Great memories

Son Andrew said he had great memories attending farming events with his dad as he went about his NFU duties. “I look back at the times dad and I spent at Cereals,” he said.

“Whether it was at Cambridge or Lincolnshire, we always had a laugh at those events.”

A member of the NFU regional horticulture and potatoes board and potato forum, Mr Lockhart was also the union’s representative on the National Sprayer Testing Scheme.

He led the way in NFU Council discussions and lobbying on issues including high speed rail, HS2, and its impact on his farm and the wider farming industry. He also served on the NFU’s environment forum.