Farmers' Weekly stalwart dies, 69

Bob Davies worked for Farmers' Weekly for 44 years

A veteran farming correspondent and freelance journalist has died, aged 69.

Bob Davies, who lived in Welshpool, Powys, worked for the national magazine Farmers' Weekly for 44 years.

He covered a variety of issues affecting rural life during his career, including foot-and-mouth outbreaks and BSE.

The Farmers' Weekly said on its website that Mr Davies died on Sunday after complications resulting from a bout of flu.

Mr Davies joined its reporting team in 1965 and was initially based at its then London headquarters in Fleet Street.

A year later he moved to Wales to cover issues affecting Welsh farmers.

Bob was a credit to his profession Farmers' Union of Wales president, Gareth Vaughan

The president of the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) Gareth Vaughan paid tribute to Mr Davies.

"Ever since Bob started reporting on issues affecting Welsh farmers over 40 years ago, he has been regarded as a loyal supporter and close friend of the Farmers' Union of Wales and its officers and staff," he said.

"I have always held him in high regard due to his thorough knowledge and sympathetic understanding of our industry here in Wales.

"His coverage of the union's activities, especially during our early years, was always masterful and reliable.

"Yes, Bob was a credit to his profession."

National Farmers' Union (NFU) Cymru president Dai Davies said he was "very saddened" to hear of the death of "one of Wales' leading agricultural writers".

He added: "Bob Davies had an outstanding knowledge of Welsh agriculture and an extensive list of contacts within the industry that he could call friends.

"He will be sadly missed by us all at NFU Cymru."