Roots & Region
David has lived in Birdsville all his life, while Nell hails from South Africa. They were married in 1974 and now have six children. David’s maternal great-grandparents were among the earliest settlers in Birdsville, and his father, Bill, started their family’s journey in organic ranching with a parcel of Adria Downs in 1939.“Our roots run deep. This land has been our family’s heart and home for generations.”
Today, they own and manage five properties across the Channel Country covering 30,000 square kilometres (3 million hectares), including Cordillo Downs and Adria Downs, as well as a sixth property in southeast Queensland.“We’re extremely remote, 1,600 km from the nearest capital, with rugged roads and extreme weather. You have to be in tune with nature, not fight against it.”
Birdsville is uniquely positioned as a gateway to the Outback. Visitors often pass through their land on their way to events like the Birdsville Races or Big Red Bash, and the couple welcomes these connections with pride.“We love showing visitors what the Channel Country is all about. It’s an open invitation to appreciate the land we call home.”
Legacy of the Land & Flavor of the Beef
They farm in one of the world’s largest inland river basins, floodwaters over millennia have enriched the soil, and it shows.“It may be desert, but cattle fatten quickly here. The saltbush and other native forage give our beef a flavor unique to this landscape.”
Partnership & Purpose
From its early days, the Brooks have been deeply involved in OBE Organic’s formation. They value the stability and global connection being part of the cooperative brings.“OBE Organic brought reliability and connection. When you dedicate your life to this land, knowing people trust what you do means the world.”
Why Organic
For David and Nell, organic farming goes beyond certification, it’s a responsibility to the community and the land.“We raise organic beef because it’s healthier, for animals, for the land, and especially for the families who eat it. Our children deserve food without chemicals.”