We need a spokesman or group that works for famers!

[GOODRUM]

My bad!
* NOT to cause internal bickering

[grassfarmer]

What you folks don't seem to grasp is that YOU have to take collective responsibility. Saying this group or that group went off the rails so they are no use, there needs to be new groups or the organizations that are out there need to change to reflect your interests at this precise moment in time. It's part of democracy that you have to be working constantly at it or it withers and dies. Don't sit and idly speculate that you need some new group that will speak for you - get off your butts and get involved, if you don't bother why would anyone else?
I stand by my assertion that a group like the NFU is the only answer - it must be national, it must cover all sectors of agriculture, it must be independent of Government or corporate interests. You might not like some of the things the NFU has done in the past but hey, tomorrow is a new day, the future is in your hands - get involved for the positive change you want and steer the organization in the direction you want.
……..Or just keep on doing nothing because you know the results that brings.

[farmaholic]

Why haven't you heard a response from Farm Groups regarding CP drivel? They have to meet first and "decide" what is going to be said.

(unlike the loose cannon I am)

[bucket]

CP should be on strike or locked out by the weekend.

Who cares?

No one. If they did the contract would be done by now.

They are arguing about lay over hours. It's a no brainer - why would you want sleepy conductors?

[tstep]

Bang on grass farmer. The organization is in place now. If you have an issue get on board with the NFU. National org that has been fighting for farmers for years. Yes some of the issues have been over the top but in general the NFU does a lot for the whole industry. Why try and start another organization, group to fight for our rights when we have one that has the experience and knowledge to fight with the government.

[wmoebis]

As I have said if Ritz would have listened to the Compas review and did as was recommended and open a Grain Farmers Advocate Office with unlimited power and access to everything about the grain industry, or at least left Ass't Commissioners in place. He could have even increased their powers more than they had.

Makes you wonder if there isn't something more to hide than meets the eye. Why pay for a review then not implement recommendations.

[GOODRUM]

Grass farmer
Who is in charge of the NFU? It's sad but I don't even know. Isn't it the leaders of these groups to be on top of stuff like this? I get to watch people throw toilet plungers at toilets on the news but when is the last time NFU has made a press release about anything?

[Hopperbin]

I had an 18.year old working for me this spring. Good and bad he was a first timer. He took a 6 week course started with cn for 70, 000 per year. 140, 000 after 4 years. We farmers are further behind than most think.

[mustardman]

I agree with you grassfarmer whether you like them or not the NFU is the only farm group that seems to work For farmers. There are lots of pretend farm groups that actually are yes men to the industry

[malleefarmer]

From Australian perspective farmer advocate groups will always be fractured,you would think farmers all have common needs and causes but reality shows that isn't so.
We have a national farming body here and state based organizations, the state based organizations can pay to be a co-member of national body. The national body has been on life support for years wereas state bodies flourish and haven't joined national body.
I pay a levy of I think currently 20 cents per tonne which funds state body and livestock and dairy and horticultural and wine bodies all pay a levy.
So in our state we have Grain Growers SA, Livstock SA beef and sheep, SA dairy and SA hort asscociation and SA wine g**** growers all separate enitiies and they all meet queartelry to discuss issues which are common but rest of the time do there own thing for m,ebers. At anytime growers can have there levy money refunded despite people occasionally not being happy ive never heard of anyone requesting a refund