We need a spokesman or group that works for famers!

[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

[freewheat]

To be leader of the nfu, you need to have run for the NDP or be an organic farmer, at some point. Good luck getting farmers to join the nfu en masse, when it chooses leaders like Nettie Wiebe, and the likes.

I am not sure who the current leader is either. Obviously right on top of things, huh?

[malleefarmer]

Then each state is divided into regions and and local issues can be raised with state body perfect no but is ok. The national body is top heavy with to many over paid professional staff with only a handful actually being farmers wereas state body is run by farmers with only I think 3 paid staff who are non farmers rest of the board are farmers renumerated for there time and effort. A farmer can only sit on the board for 3 years max so fresh ideas and thinking but a standing meber can renominated after sitting out for a year all members vote on appointments. Have a agm in big smoke usually a few hundred turn up and issues and policy direction are thrashed out, they do a lot of lobbying with state govt and federal.

The biggest issue I guess they ever faced was the touchy issue of single desk menbers voted roughly 60/40 at first in favour of change that wasn't enough in there eyes then a few years later swung to 70/30 and change commenced.

It won them a lot of support in the end meaning they actually listened to farmers and number of active "young" famers involved probably tripled and older ones over 60 plus dropped off.

Will do some research on your nfu to see if its similar

[farmaholic]

Why would anyone want to improve on what already exists? More glory in reinventing the wheel. New and better ways of doing things. Previous generations knew nothing and old principles dont apply to new problems. Nothing old here boys, all new issues. Sarcasm fully intended.

I belong to no group. I do have an opinion of which would most align with my opinion though.

[malleefarmer]

nfu website doesn't show structure of organization if its farmer controlled or what?

Farmer apathy kills.......

Do you have local nfu branches?