National Farmer's Union, why do they get so much media attention?

[grassfarmer]

The proof is there for all to see - you despise the NFU because you are constantly reading their articles in the media. You claim there are virtually no NFU members so the media should be full of anti-NFU articles, "right wing" viewpoints, letters to the editor etc. It isn't so what is your explanation? Not as many CWB haters as you pretend? not as many NFU haters as you think? apathetic producers - couldn't care less? not very articulate producers on average? or your favorite excuse "biased media"?
Yeah that's right let's see if we can control what the media are allowed to print that would be a very free-market and democratic solution.

I was above you TOM - came from north of 55.

[TOM4CWB]

Grassy,

So is the Latitude and indication of IQ for you?

NDP/Union support for NFU... has nothing to do with the high profile they get?

hOW MANY UNION JOBS ARE IN sask... GRASSY... and how many commercial grain growers that are 'actual producers' of commercial volumes???

Who do you think has more $$$... and time to spend... and who do they get that time & $$$ from Grassy...

[wd9]

So exactly how many actual farming members?

[sawfly]

they work hard and do their research

tell you when the railways are hoesing you on car maintenance.
put their money where their mouth is.
in dues.
are not propped up by agribusiness, donations thus can't be bought

just think what a voice we would have if we all signed up.

[wd9]

Just think how strong the church could be if there was only one denomination.

How many memebers?

[grassfarmer]

TOM4CWB,

You may mock my IQ but the immaturity of your posts doesn't exactly give readers a high impression of yours. Changing posters names to use them in a derogatory manner is something a Grade 3 kid might do - what are you in your 50's? - grow up man.
Another juvenile thought is that because the organization has "union" in it's title it will automatically receive funding from other entities called unions. Come on you can't be serious? - which unions do you think contribute funding to the National Farmers Union? please name them and let's have a laugh. The NFU is a member funded organization pure and simple.


WD9 - I have no idea of membership. I am simply a member not an official or employee of the organization.

[checking]

Grassfarmer.

Effectiveness of an organization does not depend on the number of members. I know you understand this.

If you knew and told wd9 the total farming number of NFU members, he'd believe, backed up by Charliep, that it was an aggregated (you know, as pointed out in a another thread, the Collective) statistic.

Wd9 doesn't believe in NFU numbers, otherwise all his good deeds would have been for naught in raising our incomes beyond government subsidies. That just wouldn't stroke an ego. (lol)

[TOM4CWB]

Grassy,

You said... 'I was above you TOM - came from north of 55'.

Since you said the latitude you came from was higher than the one our family now farms at... I asked a simple question because you indicated that you were smarter than we are... being from a higher latitude.

How does this end up to be an insult to you... when I was given the slam!

I have been in many many public events... where NDP/Union people were many times the farmers in pro-CWB crowds. They were bused in on mass. A fact of life... not my imagination.

Believe what you want... it does not change reality. Food is usually 20% protein and 80% politics!

Have a nice day grassy!

[TOM4CWB]

Grassy,

'Changing posters names to use them in a derogatory manner is something a Grade 3 kid might do - what are you in your 50's? - grow up man.'

What was that all about?

If someone calls me Tom4... or Tom... instead of Tom4cwb... I am to be offended?

WOW... is that what you really meant?

Don't kick the cat or dog... PLEASE!

[gustgd]

Sawfly
You thoughts on the NFU and the railways proves a point I have been pushing.
The NFU never paid for the latest Edsworth railway study. It was a CWB deal all the way Western farmers paid for the study then the CWB called only NFU,APAS WRAP Keystone CFA to see if they would sign on. The CWB then paid for all advertising expenses for the media blitz we have all heard. IMHO The CWB should send the above organizations a bill for advertising. since all they did was show up at the farm progress show for a media photo op.
For a list of all the farm organizations who support a costing review just remember google is your friend.

[gustgd]

I forgot above
Welcome back Classical liberal
Hope the fires stay away this summer

[wd9]

Also don't forget the coalition of rail shippers that did work for the past 5 or so years that started the LOS review fight that effectively forced this review by legislation.

Coalition of Rail Shippers

Members



- Animal Nutrition Association of Canada
- Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada
- Canadian Canola Growers Association
- Canadian Dehydrators Association
- Forest Products Association of Canada
- Grain Growers of Canada
- Inland Terminal Association of Canada
- Pulse Canada
- Shippers Council of Canada, a coalition of:
o Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association
o Canadian Fertilizer Institute
o Canadian Industrial Transportation Association
o Mining Association of Canada
o Propane Gas Association of Canada
- Western Canadian Shippers’ Coalition
o Alberta Forest Products Shippers Association
o Canadian Oilseed Processors Association
- Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association
- Western Grain Elevator Association

[gustgd]

Why would the CWB group of shippers not sign on with this much broader/larger group. I thought the left was all about consensus?

[wd9]

Cuz they don't ship anything.

[Wheatking]

IMO the NFU only represents Quota farmers(dairy, egg, etc...) and organic. They have nothing to offer the conventional farmer. I know of no-one who is a member or at least would admit to it. I have rarely heard anything that the NFU has said that ever represented my interests.

The same might also be said of the Wheat growers as well. I know there are a few people on this forum who are members but I know of no-one who is a member or who would admit to it. Although they may represent me by advocating to get rid of the cwb. To me they seem like a bull in a china shop wanting to get rid of the CWB at all costs, instead of playing the political game, making it almost embarrassing to say you where a member in the past. They seem to have been so out there in their views I don't know if they are taken seriously anymore. Although I must admit that the new director and some of the board seem to be doing a much better job at playing that game. I wonder what % of farmers are members or that they represent, I would bet that it is the same % as the NFU.

The problem with these organizations is that they represent such a small portion of farmers and all have such opposing views that govt will be able to get away with doing nothing forever since we as farmers cant even agree on the most basic of principles.