Devon NFU conference tomorrow

[DRC]

having only a small acreage we get most of the membership cost back in insurance discount, not used any other discounts

How do you know it’s not cheaper elsewhere anyway. Do you shop around?
There’s plenty of insurance brokers a lot cheaper than the NFU.

 

[gone up the hill]

You anecdotal evidence compared to the actual figures are vastly different.
Some figures are not like for like as gamma has been included in the new areas.
This has seen an increase in reactor number.

I don't think they were agreed by the NFU or the TFA or the NBA.
Defra consults, as you know as you would engage with and supply your opinion to.
They don't always do what the NFU or you or I want but what they on balance think are best!

Actually the figures for the other cull area are what im referring to, you may not be aware of them because for some reason they have not been officially released yet!

As for my area, everyone is going down due to the skin test ( and its when they go down that a large number of cattle are being taken ) and not bloods ) several years ago that I can recall that so many herds in one area went down in such a short time frame, the cull is defo making things worse in this area im very sad to say!

Yes the movement rules were agreed by the NFU and they are crippling and costing the beef industry millions!

 

[kill]

Actually the figures for the other cull area are what im referring to, you may not be aware of them because for some reason they have not been officially released yet!

As for my area, everyone is going down due to the skin test ( and its when they go down that a large number of cattle are being taken ) and not bloods ) several years ago that I can recall that so many herds in one area went down in such a short time frame, the cull is defo making things worse in this area im very sad to say!

Yes the movement rules were agreed by the NFU and they are crippling and costing the beef industry millions!

Are you near an edge of a cull and by that I mean 10+ mile is still on the edge of a cull, as that can very easily bring rogue diseased Brock's from further a field that are often driven away because they are ill.
There was an up lift in tb around the second cull year here but things are improving again now and just think it maybe part of the greater good taking time to work.

 

[Sid]

Yes the movement rules were agreed by the NFU and they are crippling and costing the beef industry millions!

Just done a basic consultation search and the evidence I found was that for IRs the NFU asked for them to be remove from farm and compensation paid.

So which rules are you saying they agreed to?

 

[Bury the Trash]

The benefits of being a member of any union are mainly strength in numbers. Where would agriculture in general be without a coherent voice against the likes of the RSPB?
As for TB I cannot comment, Scotland does not yet have a major problem with it and the resulting heartbreak and attendant movement/financial issues.
And finally, I was trying to pointout to @gone up the hill that he would probably be better to try to change NFU policy from the inside, surely if he has valid points and credible ideas other members will support him and his stance? A single voice is easily ignored, what is more divisive @Bury the Trash than refusing to join the strongest voice for farming?

That's just it though, I wasnt or am not refusing to rejoin.
I just dont think it's a good enough deal still , yet and youre not winning me over @Sharpy could it be they need someone else on pr , or rather new member recruitment.

 

[Sharpy]

That's just it though, I wasnt or am not refusing to rejoin.
I just dont think it's a good enough deal still , yet and youre not winning me over @Sharpy could it be they need someone else on pr , or rather new member recruitment.

??

 

[Henarar]

I was having a break. I can go again if you want?

I had noticed you liking a few posts during your break so it would seem you were still "watching"

 

[Henarar]

How do you know it’s not cheaper elsewhere anyway. Do you shop around?
There’s plenty of insurance brokers a lot cheaper than the NFU.

yep last time I priced with someone else the price was much the same but the cover was not as good

 

[Bury the Trash]

??

Look,
I know of plenty of other farmers who have left the nfu over the years , for one reason and another, joining the likes of the CLA and the National Sheep Asociation , which I belong to and much prefer, and perhaps they need to be asked why they left if the nfu wants go keep or increase it membership as surely it must?

Your comment on ' random people' I perceived as arrogant, next to calling those that arent members inconsiquental and the post overall condescending, I definitely dont want to belong to an organisation with other members of that attitude ....plus whatever else it lacks , which like I say you can ask others what that is
.
Ive said more than enough now and ive got more inspiring things to do than think about nfu membership.

 

[Sharpy]

Look,
I know of plenty of other farmers who have left the nfu over the years , for one reason and another, joining the likes of the CLA and the National Sheep Asociation , which I belong to and much prefer, and perhaps they need to be asked why they left if the nfu wants go keep or increase it membership as surely it must?

Your comment on ' random people' I perceived as arrogant, next to calling those that arent members inconsiquental and the post overall condescending, I definitely dont want to belong to an organisation with other members of that attitude ....plus whatever else it lacks , which like I say you can ask others what that is
.
Ive said more than enough now and ive got more inspiring things to do than think about nfu membership.

The random people phrase could possibly have been misinterpreted, the inference was as you well know that any organization should and will place more weight on the opinions and needs of its members. Arrogant is saying that a non members opinion is more valid than a members.

 

[Henarar]

The random people phrase could possibly have been misinterpreted, the inference was as you well know that any organization should and will place more weight on the opinions and needs of its members. Arrogant is saying that a non members opinion is more valid than a members.

they claim to be the voice of British farming,
are non members not British or farmers ?
If the nfu's lobbying is acted on by government does that not affect non nfu members that are farmers ?
Of Corse non members have a right to voice their opinion about what the nfu is doing as it will affect them and the nfu would be stupid to ignore them if they want to attract new members, or do they want the same old lot saying the same old thing I wonder ?

 

[Sharpy]

they claim to be the voice of British farming,
are non members not British or farmers ?
If the nfu's lobbying is acted on by government does that not affect non nfu members that are farmers ?
Of Corse non members have a right to voice their opinion about what the nfu is doing as it will affect them and the nfu would be stupid to ignore them if they want to attract new members, or do they want the same old lot saying the same old thing I wonder ?

Fair point, but mine was why should those that don't pay have the same rights as those that do. Its not right or fair.

 

[Henarar]

Fair point, but mine was why should those that don't pay have the same rights as those that do. Its not right or fair.

I spose if you think that the NFU do more to harm your business than help it what else can you do but not be a member and voice your point of view from the sidelines? Not being a member don't make you wrong

I don't think that BTW and I am a member

 

[Sharpy]

I spose if you think that the NFU do more to harm your business than help it what else can you do but not be a member and voice your point of view from the sidelines? Not being a member don't make you wrong

I don't think that BTW and I am a member

Thats entirely right, but to then complain that your views are not being respected is a bit rich surely?

 

[Henarar]

Thats entirely right, but to then complain that your views are not being respected is a bit rich surely?

well yes, spose, depends if your right or not
which non member was complaining that their views were not being respected ?

 

[Sharpy]

well yes, spose, depends if your right or not
which non member was complaining that their views were not being respected ?

Guth

 

[hally]

Such

Yes it has actually, some points put for forward have been rejected and are not in RT.

SW membership of the NFU has risen quite considerably this year along with the acres covered.

Most definitely NOT falling.

such as?

 

[Sid]

Such
such as?

As I said before it was a while ago, and need to dig out notes, but in reality CBA.

 

[Henarar]

Guth

could you quote where he said it as I can't find it

 

[Sharpy]

could you quote where he said it as I can't find it

When are the NFU actually going to start listening to their members on issues like RT/Farm assurance/ EID tagging in cattle/AHDB etc etc??

Because at the moment they certainly are not listening to their grassroots members on the above issues.

NFU membership is falling quite rapidly, end of the day ordinary grassroots members will never change the NFU until one member one vote becomes reality, as it stands the NFU has 46600 members of one sort and another but only 90 members have a vote to elect the top team!

Why I should support the NFU when everything they support/ push for like RT farm assurance/ EID tagging/AHDB costs me time and money which I cannot recoup from the marketplace??

And lets not get started on the vegan/ eat less meat campaigns that are currently all over the media yet which the NFU have decided to ignore and not respond to other than put out a few generic press statements which are buried deep on the NFU website!

I would love to be a member of the NFU that is forward thinking/ has real democracy and fights for members on issues like the above I have highlighted, sadly the only people the NFU seem to be fighting for currently are the likes of the RT company and the main UK retailers!