what has the NFU ever done for us?

[rob1]

???????

the person who posted the link you laughed at

 

[Dr Evil]

I have tried on numerous occasions over the last 5 years and openly offered to help where ever and however I can. All I’ve ever had in response is to be told to go to committee meetings, get myself elected etc and change from within etc - something I simply lack time or inclination for

So, you don't like the NFU's form of democracy, which is what the meetings are all about after all, because they were unwilling to change it to fit you? That's hardly democratic....

 

[Danllan]

Why do you underline parts of your posts ? do you assume we're illiterate .--------

A fair question. For a couple of reasons, but one I would have thought was pretty obvious. In spoken conversation we are able to emphasize particular words or phrases by using differing intonation, volume, body language etc., we can't do that in a typed discussion so underling, emboldening, italicising, capitalising and emojis are convenient ways of adding emphasis or feeling to any given part of what is written.

The other reason, well, it is a former professional habit... when drafting arguments etc. in a hurry, I would use the same methods to remind myself where I wanted emphasis, no emojis then though...

 

[digger64]

DoesE="Frank-the-Wool, post: 4845366, member: 699"]The NFU discount is with the manufacturer and not with the dealer.
So you do the deal and then get an additional discount direct from the manufacturer.

This is a small perk of being an NFU member![/QUOTE]
Doesn't say much for the integrity of your organisation though does it

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

DoesE="Frank-the-Wool, post: 4845366, member: 699"]The NFU discount is with the manufacturer and not with the dealer.
So you do the deal and then get an additional discount direct from the manufacturer.

This is a small perk of being an NFU member!

Doesn't say much for the integrity of your organisation though does it[/QUOTE]

I am not sure I understand what you mean?
The NFU is not my organisation, it is there for the benefit of the farming community, whether you agree to fund it by being a member or not.
I would have thought the arrangement of where you get the discount separately to any deal you have negotiated with a dodgy car salesman was an extremely transparent arrangement which leaves the organisation with a very high level of integrity!

 

[cornishfarmer]

What has the NFU done for us? My experiences
Good.
1. TB badger cull. Brilliant.
2. Always answer phones when rung
Bad
1. Didn’t defend British beef enough in horsegate
2. Red tractor, good idea but all the crap added every year they should shout more about
3. An old member of the dairy board has a huge chip on his shoulder against my dairy company. How could he represent us fairly.
4. More and more tb rules are they defending us well enough

I stopped my membership in nov 16. But intend to start again

 

[tom]

I could give you at least a dozen examples alone where they have stated the above!

... please do pass them on to me, this looks it needs investigating.

 

[rob1]

... please do pass them on to me, this looks it needs investigating.

wouldnt hold your breathe

 

[digger64]

Doesn't say much for the integrity of your organisation though does it

I am not sure I understand what you mean?
The NFU is not my organisation, it is there for the benefit of the farming community, whether you agree to fund it by being a member or not.
I would have thought the arrangement of where you get the discount separately to any deal you have negotiated with a dodgy car salesman was an extremely transparent arrangement which leaves the organisation with a very high level of integrity![/QUOTE]
Its basically buying membership which makes the organisation appear to be more popular than it really is
the organisation really ought to look into why some people don't wish to be associated with it , it might make it even more successful

 

[Tarw Coch]

Its basically buying membership which makes the organisation appear to be more popular than it really is
the organisation really ought to look into why some people don't wish to be associated with it , it might make it even more successful

So if I only buy a new farm vehicle every 15 years does that mean I only need to pay membership that often to get the discount?
Think I'll go get the calculator out and see what 18% off one of them there Isuzu artic trucks comes to, heck, if I don't like it I can probably sell it for a profit.

Meanwhile back in reality, as I said earlier, 18% off a 25k truck is 4.5k. Off list may be but I just can't believe a manufacturer is going to give that much discount over and above what anyone else can negotiate,

 

[digger64]

So if I only buy a new farm vehicle thought 5 years does that mean I only need to pay membership that often to get the discount?
Think I'll go get the calculator out but d see what 18% off one of them there Isuzu artic trucks comes to, heck, if I don't like it I can probably sell it for a profit.

Meanwhile back in reality, as I said earlier, 18% off a 25k truck is 4.5k. Off list may be but I just can't believe a manufacturer is going to give that much discount over and above what anyone else can negotiate,

The insurance is cheaper for members , they tried to get me to join on that basis I thought it was a poor show and some what insulting , but the insurance is good although not the cheapest we are still with them .but not members

 

[S J H]

I am not sure I understand what you mean?
The NFU is not my organisation, it is there for the benefit of the farming community, whether you agree to fund it by being a member or not.
I would have thought the arrangement of where you get the discount separately to any deal you have negotiated with a dodgy car salesman was an extremely transparent arrangement which leaves the organisation with a very high level of integrity!

Its basically buying membership which makes the organisation appear to be more popular than it really is
the organisation really ought to look into why some people don't wish to be associated with it , it might make it even more successful[/QUOTE]

I think you have to be a member for 3 years before you get the discount, so hardly worth joining for that.

 

[Flasheart]

this will soon become another " which pick up ?" thread.

Surely the question is who would do all the stuff the NFU does if it didn't exist?

 

[joe soapy]

Fifty odd years ago that feeling was available at almost any local branch meeting . Nearly every branch
had a few real farming politic experts from whom one could learn a lot.
It may be members own fault that its been allowed to slip, biggest change seemed to coinside with group sec's
going from branch sec who also sold insurance, to insurance salespersons who also ran the branch

 

[honeyend]

I have a very small farm, when we bought it I rang the local NFU office and someone came out to give us a quote. He wouldn't give a quote, didn't give us a reason why but didn't even try to explain the benefits of membership.
I have no idea what the NFU does, my stepfather who had farmed a large farm never mentioned them, not even sure if he was insured by them. They seemed of have no relevance to him.
Its very hard to take seriously a body whose main focus seems to be sales. You could say its a lobbying body, but shouldn't it be about education and promotion? They want to preach and sell to the converted and if you do not fit the normal model they do not appear interested. Is it because the larger farms produce more income for them they are not interested in smaller farmer issues and is that a conflict of interest?
Most people in most professions are interested in doing and not the politics, for a farm where the workforce is small hours off farm are precious, and often taken up with family. If they really want to engage the membership with technology there must be better ways than the branch meeting.
I was talking to today with someone about the snobbery of farming, at least on the internet you are not being judged by what shiny 4x4 you drive, or not.

 

[tom]

Fifty odd years ago that feeling was available at almost any local branch meeting . Nearly every branch had a few real farming politic experts from whom one could learn a lot.

I don't know about 50 years ago but I went to my first branch meeting about 40 years ago and it was that boring (and dominated by a clique of farmers) that I didn't go back for another 20 years. Then I went to a regional event where I got a piece of advice which saved me about £1k/year for many years, I though a bit more highly of them after that.

 

[tom]

I have a very small farm, when we bought it I rang the local NFU office and someone came out to give us a quote. He wouldn't give a quote, didn't give us a reason why but didn't even try to explain the benefits of membership.
I have no idea what the NFU does ...

Hi Honeyend, I'm not sure if the person who came to see you was an insurance salesperson from the Mutual (in which case they wouldn't try to explain the benefits of joining the Union) or someone from the Union (who wouldn't be able to give you an insurance quote).

However if you want to put your query on line here I'm sure someone will be in touch shorty!

 

[Sid]

An old member of the dairy board has a huge chip on his shoulder against my dairy company. How could he represent us fairly.

There is a difference between here and a board room.
Why should any member not be allowed to voice their own opinions at times?

... please do pass them on to me, this looks it needs investigating.

If they are Devon members i will certainly chase this one if needs be.

So if I only buy a new farm vehicle every 15 years does that mean I only need to pay membership that often to get the discount?
Think I'll go get the calculator out and see what 18% off one of them there Isuzu artic trucks comes to, heck, if I don't like it I can probably sell it for a profit.

Meanwhile back in reality, as I said earlier, 18% off a 25k truck is 4.5k. Off list may be but I just can't believe a manufacturer is going to give that much discount over and above what anyone else can negotiate,

As has been said there is a qualifying period to claim the vehicle discount

 

[digger64]

Its basically buying membership which makes the organisation appear to be more popular than it really is
the organisation really ought to look into why some people don't wish to be associated with it , it might make it even more successful

I think you have to be a member for 3 years before you get the discount, so hardly worth joining for that.[/QUOTE]
So what the theory is the same

 

[honeyend]

Hi Honeyend, I'm not sure if the person who came to see you was an insurance salesperson from the Mutual (in which case they wouldn't try to explain the benefits of joining the Union) or someone from the Union (who wouldn't be able to give you an insurance quote).

However if you want to put your query on line here I'm sure someone will be in touch shorty!

So that is the point made, the separation is not made clear, but they are using the tag NFU. Are they suing it under license or are they the commercial wing, or a totally different entity? It seems very muddled thinking.