NFU’s founding president passes away

May 20, 2016

Roy Atkinson was 92

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

The agriculture community is mourning the loss of Roy Atkinson, who passed away at the age of 92.

Atkinson was the first president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) from 1969 to 1978 and before then, served as president of the Saskatchewan Farmers Union from 1962 to 1969.

Under Atkinson’s leadership, the NFU used unique measures to support farmers, including when he was arrested in Prince Edward Island during a tractor demonstration, which his lawyer described as “trying to intimidate a road.”

Roy Atkinson

He received attention from the federal government, who in 1974 admitted the RCMP used a Saskatoon travel agency to keep an eye on his movements.

Atkinson never lost sight of where he came from, and during his NFU presidency, operated the thousand-hectare farm his family owned.

“It is often said that we can see as far as we do today because we stand upon the shoulders of giants,” said Jan Slomp, NFU President in a release. “Roy Atkinson is certainly one of those giants. His legacy as our farm movement’s leader is unmistakable. He was one of the visionaries who brought provincial farm unions together to create the foundation of our present national organization.”

A celebration of Roy Atkinson’s life is scheduled for Friday, May 27 at the Battleford Room at the Bessborough Hotel at 3 p.m.

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#CortevaTalks brings you a short update with Cereal Herbicides Category Manager, Alister McRobbie, on how to get the most out of Broadway® Star.

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Broadway Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam) controls ryegrass, sterile brome, wild oats and a range of broad-leaved weeds such as cleavers. It can be applied to winter wheat up until GS32, but the earlier the application is made, the smaller the weed, and the greater the benefit to the crop. Weeds should be actively growing. A good rule of thumb is that if your grass needs cutting, conditions are right to apply Broadway Star.