NFU-O Wins Court Battle, Accreditation Status to be Granted

Oct 18, 2013

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The National Farmers Union – Ontario (NFU-O) took a legal route to gain status as a recognized general farm group in the province. A judge sided with the NFU-O, which was denied accreditation status for part of 2012 and 2013.

In Judge Beaudoin’s decision it states, “The 2,247 members of the NFU-O have accepted the affiliation with the NFU and have chosen the NFU-O to represent them… There is no evidence that the members have been misled or are unaware of the role of the national organization.”

John Sutherland, President of NFU-O says while he is pleased with the court’s decision, the farm group is “frustrated about having to spend precious resources to obtain a fair assessment about meeting the criteria for re-accreditation.” While the cost of the court battle hasn’t been made public, Terry Boehm, National President of the NFU says the court case “has cost the organization a great deal in terms of lost revenue, legal fees and damaged reputation.”

The following is a link to an earlier article that Farms.com published on the NFU-O accreditation dispute:

NFU-O accreditation hopes dashed for a second time

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.