Existing members of NFF will vote on a new structure within the next fortnight which will see the current pay model – largely based on gross value of production in each State – tossed out and bolstered by cashed up agribusiness companies with a stake in agriculture both pre- and post-farm gate.

If successful, the model could see NFF become one of the biggest and more powerful lobby groups in Canberra, turning on its head a structure of solely farmer and commodity group representation in place for the past 29 years.

But there are fears the new drive for corporate members, plus a big push for corporate sponsorship, will give already powerful agribusiness companies more clout in the NFF boardroom and even shift the focus of agricultural lobbying to the "big end of town".

NFF president David Crombie is only speaking generally about the proposals and insists no final decision has been made on a new NFF structure.

Mr Crombie said the significance of corporate members would "depend on what the rules of engagement are".

"They'll be determined at the next policy council meeting," he said.

"This is a building process and we're building the new model as we move forward.

"(Farmer representation) is the basic question that has to be asked of all these things.

"But there's no doubt the farmer is absolutely central to all of this."

* Extract from a full report to appear in this week's Rural Press weekly agricultural newspapers.