The NSW Farmers' Association is urging eligible grain growers to participate in next month's AWB Ltd extraordinary general meeting, but unlike other State farm organisations it has not endorsed which way its members should vote on the contentious issue of AWB's dual-class share structure.

AWB is proposing to amend the company constitution to do away with the current dual-class shareholding system, in which growers have A-class shares and public investors have B-class shares.

The NSW Farmers' Association Grains Committee chairman John Ridley says if the changes proceed it will "change the company as you know it".

"In order for you to have you say in regards to these changes you must vote at the EGM on August 21," Mr Ridley said.

In a media statement today, the Association has encouraged growers to read and carefully consider the information which is contained in the notice of the general meeting of AWBL before making a decision on how they intend to vote.

However, unlike the farmer bodies in Victoria, SA, and WA, the NSW lobby has not taken a stance on the issue.

If growers are registered as A or B class shareholders they should receive the notice of the general meeting in the mail prior to the EGM.

* This information is also available on the AWB website: www.awb.com.au.