The Western Canadian Wheat Growers may pull out of the provincial farm coalition following criticism over their convention in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The Wheat Growers have come under fire for planning a trip to the tropics and asking for money for farmers from the federal government at the same time.

Weyburn farmer and Wheat Growers director Greg Douglas was unapologetic before leaving for the convention, Jan. 11-14.

He said there was overwhelming support from the membership to do "something special" for the organization's 30th anniversary, and the $2,400 per couple package was the same price as going to Vancouver.

"It was brought across the table and hashed over, but we felt it was important to the membership. They didn't want to be handcuffed by the optics of this convention," he said.

Douglas pointed out that all of the 400 members and directors going to Mexico are paying their own way, and have the right to spend their money how they want.

Further, he said members have begun to question the Wheat Growers involvement in the coalition of farm groups and politicians asking the federal government for $1 billion.

According to Douglas, the group had their doubts about joining the coalition from the very start.

"In the 30 years we've been in existence, we have never advocated federal government ad hoc assistance for farmers. We've never talked about acreage-based programs. It is problematic for us to be part of a coalition that advocates that," he said.

But the need to be "good samaritans" during a time of financial crisis in agriculture won out over questions about government interference.

"When we were asked to be part of a united front to go to Ottawa to lobby the government in this time of crisis we acquiesced. A lot of farmers are feeling pain and we thought a united front might be helpful," said Douglas.

Now at least one member of that united front is publicly criticizing the Wheat Board for their Mexican convention.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) says it's bad public relations and bad principle for the Wheat Growers to jet off on an exotic getaway during the worst farm crisis since the Great Depression.

"It looks like some members of the media and the National Farmers Union have decided they want to raise this to the level of Wheat Growers bashing. The NFU just jumped on the bandwagon giving all the interviews they possibly could," Douglas said.

"We have been silent within the coalition with issues concerning us mostly because we realize the importance of speaking about (government aid) at this time. Maybe we were politically naive to think we could help end farmer's short-term pain as well as advance our long-term goals.

"I think we'll have to look at whether we continue to do that."

The Wheat Growers long-term goals include grain transportation reform, privatized crop insurance and a voluntary Canadian Wheat Board, as well as a safety net program to head off another farm crisis before it happens.

Despite his criticism of the coalition, Douglas admits its unlikely farmers in his organization would turn up their noses at a federal payment.

"Certainly there's many farmers, including our own farmers, who are facing some degree of financial strain. Probably they will benefit, but will it serve them in the long term? We don't believe that's the case."

The Wheat Growers convention will include sessions on transportation, biotechnology, the Canadian Wheat Board and trade issues, among others. Saskatchewan Wheat Pool president Leroy Larsen will speak about the Pool's business in Mexico, and will be joined by trade officials from Canada and Mexico.