84 | “We want long term sustainable relationships with our customers and establishing farmer / customer trust is a key to achieving that.” RURALSERVICES » Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd Smart, affordable fertiliser solutions Dairy farming, underpinned by dairy support, makes up the region’s biggest client sector. Richard Loader Andrew Rutherford, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Eastern Regional Sales Manager, leads a team of eleven skilled and well-trained nutrient specialists spread across a region that encompasses the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel through to Opotiki and the Central Plateau as far south as Taupo. Dairy farming, underpinned by dairy support, makes up the region’s biggest client sector by far. There is also sheep and beef, and the Bay of Plenty is home to horticulture including kiwifruit and avocados. Charged with regularly visiting the thousands of farmers in the region, the team of nutrient specialists are a good mix of experienced and newer reps, many of whom have come through the company’s Graduate Intern Programme. “Generally, our reps are tertiary qualified, but part of our training includes an Intermediate and then Advanced Sustainable Nutrient Management course at Massey University,” says Andrew. “We want long term sustainable relationships with our customers and establishing farmer/customer trust is a key to achieving that. Team members are competent from day one and offer smart science based and affordable fertiliser solutions, tailored to meet the farmers’ and growers’ specific needs. Being able to communicate the solution in the language understood by our clients is also a key to our success.” The process typically starts with a farm visit and walk around the paddock with the farmer, and the rep arranging for soil and herbage testing. When the results come in the rep sits around the kitchen table with the farmer, tailoring a fertiliser plan for the next twelve to twenty-four months that relates back to the farmers’ production goals — whether that is milk solids, maize yield or carcass weight. “Once that plan is agreed and set in place we help the farmer implement the plan through our on-line platform called MyBallance, which enables the farmer to order and spread fertiliser from that plan. At the same time MyBallance records where on the farm the fertiliser has been spread, and that information can be used to report back to Council in terms of nitrogen use.” While Andrew says it is very rewarding helping the farmer achieve their goals, he quickly points out that Ballance is not working in isolation with the farmer, but as part of a wider team. “We partner with others in the industry including local fertiliser spreaders and carriers, and rural www.rmt.co.nz E. dispatch@rmt.co.nz P: 07 575 2006 (Mt. Maunganui Depot) P: 07 315 6454 (Opotiki Depot) P: 06 867 7899 (Gisborne Depot) Proud to supply logistics & transport solutions to Ballance Agri-Nutrients Carriers of bulk and bagged fertiliser – PKE and animal supplements Agent for Ballance Agri Nutrients Limited and Graymont Lime Agricultural Spreaders available (Opotiki / East Coast / Matawai) MPI Approved Transitional Facility (27901) – AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015 merchants. We’re all part of a wider industry team.” With lower farm gate returns, especially when coupled with higher on-farm inflation, Andrew says Kiwi farmers are currently facing a number of very well publicised economic challenges. “We have had to answer that challenge by offering affordable fertiliser solutions. We’re also seeing increasing environmental reporting requirements placed upon our farmers and our job is to help them navigate through that, with our reporting systems and our Farm Sustainability Services Team who offer freshwater farm plans.” With all the pressures faced by farmers, Andrew says Ballance AgriNutrients is also acutely aware of mental health challenges and encourage farmers to connect with each other off-farm and share their stories. “We’re involved in a couple of initiatives to help facilitate that - Surfing with Farmers and Rural Riders. We want to help make a difference.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=