Recent news
Winter 2010
31 August 2010
Ballance scholarships support ag industry future
Students considering their career path could have their study to become part of one of the nation’s most secure industries supported as Ballance Agri-Nutrients offers up to four more scholarships valued at $4,000 a year to immediate family members of any Ballance shareholder or company employee. Read more
29 July 2010
Ballance posts profit and pays rebate
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has reported a successful turnaround for its financial year to 31 May, to produce a healthy $21 million trading result that enables it to pay a rebate and dividend while increasing group equity ratio to 65%. Read more
24 June 2010
Fert prices to remain unpredictable
Fertiliser industry leader Larry Bilodeau, chief executive of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, says the global outlook for agriculture is very good, but the unstable financial climate will continue to cause unpredictable price fluctuations in fertiliser commodity markets. Click here for more.
Autumn 2010
28 May 2010
Ammonia/urea plant’s environmental accolade in time for World Environment Day
The Kapuni ammonia/urea manufacturing plant in Taranaki, an original Think Big project from the Muldoon years, has attained a top international environmental accolade in the hands of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, which took over the plant in 1992. Click here for more.
30 April 2010
New research on post-drought pasture recovery says act now
New research suggests there is no benefit to be gained from holding off applying nitrogen fertiliser for several weeks after ‘drought-breaking’ rain has fallen. Click here for more.
15 April 2010
Environmental issues here to stay
Environmental issues associated with farming are here to stay, and farmers need to act now to prevent further government regulation, senior Ballance Agri-Nutrients’ speakers have emphasised at Ballance Farm Environment Awards events around the country. Click here for more.
22 March 2010
New Ballance director brings fresh thinking to the table
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited has appointed a new independent director from outside the rural sector to bring a new dimension to its board. Click here for more.
22 March 2010
Novel competition delivers hard data on turnip yield
A novel competition created by Ballance Agri-Nutrients has provided some northern King Country dairy farmers with their first real analysis of the value of their turnip crop yields. Click here for more.
Ballance lends a hand with Maori Excellence Trophy
For the second year running Ballance Agri-Nutrients has taken on the challenging task of coordinating all aspects of the Ahuwhenua Trophy - BNZ Maori Excellence in Farming Award's judging process. Click here for more.
10 March 2010
Timing a key factor in successful regrassing after summer crops
Returning paddocks to pasture after summer cropping is a year-long commitment, advises Murray Lane, a technical consultant at Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
1 March 2010
Are you getting your phosphate from the right source?
Farmers planning their autumn fertiliser applications should consider the range of maintenance phosphate options available to them before they make their choice. Click here for more.
Summer 2009-10
19 February 2010
Global fertiliser price rises reach New Zealand farmers
Strong price rises for key fertiliser commodities overseas have started to manifest themselves on New Zealand farms, with Ballance Agri-Nutrients lifting its DAP price, effective 20 February 2010. Click here for more.
11 February 2010
Scholarships reward commitment to the future of farming
Outstanding commitment to the future of the rural sector has earned three young students tertiary education scholarships from Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
9 February 2010
Fertiliser price pressures building
With the global financial crisis now settling into a slow recovery, international pressures are returning to fertiliser pricing. Click here for more.
9 February 2010
Advice and support on offer for drought-affected
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is supporting the efforts of Meat and Wool New Zealand, Dairy NZ, and the Northland Rural Support Trust to help out drought-affected farmers in their local community. Click here for more.
12 January 2010
Farmers’ ‘freedom to farm’ faces fresh challenges
Farmers need to lift their game in demonstrating self-management of nutrient losses from their farms, or more regulation could follow, warns Ballance Agri-Nutrients’ top scientist. Click here for more.
5 January 2010
Fertiliser price changes add to the mix
With the recent change in pricing relativity now favouring mixes of superten and urea over the alternative of DAP, it is likely that demand for special mixes containing superten and Ballance’s patented Coated N-rich Urea will increase over late summer and through autumn. Click here for more.
29 December 2009
Farming for the future with fertiliser science
Rollercoaster fertiliser pricing over the past few years has got farmers asking how they can get the biggest bang for their fertiliser buck, and technology could well provide some of the answers. Click here for more.
28 December 2009
The growing influence of fertiliser in feeding the world
Climate change scenarios are adding to the potential for massive food shortages around the world, increasing the need for farmers to produce even more from their land. Click here for more.
Side dressings essential for good crop yield
Winter and all that goes with it may seem like a long way off, but a bit of planning now will ensure that your forage crops will see you and your stock through the colder months. Click here for more.
17 December 2009
Get your timing right, and the profits will follow
Dairy farmers considering applying nitrogen to their pastures this summer just need to get their timing right and the profits will follow, says Ballance Head of Agro-Sciences Warwick Catto. Click here for more.
1 December 2009
Window opens for softer phosphate fertiliser prices
As signalled in its latest newsletter to its 18,500 farmer-shareholders, Ballance has seized on a window of opportunity to drop its manufactured phosphate fertiliser product prices across New Zealand. Click here for more.
Spring 2009
26 November 2009
Greens' acknowledgement is good news for farmers
Former Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons will hit a strong vein of support with farmers for her initiative to showcase good farming practices, predicts industry leader Larry Bilodeau, Chief Executive at Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
16 November 2009
Brassicas for back-up
When pasture growth or quality is insufficient to meet stock needs, many farmers turn to brassica crops for back-up. Click here for more.
11 November 2009
Ballance grows big in Rolleston
Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Rolleston Service Centre is holding an open day for farmers to celebrate its $2 million overhaul and expansion to meet market demand. Click here for more.
3 November 2009
Ballance grows its safety record
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has joined the elite group of employers on the top tier of the ACC Workplace Safety Management Practices programme following an ACC audit. Click here for more.
19 October 2009
Making safety records from fertiliser
South Island employees of fertiliser manufacturer and distributor Ballance Agri-Nutrients are making more than superphosphate – they’re making safety records. Click here for more.
14 October 2009
New directors add depth to Ballance Board
There will be two new faces around the Ballance Agri-Nutrients' board table on 28 October following a ballot of the co-operative's farmer shareholders. Click here for more.
7 October 2009
Cobalt required for lamb growth
Good pasture growth through the spring months could disguise a chemical deficiency that will hold back the growth rates of weaned lambs. Click here for more.
1 October 2009
Ballance forsees a return to normalcy
Ballance Agri-Nutrients chairman David Graham believes the worst is behind the co-operative as global fertiliser prices return to more traditional levels. Click here for more.
29 September 2009
Ballance scholarships up for grabs
Budding agricultural enthusiasts could have the opportunity to study for free as Ballance offers up to four more scholarships valued at $4,000 a year to immediate family members of any Ballance shareholder or employee. Click here for more.
17 September 2009
1980s Think Big project celebrates significant milestone
One of the late Rob Muldoon’s Think Big projects is paying handsome dividends decades later, just as current Prime Minister John Key considers his own infrastructure investment super strategy. Click here for more.
Winter 2009
4 August 2009
Use science and don't delay fert application
Farmers who don’t apply any fertiliser stand to lose significantly more from pasture production loss than it would cost to maintain soil fertility. Click here for more.
30 July 2009
Ballance bears cost of fertiliser price support
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has reported a significant profit downturn in its 31 May financial year after a turbulent year of roller-coaster international fertiliser prices. Click here for more.
7 July 2009
Fertiliser challenges not as bad as the 1980s
Farmers are clearly struggling to afford the fertiliser tonnages they need to optimise production, but the situation is not as bad as when subsidies were removed in 1984, according to an industry expert. Click here for more.
4 June 2009
Ballance growing greener by the year
Employees at Ballance Agri-Nutrients' main fertiliser manufacturing plants across New Zealand are once again celebrating World Environment Day (5 June) by acting local. Click here for more.
Autumn 2009
20 May 2009
Ballance saves farmers millions
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has dropped its prices on key fertiliser products for the third time this year, with DAP falling appreciably. Click here for more.
5 May 2009
Ballance joins calls for delay to Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)
Fertiliser specialist Ballance Agri-Nutrients is asking for more clarity regarding the impact of the Emissions Trading Scheme, telling the Special Select Committee (4 May) that the details are too vague in their present form. Click here for more.
4 May 2009
East Coast drought pasture recovery advice
Much of the East Coast of the North Island is starting to come out of yet another dry summer and autumn, leaving most livestock farmers well short of their optimal winter feed situation. Click here for more.
20 April 2009
Brassica calculators set to expand
The successful brassica calculators put into practice by Ballance are set to expand to include swedes and turnips. Click here for more.
25 March 2009
Patented product gets nationwide launch
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is going nationwide with its breakthrough coated urea product pasturezeal G2 after being granted a patent that protects its scientific processes. Click here for more.
2 March 2009
Pasture pests - know your enemy
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is gearing up to lead the charge against a range of pasture grubs that are about to enter their most destructive months. Click here for more.
Summer 2008-09
19 February 2009
Recovering from drought
Drought is affecting some parts of the country for the second year in a row now, and while drought can't be prevented, there are several steps that can be taken once the drought breaks to help get the grass growing again. Click here for more.
13 February 2009
Ballance takes pleasure in pulling fert prices down across the country
Once again, the new fertiliser prices set by Ballance Agri-Nutrients a week ago have quickly pulled the whole market down for the benefit of farmers nationwide. Click here for more.
12 February 2009
Ballance assists four more young scholars
The 2009 Ballance Agri-Nutrients Scholarships have been awarded to four more young scholars to help them complete their agricultural studies. Click here for more.
5 February 2009
Ballance announces rock bottom fertiliser prices
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has sweetened its fertiliser sales promotion already in the market by coming out with new prices for all its main products. Click here for more.
23 January 2009
Ballance drops prices to assist loyal shareholders
International fertiliser prices are starting to come down, and Ballance wants to help remove any barriers preventing their farmer shareholders from applying their summer fertiliser requirements.
Click here for more.
22 January 2009
Farming for the future with fertiliser science
Rising fertiliser prices have got farmers asking how they can get the biggest bang for their fertiliser buck, and technology could well provide some of the answers. Click here for more.
12 January 2009
Make the right decisions to get the most out of your farm
With fertiliser prices jumping last year, some farmers started basing their fertiliser purchases purely on price, rather than on sound agronomic decision-making, says David Graham, chairman of this country's largest fertiliser cooperative Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
