Press releases 2006
13 December 2006
Ballance and Hatuma Lime partnership is good for farmers
Growing demand from farmers for a Ballance Hatuma dicalcic phosphate has lead to a unique industry partnership between fertiliser company Ballance Agri-Nutrients and lime company Hatuma Lime Ltd. Click here for more.
12 December 2006
New Ballance technical sales representative for Matamata and Te Poi
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is pleased to announce it has appointed Geoff Barclay as a technical sales representative for the Te Poi and Matamata area. Click here for more.
7 December 2006
Ballance secures New Zealand rights to manufacture environment-friendly fertiliser alternative
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has purchased the rights to be New Zealand's primary manufacturer and distributor of BioPhos, a biologically released phosphate fertiliser, considered to be a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional phosphate fertilisers. Click here for more.
5 December 2006
Apply fertiliser in summer and save says Ballance
Bullish international fertiliser prices and an unprecedented demand on raw materials are placing upward pressure on the cost of fertiliser in New Zealand. Click here for more.
30 November 2006
Summer is a good time to apply phosphate
Applying phosphate over the summer months has no impact on the effectiveness of the product, is logistically advantageous and can reduce the potential for run off. Click here for more.
30 November 2006
New Ballance Hastings Service Centre a major milestone for distribution network
The opening of Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Service Centre in Hastings on 1 December marks a major milestone in the company's nationwide distribution network programme. Click here for more.
2 November 2006
Ballance's aviation arm to acquire Wairarapa-based Air Services
The aviation arm of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Super Air has announced it is to acquire Wairarapa-based aircraft operation Air Services (1979) Ltd. Click here for more.
30 October 2006
Applying cobalt may reduce likelihood of sheep liveweight loss
Sheep farmers whose stock are frequently affected by lack of vitamin B12 may benefit from applying additional cobalt sulphate to increase cobalt levels in soils. Click here for more.
30 October 2006
Ballance signs three-year gas supply contract with Contact Energy
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has secured a three-year contract for gas supply for its ammonia-urea manufacturing facility at Kapuni. Click here for more.
27 October 2006
Calculating a successful outcome for your brassica crop
New brassica calculators based on computer programs designed to accurately forecast fertiliser needs are helping farmers take a scientific approach to increasing brassica crop yields, generating a better return on fertiliser expenditure. Click here for more.
10 October 2006
Industry applauds moves to make top-dressing airstrips safer
An industry airstrip safety initiative is being led by Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Super Air operation and has been recognised by the Agricultural Aviation Authority as a model for the industry. Click here for more.
9 October 2006
Horizons Nutrient Management Award winners host field day
Nutrient management will be the hot topic at a field day being held at Jeff and Janice Williams' 120 hectare dairy farm in Palmerston North tomorrow [10 October 2006]. Click here for more.
29 September 2006
Ballance share value increased on back of solid 2006 performance
Shareholders of Ballance Agri-Nutrients approved a directors' recommendation that the nominal value of shares be increased by 30 cents to $6.30 at yesterday's annual meeting of the co-operative in Pukekoke. Click here for more.
21 September 2006
Canterbury farmers should apply nitrogen before El Niño hits
Canterbury farmers facing the possibility of very dry conditions should make the most of current moisture in the soil by applying nitrogen to their pasture now, says Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
6 September 2006
Apply lime now to get the best out of your barley crops
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is urging Canterbury farmers to test their soil for lime deficiency before planting barley this spring. Click here for more.
30 August 2006
Timaru hosts ryegrass pasture demo day
Eighteen different ryegrass cultivars will be on show at a pasture demonstration day in Timaru on Wednesday 6 September. Click here for more.
24 August 2006
New Ballance Agri-Nutrients rep for Bay of Plenty
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is pleased to announce a new addition to its Bay of Plenty Sales Team - Shaun Pulham. Click here for more.
24 August 2006
Ballance backs Wairarapa Meat & Wool New Zealand Monitor Farm Programme
The fifth Wairarapa Meat & Wool New Zealand Monitor Farm Programme is up and running again with a new sponsor on board - Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
14 August 2006
Animal phosphate poisoning an avoidable risk
Animal phosphate poisoning is an avoidable risk says Ballance Agri-Nutrients Head of Agro-Sciences Warwick Catto. As farmers go into lambing and calving season across the country, they need to take precautions to avoid their animals directly ingesting fertiliser says Warwick. Click here for more.
09 August 2006
Apply nitrogen now for maximum pasture growth
Applying nitrogen now on steep sunny slopes will ensure an excellent pasture growth response says Ballance Agri-Nutrients Agro-Scientist Jeff Morton. Click here for more.
9 August 2006
Farmers urged to add boron to brassica crops
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is urging farmers to have their soil tested for boron deficiency before sowing brassica crops this spring. Click here for more.
26 July 2006
Ballance lifts cash payout to $22 a tonne after excellent year
Based on a strong balance sheet and cashflow along with excellent future prospects, Ballance Agri-Nutrients has increased its combined cash dividend and rebate payout to transacting shareholders to $22 a tonne for the financial year ending May 30 2006, up 10% on last year's payout. Click here for more.
17 July 2006
Ballance supplies Invercargill school students with high-vis vests
High-vis vests mean safer travel for students at an Invercargill primary school thanks to Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
13 July 2006
Ballance offers support for flood affected farmers in Wairarapa
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has announced it will provide support to Wairarapa shareholders affected by heavy rainfalls and flooding this month. Click here for more.
10 July 2006
Ballance to offer support for snow affected farmers in Canterbury
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has announced it will provide support for Canterbury shareholders affected by the heavy snowfall in mid-June. Click here for more.
10 July 2006
Young horticulturalists compete for top prize
Nine horticulturists will compete in the Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Horticulturist of the Year regional competition this Thursday. Click here for more.
6 July 2006
Ballance holding prices for core fertiliser products
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has announced it will be holding prices for base fertiliser products over the coming spring season. Click here for more.
6 July 2006
Beware of iodine deficiency in lambing season
With lambing season approaching farmers should consider supplementing stock with iodine to reduce the risk of losing newborn stock. Click here for more.
3 July 2006
Ballance leads promotion of nutrient management in the East Coast
Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Wairarapa Technical Sales Representative Michael Spence is leading the charge in nutrient management on the East Coast and encouraging farmers to adopt nutrient budgets this winter. Click here for more.
27 June 2006
Fertiliser industry makes major commitment to sustainable farming
As a major step to advancing the cause of sustainable farming, the fertiliser industry has accepted the undertaking to offer every New Zealand farmer the opportunity to operate a nutrient budget by the end of 2007. Click here for more.
23 June 2006
Local company wins contract to build Ballance's new Service Centre in Hastings
Local construction company Herbert Construction is to build Ballance Agri-Nutrients' new Service Centre in Hastings. The 40-person company, which has a 400-strong operation in Fiji, won the contract after a competitive tender process. Click here for more.
22 June 2006
Ballance supports Northland Women in Agriculture field day
Nutrient management was the hot topic at the Northland Women in Agriculture field day held near Kerikeri. Click here for more.
21 June 2006
Dr Bruce McCabe to head Ballance product development team
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Bruce McCabe as the company's new Product Development Manager. Click here for more.
14 June 2006
Ballance backs launch of Aerial Spreadmark Code
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is right behind the new the Aerial Spreadmark Code launched yesterday by Minister of Agriculture Jim Anderton in Palmerston North. Click here for more.
9 June 2006
Big turn out expected for this year's Kale and Swede Competition in Clutha Valley
Record entries are expected for the annual Clutha Valley Swede and Kale Competition according to proud sponsor Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
29 May 2000
Copper deficiency causing grief for East Coast farmers
East Coast farmers are seeking the expertise of Ballance Agri-Nutrient's representatives to boost copper levels in their pasture. Click here for more.
17 May 2006
Farmers applauded for embracing sustainable farming
Farmers who equate sustainable farming with smart business sense have been recognised for their leadership at the Ballance Farm Environment Award events, held across the country over the last two months. Click here for more.
17 May 2006
Farmers urged to prime pasture for maximum growth with sulphur
Farmers are being urged to apply elemental sulphur now to ensure their pasture is primed for spring - the most active growth phase in the yearly cycle. Click here for more.
10 May 2006
Environmentally friendly farming equals big success for farmers in Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Horizons region
Palmerston North farmers Jeff and Janice Williams were recognised for their innovation in nutrient management and professional environmental practice at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards in the Horizons region this year. Click here for more.
10 May 2006
Grass grub in Canterbury worst in years say Ballance fertiliser experts
Heavy rains in Canterbury have delivered mixed blessings to farmers in the area who now face accelerated grass grub problems throughout the region. While farmers have welcomed the weather that has regenerated pasture for this winter's feed, at the same time patches of extremely dry land where grass grubs have been feeding have been revealed. Click here for more.
20 April 2006
Manawatu Ballance rep plans to maximise farmers' business performance
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is pleased to announce a new addition to its Manawatu Sales Team - Rodger McCormack. Click here for more.
11 April 2006
Wainuioru Station showcases irrigation system
The results of irrigation ingenuity will be showcased at Brancepeth Station, a Wainuioru sheep and beef farm today. Click here for more.
3 April 2006
Investigating manganese toxicity in hill country saves farmers' spending
Ballance Agri-Nutrients trials show hill country farmers should investigate manganese toxicity levels on farms in order to optimise animal performance and fertiliser investment. Click here for more.
29 March 2006
Now is the season for farmers to consider copper nutrient needs
Autumn is the ideal time of year to boost levels of copper in pasture says Ballance Agri-Nutrients Head of Agro-Sciences Warwick Catto. Click here for more.
16 March 2006
Cost-effective farming focus at Central Districts Field Days
Ballance Agri-Nutrients representatives will be sharing their insight into more cost-effective farming at the Central Districts Field Days in Fielding on March 16-18. Click here for more.
15 March 2006
South Island farmer to break Guinness Book of Records wheat yield
A Gore farmer is set to break the Guinness Book of Records Wheat Yield tomorrow thanks to the technical support and encouragement from Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Click here for more.
3 March 2006
Kiwifruit nutrient management seasonally sensitive
The importance of seasonal nutrient management was shared with 300 kiwifruit enthusiasts at this year's International Society for Horticultural Science Kiwifruit Symposium in Rotorua held last week. Click here for more.
3 March 2006
Clydevale couple win 50 tonnes of fertiliser
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is pleased to announce the winners of the biggest ever fertiliser giveaway in New Zealand. Click here for more.
2 March 2006
Ballance to share expert advice at Northern Field Days
With fertiliser being such an important component in modern day farming, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is holding ‘learn from the experts' sessions on efficient fertiliser use at the Northern Field Days which begins today and runs until March 4. Click here for more.
22 February 2006
Put aerial top dressing up the priority list
Aerial top dressing company Super Air is advising farmers to take advantage of the settled weather and organise their yearly phosphate fertiliser application now. Click here for more.
16 February 2006
Ballance out in force at Fieldays
Ballance Agri-Nutrients representatives will be at the Southern Fieldays in Waimumu this week to promote the importance of nutrient budgeting to farmers. Click here for more.
10 February 2006
Balclutha student wins Ballance scholarship
Starting back at university will be made easier for a Balclutha student selected as one of the recipients of a scholarship award through the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Co-Operative Scholarship scheme. Click here for more.
10 February 2006
Oamaru student wins Ballance scholarship
Starting back at university will be made easier for an Oamaru student selected as one of the recipients of a scholarship award through the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Co-Operative Scholarship scheme. Click here for more.
10 February 2006
Tihoi student wins Ballance scholarship
Starting back at university will be made easier for a Tihoi student selected as one of the recipients of a scholarship award through the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Co-Operative Scholarship scheme. Click here for more.
10 February 2006
Wyndham student wins Ballance scholarship
Starting out at university will be made easier for a Wyndham student selected as one of the recipients of a scholarship award through the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Co-Operative Scholarship scheme. Click here for more.
10 February 2006
Ballance announces scholarship winners
Ballance Agri-Nutrients recently announced this year's scholarship recipients just in time for the start of the university year. Click here for more.
7 February 2006
New addition to the Ballance team
A decision to go back to university has paid off for Ballance Agri-Nutrients' new Technical Sales Representative for the Hauraki Plains and Coromandel region. Click here for more.
3 February 2006
Agricultural specialist visits the North
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is holding workshops in Northland to educate farmers about the critical importance of nutrient budgeting. Leading New Zealand agricultural researcher and soil scientist Dr Doug Edmeades will support the workshops. Click here for more.
2 February 2006
Ballance makes changes to its Taranaki team
Ballance Agri-Nutrients' Taranaki-based team is looking ahead to the New Year under new leadership. Click here for more.


