Our People

Raised on an orchard in Hawke’s Bay, Rowan was well educated even before studying forestry science at Canterbury University.

He joined Elders after working in labour contracting to horticulture, viticulture and agriculture in Canterbury, Marlborough and Otago, switching to Ballance in early 2010.

'I am keen on hunting and fishing in the Southern Alps and I hope to be able to travel the world and hunt. It’s great getting out and meeting a lot of different people in various farming systems and being able to customise a complete nutrient programme specific for them.'

Madeleine Horne is the Nutrient Specialist for Methven/ Rakaia region, joining the Central South Island team in April 2021. Her passion for the rural sector stems from a background in beef cattle, being raised on a Murray Grey stud in Tapawera, Northwest of Nelson. Madeleine made the move to Canterbury to study a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science at Lincoln University, completing honours in soil science. After graduating, Madeleine worked as a Soil Fertility Analyst for a nutrient supply company which has provided her with valuable experience in various agricultural systems.

Outside of work, Madeleine enjoys staying active with a keen interest in training and competing sport horses. 

Alice came onboard with Ballance as the Nutrient Specialist for the Timaru-Oamaru region in October 2023. Growing up on her family's intensive arable cropping farm in Mid-Canterbury, Alice went on to complete a Bachelor of AgriScience with honours at Massey University in 2014. She has since worked in a variety of roles including rural insurance, dairy nutrition and livestock procurement that allowed her to combine her passion of agriculture and supporting farmers in their farming operations throughout the lower South Island. Alice moved to her partner's sheep and beef farm in Weston in 2018 and has since bred two young kids who enjoy the farm life greatly. In her spare time, she enjoys triathlons, particular the half ironman distance, which means lots of cycling and running as well as being a volunteer firefighter in the Weston Brigade. Alice is passionate about partnering with farmers to drive performance and profitability on farm effectively and efficiently.

Gretchen took up the role of Core Nutrient Specialist role in Coastal South Canterbury in March 2018, and has since taken up the Key Accounts Nutrient Specialist South Ashburton in January 2022.

A South Canterbury local, Gretchen hails from an arable and dairy support farm - which is where her interest in agriculture first took hold. This led her to Lincoln University, where she completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture).

She also has practical experience working on arable, sheep and beef and dairy farms, and she credits this with giving her a broad understanding of how differing farm systems work and building her knowledge base.

Gretchen enjoys working in the agricultural industry, in particular connecting with farmers to both grow her knowledge and help them overcome any challenges they may be facing.

Outside of work, she still likes getting her hands dirty helping on the farm, as well as hiking and water sports in summer.

Ali joined the Ballance team in April 2024 as the Key Accounts Nutrients Specialist for the Oamaru Region.

Growing up on the East Coast of the USA, born to a Kiwi Father and American Mum, Ali and her whānau shifted to New Zealand in 2001 where they purchased a small farm in Nelson. She fell in love with the rural lifestyle and community, deciding to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Massey University, double Majoring in Agribusiness and Equine Science. Upon completion of her degree, she worked as a Fertiliser Consultant for Fertilizer New Zealand, before moving with her partner to The Margaret River region of Western Australia in 2010. In 2021 they returned to New Zealand with their two children, settling in Windsor where they keep horses, Valais Blacknose Sheep and help on her father-in-law's Ngapara Beef farm. Ali then worked for the Ministry of Social Development, a role which assisted her in growing a strong network in the Waitaki.

Being surrounded by farmland and entrenched in a close-knit farming community keeps Ali invigorated to strive for a sustainable farming future. Performance and profitability are top of mind, whilst always considering the environment and her clients' long-term goals and aspirations for their business.