Our People

Martin Burrows joined Ballance in December 2021 as the Nutrient Specialist covering Blenheim / Kaikoura

A Blenheim local, he brings a wealth of knoweldge to the role with over 20 years experience in the fertiliser industry and is also a Certified Nutrient Management Advisor.

Martin enjoys making connections and building relationships with his customers.

Russell brings a wealth of knowledge gained through his time on the family farm as well as previous roles he has held, with much of his career spent managing stock and a range of sheep and beef farms. In addition to this he holds a Diploma in Sheep and Beef Production Management and owns a small farm in Ashley Clinton which he calls home. Russell has a passion for providing farmers the tools to assist them to farm sustainably and profitably not only for their generation, but for generations to come.

Jess Guy is the Nutrient Specialist for the Upper Manawatu/Upper Rangitikei. She has been with Ballance since January 2022, originally joining as part of the intern programme. Jess further honed her skills in a secondment position managing a portfolio in the Taranaki and King Country prior to this role in the Western Lower North Island team. Born and bred in Taihape and raised on a sheep and beef farm in Tolaga Bay, her passion for the industry has been evident since day one leading into studying a Bachelor of Commerce Agriculture at Lincoln University. Jess loves getting stuck in on the farm and going hunting with friends and family. She also loves community sport, playing both hockey and netball for Hunterville currently and more sports to come. She is looking forward to crossing paths with everyone in her area.

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.

Anneke joined the East Coast team in September 2024, taking on the core Nutrient Specialist role in Hawkes Bay.

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She brings knowledge gained from her Bachelor of Science, working on sheep and beef farms, as well as previous roles working at ARL, primary ITO and Landcorp.

Anneke loves to help farmers and growers build a better future for themselves and the generations to come by farming profitably and sustainably, using tools to assist in making informed decisions.

When not working, she loves to spend time with her family and friends camping, tramping fishing, horse riding and any other sport.

Anna grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Rotorua before heading to Massey University to complete a Bachelor of AgriScience. After university she spent 5 years in Australia and the UK doing seasonal farm work before travelling through South-East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. On her move back to New Zealand she spent two years shepherding in Southland, then embarked on another stint in South America. At the end of 2019, Anna and her husband Grant returned to his family sheep and beef farm in Middlemarch. Anna also spent time working for ANZCO Foods on the pack line, working her way up to leading hand of the pack room.

Daniel Hurley has been the Key Accounts Nutrient Specialist for the Morrinsville / Matamata area since November 2025, having previously been the Nutrient Specialist for Otorohanga/Te Awamutu East.

He joined Ballance in January 2024 as part of the Intern Programme, before continuing his development with secondments into Nutrient Specialist roles in both the King Country and Whangarei areas.

Daniel’s interest for the agricultural sector was sparked during his time working at Farmlands across the Bay of Plenty and the Waikato. He credits his time there with growing his knowledge in the Agricultural and Horticulture sectors, inspiring him to complete a Bachelor of Business with a double major in Agricultural Business and Supply Chain Management.

He has built a strong passion for the agricultural sector and enjoys being on farm - building relationships with customers to help them achieve their business goals and thrive in the sector.

When not working, he enjoys spending time with his friend’s and family or you will find him out on the Rugby Field or Golf Course.

Sam joined the Eastern team as Nutrient Specialist for Whakatane/Galatea in March 2025. She initially started with Ballance in October 2020 as part of the horticulture team after relocating to the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Since then, she has continued her career within Ballance, completing a stint with Super Air before returning to her current Nutrient Specialist role.

Sam is a strong networker and relationship builder and believes ultimately understanding her clients and providing them with the absolute best service and advice is crucial.

Outside of work you will find Sam running around after her two kids, playing squash or enjoying the local outdoors.

Curtly Harper joined the South Waikato team as Nutrient Specialist Otorohanga / Te Awamutu East in December 2025, following a stint in Northland as the Ballance Nutrient Specialist for Dargaville.

Hailing from a sheep and beef farm just outside Otorohanga in the North King Country, Curtly credits being raised rurally with cementing his deep connection to the land. His desire to be immersed in the agriculture sector led him to study at Lincoln University, where he achieved a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture.

Prior to starting with Ballance, he worked as a tractor contractor throughout the multiple University summer holidays while also working part-time for local farmers around the Otorohanga area. These roles gave him both exposure to the sector and practical experience, strengthening his passion for agriculture.

In his spare time, Curtly is a keen sportsman who gives most things a crack. Hunting and fishing are also a big interest with an overarching passion for the outdoors.