Ballance Agri-Nutrients helps famers optimise nutrient use with new AI and geospacing mapping tool, saving application by up to 10 per cent.
07 April 2025 – New Zealand farmers and growers now have a smarter way to manage on-ground nutrient application via a new tool that uses AI and geospacing mapping technology, with the potential to save nutrient application by up to 10 per cent.
Developed by Ballance Agri-Nutrients (Ballance), SpreadWise helps map key farm features such as troughs, gates, and waterways, areas that are naturally nutrient-enriched by livestock movements.
Ballance General Manager Customer Jason Minkhorst says by using geospatial and AI technology the tool creates exclusion zones where additional nutrients aren’t needed, resulting in greater accuracy.
“The AI technology utilises computer vision to analyse aerial imagery and identify objects of interest on a farm automatically,” he says.
“By removing the manual exclusion mapping process, it saves farmers valuable time, improving nutrient efficiency and compliance with environmental regulations.
“With farming moving toward more efficient and effective use of nutrients, SpreadWise enables a more informed, data-led approach to nutrient management,” he says.
Trials with large scale farms have shown the mapping tool helps reduce nutrient use while maintaining strong pasture performance.
Jason says these results highlight the tool’s capacity to deliver both economic and environmental benefits through smarter application.
“SpreadWise represents a major step forward in the use of data and geospatial technology to drive efficiency. Beyond its current capabilities, there's the potential for even greater precision at a paddock level as the tool continues to evolve,” he says.
SpreadWise is suitable for farmers using ground spreaders with digital mapping capability and priced at $10 per hectare per year, or $5 per hectare per year for Ballance shareholders.
To sign up, contact your Ballance nutrient specialist.