Whether top fruit or root crop, the horticultural industry has very specific requirements when it comes to fertiliser. That's why Ballance has a specialist team of highly experienced and knowledgeable representatives who work specifically with our horticultural customers.
The Ballance horticultural specialists comprise the following:
Peter Buckingham joined Ballance in December 1999, with specific challenge of servicing the intensive cropping market south of Auckland. Based in Pukekohe, his main focus is on vegetables, particularly onions and potatoes, but he is well qualified to advise on other crops.
Peter has a Bachelor of Commerce (Horticulture) to underpin his extensive experience in the horticultural and fertiliser industries. This includes ten years' working in the fertiliser industry in New Zealand and overseas experience in Greece and the United Kingdom.
The hands-on nature of the role appeals to Peter, who also enjoys the opportunity to meet people from a broad cross-section of the industry.
When he has time to relax, Peter enjoys good food and wine, travel, music and handyman projects.
Mark Redshaw joined Ballance in June 2007 in the new role of Horticultural Specialist for the Hawke's Bay region.
Mark has a real passion for horticulture and a strong affinity to the Hawke's Bay.
Throughout his career Mark has had first-hand experience in many aspects of horticulture production, including onions, pip fruit, potatoes, sweetcorn, apples and tomatoes.
Mark has also experienced alternative ways of growing, participating in an International Agricultural Exchange Programme, during which he worked in Esher, near London, on a ‘pick your own' farm growing everything from strawberries to potatoes and servicing a population of approximately seven million.
Building good working relationships and knowledge sharing is important to Mark, who enjoys being able to offer a service that helps people maximise the full potential of their business.
