Garth Dawson joined Ballance in 1993, bringing with him considerable experience in both hands-on farming and business management.

A born-and-bred Southlander, Garth started his career in the agricultural industry working for Farmers Mutual Group, progressing to the role of company representative. He then moved to the Alliance Group, where his responsibilities included management of the Ocean Beach beef farm operation and sheep holding block. At Ballance, Garth spent time working as a technical sales representative before being promoted to sales manager in 2001. In 2008 he was appointed regional sales manager, overseeing the South Island.

Garth has a Postgraduate Certificate in Executive Management (Otago) and a Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management (Massey); he has also completed a range of industry-specific tertiary courses. He is a member of the New Zealand Grasslands Association and an affiliate member of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural Science.

Andrew Reid joined Ballance in 1994 as the technical sales representative for the Rotorua region. In 2002 he took up the role of technical advisor, which saw his experience diverted to technical extension and education work, and also to research and development.

He returned to the field in 2004, as the key account representative for the eastern portion of the North Island; in 2008 he was promoted to the role of area sales manager and in 2011 he was seconded to the role of acting regional sales manager.

Andrew brings a wealth of experience, both practical and theoretical, to Ballance. Having grown up on a dairy farm near Whakatane, he then completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University. Prior to joining Ballance he worked as a farm consultant in the Bay of Plenty and is a registered member of the New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management.

Murray Wells joined Ballance in 1990, bringing with him broad experience of the wider agriculture industry, his previous roles having encompassed animal health, plant protection and farm consultancy.

Having grown up on a Waikato dairy farm, Murray has a solid understanding of the practical aspects of farming, and this is complemented by his business acumen and industry knowledge.

Murray has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Massey University.

Russell joined Ballance in November 2008 as the technical sales representative for the Whangarei south region, and was promoted to area sales manager in August 2010.

Prior to joining Ballance, Russell worked in a variety of farm service roles, notably as a fertiliser sales representative in the upper North Island. He has also worked in the animal nutrition sector, and spent some time working on a 3000-cow single-shed dairy farm.

Russell is tertiary qualified, having gained a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University.

Adrian Brocksopp joined Ballance in November 2004 as technical sales representative for Pukekohe, and in 2007 Adrian shifted regions to become technical sales representative for the South Taranaki area. In mid-2008 he was promoted to his current role of area sales manager.

Born in England, Adrian was raised on the family dairy farm in rural Leicestershire. The intensive nature of northern hemisphere farming meant Adrian quickly learnt about a range of farming practices.

Having completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in agriculture, Adrian joined the farm management co-operative Farmcare and spent five years managing a variety of farms, including dairy and arable operations.

Lured south by New Zealand's relaxed lifestyle, Adrian spent two years contracting in the Waikato before joining Ballance.

Terry Harding joined Ballance in August 2008 as a technical sales representative for the Tauranga region. In 2011 he was seconded to the role of acting area sales manager for the Eastern team.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Terry has spent most of his adult life in South Africa, having moved there in the late 1980s. After completing a Bachelor of Science, Agriculture, majoring in crop science, Terry joined Illovo Sugar Limited, Africa's leading sugar producer, first as an agronomist, then as a manager, including a three-year stint managing a sugar cane farm. As well as the technical aspects of sugar cane production, Terry was also responsible for the economic performance of the areas under his control.

When not working, Terry enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities, including fishing, camping and tramping. He also loves flying and has even got a few lessons under his belt.

Andrew Rigby joined Ballance in May 2002, having emigrated to New Zealand from the United Kingdom. Initially employed as a technical sales representative in the Taranaki region, he was promoted to area sales manager in February 2006.

Andrew grew up on his family's small dairy farm in the north of England. Before leaving his homeland he worked as a merchant representative for Agricultural Central Training in the Lake District. His move to New Zealand was prompted by the economic impact of the 2001 foot and mouth outbreak.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Science (Honours), majoring in agriculture, and is an active member of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards committee in the Horizons district.

Kim Harris is responsible for building the sales team and championing the development of consignment stores and service centres in the East Coast and Rangitikei region. He has five Technical Sales Representatives in his team, who cover the lower eastern portion of the North Island. Kim's key roles are to build on existing relationships with key producers in the region and to develop associations with new customers and merchants.

Born and bred in Gisborne, Kim grew up on his family's 1000-hectare sheep and beef property, then spent twelve months training at Flock House. This expanded his knowledge of agriculture in general, and his enthusiasm for learning was recognised when he was voted Most Ideal Trainee for his year. After working on the family farm, Kim took a job with Leader Brand Produce and followed this with two years in the UK, working on a range of arable operations. On his return, Kim co-managed the family farm, focusing on the care of the 11,000 SU they ran on the hill country.

Kim Harris joined Ballance as a technical sales representative in November 2001, bringing with him 22 years of practical farming knowledge. He was promoted to area sales manager in March 2007.

Andrew Sanders joined Ballance as a technical sales representative in the Rotorua district in May 2004, and was promoted to the position of area sales manager in April 2008.

Prior to joining Ballance, Andrew worked as the manager of Trail Contracting. A native of Yorkshire, England, Andrew grew up in a small farming village and says his choice of career was influenced by his grandparents, who had an arable farm nearby.
After graduating with a Diploma in Agriculture, Andrew specialised in pigs and cereals, progressing through the ranks to assistant manager of a 550-sow breeding unit and 500-hectare arable farm.

In 2000 Andrew and his wife immigrated to New Zealand in search of a better lifestyle, and they now feel very much at home.

Harvey Smith was appointed area sales manager for the Upper South Island in September 2008, following 14 years as a technical sales representative with Ballance Agri-Nutrients. For the majority of that time Harvey was based in the Mid Canterbury region, however he did a four-year stint in Otorohanga prior to moving to the Mainland in 1998.

To back up his extensive experience in the fertiliser industry Harvey holds a Bachelor of Commercial Agriculture (in which he specialised in farm management), and has also worked on dairy farms and now operates his own farm, running dairy grazers and lambs.

Paul Johnston joined Ballance in 1993 as a technical sales representative. In April 2008 he was promoted to the position of area sales manager.

As well as his extensive knowledge of the fertiliser industry, Paul has considerable experience in the wider agricultural sector. Prior to joining Ballance he spent 20 years at Wrightson, where he rose to the position of Merchandise Grain and Seed Manager for the Gore region. Paul's practical experience is backed by a current Certificate of Proficiency in Agriculture.