Bruce Beckingsale joined Ballance in June 2008, having had a long career in farm consultancy. During his career in the farm advisory service, he has been based in Invercargill, Fairlie and Balclutha, which has given him in-depth knowledge of the various farming challenges that are encountered in these diverse areas.

As well as consulting to farmers working on everything from extensive high country to intensive lowland farms, Bruce has run his own small block near Invercargill. This operation is focused on calf rearing and lamb finishing. Each year Bruce rears up to 300 calves and finishes up to 600 lambs.

Bruce's practical experience of farming and his deep knowledge of local conditions and challenges make him an ideal person to assist local farmer with their key fertiliser decisions.

Anna Bedford joined Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd in March 2001 and spent just over two years as the technical sales representative for the southern Southland region. In July 2003 she transferred to the warmer, drier climate of North Otago, and in September 2008 she headed further North again to the Mid Canterbury region.

One of the aspects of her job that Anna enjoys the most is the opportunity to go on to different types of farms and meet a wide range of people.

Before coming to work for Ballance, Anna spent a year working on a sheep farm and a dairy farm, and prior to that she was at Lincoln University.

Come the weekend, Anna likes to get out for a horse ride, and she particularly enjoys showing at A & P shows. She also has an interest in stud sheep, which she breeds on her parents' farm.

Grant Bickley commenced with Ballance in June 2007 as the technical sales representative for the Clydevale, Balclutha and surrounding regions.

Grant grew up as part of a farming family near Riverton in Southland and is very familiar with the agricultural sector. Prior to joining Ballance Grant worked as a field technician with independent crop research group New Zealand Arable, providing him with good experience in scientific trial work throughout the South Island.

Grant is committed to providing quality service and information to his customers in the region.

Grant holds a Diploma in Turf Management from Massey University.

He is a keen sporting and outdoors person with interests across a wide range of activities ranging from golf to motocross.

Kevin Gee's territory extends throughout the Central Otago region, including Middlemarch, Hinden and Lee Stream. When he joined Ballance in March 1992 Kevin was based in Dunedin, covering the eastern and northern areas of South Otago. In 2003 he moved north to Alexandra.

Kevin has a wealth of experience in the agricultural sector; prior to his current job he worked as a sales representative and sales manager for Wrightson.

Being able to meet new people is one of the most enjoyable aspects of Kevin's job, and he values the strong relationships he has built with clients over the years.

In his spare time Kevin likes being outdoors with his family and enjoys a variety of sports, including rugby, hunting and fishing.

Latoya Grant joined Ballance in early 2009 on a cadetship basis, learning the ropes and looking after clients in the western Waikato in a caretaker role. After five months she moved to the South Island to take up a permanent role in West Otago.

Latoya's interest in farming stems from the many school holidays that she spent on friends' farms in and around the Wanaka district. As a result of this experience, she decided to study agriculture and in 2008 she completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. While studying she had the opportunity to work on several dairy and sheep and beef properties over the lower South Island. She also undertook an honours project, for which she examined nitrate leaching under various crops.

Working in the plant nutrient arena is very rewarding, says Latoya, as it gives her an opportunity to get onto a wide range of farms, meet interesting people and help them to make good decisions about their soil fertility programme. It really pays off when you can see production grow on properties that you have been involved with, she adds.

When she is not working, Latoya enjoys a wide range of sports, and has a particular passion for hockey, snowboarding and rugby.

Russell Hamilton joined Ballance in September 2008 as the technical sales representative for the North Otago region, and transferred to Rakaia in December 2010.

Russell comes to Ballance following seven years in the Canterbury groundspread industry. Russell and his father Colin were the principals of Canterbury Groundspread, based at Lincoln, and have been closely associated with Ballance over the ten years we have been in the Upper South Island marketplace.

Prior to his time in the groundspread industry Russell completed a Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University.

Outside of work Russell enjoys a game of rugby or cricket, as well as a spot of fishing and water skiing.

Gary Kirkman is one of Ballance's longest-serving technical sales representatives, having joined the company (or rather, its precursor) in 1986. He brought with him considerable experience in the rural sector, having worked for four years as a livestock instructor for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and five years for Wrightson.

For Gary, the best part of his job with Ballance is meeting farmers and helping them achieve top production by providing them with good advice and quality products.

When he is not working Gary enjoys keeping fit and fishing the local rivers and lakes. He is also a member of the Te Anau Lions Club.

Oliver (Olllie) Knowles joined Ballance in December 2010, as the technical sales representative for the North Otago region.

Ollie grew up in Auckland and in 2010 graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours). His studies included papers in soil science, soil management, crop science and agronomy, as well as a post-graduate paper in soil chemistry. For his honours thesis, Ollie examined the effect of bio char on soil carbon.

During the course of his studies, Ollie worked on several farming properties in the Collingwood and Taranaki areas, giving him some good, practical farming experience.

Growing up on a lifestyle property was enough to convince Simon McLean that he wanted to have a career in agriculture. Since those early days, he has gone on to work on a range of commercial properties in different farming sectors, including dairy, sheep and beef, deer and cropping operations.

Simon completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce at Lincoln University, and as part of his studies spent time as an exchange student in California.

With his strong interest in the financial side of farming, and his appreciation of the role that fertiliser has to play in maintaining farm productivity, Simon enjoys working to help his customers build the long-term profitability of their businesses.

In his spare time, Simon enjoys a range of interests, including investing in the financial markets and playing the bagpipes.

Mike Nelson joined Ballance in April 2011 as the technical sales representative for the Nelson-Marlborough region.

Mike brings an extensive amount of experience to this role, having a diverse background, including horticultural production and research, technology consulting and management roles in fruit exporting, and more recently, real estate experience.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys getting involved in community activities, and also spends time yachting and mountain biking.

Nadine Restieaux joined Ballance in August 2011 as the technical sales representative for the South Southland - South Otago district.

Originally hailing from Clinton, where she grew up on a 1000-acre sheep and mixed cropping farm, Nadine completed her tertiary education at Lincoln University, graduating with a Bachelor of Agriculture. She then worked in a series of shepherding roles in the North Island, based around Gisborne, Tolaga Bay and Taumarunui. Nadine followed this with three years working overseas, including two harvest seasons working in the United Kingdom, and a stint on a cattle feedlot in Canada.

When she is not working, Nadine enjoys competing in eventing and show jumping, and maintains an interest in sheep dog training.

Michael Robertson joined Ballance in December 2010 as the technical sales representative for the Ashburton district.

Michael grew up on his parents' beef stud breeding and finishing property in the Manawatu, and gained plenty of practical experience during this time. Since then, he has also worked in several different farms in both the North and South Islands, giving him a good appreciation of a variety of farm types and approaches.

Michael has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University, and studied farm management, soil science and management, plant science, animal science and irrigation.

A year of working for Jucy Rentals in Christchurch not only helped to fund Michael's studies, but also gave him valuable experience in delivering quality service to his customers.

Paul Turner joined Ballance in November 2006, coming to the company from New Zealand Laboratory Services Ltd at Invermay Agricultural Research Centre in Mosgiel, where he worked for sixteen years. During his time at Invermay Paul was involved in sheep breeding trials, scientific projects and other aspects of agricultural research. He was also responsible for managing a commercial laboratory and an international business. For the last five years Paul has been maintaining client relations for the soil and plant testing services of New Zealand Laboratory Services.

Originally from Otago, Paul has experience of sheep and wool farming, particularly in the Te Anau and Southland districts. He maintains his territory contains some of the most beautiful country in the whole of New Zealand, and he has a strong focus on helping farmers in the region to increase production in a sustainable manner.

When he is not working, Paul enjoys a wide range of pursuits, including fishing, gardening, exploring, meeting people and playing golf.