Ballance Agri-Nutrients is one of New Zealand's leading fertiliser manufacturers. A 100 percent farmer-owned co-operative, Ballance was formed by the amalgamation of the Bay of Plenty Fertiliser Co-operative, the Southland Co-operative Fertiliser Company, Petrochem, the Whangarei-based Farmers Fertiliser and Kiwi Fertiliser.
Although the major co-operatives that comprise the company were formed in 1955, Ballance itself was launched in 2001. The company has a nationwide manufacturing and distribution structure, and sells a wide range of products, from locally manufactured superphosphate (superten) to imported high-analysis fertilisers.
The company has over 18,000 shareholders, and in 2011 sold 1.396 million tonnes of product, representing a turnover of $760 million. Most products purchased by shareholders attract a rebate, which is paid once a year.
Mission, vision, values
When Ballance was launched it was determined that the company would have a strong focus on using research and development to maximise returns for its shareholders. In addition, sustainability - of the company, its farmer-shareholders and the environment - is a cornerstone of the Ballance philosophy. These beliefs are reflected in the company's mission, vision and values statements.
Our mission
To create value for shareholders by the efficient supply of innovative products and services that meet customers' plant and animal nutrient needs.
Our vision
To be New Zealand's recognised expert in agri-nutrient advice, supply and sustainable farm management.
Our values
COURAGE | do the right thingCREDIBILITY | do what we say we are going to doCAPABILITY | do it well
Company structure and operation
Ballance has four main manufacturing sites. At the heart of the operation is head office, located in Mount Maunganui. As well as being the home of key corporate staff, the Mount site incorporates the company's largest fertiliser manufacturing facility. The close proximity to the Port of Tauranga means that imported raw materials and high-analysis fertilisers are easily transported to the works site, where a range of products, including superten, the company's flagship fertiliser, are produced. Two smaller manufacturing sites are located at Awarua, near Invercargill, and at Whangarei. These also benefit from close access to port facilities. In addition, the Whangarei plant is able to use surplus sulphur from operations at the Marsden Point refinery and convert it into a form suitable for inclusion in agricultural fertilisers.
Complementing these phosphate-based manufacturing plants is the ammonia-urea plant at Kapuni, in Taranaki. Using natural gas from offshore fields around the Taranaki Coast, this plant produces 150,000 tonnes of ammonia and 260,000 tonnes of urea a year. The vast majority of the urea is destined for use on farms. A small quantity of ammonia and urea goes to non-farming commercial markets.
Distribution
Once manufactured, products are distributed to stores throughout the country, so that the distance to farm gate is shortened. Ballance has two strategies for its distribution. In some 39 locations across New Zealand it has built service centres, dedicated facilities for the storage and redistribution of fertiliser, both in bulk and bagged form. Service centres are manned by Ballance staff, and the larger stores often include mixing plants for the supply of blended product, bagging facilities and weighbridges for accurate loading of trucks.
In addition to service centres, Ballance has consignment stores in many locations through the country. These stores are not owned by Ballance, but are operated on a lease basis. Store owners stock a range of products that meet the main demands of farmers in the region.
Ballance also owns the agricultural aviation company Super Air, which is based in Hamilton and services the upper half of the North Island. One of New Zealand's largest agricultural aviation companies, Super Air has 16 full-time and two part-time pilots and operates mainly Fletcher aircraft powered by either a Pratt & Whitney engine or a Walter engine. All its main top-dressing aircraft are fitted with differential GPS systems that help improve the accuracy of aerial fertiliser spreading.
At the front line of Ballance is a team of highly trained technical sales representatives, whose main function is to give their farmer customers credible, reliable advice on their plant nutrient needs. Ballance reps frequently have both a farming background and a tertiary degree in an agricultural subject and are always well qualified to make fertiliser recommendations.
Learn more about our products and services.
Working together
Working alongside these technical reps are rural merchants such as PGG Wrightson, RD1, Farmlands, CRT and Ashburton Trading Society. The close relationship between Ballance and rural merchants gives farmers choice with their fertiliser purchasing strategy - orders can be placed through a rep, directly through the company's free phone number or through the farmer's preferred merchant.
This partnership approach to business is also reflected in Ballance's R&D strategy. The company's commitment to using science to deliver high-quality, relevant information to its customers is supported by close relationships with scientists at research institutions such as AgResearch, Crop&Food and HortResearch. Each year Ballance commits around $2 million to its R&D programme. In addition, the company's relationship with international fertiliser giant Yara gives it access to further specialist research information that can be used to the benefit of New Zealand farmers and growers.
Investing for the future
Responding to its customers’ needs to access complete nutrient advice and products across their farm systems as they look to grow their production while reducing their environmental footprint, Ballance is always looking for ways to support New Zealand farmers through strategic investments.
Recognising the increasing role technology plays on farm today, Ballance has a 51 percent shareholding in farm technology company Farmworks Systems Limited, and sells the company's on-line farm information and management tools, known as Ag-Hub, direct to its farmer customers.
To complement its range of plant nutrient products, Ballance also offers animal nutrition products to New Zealand farmers through its 51 percent stake in high-performance compound feed manufacturer Seales Winslow. This positions the co-operative well to provide shareholders and customers with complete animal nutrient needs solutions, from pasture through to supplements.
