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Ballance Agri-Nutrients has announced a nationwide programme of sponsorships for science fairs.
The sponsorships will see Ballance launch a new Sustainable Agricultural Award category at several regional science and technology fairs across New Zealand.
Ballance will sponsor the award in the Central Northland, South and East Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Canterbury-Westland and Otago science and technology fairs.
The Auckland North Harbour and Marlborough science and technology fairs will receive additional sponsorship activity from Ballance.
Ballance’s Sustainability Food and Fibres Futures programme manager Suzanne Young says that by sponsoring the science fairs, the company hopes to get students interested in the career options the food and fibre sector has to offer.
“We wanted to find an innovative and meaningful way to connect New Zealand school students with all the amazing work happening in the food and fibre sector to improve the environment for a sustainably productive future.
“For the Auckland North Harbour science fair, we are sponsoring the Living World category, which celebrates students’ understanding of the living organisms such as NZ plants and animals, their investigations into local ecosystems and understanding the interdependence of living organisms, including humans and their relationship with their physical environment.”
Young says that Ballance will be a gold sponsor for the Marlborough science fair. Ballance will also provide a local judge and help promote the science fairs through targeted and localised communications.
New Zealand's new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Horowhenua dairy farmer, company director and former Minister of Agriculture, Nathan Guy says the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is a good deal for the country.
New figures show dairy farmers are not only holding on to their international workforce, but are also supporting those staff to step into higher-skilled roles on farm.
New tractor deliveries for 2025 jumped 10% compared to the previous year, a reflection of the positive primary sector outlook, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).
Entries have opened for two awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme, aimed at helping young farmers progress to farm ownership.
Federated Farmers has confirmed interim chief executive Mike Siermans to the role.
Registrations are now open for the 2026 Ruralco Golf Classic, with all proceeds from the event set to support the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust.
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