Businesses chip in to help farmers
Banks and rural businesses are chipping in to help farmers in Southland and Otago.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has appointed Willie Thomson to a new role of general manager group sales and strategy, responsible for both the Ballance and Altum brands and customer services. He retains responsibility for strategy development.
He succeeds Graeme Smith, currently general manager sales and marketing for Ballance, who will take up a new role as chief executive of animal nutrient manufacturer SealesWinslow from May 1.
Announcing the appointment, Ballance chief executive Larry Bilodeau said Thomson's extensive background in the industry and his leadership within Altum made him a natural candidate for the new and expanded role.
"In previous roles Willie has worked closely with farmers and he also has a strong science background. His leadership in these areas means he is well positioned to lead this part of our business which is increasingly focused on the scientific credibility of products that will help farmers improve their business."
Thomson joined Ballance in 2008 as general manager of summit Quinphos (now re-branded Altum) and in 2009 became responsible for leading the group research and development efforts, environment and strategy.
Born and raised on the family farm in South West Scotland, Thomson held various management positions in the United Kingdom fertiliser industry before relocating to New Zealand in 2003.
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
Northlanders scooped the pool at this year's prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards - winning both the main competition and the young Maori farmer award.
Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.
The days of rising on-farm inflation and subdued farmgate prices are coming to an end for farmers, helping lift confidence.
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