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.
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
Through collaborative efforts with exhibitors, visitors, and industry partners, Fieldays says it is reaffirming its commitment to environmental responsibility with new initiatives for 2025.
OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…
OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…