Well-placed to weather conflicts
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has started building their new hub in Whangarei, after a pre-dawn ceremony to bless the site yesterday.
The Whangarei hub is phase two of more than $50m of investment in the Northland region which the company says signals it’s long-term intent in Northland.
The existing infrastructure on the site at 223 Kioreroa Road will be upgraded to benefit the Northland regions expanding agricultural sector, including the horticulture industry.
Ballance will use the Kioreroa Road site for blending, bagging and distribution to customers around Whangarei and is the central distribution hub for Northland.
The Marsden Point site, opened 21 June, is a bulk storage and transitional facility for product coming directly from Northport, and a customer service centre.
“Kioreroa Road will be a place where vital nutrients for food production are blended using world leading technology, specifically designed for Northland farmers and growers in the wider region and our distribution network,” says Shane Dufaur, Ballance general manager: operations and supply chain.
Dufaur says the company will move from its current Port Road site to the new site in the 2022/23 season.
“Balance is focused on the future of farming and growing in Northland, that is why we have invested in precision automated technology and digital infrastructure that will enhance product quality and reliability of supply,” says Dufaur.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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