How farmers make spring count
OPINION: Spring is a critical season for farmers – a time when the right decisions can set the tone for productivity and profitability throughout the year.
Fonterra executive, Jason Minkhorst will join Ballance Agri-Nutrients early next year as its new general manager sales.
Minkhosrt is director Farm Source Stores and has extensive commercial experience from more than 15 years in senior executive and governance roles in the dairy sector.
He joins Ballance in March.
Ballance chief executive Mark Wynne, himself a former Fonterra executive, says Minkhorst’s deep knowledge of agri-business and genuine passion for the primary sector will be hugely valuable as Ballance focuses on the changing needs of New Zealand farmers and growers – providing tailored nutrients and advisory services, backed by the best science and technology.
“It’s great to have Jason joining us at what is a really exciting time for Ballance. He has an outstanding track record in rural leadership, sales strategy, growing competitive capability and delivering what rural customers want.
“GM Sales is a key role around our leadership table as we keep growing strength in our business and value for New Zealand.
“Our customers are increasingly looking to us to help them navigate a fast-changing regulatory landscape in New Zealand and stay ahead of global demand trends for premium food and natural fibres.”
Minkhorst will be based at Ballance’s Mount Maunganui corporate office, responsible for Ballance’s sales strategy and a nationwide team of nutrient specialists, along with customer services, key accounts, retail merchant relationships, sales operations, sales capability and the cooperative’s Science Extension team that is focused on knowledge sharing with farmers.
Alliance has announced a series of capital raise roadshow event, starting on 29 September in Tuatapere, Southland.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced a new equity partnership in an effort to support pathways to farm ownership for livestock farm operators.
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.