The dirt on soil: Why healthy soil matters
OPINION: Every year, December 5 marks World Soil Day. This date wasn’t chosen at random, it’s the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, a passionate advocate for soil stewardship.
Canterbury dairy and arable farmer, Cameron Henderson has been appointed a director of Ballance.
Henderson currently sits on DairyNZ’s board as an associate director and is a Rural Leaders’ Kellogg Scholarship recipient and Nuffield Scholarship recipient.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients chair, Duncan Coull, says “We’re delighted to welcome Cameron on-board. His commitment to innovation and sustainability within New Zealand’s agricultural sector represents the sort of transformative thinking that will ensure our industry can continue to thrive for generations to come.
“That, coupled with his extensive experience both on-farm and at a governance level, will make him a real asset to our shareholders in this role,” says Coull.
Henderson says that building his family business has given him a strong understanding of the importance of focus on financial management, strategic investment, and risk.
“My past roles in supply chain strategy, IT and farm systems modelling, alongside my strengths as a critical thinker and strong team advocate, all add to the list of qualities I will bring to the board table.
“I am deeply passionate about New Zealand’s farming community – and firmly believe that robust advice, innovative solutions and strong advocacy all need renewed focus to help our industry navigate the regulatory minefield we’re currently facing in New Zealand. It’s that which has led me to various regional and national policy and governance roles, with a focus on finding a way forward for agriculture.
“I’m committed to always putting the needs of my fellow farmers front and centre, and look forward to this new opportunity to contribute to our co-operative, and the wider agricultural industry as a whole,” says Henderson.
Ballance’s Annual Shareholder meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday 29 September at 5pm.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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