CRT has a long-term supply agreement with Ballance Agri-Nutrients to provide CRT shareholders with a full range of broad acre fertilisers for their pastoral, cropping and horticultural needs – “all you need to grow”.
Ballance and CRT are both farmer owned co-operatives and the structure and ethos of both companies is well matched. CRT was the first south island retailer to offer trade pricing on Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertilisers – demonstrating a commitment to keep fertiliser prices down.
CRT’s commitment to trade pricing is strong – we offer trace pricing: guaranteed. Unlike some others, CRT has not and does not add any commission or service fee to the cost of fertiliser bought through the network of Ballance distribution centres. The invoice price you pay reflects the base price of the fertiliser plus any freight and store charges, as published in the Ballance Trade Price List.
The CRT and Ballance sales teams work closely together on farm out in the regions. An important aspect for both companies is that their respective sales team personnel live within the rural communities in which they operate – the local knowledge being paramount in understanding the minor and unique differences between areas. The technical back up and knowledge of the Ballance Technical Sales Representatives (TSR’s) is exceptional and can greatly assist the more complex fertiliser recommendations
Ballance produces a range of fertilisers for all pastoral and cropping situations and markets them under the following brands:
Brief history of Ballance Agri-Nutrients
From a small beginning in the Bay of Plenty, Ballance Agri-Nutrients has grown into New Zealand's leading supplier of agri-nutrients, selling around 1.5 million tonnes a year. A series of mergers, culminating in the bringing together three iconic regional fertiliser businesses; BOP Fertiliser, Petrochem and SouthFert, created a national busines renowned for the quality of its products and service and knowledgeable, dedicated staff. The company name originates with the New Zealand Prime Minister of the late 1890s (john Ballance) who oversaw the legislation leading to New Zealand's rapid conversion to a farming-based economy.
R&D is a top priority for Ballance, spending well over $1 million annually on product research within New Zealand; working closely with research organisations such as AgResearch and the Fertiliser Manufacturers Research Association. Much of this research is focussed on how the extensive range of specialist products can be best applied to the diverse soils, pasture types, topography and mini/micro climates that are a feature of the varied farming systems in New Zealand today. State-of-the-art business tools and decision support software programmes that match the latest research to specific local solutions, back up the countrywide R&D programme. Ballance also promotes sustainable, environmental farming practices and has sponsored the national Ballance Environmental Farm Awards for many years.