Balle Brothers lead next generation into industry

Getting potatoes from the paddock to the packet as chips was just one aspect of a South Auckland horticultural business to impress Australian growers paying a visit at the height of harvest.

The visit to Balle Brothers’ horticultural business only half an hour from Auckland city was one of three producer visits the growers made during a trip that combined some of New Zealand’s tourism highlights with insights to the country’s booming horticultural sector.

The six growers had earned their place on the trip through their interest in Luna® Sensation, recently registered in Australia for the control of assorted fungal diseases across a range of crops, including almonds, stone fruit, apples and pears.

The Balle operation was the first in the southern hemisphere to trial Luna Devotion as a treatment for white rot in onions, and a problematic disease in soils of the area where cropping has been carried out for almost 100 years.

With all seven Balle brothers working in the business, and a dozen of their offspring, the visit provided an inspiring example of how a horticultural business could be successfully grown, and offer succession opportunities to the next generation. The issue of succession had proven to be a common challenge the visiting growers discussed on their trip.

Of the 60,000 t of potatoes harvested about 40% was used for both crisping and French fries. Exporting also plays a big part in the business, with 40% of the 40,000 t of onions exported as far afield as the Northern Hemisphere.

With 2500 ha under the plough, and an additional 1200 ha in Ashburton, Canterbury growing seed potatoes, the business also includes a large dairy unit, and cattle block which can provide a valuable outlet for waste vegetables to be used as animal feed.

Operations manager Maurice Balle outlined how the business has had to adapt to the growing influence of supermarkets over their business, after decades of the traditional auction system dictating supply and demand on the produce market.

“It was a period that had lower yields, but did have higher prices,” he says.

The growth in supermarkets has had the company develop its own branding for produce, including the “Little Diggers” range of bagged potatoes.

The family owned business takes its community employment responsibility seriously, employing large church groups from South Auckland for jobs like hand clipping onions which could be done mechanically.

“That really struck me about the value they put on ‘putting back’ into the community, by working with the locals and offering them work opportunities when there are other harvest options there,” said Victorian grower Bob Sanders.

All the growers were also struck by the positive, inclusive approach the business took to finding employment opportunities for family members.

“They seem to have managed to find places for everyone who wants to be part of the business, making the most of the skills that the next generation can bring with them,” said Roger Apted, of Victoria.

Bayer marketing manager Chris Miln said the Balle business has always been at the leading edge of innovation, and has done much to pioneer new techniques and treatments that others have come to follow.

For the latest information on Luna products registered in Australia, sign up online at www.bayercropscience.com.au/luna