New chairman for Ballance board

New chairman for Ballance board – Duncan Coull

Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited Chairman David Peacocke, is stepping down as a Director in September 2020 at the Annual Shareholders Meeting (ASM). Duncan Coull has been elected as the new Chairman by the Board of Directors taking up the post after the ASM. We caught up with Mr Coull to learn more about him and what he hopes to achieve in his new role.

What are your roles outside of Ballance?

This industry has been great for me and my family. I’m a second-generation farmer, now dairy farming in Ōtorohanga milking 650 cows with my wife Julie and our two sons.

When my wife and I were first starting out we benefited from the time that others put into leadership and governance positions – they are the reason the industry is so well positioned today. That’s why I think it’s really important to give back and put yourself forward for leadership roles.

I’m currently the Chair of Ōtorohanga District Development Board and Chair of various advisory boards in the agriculture and building industry and the former chair of Fonterra Shareholders Council. I’m also a farm supervision and advisory consultant in the Waikato. I’m passionate about the cooperative model, member owned and led, and will keep supporting it to make sure that our future generation of farmers receive the same support my family did. When did you first become interested in the agriculture industry – and specifically agri nutrients? Having grown up on a small dairy farm in Taranaki, I have always had a strong affinity with the land, the opportunities and freedom it provides to those that apply themselves and a great environment to live in and raise my family.

A key principle of farming and growing is that for the land to take care of us we must take even greater great care of our farm systems. It is a simple equation, what you put in is what you get out – healthy soil combined with water and a good climate provides the basis for healthy plants, crops and animals.

My interest in agri nutrients stems from this guiding principle as does my passion for the Ballance cooperative model. For generations cooperatives have provided products, support and advice to enable us to continue to farm based on this key principle. What will your new role as chairman involve and what do you want to achieve? The chairman’s role is one of facilitation, allowing strong debate on issues, driving a consensus view and a cohesive team. The other aspect of facilitation is having a strong working relationship with the CEO built on trust to support and guide to enable value creation for our shareholders.

In terms of achievement, for the business it comes down to our ability to continue to deliver value to our shareholders (farmers and growers), adapting to their needs. From a governance perspective, it is to ensure the cooperative performs well, so that we are able to provide a platform for continued service, growth and success for generations to come. During your time with Ballance how have you seen the company’s purpose and work change/evolve such as the use of fertiliser? As a relatively new member of the Ballance Board, an early observation that I was encouraged by was the clear sense of purpose that the cooperative has and how this has driven a strong cohesive culture throughout

the organisation. My other observation is that the business has evolved alongside its core nutrient function to become an enabler. Consumers and community expectations are aligned with our own drive to do the right thing with respect to sustainable practice. Ballance, in my view, will need to continue to develop tools and products to enable our shareholders to meet their own and other expectations around sustainable “A key principle of operating models. farming and growing is that for the land to take care of us we must take even greater great care of our farm systems.”

What do you think is important about irrigation and water use in New Zealand?

The effects of climate change, and people’s own personal beliefs around it, will influence the way they invest in their farm system to maintain soil health and moisture. However, water and nutrients will always be important factors of healthy feed and crops. The sustainable use of both are big issues we need to grapple with and one of our greatest opportunities. Investment in irrigation schemes that encourage sustainable land and water use will play an important role in longterm food supply.

Stepping into the role after what has been a very uncertain time – what is going to be important?

The primary sector is an important leader in supporting the economic recovery of our nation. Through the supply of nutrients and advice, Ballance will work with our shareholders to secure New Zealand’s future in the global food economy.

Ballance needs to have the confidence to invest for the future in our people, innovation and infrastructure to ensure we remain relevant to the needs of our shareholders through the uncertainty of the months ahead and beyond.