Visitors: Mark Wynne
Birthdays: nil
Rotary Anniversaries: nil
Chris opened the meeting with meteorological observations and by recognising that it is both National Jelly-Bean Day and National Beagle Day.
Guest Speaker Mark Wynne, Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Mark was introduced by Bill Holland,
Mark commented that we all love food but take it for granted. Is there a better way to produce it, especially in the context of climate change. The Paris Accord determined we should cut back our footprint but not at the expense of food production.
Covid has seen a rush of food purchasing with unbelievable quantities flying off the shelves. Their energy crisis and geopolitical events have influenced the pressures. Fertilizer prices have increased exponentially and a food crisis is leading to food riots.
If no fertilizer was used anywhere in the world, 50% of the population would starve.
Ballance was founded by farmers to get a reliable supply of fertilizer. In 1958 they began making superphosphate. Today it has 18,000 farmer shareholders and a turnover of close to one billion dollars.
Some facts:
150 distribution stores
3 fertilizer plants and 3 feed plants
4 PhD innovators and 7 science specialists
Together with farmers and growers NZ creates the best soil and food on Earth and exports 95% of that food.
Ballance tries to win locally but acknowledges 20% of the dust effects on neighbours comes from their plant. However the bulk of the dust comes from tyres and brakes of passing cars.
Ballance works with farmers to adjust nutrients seasonally and has evolved from a fertilizer supplier to nutrient management. Essentially they sell advice that enables farmers to grow and thrive on the world stage.
Advanced mapping determines areas of land to top-dress and computer controlled spreading increases accuracy. Fertilizers have been formulated that reduce loss due to factors such as run off.
It is a science-based company with an excellent supply chain in which the Port of Tauranga plays a pivotal role.
There is a plan to green the Ammonia Urea Plant at Kapuni, but this is currently affected by an Appeal.
The company has great people, including our own Rotarian, Shiv. There is a strong health and safety culture.
Mark concluded by saying that we all need a job worth doing, a team worth belonging to and a leader worth following.
A number of insightful questions followed, including about the situation in Western Sahara.
Thanks
Barbara thanked Mark for a very informative and detailed presentation.
25th Anniversary Dinner 21st May
Mary and the kaitiaki are working on this. It will be a wonderful celebration of 25 years of fellowship and contribution. Save the date.
Auction
Ross informed us that the auction would now be held later in the year, following his return from performing social and environmental work in Europe. I know, somebody has to do it.
Spare Phones
Dan is working with 36 Rangatahi in Te Puke. Anyone who can assist through donating an unwanted mobile phone, please contact Dan.
Aongatere Forest Park 15 May
Michele is organizing an informative morning which could also include a picnic and walk. There’ll be information on how traps are laid and managed. Trees will be planted.
Raffle winner: Steve Dorrington
Sergeant Dr Neil
Neil opened proceedings with a quip that Glen’s talk on cryptocurrencies had been so good that a local college teacher had been subsequently scammed. Thank you Glen!
But the main theme of Neil’s session was ANZAC Day. He reflected that Gallipoli was not that far from Odessa, in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It took NZ years to get organized and send troops to World War One. At Gallipoli some 44,000 Allied troops and 85,000 Turkish troops were killed.
From there the bulk of NZ forces went to Europe with the loss of around 16,000 NZ lives.
Hilary Follett, a baker from Matamata and Neil’s wife’s great-great uncle, was killed at Le Quesnoy on his first day. He was a member of the 6th Hauraki Regiment.
Lest We Forget
ANZAC Day. Monday 25th
A time of remembrance for Conflicts of the world and our family, Friends and acquaintances who fought to give us our freedom.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not we
ary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Tpr Gordon Brownless among the ruins after the hard-fought Battle of Montecassino.
