Ballance announce AI and geospatial mapping tool for farmers

New Zealand farmers and growers now have a way to manage on-ground nutrient application via a new tool that uses AI and geospatial mapping technology, with the potential to save nutrient application by up to 10%.

Developed by Ballance Agri-Nutrients (Ballance), SpreadWise helps map key farm features such as troughs, gates, and waterways, areas that are naturally nutrient-enriched by livestock movements.

Ballance General Manager Customer Jason Minkhorst said that by using geospatial and AI technology the tool creates exclusion zones where additional nutrients are not needed, resulting in greater accuracy.

“The AI technology utilises computer vision to analyse aerial imagery and identify objects of interest on a farm automatically,” Jason Minkhorst added. “By removing the manual exclusion mapping process, it saves farmers valuable time, improving nutrient efficiency, and compliance with environmental regulations.”

“With farming moving toward more efficient and effective use of nutrients, SpreadWise enables a more informed, data-led approach to nutrient management,” Jason Minkhorst commented.

Trials with large scale farms have shown the mapping tool helps reduce nutrient use while maintaining strong pasture performance.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/product-news/22042025/ballance-announce-ai-and-geospatial-mapping-tool-for-farmers/