Blog Post Day #2

 Blog Post Day #2 

Student group at Balle Bros

 

We started out the day waking up at the Attic Backpack and got breakfast at leisure. Many of the students found local cafes to grab coffee to start off their mornings. After this, we boarded the bus and proceeded to go to Pukekohe where we visited the Balle Bros who have the largest vegetable operation in New Zealand. 

Potatoes at Balle Bros.

The Balle Bros export produce to Indonesia, Thailand, Germany, Poland, Hawaii, and many more places. Their operation consists of seven brothers who all have different but vital roles in the success of their operation. It includes about 5,000 acres and produces onions, carrots, and potatoes which contribute to a large proportion of their production. They are able to produce this immense number of vegetables all year round. They rotate crops every five years to make best use of the soil and nutrients. Their main soil types are volcanic soil and ash. However, ash is not as fertile but still produces quite well, just requires slightly more fertilizer according to the producers. All vegetable waste goes to their dairy operation down the road and get reused and turned into feed for the cows, so none of their produce goes to waste. It is all utilized to their operation. 

Potatoes being wrapped and packaged.

We did a walk-through of their operation looking at how the produce is sorted and packaged for shipping which was super interesting. It is mostly all done by machines, the onion machine produces 500 bags of onions an hour. Although a lot of the work is done by machines, the washing and packaging of the carrots is mainly a manual job. During these processes, some of the vegetables get damaged or are not a uniform product that they want; they have created a brand for these vegetables which they sell at local markets to decrease the amount of waste. They assure that these products are safe and that there is nothing wrong with them, they just do not want good vegetables to go to waste.

Freshly washed carrots at Balle Bros.

Outside view of one manufacturing building at Gallaghers.

We then loaded back on the bus and took an hour-long bus ride passed beautiful scenery including the Bombay Hills, named according to the ship that brought immigrants over to the area. We enjoyed the vast scenery on our way to a mall in Hamilton where we stopped for lunch and to enjoy some shopping. 

After spending a short time at the mall, we headed to the Gallagher headquarters. Gallagher is the founder of the electric fence which is now used and a crucial invention to all parts of the world for livestock. Upon arriving, we were split into groups to tour the facility. It is composed of 800 workers in various types of job descriptions including: label printing, 3D printing, manufacturing, and packaging.

Tour guide explaining new technology for making various plastic pieces.

 There are many parts of the operation that make the facility function smoothly. We got to see many different tools that are made and used widely across New Zealand due to specific farm needs as well as products that are made specifically for other countries. 

New technology in developing stages.

As we moved through the operation, we were lucky enough to see some new and improved technology that has yet to hit the market. These new tools are a collar for cattle that does not require fencing and will shock the cow that leaves its designated area, sort of like a dog’s shock collar. These will be super impactful for the livestock industry in the future. They are very pleased with this invention especially because it is user friendly and is run using the owner’s mobile device. This device will send notifications if anything goes wrong, even from countries away.

Bill Gallagher Senior, founder of Gallagher operation.

Gallagher fencing technology advancing over the years.

After an amazing tour of Gallaghers, we proceeded to our hotel, Distinction Hamilton Hotel to enjoy a fun pizza party. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day’s festivities and are excited to see what tomorrow’s activities involve.