BALAKLAVA hay supplier Rob Saint, Balowery Pastoral, said it was "a shame" that major investment in Balco had come from offshore.
"I am concerned that we won't have the same control of the company locally, like we used to," he said.
"But I guess for Balco to survive, and to stay competitive in the market, it had to happen."
Mr Saint sells about 2000 bales of oaten hay a year to Balco, and was hopeful the new partnership would mean increased involvement in Chinese markets.
"Chinese markets are only going to grow in the future, and by all reports from Balco and other local exporters, it's going to become as big as, if not bigger than the Japanese market," he said.
"There is plenty of scope there."