030728 Farmland Announces Third Quarter Financial Results

Kansas City, MO - Farmland Industries announced operating income(1) of $45.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2003 (ended May 31). This represents a substantial improvement of $138.3 million compared to an operating loss of $93.0 million in the third quarter one year ago. Year-to-date operating income(1) of $95.5 million is compared to an operating loss of $126.9 million during the nine-month period last year.

Overall, after inclusion of reorganization expense, non-cash restructuring charges and results from discontinued operations, Farmland reported a net loss in the third quarter of $47.2 million compared to a net loss of $189.5 million during the third quarter of the prior year.

Farmland President and CEO Bob Terry said, "We have continued to improve operating results in our various businesses, even as we operate under Chapter 11. We are very pleased with our operating results and the positive cash flow we are generating. This is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our employees."

Company highlights for the third quarter include:

-- As of May 31, Farmland had repaid nearly $400 million of its bank borrowings over the last year. The company has repaid all borrowings under its DIP Credit Facility. In addition, Farmland has repaid all but $20 million of its $135 million term loan.

-- Sales and margins improved in the Pork Marketing segment due to increased efficiencies and a continued focus on value added branded pork products.

-- Sales in the Beef Marketing segment increased 19% over the year prior, while income increased by $8.9 million.

-- Improved margins at the Coffeyville, Kan., nitrogen gasification plant resulted from higher unit selling prices. Higher natural gas prices raised unit selling prices but did not impact margins as this plant does not use natural gas as a feedstock in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers.

-- Selling, general and administrative expenses declined $28 million from the year-ago period.

Sales in Farmland's Pork Marketing segment increased $8.1 million, or 2%, during the period, compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2002. This increase was due in part to a 3% unit sales increase made possible by increased efficiencies at plants in Monmouth, Ill., and Denison, Iowa. Operating income in the Pork Marketing segment was $9.0 million, compared to an operating loss of $6.2 million in the same period a year ago. This marks the seventh consecutive quarter in which Farmland's Pork Marketing income was higher than the comparable period for the prior year.

Farmland's Beef Marketing segment (the company's interest in Farmland National Beef, which is not in Chapter 11) reported income of $11.4 million, up significantly from $2.6 million in the same period a year ago. Sales increased in the Beef Marketing segment as well, from $833 million to $990 million. Farmland expects the U.S. Bankruptcy Court will later this month approve the sale of Farmland's share of Farmland National Beef to its partner, U.S. Premium Beef, for $232 million.

During the third quarter, Farmland completed the sale of most of its Crop Production business to Koch Nitrogen Co., Wichita, Kan. Therefore Crop Production results from these businesses are reported as Discontinued Operations. Farmland's Crop Production business improved over the same quarter a year ago, reporting operating income of $17.9 million, compared to an operating loss of $17.7 million in the same period of 2002. A $15.2 million improvement in gross margins is attributable to operations at the Coffeyville, Kan., nitrogen gasification plant. Relatively high natural gas prices supported increased selling prices for nitrogen-based fertilizer products without increasing the cost of production at this plant, which does not use natural gas as a feedstock in the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers.

The World Grain segment incurred an operating loss of $2.0 million in the third quarter. The loss is attributable to the operations of Farmland's domestic grain assets, which are leased to Archer Daniels Midland. This compares to an operating loss of $2.4 million in World Grain in the third quarter of 2002.

The Petroleum segment reported operating income of $7.7 million, compared to an operating loss of $55.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002.

Terry said, "Our goal throughout the Chapter 11 process has been to maximize value for the benefit of our creditors. We have made significant strides in selling assets and businesses to pay off our secured lenders and to maximize the value we can deliver to our creditors. In one year, Farmland has reduced our bank borrowings by nearly $400 million through improved operations and the sale of assets. A major accomplishment in the third quarter was the sale of substantially all of our fertilizer assets, bringing value of $270 million. In June, we reached an agreement to sell our share of Farmland National Beef to U.S. Premium Beef for $232 million. These asset sales will generate a substantial cash pool for the benefit of our creditors."

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