Back from the brink

It was just two years ago the company was on the financial brink, following a disastrous foray into Australia and other non-core investments, led to it paying out a nil rebate to shareholders and clocking up more than $346 million in bank debt.

However, in 2015, that debt has been cut to $6 million and farmer shareholders around the country will receive a record rebate of $50 per tonne.  Ravensdown says a fully paid-up shareholder – who applied 150 tonnes of fertiliser – will receive $7,500 in cash rebate in August; instead of the traditional September payment.   

Chief executive Greg Campbell told Rural News this year’s effort was no one-off result, but part of a planned strategy developed back in 2013.

“We have deleveraged the balance sheet and concentrated only on parts of the business that add value to our shareholders. These (parts of the business) have to wash their own face, if you like.”

Campbell says Ravensdown remains a totally focused integrated business that makes financial and social returns to its shareholders.

“We are not only selling fertilisers to our shareholders, but also providing scientific and agronomic advice to help our farmers meet the ever-increasing environmental compliance demands that ate being imposed on them,” Campbell adds. “We have invested heavily in this side of the business and we have the highest number of nutrient advisors in the country.

“During the past year, Ravensdown also built a team of local animal health and agronomy specialists and more certified nutrient management advisers now work for the co-operative than any other company. The environmental consultancy is also expanding due to increased demand.”

Campbell says the cooperative achieved its fertiliser tonnages target, which he claims have held steady compared to the previous year and passed on price reductions throughout the year. 

“Many products are at historically low prices such as urea which is the lowest it has been for eight years.”

Ravensdown earned an operating profit of $51.9 million, despite one-off costs associated with the closure of Waikeratu’s lime quarry due to safety concerns. Exiting the Ruralco joint venture with ATS and the cost of two unsold Australian buildings also impacted on the bottom line result. After exiting of all its loss-making Australian ventures, revenue  for the year declined to $716 million. 

Campbell remains cautious about trading conditions that may affect fertiliser tonnages in the current year, but is confident that the business and farming fundamentals are strong. 

“There is no doubt dairy is down, but other parts of the sector – which we have interest in – including sheep and beef, arable, horticulture and viticulture are doing well,” he adds. “It is vital in tougher times that farmers engage with the team around nutrient budgeting, soil testing and animal or plant productivity.”

Campbell says pastoral feed systems are still the most cost efficient model for livestock farming

Ravensdown will hold its AGM on September 14 in Dunedin.