It's The Margins That Matter
OPINION: It appears to be difficult for people who haven’t tried to run a business to understand the difference between assets and cash.
Ravensdown has recorded a strong profit for the 2019-20 financial year.
The fertiliser cooperative received a profit before tax, bonus share issue and rebate of $69 million, compared to $52 million in the 2018-19 financial year.
It says it will be returning a total of $68 million to its eligible farmer shareholders.
The co-op says it is confident in its financial strength and cautiously optimistic in the face of uncertainty around Covid-19 and emerging government policy.
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Ravensdown Chairman John Henderson. |
In addition to a previous non-cash bonus share distribution in March of $40 million, including imputation credits and a further rebate of $25 per tonne of fertiliser purchased in 2019-20, Ravensdown says it was able to increase spending on its physical infrastructure to $28 million and repeat its 2018-19 spend on R&D ($5 million).
Reduced inventory and strong cashflows throughout lockdown meant that Ravensdown finished the financial year with no net debt and an operating cashflow of $143 million, versus $31 million in 2018-19.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.