26 August 2014
MEDIA RELEASE
Landcorp Farming doubles profit
Landcorp Farming has recorded a net operating profit of $30 million for the year ended 30 June 2014, up from $13 million
from the previous year. Total revenue from operating activities increased 37% to $241.7 million.
The growth in revenue reflected a recovery in prices as favourable weather boosted production volumes for Dairy, Sheep
and Beef products. Landcorp’s expansion of dairy production across the country combined with record milk solid prices
contributed to the strong performance.
Landcorp CEO, Steven Carden, said various business decisions taken in 2013/14 meant Landcorp could approach the coming
year with confidence, despite the prospect of lower prices.
“We’re very focussed on initiatives to raise productivity and efficiency across our operations.
“We have strengthened our productive capacity and secured economies of scale through new partnerships with landowners
like the Hauraki Collective, introducing a state of the art Farm Management software system, and a company-wide
initiative to reduce costs and streamline decision-making at the farm level”.
“We’ve also made solid gains in feed production per hectare and have achieved a 10% lift in dairy production” he said.
Landcorp’s total shareholder return (or comprehensive income) was $115.9 million compared with a $1.5 million loss the
previous year. The increase was mainly due to a $36.7 million unrealised gain in the market value of livestock and a
$67.6 million revaluation gain on land and improvements.
High dairy prices and success with partnerships for expanded production increased milk revenue by 70% to $129 million.
Expenses for 2013/14 increased 15% to $207 million due to the commencement of the sharemilking arrangement with the
Shanghai Pengxin Group and expansion of the Wairakei Pastoral Dairy conversion program. Purchased feed also increased as
Landcorp increased production to exploit high forecast milk prices and to offset the effect of the dry conditions
experienced in the North Island in early autumn
Mr Carden said, despite the bottom-line impact of the projected fall in milk prices for 2014/15, Landcorp was well
placed to continue to record sustainable profit growth over the medium term.
“In addition to our productivity improvements, we have a strategy focused on significantly improving our environmental
footprint and driving a big lift in the calibre of our people and their safety on-farm.
“In the medium and long term, we will be taking significant steps to reduce our exposure to commodity price cycles. In
part, that means maintaining a diverse portfolio of species farmed - including a renewed emphasis on expanding our red
meat production in our lamb, beef and venison categories. This will involve collaborating with other farming groups,
such as iwi, interested in joining our contracts or establishing new ones with us.
“We also plan to ensure our products are targeted at niche markets where we can have a direct relationship with the
customer,” he said.
Landcorp will pay the shareholder an increased dividend of $7 million for 2013/14. Debt has been reduced by $56 million
to $172 million over the course of the year, following the sale of various farms in the North Island.
Landcorp 2013/14 financial results
12 months to
30 June 201412 months to
30 June 2013Percentage changeAmount (millions)Amount (millions) Revenue from ordinary activities
$NZ 241.7
$NZ 176.737%Net operating profit
$NZ 30.0[1]
$NZ 13.0133%
Net profit (loss) (after tax)
$NZ 54.7[2]
($NZ 18.1)402%
Total comprehensive income
$NZ 115.9
($NZ 1.5)7,827%
Final Dividend (declared)
$NZ 7.0
$NZ 5.0
40%
About Landcorp Farming
Landcorp is a state owned enterprise and New Zealand’s largest corporate farmer. It owns or manages 137 dairy, beef,
sheep and deer farms from the Far North to Southland. With 1.6 million stock units on 376,942 Ha, it produces around
18,000 tonnes of milk solids, 10,000 tonnes of sheep meat, 10,000 tonnes of beef, 3,500 tonnes of wool, 2,500 tonnes of
venison and 8 tonnes of velvet per annum.
Ends