To: The Manager Announcements Company Announcements Office Fax: 1300 300 021 Public Announcement 2005 – 101 AWB offers early cash flow for wheat producers Please find attached for immediate release an announcement regarding a second payment to wheat growers for selected AWB Harvest Finance products. Richard Fuller GM, Corporate Thursday 3 February, 2005 Thursday 3rd February 2005 AWB offers early cash flow for wheat producers AWB will make a second payment to wheat growers for selected AWB Harvest Finance products for the 2004/05 National Pool – the earliest such a payment has ever been made. Traditionally offered in May, AWB has brought the payment forward to Wednesday 9th February 2005, which will provide growers with important early cashflow heading into the 2005/06 season. AWB Managing Director, Andrew Lindberg, said AWB was in a position to make the earlier payment following a strong start to the sales and hedging program for the 2004/05 crop. “We have made a good start to our 2004/05 marketing and hedging season, and coupled with the fact that we have smaller Pool volumes this year, we are in a position to offer the second payment, and to distribute it earlier than ever before,” Mr Lindberg said. “This is good news for growers, some of whom have come off tough seasons recently, and who are now looking at a challenging grain market environment ahead. “Growers do not have to take this payment, but it does mean that there is fully underwritten cashflow available to them as they start planning their 2005 requirements,” Mr Lindberg said. AWB is making a payment for the majority of milling grades for the Number 1 Pool. The amount being paid varies depending on the AWB Harvest Finance product selected, as well as by grade – outlined in the table overpage. The second payment will be made to those growers who selected the Advanced Payment at harvest time. For the Harvest Loan, a second drawdown will be made into grower accounts. If growers elect not to keep the second drawdown, they will be able to repay the funds interest free until Wednesday 2nd March 2005. Customers who selected AWB’s Flexible Drawdown Loan (FDL) option in 2004/05 will have their credit limits automatically increased, which they can choose to draw down by contacting AWB Grower Service Centre. All growers who took an AWB Harvest Loan and AWB Advanced Payment option will receive a letter with their payment advice explaining the details. All growers who took the AWB FDL will receive a letter explaining how this payment applies to them. Growers not registered for GST will not be eligible for the second drawdown. For further information, growers should contact their local AWB or Landmark office or the AWB Grower Services Centre on 1800 054 433 Media contact Ryan McKinlay 03 9209 2324, or 0408 347 282 AWB LIMITED ABN 83 104 207 847 380 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000 Australia Telephone 03 9209 2000 Facsimile 03 9670 2782 www.awb.com.au AWB Second Payment / Drawdown / FDL credit increase $/t FOB, GST exclusive Pool Payment Grade AWB NEPR (announced 4/11/03) AWB Advanced Payment AWB Harvest Loan APH 221.00 18.05 7.80 AH 207.50 18.05 8.88 APW 200.00 17.30 8.50 ASW 193.00 18.40 9.15 AUH 204.75 18.00 8.86 AGP 185.00 23.00 11.75 APDR 219.00 7.50 7.50 AGDR 189.00 7.50 7.50
AWB Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
