Viterra Reports Strong First Quarter Results

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - March 9, 2011) - Viterra Inc. (TSX:VT) (ASX:VTA) ("Viterra") today announced exceptional first quarter financial results with EBITDA of $211 million compared to $90 million in the same quarter last year. Results were driven by Viterra's Australian operations. South Australia harvested a record crop during the quarter and contributed $116 million to EBITDA compared to $67 million one year ago. In North America, strong quarterly fertilizer pricing and sales, and contributions from the pasta and oat processing businesses acquired in the second half of fiscal 2010 also increased EBITDA. All segments posted earnings improvements. Net earnings rose to $100 million compared to $11 million in the first quarter of 2010. /T/ Financial Highlights (in thousands - except per share items) Three Months ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and other operating revenues $ 2,470,537 $ 1,784,525 $ 686,012 Gross profit and net revenues from services 411,622 276,093 135,529 EBITDA (1) 211,263 89,768 121,495 Net earnings 99,623 10,653 88,970 Earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.03 $ 0.24 Cash flow provided by operations (1) 185,260 60,147 125,113 Per share $ 0.50 $ 0.16 $ 0.34 Free Cash Flow (1) 143,882 32,282 111,600 (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 of the attached Management's Discussion and Analysis /T/ "Viterra had a strong first quarter, reflecting the value inherent in the integrated model that we have created that combines the benefits of grain and oilseeds origination globally with an international marketing base that is positioned to capture opportunities in response to market imbalances," stated Mayo Schmidt, Viterra's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our value chain maximizes shareholder returns and we are pleased to have delivered first quarter earnings of $0.27 per share, a sharp increase from the $0.03 per share we earned one year ago. With tightening supply and demand fundamentals, rising commodity prices and the associated food security issues that are now at the forefront for many nations, we recognize the importance of agriculture in the global economy and the role that Viterra plays in delivering quality ingredients to customers around the world." Consolidated sales and other operating revenues for the quarter increased 38% to $2.5 billion compared to $1.8 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. In addition to the record crop in South Australia, higher fertilizer pricing and strong margins from food processing in North America drove gross profit and net revenues from services ("gross profit") to $412 million compared to $276 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The Company generated quarterly cash flow provided by operations of $185 million or $0.50 per share compared to $60 million or $0.16 per share in the first quarter of last year. Free cash flow also increased significantly to $144 million compared to $32 million in fiscal 2010. Harvest Update The western Canadian harvest was essentially complete by the end of November 2010. Production for the six major grains is estimated to be 45.0 million tonnes, down from the 10-year normalized average of 49.0 million tonnes and about 15% lower than the 2009 crop that produced 52.8 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds. In South Australia, harvest was substantially complete at the end of February and production is estimated at 9.8 million tonnes for 2011, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences' February 15, 2011 crop report. This is the largest crop on record, exceeding the previous record of 8.9 million tonnes and representing a 38% increase over last year's production of 7.1 million tonnes. The 10-year average for South Australia is approximately 6.0 million tonnes. Outlook Grain Handling and Marketing Management anticipates Canadian Grain Commission receipts for the six major grains in Western Canada to be about 31.0 million tonnes for the 12 months ended October 31, 2011, up from its previous estimate of 30.0 million tonnes. Management confirmed its global pipeline margin per tonne guidance of $33 to $36 per tonne, which will include a full year of gross profit contributions from the International Grain group. Factors supporting this guidance include: - Strong shipments out of South Australia throughout the next two quarters given the significant crop in storage, the favourable commodity pricing environment and production issues in other grain growing regions of the world. - Continued export strength out of North America due to strong demand created by supply difficulties in other grain growing regions, robust global pricing for commodities and the continuing drawdown of western Canadian carry-over stocks. Management expects that the Canadian Wheat Board's estimated 17.4 million tonne export target for wheat and barley out of Canada for the 2011 crop year is achievable. Agri-products In fiscal 2011, several trends are expected to continue to support strong fundamentals in the Agri-products segment including: - Strong demand for fertilizer in Western Canada due to improved commodity prices and increased nutrient requirements caused by excess moisture in 2010 and 2011. For fiscal 2011, Management continues to expect that its blended fertilizer margin will be in the range of $100 to $120 per tonne. - Increased demand for canola seeded acreage as a result of higher oilseed prices. Assuming good spring seeding conditions, Management currently estimates that seeded acres of canola will increase to approximately 18.0 to 19.0 million acres in 2011 versus about 16.8 million acres in 2010. These strong fundamentals may be somewhat tempered by an expected reduction in western Canadian seeded acreage in 2011. Management has not changed its view that seeded acreage will decrease by approximately 3.0 to 4.0 million acres below the 10-year average of 60.0 million acres. However, excess moisture last year, coupled with above average snowfall in certain areas of Western Canada this winter, does pose some additional risk, should flooding occur entering the spring planting period. Processing Management expects solid contributions from the Processing segment to continue throughout fiscal 2011 and the combined annual food processing margin to range between $90 to $110 per tonne. This is being driven by: - Strong demand for whole grain, nutritional food ingredients, and - Strong demand for healthy and economical pasta products given the tepid U.S. recovery. Management expects these gains will in part be offset by its malt operations that face some temporary challenges due to excess capacity. Management, however, remains confident in the long-term outlook for the malt processing industry. First Quarter Segment Highlights The following table provides various key financial highlights for the first quarter ended January 31, 2011 compared to January 31, 2010. The Company's unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") for the three months ended January 31, 2011 are incorporated fully into this news release. Readers are encouraged to review the following pages for a full description of the Company's current financial performance. Viterra will be hosting a conference call for interested parties on March 9, 2011 at 1:15 p.m. ET (11:15 a.m. MT) to discuss its first quarter financial results. Details are available on Viterra's website, under Newsroom at www.viterra.com. /T/ First Quarter Segment Highlights (in thousands - except margins) Three Months ended January 31, Better (Unaudited) 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain Handling and Marketing Segment Gross profit and net revenues from services $ 298,441 $ 201,699 $ 96,742 EBITDA (1) 197,762 109,679 88,083 Sales and other operating revenues 1,942,634 1,343,208 599,426 Operating Highlights (tonnes) : North American Shipments 3,474 3,576 (102) Australian Receivals 8,238 6,161 2,077 Total pipeline 11,712 9,737 1,975 Consolidated pipeline margin (per tonne) $ 25.48 $ 20.71 $ 4.77 Agri-products Segment Gross profit and net revenue from services $ 53,557 $ 32,599 $ 20,958 EBITDA (1) 9,296 (11,934) 21,230 Sales and other operating revenues 292,571 215,363 77,208 Fertilizer 174,979 120,567 54,412 Crop Protection 5,222 4,092 1,130 Seed 1,120 578 542 Wool 95,503 68,739 26,764 Financial Products 3,670 4,763 (1,093) Equipment sales and other revenue 12,077 16,624 (4,547) Fertilizer volume (tonnes) 373 310 63 Fertilizer margin (per tonne sold) $ 98.71 $ 57.05 $ 41.66 Processing Segment Gross profit and net revenue from services $ 59,624 $ 41,795 $ 17,829 EBITDA (1) 40,356 23,186 17,170 Sales and other operating revenues 373,910 307,977 65,933 Processing sales volumes (tonnes) Malt (2) 126 127 (1) Pasta 54 - N/A Oats 103 54 49 Canola 38 59 (21) Combined food processing margin (per tonne sold) $ 147.36 $ 97.01 $ 50.35 Feed sales volumes (tonnes) North America 447 538 (91) New Zealand 43 35 8 Combined feed processing margin (per tonne sold) $ 25.15 $ 32.31 $ (7.16) (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 of the attached Management's Discussion and Analysis (2) Includes contributions from Viterra's 42% ownership interest in Prairie Malt and its wholly owned Australian malt business /T/ Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that reflect Viterra's expectations regarding future results of operations, financial condition and achievements. All statements included or incorporated by reference in this news release that address activities, events or developments that Viterra or its Management expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as growth of its business and operations, competitive strengths, strategic initiatives, planned capital expenditures, plans and references to future operations and results, critical accounting estimates and expectations regarding future capital resources and liquidity of Viterra and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance and achievements of Viterra to be materially different from any future results, performance and achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. The risks include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed in Viterra's MD&A for the year ended October 31, 2010 under the heading "Risks and Risk Management". This MD&A can be found on Viterra's website at www.viterra.com as well as on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under Viterra Inc. About Viterra Viterra provides premium quality ingredients to leading global food manufacturers. Headquartered in Canada, the global agri-business has extensive operations across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Our growing international presence also extends to offices in Japan, Singapore, China, Switzerland, Italy, Ukraine, Germany and India. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, we operate in three distinct businesses: grain handling and marketing, agri-products, and processing. Viterra's expertise, close relationships with producers, and superior logistical assets allow the Company to consistently meet the needs of the most discerning end-use customers, helping to fulfill the nutritional needs of people around the world. VITERRA MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS JANUARY 31, 2011 1.0 Responsibility for Disclosure Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") was prepared based on information available to Viterra Inc. (referred to herein as "Viterra" or the "Company") as of March 8, 2011. Management prepared this report to help readers interpret Viterra's unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended January 31, 2011. Please read this report in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A contained in the Company's Annual Financial Review for the year ended October 31, 2010, which is available on Viterra's website at www.viterra.com, as well as on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, under Viterra Inc. This MD&A and the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended January, 31, 2011 have been prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and are presented in Canadian dollars unless specifically stated to the contrary. 2.0 Company Overview Viterra is a vertically integrated global agri-business headquartered in Canada. The Company was founded in 1924 and has extensive operations across Western Canada and Australia, with facilities in the United States ("U.S.") and New Zealand. Viterra has offices in Canada, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, China, Switzerland, Italy, Ukraine, Germany, and India. As a major participant in the value-added agri-food supply chain, the Company operates in three interrelated segments, including Grain Handling and Marketing, Agri-products, and Processing. Geographically, Viterra's operations are diversified across Canada (primarily in Western Canada), Australia, New Zealand and throughout the U.S. Viterra wholly owns pasta production, malt production, oat milling, canola processing and livestock feed manufacturing operations. Viterra's North American operations also participate in malt production through a 42% ownership interest in Prairie Malt Limited ("Prairie Malt") and in fertilizer manufacturing through its 34% ownership in Canadian Fertilizers Limited ("CFL"). Viterra is also involved in other commodity-related businesses through strategic alliances and supply agreements with domestic and international grain traders and food processing companies. The Company markets commodities directly to customers in more than 50 countries around the world. On May 5, 2010, Viterra completed the acquisition of Dakota Growers Pasta Company, Inc. ("Dakota Growers"), a U.S.-based durum miller and leading producer and marketer of dry pasta products in North America. Dakota Growers' financial contributions are included in Viterra's results as of May 5, 2010. On August 17, 2010, Viterra completed the acquisition of 21C Holdings, L.P. ("21st Century") a premier U.S.-based processor of oats, wheat and custom-coated grains. Contributions from this business are included in Viterra's results beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Viterra's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "VT" and its CHESS Depositary Interests trade on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") under the symbol "VTA". /T/ 3.0 Summary and Analysis of Consolidated Results Selected Consolidated Financial Information (in thousands - except per share amounts) Three Months ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and other operating revenues $ 2,470,537 $ 1,784,525 $ 686,012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross profit and net revenues from services $ 411,622 $ 276,093 $ 135,529 Operating, general and administrative expenses (200,359) (186,325) (14,034) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA (1) 211,263 89,768 121,495 Amortization (49,264) (38,825) (10,439) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT (1) 161,999 50,943 111,056 Integration expenses (511) (979) 468 Gain (loss) on disposal of assets 843 (366) 1,209 Financing expenses (28,931) (37,231) 8,300 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 133,400 12,367 121,033 Recovery of (provision for) corporate taxes Current (1,029) 4,007 (5,036) Future (32,748) (5,721) (27,027) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings $ 99,623 $ 10,653 $ 88,970 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.03 $ 0.24 (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 /T/ Consolidated sales and other operating revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 38% to $2.5 billion compared to $1.8 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. A record crop in South Australia, strong fertilizer pricing and sales and continued solid results from the Company's new pasta and oat processing businesses bolstered sales for the quarter. These same factors drove gross profit and net revenues from services ("gross profit") to $411.6 million compared to $276.1 million in the same quarter last year. Operating, general and administrative ("OG&A") expenses were $200.4 million compared to $186.3 million in the first quarter of last year. The increase primarily reflects the additional seasonal labour required by Viterra's Australian operations to handle the record crop, a full complement of costs for the International Grain group, which was not fully established by this time last year, and costs related to the new pasta and oat milling businesses. EBITDA (see Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0) was up significantly to $211.3 million for the quarter versus $89.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. All segments posted earnings improvements, with the majority of the increase coming from the Australian grain handling and marketing business and the International Grain group, followed by the North American agri-products operation. For further information on segment performance, see Section 4.0 Segment Results. Amortization for the three months ended January 31, 2011 was $49.3 million compared to $38.8 million in the same three-month period in fiscal 2010. The increase relates to the finalization of the purchase price allocations for ABB Grain Ltd. ("ABB"), Dakota Growers and 21st Century. EBIT (see Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0) was $162.0 million for the quarter, compared to $50.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. /T/ Financing Expenses (in thousands) Three Months ended January 31, 2011 2010 Change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest on debt facilities $ 28,487 $ 38,565 $ 10,078 Interest accretion 521 915 394 Amortization of deferred financing costs 1,340 1,659 319 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financing costs 30,348 41,139 10,791 Interest income (1,119) (3,490) (2,371) CWB carrying charge recovery (298) (418) (120) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total financing and associated expenses $ 28,931 $ 37,231 $ 8,300 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ As noted in the table above, financing expenses were $28.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2011, net of interest income and Canadian Wheat Board ("CWB") carrying charge recoveries. This compares to financing expenses of $37.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2010. The majority of the decrease relates to lower long-term debt. Long-term debt was $891.4 million at January 31, 2011 $376.5 million lower than the prior year. After adjusting for interest income, financing expenses decreased by $10.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Viterra recorded a net corporate income tax provision of $33.8 million in the three-month period ended January 31, 2011, compared to $1.7 million in the same period of fiscal 2010. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the company had an effective tax rate of 25.3%. Viterra's first quarter net earnings were $99.6 million or $0.27 per share, which compares to $10.7 million or $0.03 per share in the same three-month period last year. /T/ 3.1 Select Quarterly Information Select Quarterly Financial Information For the quarters ended (in millions - except per share amounts) January 31, October 31, July 31, April 30, 2011 Q1(1) 2010 Q4(1) 2010 Q3(1) 2010 Q2(1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and other operating revenues $ 2,470.5 $ 1,951.7 $ 2,493.2 $ 2,026.9 Net earnings (loss) $ 99.6 $ 52.7 $ 63.5 $ 18.4 Basic earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.14 $ 0.17 $ 0.05 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.14 $ 0.17 $ 0.05 January 31, October 31, July 31, April 30, 2010 Q1(1) 2009 Q4(2) 2009 Q3 2009 Q2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and other operating revenues $ 1,784.5 $ 1,417.1 $ 2,223.5 $ 1,609.1 Net earnings (loss) $ 10.7 $ (0.9) $ 120.7 $ 26.3 Basic earnings per share $ 0.03 $ - $ 0.51 $ 0.11 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.03 $ - $ 0.51 $ 0.11 (1) Includes results for Viterra's Australian operations. (2) Includes results for Viterra's Australian operations from September 24, 2009 to October 31, 2009. /T/ A discussion of the factors that have caused variations over the quarters is found in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the MD&A for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010 and Section 4.0 Segment Results below. These sections discuss, among other things, the trends and seasonality of the Company's three operating segments: Grain Handling and Marketing, Agri-products and Processing. 4.0 Segment Results 4.1 Grain Handling and Marketing The Grain Handling and Marketing operations accumulate, store, transport and market grains, oilseeds, pulses and special crops. This business includes grain storage facilities and processing plants strategically located in the prime agricultural growing regions of North America and Australia. This segment also includes wholly owned port export terminals located in Canada and Australia. The International Grain group, through its sales offices, handles the merchandising of grains and oilseeds between origination and offshore destination customers. In addition, the International Grain group sources commodities from locations where Viterra has no accumulation and storage assets. Seasonality Receipts and subsequent shipments in any given fiscal year are dependent upon production levels and carry-over stocks from the prior year. Grain flows can fluctuate depending on global demand, crop size, prices of competing commodities, as well as other factors noted in the following discussion on volumes and shipments. In North America, grain shipments are fairly consistent from quarter to quarter, as are port terminal activities off the west coast. At Thunder Bay, shipments through the Company's port terminals end in late December, when the St. Lawrence Seaway is closed for the winter months and typically resume near the end of April. In South Australia, the majority of grain flows into the system during the first quarter as this is the harvest period, which begins in October and continues through until the end of January. During the second quarter, the operations typically receive the last of the grower grain deliveries, with the exception of a small amount that remains on-farm. Viterra owns and operates approximately 95% of South Australia's storage and all of its port terminal capacity. The grain that is delivered into the Company's grain storage and handling facilities is classified and blended in preparation for export. Viterra and other marketers then buy these grains and oilseeds and market them directly to destination customers. Shipping from the Company's port terminals typically commences in harvest and continues throughout the year. Income is derived from storage and handling fees including receivals and monthly carrying and out-turn (shipping) fees. Additional income is derived through handling and shipping of non-grain commodities year-round from select port terminals. In addition, the Company's International Grain group earns merchandising margins for commodities that it acquires from third parties and sells to destination customers around the world. Industry Receivals and Shipments The western Canadian harvest was essentially complete by the end of November 2010. Production for the six major grains is estimated to be 45.0 million tonnes, below the 10-year normalized average of 49.0 million tonnes and about 15% lower than the 2009 crop that produced 52.8 million tonnes. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, western Canadian industry shipments of the six major grains totaled 7.7 million tonnes compared to 8.1 million tonnes during the first quarter of fiscal 2010. South Australian production for 2011 is estimated at 9.8 million tonnes, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences' February 15, 2011 crop report. This would be the largest crop on record, exceeding the previous record of 8.9 million tonnes and representing a 38% increase over last year's production of 7.1 million tonnes. The 10-year average for South Australia is approximately 6.0 million tonnes. Viterra's North American Volumes Viterra's shipments for the three months ended January 31, 2011 were 3.5 million tonnes compared to 3.6 million tonnes in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Viterra shipped 1.5 million tonnes of CWB grains during the quarter, which is down slightly from the prior year due to the timing of the export program. Open market grain shipments increased slightly, reflecting strong demand from Asian-Pacific countries. Viterra's split between CWB grains and open market grain shipments for the quarter was 42/58, compared to a 50/50 split in the first quarter of last year, which will likely equalize over the balance of the year. Viterra's port terminal receipts were 2.4 million tonnes, about the same level as in the first quarter of 2010, with approximately 84% moving to west coast port terminals in the quarter to support continued strong demand from Asian-Pacific countries. Port terminal volumes to the Company's Thunder Bay assets were 16% of the total. /T/ Viterra's South Australia Volumes Viterra's Australian Volume Three Months (in thousands of tonnes) ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total shipments 1,627 635 992 Merchandised volumes South Australia 621 290 331 Rest of Australia 668 1,110 (442) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total merchandised volumes 1,289 1,400 (111) /T/ Viterra's South Australian operation received 8.2 million tonnes of grains, oilseeds and special crops into its system in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. This represents a 34% increase over the first quarter of fiscal 2010 when the Company received 6.2 million tonnes. The Company had a very strong shipping program in place for the first quarter and moved 1.6 million tonnes through its South Australia port terminals compared to 0.6 million tonnes in the first quarter of last year. High commodity prices, strong demand and the need for storage due to the record crop motivated both growers and Viterra to ship a significant amount of grain during the quarter. Of the total shipments out of South Australia, Viterra purchased approximately 38% for its own account. /T/ Operating Results Grain Handling and Marketing (in thousands - except margins) Three Months ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross profit and net revenues from services $ 298,441 $ 201,699 $ 96,742 Operating, general and administrative expenses (100,679) (92,020) (8,659) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA (1) 197,762 109,679 88,083 Amortization (25,608) (18,108) (7,500) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT (1) $ 172,154 $ 91,571 $ 80,583 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total sales and other operating revenues $ 1,942,634 $ 1,343,208 $ 599,426 North American Industry Statistics (tonnes) Canadian Industry Receipts - six major grains 8,277 8,254 23 Canadian Industry Shipments - six major grains 7,730 8,064 (334) Canadian Industry Terminal Receipts 5,645 5,693 (48) Viterra - North American Operations (tonnes) Elevator receipts 3,632 3,585 47 Elevator shipments 3,474 3,576 (102) Port terminal receipts 2,378 2,410 (32) Viterra - Australian Operations (tonnes) Shipments 1,627 635 992 Receivals 8,238 6,161 2,077 Consolidated Global Pipeline (tonnes) North American shipments 3,474 3,576 (102) Australian receivals 8,238 6,161 2,077 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total pipeline 11,712 9,737 1,975 Consolidated pipeline margin (per tonne) $ 25.48 $ 20.71 $ 4.77 (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 /T/ Gross profit for the Grain Handling and Marketing segment totaled $298.4 million and was up 48% or $96.7 million over the first quarter of last year. A significant portion of this increase was due to the performance of Viterra's Australian operations for the quarter. The International Grain group had a strong quarter as a result of its ability to leverage Viterra's global commodity and communications pipelines in order to capitalize on rapidly changing market dynamics for the Company's core commodities. This group's activities are driven by opportunities that arise in the market and its ability to optimize Viterra's commodity flow around the world. As such, results can fluctuate quarter over quarter depending upon varying market dynamics. Throughout fiscal 2010, as Viterra's international sales offices opened around the world, the associated export commodity positions became the responsibility of the International Grain group. Earnings from those sales are now recorded as contributions from that group rather than being included within North American and Australian results as was the case in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Gross profit was also positively impacted by improved North American margins that benefited from increased merchandising and blending opportunities, attributable to market volatility, higher commodity prices and increased pulse crop volumes. On a consolidated basis, gross margins were $25.48 per tonne compared to $20.71 per tonne in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. South Australia first quarter margins reflect the majority of the receival margin that is generated from harvest activity, together with margins earned on the 1.6 million tonnes shipped during the quarter. Margins on the remaining crop derived from storage, shipping and merchandising will materialize through the rest of the year. As a result, Viterra's consolidated gross margin per tonne builds across the quarters and should be viewed on an annual basis. Management continues to expect its global pipeline margin to be in the $33 to $36 per tonne range. This margin will include a full year of gross profit contributions from the International Grain group, which is now fully established. OG&A expenses for the Grain Handling and Marketing segment were $100.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to $92.0 million in the first quarter of last year. The increase primarily relates to additional seasonal labour hired in Australia to handle the record crop. OG&A expenses for the Australian operation are typically the highest in the first quarter. Viterra hired approximately 1,300 temporary employees to handle the harvest this year. These additional costs normalized by mid-February. OG&A expenses also increased quarter over quarter due to the full complement of International Grain group costs, while North American OG&A expenses decreased slightly compared to the prior year's quarter. The Grain Handling and Marketing segment generated $197.8 million in EBITDA for the quarter compared to $109.7 million in the first quarter of last year. Viterra's Australian operations contributed $114.0 million versus $64.0 million a year ago. The Company's North American operations contributed $50.5 million compared to $44.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. These increases reflect additional receival revenues in Australia and additional blending and higher merchandising margins relative to last year, the result of an increasing commodity price environment. The International Grain group contributed $33.3 million to EBITDA in the first quarter of fiscal 2011. EBIT was $172.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to $91.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Outlook In South Australia, the Company expects shipments to be very strong throughout the next two quarters given the significant crop in storage, the favourable commodity pricing environment and production issues in other grain growing regions of the world. To complement the 8.2 million tonnes, which has been received into our system during the first quarter of fiscal 2011, there was approximately 1.2 million tonnes of carry-in stocks from fiscal 2010. Management currently estimates carry-over stocks into fiscal 2012 for the Company's Australian system to range between 2.5 to 3.0 million tonnes. In North America, according to the Canadian Grain Commission ("CGC"), Canadian bulk grain exports for the six major grains (which excludes corn and rye), for the first half of the crop year (August 1st to January 31st), were 14.1 million tonnes, slightly ahead of the 14.0 million tonnes exported during the same period in crop year 2010. Export strength is anticipated to continue, despite lower than average production last fall. This is due to strong demand created by supply difficulties in other grain growing regions, robust global pricing for commodities and the continuing drawdown of western Canadian carry-over stocks. Management continues to believe that the CWB's estimated 17.4 million tonne export target for wheat and barley out of Canada for the 2011 crop year is achievable. Management believes that CGC marketings will be about 31.0 million tonnes for the 12 months ended October 31, 2011, up from its previous estimate of 30.0 million tonnes. This is a function of strong commodity prices and strong demand for all marketed commodities, regardless of quality. This change is expected to reduce the carry-out stocks to historical norms. Globally, production setbacks in the European Union, somewhat in Canada and most importantly, in the Black Sea region, have significantly altered the global wheat production outlook. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that by the end of the 2011 crop year, the global stocks-to-use ratio for wheat and coarse grains will be approximately 19%, a 4% drop from the end of 2010. As demonstrated in the chart below, this tight supply situation is indicative of both short-term supply difficulties in several key production regions and a longer-term trend of tighter supplies for agri-commodities over the last decade. Viterra will continue to watch these short and longer-term trends and look for opportunities to capitalize on its position in the global marketplace. To view a Global Stocks to Use Ratios - Wheat and Coarse Grains graph, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/308vt_graph.jpg 4.2 Agri-products Viterra operates a network of 261 agri-products retail locations throughout Western Canada, which are geographically dispersed throughout the growing regions of the Prairies. The Company's operations in Western Canada represent approximately a 34% share of the market. Viterra has a 34% investment in Canadian Fertilizers Limited ("CFL"), a nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing plant in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The Company is entitled to receive 34% of approximately 1.4 million tonnes of merchantable product, split between granular urea and anhydrous ammonia ("NH3"). The segment includes contributions from the Company's financial products business. Through Viterra Financial(TM), the Company acts as an agent for a Canadian chartered bank. On behalf of the bank, Viterra extends unsecured and secured trade credit at competitive rates to the Company's agri-products and feed products customers. The repayment terms are structured to meet the producers' cash flow needs. Viterra directly manages the customer relationship and receives a fee for performing front-end customer review and credit adjudication services. The profitability of this program relates to the level, duration and quality of credit in a given period, which is influenced by crop inputs, farm income levels, interest rates and, to a lesser extent, feed product demand. In Australia, Viterra operates 12 retail locations across South Australia, through which it sells seed, fertilizer and crop protection products. The Company also has five fertilizer warehouses in the region and has approximately a 5% share of the combined southern and eastern Australian retail and wholesale fertilizer business. As part of ongoing operations, Viterra operates a domestic wool network extending across the agricultural areas of Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria. Internationally, Viterra is the largest buyer of Australian wool and an exporter to key markets such as China, India and Italy. Seasonality Retail sales of agri-products are seasonal and correlate directly to the life cycle of the crop. About 60% of Viterra's annual agri-products sales are typically generated during the third quarter as producers purchase crop inputs such as seed, fertilizer and crop protection products. Only about 10% to 12% of agri-products sales occur during the first quarter of each fiscal year. However, during this period Viterra receives prepayments from farm customers who want to order a portion of their agri-product requirements for the following spring. Actual sales are recorded when product is delivered. Seed bookings, prepayments and discussions with customers provide Viterra with an early indication of seeding intentions. In Australia, few agri-products sales occur in the first quarter as growers are harvesting their crop. Most crop inputs are purchased during the seeding period, which begins in April and extends into June, with additional sales occurring throughout the growing season to support crop development. /T/ Operating Results Agri-products (in thousands - except margins) Three Months ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross profit and net revenues from services $ 53,557 $ 32,599 $ 20,958 Operating, general and administrative expenses (44,261) (44,533) 272 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA (1) 9,296 (11,934) 21,230 Amortization (9,002) (11,182) 2,180 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT (1) $ 294 $ (23,116) $ 23,410 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Highlights Sales and other operating revenues $ 292,571 $ 215,363 $ 77,208 Fertilizer 174,979 120,567 54,412 Crop Protection 5,222 4,092 1,130 Seed 1,120 578 542 Wool 95,503 68,739 26,764 Equipment sales and other revenue 12,077 16,624 (4,547) Financial Products 3,670 4,763 (1,093) Fertilizer volume (tonnes) 373 310 63 Fertilizer margin (per tonne) $ 98.71 $ 57.05 $ 41.66 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 /T/ Sales and other operating revenues for the Agri-products segment during the first quarter of fiscal 2011 were $292.6 million, up 36% from sales of $215.4 million for the same three-month period of fiscal 2010. These strong results were driven by fertilizer sales. Selling prices increased over the prior year and volumes were up approximately 20% over the prior year's quarter. Fertilizer volumes increased due to higher commodity prices and higher expected usage rates, which has motivated certain farmers to take early delivery of product. /T/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Fertilizer Volumes by Quarter (in thousands of tonnes) For the quarter ended Fiscal year 31-Jan 30-Apr 31-Jul 31-Oct Total ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2011 373 - - - 373 2010 310 371 699 370 1,750 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ Revenues from the Company's Australian wool business during the first quarter were $95.5 million compared to $68.7 million a year ago. Wool prices have rallied to their highest level in 30 years, reflecting tight global supply and strong demand from international markets, including China and India. Segment gross margins were up significantly to $53.6 million compared to $32.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The increase relates mainly to fertilizer margins that have increased to $98.71 per tonne in fiscal 2011 compared to $57.05 per tonne a year earlier. This is the result of higher average selling prices and lower natural gas costs compared to the prior year. For fiscal 2011, Management continues to expect that its fertilizer margin will be in the range of $100 to $120 per tonne. However, quarterly gross margins per tonne can vary outside this range due to product and customer mix and timing of purchases for manufactured versus resale tonnes. The gross profit contribution from financial products was $3.7 million compared to $4.2 million for the same period last year. OG&A expenses were $44.3 million for the first quarter and are on par with the same period last year. As a result of strong fertilizer volumes and margins, EBITDA for the quarter was $9.3 million compared to a loss of $11.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Quarterly EBITDA includes $3.5 million (2010 - $0.9 million) from the Australia operations. EBIT for the first quarter was $0.3 million versus a loss of $23.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Outlook In fiscal 2011, there are several trends which are expected to continue to support strong fundamentals in the Agri-products segment. For fertilizer, Management expects western Canadian demand to be strong due to improved commodity prices and increased nutrient requirements caused by excess moisture in 2010 and 2011. Early indicators support these expectations as fertilizer movement to farm has been very strong in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 even with selling prices above last year's. Demand for seed is also expected to be strong due to an expected increase in canola seeded acreage driven by higher oilseed prices. Management currently estimates 2011 seeded acres of canola will increase to approximately 18.0 to 19.0 million acres versus about 16.8 million acres in 2010, assuming good spring seeding conditions. As of January 31, 2011, North American retail customer prepayments were at record levels of $338.9 million, a 24% increase over January 31, 2010 prepayments of $272.0 million. The increase was primarily due to strong seed and fertilizer demand, as well as higher fertilizer prices. These strong fundamentals may be somewhat tempered by an expected reduction in western Canadian seeded acreage in 2011. Management has not changed its view that seeded acreage will decrease by approximately 3.0 to 4.0 million acres below the 10-year average of 60.0 million acres. However, excess moisture last year, coupled with above average snowfall in certain areas of Western Canada this winter, does pose some additional risk, should flooding occur as we enter the spring period. Final seeded acreage numbers will be dependent upon favourable weather conditions in the coming months. 4.3 Processing Viterra's Processing segment is an important aspect of the Company's value chain. Overall, this segment extends the Company's pipeline by producing food ingredients for consumer products companies and food processors around the world. This segment also consists of feed manufacturing operations that provide feed and nutritional supplements to the feed industries, primarily in Canada, the U.S. and New Zealand. Viterra's North American food processing operations consist of oat and specialty grain milling, pasta manufacturing, canola crushing and a 42% interest in Prairie Malt, a single-site malt operation located in Saskatchewan. There are four oat milling facilities with capacity to process 540,000 tonnes of raw oats into 335,000 tonnes of food ingredients annually. The wheat flour mill operation has the capacity to grind about 100,000 tonnes of grains into 75,000 tonnes of flour and bran, while the two pasta manufacturing facilities have the capacity to grind 340,000 tonnes of durum wheat and process 254,000 tonnes of pasta annually. The Company's canola crush facility has the capacity to process 340,000 tonnes of canola into 323,000 tonnes of oil and meal on an annual basis. In Australia, Viterra is the largest malt processor, operating eight processing plants strategically positioned across Australia, with production capacity of up to 500,000 tonnes annually. Approximately 400,000 tonnes are destined for export markets and 100,000 tonnes are consumed domestically. Viterra supplies malt to major domestic brewers and international brewers that predominantly supply the Asian-Pacific region. Viterra is a major player in the North American and New Zealand feed markets. In Canada, feed manufacturing is conducted at six feed mills and one pre-mix manufacturing facility. In the U.S., the operations include six feed mills and commodity blending sites in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The Company distributes nearly 2.0 million tonnes of feed from its North American operations annually. In New Zealand, the Company has a presence across the feed supply chain, from marketing and accumulation to storage, freight, milling and the sale of end-use products. It is a key importer and distributor of grains and meals to the New Zealand market. The Company operates three storage facilities in close proximity to the prime dairy regions. It is involved in maize processing and also operates a feed manufacturing and distribution business with four feed mills representing sales of approximately 330,000 tonnes annually. During fiscal 2010, Viterra commissioned its 180,000 tonne capacity feed mill in South Auckland. /T/ Operating Results Processing (in thousands - except margins) Three Months ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross profit and net revenues from services $ 59,624 $ 41,795 $ 17,829 Operating, general and administrative expenses (19,268) (18,609) (659) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA (1) 40,356 23,186 17,170 Amortization (12,246) (7,842) (4,404) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT (1) $ 28,110 $ 15,344 $ 12,766 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and other operating revenues $ 373,910 $ 307,977 $ 65,933 Operating Highlights - Food Sales volumes (tonnes) Malt (2) 126 127 (1) Pasta 54 - N/A Oats 103 54 49 Canola 38 59 (21) Combined food processing margin (per tonne sold) $ 147.36 $ 97.01 $ 50.35 Operating Highlights - Feed Feed sales volumes (tonnes) North America 447 538 (91) New Zealand 43 35 8 Combined feed processing margin (per tonne sold) $ 25.15 $ 32.31 $ (7.16) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 (2) Includes contributions from Viterra's 42% ownership interest in Prairie Malt and its wholly owned Australian malt business /T/ Sales and other operating revenues for the Processing segment for the first quarter were $373.9 million, up $65.9 million or 21% from the comparable period of 2010. The year-over-year increase reflects new contributions from the pasta and oat processing businesses that were acquired in the second half of fiscal 2010. First quarter sales volumes for the pasta business were 54,000 tonnes and reflect continued strong demand in the U.S. In the oat business, volumes nearly doubled to 103,000 tonnes with the addition of the 21st Century oat business, complementing strong sales from the existing oat operations. Canola crush volumes were 36% lower than the prior year's quarter. The Company temporarily reduced production during the quarter in an effort to mitigate the impact of poor margins. A recent 45% increase in Canadian canola processing capacity in Western Canada has depressed margins in the short-term. Viterra continues to serve its customers and meet its contract requirements and will adjust its production capacity to balance profitability with demand if and when industry fundamentals improve. Viterra's malt operations, which include the Company's 42% ownership interest in Prairie Malt, generated sales of $64.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to $86.2 million for the same period last year. While sales in Canada were comparable year-over-year, in Australia sales from malt were down due to lower volumes reflecting sluggish customer demand and softening world malt prices. Despite these challenges, Viterra's grain business was able to procure low raw material costs for its operations, which supported solid margins for the quarter. Quarterly gross profit from the food processing operations was $47.3 million, more than double the first quarter of fiscal 2010 at $23.3 million due primarily to the acquisitions completed in the prior year. On a combined basis, gross margins for the food processing operations were $147.36 per tonne compared to $97.01 per tonne a year ago. This increase is primarily due to contributions from its new pasta and oat production facilities, which produce higher margins. Lower canola margins partially offset these positive contributions. Combined food processing margins can fluctuate by quarter given product mix and the impact of supply and demand fundamentals. As such Management maintains its annual guidance range of $90 to $110 per tonne for fiscal 2011. Viterra's feed products operations generated sales revenue of $158.9 million compared to $159.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2010. Sales volumes for North American feed products were down to 447,000 tonnes for the three months ended January 31, 2011, versus 538,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2010. Intense competition in the western Canadian market for poultry and dairy feed and the impact on demand from lower swine and beef populations were the primary factors. It is estimated that the Canadian feed manufacturing industry has significant surplus capacity of approximately 50% in some regions such as Alberta and Manitoba due to lower than historical animal populations. As a result, competitors became more aggressive on pricing in the quarter. In the U.S., volumes decreased about 5%, reflecting slower demand in the beef and dairy markets, which has yet to see dairy producers increase their purchase of complex feeds. In the New Zealand feed operations, sales volumes improved but margins were down due to increased demand for lower margin products. The combined feed operations gross profit declined to $12.3 million for the first quarter of 2011, compared to $18.5 million a year ago. Gross margins per tonne were $25.15 per tonne in the first quarter, compared to $32.31 per tonne a year ago on lower sales volumes and margins. OG&A expenses for the Processing segment were $19.3 million for the quarter versus $18.6 million a year ago, reflecting the new pasta and oat businesses purchased in the second half of fiscal 2010. This increase was partially offset by lower costs in the North American operation due to integration work. The Processing segment's EBITDA for the quarter was $40.4 million, up significantly from the $23.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Viterra's new pasta and oats businesses were responsible for the majority of the increase with $19.6 million in EBITDA contributions for the quarter, on a combined basis. Viterra's Australian malt operation contributed $11.2 million versus $8.3 million. Segment EBIT was $28.1 million for the quarter compared to $15.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Outlook Management expects solid contributions from the Processing segment in fiscal 2011 The segment's performance reflects the benefits of the Company's diversification strategy to grow its portfolio of food and feed ingredients businesses. Demand for whole grain, nutritional food ingredients is strong. With the economic challenges facing North America, Management anticipates an increase in private label/store brand ready-to-eat cereals and more consumption of oatmeal. In addition, as fiscal 2011 progresses, Management believes the tepid recovery in the U.S. will continue to support strong demand for pasta products, which are healthy and economical. In the Canadian canola processing operation, the increase in Canadian canola crushing capacity last year has put pressure on margins and will continue to do so in the near term. However, Management does expect a modest earnings improvement in fiscal 2011. Prospects for this industry remain strong over the longer term given ongoing demand for healthy oils. Viterra is pursuing the opportunity to leverage its double expeller-press process by producing specialty oils, Non-GMO and Hi Oleic oil, for the natural food market. Global malt markets are expected to remain challenged in the near-term due to sluggish beer sales in North America and Europe. This has created excess capacity and has increased competition across the globe, which impacts industry margins. For Viterra's malt operations in Australia, Management does not believe demand will recover to pre-recession levels until at least the second half of fiscal 2011. However, the Company remains confident in the long-term outlook for this industry. For the North American feed business, western Canadian operations will be challenged by overcapacity, intense competition and margin compression in the near-term. However, results are expected to improve with the addition of new sales personnel and market strategies. In the U.S., the Company expects the demand for complex feed products will increase in response to the recent surge in short and medium-term milk futures pricing. In the New Zealand feed market, the ongoing recovery in the global economy and demand from Southeast Asia for dried milk products is driving higher milk prices in this market. These trends are expected to move producers from commodity feeds to higher margin complex feed products over time. /T/ 4.4 Corporate Expenses Corporate Expenses (in thousands) Three Months ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating, general and administrative expenses $ (36,151) $ (31,163) $ (4,988) Amortization (2,408) (1,693) (715) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT (1) $ (38,559) $ (32,856) $ (5,703) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 /T/ Corporate OG&A expenses were $36.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to $31.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 due to higher incentive expenses related to short-term and stock-based compensation programs. In addition, information technology expenses increased as Viterra enhanced its global delivery requirements. /T/ 5.0 Liquidity and Capital Resources 5.1 Cash Flow Information Cash Flow Provided by Operations (1) (in thousands - except per share amounts) Three Months ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA (1) $ 211,263 $ 89,768 $ 121,495 Add (Deduct) Employee future benefits 1,776 1,662 114 Other items 831 346 485 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted EBITDA 213,870 91,776 122,094 Integration expenses (511) (979) 468 Cash interest expense (27,070) (34,657) 7,587 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tax cash flow 186,289 56,140 130,149 Current income tax recovery (expense) (1,029) 4,007 (5,036) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow provided by operations (1) $ 185,260 $ 60,147 $ 125,113 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Per share $ 0.50 $ 0.16 $ 0.34 (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 /T/ For the three months ended January 31, 2011, cash flow provided by operations (see Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0) increased by $125.1 million or $0.34 per share. Improved cash flow in fiscal 2011 reflects higher EBITDA and lower cash financing costs. /T/ Free Cash Flow (1) (in thousands) Three Months ended January 31, Better 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow provided by operations (1) $ 185,260 $ 60,147 $ 125,113 Property, plant and equipment expenditures (38,757) (25,549) (13,208) Intangible assets expenditures (2,621) (2,316) (305) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow (1) $ 143,882 $ 32,282 $ 111,600 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 /T/ Free cash flow is measured by cash flow provided by operations less capital expenditures and does not reflect changes in non-cash working capital (see Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0). For the three months ended January 31, 2011, free cash flow increased by $111.6 million to $143.9 million from the comparable period of the prior year. The increase reflects improved EBITDA along with lower cash interest expense, offset by additional capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment. 5.2 Investing Activities Viterra's property, plant and equipment expenditures for the three months ended January 31, 2011 were $38.8 million compared to $25.5 million for the comparable period of the prior year. Capital expenditures reflect a number of improvements and upgrades undertaken in the ordinary course of business plus additional bunker storage put in place in Australia to handle the record crop. On an annualized basis, Viterra expects consolidated sustaining capital expenditures will be approximately $130.0 to $140.0 million, which will be funded by cash flow provided by operations. /T/ 5.3 Non-Cash Working Capital Non-cash Working Capital (in thousands) As at January 31, 2011 2010 Change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inventories $ 1,905,267 $ 1,119,914 $ 785,353 Accounts receivable 1,256,476 916,968 339,508 Prepaid expenses and deposits 205,583 242,955 (37,372) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,487,912) (1,019,040) (468,872) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 1,879,414 $ 1,260,797 $ 618,617 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ Inventory levels at January 31, 2011 were up significantly to $1,905.3 million compared with $1,119.9 million at January 31, 2010. The majority of the increase related to grain inventory values due to higher commodity prices and a record crop in South Australia. Viterra's Australian grain inventory values were $729.7 million at January 31, 2011 compared to $344.5 million at January 31, 2010. Agri-product inventory also increased due primarily to higher levels of seed and crop protection products, along with higher fertilizer prices, which were in part, offset by lower fertilizer stocks on hand. The Company's inventory value is significantly influenced by commodity prices in the Grain Handling and Marketing segment and fertilizer prices in the Agri-products segment. Generally, inventory reaches its peak in the January to April months as harvest in Australia is completed and the North America Agri-products business is building inventory for the high-volume spring sales season. Accounts receivable at January 31, 2011 were $1,256.5 million and $339.5 million higher than at January 31, 2010. The increase primarily reflects higher commodity prices and the addition of our pasta and oat processing businesses. Prepaid expenses and deposits at January 31, 2011 were $205.6 million down from $243.0 million on January 31, 2010. Given the increase in inventory and accounts receivable, there was a corresponding increase in short-term borrowings and accounts payable and accrued liabilities during the quarter. /T/ 5.4 Financing Activities Key Financial Information (1) (in thousands - except ratios and percentages) As at January 31, 2011 2010 Change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 288,767 $ 618,753 $ (329,986) Total debt 1,668,289 1,432,893 235,396 Total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents 1,379,522 814,140 565,382 Ratios Current ratio 1.60 x 2.44 x (0.84 x) Debt-to-total capital 30.6% 29.2% 1.4 pt Long-term debt-to-capital 16.3% 25.8% (9.5 pt) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) See Non-GAAP Measures in Section 11.0 /T/ Viterra's balance sheet at January 31, 2011 remained strong with total debt-to-capital of 30.6% (29.2% at January 31, 2010). Viterra had $288.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and cash drawings of $771.7 million on its $1.6 billion unsecured revolving credit facility ("Global Credit Facility"). The increase in total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents, is primarily due to increased drawings on the revolving operating lines used mainly to support increased net non-cash working capital offset by lower long-term debt. As explained below, a significant amount of cash was used to reduce debt during 2010. Following are the long-term debt facilities that have been repaid since April 30, 2010 using proceeds from short-term borrowings and cash on hand: /T/ CAD (in thousands) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Term Credit Facility $ 377,114 Viterra's Australian Operations 283,196 8% Senior Secured Notes Series 2006-1 100,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total long-term repaid subsequent to April 30, 2010 $ 760,310 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ As a result of closing the Global Credit Facility and repaying of the term loan Credit Facility, all security has been released on the Company's debt including the Senior Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding. On August 4, 2010, the Company issued a private placement of USD $400 million, 5.95% Senior Unsecured Notes, maturing August 1, 2020. Proceeds were used to reduce borrowings under the Global Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes. On December 1, 2010, the Company declared a five-cent ($0.05) Canadian per share dividend, which was paid on February 10, 2011 to holders of record on January 20, 2011. The annual dividend rate is currently intended to be ten cents ($0.10) Canadian per share and will be reviewed semi-annually by the Board of Directors. Subsequent to the quarter-end, on February 15, 2011, the Company issued $200 million, 6.406% Senior Unsecured Notes, maturing February 16, 2021. This offering was made pursuant to the Company's short-form base shelf prospectus dated August 6, 2010 and a prospectus supplement filed on February 10, 2011. The proceeds will be used to partially repay drawings on its Global Credit Facility. /T/ 5.5 Debt Ratings The following table summarizes the Company's current credit ratings: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Unsecured Corporate Rating Notes Trend ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Standard & Poor's BBB- BBB- Stable ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DBRS Limited BBB (Low) BBB (Low) Stable ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moody's Investors Service Ba1 Ba1 Stable ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.6 Contractual Obligations The following table summarizes the Company's outstanding contractual obligations as at January 31, 2011: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contractual Obligations (in thousands) Principal Payments Due by Period ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Less than 1 to 3 4 to 5 After Total 1 Year Years Years 5 Years ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance Sheet Obligations Bank Indebtedness $ 50,160 $ 50,160 $ - $ - $ - Short-term borrowings 776,928 776,928 - - - Long-term debt 906,647 2,092 1,736 300,667 602,152 Other long-term obligations 97,550 24,593 26,821 10,943 35,193 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,831,285 853,773 28,557 311,610 637,345 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Contractual Obligations Operating leases $ 123,383 $ 35,171 $ 47,568 $ 17,923 $ 22,721 Purchase obligations (1) 1,803,704 1,784,780 14,867 2,918 1,139 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,927,087 1,819,951 62,435 20,841 23,860 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Contractual Obligations $ 3,758,372 $ 2,673,724 $ 90,992 $ 332,451 $ 661,205 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Substantially all of the purchase obligations represent contractual commitments to purchase commodities and products for resale. /T/ 5.7 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 5.7.1 Viterra Financial Viterra Financial(TM) provides grain and oilseed producers with secured and unsecured working capital financing, through a Canadian chartered bank, to purchase the Company's fertilizer, crop protection products, seed and equipment. Outstanding credit was $417.1 million at January 31, 2011, compared to $393.2 million at January 31, 2010. Approximately 97% of the current outstanding credit relates to Viterra Financial's(TM) highest credit rating categories. The Company indemnifies the bank for 50% of future losses under Viterra Financial(TM) to a maximum limit of 5% of the aggregate qualified portfolio balance. The Company's aggregate indemnity will vary at any given time with the size of the underlying portfolio. As at January 31, 2011, Viterra has provided $7.3 million for actual and future expected losses. Viterra Financial(TM) also provides livestock producers with secured and unsecured financing through a Canadian chartered bank to purchase feeder cattle and related feed inputs under terms that do not require payment until the livestock are sold. Viterra Financial(TM) approved $90.9 million in credit applications for Viterra's feed products customers in the first three months of fiscal 2011, compared to $93.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Customers had drawn $50.9 million at January 31, 2011 (January 31, 2010 - $46.7 million). The Company has indemnified the bank for aggregate credit losses of up to $11.5 million based on the first 20% to 33% of new credit issued on an individual account as well as for credit losses, shared on an equal basis, of up to 5% of the aggregate qualified portfolio balance. The Company's aggregate indemnity will vary at any given time with the credit rating of underlying accounts and the aggregate credit outstanding. As at January 31, 2011, the Company had provided about $0.5 million for actual and expected future losses. 6.0 Outstanding Share Data The market capitalization of the Company's 371.7 million issued and outstanding shares at March 7, 2011 was $4.4 billion or $11.96 per share. The issued and outstanding shares at March 7, 2011, together with securities convertible into common shares are summarized in the following table: /T/ As at March 7, 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issued and outstanding common shares 371,685,244 Securities convertible into common shares - stock options 2,528,673 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 374,213,917 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ As of January 31, 2011, there were 23.4 million CDIs which trade on the ASX. 7.0 Related Party Transactions The Company has transactions with related parties in the normal course of business measured at exchange amounts, which are comparable to commercial rates and terms. Related parties include investee Prince Rupert Grain, as well as grain pools operated by the Company. There were no related party sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 (2010 - $1.8 million) and total purchases from related parties were $5.0 million for the same period in 2011 (2010 - $2.9 million). As at January 31, 2011, accounts receivable from related parties totaled $11.2 million (2010 - $19.4 million) and accounts payable to related parties totaled $16.4 million (2010 - $0.2 million). Related party sales, purchases and balances are due mainly to grain shipping and handling activities conducted through Prince Rupert Grain as well as marketing activities conducted in operation of the grain pools. 8.0 Other Matters 8.1 Accounting Policy Changes 8.1.1 International Financial Reporting Standards In February 2008, the Accounting Standards Board ("AcSB") announced that 2011 is the changeover date for publicly accountable enterprises to replace current GAAP with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The date relates to interim and annual financial statements for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, which will be applicable for Viterra's first quarter of fiscal 2012. Viterra will also be required to provide IFRS comparative information for the previous fiscal period and therefore recording under IFRS will commence on Viterra's transition date, which was November 1, 2010. Viterra has undertaken a project to assess and record the potential impacts of its transition to IFRS. Viterra has completed the Initial, Detailed Assessment and Design phases of its project plan. Viterra has started the Execution phase which will culminate when the Company issues its first IFRS interim financial statements for the quarter ended January 31, 2012. For details on the key activities and the status of the transition see Section 16.1.1 of the MD&A for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010. Progress made in the first quarter ending January 31, 2011 continues to track the Company's communicated project plan and the focus in the second quarter will be on the following key activities: - Preparation of opening IFRS Balance Sheet - Ongoing recording of IFRS adjustments for the comparative year - The development of IFRS financial reports for both internal and external use - Continuous monitoring and assessment of upcoming IFRS standards - Communication and training As communicated in Section 16.1.3 of the MD&A for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, we anticipated material opening balance sheet adjustments related to IFRS 1 - First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards elections for employee benefits and currency translation differences. In relation to employee benefits the cumulative actuarial loss that will be recorded in retained earnings is estimated to be $111.2 million. In relation to currency translation differences, a cumulative unrealized gain of approximately $112.3 million from foreign currency translation of foreign operations and net investment hedges will be recorded in retained earnings. No additional significant differences between GAAP and IFRS have been identified. For details on the identified differences between GAAP and IFRS see Section 16.1.2 of the MD&A for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010. As described in Section 16.1.3 of the MD&A for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010 and referred to above, the Company has performed an assessment regarding IFRS 1 - First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. There has been no significant changes to the expected elections or their impact. As Viterra continues to monitor IFRS standards changed or issued there may be changes to the Company's expectations regarding IFRS, IFRS 1 optional exemptions and the expected IFRS accounting policies. In addition, Viterra may identify circumstances or experience changes in its business that may have an impact on these expectations. 8.2 Critical Accounting Estimates In preparing the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, Management is required to make estimates, assumptions and judgments as to the outcome of future events that might affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Such assessments are made using the best information available to Management at the time. Although Management reviews its estimates on an ongoing basis, actual results may differ from these estimates as confirming events occur. The following is an analysis of the critical accounting estimates that depend most heavily on such Management estimates, assumptions and judgments, any changes which may have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. For more information about certain assumptions and risks that might affect these estimates, assumptions and judgments, refer to Section 13.0, Forward-Looking Information. 8.2.1 Future Income Taxes As at January 31, 2011, the Company had loss carry-forwards of approximately $13.3 million, compared to $54.6 million at January 31, 2010. These loss carry-forwards include losses for tax purposes for the current three month period and are available to reduce income taxes otherwise payable in future periods. Of these losses, $1.4 million will expire between 2013 and 2031, and $11.9 million are not subject to expiry. A short-term future income tax asset of $3.5 million has been recorded as at January 31, 2011 in respect of the Company's unutilized losses. The Company recognizes the future tax benefit in respect of its losses to the extent it is more likely than not to be realized. No future tax benefit has been recognized for $1.4 million of the Company's losses. 9.0 Restructuring and Integration Matters Dakota Growers Integration execution continues at Dakota Growers, following the acquisition on May 5, 2010. Synergies are being realized with the most significant to date being the implementation of the raw material procurement as well as the elimination of public company costs. Both system and human resources integration continue on track. 21st Century Following the acquisition on August 17, 2010, formal integration planning was completed in January 2011. The new operating model was finalized in December 2010 and integration execution will continue over the next 18 months. Synergy commitments have been identified with the most significant generated primarily through revenue and cost efficiency. Shareholders should benefit from annual estimated gross synergies within Processing of approximately $6.0 million, relating to the acquisition of Dakota Growers and 21st Century, with the full annualized benefit to be delivered in fiscal 2011. ABB On September 23, 2009, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of ABB, an Australian agri-business. Integration of the two companies is continuing to progress well. Shareholders should benefit from annual estimated gross synergies of approximately $30.0 million, with about $20.0 million to be achieved in the Grain Handling and Marketing segment, $9.0 million through reduced corporate expenses and the remaining $1.0 million in various other segments. These synergies are being generated primarily through revenue and cost efficiency, with the full annualized benefit to be delivered in fiscal 2012. Detailed implementation plans have been completed to achieve these targeted synergies. As at January 31, 2011, the Company had achieved a total of $26.9 million in synergies, primarily in the Grain Handling and Marketing segment and through reduced corporate expenses, and is on track to achieve its full annualized run rate synergy targets by 2012. Integration costs related to severance and closures incurred by or related to ABB have been accrued on the balance sheet as part of the acquisition price of the ABB shares in accordance with the purchase method of accounting, with a corresponding increase in goodwill. On a pre-tax basis, estimated total net integration costs for both entities, which include share issuance costs and refinancing costs, are about $113.2 million. The following table summarizes the actual costs to January 31, 2011: /T/ Estimated Integration Costs for ABB (in millions) To January 31, 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pre-tax estimated total integration costs $ 113.2 Integration costs already paid (95.1) --------------------- Remaining integration costs to be paid 18.1 Costs accrued and outstanding (5.4) --------------------- Estimated costs to be expensed or capitalized 12.7 --------------------- --------------------- /T/ These costs are being financed by free cash flow. 10.0 Risks and Risk Management Viterra faces certain risks which can impact its financial performance. For information on risks and risk management, readers should review the MD&A for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, which is available on Viterra's website at www.viterra.com, as well as on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, under Viterra Inc. 11.0 Non-GAAP Measures EBITDA - Earnings before financing expenses, taxes, amortization, gain (loss) on disposal of assets, and integration expenses, and EBIT - Earnings before financing expenses, taxes, gain (loss) on disposal of assets, and integration expenses are non-GAAP measures. Those items excluded in the determination of EBITDA and EBIT represent items that are non-cash in nature, income taxes, financing expenses or are otherwise not considered to be in the ordinary course of business. These measures are intended to provide further insight with respect to Viterra's financial results and to supplement information on earnings (losses) as determined in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA is used by Management to assess the cash generated by operations, and EBIT is a measure of earnings from operations prior to financing costs and taxes. Both measures also provide important management information concerning business segment performance since the Company does not allocate financing expenses, income taxes or other excluded items to these individual segments. Total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents, is provided to assist investors and is used by Management to assess the Company's liquidity position and to monitor how much debt the Company has after taking into account its liquid assets, such as cash and cash equivalents. Such measures should not be used in isolation of, or as a substitute for, current liabilities, short-term borrowings, or long-term debt as a measure of the Company's indebtedness. Cash flow provided by operations is the cash from (or used in) operating activities, excluding non-cash working capital changes. Viterra uses cash flow provided by operations and cash flow provided by operations per share as financial measures for the evaluation of liquidity. Management believes that excluding the seasonal swings of non-cash working capital assists its evaluation of long-term liquidity. Free cash flow is cash flow provided by operations (prior to any changes in non-cash working capital) net of capital expenditures, excluding business acquisitions. Free cash flow is used by management to assess liquidity and financial strength. This measurement is also useful as an indicator of the Company's ability to service its debt, meet other payment obligations and make strategic investments. Readers should be aware that free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, GAAP measures such as (i) net earnings (loss), as an indicator of the Company's profitability and operating performance or (ii) cash flow from or used in operations, as a measure of the Company's ability to generate cash. Such measures do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by GAAP and are, therefore, unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other corporations. Reconciliations of each of these terms are provided in the table below. /T/ Non-GAAP Terms, Reconciliations and Calculations (in thousands - except percentages and ratios) Better For the three months ended January 31, 2011 2010 (Worse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross profit and net revenues from services $ 411,622 $ 276,093 $ 135,529 Operating, general and administrative expenses (200,359) (186,325) (14,034) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA $ 211,263 $ 89,768 $ 121,495 Amortization (49,264) (38,825) (10,439) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT $ 161,999 $ 50,943 $ 111,056 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings $ 99,623 $ 10,653 $ 88,970 Amortization 49,264 38,825 10,439 Non-cash financing expenses 1,861 2,574 (713) Employee future benefits 1,776 1,662 114 Future income tax provision 32,748 5,721 27,027 (Gain) loss on disposal of assets (843) 366 (1,209) Other items 831 346 485 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow prior to working capital changes $ 185,260 $ 60,147 $ 125,113 Property, plant and equipment expenditures (38,757) (25,549) (13,208) Intangible assets expenditures (2,621) (2,316) (305) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow $ 143,882 $ 32,282 $ 111,600 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As at January 31, Current assets $ 3,714,955 $ 2,945,564 $ 769,391 Current liabilities 2,318,800 1,208,674 (1,110,126) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Ratio (Current Assets/Current Liabilities) 1.60 x 2.44 x (0.84 x) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-term borrowings 776,928 165,067 (611,861) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (A) Long-term debt due within one year 2,092 18,064 15,972 (A) Long-term debt 889,269 1,249,762 360,493 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (B) Total debt $ 1,668,289 $ 1,432,893 $ (235,396) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (C) Cash and cash equivalents $ 288,767 $ 618,753 $ (329,986) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents $ 1,379,522 $ 814,140 $ (565,382) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (D) Total equity $ 3,789,853 $ 3,477,158 $ 312,695 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (E) Total capital (B + D) $ 5,458,142 $ 4,910,051 $ 548,091 Debt-to-total capital (B)/(E) 30.6% 29.2% (1.4 pt) Long-Term debt-to-capital (A)/(E) 16.3% 25.8% 9.5 pt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ 12.0 Evaluation of Disclosure and Procedures Management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer has evaluated the design of Viterra's disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in National Instrument 52-109 of the Canadian Securities Administrators) as of January 31, 2011. Management has concluded that, as of January 31, 2011, Viterra's disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting are designed effectively to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to Viterra and its consolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures would be made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared. 13.0 Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in Management's Discussion and Analysis are forward-looking statements and reflect Viterra's expectations regarding future results of operations, financial condition and achievements. All statements that address activities, events or developments that Viterra or its Management expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as growth of its business and operations, competitive strengths, strategic initiatives, planned capital expenditures, plans and references to future operations and results, critical accounting estimates, and expectations regarding future capital resources and liquidity of the Company and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. In addition, when used in this Management's Discussion and Analysis the words "believes", "intends", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "plans", "likely", "will", "may", "could", "should", "would", "outlook", "forecast", "objective", "continue" (or the negative thereof) and words of similar import may indicate forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance and achievements of Viterra to be materially different from any future results, performance and achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. The risks include, but are not limited to, those factors discussed in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010 under the heading "Risk and Risk Management". The uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, weather risk; food and feed product safety risk; commodity price and trading risk; sovereign and political risk; capital market risk; liquidity risk; financial reporting risk; credit risk; foreign exchange risk; interest rate risk; merger and acquisition risk; regulatory risk; corporate and social responsibility risk; third-party relationship risk; information technology risk; talent management and succession planning risk; and employees relations risk. Many of these risks, uncertainties and other factors are beyond the control of the Company. All of the forward-looking statements made in Management's Discussion and Analysis are qualified by these cautionary statements and the other cautionary statements and factors contained herein and there can be no assurance that the actual developments or results anticipated by the Company and its Management will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences for, or effects on, the Company. Although Viterra believes the assumptions inherent in forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this Management's Discussion and Analysis. In addition to other assumptions identified in this Management's Discussion and Analysis, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: - western Canadian and southern Australian crop production and quality in 2011 and subsequent crop years; - the volume and quality of grain held on-farm by producers in North America; - movement and sales of Board grains by the CWB; - the amount of grains and oilseeds purchased by other marketers in Australia; - demand for and supply of open market grains; - movement and sale of grain and grain meal in Australia and New Zealand, particularly in the Australian states of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales; - agricultural commodity prices; - general financial conditions for western Canadian and southern Australian agricultural producers; - demand for seed, fertilizer, chemicals and other agri-products; - market share of grain deliveries and agri-products sales that will be achieved by Viterra; - extent of customer defaults in connection with credit provided by Viterra, its subsidiaries or a Canadian chartered bank in connection with feed product and agri-products purchases; - ability of the railways to ship grain to port facilities for export without labour or other service disruptions; - demand for oat, pasta, canola and malt barley products, and the market share of sales of these products that will be achieved by Viterra; - ability to maintain existing customer contracts and relationships; - the availability of feed ingredients for livestock; - cyclicality of livestock prices; - demand for wool and the market share of sales of wool production that will be achieved by Viterra's subsidiaries in Australia; - the impact of competition; - environmental and reclamation costs; - the ability to obtain and maintain existing financing on acceptable terms; and - currency, exchange and interest rates. The preceding list is not exhaustive of all possible factors. All factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to Viterra. To the extent any forward-looking statements constitute future-oriented financial information or financial outlooks, as those terms are defined under applicable Canadian securities laws, such statements are being provided to describe the current anticipated potential of the Company and readers are cautioned that these statements may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment decisions. Viterra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by Canadian securities laws. 14.0 Annual Management's Discussion and Analysis This Management's Discussion and Analysis relating to the first quarter ended January 31, 2011 should be read in conjunction with Viterra's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010. Additional information relating to Viterra, including the most recent Annual Information Form filed by the Company, is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Viterra's website, www.viterra.com. /T/ CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) January 31, January 31, October 31, AS AT 2011 2010 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (unaudited) (unaudited) (audited) ASSETS Current Assets Cash $ 200,466 $ 98,560 $ 107,428 Short-term investments 138,461 526,059 88,204 Accounts receivable 1,256,476 916,968 995,656 Inventories (Note 3) 1,905,267 1,119,914 1,211,887 Prepaid expenses and deposits 205,583 242,955 107,638 Future income taxes 8,702 41,108 30,067 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3,714,955 2,945,564 2,540,880 Investments 8,167 9,604 9,661 Property, Plant and Equipment 2,481,106 2,370,318 2,491,047 Other Long-Term Assets 119,402 118,024 123,136 Intangible Assets 151,131 41,517 154,915 Goodwill 767,799 691,483 772,233 Future Income Taxes 8,496 6,297 25,010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 7,251,056 $ 6,182,807 $ 6,116,882 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Bank indebtedness $ 50,160 $ 5,866 $ 40,839 Short-term borrowings 776,928 165,067 61,677 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,487,912 1,019,040 1,151,652 Long-term debt due within one year 2,092 18,064 2,295 Future income taxes 1,708 637 391 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,318,800 1,208,674 1,256,854 Long-Term Debt 889,269 1,249,762 896,834 Other Long-Term Liabilities 53,947 75,243 51,351 Future Income Taxes 199,187 171,970 201,580 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3,461,203 2,705,649 2,406,619 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholders' Equity Retained earnings 652,056 436,394 571,013 Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 4) 104,420 10,930 107,192 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 756,476 447,324 678,205 Share capital (Note 5) 3,026,080 3,025,490 3,025,491 Contributed surplus 7,297 4,344 6,567 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3,789,853 3,477,158 3,710,263 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 7,251,056 $ 6,182,807 $ 6,116,882 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commitments, contingencies and guarantees (Note 10) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (in thousands) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended FOR THE PERIOD ENDED January 31, 2011 January 31, 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (unaudited) (unaudited) Sales and other operating revenues $ 2,470,537 $ 1,784,525 Cost of sales (excluding amortization see Note 3) (2,058,915) (1,508,432) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross profit and net revenues from services 411,622 276,093 Operating, general and administrative expenses (200,359) (186,325) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 211,263 89,768 Amortization (49,264) (38,825) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 161,999 50,943 Gain (loss) on disposal of assets 843 (366) Integration expenses (511) (979) Financing expenses (Note 9) (28,931) (37,231) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 133,400 12,367 Recovery of (provision for) corporate taxes Current (1,029) 4,007 Future (32,748) (5,721) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings $ 99,623 $ 10,653 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic and diluted earnings per share (Note 6) $ 0.27 $ 0.03 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (in thousands) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended FOR THE PERIOD ENDED January 31, 2011 January 31, 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (unaudited) (unaudited) Net earnings $ 99,623 $ 10,653 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Reclassification of gain on dedesignated hedged contracts - (572) Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges 2,538 (4,524) Reclassification of loss on cash flow hedges 1,574 5,065 Net investment hedges 5,741 2,078 Unrealized loss on available for sale assets (1) (6) Unrealized effect of foreign currency translation of foreign operations (12,624) (45,327) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other comprehensive loss (2,772) (43,286) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comprehensive income (loss) $ 96,851 $ (32,633) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (in thousands) Accumulated Other Total Share Contributed Comprehensive Retained Shareholders' Capital Surplus Income Earnings Equity ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Note 5) As at October 31, 2009 $3,025,486 $ 3,476 $ 54,216 $ 425,741 $ 3,508,919 Share capital issued 4 - - - 4 Options exercised - (2) - - (2) Stock-based compensation - 870 - - 870 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Reclassification of gain on dedesignated hedged contracts - - (572) - (572) Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges - - (4,524) - (4,524) Reclassification of loss on cash flow hedges - - 5,065 - 5,065 Net investment hedges 2,078 2,078 Unrealized loss on available for sale assets - - (6) - (6) Unrealized effect of foreign currency translation of foreign operations - - (45,327) - (45,327) Net earnings for the period - - - 10,653 10,653 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As at January 31, 2010 $3,025,490 $ 4,344 $ 10,930 $436,394 $ 3,477,158 Share capital issued 1 - - - 1 Stock-based compensation - 2,223 - - 2,223 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Reclassification of gain on dedesignated hedged contracts - - (168) - (168) Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges - - (15,619) - (15,619) Reclassification of loss on cash flow hedges - - 10,306 - 10,306 Net investment hedges - - (1,913) - (1,913) Unrealized gain on available for sale assets - - 9 - 9 Unrealized effect of foreign currency translation of foreign operations - - 103,647 - 103,647 Net earnings for the period - - - 134,619 134,619 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As at October 31, 2010 $3,025,491 $ 6,567 $ 107,192 $571,013 $ 3,710,263 Share capital issued 589 - - - 589 Stock-based compensation - 730 - - 730 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges - - 2,538 - 2,538 Reclassification of loss on cash flow hedges - - 1,574 - 1,574 Net investment hedges - - 5,741 - 5,741 Unrealized loss on available for sale assets - - (1) - (1) Unrealized effect of foreign currency translation of foreign operations - - (12,624) - (12,624) Dividends - - - (18,580) (18,580) Net earnings for the period - - - 99,623 99,623 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As at January 31, 2011 $3,026,080 $ 7,297 $ 104,420 $652,056 $ 3,789,853 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (in thousands) Three Months Ended Three Months Ended FOR THE PERIOD ENDED January 31, 2011 January 31, 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (unaudited) (unaudited) Cash From (Used In) Operating Activities Net earnings $ 99,623 $ 10,653 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjustments for items not involving cash and/or operations Amortization 49,264 38,825 Future income tax provision 32,748 5,721 Employee future benefits (Note 8) 1,776 1,662 Non-cash financing expenses (Note 9) 1,861 2,574 Loss (gain) on disposal of assets (843) 366 Other items 831 346 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjustments for items not involving cash and/or operations 85,637 49,494 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 185,260 60,147 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes in non-cash working capital items Accounts receivable (258,453) 26,384 Inventories (694,811) (167,867) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 324,565 (23,802) Prepaid expenses and deposits (97,486) (156,173) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes in non-cash working capital (726,185) (321,458) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash used in operating activities (540,925) (261,311) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash From (Used in) Financing Activities Proceeds from long-term debt - 1,505 Repayment of long-term debt (414) (7,244) Proceeds (repayment) of short-term borrowings 714,855 (118,475) Repayment of other long-term liabilities, net (72) (271) Increase in share capital 589 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash from (used in) financing activities 714,958 (124,485) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash From (Used in) Investing Activities Property, plant and equipment expenditures (38,757) (25,549) Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment 478 588 Decrease in investments 1,372 101 Intangible assets expenditures (2,621) (2,316) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash used in investing activities (39,528) (27,176) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 134,505 (412,972) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period 154,793 1,033,075 Impact on cash of unrealized effect of foreign currency translation of foreign operations (531) (1,350) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $ 288,767 $ 618,753 Cash and cash equivalents consist of: Cash $ 200,466 $ 98,560 Short-term investments 138,461 526,059 Bank indebtedness (50,160) (5,866) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 288,767 $ 618,753 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supplemental disclosure of cash paid during the period from operations: Interest paid $ 24,030 $ 47,799 Income taxes paid $ 5,383 $ 5,118 /T/ NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS January 31, 2011 (unaudited) - in thousands of Canadian dollars, except as noted 1. NATURE OF BUSINESS Viterra Inc. (the "Company") is a publicly traded, vertically integrated international agribusiness. Business operations include four reporting segments: Grain Handling and Marketing, Agri-products, Processing and Corporate. The Company has operations across Canada, the United States ("U.S."), Australia and New Zealand, as well as marketing and trading offices in Japan, Singapore, China, Switzerland, Italy, Ukraine, Germany and India. The Grain Handling and Marketing segment includes grain storage facilities, joint venture grain facilities, and processing plants strategically located in the prime agricultural growing regions of North America, Australia and New Zealand. This segment also includes port terminal facilities located in Canada and Australia and merchandising offices in Europe and Asia. Activity in this segment consists of the collection of grain through the Company's primary storage system, shipping to inland or port terminals, cleaning of grain to meet regulatory specifications, and sales to domestic or export markets. Earnings are volume driven. Revenue is also derived through grain handling, blending, storage and other ancillary services, as well as the sale of byproducts. The Agri-products segment includes an ownership interest in a fertilizer manufacturer, fertilizer distribution and a network of retail locations, and offers financial services such as lending and cash management. Agri-products sales lines include fertilizer, crop protection products, seed and seed treatments, equipment, general merchandise, wool and livestock. The Processing segment in North America includes the manufacturing and marketing of value-added food products associated with oats, canola, wheat and malt barley for domestic and export markets. This segment also includes activities relating to formulating and manufacturing of feed products at feed mills and pre-mix facilities across the western regions of Canada and the U.S. The Processing segment includes malting plants positioned across Australia and a feed business in New Zealand. Weather conditions are the primary risk in the agri-business industry. Grain volumes, grain quality, the volume and mix of crop inputs sold and ultimately, the financial performance of the Company, are highly dependent upon weather conditions throughout the crop production cycle. The Company's earnings follow the seasonal pattern of grain production in each geographic location. The volume of grain shipments is relatively stable through the quarters, but can be influenced by destination customer demand, customer export programs and producers' marketing decisions. Sales of the Company's agri-products peak during the growing season, supplemented by additional crop nutrient sales in the late fall. 2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES These interim unaudited consolidated statements are based on accounting principles consistent with those used and described in the October 31, 2010 annual consolidated financial statements. The Company's accounting policies are in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. However, these financial statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required for annual financial statement presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2010. All amounts are reported in Canadian dollars unless specifically stated to the contrary. Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. Future Accounting Changes - International Financial Reporting Standards In January 2006, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Accounting Standards Board adopted a strategic plan for the direction of accounting standards in Canada. As part of that plan, accounting standards for public companies would be required to converge with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011 with comparative figures presented on the same basis. In February 2008, the Accounting Standards Board confirmed the effective due date of the initial adoption of IFRS. The Company's transition date was November 1, 2010 with a conversion date of November 1, 2011. The annual and quarterly financial reporting for the year ending October 31, 2012 will be the first reported under IFRS. /T/ 3. INVENTORIES January 31, January 31, October 31, As at 2011 2010 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain $ 1,237,869 $ 548,441 $ 724,157 Agri-products 551,681 478,865 385,953 Processing Raw materials and supplies 44,304 42,229 40,393 Work in progress 14,225 23,337 14,366 Finished goods 57,188 27,042 47,018 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 1,905,267 $ 1,119,914 $ 1,211,887 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ Grain cost of sales includes the cost of inventories, net realized and unrealized gains and losses on commodity contracts and exchange-traded derivatives, and freight. Amortization of $13.6 million for the three month period ended January 31, 2011 (January 31, 2010 - $10.6 million) related to the manufacture of inventory that has now been sold is included in amortization expense. Write-downs related to Agri-products inventory at January 31, 2011 of $1.1 million (January 31, 2010 - $1.0 million) have been included in cost of sales. /T/ 4. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME January 31, January 31, October 31, As at 2011 2010 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flow hedges (1) $ (996) $ 373 $ (5,108) Net investment hedges (2) 5,906 2,078 165 Unrealized losses on available for sale assets(3) (4) (12) (3) Unrealized effect of foreign currency translation of foreign operations 99,514 8,491 112,138 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 104,420 $ 10,930 $ 107,192 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Net of tax of $(496) (January 2010 - $1,053, October 2010 - $1,612). (2) Net of tax of $(2,191) (January 2010 - $(310), October 2010 - $(68)). (3) Net of tax of $(8) (January 2010 - $(7), October 2010 - $(8)). 5. SHARE CAPITAL AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS a) Common Voting Shares Authorized Unlimited Common Voting Shares Common Voting Shares Number(1) Amount ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, October 31, 2009 371,596,508 $ 3,025,486 Adjustment to share capital from contributed surplus for options exercised 375 4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, January 31, 2010 371,596,883 $ 3,025,490 Share issuance for cash 50 1 Adjustment to share capital from contributed surplus for options exercised - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, October 31, 2010 371,596,933 $ 3,025,491 Share issuance for cash 48,211 437 Adjustment to share capital from contributed surplus for options exercised - 152 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, January 31, 2011 371,645,144 $ 3,026,080 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Number of shares not shown in thousands. /T/ b) Management Stock Option Plan The maximum number of common shares that may be issued under options issued pursuant to the Stock Option Plan is approximately 10.2 million common shares. Once the 2.6 million common shares that can potentially be issued under currently granted and contingently granted options are deducted, approximately 7.6 million common shares have been reserved for subsequent option grants. The expense related to stock options is recognized over the vesting period based on the fair value of options determined by the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: risk-free rate 2.5%, dividend yield 0%, a volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's shares of 38%, and a weighted average expected option life of 4.7 years. The Company's stock-based compensation expense for the three month period ended January 31, 2011 was $0.9 million (January 31, 2010 - $0.9 million). /T/ Weighted Weighted Weighted Average Average Number of Average Number of Grant-Date Exercise Options Exercise Options(1) Fair Value Price Exercisable(1) Price ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding October 31, 2009 1,657,190 $ 12.67 384,391 $ 19.59 Options granted 1,066,914 $ 3.50 $ 9.97 Forfeited (1,088) $ 59.07 Expired (18,000) $ 135.14 Exercised (375) $ 5.90 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding January 31, 2010 2,704,641 $ 10.76 364,928 $ 13.78 Options granted - $ - $ - Forfeited (57,127) $ 9.59 Expired (11,930) $ 68.19 Exercised (50) $ 5.90 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding October 31, 2010 2,635,534 $ 10.53 1,639,314 $ 11.05 Options granted - $ - $ - Forfeited (25) $ 31.00 Expired (175) $ 29.54 Exercised (48,211) $ 9.08 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding January 31, 2011 2,587,123 $ 10.56 1,590,903 $ 11.11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Number of options not shown in thousands. The following table summarizes the options outstanding and exercisable as at January 31, 2011: Weighted Average Weighted Weighted Number of Remaining Average Number of Average Range of Options Life Exercise Options Exercise Exercise Price Outstanding(1) (Years) Price Exercisable(1) Price ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 5.90 - $ 9.50 896,710 4.73 $ 9.00 589,068 $ 8.99 $ 9.51 - $11.05 1,028,298 5.98 9.97 339,720 9.97 $11.06 - $21.56 634,412 4.96 12.12 634,412 12.12 $21.57 - $51.00 27,703 0.42 46.86 27,703 46.86 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,587,123 5.24 $ 10.56 1,590,903 $ 11.11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Number of options not shown in thousands. 6. EARNINGS PER SHARE For the three months ended January 31 2011 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings $ 99,623 $ 10,653 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Denominator for basic earnings per share amounts: Weighted average number of shares outstanding(1) 371,599 371,597 Basic earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.03 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Denominator for diluted earnings per share amounts: Weighted average number of shares outstanding(1) 371,599 371,597 Dilutive effect of stock options(1) 86 139 Weighted average number of shares outstanding, assuming dilution(1) 371,685 371,736 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.03 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Number of shares and options in thousands. /T/ 7. SEGMENTED INFORMATION A description of the types of products and services from which the segments derive their revenue is included in the Nature of Business (Note 1). The segments' accounting policies are consistent with those described in Accounting Policies (Note 2). The Company accounts for inter-segment sales at current market prices under normal trade terms. /T/ For the three months ended January 31 2011 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales and other operating revenues ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain Handling and Marketing $ 1,942,634 $ 1,343,208 Agri-products 292,571 215,363 Processing 373,910 307,977 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,609,115 1,866,548 Less: Inter-segment sales 138,578 82,023 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 2,470,537 $ 1,784,525 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inter-segment sales ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain Handling and Marketing $ 130,484 $ 81,903 Processing 8,094 120 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 138,578 $ 82,023 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross profit and net revenues from services ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain Handling and Marketing $ 298,441 $ 201,699 Agri-products 53,557 32,599 Processing 59,624 41,795 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 411,622 $ 276,093 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the three months ended January 31 2011 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating, general and administrative expenses ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain Handling and Marketing $ (100,679) $ (92,020) Agri-products (44,261) (44,533) Processing (19,268) (18,609) Corporate (36,151) (31,163) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ (200,359) $ (186,325) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA(1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain Handling and Marketing $ 197,762 $ 109,679 Agri-products 9,296 (11,934) Processing 40,356 23,186 Corporate (36,151) (31,163) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 211,263 $ 89,768 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) EBITDA - Earnings before financing expenses, taxes, amortization, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and integration expenses. Amortization ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain Handling and Marketing $ (25,608) $ (18,108) Agri-products (9,002) (11,182) Processing (12,246) (7,842) Corporate (2,408) (1,693) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ (49,264) $ (38,825) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT(2) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain Handling and Marketing $ 172,154 $ 91,571 Agri-products 294 (23,116) Processing 28,110 15,344 Corporate (38,559) (32,856) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 161,999 $ 50,943 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2)EBIT - Earnings before financing expenses, taxes, gain (loss) on disposal of assets and integration expenses. /T/ 8. EMPLOYEE FUTURE BENEFITS a) Defined Benefit Plans and Future Benefits The Company's net benefit costs related to defined benefit pension plans and other future benefits for the three month period ended January 31, 2011 were $1.8 million (2010 - $1.7 million). b) Defined Contribution Plans The Company, including subsidiaries and affiliates, contributes to several defined contribution plans including multi-employer plans. The Company's total consolidated defined contribution plan expense for the three month period ended January 31, 2011 was $5.6 million (2010 - $4.0 million). /T/ 9. FINANCING EXPENSES For the three months ended January 31 2011 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest expense on: Long-term debt $ 16,347 $ 27,717 Short-term debt 12,140 10,848 Interest income (1,119) (3,490) Canadian Wheat Board ("CWB") carrying charge recovery (298) (418) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27,070 34,657 Interest accretion 521 915 Amortization of deferred financing costs 1,340 1,659 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 28,931 $ 37,231 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ 10. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES a) Letter of Credit and Bid Bonds At January 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding letters of credit and similar instruments of $16.4 million related to operating an agri-business (October 31, 2010 - $15.9 million, January 31, 2010 - $17.8 million). The terms range in duration and expire at various dates through to August 31, 2015. The amounts vary depending on underlying business activity or the specific agreements in place with the third parties. At January 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding bid bonds and similar instruments of $4.1 million (October 31, 2010 - $5.7 million, January 31, 2010 - nil) related to trade facility agreements. b) Indemnification of Accounts Receivable - Viterra Financial (TM) The Company has a rolling five-year agreement with a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank to provide credit for qualifying agricultural producers to purchase crop inputs. The agreement may be terminated at an earlier date by mutual consent or by either party upon one year's written notice. The Company indemnifies the bank for 50% of future losses to a maximum of 5% of the aggregate qualified portfolio balance. The Company's aggregate indemnity will vary at any given time with the size of the underlying portfolio. As at January 31, 2011, outstanding credit was $417.1 million (October 31, 2010 - $520.0 million, January 31, 2010 - $393.2 million), and the Company's obligation of $7.3 million (October 31, 2010 - $9.1 million, January 31, 2010 - $6.5 million) for past and future losses is current with the bank in accordance with the Agency Agreement. The Company also has a rolling five-year agreement with a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank to provide loans to Processing customers to purchase feeder cattle, as well as related feed inputs, with terms that do not require payment until the livestock is sold. The agreement may be terminated at an earlier date by mutual consent or by either party upon one year's written notice. The Company indemnifies the bank for credit losses based on the first 20% to 33% of new credit issued on an individual account, dependent on the account's underlying credit rating, with losses in excess of these amounts shared on an equal basis with the bank up to 5% on the aggregate qualified portfolio balance. The Company's aggregate indemnity will vary at any given time with the credit rating of the underlying accounts and the aggregate credit outstanding. As at January 31, 2011, outstanding credit was $50.9 million (October 31, 2010 - $36.1 million, January 31, 2010 - $46.7 million), and the Company's obligation of $0.5 million (October 31, 2010 - $0.6 million, January 31, 2010 - $0.5 million) for past and future losses is current with the bank in accordance with the Agency Agreement. c) Guarantees The Company's subsidiary in Australia has entered into a Deed of Cross Guarantee with certain controlled entities. The effect of this Deed is that the subsidiary and each of these controlled entities has guaranteed to pay any debts of any of the companies' party to the Deed in the event their debts cannot be paid as and when they fall due. The consolidated net assets of the entities party to the Deed of Cross Guarantee is $1.4 billion. The Company is contingently liable under several guarantees given to third-party lenders who have provided certain financing facilities to its wholly owned foreign subsidiaries. As at January 31, 2011, the maximum amounts of the guarantees are $96.5 million CAD, $95.0 million USD, $83.2 million AUD and Japanese Yen ("JPY") 2.0 billion or approximately $299.1 million CAD in aggregate. As at January 31, 2011, liabilities recorded that have been guaranteed would include subsidiary trade facility borrowings of $5.1 million (October 31, 2010 - $10.6 million, January 31, 2010 - nil) included in short-term borrowings. The Company is contingently liable under several guarantees given to third-party lenders who have provided long-term financing to certain independent hog producers. As at January 31, 2011, the current outstanding balance of these guarantees is $2.1 million (October 31, 2010 - $2.2 million, January 31, 2010 - $2.5 million). These guarantees diminish as the underlying loans are repaid and expire in 2014. The Company's Australian operations self-insure in South Australia for workers' compensation liability and are subject to a bank guarantee for $1.8 million AUD (October 31, 2010 - $1.2 million AUD, January 31, 2010 - $1.3 million AUD). The Company is contingently liable to a finance company for a portion of losses incurred related to potential producer delinquencies associated with equipment leases and credit provided for the purchase of fertilizer bins. Given historically low delinquent rates in conjunction with collateral values of assets, the Company has accrued no obligation. d) Asset Retirement Obligations The asset retirement obligations represent the best estimate by management of the legal obligations it would incur during the reclamation process relating to closed facilities and current leases. Reclamation involves the demolition of facilities and the reclamation of land. Uncertainty exists regarding the estimation of future decommissioning and reclamation costs. At January 31, 2011, the Company estimated that the undiscounted cash flow required to settle the asset retirement obligations was approximately $39.9 million (October 31, 2010 - $38.6 million, January 31, 2010 - $27.4 million), which is expected to be settled over the 2011 through 2022 period. The credit adjusted risk-free rates at which the estimated cash flows have been discounted range from 4.0% to 8.0%. The Company has a joint venture interest in a fertilizer manufacturer that has certain obligations with respect to plant decommissioning and land reclamation upon cessation of operations. The Company has not recorded an asset retirement obligation for these obligations at January 31, 2011 because it does not currently believe there is a reasonable basis for estimating a date or range of dates of cessation of operations. e) Director and Officer Indemnification The Company indemnifies its directors and officers against any and all claims or losses reasonably incurred in the performance of their service to the Company to the extent permitted by law. The Company has acquired and maintains liability insurance for its directors and officers as well as those of certain affiliated companies. f) Other Indemnification Provisions From time to time, the Company enters into agreements in the normal course of operations and in connection with business or asset acquisitions or dispositions. By their nature, these agreements may provide for indemnification of counterparties. The varying nature of these indemnification agreements prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount it could incur. Historically, the Company has not made any significant payments in connection with these indemnification provisions. g) Other Contingencies As at January 31, 2011, there are claims against the Company in varying amounts for which a provision in the financial statements is not considered necessary. The occurrence of the confirming future event is not determinable or it is not possible to determine the amounts that may ultimately be assessed against the Company with respect to these claims. Management believes that any such amounts would not have a material impact on the business or financial position of the Company. 11. FINANCIAL AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING a) Fair Value The following table presents the fair value of the Company's financial instruments and non-financial derivatives where fair value is recognized in the balance sheet. The table also identifies the financial instrument category and the level per the fair value hierarchy. /T/ As at January 31 2011 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Instruments Fair Value Level Category Fair Value Level ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial assets: Cash $ 200,466 1 HFT $ 98,560 1 Short-term investments 138,461 1 HFT-D 526,059 1 Exchange-traded derivatives 33,422 1 HFT 19,702 1 Commodity forward contracts 203,535 2 HFT 110,146 2 Foreign exchange forward contracts (OTC) 55,373 2 HFT 44,838 2 Interest rate swaps - HFT 300 2 Available for sale at fair value 27 1 AFS 415 1 Natural gas swaps 97 2 HFT - Financial liabilities: Bank indebtedness 50,160 1 HFT 5,866 1 Exchange-traded derivatives 63,525 1 HFT 12,879 1 Commodity forward contracts 164,388 2 HFT 70,757 2 Foreign exchange forward contracts (OTC) 13,661 2 HFT 21,911 2 Cross-currency swaps 8,228 2 HFT - Interest rate swaps - HFT 7,905 2 Bond forward contracts 13,704 2 HFT - Natural gas swaps 30 2 HFT 700 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial instruments category/guide: HFT Held for trading HFT-D Held for trading - designated AFS Available for sale /T/ The aggregate carrying value of financial instruments classified as loans and receivables is $973.9 million (October 31, 2010 - $758.0 million, January 31, 2010 - $776.3 million). The aggregate carrying value of financial instruments classified as other financial liabilities is $1.7 billion (October 31, 2010 - $1.9 billion, January 31, 2010 - $2.4 billion). b) Financial Risks and Risk Management The Company faces certain financial risks such as commodity price, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk that can impact its financial performance. The Company is exposed to changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The Company utilizes a number of financial instruments to manage these exposures. The Company mitigates risk associated with these financial instruments through Board-approved policies, limits on use and amount of exposure, internal monitoring and compliance reporting to senior management and the Board. i. Commodity Price Risk The Company's diverse range of services is spread across the agri-business supply chain. As a result, the Company is exposed to agricultural and other related commodity price movements within the market as part of its normal operations. The Company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts as well as over the counter ("OTC") contracts to minimize the effects of changes in the prices of hedgeable agricultural commodities on its agri-business inventories and agricultural commodities forward cash purchase and sales contracts. Derivative contracts are valued at the quoted market prices. The Company manages the risk associated with inventory and open contracts on a combined basis. All market risk associated with commodity price movement is measured using a Value at Risk ("VaR") method. The VaR calculation quantifies potential changes in the value of commodity positions as a result of potential market price movements from all sources of market risk, whether as a consequence of asset ownership, customer sales, hedging or position taking. There is currently no uniform industry methodology for estimating VaR. The VaR calculation estimates the potential loss in pre-taxation profit over a given holding period for a specified confidence level. The VaR methodology is a statistically defined, probability-based approach that takes into account market volatilities as well as risk diversification by recognizing offsetting positions and correlations between products and markets. The use of VaR has limitations because it is based on historical correlations and volatilities in commodity prices and assumes that future price movements will follow a statistical distribution. The five-day VaR number used by the group reflects the 95% probability that the gain or loss in a five-day period will not exceed the reported VaR based on the previous pricing period. Although losses are not expected to exceed the statistically estimated VaR on 95% of occasions, losses on the other 5% of occasions could be substantially greater than the estimated VaR. The VaR at the balance sheet date is not representative of the risk throughout the period as the period-end exposure does not reflect the exposure during the period. In practice, as markets move, the Company actively manages its risk and adjusts hedging strategies as appropriate. The Company's Risk Management Policy provides limits within which management may maintain inventory and certain long or short commodity positions. The Company has established policies that limit the amount of agricultural commodity positions permissible, which are a combination of quantity and VaR limits. VaR levels are reported daily and compared with approved limits. Limits are regularly reviewed to ensure consistency with risk management objectives, market developments and business activities. /T/ January 31, October 31, As at 2011 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Historical VaR (95%, five-day): Agricultural commodity price VaR $ 22,465 $ 16,333 /T/ ii. Foreign Exchange Risk The Company undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies and, as a result is exposed to foreign exchange risk. The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk on commodity contracts which are denominated in foreign currencies and on its investment in foreign subsidiaries. The Company uses derivative financial instruments, such as foreign currency forward contracts, cross-currency swaps, futures contracts and options to limit exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates with respect to its recorded foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities as well as anticipated transactions. The Company uses hedge accounting to match the cash flow of some of its processed products to be sold in foreign funds with its foreign dollar currency hedging instruments. Maturity dates for the foreign exchange forward contracts on anticipated transactions extend for approximately 24 months. As at January 31, 2011, the portion of the forward contracts considered to be ineffective is insignificant. The estimated amount reported in other comprehensive income that is expected to be reclassified to net earnings during the next 12 months is an after tax gain of $7.1 million. A realized gain of $5.6 million after tax is included in net investment hedges accumulated other comprehensive income at January 31, 2011 in relation to a settled derivative and discontinued hedge accounting. The Company has an outstanding $200 million cross-currency swap arrangement in place in order to limit exposure to a change in the AUD on a portion of its net investment in its Australian operations. The derivative is used to mitigate the risk of economic loss arising from changes in the value of the AUD compared to the CAD. As at January 31, 2011, the portion of the cross-currency swap considered to be ineffective is nil. The estimated loss reported in other comprehensive income that is expected to be reported in net earnings relating to this net investment hedge during the next 12 months is approximately $0.6 million. The corresponding exchange gain arising from the translation of the financial statements of the net investment that is expected to be reported in net earnings during the next 12 months is approximately $4.1 million. The Company has $400 million USD Senior Notes outstanding the principal of which had been designated a hedge in order to limit exposure to a change in the USD on a portion of the Company's net investment in its U.S. operations. As at January 31, 2011, the portion of the hedge considered to be ineffective is nil. The estimated amount reported in other comprehensive income that is expected to be reported in net earnings during the next 12 months is nil. Except as noted above, the foreign currency forward contracts, futures contracts and options used by the Company are marked-to-market and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in net earnings in the period in which they occur. The following table details the Company's sensitivity on the net carrying value of financial instruments that are denominated in a foreign currency other than the functional currency in which they are measured as at the balance sheet date, had currencies moved as illustrated, with all other variables held constant. /T/ Impact On Other Impact On Comprehensive Earnings, Income, Carrying Value After Tax After Tax ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10% increase CAD/USD $ 10,144 $ 20 $ 127 CAD/Euro 400 28 - CAD/AUD 2,201 (173) - AUD/USD (14,030) 360 (2,813) AUD/Euro 5,874 (387) (77) AUD/JPY (4) (58) (126) AUD/NZD (209) 13 - AUD/Singapore dollars 621 (39) - 10% decrease CAD/USD 10,144 (20) (127) CAD/Euro 400 (28) - CAD/AUD 2,201 207 - AUD/USD (14,030) (466) 3,432 AUD/Euro 5,874 470 94 AUD/JPY (4) 71 154 AUD/NZD (209) (16) - AUD/Singapore dollars 621 46 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ The above sensitivity analysis for foreign currency risk does not take translation risk into account. Translation exposures arise from financial and non-financial items held by foreign entities determined to be self-sustaining operations. Sensitivity on net investments in self-sustaining foreign operations is therefore not included in the analysis. The sensitivity at the balance sheet date is not representative of the sensitivity throughout the year as the balance sheet date exposure does not necessarily reflect the exposure during the year. iii. Interest Rate Risk The Company's exposure to interest rate risk relates primarily to the Company's debt obligations. The Company manages interest rate risk and currency risk on borrowings by using a combination of cash instruments, forwards and a mixture of fixed and floating rates. Based on the January 31, 2011 borrowings, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk on short-term variable rate borrowings. A 25 basis point change in short-term variable rates based on the Company's current credit ratings and the current borrowings would impact after tax earnings by $1.4 million per annum. During the prior year, the Company entered into derivative contracts in connection with its plans to issue additional debt. Bond forward contracts were entered into in order to protect against the risk of economic loss arising from changes in the interest rates. The impact of a 25 basis point change in interest rates on after tax other comprehensive income is approximately $3.1 million. As at the balance sheet date, there would be no impact on after tax earnings. The Company estimates that approximately $1.0 million after tax will be amortized to net income as financing expense in the next 12 months. See Note 13 for further information regarding the issuance of new debt. iv. Credit Risk The Company is exposed to credit risk in respect of its trade receivables. Credit approval policies and procedures are in place to guide internal credit specialists in granting credit to new customers as well as in continuing to extend credit to existing customers. The Company manages this credit risk through monitoring of credit balances, ongoing credit reviews of all significant contracts and analysis of payment and loss history. Customers that fail to meet specified credit requirements may transact with the Company on a prepayment basis or provide another form of credit support, such as letters of credit, approved by the Company. The absence of significant financial concentration of trade receivables, except as noted below for receivables from the CWB, limits the Company's exposure to credit risk. Credit risk exposure for the Agri-products and Processing segments are also partially limited through an arrangement with a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank which provides for limited recourse to the Company for credit losses on producer accounts receivable under Viterra Financial (TM). The Company is also exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance of its counterparties on its derivative contracts. However, in the case of OTC derivative contracts, the Company only contracts with pre-authorized counterparties where agreements are in place and the Company monitors the credit ratings of its counterparties on an ongoing basis. Exchange-traded contracts used to hedge future revenues in the Company's grain business are not subject to any significant credit risk as the changes in contract positions are settled daily through a recognized exchange. All bad debt write-offs are charged to operating, general and administrative expenses. The year-to-date changes in the allowances for losses against accounts receivable are as follows: /T/ For the three months ended January 31 2011 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beginning balance $ 9,907 $ 8,081 Provision for losses 792 1,901 Write-offs, net of recoveries (1,327) (438) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ending balance $ 9,372 $ 9,544 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ The Company has historically experienced minimal credit losses and, as a result, it considers the credit quality of the trade receivables at January 31, 2011 that are not past due to be high. The distribution of trade accounts receivable by credit quality as at the balance sheet is shown in the following table: /T/ January 31, January 31, October 31, As at 2011 2010 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not past due $ 586,925 $ 372,266 $ 422,440 Past due: Past due less than 60 days 16,661 116,171 9,995 Past due greater than 61 days and less than 90 days 5,167 5,402 2,626 Past due greater than 91 days 36,058 31,455 36,888 Allowances for losses (9,372) (9,544) (9,907) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 635,439 $ 515,750 $ 462,042 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ Included in trade accounts receivable is $90.2 million due from the CWB, which represents a significant concentration of credit risk. The Company's maximum credit exposure at the balance sheet date consists primarily of the carrying amounts of non-derivative financial assets such as cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable and long-term receivables as well as the fair value of commodity contracts, exchange-traded derivatives and other non-trade assets included in accounts receivable. Short-term investments are held with Schedule I (Canada) and A-rated (Australia) banks, and have maturities of less than three months. v. Liquidity Risk The Company's liquidity risk refers to its ability to settle or meet its obligations as they fall due and is managed as part of the risk strategy. Liquidity adequacy is continually monitored, taking into consideration estimated future cash flows including the amount and timing of cash generated from operations, working capital requirements, planned capital expenditure programs, debt servicing requirement, dividend policy and business acquisitions. The Company actively maintains credit facilities to ensure it has sufficient available funds to meet current and foreseeable financial requirements. Management believes that future cash flows from operations and availability under existing banking arrangements will be adequate to support these financial liabilities. The following table approximates the Company's remaining contractual maturity for its financial liabilities and matching financial assets as well as matching cash flows in designated hedge relationships as at the balance sheet date. The table below details the undiscounted cash flows of financial instruments based on the earliest date on which the Company can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows. /T/ Contractual Within 1 to 2 2 to 3 Cash Flows 1 Year Years Years Thereafter Financial Assets: Exchange-traded derivatives $ 33,422 $ 33,170 $ 252 $ - $ - Commodity forward contracts 203,535 203,425 110 - - Foreign exchange forward contracts (OTC) 57,843 52,452 5,340 51 - Natural gas swaps 97 97 - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial Liabilities: Bank indebtedness $ (50,160) $ (50,160) $ - $ - $ - Short-term borrowings (776,928) (776,928) - - - Exchange-traded derivatives (63,525) (60,497) (3,028) - - Commodity forward contracts (169,877) (169,866) (11) - - Foreign exchange forward contracts (OTC) (16,531) (14,382) (2,131) (18) - Cross-currency swaps (8,674) (8,674) - - - Bond forwards (13,704) (13,704) - - - Natural gas swaps (30) (30) - - - Other current liabilities (1,224,376) (1,224,376) - - - Long-term debt, including current portion (1,351,128) (67,013) (67,013) (67,013) (1,150,089) Classified as other long-term liabilities (11,154) (756) (3,221) (2,292) (4,885) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- /T/ 12. MANAGEMENT OF CAPITAL The Company's objective when managing capital is to strive for a long-term manageable level of debt to total capital together with maintaining an acceptable ratio of EBITDA to cash interest. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's short-term borrowing requirements, the Company's objective is to manage the level of debt to total capital between 30% to 40% and to maintain a rolling 12-month EBITDA that is at least five times the level of cash interest paid. Debt to total capital is defined as total interest bearing debt divided by total interest bearing debt plus the book value of total shareholders' equity. Interest bearing debt is the aggregate of short-term borrowings, long-term debt due within one year and long-term debt. /T/ January 31, January 31, October 31, As at 2011 2010 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Short-term borrowings $ 776,928 $ 165,067 $ 61,677 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt due within one year $ 2,092 $ 18,064 $ 2,295 Long-term debt 889,269 1,249,762 896,834 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total long-term debt $ 891,361 $ 1,267,826 $ 899,129 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total interest bearing debt $ 1,668,289 $ 1,432,893 $ 960,806 Shareholders' equity 3,789,853 3,477,158 3,710,263 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total capital $ 5,458,142 $ 4,910,051 $ 4,671,069 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Debt to total capital: As at the balance sheet date 31:69 29:71 21:79 Four quarter average 25:75 30:70 25:75 /T/ EBITDA to cash interest is defined as earnings before financing expenses, taxes, amortization, gain (loss) on disposal of assets, integration expenses and net foreign exchange gain (loss) on acquisition divided by cash interest. Cash interest is net financing expenses excluding refinancing costs less non-cash financing expenses. The ratio is calculated on a rolling 12- month basis. /T/ For the rolling twelve months ended January 31 2011 2010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA $ 639,078 $ 419,871 Cash interest, net 96,014 81,769 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBITDA to cash interest: 6.7 5.1 /T/ Management uses EBITDA to cash interest to assess interest coverage and the Company's ability to service its interest bearing debt. The Company monitors its capital structure and makes adjustments according to market conditions and seasonal requirements in an effort to meet its objectives. The Company may manage its capital structure by issuing new shares, obtaining additional financing, issuing unsecured notes, refinancing existing debt, repaying current debt, or by paying dividends. During the period, the Company was in compliance with external covenants relating to the management of capital. 13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT On February 15, 2011, the Company closed the offering of $200 million of 6.406% senior unsecured notes due 2021. The offering was made pursuant to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated August 6, 2010 and a prospectus supplement filed on February 10, 2011. The notes, which will be guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries, will pay interest semi-annually on February 16th and August 16th of each year beginning August 16, 2011 and will mature on February 16, 2021. Proceeds from the offering will be used to partially repay amounts drawn by the Company on its Global Credit Facility.

Contact Information: Viterra Inc. - Media Inquiries Peter Flengeris Media Relations (306) 569-4810 or Viterra Inc. - Investor Inquiries Colleen Vancha Senior Vice-President Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs (403) 718-3827 or Viterra Inc. Lavonne Zdunich, CA Director Investor Relations (403) 718-6254 www.viterra.com or Audio webcast: http://www.gowebcasting.com/2226