AgFeed Industries, Inc. Announces Results for the First Quarter of 2011

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May 10, 2011, 05:05 ET

NEW YORK, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- AgFeed Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: FEED, NYSE Alternext: ALHOG) ("AgFeed" or the "Company"), an international agribusiness with operations in the U.S. and China announced its results for the first quarter of 2011.

AgFeed reports revenue of $93 million and an operating profit of $0.5 million. Revenues for the company's U.S. hog production unit reached $57.9 million with an operating profit of $3.6 million. In China, significant progress was made in restructuring hog production and containing operating issues in this business segment with revenue reported at $10.9 million and an operating loss of $139,000. In its Chinese based animal nutrition segment, the Company reports first quarter revenue of $24.2 million and an operating loss of $835,000. These results do not reflect the loss attributable to discontinued operations within the Company's legacy Chinese hog production unit.

John A. Stadler, AgFeed's Chairman & Interim Chief Executive Officer stated, "Our team of hog production professionals that were deployed in the past months to focus on turning around our legacy Chinese hog production system has made significant strides in closing and liquidating facilities that could not meet our standard production metrics while at the same time moving rapidly to bring appropriate operating discipline to the remaining legacy assets. This work is not yet complete. However, we expect that we can return the legacy system to profitability later this year. The performance of our animal nutrition unit was disappointing. The size of the nation-wide Chinese hog herd is down which has impacted demand for our nutrition products. More importantly we were unable to pass along the rapidly increasing cost of grains in real time."

Gerard Daignault, President & Chief Executive Officer of AgFeed's animal nutrition business pointed out, "As our business continues to evolve from its historic base of being focused on pre-mix to having a significant complete feed business, we will face ever greater exposure to swings in the price of corn and soy bean meal. Our ability to pass these price increases on to our customers on a timely basis will be vital. Faced with record high commodity prices, we will be confronted with price competition as growers seek alternative feed sources in order to lower their own operating costs. We are committed to providing our customers with quality animal feeds to promote healthy animals and a safe food supply. As part of this commitment and in order to bring a more diverse product line to our distributor base of over 1,887 outlets, we are continuing our R&D efforts to bring our customers specialized products designed for sow development and nursery pig growth."

Edward Pazdro, the Company's Chief Financial Officer observed, "During the first quarter we continued to rationalize our Chinese hog production and headquarters operations which allowed us to reduce our headcount by 203 since the end of 2010. We also retired approximately $4.5 million of local bank debt in China in May 2011."

Regarding the Company's U.S. based hog production business its leader, Glenn McClelland stated, "We continue to be extremely pleased by the commitment to operating excellence and continuous operating improvement demonstrated by our team. Our results for the quarter clearly demonstrate this commitment and the dedication of our entire organization."

In conclusion Mr. Stadler added, "During the coming weeks we plan to provide 'guidance' to the investment community regarding our annual performance." He also reiterated, "The base of hog production excellence and human capital which AgFeed can deliver from its U.S. operations at M2P2 coupled with our burgeoning Chinese presence and its showcase western-style hog production facility at Da Hua demonstrate a model of aligning resources from disparate global locations in order to delivery high quality, safe food to a global market."

ABOUT AGFEED INDUSTRIES, INC.

NASDAQ Global Market Listed AgFeed Industries (www.agfeedinc.com) is an international agribusiness with operations in the U.S. and China. AgFeed has two business lines: animal nutrition in premix, concentrates and complete feeds and hog production. In the U.S., AgFeed's hog production unit, M2P2, is a market leader in setting new standards for production efficiency and productivity. AgFeed believes the transfer of these processes, procedures and techniques will allow its new Western-style Chinese hog production units to set new standards for production in China. China is the world's largest pork market consuming 50% of global production and over 62% of total protein consumed in China is pork. Hog production in China currently enjoys income tax free status.

SAFE HARBOR DISCLOSURE NOTICE

Certain statements regarding AgFeed Industries set forth in this press release contain forward-looking information and speak only as of the date of such statement. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "target," "forecast" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance or business plans and prospects. This forward-looking information is subject to numerous material risks, uncertainties and assumptions, certain of which are beyond the control of AgFeed Industries, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, stock market volatility, ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Readers are cautioned that the material assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, this forward-looking information and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that AgFeed Industries will derive therefrom. AgFeed Industries disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. For additional information and risk factors that could affect AgFeed Industries, see its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," including "Cautionary Statement for Forward-Looking Statements," set forth in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011. The information contained in this press release is made as of the date of the press release, even if subsequently made available by AgFeed Industries on its website or otherwise.

Contact: Investor Relations: AgFeed Industries, Inc. Tel: (917) 804-3584 Email: [email protected]

The Company's policy is to handle all questions by email to [email protected] and they will be answered as soon as possible.


AGFEED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2011 AND DECEMBER 31, 2010

			2011		2010
			(unaudited)
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	9,199,596	$	12,399,916
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
	of $1,930,100 and $707,968		28,672,187		21,841,442
	Advances to suppliers		517,064		1,676,593
	Inventory		85,741,183		81,379,649
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,454,312		2,242,807
	Deferred tax asset		83,685		83,685
	Assets of discontinued operations		3,870,799		6,293,524

	Total current assets		130,538,826		125,917,616

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net			67,101,166		63,631,224
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net			5,678,896		5,783,102
GOODWILL			22,510,697		22,365,414
DEFERRED TAX ASSET			1,925,663		2,329,548
OTHER ASSETS			2,738,813		3,467,758

	TOTAL ASSETS	$	230,494,061	$	223,494,662

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
	Short-term loan	$	4,581,000	$	4,551,000
	Accounts payable		8,737,927		8,783,569
	Other payables		2,554,637		3,736,931
	Unearned revenue		92,111		489,241
	Accrued expenses		8,154,401		6,142,747
	Accrued payroll		941,958		1,163,504
	Tax and welfare payable		892,298		1,893,727
	Interest payable		192,429		121,392
	Current portion of long-term debt		1,710,350		1,703,658
	Convertible notes, net of discount of $10,864		-		989,136
	Liabilities of discontinued operations		1,402,237		1,595,805

	Total current liabilities		29,259,348		31,170,710

ACQUISITION NOTE PAYABLE			9,621,434		9,621,434
LINE OF CREDIT			44,775,792		42,231,176
LONG-TERM DEBT			14,286,195		15,024,666

TOTAL LIABILITIES			97,942,769		98,047,986

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES			-		-

EQUITY:
AgFeed stockholders' equity:
	Common stock, $0.001 per share; 75,000,000 shares authorized;
	56,189,050 issued and 55,802,355 outstanding at March 31, 2011
	51,756,907 issued and 51,370,212 outstanding at December 31, 2010		56,190		51,758
	Additional paid-in capital		133,724,749		125,788,151
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		8,897,086		8,120,628
	Statutory reserve		5,667,043		5,621,937
	Treasury stock (386,695 shares)		(1,858,942)		(1,858,942)
	Accumulated deficit		(14,026,159)		(12,430,229)
	Total AgFeed stockholders' equity		132,459,967		125,293,303
Noncontrolling interest			91,325		153,373
	Total equity		132,551,292		125,446,676

	TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	230,494,061	$	223,494,662


AGFEED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010


			2011		2010
			(unaudited)		(unaudited)

Revenues		$	92,987,199	$	46,489,856

Cost of goods sold			85,107,097		40,617,819

Gross profit			7,880,102		5,872,037

Operating expenses
	Selling expenses		986,663		1,018,164
	General and administrative expenses		6,375,431		3,443,171
	Total operating expenses		7,362,094		4,461,335

Income from operations			518,008		1,410,702

Non-operating income (expense):
	Other income (expense)		(2,716)		75,158
	Interest income		14,722		47,333
	Interest and financing costs		(914,959)		(124,911)
	Foreign currency transaction loss		(10,128)		13,803

	Total non-operating income (expense)		(913,081)		11,383

Income (loss) from operations before income taxes			(395,073)		1,422,085

Income tax expense			538,739		453,580

Loss from continuing operations			(933,812)		968,505

Discontinued operations:
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations (including loss
	on disposal of $295,280 in 2011)		(681,045)		42,719

Net loss			(1,614,857)		1,011,224

Less: Net income (loss) attributed to noncontrolling interest			(64,033)		(56,194)

Net income attributed to AgFeed		$	(1,550,824)	$	1,067,418


AGFEED INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 AND 2010


					2011		2010
					(unaudited)		(unaudited)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
	Net income (loss)			$	(1,614,857)	$	1,011,224
	Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
	to net cash used in operating activities:
		Depreciation			1,498,562		811,899
		Amortization of intangible assets			111,629		23,191
		Loss on sale of assets			543,552		-
		Stock based compensation			7,235		75,281
		Issuance of common stock for services			433,795		375,720
		Amortization of debt issuance costs			4,617		7,419
		Amortization of discount on convertible debt			10,864		17,460
		Change in working capital components
			Accounts receivable		(6,647,112)		(8,599,242)
			Other receivables		-		(2,466,242)
			Inventory		(1,987,357)		(1,813,472)
			Advances to suppliers		1,194,764		360,605
			Prepaid expenses		511,397		350,014
			Deferred taxes		403,885		-
			Other assets		1,118,963		(73,782)
			Accounts payable		(246,537)		3,906,822
			Other payables		(1,431,148)		2,142,963
			Unearned revenue		(461,805)		(166,837)
			Accrued expenses		2,010,388		(12,304)
			Accrued payroll		(225,979)		(326,087)
			Tax and welfare payable		(1,001,190)		213,894
			Interest payable		71,037		17,500

	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities				(5,695,297)		(4,143,974)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
		Purchase of property and equipment			(6,208,508)		(4,282,474)
		Purchase of intangible assets			-		(125,514)
		Proceeds from the sale of assets			315,114		-

	Net cash used in investing activities				(5,893,394)		(4,407,988)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
		Proceeds from the sale of common stock			7,500,000		-
		Borrowings under line of credit facility, net			2,544,616		-
		Payment on convertible notes			(1,000,000)		-
		Payment on note payable			(731,779)		-
		Purchase of noncontrolling interest in majority owed hog farms			-		(406,103)

	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities				8,312,837		(406,103)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents					75,534		(2,062)

NET DECREASE IN CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS					(3,200,320)		(8,960,127)

CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING BALANCE					12,399,916		37,580,154

CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS, ENDING BALANCE				$	9,199,596	$	28,620,027