| AgriBioTech, Inc.
on target in every respect |
Las Vegas, Nevada
August 26, 1998Dr. Johnny R. Thomas, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, AgriBioTech, Inc., announced
today that the Company is continuing to increase its forage and cool season turfgrass
leading market position, germplasm base, world class management team and obtain
biotechnology access as planned. Management can only attribute recent declines in the
Company's common stock price to lies placed on the Internet by short sellers, with no
basis in fact. An overview of facts concerning the Company's business plan is as follows.
- No Restatement of Financials: . There will not be a restatement
of any of the
Company's financial statements.
.
SEC Review: The Company underwent a full review by the SEC, with
particular emphasis on accounting issues (March 10, 1998 - August 14, 1998). The Company's
registration statements were declared effective on August 14, 1998. Any amendments to
prior SEC filings by the Company did not result in any restatement or any change in sales,
earnings, assets or equity previously reported by the Company. There is no more further
review.
.
Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 1999 Performance: As
reported (August 19th) by the Company and analysts covering the Company, the Company will
recognize revenues, assets, equity and earnings of acquisitions "at closing" as
opposed to "effective dates" commencing April 1, 1998. This change was made 3
months earlier than planned in order to have an effective registration statement by August
14th . However, the Company's 10-K will show results with both effective and closing date
income recognition to allow shareholders to compare performance with expectations. Fiscal
1999 projections previously announced by analysts have not been changed since the Company
was planning to recognize acquisitions at closing effective July 1, 1998.
.
Pending Announced Acquisitions: The Company has closed 14
acquisitions since January 1 and only one announced pending acquisition remains to be
closed (Oseco Inc.). This acquisition is expected to close within two weeks.
.
Future Acquisitions: The Company continues to successfully negotiate
for new acquisitions to enhance market share and germplasm. Dr. Thomas expects, "the
Company's annualized revenue run rate to reach the $500 million target by December 31,
1998, two years ahead of schedule".
.
Shelf Registration Statements: The Company's effective registration
statement provides management flexible access to capital when needed to effectively
implement the Company's business plan. According to Dr. Thomas, "all shareholders who
embrace management's plans to 'build franchise value' should eagerly anticipate additional
capital formation, since management will only access capital when business opportunities
exceed the cost of capital".
.
Continued Growth vs. No Growth: The Company is at a unique stage of
development. There are no acquisition candidates which must be acquired to accomplish
Company objectives; however, there are acquisition candidates which if acquired would
increase shareholder value more than the cost of capital.
.
Biotechnology Access: The Company continues to advance several very
important negotiations toward a successful conclusion.
.
Conference Call: Dr. Thomas will host a conference call at 10 a.m.
EST, on August 26, 1998 to answer any questions. Shareholders may call in on
1-800-230-1092. The call will be available on replay by calling 1-800-475- 6701 access
code #403509.
.
Website Changes: The Company has deleted analyst reports and
chairman's updates from its website as a direct result of the SEC registration process.
According to Dr. Thomas, "it is unfortunate that management is unable to provide more
complete information on the Company to shareholders".
AgriBioTech, Inc. is a fully integrated full service seed company
specializing in the forage and turfgrass seed sector, complete with research and
development of proprietary seed varieties, seed processing plants, and a national and
international distribution and sales network. The Company has completed 30 acquisitions
since January 1, 1995 and is the largest forage and cool-season turfgrass seed company in
the United States, with a current level of annualized net sales of approximately $425
million, including the previously announced pending acquisition of Oseco Inc.
The statements discussed in this press release include
forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These include
the Company's historical lack of profitability, need to manage its growth, intense
competition in the seed industry, seasonality of quarterly results, and other risks
detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports.
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