Shares in Australian Agricultural Company Ltd (ASX: AAC) have opened lower after the company said heavy rain and flooding in north-western Queensland would have a material effect on its earnings.
Queensland was battered by storms in late December, with record rainfall in the state's north leading to flooding across wide areas of the state.
Several flood and major flood warnings remain in effect across the state, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, with the Diamantina and Flinders rivers subject to major flood warnings.
Image source: Getty Images
Material impact on the way
Australian Agricultural Company, or AACo as the company refers to itself, said in a statement to the ASX on Monday morning that three of its 27 properties – Carrum, Dalgonally, and Canobie – had been affected by flooding.
The company went on to say:
AACo has a herd of approximately 456,000 head of cattle. The three AACo Gulf properties impacted by the flooding are carrying a total of approximately 55,000 head of cattle (significantly lower head count than 2019 flood event in the same region). Any comparisons between the 2019 event and the current event should be approached with caution, due to current cattle valuations, operating practices, property and livestock conditions, weather and rainfall variations and seasonality. At this early stage, as conditions are evolving and remain challenging, a credible assessment of the impact on livestock and infrastructure is currently unable to be undertaken – noting there is still the possibility of further wet season impacts.
The company went on to say that the impact of the flooding on its earnings for the March 2026 financial year was yet to be determined, but was "likely to be material".
It said further:
Management is currently assessing and managing the situation and an update will be provided as appropriate, when further assessments of the impacted properties are available.
The company said that, in keeping with industry practice and because of the large cost involved, it was not insured for the impact of flooding on its herd and infrastructure.
It said:
Whilst the impact of the situation is continuing to be determined, the company's balance sheet and financial position remain strong.
Good conditions elsewhere
On the upside, the company said it was experiencing favourable rainfall in southwestern Queensland and the Northern Territory, where the majority of its cattle were located, and "the company remains able to fulfil supply obligations to its key markets in line with its strategy''.
AACo shares were 3.5% down in early trade on Monday at $1.40.
The company in November announced it had almost doubled its first-half operating profit to $39.8 million, compared to $20.2 million in the previous corresponding period.
The company was valued at $874 million at the close of trade on Friday.
