American Vanguard Corp. (AVD), based in Newport Beach, California, is a diversified specialty and agricultural products company. American Vanguard develops and markets crop protection, turf and ornamental products, and public health insecticides. The company’s products include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, soil fumigants, defoliants, molluscides and grown regulators.

The company reported at the beginning of April that adverse mid-west weather conditions will likely cause first quarter 2008 performance to be below that of the prior year first quarter. According to Eric Wintemute, president and chief executive officer of the company, over-abundant rainfall and continued cold temperatures have significantly affected preparation for, and implementation of, crop planting in large sections of the Midwest Corn Belt. While sales are expected to approach prior year levels, earnings will likely be impacted by higher incremental costs associated with several important new growth initiatives.

However, the company remains optimistic that, when corn planting does occur throughout the spring, much of the granular corn soil insecticide sales will be recognized in the second quarter of 2008. Wintemute added that the company’s programs for insect resistance and corn yield enhancements are expected to be significant contributors to the company’s future growth. The non-corn portions of the company’s business are experiencing solid performance in the first quarter. Further information on first quarter business and financial performance is expected to be available on May 8, 2008.

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