As commodity prices, farming returns and property values continue to climb, one of the country’s largest agricultural companies is forecasting a good bottom line for the year.

Agribusiness Landcorp Farming has released its half year report, saying it’s on track for a better full-year profit than last season.

After September’s devastating snowstorms and the Canterbury earthquake, Landcorp Chairman Jim Sutton says they’re not taking anything for granted, even though the outlook is bright.

“We’ve learnt of course, like the rest of the farming community not to count your money until it’s in the bank. The exchange rate, the international markets and the weather – any one of those can turn your year to custard.”

Jim Sutton says all going well, we could well be on the cusp of a new ‘golden era’ of farming, and the mood on farms nationwide couldn’t be better.

“The properties are looking in great heart. There’s pasture on the ground, good stock condition, and the managers are just buzzing at the opportunities to get good bottom lines on their units.”

Landcorp’s half year results showed a shareholder return of 41.4 million dollars, compared with last year’s 22.3 million.

“It’s the sort of year that it can be a real pleasure being on the farm.”