ELDERS LIMITED — Major Shareholding Notification 2012

Aug 8, 2012

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9 August 2012

ASX ANNOUNCEMENT RURALCO HOLDINGS LIMITED (ASX CODE: RHL) STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN ELDERS LIMITED (ASX CODE: ELD)

Ruralco Holdings Limited (“Ruralco”) today announced it had acquired a further 1.94% of Elders Limited (“Elders”), taking its shareholding in Elders to 12.04%.

“This increase in shareholding establishes Ruralco as the largest shareholder in Elders and is consistent with Ruralco’s strategy to strengthen its participation in the agribusiness sector. As previously announced, this is a strategic investment and there is no current intention to make a takeover offer for Elders,” Ruralco Managing Director John Maher said.

“Ruralco’s focus remains clearly on the continued strong performance of our existing operations. It is business as usual for our people and customers,” Mr Maher said.

Further Information:

John Maher Managing Director Ph: 0418 687 016

Ruralco Holdings Limited (ASX:RHL), is a leading Australian agribusiness. Ruralco operates through a national footprint of businesses that specialise in providing rural customers with products and services in merchandise, fertiliser, seed, wool, livestock, real estate, risk management, water, grain, finance and insurance. Ruralco's businesses around the country operate under their own brands. They have their own cultures, their own service models and their own unique value propositions - all designed to meet the demands of local or regional markets. The group’s businesses are committed to supporting the communities within which they operate.