CALGARY, Alberta -- Agrium Inc. (TSX and NYSE: AGU) announced today that it has extended the expiry time of its bid until midnight (Vancouver time) on February 3, 2006. Approximately 9.97 million or 30.7 percent of Royster-Clark’s Income Deposit Securities (IDSs) were tendered to this offer prior to midnight (Vancouver time) on January 23, 2006. As the minimum condition that at least 66 2/3 percent of the IDSs be tendered to the offer was not satisfied, Agrium has not taken up any of the IDSs deposited under the offer. Agrium will file and deliver a notice of extension of its offer tomorrow.

Agrium Inc. is a leading global producer and marketer of agricultural nutrients and industrial products and a major retail supplier of agricultural products and services in both North and South America. Agrium produces and markets three primary groups of nutrients: nitrogen, phosphate and potash as well as controlled release fertilizers and micronutrients. Agrium’s strategy is to grow through incremental expansion of its existing operations and acquisitions as well as the development, commercialization and marketing of new products and international opportunities.