CALGARY, Alberta -- Agrium Inc. (TSX and NYSE: AGU) announces the Grand Opening of its ESN150 facility at Carseland, Alberta on July 12, 2006.  ESN® is Agrium’s patented-process controlled release nitrogen product for broad acre crops.  The new facility is the largest polymer-coated controlled release fertilizer facility in the world.

Agrium senior management, including Mike Wilson, President and CEO along with government representatives including Premier Ralph Klein, and area Member of Parliament Kevin Sorenson will speak on ESN’s numerous environmental benefits.

“The Grand Opening of the ESN150 facility at Carseland demonstrates Agrium’s commitment to providing environmentally friendly solutions to growers,” said Mike Wilson, Agrium President and CEO.
ESN®, or Smart Nitrogen, has a unique semi-permeable polymer coating that allows water to enter the urea granule and dissolve the nitrogen. The nitrogen release rate is controlled by soil temperature, which similarly determines plant growth and nutrient demand. Therefore, ESN® technology provides for a better matching of nutrient availability in the soil with plant nutrient requirements. The result is increased productivity per pound of nitrogen, providing an economic advantage for growers, while reducing nitrogen loss to the environment.

Agrium completed the expansion of the ESN facility at Carseland, Alberta in February of 2006, bringing the total ESN production capability to 150 thousand tonnes, making it the largest polymer-coated controlled release fertilizer production facility in the world.  The Carseland facility is located 50km East of Calgary, Alberta and produces conventional nitrogen products in addition to ESN and DurationCR® (a controlled release fertilizer for specialty applications).

Members of the media interested in attending the Grand Opening should contact Stacey Doolan at 403-225-7341 by July 7, 2006.  Advance registration is required.

About Agrium
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.