Agrium Inc. -- Senior Appointments Announced.

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 1996--Agrium (TSE/NYSE:AGU.) Following the merger of Agrium Inc. and Viridian Inc., December 10, 1996, Agrium President and CEO John M. Van Brunt today confirmed the following:

-- Dorothy E.A. Bower, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary;

-- Gary L. Carstens, Senior Vice President, North American Wholesale;

-- Larry A. Collins, Vice President, International;

-- Richard L. Gearheard, Vice President, North American Retail;

-- Michael J. Klein, Vice President, Human Resources and Administration;

-- Dale W. Massie, Executive Vice President;

-- Gordon A. Milne, Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer;

-- Ian H. Noble, Vice President, Business Development; and

-- Rob J. Rennie, Vice President, New Products R&D.

The above are located in Calgary, with the exception of Richard Gearheard, who is based in Agrium's retail headquarters in Denver.

Gary Carstens today announced the following senior level appointments within the North American Wholesale Strategic Business Unit:

-- J. Gordon Whitham has been appointed Vice President, Operations. Based in Calgary, Mr. Whitham reports to the Senior Vice President, North American Wholesale.

-- Reg L. Toliver has been appointed Vice President, Alberta Production. Formerly of Viridian, Mr. Toliver will be based out of Fort Saskatchewan, reporting to the Vice President, Operations.

-- Chris W. Tworek has been appointed Vice President, Transportation & Logistics. Formerly of Viridian, Mr. Tworek will relocate from Edmonton to Calgary and report to the Senior Vice President, North American Wholesale.

-- Dave J. DeBiasio has been appointed Vice President, Energy and Raw Materials. Mr. DeBiasio remains based in Calgary, reporting to the Senior Vice President, North American Wholesale.

-- John D. Yokley has been appointed Vice President, Marketing. Mr. Yokley will relocate from Denver to Calgary, and will report to the Senior Vice President, North American Wholesale.

-- Dave J. Benusa continues with Agrium as Vice President, Special Projects, to oversee the integration of specialty products into the overall marketing strategy. He will report to the Senior Vice President, North American Wholesale.

A fundamental re-design of North American wholesale marketing has been undertaken through Agrium's `Marketing 2001' initiative. Established in August, 1996, Marketing 2001 is focused on increasing profitability and creating customer alignment within the North American fertilizer market. The following individuals will have key responsibilities for implementing Marketing 2001 strategies:

-- John C. Miller has been appointed Director of Marketing. He will remain in the Denver Office and report to the Vice President, Marketing.

Reporting to John Miller will be:

-- Steve W. Tregellas, who has been appointed Marketing Manager, Anhydrous Ammonia;

-- Murray Hasinoff, formerly of Viridian, who has been appointed Marketing Manager, Upgraded Nitrogen;

-- Fred E. Duncan, who has been appointed Marketing Manager, Phosphate; and

-- J. Muse, who has been appointed Marketing Manager, Potash.

Reporting to John Yokley will be:

-- Ben W. Zimmerman, who has been appointed Regional Manager, Central Region;

-- Dan R. Peeno, formerly of Viridian, who has been appointed Regional Manager, Western Region;

-- (Bob) D. Urquhart, formerly of Viridian, who has been appointed Regional Manager, Northern Region; and

-- R. (Bob) J. Sloan, formerly of Viridian, who has been appointed Regional Manager, Industry Sales.

The locations of the individuals reporting to John Miller and John Yokley will be determined during planning sessions in the coming weeks.

"Today's announcement marks the first stage in the integration of Agrium Inc. and Viridian Inc., and will position the company to move quickly in capturing important synergies within transportation and marketing," commented Mr. Van Brunt, adding that other key appointments will be announced in the near future, consistent with the integration goal of fielding the best team in the industry.

Agrium Inc. is North America's largest and most cost efficient producer of nitrogen fertilizers, and a leader in the potash, phosphate and agricultural retail business.

CONTACT: Agrium Inc.

Dick Nichols, 403/258-5746 (direct)

800/399-3821 (Automatic Faxback)

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