"This year our solid financial performance meant we were able to return some cash to farmers early, announcing and paying our rebate and dividend averaging $60 per tonne in the same week."
The rebate, averaging $55.83 a tonne along with a 10 cent dividend per share saw a total distribution to shareholders of $76 million paid on July 31 - equating to 94 per cent of Ballance's $81 million gross trading result.
A total of $54 million was paid out in cash.
"The early rebate payment has been met with a huge positive response from our shareholders, who've really appreciated the injection of cash on-farm at a time when cashflow is limited. We are seeing farm sizes grow and actual farm numbers decrease, so we are doing well to attract new shareholders while retaining those on the registry."
Meanwhile, Ravensdown had reported a record rebate of $50 per tonne.
Chairman John Henderson said it had focussed on strengthening its balance sheet and a change of strategy as the agri sector faced some uncertainty in the current cycle.
"In the second year of our more focused strategy, we again made significant progress on the balance sheet front, so we were in a position to support those customers who need the cash and capital more than us right now," Mr Henderson said.
Ravensdown earned an operating profit of $51.9 million, despite one-off costs associated with the closure of Waikeratu's lime quarry due to safety concerns.
However, chief executive Greg Campbell said it had momentum on its side and the morale of the team was high but remained cautious about trading conditions that may affect fertiliser tonnages in the current year.
Ravensdown has 25,000 shareholders and since 2013 had signed up 1016 new farmers.