In a market update, the company forecast earnings before interest, tax and depreciation for the year to June 30 to be in the range of $40 million to $48 million, compared with $55 million for the corresponding period last year.
It attributed the main factors behind the drop to the climatic conditions across Australia and New Zealand, lower livestock values and reduced earnings from Agri-feeds following the 4Seasons Feeds Ltd joint venture.
Climate extremes in Australia, with two record wet years followed by record-breaking high temperatures this year, meant the Australian seed business was not forecast to contribute significantly to group earnings this year.
The weather in New Zealand had also been a factor, with widespread drought.
Livestock values had been in decline since the start of the financial year, first in sheep and more latterly in beef, deer and dairy, PGG Wrightson managing director George Gould said.
While volumes and market share remained solid, prices were down about 30% compared with last year.
The business of PGG Wrightson reflected ''to a great degree'' the fortune of its farmer clients and it had been a difficult trading year, Mr Gould said.
