On April 14, 2004, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'A+' senior unsecured debt rating to Cargill Inc.'s $250 million notes due 2034. Proceeds from the transaction will be used for general corporate purposes including the repayment of short-term debt. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'A+' long-term corporate credit rating and other ratings on one of the world's leading agribusiness companies, Cargill. The outlook is negative. Privately owned, Minneapolis, Minn.-based Cargill has approximately $11.7 billion of total debt outstanding at Feb. 29, 2004. The ratings on Cargill and related entities are supported by the firm's position as one of the world's leading agribusiness companies, with major market positions in agricultural processing and merchandising, industrial production,
