ORANGE COUNTY EARNINGS

American Vanguard Corp.: The Newport Beach agricultural products company lost $178,000, or 7 cents a share, for the second quarter, contrasted with net income of $688,100, or 27 cents a share, for the 1997 second quarter. Sales declined 12% to $14.1 million from $16 million. American Vanguard lost $434,500, or 17 cents a share, in the first six months, contrasted with profit of $632,000, or 25 cents a share, a year ago. Sales were down 6% to $24.9 million from $26.5 million. The company said results this year were hurt by such factors as lower cotton acreage and adverse weather.