SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant {X}
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant { }
Check the appropriate box:
{x}
Preliminary Proxy Statement
{ } Confidential, for Use of the
{ } Definitive Proxy Statement Commission Only, (as Permitted
{ } Definitive Additional Materials by Rule 14A-6(e)(2))
{ } Soliciting Material Pursuant to
ss.240.14a-11(C) or ss.240.14a-12
Miller Diversified Corporation
Inc.
----------------------------------------------
(Name5754 West 11th Street
Greeley, Colorado 80634
Telephone: (970) 356-1200
Facsimile: (970) 356-1574
______________, 2003
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting of RegistrantStockholders of
Miller Diversified Corporation to be held on _________________, commencing at
2:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) at 5754 West 11th Street, Greeley, Colorado. The board
of directors and management look forward to personally greeting those
stockholders able to attend the meeting.
At the Special Meeting you will be asked to consider and vote on the election of
three directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting. The three directors
nominated are the present directors of the Company. Since we have not had an
annual meeting for the election of directors since 1997, we are asking that you
confirm the present directors for another year.
In addition to electing directors, you are being asked to consider and vote on a
proposal to sell substantially all the assets of the Company to Miller Feed Lots
Inc., an affiliate company. The consideration to be received by the Company
cannot be determined until the Closing Date since most of the assets to be sold,
such as Specified in its Charter)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if otherfeeder cattle owned by the Company, will be subject to price fluctuation
up to the Closing Date. Other assets to be sold may have a market value greater
or less than the Registrant)
Paymentvalues shown on the books of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)
{ } No fee required
{x} Fee computedCompany, and those values will
not be determined until the Closing Date. The Company has attempted to estimate
the amount that might be realized if a closing were held on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(I)(1)June 30, 2003, and
0-11.
(1) Titleestimates the net proceeds to the Company would be in a range of each class$200,000 to
$600,000, but there is no assurance that there will be net proceeds at all to
the Company.
As explained in the proxy statement, Miller Feed Lots is owned and controlled by
your board of securitiesdirectors. That creates a conflict of interest for the board of
directors, which is explained in the proxy statement. The proxy statement also
explains that the Company's line of financing to whichpurchase feeder cattle for both
the Company and cattle feeders has been terminated because of the history of
losses in the cattle feeding business, and the Company in particular. Your board
of directors thinks it is in the best interest of stockholders to sell the
cattle feeding business and attempt to be acquired by another entity. As
explained in the proxy statement, your board of directors is seeking other
opportunities for the Company, but there is no assurance other opportunities
will be found, and it is unknown what share of such enterprise Company
stockholders might have.
Your board of directors recommends a vote FOR the election of directors, and FOR
the sale of assets. The directors nominated are the existing board of directors,
who are also directors of Miller Feed Lots, the Buyer. The asset sale
transaction applies: common
stock
(2) Aggregatedescribed in the proxy statement proposes the Company sell its
assets to Miller Feed Lots. The Company's directors own and constitute the board
of directors of Miller Feed Lots. See the caption CONFLICTS OF INTEREST in the
proxy statement for more information concerning the Company's directors'
conflicts of interest.
Regardless of the number of securitiesshares you own and whether or not you plan to
which transaction applies: 7,000,000
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuantattend, it is important that your shares are represented and voted at the
Special Meeting. Accordingly, you are requested to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forthsign, date and mail the
amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): $.10 (based
upon average price of common stock on July 26, 1999).
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $700,000
(5) Total fee paid: $140
{ } Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
{ } Check box if any partenclosed proxy at your earliest convenience.
On behalf of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2)board of directors, thank you for your cooperation and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedulesupport.
Sincerely,
/s/ James E. Miller
James E. Miller
President and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date filed:
Notes:Chief Executive Officer
3
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION
23360 Weld County Road #35
LaSalle,5754 WEST 11TH STREET
GREELEY, Colorado 80645
--------------------------------------80634
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
--------------------------------------------
ASTOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held ________________
To the Stockholders of
Miller Diversified Corporation:
You are hereby notified that a Special Meeting of ShareholdersStockholders of Miller
Diversified Corporation (the
"Company") will be held on __________________ at __________________, Mountain Daylight Time, on
____________________, 19992:00 p.m.
(Mountain Time) at __________________________,5754 West 11th Street, Greeley, Colorado, for the following
purposes:
Item 1. Toto elect three persons to the Company's board of directors to serve
until the next Annual Meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly
elected and qualified;
Item 2. to consider and vote upon an amended Agreement and Planon the sale of Exchange
under whichsubstantially all the assets of
the Company would acquire, by way of exchange, all of the
issued and outstanding common stock ofpursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 17, 2003,
between Miller Feed Lots Inc., as Buyer, and Miller Diversified Corporation, as
Seller, for common stocka promissory note to us for the net purchase price and the
assumption of the Company.
2. To transactcertain liabilities; and
Item 3. to consider and act upon such other business as may properly come beforebe
presented for action at the Special Meeting andor any adjournment thereof tothereof.
The board of directors has fixed the extent that the
Company was not awareclose of the intended presentation of such business on or prior to the date of the Proxy Statement.
The Board of Directors has fixed ____________, 1999May 27, 2003 as the
recordRecord Date for determining the shareholdersSpecial Meeting. Only stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of and to voterecord at the meeting and any adjournmentclose of
business on the meeting. The transfer books of the
Company will not be closed, but only shareholders of the Company of record on
such dateRecord Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting or
adjournment.
Dissenting shareholders are entitledSpecial Meeting. Our transfer books will not be closed.
The board of directors extends a cordial invitation to appraisal rights with respect to
proposal number 1. In order to preserve their dissenter's rights, dissenting
shareholders must submit their written notice to exercise such rights prior to
the Shareholder Meeting date and must not vote in favor of proposal number 1 or
submit an executed but unmarked proxy. See "Dissenter's Rights" in the Proxy
Statement that accompanies this Notice.
Shareholders are cordially invitedall stockholders to
attend the meeting in person. Whether
or notSpecial Meeting, as it is important that your shares be represented
at the meeting. Even if you plan to attend the meeting in person, pleaseSpecial Meeting, you are strongly
encouraged to mark, date, sign and datemail the enclosed proxy in the return
envelope provided as promptly as possible.
You may revoke your proxy by following the procedures set forth in the
accompanying proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelop. No additional
postage is required if the envelope is mailed in the United States. The giving
of astatement. If you are unable to attend, your written proxy will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the
meeting and
will assure that your shares are voted if you are unable to attend.vote is counted.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Stephen R. Story (Secretary)
___________________, 1999
LaSalle,/s/ Clark A. Miller
Clark A.Miller
Greeley, Colorado Secretary
________, 2003
Miller Diversified Corporation
23360 Weld County Road 35
LaSalle, Colorado 80645
---------------------------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
PROXY STATEMENT................................................................1
QUORUM AND VOTING RIGHTS.......................................................1
SUMMARY TERM SHEET.............................................................2
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND SALE OF ASSETS.......6
ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.................................................8
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH NOMINEE NAMED............................8
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT..............................................10
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION........................................................11
PURCHASER.....................................................................11
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.........................................................12
RISK FACTORS..................................................................13
COMPANY BUSINESS..............................................................15
GENERAL....................................................................15
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES......................................................15
RAW MATERIALS..............................................................16
MAJOR CUSTOM feedERS.......................................................17
COMPETITION................................................................17
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.....................................................17
EMPLOYEES..................................................................18
FEEDLOT FACILITIES.........................................................18
TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT...............................................18
BORROWED FUNDS.............................................................19
LOSS SHARING AGREEMENT WITH MILLER FEED LOTS...............................20
MARKETS FOR THE COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS..............20
ITEM 2. THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION..........................................21
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION..........................................21
REASONS FOR THE SALE OF ASSETS.............................................22
SUMMARY OF THE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT.......................................24
CONSIDERATION..............................................................24
APPRAISERS.................................................................26
ASSETS SOLD................................................................27
ASSUMED LIABILITIES........................................................27
CLOSING....................................................................27
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY..............................27
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MILLER FEED LOTS.........................28
COVENANTS OF MILLER FEED LOTS..............................................28
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY...................................................29
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING......................................................29
i
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY...................................29
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, WAIVER, RELIEF.....................................30
ARBITRATION................................................................30
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION............................30
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION.......31
GENERAL....................................................................31
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE COMPANY.............................31
USE OF PROCEEDS...............................................................32
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..............32
ITEM 3. OTHER MATTERS........................................................37
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT.................................................37
STOCKHOLDERS' PROPOSALS FOR 2004 ANNUAL MEETING...............................37
EXHIBITS......................................................................38
APPENDIX A - ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENt.......................................A-1
APPENDIX B - FORM OF PROXY..................................................B-1
APPENDIX C - (LOSS SHARING) AGREEMENT.......................................C-1
ii
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION
5754 WEST 11TH STREET
GREELEY, COLORADO 80634
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy is Solicited byproxy statement and the Boardaccompanying proxy are being furnished to the
holders of Directors
Of Miller Diversified Corporation
---------------------------------------------
The undersigned having received the Notice of Special Meeting of
Stockholders and Proxy Statement dated ____________. 1999, hereby appoints
Norman Dean or his designee with full power of substitution and revocation to
represent the undersigned and to vote all the shares of the common stock of Miller Diversified Corporation (the "Company") whichin connection with the
undersignedsolicitation of proxies by the board of directors to be voted at the Special
Meeting of stockholders to be held on __________________ at 2:00 p.m. (Mountain
Time) at 5754 West 11th Street, Greeley, Colorado. The Special Meeting is called
for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of
Stockholders. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy are intended to be
mailed to stockholders on or about _______, 2003.
QUORUM AND VOTING RIGHTS
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the
voting power, regardless of whether the proxy has authority to vote on all
matters, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at this Special
Meeting. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast (Item 1). The
affirmative vote of stockholders holding stock in the Company entitling them to
exercise at least a majority of the voting power is required for the approval of
the sale of assets (Item 2). The Record Date for determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting is the close of
the Shareholders of the Company to be heldbusiness on __________________, 1999 and any postponement or adjournment thereof.
1. PROPOSAL TO ADOPT AN AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF EXCHANGE TO ACQUIRE ALL OF
THE OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK OF MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.
FOR__________ AGAINST_________ ABSTAIN_________
2. IN HIS DISCRETION, THE PROXY IS AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER
BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
FOR__________ AGAINST_________ ABSTAIN_________
This Proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned Shareholder. If no direction is made, this Proxy will
be voted for proposals 1 and 2.
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxies as to said shares heretofore
given by the undersigned, and ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and
proxies may lawfully do by virtue hereof.
IF SO DESIGNATED UNDER PROPOSAL 2 ABOVE, THIS PROXY WILL CONFER
DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY IN RESPECT TO MATTERS NOT KNOWN OR DETERMINED AT THE
TIME OF THE MAILING OF THE NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO THE
UNDERSIGNED.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special
Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement furnished therewith.
Dated_________. 1999
------------------------------------
Signature(s) of Shareholder(s)
Signatures should agree with the names appearing hereon. Attorneys should submit
powers of attorney.
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION
23360 Weld County Road #35
LaSalle, Colorado 80645
(970) 284-5556
PROXY STATEMENT FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
, 1999
------------------
Proxy Solicitation
The enclosed Proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors
of Miller Diversified Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), to be
voted at a Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held at , Mountain Daylight
Time, on , , 1999 at , and at any and all adjournments of the meeting. The
enclosed materials are first being sent to Shareholders on or about August __,
1999.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company and will
consist of printing, postage and handling, including the expenses of brokerage
house custodians, nominees and fiduciaries in forwarding documents to beneficial
owners. Solicitation may also be made by the Company's officers, directors and
regular employees personally or by telephone.
The matters listed below will be considered and acted upon at the meeting:
1. The adoption and approval of an amended Agreement and Plan of Exchange
(the "Plan") under which the Company would, by way of exchange, acquire all of
the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Miller Feed Lots, Inc., a
Colorado corporation, for 7,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company.
2. Such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or
any adjournments thereof.
Voting At The Meeting
The total number of outstanding shares of the Company's $.0001 par value
Common Stock entitled to vote at the meeting, based upon the shares of record as
of , 1999 (the "Record Date"), is 6,364,640.May 27, 2003. As of the Record Date, the only
outstanding voting securities of the Companythere were 6,364,640 shares of
Common Stock,common stock outstanding, each of which is entitled to one vote at the Special
Meeting. Therefore, a quorum will consist of at least 3,182,321 shares, and at
least that number will be required to approve the sale of assets. A plurality of
the votes cast is required to elect directors so withholding authority
(including broker non-votes) will not affect the election of directors. Since
the sale of assets requires the approving vote to be measured against all shares
of common stock entitled to vote, withholding authority (including broker
non-votes) from that vote is the equivalent of a vote against the sale of
assets.
Under applicable rules, brokers who hold shares of common stock in a street
name have the authority to vote the shares in the broker's discretion on
each"routine matters" even if they have not received specific instructions from the
beneficial owner of the shares. Routine matters involve ordinary course events
of limited significance. In uncontested situations, the election of directors is
considered a routine matter and brokers may vote for the directors as nominated
without the stockholders' direction. The sale of assets represents a fundamental
change WHICH IS NOT a "routine" matter for this purpose. Therefore, with respect
to the sale of assets, brokers may not vote shares held in a street name without
specific instructions from the beneficial owner. It is important that
stockholders of shares held in street name who want to vote in favor of the sale
of assets indicate their desire to vote FOR Item 2.
Broker non-votes are shares held in street name for which the instructions
have not been received by the broker from the beneficial owners or other persons
entitled to vote, and the broker does not have discretionary voting authority.
Broker non-votes and abstentions are considered to be present to determine
whether a quorum is present, but with respect to non-routine matters (such as
the sale of assets) they are not counted in favor of such matters.
1
All shares of common stock represented by properly executed proxies will,
unless such proxies have been revoked previously, be voted in accordance with
the instructions indicated in such proxies. If no such instructions are
indicated, such shares will be voted FOR the election of the three nominees for
director (Item 1), FOR the approval of the sale of assets (Item 2), and in the
discretion of the proxy holders on any other matter that may properly come
before the Special Meeting (Item 3). The board of directors does not know of
matters other than the election of directors and the sale of assets that are to
come before the meeting.
The presence, in person or by properly executed proxy,Special Meeting.
Any holder of holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the
Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Meeting. The affirmative vote
by the holders of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding is required to
approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Exchange (Item 1).
Shares of Common Stock represented by a properly signed, dated and returned
proxy will be treated as present at the Meeting for purposes of determining a
quorum, without regard to whether the proxy is marked as casting a vote or
abstaining. The aggregate number of votes cast by all stockholders present in
person or by proxy at the Meeting will be used to determine whether a motion
will carry. Accordingly, an abstention from voting on the proposal to approve
and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Exchange (Item 1) by a stockholder present
in person or by proxy at the Meetingcommon stock has the same effect as a vote against such
item. In addition, although broker "non-votes" will be counted for purposes of
attaining a quorum, they will not be treated as shares having voted at the
Meeting and, accordingly, will have the same effect as a vote against Item 1.
Proxies may be revoked by the person executing theunconditional right to revoke his or her
proxy at any time before
the authority thereby granted is exercised, upon written notice to such effect
received by the Secretary of the Company prior to the Meeting. Attendancevoting thereof at the Special Meeting by (i)
filing with the Company's corporate secretary written revocation of his or her
proxy prior to the voting thereof, (ii) giving a duly executed proxy bearing a
later date, or (iii) voting in person at the Special Meeting. If a stockholder's
shares are held by a nominee and the stockholder seeks to vote shares in person
at the Special Meeting, THE STOCKHOLDER MUST BRING TO THE SPECIAL MEETING A
WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM THE NOMINEE CONFIRMING THE STOCKHOLDER'S BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF A STATED NUMBER OF SHARES AND THAT SUCH SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN VOTED
BY THE NOMINEE. Attendance by a stockholder at the Special Meeting will not in
and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy, although
proxies may be revoked at the Meeting by written notice delivered to the
Secretary, in which case the shares represented thereby may be voted in person.
Proxies may also be revoked by the submission of subsequently dated proxies.
Shares represented by a valid unrevoked proxy will be voted at the Meetingrevoke his or any adjournment thereof as specified therein by the person giving theher proxy.
If
no specification is made the shares represented by such proxy will be voted: (i)
FOR approval and adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Exchange.
Management may, in its discretion, seek an adjournment of the special
Meeting to a specific time and place if sufficient votes are not cast for the
approval and adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Exchange. Management may also
recommend that the meeting be adjourned if a quorum is not present, although
Management has not determined whetheror for any other good reason, the stockholders
entitled to do so. If Management movesvote who are present in person or represented by proxy at the
Special Meeting have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without
notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or
other reasons for an
adjournment are satisfied.
Solicitation of proxies for use at the Special Meeting may be made in
person or by mail, telephone or telegram, by our directors, officers and regular
employees. Such persons will receive no special compensation for any
solicitation activities. We will request banking institutions, brokerage firms,
custodians, trustees, nominees and fiduciaries to solicit additional votes,forward solicitation materials
to the beneficial owners of common stock held of record by such entities, and we
will, upon the request of such record holders, reimburse reasonable forwarding
expenses. The costs of preparing, printing, assembling and mailing the proxy
holderstatement, proxy and all materials used in the solicitation of proxies to
stockholders, and all clerical and other expenses of such solicitation, will vote all proxies
it receives which have directedbe
borne by the Company.
2
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
The following is a vote FOR adoption and approvalbrief summary of the material terms of this proxy
statement. This summary highlights selected information in this proxy statement
and may not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should
carefully read this entire proxy statement and the Asset Purchase Agreement
and Plan of Exchange in favorattached to this proxy statement as Appendix A, the Unaudited Proforma Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements of the adjournmentCompany, the Company's unaudited
financial statements at and for the purposeperiod ending February 28, 2003, attached to
the Asset Purchase Agreement as Exhibit B and the Purchaser's unaudited
financial statements attached to the Asset Purchase Agreement as Exhibit A for a
more complete understanding of soliciting additional votes; the proxy holdermatters being considered at the Special
Meeting.
Time, Place and Date of the Special The Special Meeting will vote all proxies which voted
AGAINSTbe held on
Meeting (page 1) _______________ at 2:00 p.m.
Mountain Time at 5754 West 11th Street,
Greeley, Colorado.
Purpose of the proposalMeeting (page 1) We are holding this meeting:
o to elect directors of the Company; and
o to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plansale of Exchange
against any such adjournment; all proxies which direct an abstention with
respect to the vote on the Agreement and Plan of Exchange will abstain from
voting on any adjournment proposed for the purpose of soliciting additional
votes.
Dissenting stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights in respectassets of the
Agreement and Plan of Exchange. In orderCompany to preserve their dissenter's rights,
dissenting shareholders must submit their written notice to exercise such rights
prior toMiller Feed Lots, which is
under common control with the Shareholder Meeting date and must not vote in favor of the Plan or
submit an executed but unmarked proxy. See "Dissenter's Rights."Company.
Conflicts of Interest (page 11) James E. Miller, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. Norman M. Dean, is the Chairmanand
Clark A. Miller, who are directors of
the BoardCompany, are also directors of
Directors ofMiller Feed Lots, the Company. These two individuals alsoPurchaser. James
E. Miller and Norman M. Dean own all of the
issued and outstanding common shares of
Miller Feed Lots, Inc. ("MFL"). The Company proposes to acquire MFL
pursuant to the AgreementLots. James E. Miller,
Norman M. Dean and Plan of Exchange. Mr.Clark A. Miller and Mr. Dean are
the beneficial owners of 2,104,4922,669,434
shares (41.9%) of the Company's Common Stock (33.07% of
the Common Stock). The 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the
Plan to Mr. Miller and Mr. Dean will represent 52.38% of the Common Stock and,
2
together with the shares of Common Stock currently beneficially owned by Mr.
Miller and Mr. Dean, will represent approximately 68.1% of the outstanding
Common Stockcommon stock of
the Company. Given the fact that shareholders of the Company are
not entitled to cumulative voting rights with respect toThey will vote their shares
for the election of directors, such ownership would vest in Mr. Miller and Mr. Deanthemselves to the
voting power
to elect allboard of the directors of the Company (See "The Planand to
approve the asset sale transaction.
Under Nevada law, a transaction between
corporations with interlocking boards or
officers who are financially interested
is not void or voidable if the fact of
Exchange -
Backgroundthe common directorship, office or
financial interest is known to the
stockholders at the time they approve or
3
ratify the transaction, the votes of the
common or interested directors or
officers must be counted in any such
vote of stockholders. Any such
transaction may also be valid if it is
fair to the Company at the time it is
approved.
Record Date and Reasonsstockholders You are entitled to vote at the Special
Entitled to Vote Meeting if you owned (page 1) shares of
common stock on the Record Date for the
Plan" below). On June 19, 1998,Special Meeting. You will have one vote
for each share of common stock that you
owned on the business
day priorRecord Date.
Vote Required (page 1) In order to the date on which the original Plan was approved by the Board of
Directorselect directors, directors
must receive a plurality of the Company,votes.
In order to approve the closing bid pricesale of assets
we will need the affirmative vote of the
Common Stock was $.11. On
January 28, 1999, the date prior to the date on which the amended Plan was
approved by the Boardholders of Directors, the closing bid pricea majority of the Common Stock
was $.09.
As the Chairmanshares of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as
well as principal shareholders of the Company, Mr.common stock. James E. Miller, Norman M.
Dean, and Mr.Clark E. Miller had a
conflicthave indicated
their intent to vote all shares of
interest in connection withcommon stock held by them to approve the
negotiations betweensale of assets. Messrs. Miller and Dean
constitute the board of directors of
both the Company and MFL concerning the Plan. Accordingly, although Mr. Miller and Mr. Dean
participated in meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company held to
discuss and consider the Plan, at such Board meetings they abstained from voting
on the proposal to approve and adopt the Plan. See "Background and Reasons for
the Exchange".
The 2,104,492 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Mr. Miller and Mr.
Dean will be counted as present at the Meeting for purposes of determining a
quorum. Mr. Dean and Mr. Miller intend to vote the shares owned directly by them
at the meeting in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the amended
Agreement and Plan of Exchange (Item 1).
Dilution of Common Stock
- ------------------------
As described in "Conflicts of Interest" above, Mr.Feed Lots.
In addition, James E. Miller and Mr.
Norman
M. Dean either directly or indirectly, own 33.07% of the Common Stock of
the Company. The 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon consummation of
the Plan of Exchange will represent, when issued, 52.38% of the Common Stock of
the Company issued and outstanding. Together with the shares of Common Stock
already beneficially owned by Mr. Miller and Mr. Dean, such individuals, after
completion of the Plan of Exchange, would own approximately 9,104,492 shares of
Common Stock, or 68.12% of the Common Stock.
The following table sets forth as of the Record Date information regarding
the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock and the potential dilution to
existing shareholders in connection with the Plan of Exchange.
3
Shares Percentage
Shares Percentage Beneficially Total After
Beneficially of Owned After Plan of
Owned Total Plan of Exchange Exchange
------------- ---------- ---------------- -----------
James E. Miller 994,706(1) 15.63% 4,494,706 33.63%
Norman M. Dean 1,109,786(2) 17.44% 4,609,786 34.49%
All other
shareholders 4,350,148 68.35% 4,260,148 31.88%
(1) Includes 45,906 shares owned by Mr. Miller's wife.
(2) Includes 45,905 shares owned by Mr. Dean's wife.
THE PLAN OF EXCHANGE
(Item 1)
General
- -------
To the extent that the following discussion describes the amended Exchange
Agreement and Plan of Exchange, it is qualified by the more detailed information
appearing in this Proxy Statement under the caption "The Exchange Agreement and
Plan of Exchange" and in the Exchange Agreement (and the amendment thereto) and
Plan of Exchange attached as Annex I and Annex II to this Proxy Statement,
respectively, and which constitutes part hereof.
At the meeting, the only item stockholders will be asked to consider and
vote upon is a proposal to approve and adopt the amended Exchange Agreement and
Plan of Exchange (the "Plan"), dated January 29, 1999.
The Plan provides, among other things, that on or before August 31, 1999,
subject to shareholder approval, the Company will issue 7,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock to the two shareholders of MFL in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding
common stock of MFL. Thereafter, MFL wouldMiller Feed Lots.
Recommendations (pages 8 and 20) The board of directors of the Company
have nominated themselves to serve on
the board of directors and will vote
shares of common stock held by them in
favor of their election to the board of
directors. The board of directors, upon
determining its terms are fair and in
the best interest of stockholders,
approved, and recommends that you
approve, the sale of assets. As
explained under the caption CONFLICTS OF
INTEREST, the directors of the Company
also have a financial interest in Miller
Feed Lots.
Miller Diversified Corporation The Company is publicly traded over the
(page 15) counter under the symbol MILR. Its sole
business is to purchase, feed, and
market cattle owned by it or consigned
to it for feeding by custom feeders. If
the sale of assets is approved, the
Company will have no further business to
conduct and will be operateda "shell"
corporation available to be acquired by
another entity.
The Company's executive offices are
located at 5754 West 11th Street,
Greeley, Colorado 80634. The telephone
number is (970) 356-1200. The Company's
administrative offices are located at
23360 Weld County Road 35, La Salle,
Colorado 80645. And its telephone number
is (970) 284-5556.
4
Risk Factors (page 11) There are risk factors associated with
the asset sale transaction. There will
also be risk factors associated with the
Company's position after the sale of
assets as it searches for other entities
with which to associate.
Consideration (page 21) Miller Feed Lots has agreed to purchase
substantially all of the assets of the
Company for a purchase price based on
market value of inventory (including
cattle) at the Closing Date, and the
market value of other assets, plus the
assumption of certain liabilities for a
payment evidenced by Miller Feed Lots'
promissory note bearing interest at the
rate of 5% per year, with annual
payments of principal of $100,000 per
year, together with interest, until
paid. The Company estimates the
consideration to be received as a wholly owned subsidiaryresult
of the Company.asset sale transaction to be
between $200,000 and $600,000. The
two shareholdersconsideration will not be determined
until closing. Assets such as cattle and
inventory will be valued at market value
on the Closing Date. Those values may
vary significantly from current values
because of MFLthe volatility of the fat
cattle market, and the fact that much of
the Company's equipment inventory is
special purpose equipment for which the
market on the Closing Date may vary. The
principal on the promissory note is
payable $100,000 per year, and the
Company estimates that it will be paid
within 2 to 6 years after the closing.
Reasons for the Sale of Assets In arriving at the determination to sell
(page 21) the assets of the Company, the board of
directors considered a number of
factors, including, without limitation,
the following:
o The Company has incurred losses in the
cattle feeding business in each of the
past three years, with no foreseeable
prospect that the cattle market will
improve in the near future to the
point that Company operations could
become profitable.
o Because of the losses, Farm Credit
Services which had provided a credit
line of $3,000,000 has advised the
Company that the line of credit which
matured December 31, 2002 will not be
renewed. The Company has been unable
to secure capital for cattle feeding
from other sources. Without sufficient
capital, it is not possible to
continue in the cattle feeding
business.
5
o Stockholders may be better served by
investment in a different business.
Security Ownership of Management As of the record date, Company directors
(page 9) and executive officers owned
beneficially, in the aggregate,
2,669,434 shares of the Company's
outstanding common stock, representing
an aggregate of approximately 41.9% of
our outstanding shares. Each of our
directors and executive officers has
indicated his intention to vote in favor
of the election of the directors as
nominated and for the sale of assets.
Asset Purchase Agreement (Appendix A) A copy of the Asset Purchase Agreement
is attached to this proxy statement as
Appendix A. We encourage you to read the
Asset Purchase Agreement in its
entirety, as it is the legal document
that governs the proposed sale of
assets.
Representations and Warranties of The Asset Purchase Agreement contains
the Parties (pages 23 and 24) various representations and warranties
made by each of the parties to the
Agreement.
6
Conditions to Completion of the The completion of the sale of assets
Sale of (page 25) depends upon the Assets satisfaction of
a number of conditions including, among
other things:
o Approval of the sale of assets by our
stockholders; and
o The representations and warranties
made in the Asset Purchase Agreement
being true and correct.
Material Federal Income Tax The Company is unable to determine at
Consequences (page 26) this time whether there will be a gain
or loss from the sale of assets.
Accounting Treatment of the The sale of assets will be accounted for
Sale of Assets (page 26) under accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States.
This summary may not contain all the information that may be important to
you. You should read carefully this entire document, including the Asset
Purchase Agreement attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A, the Unaudited
Proforma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included
herein, the Company's unaudited financial statements at and for the period ended
February 28, 2003, attached to the Asset Purchase Agreement as Exhibit B, and
the Purchaser's unaudited financial statements attached to the Asset Purchase
Agreement as Exhibit A for a complete understanding of the asset sale
transaction.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS AND SALE OF ASSETS
Q. WHY ARE DIRECTORS BEING ELECTED AT THIS TIME?
A. Under Nevada law, directors should be elected each year at an annual
meeting of stockholders. If directors are not so elected their terms do not
expire, but they continue in office until a successor is elected or their
death, replacement, removal or resignation. The Company has not had an
annual meeting since May 1997. Directors in office at that time have
continued in office to the present time. Directors are being elected at
this Special Meeting to confirm them in office at this time.
Q. WHAT IS THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION?
A. Because the cattle feeding business has not been profitable for the past
several years and because the Company has been unable to secure financing
necessary to continue feeding cattle, the board of directors thought it in
the best interests of stockholders of the Company to sell the cattle
feeding business and make the Company available for acquisition in another
business.
7
Q. WILL ANY OF THE SALE PROCEEDS BE DISTRIBUTED TO STOCKHOLDERS?
A. No. The net proceeds will be retained by the Company and used to satisfy
obligations that are not assumed by Miller Feed Lots. Management believes
that having a promissory note in the Company which will be paid in cash
will make the Company more attractive to prospective acquirers, and may
increase the proportionate interest stockholders of the Company would
acquire in any acquiring entity. There is no assurance that the presence of
a significant cash position in the Company will favorably affect the
participation stockholders might receive in an acquiring entity.
Q. WHAT WILL THE COMPANY DO IF ITS STOCKHOLDERS DO NOT APPROVE THE PROPOSED
SALE OF ASSETS?
A. In the event stockholders do not approve the proposed sale of assets, we
will sell cattle as they finish in the feeding process and hold assets
other than cattle while we seek another business opportunity.
Q. HOW DO I VOTE?
A. You may vote by indicating on the enclosed proxy how you want to vote, and
by signing and mailing the proxy in the enclosed prepaid return envelope.
Please vote as soon as possible to ensure that your shares are represented
at the Special Meeting and to avoid the necessity to adjourn the meeting
until more votes are received.
Q. IF MY SHARES ARE HELD IN STREET NAME BY MY BROKER, WILL MY BROKER VOTE MY
SHARES FOR ME?
A. Your broker may vote your shares for you on the election of directors, but
will vote your shares on the sale of assets only if you provide
instructions on how to vote. You should follow the directions provided by
your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares.
Q. CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I HAVE MAILED IN MY SIGNED PROXY FORM?
A. Yes. You can change your vote in one of three ways at any time before we
vote your proxy at the Special Meeting. First, you may file with the
Company's corporate secretary the written revocation of your proxy prior to
the voting thereof. Second, you may complete a new proxy form and send it
to the secretary, and a new proxy form will automatically replace any
earlier proxy form you returned. Third, you may attend and vote in person
at the Special Meeting. See page 2 for information on voting in person.
You should send any written notice or new proxy to the secretary at the
following address: Clark E. Miller, secretary, Miller Diversified
Corporation, P.O. Box 237, La Salle, Colorado 80645.
8
Q. WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL
COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT OR THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB
A. The Company will provide without charge pursuant to a written request a
copy of its most recent annual report on Form 10-KSB, including the
financial statements and the financial statements schedules required to be
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 13(a)-1 for the Company's most
recent fiscal year. You may contact: Miller Diversified Corporation, 5754
West 11th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634, Attn: Norman Dean, at (970)
356-1200.
ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company has a board of three directors, all of whom are to be elected
annually and to serve until the next Annual Meeting of stockholders and until
death, their successors are elected and qualified, or until resignation or
removal. If directors are not elected at an Annual Meeting of stockholders, they
may be elected at any Special Meeting of stockholders which is called and held
for that purpose. The Company called annual meetings of stockholders for each
year after it became a public company in 1991. Meetings were not attended, and
after the meeting called and held in 1997, the Company elected to avoid the
expense of calling an annual meeting and relied on the provisions in Nevada
General Corporation Law, to the effect that each director holds office after the
expiration of his term until his successor is elected and qualified, or until he
resigns or is removed.
The directors of the Company are also directors of Miller Feed Lots. Two of
the directors of the Company own all of the stock of Miller Feed Lots, and
therefore have a financial interest in Miller Feed Lots. See the caption
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST for more information concerning the interlocking
directors. All incumbent directors have been nominated to succeed themselves as
directors. To be elected directors must receive a plurality of the votes cast.
Unless authority is withheld, the shares represented by proxy at the Special
Meeting will be voted FOR the three nominees named below. All nominees have
agreed to serve if elected.
If any nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve at the time of the
Special Meeting, the shares of common stock represented by proxy at the Special
Meeting will be voted for the election of such other person as the board of
directors of the Company may recommend.
9
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH NOMINEE NAMED
The nominees for directors of the Company are also directors of Miller Feed Lots
(the Purchaser). See the caption CONFLICTS OF INTEREST for discussion of these
conflicts.
Nominees
The following information concerning the nominees for election as directors
has been provided by the respective nominee:
Name Age Position with the Company
- ---- --- -------------------------
James E. Miller and64 president, chief executive officer,
chief financial officer, director
Norman M. Dean 83 chairman of the board of directors,
director
Clark A. Miller 33 secretary; treasurer; director
The president of the Company, James E. Miller, is also the father of the
secretary and treasurer, Clark A. Miller. These are the only two employees in
the Company who are related.
James E. Miller has been the Presidentpresident, chief executive officer, chief
financial officer, and a director of the Company (and its predecessor) from
January 1987 until the present. For more than the past five years he has worked
full time for the Company. He is also a major shareholder, president and Chief
ExecutiveOperating Officer of Miller Feed Lots (the Purchaser in the asset sale
transaction). Since 1991 the Company has leased the feedlot property owned by
Miller Feed Lots, so that he has not devoted significant time to Miller Feed
Lots during the past five years. Mr. Miller also serves as president of Central
Weld County Water District, Greeley, Colorado. This company oversees the use of
water within its boundaries. This responsibility does not require significant
time for Mr. Miller.
Mr. Dean has been a director of the Company and Chairmanits predecessor since
January 1987, treasurer of the Company from December 1988 until October 1989,
and chairman of the board of directors since October 1989. During the past five
years he has been employed by the Company on a part-time basis, devoting about
10% of his time to the Company. He is currently president and a director of
Foothills Financial Corporation, Greeley, Colorado, a company which is engaged
in lending and leasing, and is chairman of the board of directors of Alaris
Medical Systems, Inc., San Diego, California, which is engaged in the production
and sale of medical equipment, and Miller Feed Lots, La Salle, Colorado. When
not working for the Company, Mr. Dean devotes time to his other director
obligations and manages his own investments.
Clark A. Miller now works full time for the Company. He has been secretary
and treasurer of the Company since October 2000. He was elected director of the
Company in 2000. He has been marketing manager for Company-owned cattle and
grains purchased since 1999. Mr. Miller is also an officer and director of
Miller Feed Lots, but because the feedlot facilities are leased to the Company,
the amount of time devoted to Miller Feed Lots is negligible. Prior to 2000 he
was employed by Purina Mills as the Western Director of Cattle and Grain Risk
Management for seven years. Purina Mills is a manufacturer of cattle feed.
10
Meetings of the Board of Directors
The board of directors held 1 regular meeting and 20 special meetings
during the Company, respectively.
See "Conflicts of Interest." Upon completion of the Plan, Mr. Miller and Mr.
Dean together would own 9,104,492 or approximately 68.12% of the Common Stock
outstanding. The exchange rate of 6,889.76 shares of Common Stock for each share
of common stock of MFL was a negotiated exchange rate between the Company and
MFL. The closing bid price of the Common Stock, as quoted on the OTC
Bulletinboard on January 29, 1999 was $.09. The closing bid price on August__,
1999, three business days prior to the first mailing of this Proxy Statement,
was $ .
4
Miller Feed Lots, Inc.
- ----------------------
Feedlot Operations
- ------------------
Miller Feed Lots, Inc. ("MFL"), a Colorado corporation, 23360 Weld County
Road 35, LaSalle, Colorado 80645, telephone number (970) 284-5556, was
incorporated in April 1966. MFL owns a 20,000 head feedlot in LaSalle, Weld
County, Colorado that is currently being leased to the Company under a long term
lease. The feedlot facility includes approximately 165 acres. The following
assets are also included as part of the feedlot operations owned by MFL:
* Fences, feed tanks and waterers that comprise the "pens"
* Small office building with truck scale
* Mill facility for mixing ingredients into rations, which includes the
mill building, hopper (clam) and scale, storage tanks, overhead bins,
grain rollers, conveyor boxes, 3 8,000 bushel grain storage tanks, 2
1,000 bushel supplement storage tanks and 2 liquid supplement storage
tanks and associated delivery systems.
* Loading/unloading chute with holding pens and ground scale
* Employee break room/storage building
* Cattle processing area with squeeze chute and crowding pens
* 3 bay shop building for maintenance of MFL equipment
* Hospital area with enclosed working area with crowding alley and
squeeze chute for treating and segregating sick cattle
* Storage shed for MFL's trucks and loaders Separate storage shed for
MFL's semi-tractors
* Wash building and associated equipment for maintaining MFL equipment
* Dirt roads and alleys for the movement of equipment and livestock
* 3 water wells which are used primarily for irrigation and dust
control. Water for consumption by livestock is purchased from a local
water company due to high nitrate levels in the water from the MFL
water.
MFL also owns numerous pieces of equipment that are necessary for the
feedlot operations. MFL owns 4 semi-tractors and 10 trailers which are used for
transporting grain, feed supplements and livestock. MFL provides trucking
services for the Company, the feedlot customers of the Company and other outside
parties. MFL derives 25-30% of its gross revenues from its trucking operations.
MFL also owns a house and adjacent horse corrals and outbuildings that are
located approximately 3 miles from the main feedlot facility. An employee of the
Company lives in the house and the Company pays a month rental of $750 to MFL.
5
Subsidiary Operations
- ---------------------
D and M Feeders, Inc., a Colorado corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of
MFL. It has been used in the past by MFL as its cattle feeding enterprise and
for speculative commodity trading. It currently is not engaged in any
activities, nor are there any plans for it to become active in cattle feeding,
commodity trading or any other activity.
LaSalle Commodity and Cattle Services Co., ("LaSalle") a Colorado corporation,
is a wholly owned subsidiary of MFL. It is actively engaged in commodity trading
services for commercial clients under the rules of the National Futures
Association and the Commodity Futures Traders Association. Its business is
regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and, to the extent it
executes commodity trades, may come under the jurisdiction of the Chicago Board
of Trade on grain transactions and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on livestock
transactions. LaSalle provides hedging assistance and expertise for feedlot
customers of the Company as well as outside agriculture based clients. LaSalle's
offices are located in LaSalle, Colorado. LaSalle is an introducing broker for
RB&H Financial Services, a non-related Futures Clearing Merchant brokerage house
and clearing member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. LaSalle is not currently
providing any services to unrelated parties in connection with the purchase and
sale of cattle, although such services have been provided in the past. The
change in policy was the result of an employee who provided such services
leaving the employment of LaSalle. LaSalle is not seeking a replacement for the
departed employee nor does it contemplate any change in its activities in the
near future. As a matter of policy, LaSalle does not make speculative trades for
its own account.
Miller Trading Co., a Colorado corporation, is actively engaged in providing
retail commodity trading services. It is regulated by the same entities that
regulate LaSalle and it is also an introducing broker for RB &H Financial
Services, a non-related party. It provides assistance and expertise in
speculative commodity trading to a variety of retail customers nationwide and in
Canada. Miller Trading Co. continues to seek additional brokers to expand its
operations. It is also utilizing its internet web page to provide faster
services to its clients, including information about the markets, although
direct trading over the internet is not currently offered. Its offices are also
located in LaSalle, Colorado. As a matter of policy, Miller Trading Co. does not
make speculative trades for its own account.
Background Of And Reasons For The Plan.
- ---------------------------------------
For several years, the management of the Company has sought, thus far
unsuccessfully, to expand the business of the Company, to increase its
profitability and to enhance shareholder value. However, management has
6
increasingly become aware that its efforts to expand the business of the Company
have been hampered by a lack of assets and volume. To address these problems,
management seeks to acquire MFL and believes that such acquisition could enhance
the Company's ability to expand and also make future acquisitions more
attractive. In addition, the Company has had a long standing and intertwined
relationship with MFL, which owns many of the hard assets that the Company uses
in its operations. Both enterprises have common management in James E. Miller,
Norman M. Dean and Stephen R. Story. Management now believes that future growth
and the ability to attract a wide variety of potential business combinations and
opportunities would be enhanced if all of the business activities and assets of
the two entities were folded under the Company's publicly owned umbrella.
In the summer of 1998, the Company undertook to examine in more detail the
possible acquisition of MFL. An initial issue was the need to conserve cash for
ongoing operations. Accordingly, the Company determined that in lieu of a cash
buyout, it would issue its common stock to acquire MFL. Based upon a then
recently completed appraisal by Mr. Gary Wieck (see "Appraisal/Lack of Fairness
Opinion" below) the Company determined that the net fair market value of MFL was
approximately $1,550,000. In July of 1998, the Board of Directors, with Messrs.
Dean and Miller abstaining, approved an Agreement and Plan of Exchange with MFL
which provided for the issuance of 15,000,000 shares of common stock for all of
the issued and outstanding common stock of MFL. The number of shares to be
issued was arrived at by taking the then current market price of the Company's
common stock (approximately $.10) and dividing it into the appraised net value
of $1,550,000. The Company's third and sole outside director agreed with this
exchange ratio but reserved the right to re-examine the question of the number
of shares to be issued once MFL and Miller Diversified had completed their
respective audits for thefiscal year ended August 31, 1998. These audits were
completed2002. Each director attended or
participated in November of 1998. The outside director also wanted time to analyze
and assess the effect of the proposed merger on the Company and its
shareholders.
Renegotiation of Exchange Ratio.
- --------------------------------
In December of 1998, the outside director determined that the issuance of
15,000,000 shares of common stock to acquire MFL might not be in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders because of the dilutive effect of
issuing so many shares, irrespective of the fact that, based upon the market
price of the Company's common stock, the issuance of 15,000,000 shares appeared
to be warranted. The Company's outside director then joined with the Company's
legal counsel to form an ad hoc committee to renegotiate the exchange ratio with
the goal of eliminating or at least reducing the dilution on a net equity per
share basis to the existing shareholders. During these negotiations, the Company
was represented solely by the outside director and the Company's legal counsel
in an effort to offset, to the extent possible, the inherent conflict of
interest of Messrs. Dean and Miller. This ad hoc negotiating committee agreed
with the basic valuation of MFL as summarized in the Wieck appraisal (see
"Appraisal/Lack of Fairness Opinion") but believed that the price of the common
7
stock of the Company which was being used to acquire MFL might be undervalued as
a measure of the true worth of the Company vis-a-vis MFL and that seeking to
minimize the dilutive effect on the equity of the shareholders of the Company
provided a better method of insuring that shareholder value would be preserved.
The audits, which were completed in November 1998, were never intended to be the
sole reason or even the most significant reason for the ad hoc committee's
decision to support any particular number of shares to be issued, but were
simply one factor among many. In fact, the companies' respective audit results
did not provide any particular basis for reducing the exchange ratio. Rather,
the ad hoc committee simply believed that 15,000,000 shares was too many shares
to issue under the circumstances and Mr. Dean and Mr. Miller agreed to the new
figure of 7,000,000 shares. At no point did Mr. Miller or Mr. Dean negotiate on
behalf of the Company or attempt to influence the decision making process of the
ad hoc committee. As a result of these negotiations, the Company and MFL entered
into an amended Exchange Agreement and Plan which reduced the number of shares
to be issued under the Plan from 15,000,000 to 7,000,000. See "Board
Recommendation" below.
Management has identified several specific advantages to combining the
operations of the Company and MFL.
* First and foremost, the Company is currently paying a minimum of
$129,000 per year to MFL for use of the feedlot facilities owned by
MFL. These payments are made under a long-term lease that does not
expire until February 1, 2016.
* In addition, the Company makes equipment lease payments of $96,000 per
year to MFL.
* Further savings would be obtained from eliminating payments involving
commodity trading operations of $20,000 per year.
* Approval of the Plan by the shareholders and the subsequent operation
of MFL as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company would eliminate
this outflow of cash that could otherwise be utilized by the Company
to expand its operations. However, this reduction in outgoing cash
flow would be offset somewhat by the fact that the Company would
become responsible for MFL's operating expenses.
* The resulting additional income and reduced expenses would provide the
Company with the means to better utilize its net tax operating loss
carry forward.
* Management also believes that the elimination of "dual control" of the
feedlot facilities will eliminate a major stumbling block with
creditors and eliminate confusion.
* Financial reporting would be simplified since related party disclosure
and analysis including the Company and MFL would be eliminated.
* Another important factor, in management's opinion, would be the
elimination of the possible appearance of any conflict of interest
between the Company and MFL relating to the actions of directors
common to the Board of Directors of both companies.
8
* Finally, management believes that the acquisition of MFL would expand
and diversify the Company's business and operations. See "Board
Recommendation" below for a more detailed discussion of some of these
points.
Appraisal / Lack of Fairness Opinion.
-------------------------------------
The Board of Directors initially sought to obtain a "fairness opinion" from
a reputable investment banking firm which would analyze the fairness of the
proposed transaction with MFL to the shareholders of the Company. They
determined that such an opinion would cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000
depending upon the detail and scope of the opinion and the relative prominence
of the investment banking firm rendering the opinion. Because of the expense
involved, the Board of Directors decided not to obtained an opinion from any
investment banking or other similar firm as to the fairness of the proposed
exchange to the shareholders of the Company. However, as part of the valuation
and due diligence process, the Company obtained, for $2,235, an appraisal of MFL
as a going concern from Gary Wieck, C.P.A. Mr. Wieck, who was engaged to provide
his appraisal in May 1998, has been President of Countryman Associates, P.C. of
Grand Island, Nebraska since 1981. Mr. Wieck specializes in the valuation and
appraisal of feedlot operations. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since
1967 and a Certified Valuation Analyst since 1995. He is past president of the
Nebraska Society of CPA's, past member of the Council of the American Institute
of CPA's and past Chairman of the Board of Accounting Firms Associated. He
provides services in business planning, tax preparation and planning, business
valuation and litigation support. He received a BA degree from Hastings College
in 1963 and an MBA degree from the University of Nebraska - Kearney in 1982. He
has no affiliation or material relationship with the Company, MFL or Mr. Dean or
Mr. Miller nor has he had such an affiliation or material relationship within
the past two years. He was chosen because of his long standing expertise in
feedlot operations and his professional reputation. In conducting the valuation,
he considered various factors enumerated in IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60 for the
valuation of a closely held business interest. These factors include:
* The nature of the business and its history from its inception;
* The economic outlook in general and the condition outlook of the
specific industry in particular;
* The book value of the stock and the financial condition of the
business;
* The earning capacity of the company;
* The dividend-paying capacity;
* Whether the enterprise has goodwill or other intangible value;
* Sales of the stock and the size of the block of stock to be valued;
* The market value of stock corporations engaged in a manner or similar
line of business having their stocks actively traded in a free and
open market, either on an exchange or over-the-counter.
9
Mr. Wieck also reviewed, analyzed and interpreted a variety of external and
internal factors that might influence the fair value of MFL. Internal factors
included MFL's financial position, results of operations and the size and
marketability of the interest being valued. External factors included, among
other things, the status of the cattle feeding industry and the position of MFL
relative to the industry.
In analyzing the value of MFL, Mr. Wieck started with an initial book value
of a negative $33,773, based upon the financial statements of MFL as of March
31,1998. This initial determination was based primarily upon the fact that MFL
had written down its feed lot assets on its balance sheet several years earlier.
He then made adjustments in the book value which included the following:
* The feedlot property was adjusted upward to $1,300,000. He had been
furnished information by the Company of a prior estimate of value that
the feedlot facility had a market value of $2,000,000, but discounted
that value down to $1,300,000, primarily because Miller Diversified
had a purchase option to acquire the facility at that price. The prior
estimate of value that Mr. Wieck took into consideration had been
furnished to Miller Diversified by Luke Lind of Eaton Colorado in
December 1997.
* MFL owned a condominium located in Keystone, Colorado that had an
estimated value of approximately $120,000. This estimated value was
based upon comparable sales of similar condominium units located in
the same condominium complex.
* Personal property owned by MFL, including trucks, equipment and
machinery, had an appraised value of approximately $816,000. Mr.
William Miller (no relation to James Miller, the Company's President)
of Wagner Equipment Co. of Denver Colorado provided the appraisal of
the heavy equipment (Cat loaders, etc.) in December 1997 from its data
base on actual sales of Cat equipment and machinery. The estimated
value for MFL's water wagon was provided, via telephone, from Klein
Products of California, the manufacturer of the water wagon. Estimated
values for the transport equipment were provided by Steve Lundvall of
Northern Colorado Truck & Equipment Sales, a local dealer of used over
the road equipment. The estimated values for the pickups, SUV's and
heavy trucks were provided by Chuck Fagerberg of Mountain States Ford
in Denver, Colorado, the dealer from whom MFL had purchased the feed
trucks.
* Rental property owned by MFL (the "Russell property") had an estimated
value of approximately $130,000.
* The book value of all of the assets discussed above had a book value
of approximately $500,000. Mr. Wieck adjusted their value upward by
$1,866,400 to $2,366,700 to reflect more accurately their market
value.
* MFL had a receivable from officers in the amount of $150,000. Because
there had been no recent payment of that liability plus the fact that
MFL resources, such as a bonus, would probably be used to repay such
10
indebtedness, Mr. Wieck reduced the value of the asset of the book of
MFL to $50,000, which approximated the tax benefit to MFL if the
indebtedness was repaid through the use of bonuses.
After eliminating goodwill in the amount of $17,333 and taking into
consideration the deficit owners equity, Mr. Wieck concluded that the adjusted
value of MFL was $1,715,286. He then discounted by 40% the previously arrived at
adjusted value of all assets except the feed lot facility itself (which was
already valued at the purchase option price of $1,300,000 rather than the
appraised value of $2,000,000). The 40% adjustment was based in part on the
potential reduction in marketability of the assets because of a reduction in
their tax basis. This, in turn, would mean that a prospective purchaser could
only realize these values by a subsequent sale of the assets, which would result
in a higher tax liability to him. After all of this adjustments and reductions,
Mr. Wieck arrived at a total valuation of MFL of $1,549,172.
Shareholders are cautioned that while Mr. Wieck is an experienced and
certified appraiser who is familiar with cattle feeding operations in general
and the operations of MFL in particular, other or more knowledgeable or
sophisticated appraisers might arrive at a different and perhaps lower estimate
of the fair value of MFL. The Company has subsequently determined that 7,000,000
shares of Common Stock is an appropriate number of shares to issue to acquire
MFL. This determination was based upon several factors, including the appraisal
of Mr. Wieck. While there was little disagreement between the ad hoc negotiating
committee and the owners of MFL as to the value of MFL as reflected in the Wieck
appraisal, negotiations centered upon the value that should be placed upon the
Company's common stock which was being used to acquire MFL. The resulting figure
of 7,000,000 was based upon the fact that the ad hoc negotiating committee was
unwilling to offer more than 7,000,000 shares for the acquisition of MFL and the
owners of MFL were unwilling to accept less than 7,000,000 shares. The complete
appraisal of Mr. Wieck, as well as the estimates of value provided by those
people described above, are available for inspection and copying at the
principal executive offices of the Company during its regular business hours by
any interested shareholder or his representative who has been so designated in
writing. A copy of such appraisal or other estimates of value will also be
transmitted by the Company to any interested shareholder or his representative
who has been so designated in writing upon written request and at the expense of
the requesting shareholder.
Board Recommendation
- --------------------
The Board recommends that the stockholders vote for approval and adoption
of the Plan because the Board believes the proposed acquisition of MFL is in the
best interests of the Company and its public shareholders. The Board (certain
members of which [Mr. James E. Miller and Mr. Norman M. Dean] are subject to
certain conflicts of interest with respect to the proposal to acquire MFL [see
"Conflicts of Interest"]) considered the following material factors in making
its recommendation, all of which were deemed relevant to such recommendations as
11
they bear on the ability of the Company's stockholders to determine the effect
of approval of the Plan on their investment:
(i) Relative stockholder equity. When weighing the number of shares of
the common stock of the Company to be issued to MFL pursuant to the Plan,
the Board of Directors was particularly cognizant of the possible dilution
that might be suffered by the existing shareholders of the Company, not
only in terms of their reduced percentage of ownership of the Company but
also their reduced net equity per share. At May 31, 1999, MFL had a
negative shareholders equity of $108,559 as reflected on the balance sheet
of MFL. The Board was aware, however, that the balance sheet of MFL on that
date may not have realistically reflected the actual market value of the
MFL feedlot and other assets. Using the financial statements and the Wieck
appraisal as a starting point, the Board considered the following
information:
Based upon appraisals obtained in 1998, the Board believed the assets were
understated as to value as follows.
Depreciated Book Appraisal Understatement
---------------- --------- --------------
Feedlot facilities $59,620 $1,300,000 $1,240,380
Feedlot equipment 138,389 559,700 421,311
Employee house 89,615 130,000 40,385
Transport equipment 58,918 257,000 198,082
Keystone property 90,867 120,000 29,133
Goodwill 17,333 0 0
TOTAL $454,742 $2,366,700 $1,929,291
When the above calculated understatement of MFL's assets was added to the
deficit equity as of May 31, 1999 of $108,559 and adjusted downward by $166,114
pursuant to the Wieck appraisal, MFL's value modified stockholders equity was
$1,654,618. Using the 15,000,000 shares initially proposed by the Board in the
summer of 1998, the equivalent price per share would have equaled $.11 per
share, which was still above the then current market price of the Company's
common stock of $.07 bid. However, as discussed above, the ad hoc negotiating
committee ultimately decided that the issuance of 15,000,000 shares was overly
dilutive to the current shareholders. The renegotiated exchange of 7,000,000
shares equated to a value modified price per share of $.236 per share,
approximately 130% above the market price range of the common stock that
prevailed during 1998. This exchange rate still has a small dilutive effect on
shareholders' net modified equity per share, bringing the $.298 book value per
share down to $.267 per share (assuming adjusted full value is ascribed to the
MFL assets). Without ascribing any added value to the book value of the MFL
assets, the new book value per share to the current shareholders would be $.132.
For purposes of this discussion, it should be noted that "value modified"
figures are not values accepted by, nor presented in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles, but are instead presented to give the reader a
better understanding of the effect that the actual written down "under valued"
12
MFL's assets had on the proposed acquisition of MFL and reflects the information
the ad hoc negotiating committee considered in making its determination as to
the number of shares the Company should issue to acquire MFL.
(ii) Elimination of long-term lease payments. The Company is currently
paying to MFL lease payments in the minimum annual amount of $129,000 for
use of the feedlot. This lease obligation does not expire until February 1,
2016. In addition, the Company makes equipment lease and rental payments to
MFL of $96,000 per year, as well as certain other payments to MFL which,
when combined with the above described feedlot lease and equipment lease
payments, total approximately $245,000 per year. Although the Company would
become responsible for the payment of MFL's operating expenses, the
acquisition of MFL would reduce this outflow of funds by approximately
$129,000 per year and allow the Company to use the resulting savings of
cash for more productive and growth oriented purposes. For example, the
Company would like to increase its ownership of cattle fed to slaughter.
The operational savings of a combined Miller Diversified/MFL entity would
be expected to provide the Company with enough cash to purchase and feed up
to an additional 2,000 head of cattle.
(iii) Elimination of related party transactions and conflicts of
interest. The Company as tenant and MFL as landlord are both managed by the
same management team. This relationship necessarily involves conflicts of
interest, particularly for James E. Miller as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and Norman M. Dean as Chairman of the Board of
Directors. See "Conflicts of Interest." The acquisition of MFL by the
Company would significantly reduce actual or potential conflicts of
interest and allow Mr. Miller and Mr. Dean to devote all of their efforts
on behalf of the Company, rather then splitting their efforts between the
Company & MFL.
(iv) Expand the size and scope of the Company's business. The Company,
by acquiring MFL and its subsidiaries, would significantly expand its asset
base and diversify its business. Management believes the resulting increase
in size of the Company would make it easier to grow the Company and put the
Company in the position to entertain more attractive business
opportunities. In addition, in prior years the Company had the opportunity
to invest in or acquire small business as diverse as a retail rental
company and a specialty flour mill, but was unable to do so because of a
lack of cash. Management expects to be able to act on future opportunities
that may appear from time to time if the Company is able to retain
additional cash assets.
(v) Other considerations. The Board also considered the following
factors: (a) the current business, property and prospects of the Company
and its subsidiaries, the financial and operational condition of the
Company and its subsidiaries and the long term strategy of the Company; (b)
exchange rate of the Company's Common Stock in light of the market price of
the Common Stock, taking into consideration with respect thereto the
restrictions on public sale placed upon Common Shares to be issued to Mr.
Miller and Mr. Dean upon consummation of the Plan (which restrictions
13
prohibit a sale of such shares for a period of one year after their
acquisition and a limitation on the number of shares which may be sold in
any three month period equal to the greater of one percent100% of the total number of shares issuedmeetings of the board held during
the year. The board of directors has not established an Audit Committee and
outstanding or an amount equalserves as the Compensation Committee. No Nominating Committee has been
established. The board of directors selects the Company's nominees for election
to the average
weekly trading volume forboard. The board will consider nominees recommended by stockholders.
Executive Officers
Set forth below is information regarding the four weeks immediately preceding the sale.
The one year limitation applies only to the shares acquired pursuant to the
Plan and the volume limitation applies to all shares owned by Messrs. Dean
and Miller, regardlessExecutive Officers of the manner acquired); (c)Company.
11
Name Age Position with the termsCompany
- ---- --- -------------------------
James E. Miller 64 president, chief executive officer,
chief financial officer, director
Norman M. Dean 83 chairman of the Exchange Agreement and Planboard of Exchange; (d) the effects of the Plan on the
Company and its shareholders as described above; and (e) the disparity in
revenues between the Company and MFL. The ad hoc negotiating committee did
not believe that the relative disparity in revenues between the two
companies was a significant factor because it believed that revenues, in
and of themselves, are a less significant factor than the amount of
earnings that are derived from such revenues. For example, for the nine
month period ended May 31, 1999 MFL had net earning of $88,330 on revenues
of $805,690 while the Company had net earnings of $132,581 on revenues of
$7,865,300. For the nine month period ended May 31, 1998, MFL had net loss
of $8,935 on revenues of $788,354 while the Company had net income of
$23,926 on revenues of $8,719,533.
To support its recommendation that the stockholders vote FOR approval
and adoption of the Exchange Agreement and Plan, the Board relied upon the
factors described above, as well as an analysis of the relative financial
positions of the two companies both before and following the acquisition.
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.
----------------------
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations
- ---------------------
Miller Feed Lots, Inc. (MFL) has four distinct and independent sources of
revenue:
1. Freight services which are provided to Miller Diversified Corporation
("MDC") (a related party) and various non-related third parties. MFL's
semi-trucks haul feeder cattle from ranches and sale barns throughout the states
of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and other western states into primarily
MDC's feedlot facility in LaSalle, Colorado. MFL also hauls fed cattle from
various feedlots, including MDC's, to beef packing plants in Colorado. MFL also
has the necessary trailers to haul feed corn and wheat and dry protein
supplements as well as liquid feed supplements to MDC's feedlot. With the
flexibility that MFL has in the types of services provided and delivery
schedules, its trucks are productive year around. A summary of the freight
services is as follows:
Freight Services Operation
- -------------------------- Increase
Nine Months Ended May 31 1999 1998 (Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freight Services Income $259,892 $247,255 $ 12,637
Cost of Freight Services $186,411 $176,442 $ 9,969
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Margin $ 73,481 $ 70,813 $ 2,668
Gross Margin Percentage 28.3% 28.6% (.3%)
During the quarter ended May 31, 1999, MFL added a fourth truck to its
fleet. The addition of the fourth truck is the primary reason for the increase
in revenues and associated cost of sales.
14
2. Rent and lease income is derived from leasing of the feedlot facilities
that MFL owns in LaSalle, Colorado, leasing of equipment and vehicles for the
use and operation of the feedlot facilities, the rental of equipment and
vehicles for the use and operation of the feedlot facilities and the rental of a
residence owned by MFL. All leases and rentals are with/to MDC (a related
party). A summary of the rental and lease operations is as follows:
Rental and Lease Operation Increase
-------------------------- --------
Nine Months Ended May 31, 1999 1998 (Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rent and lease Income $197,352 $188,309 $ 9,043
Cost of rent and lease income $ 44,888 $ 62,012 $(17,124)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Margin $152,464 $126,297 $ 26,167
Gross Margin Percentage 77.3% 67.1% 10.2%
The single variable factor that affects rent and lease income is equipment
rental. MFL rents equipment on a month to month basis to MDC as needed for the
operation of the feedlot facilities. This has only had minor variances on a
month to month basis. The lease income on the feedlot facilities is based on the
head count of the cattle on feed in the feedlot, with a minimum of $10,750 per
month. The feedlot inventory has exceeded the minimum only occasionally, but not
to the extent as to have a major impact on net earnings. The single factor that
affects the cost of rent and lease operations is depreciation. MFL uses
accelerated depreciation methods, which are the same methods used for income tax
determination to simplify its accounting procedures.
3. Commodity sales commissions are earned by MFL's two wholly owned
subsidiaries, LaSalle Commodity and Cattle Services ("LCCS") and Miller Trading
Co. ("MTC"), from transactions dealing with the placements of commodity futures
contracts on, among others, the Chicago Board of Trade. LCCS is categorized as a
commercial brokerage company because its clients are small in number, relatively
regional in origin, and deal in predominately one category of commodities, which
is agriculture and with which the brokers have a relatively high degree of
expertise. MTC, in contrast, is classed as a retail commodity broker as a result
of a very large number of clients who are dispersed throughout the United States
and Canada and trade in a wide variety of commodities, with which the brokers
may have only limited knowledge. As a matter of policy, neither of the
subsidiaries makes speculative trades in the name of or for the accounts of LCCS
or MTC.
15
Commodity Sales Operations Increase
-------------------------- --------
Nine Months Ended May 31, 1999 1998 (Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commodity sales commission $ 328,283 $ 351,943 $ (23,660)
Cost of commodity sales $ 166,801 $ 158,537 $ 8,264
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Margin $ 161,482 $ 193,406 $ (31,924)
Gross Margin Percentage 49.2% 55.0% (5.8%)
Commissions per trade vary by client and type of contract. The only factor
that affects the cost of commodity trade commissions is the commission paid to
the brokers, which is based on a varying percentage of the commodity commission
income. The more senior brokers receive a higher percentage of the commission,
so the higher their percentage is of the total, the lower the gross margin and
gross margin percentage. Each subsidiary company has a stable base of senior
brokers.
4. From time to time MFL made speculative trades in the commodities
markets. These trades were in live cattle, feeder cattle and corn futures
contracts. Management limited the trades to those commodities, because it
believed it had expertise in those markets. A summary of the gains and losses
from speculative trading through May 31, 1999 is as follows:
Speculative Trading Operations
Nine Months Ended May 31, 1999 1998 Increase
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speculative trading gains (losses) $3,444 $ (44,080) $47,524
After February 28, 1999, Management reexamined its policies and proceduresdirectors,
director
Information with respect to speculative tradingMessrs. Miller's and decided to eliminate all speculative
trading. By May 31, 1999, MFL had closed out all of its positions on all
speculative contractsDean's employment
experience is provided above.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table and no longer conducts any speculative trading for its own
account.
A summarynotes set forth, as of the major components of selling, general, and administrative
expenses isrecord date, the
beneficial ownership, as follows:
Selling, general and administrative expenses
- -------------------------------------------- Increase
Nine Months Ended May 31, 1999 1998 (Decrease)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brokerage Business:
Telephone $24,570 $32,799 $ (8,229)
Advertising $16,940 $20,161 $ (3,221)
Director fees and bonuses $39,599 $55,203 $ (15,604)
Legal and accounting $16,100 $ 9,600 $ 6,500
The commodity businesses (LCCS and MTC) are conducted exclusively by
telephone, which explains the relatively high telephone expenses. MFL expects to
see some further declines in this expense now that customers can access LCCS and
MTC's web sites to obtain market information, which was previously only
available by calling the LCCS and MTC "800" numbers, which they were responsible
for. The advertising expenses are fairly consistent although such expenses are
not a fixed type of expense. The level of business generateddefined by the existing
advertising program is generating enough business to keep the brokers supplied
with adequate leads to increase their productivity. The director fees and
16
bonuses are based solely on the decisionsregulations of the Board, which is comprisedSecurities and
Exchange Commission, of common stock of each director and nominee, the Executive
Officers, and all persons who serve as Executive Officers and directors of the
two owners of all of MFL's outstanding stock. Legal and accounting fees have
increased dueCompany as a group. No person is known to the contemplated acquisition by MDC, which required additional
legal consultation and auditsCompany to be the beneficial owner
of MFL's books.
Interest expense - non-related is incurred though a mortgage on the feedlot
facilities, which is held by an insurance company. This expense will decline as
the balance of the mortgage declines. Interest expense - related parties- is
incurred by a note payable to MDC and for financing MFL has received from other
related parties for real estate in Keystone, Colorado, a mortgage on a residence
that MFL owns and rents to MDC which along with several notes for various
equipment and vehicle purchases which have been made through a financing company
controlled by a related party. This expense will also decline as the balance of
the various notes decline. A summary of the interest expenses is as follows:
Interest Expense Increase
- ---------------- --------
Nine Months Ended May 31, 1999 1998 (Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-related $ 23,692 $ 26,051 $ (2,359)
Related parties $ 41,312 $ 50,763 $ (9,451)
Income taxes are directly related to the net earnings before income taxes
and certain assumptions that are made with the estimation and prevailing income
tax regulations. A summary of the before tax earnings and income taxes is as
follows:
Earnings and Income Taxes
- -------------------------
Nine Months Ended May 31 1999 1998 Increase
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (Loss) Before Taxes $109,539 $(24,221) $ 133,760
Income tax expense (Benefit) $ 21,209 $(15,286) $ 36,495
Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------
For the nine months ended May 31, 1999 operating activities provided
$304,359, compared to $211,718 for the same period the prior year, a decrease of
$92,641. Of the amount provided by operations, for the nine months ended May 31,
1999, $166,946 was provided by advances from MDC, a related party, compared to
$71,055 for the same period the previous year. This means that actual operations
provided $137,413 and $140,663 for the nine months ended May 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively, for use in financing and investing activities.
For the nine months ended May 31, 1999 investing activities required
$209,152, compared to providing funds of $127,925 during the same period the
previous year, a decrease in funds provided of $337,077. MFL made net advances
to officers/directors in the amount of $187,250 for the period ended May 31,
1999, compared to receiving net payments received from the officers of $152,273
during the same period the previous year, a net increase in funds utilized of
$339,523. These advances are made to enable the officers/directors to purchase
cattle that will be fed in MDC's commercial feedlot.
17
For the nine months ended May 31, 1999 financing activities required
$87,987 compared to $328,371 during the same period the prior year, a decrease
of $240,384. None of the related party payments were made to MDC for the nine
months ended May 31, 1999, compared to $250,000 paid to MDC during the same
period the prior year.
MFL's working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) was a
negative $33,806 for the nine months ended May 31, 1999 compared to negative
working capital of $66,644 at August 31, 1998, a decrease in the deficit of
$32,838. This meant that the Company could not pay current liabilities with
current assets. Included in current liabilities are payables to MDC and its
affiliates, which are related parties totaling $370,083 and $203,137 for May 31,
1999 and August 31, 1998 respectively. Without this related party payable, MFL
would have positive working capital of $336,277 and $134,493 at May 31, 1999 and
August 31, 1998 respectively This notation is made solely to make the reader
aware of the working capital position of MFL should the proposed merger of MFL
and MDC, as noted below, be consummated.
The major current asset is notes receivable from officers/directors, which
had a balance of $475,094 at May 31, 1999 and $287,844 at August 31, 1998. These
advances have been made to the officers/directors over a period of time
primarily to finance their cattle feeding programs at MDC's commercial feedlot.
The balance fluctuates month to month as cattle are sold and indebtedness is
repaid and additional funds are advanced for additional purchases.
Othermore than routine notes payable for equipment and vehicles purchased and
rented or leased to MDC, a mortgage on the feedlot facility, which had a balance
of $284,763 and $311,219 at May 31, 1999 and August 31, 1998 respectively, and a
mortgage on a residence that MFL owns and rents to MDC, which had balances of
$75,094 and $79,216 at May 31, 1999 and August 31, 1998 respectively. MFL's
largest single creditor is MDC. MFL has a longstanding agreement with MDC under
which MDC provides cash flow as needed by MFL for normal operations. Since MDC
leases and operates MFL's feedlot facilities and has a lease financing statement
filed with the State of Colorado, it has been difficult for MFL to obtain any
financing for its operations. This is further evidenced by the fact that MDC is
a co-signer of MFL's mortgage on the feedlot facilities and MFL is a guarantor
on MDC's operating lines of credit.
MFL had no material commitments for capital expenditures at May 31, 1999.
Management believes it has adequate financial resources to conduct
operations at present and reasonably anticipated levels.
Year 2000 Compliance
- --------------------
MFL is aware of the issues associated with the programming code in existing
computer systems as the year 2000 approaches. The "Year 2000" problem is
concerned with whether computer systems will properly recognize date sensitive
information when the year changes to 2000. Systems that do not properly
recognize such information could generate erroneous data or cause a system to
fail. The Year 2000 problem is pervasive and complex as virtually every
18
company's computer operations will be affected in some way. MFL's computer
programs which process financial transactions, were designed and developed
without consideration of the impact of the upcoming change in century and are
currently being upgraded to reduce or eliminate any serious impact on its
reporting capabilities. MFL's computer programs which process operational
transactions, specifically its commodities trading operations, may have been
designed and developed with consideration of the impact of the upcoming change
in century, but MFL is, never-the-less, analyzing their capabilities to reduce
or eliminate any serious impact on their operational capabilities. MFL's ongoing
analysis of it's operational computer programs and operations is not complete,
so MFL has not reached any conclusion concerning the impact of "Year 2000"
problems on its expenses, business or operations.
It is possible that "Year 2000" problems incurred by the customers or
suppliers of MFL could have a negative impact on future operations and financial
performance of MFL, although MFL has not been able to specifically identify any
such problems among its suppliers. Since MFL is and will be dependent upon only
two suppliers for some of its equipment, market information and futures trading
capabilities, it is in the process of contacting these primary suppliers to
determine if they are developing plans to address processing transactions which
may impact MFL in the year 2000. MFL has received statements for its two
suppliers (DTN Corp and FutureSource) stating that they are addressing the Year
2000 problem and expect to have revisions in place prior to year end. However,
there can be no assurance that Year 2000 problems will not occur with respect to
MFL's computer systems. Furthermore, the Year 2000 problem may impact other
entities with which MFL transacts business and MFL cannot predict the effect on
its business or operations. MFL is developing a contingency plan to operate in
the event that any non-compliant customer or supplier systems have a material
impact on MFL if not remedied by January 1, 2000. Due to the specialized nature
of some of MFL's computer programs and equipment, all potential problems and
their contingencies may not be identified in a manner timely enough to take
preventative and/or corrective actions. Therefore, MFL concedes that it is
possible the Year 2000 issue could have a potentially material adverse effect on
its business, financial condition and results of operation.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma combined financial statements give effect
to the acquisition by the Company of all5% of the outstanding shares of MFLcommon stock pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and Plan of Exchange and are based(based on the
estimates and assumptions set forth herein and in the notes to such statements.
This pro forma information has been prepared utilizing the historical
consolidated financial statements. The pro forma financial data is provided for
comparative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the results
which actually would have been obtained if the exchange had been effected on the
date indicated or of those results which may be obtained in the future.
The pro forma financial information treats the proposed exchange as a
reorganization of entities under common control. As such, the acquisition of MFL
shares by the Company is accounted for in a manner similar to a pooling of
interests. Pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying Note to
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements. The unaudited pro forma
combined income statements assume that the acquisition of MFL had occurred on
September 1, 1997 (combining the results for the year ended August 31, 1998 for
the Company and MFL) and the nine months ended May 31, 1999 for the Company and
MFL.
19
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
AND MILLER FEED LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
Historical Pro Forma
-------------------------- ----------------------------
Miller Miller
Diversified Feed
Corporation Lots, Inc.
May 31, 1999 Consolidated Consolidated Adjustments Combined
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
- ------
Current Assets:
Cash $ 57,175 $ 28,918 $ -- $ 86,093
Trade accounts receivable 1,080,979 72,716 -- 1,153,695
Notes receivable-customer financing 440,461 -- -- 440,461
Receivable from officers/directors -- 475,094 -- 475,094
Accounts receivable - related parties 370,143 -- (370,143) (c4) --
Income tax refunds receivable -- 24,313 -- 24,313
Inventories 1,383,927 -- -- 1,383,927
Prepaid expenses 17,771 -- -- 17,771
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets 3,350,456 601,041 (370,143) 3,581,354
Property and Equipment:
Land -- 56,924 -- 56,924
Buildings and improvements -- 892,799 103,510 (d) 996,309
Feedlot facilities under capital lease 1,497,840 -- (1,497,840) (c1) --
Equipment 100,336 854,289 27,533 (d) 1,177,580
195,422 (e)
Equipment under capital leases - related party 30,649 -- (30,649) (c2)
Leasehold improvements 131,043 -- (131,043) (d) --
----------------------------------------------------------
1,759,868 1,804,012 (1,333,067) 2,230,813
Less: Accumulated depreciation and
amortization 645,505 1,280,314 (499,283)(c1) 1,597,437
(24,521)(c2)
195,422 (e)
----------------------------------------------------------
Total Property and Equipment 1,114,363 523,698 (1,004,685) 633,376
Other Assets:
Net investment in sales type leases -- 7,819 (7,819)(c2) --
Securities available for sale 10,775 -- 10,775
Other investments 376,435 78,500 -- 454,935
Notes receivable - related party 300,000 -- (300,000)(c4) --
Deferred income taxes 233,142 51,000 -- 284,142
Deposits and other 16,500 27,889 (15,889)(c3) 28,500
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Other Assets 936,852 165,208 (323,708) 778,352
TOTAL ASSETS $ 5,401,671 $ 1,289,947 $(1,698,536) $ 4,993,082
20
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
AND MILLER FEED LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET -
Historical Pro Forma
--------------------------- -----------------------------
Miller Miller
Diversified Feed
Corporation Lots, Inc.
May 31, 1999 Consolidated Consolidated Adjustments Combined
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities: Bank overdraft $ 40,089 $ -- $ -- $ 40,089
Notes payable 1,725,476 -- -- 1,725,476
Note payable - officer/director -- 13,000 -- 13,000
Trade accounts payable 391,720 71,195 (60)(4) 462,855
Accounts payable - related parties -- 370,083 (370,083)(c4) --
Accrued expenses 54,935 3,688 -- 58,623
Income taxes payable 75,356 -- -- 75,356
Customer advance feed contracts 148,482 -- -- 148,482
Current portion: Long-term debt -- 38,070 -- 38,070
Long-term debt - related parties -- 138,811 -- 138,811
Capital lease obligations - related party 27,075 -- (20,153)(c1) --
(6,922)(c2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities 2,463,133 634,847 (397,218) 2,700,762
Long-term Debt -- 246,694 -- 246,694
Long-term Debt - related parties -- 516,965 (300,000)(c4) 216,965
Capital Lease Obligations - related party 964,411 -- (963,514)(c1) --
(897)(c2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities 3,427,544 1,398,506 (1,661,629) 3,164,421
Commitments -- -- -- --
- ------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------
Preferred Stock -- -- -- --
Common Stock 636 101,600 700 (a) 1,336
(101,600)(b)
Additional Paid-In Capital 1,351,693 11,860 (197,589)(a) 1,154,104
(11,860)(b)
Unrealized Loss - Securities Available
for Sale (9,325) -- -- (9,325)
Retained Earnings (Deficit) 631,123 (222,019) 310,349 (b) 682,546
(14,890)(c1)
(6,128)(c2)
(15,889)(c3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 1,974,127 (108,559) (36,907) 1,828,661
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 5,401,671 $ 1,289,947 $(1,698,536) $ 4,993,082
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Accompanying Note to Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
21
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
AND MILLER FEED LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
Historical Pro Forma
------------------------------ ----------------------------
Miller Miller
Diversified Feed
Corporation Lots, Inc.
Nine Months Ended May 31, 1999 Consolidated Consolidated Adjustments Combined
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue: Feed and related sales $ 5,070,556 $ -- $ -- $5,070,556
Fed cattle sales 1,577,505 -- -- 1,577,505
Feedlot services 1,111,521 -- -- 1,111,521
Freight services income -- 259,892 -- 259,892
Rent and lease income -- 197,352 (98,543)(c1) --
(883)(c2)
(91,176)(c5)
(6,750)(c6)
Commodity sales commissions -- 328,283 -- 328,283
Speculative trading gains -- 3,444 -- 3,444
Interest income 38,902 340 -- 39,442
Interest income - related party 13,500 -- (13,500)(c4) --
Other 53,316 16,179 (1,350)(c6) 68,145
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenue 7,865,300 805,690 (212,202) 8,458,788
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of:
Feed and related sales 4,366,623 -- -- 4,366,623
Fed cattle sold 1,498,874 -- -- 1,498,874
Feedlot services 1,097,403 -- (46,729)(c1) 949,682
(3,066)(c2)
(91,176)(c5)
(6,750)(c6)
Freight services -- 186,411 -- 186,411
Rent and lease income -- 44,888 -- 44,888
Commodity sales commissions -- 166,801 -- 166,801
Selling, general, and administrative 574,548 233,047 (889)(c3) 805,356
(1,350)(c6)
Interest 37,188 23,692 -- 60,880
Interest - related parties -- 41,312 (13,500)(c4) 27,812
Interest on capital leases - related party 82,727 -- (81,844)(c1) --
(883)(c2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Costs and Expenses 7,657,363 696,151 (246,187) 8,107,327
Earnings Before Taxes 207,937 109,539 33,985 (f) 351,461
Income Tax Expense 75,356 21,209 -- (g) 96,565
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS $ 132,581 $ 88,330 $ 33,985 $ 254,896
See Accompanying Note to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statement.
22
NOTE TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following note is included to assist the reader in understanding
theadjustment needed to illustrate the business combination of the Company and
MFL.
(a) To record issuance of 7,000,000records of
the Company's Common Stock to acquire all
outstanding sharesstock transfer agent).
Name and Address Amount and Nature of MFL.
To eliminate MFL stockholders' equity balances.
(c) To eliminate intercompany transactions as identified below:
(c1) Feedlot facilities under capital lease between MDC and MFL;
(c2) Equipment under capital lease between MDC and MFL;
(c3) MFL goodwill on acquisitionBeneficial Percent
of LCCS and MTC from MDC;
(c4) Accounts and notes receivable on MDC with accounts and notes payable
on MFL;
(c5) Equipment rentals between MDC and MFL;
(c6) Accounting fees and equipment rentals between MDC and MFL.
(d) Reclass leasehold improvements to equipment and facilities
(e) Reinstate valueBeneficial Owner Ownership (1) of fully depreciated assets originally leased from MFL, but
not purchased by MDC
(f) Included in the eliminations of the Unaudited Pro-Forma Combined Income
Statements of May 31, 1999 are the following amounts:
Eliminated MDC expenses:Class
- ------------------------
Interest expense on facilities lease $ 81,844
Straight line amortization of lease asset $ 44,937
Additional facilities over minimum $ 1,792
TOTAL EXPENSES ELIMINATED $128,573
Eliminated MFL income
Facilities lease income $(98,543)------------------- ------------- --------
Increase in income due to different
methods of accounting for lease $ 30,030
Interest expense on equipment leases $ 883
Straight line amortization of leased assets 3,066
TOTAL EXPENSES ELIMINATED $ 3,949
23
Eliminated MFL income:
Equipment lease income $ (883)
--------
Increase in income due to different
methods of accounting for lease $ 3,066
Eliminated MFL expense:
Amortization of goodwill $ 889
Total Increase in income shown on Pro Forma 05/31/99 $33,985
-------
(g) No income tax adjustment has been made
24
THE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF EXCHANGE
The following description of all of the material terms of the Exchange
Agreement and Plan of Exchange, as amended, is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of these documents, copies of which are attached as
Annex I and Annex II, respectively, to this Proxy Statement and constitute a
part hereof.
Upon consummation of the Exchange, 6,889.76 shares of the Company's common
stock will be issued in exchange for each share of MFL common stock currently
outstanding. In the aggregate, 7,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock
will be issued in exchange for the 1,016 shares of MFL common stock issued and
outstanding. The exchange ratio of the common stock was based upon several
factors, including the net asset value of MFL, its value as a going concern, the
fair market value of MFL assets as determined by appraisal and the market price
of the Company's common stock. The Boards of Directors of the Company and MFL
mutually determined the exchange ratio, although both boards, for the most part,
are made up of the same individuals. See "Conflicts of Interest."
Until surrendered, all certificates representing ownership of MFL common
stock will be deemed to be exchanged and the holders thereof will be entitled
only to the shares of the Company common stock for which they have been
exchanged. Mr. James E. Miller and Mr. Norman Dean are the only two shareholders of
MFL. By executing the Exchange Agreement, they specifically agreed to the
transaction contemplated therein and will not invoke their dissenter's rights,
whether as shareholders of MFL or the Company.
If adopted by the requisite stockholder's vote of the Company and unless
terminated as provided in the Exchange Agreement, the Exchange will become
effective when a certificate of exchange is issued by the Secretary of the State
of Colorado.
The Exchange Agreement contains representations of the Company and MFL.
These include, among others, representations concerning the financial condition
of MFL and the accuracy of its financial statements, representations and
warranties with respect to information contained in their Proxy Statement and
the corporate power of the Company and MFL to enter into the Exchange Agreement
and perform their obligations thereunder.
The Company and MFL have agreed that prior to consummation of the Exchange,
each will continue to conduct their respective businesses in conformity with
established industry practice in a diligent manner.
The Exchange Agreement, as amended, provided that it would terminate
automatically if the Effective Time did not occur by April 30, 1999 unless
otherwise extended by mutual agreement pending a shareholder vote by the
Company's shareholders. This deadline was subsequently extended by mutual
agreement to August 31, 1999. The Company may terminate the Exchange Agreement
if holders of more than 10% of the Company's issued and outstanding common stock
of the Company give notice of their intention to demand payment for their
shares. The Company has made no determination as to whether it would terminate
the Exchange Agreement if greater than 10% of its shareholders perfect their
dissenter' rights. See "Dissenter's Rights." If any condition precedent, as set
25
forth in the Exchange Agreement, to the obligation of either the Company or MFL
is not met by August 31, 1999, that party may terminate the Exchange Agreement
or waive the condition. The conditions precedent include the requirements that
all representations and warranties set forth in the Exchange Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of the Effective Time and that the
covenants and actions of each party required to be fulfilled before that date
have been fulfilled. There are no federal or state regulatory requirements which
must be complied with, nor is any federal or state regulatory approval necessary
to consummate the proposed acquisition of MFL as contemplated in the Plan.
Dissenter's Rights
- ------------------
Stockholders of the Company's Common Stock have a right to dissent and
obtain payment in cash for their shares by complying with the terms of Sections
78.491 to 78.494 of the Nevada General Corporation Law. Such sections are each
reprinted in their entirety as Annex III to this Proxy Statement. A person who
desires to dissent and who has a beneficial interest in shares of the Company's
Common Stock that are held of record in the name of another person, such as a
broker or nominee, should act promptly to cause the record holder timely and
properly to follow those steps summarized below to perfect whatever right to
payment such beneficial owner may have. Alternatively, a beneficial owner of
shares of the Company's Common Stock may assert his or her own right to dissent
and obtain payment with respect to shares held on his or her behalf by
submitting a written consent of the record holder to the Company prior to
assertion of such right and by then following the steps summarized below to
perfect whatever right to payment such beneficial owner may have.
The following discussion is not a complete statement of the law relating to
the right to dissent and obtain payment and is qualified in its entirety by
Annex III. This discussion and Annex III should be reviewed carefully by any
stockholder who wishes to exercise the statutory right to dissent and obtain
payment for shares since failure to comply with the procedures set forth will
result in the loss of such right.
Pursuant to Sections 78.481 and 78.482 of the Nevada General Corporation
Law, holders of the Company's Common Stock may obtain payment for their shares
if such holders do not approve the Exchange. The Exchange Agreement provides
that it may be terminated by the Company if holders of more than 10% of the
Company's Common Stock have acted to perfect such right to obtain payment. In
order to perfect the right to obtain payment for shares, a stockholder must
satisfy each of the conditions of Sections 78.491 and 78.494 of the Nevada
General Corporation Law as summarized below.
First, prior to the vote on the Plan of Merger, a stockholder who desires
to dissent and obtain payment for shares must file with the Company a written
notice of intention to demand payment (the "Notice of Intention") if the
proposed action is effectuated for the stockholder's shares of the Company's
Common Stock. (It is recommended that the Notice of Intention be addressed to
Stephen R. Story, Secretary, Miller Diversified Corporation, 23360973,210(2) 15.2
23402 Weld County Rd. 35
P.O. Box 937, LaSalle, Colorado 80645.) In addition, such stockholder
must not vote in favor of or otherwise consent to adoption of the Plan of
Exchange (a failure to vote will satisfy the condition that the stockholder not
26
vote in favor of the adoption of the Plan of Exchange.) Voting in favor of the
Plan of Exchange, delivering a signed unmarked proxy or delivering a proxy in
favor of the Plan of Exchange will constitute a waiver of the stockholder's
right to obtain payment and will nullify any previous Notice of Intention
submitted by the stockholder.
If the proposed Plan of Exchange is approved by the shareholders of the
Company at the meeting called for that purpose, the Company shall deliver a
written dissenter's notice to all stockholders who sent written notice to the
Company of intent to demand payment as above described. The dissenter's notice
will be sent within 10 days of the shareholder meeting approving the Plan of
Exchange and will state where the demand for payment must be sent and where and
when the Company's stock certificates must be deposited. Such notice will also
include a form for demanding payment that includes that date of the first
announcement to the news media or to the stockholders of the Company of the
terms of the Plan of Exchange and requiring that the shareholder asserting
dissenter's rights certify whether or not he or she acquired beneficial
ownership of the Company's shares prior to such date. Finally, the dissenter's
notice shall set a date by which the Company must receive the demand for
payment, which shall be not less than 30 or more than 60 days after the date the
notice is delivered.
A stockholder who receives a dissenter's notice must (1) demand payment of
the Company; (2) certify whether he or she acquired beneficial ownership of the
Company's shares before the date required to be set forth in the dissenter's
notice for this certification; and (3) deposit his or her stock certificate in
accordance with the terms of the notice. The dissenting stockholder who demands
payment and deposits his or her certificate retains all other rights as a
shareholder of the Company until the rights are canceled or modified by the Plan
of Exchange. Stockholders who do not comply with the above stated requirements
are not entitled to payment for their shares.
Within 30 days after the Demand for Payment or upon the Effective Time of
the Exchange, whichever is later, the Company shall pay to the dissenting
stockholder the Fair Cash Value of his or her shares as of the day before the
stockholder vote on the Exchange exclusive of any element of value arising from
the expectation or accomplishment of the Exchange. The term "Fair Cash Value"
means the intrinsic value of the dissenting stockholder's interest determined
from the assets and liabilities of the Company considered in the light of every
factor bearing on value.
If there is a dispute between the Company and the dissenting shareholder as
to the Fair Cash Value of the dissenting shareholder's stock, Nevada statutes
provide that the Company shall commence a judicial proceeding within 60 days
after receiving the demand from the dissenting shareholder to petition the Court
to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. Failure of the
Company to commence such a proceeding within 60 days shall result in the Company
paying the amount demanded. In such event the dissenting shareholder shall be
deemed to be a judgment creditor to the Company for the amount demanded. See
Annex III.
27
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with MFL
- ---------------------
The Company is affiliated through partial common ownership with MFL. James
E. Miller, a Director and President of the Company, and Norman M. Dean, a
Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, together
beneficially own 33.1% of the Company's stock. Together, Mr. Dean and Mr. Miller
own all of the outstanding stock of MFL. The Company leases its feedlot
facilities and most of its equipment, rents some equipment on a month to month
basis and purchases some of its transportation services from MFL. Mr. Miller
manages the operations of MFL as well as the feedlot operations of the Company.
On February 1, 1991, the Company executed a 25-year capital lease of its
facilities (see Part I, Item 2, Properties) from MFL. As they negotiated for a
long-term lease, the Company's Board of Directors undertook considerable
analyses and comparisons to insure the lease was consistent with the Company's
objectives and that the terms were fair and reasonable. The lease was
unanimously approved by the Board of Directors, including all disinterested
directors. From February 1, 1987 through January 31, 1991, the Company leased
the feedlot facilities from MFL under a short-term operating lease, and
amendments and extensions thereof. The monthly rent under the short-term
operating leases was the same as it was under the long-term lease, and the
Company was responsible for the same property expenses as under the new
long-term lease. Effective August 1, 1992, the Company amended its lease with
MFL to lease only one of the two feedlots initially leased. The feedlot being
leased after the amendment has a capacity of 20,000 head of cattle. The Company
has continued to lease one feedlot under the 25-year lease term at the same rent
of 2 1/3(cent) per head per day, but with a minimum of $10,750 and maximum of
$13,300 per month. The Company has an option to purchase the feedlot it leases
for $1,300,000.
The above-described transactions were entered into on terms the Company
believes were at least as favorable as would have been available from
unaffiliated third parties.
On May 31, 1993 the Company loaned $250,000 to MFL pursuant to a note that
matured May 31, 1998 and was paid in full on that date. On May 31, 1997 the
Company loaned an additional $300,000 to MFL pursuant to a note that matures May
31, 2002. The note is unsecured and bears interest at 6% per annum, payable
monthly. MFL used the proceeds from the loan to acquire additional feeder cattle
to place in the Company's feedlot. The note is subordinated to MFL's mortgagor.
28
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK
The table set forth below shows, as of the Record Date, the shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by each director of the Company, by all
directors and officers of the Company as a group, and by each person who was
known to the Company to own beneficially more than five percent of the Common
Stock.
Amount and Nature Percent
Name of Beneficial Owner of Beneficial Ownership of Class(1)
- ------------------------ ----------------------- -----------
James E. Miller 994,706(2) 15.6%
23402 Weld County Road 35
LaSalle,La Salle, CO 80645
Norman M. Dean 1,109,786(3) 17.4%
1858 26th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
Alan D. Gorden 50,000(4) .8%
4570 Old Ranch Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80908
Stephen R. Story 1,810 0.03%
2322 45th Avenue1,571,786(3) 24.7
5754 West 11th St., #201
Greeley, CO 80634
Clark A. Miller 124,438 1.9
8039 Castle Court
Fort Collins, CO 80528
All Directorsdirectors and Executive
Officersexecutive 2,669,434 41.9
officers as a Group (4group (3 persons)
2,156,302 33.8%
(1) Calculated pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. UnlessAll beneficial ownership is sole and direct unless otherwise stated below, each such person has sole voting and
investment power with respect to all such shares. Under Rule 13d-3(d),
shares not outstanding which are subject to options, warrants, rights or
conversion privileges exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for
the purpose of calculating the number and percentage owned by such person,
but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of calculating the
percentage owned by each other person listed.noted.
(2) Includes 45,906 shares owned by Mr. Miller's wife.
(3) Includes 45,905 shares owned by Mr. Dean's wife.
(4) Includes 100,000 shares owned12
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation of Directors
The directors of the Company are entitled to receive fees of $500 per
quarter for meetings attended, and reimbursement for travel expenses. During the
fiscal year ended August 31, 2002, there was $4,000 paid out in director fees.
Clark A. Miller did not collect director fees during the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2002.
Indemnification
The Company indemnifies its directors and officers to the fullest extent
permitted by Gorden Properties LLC.law so they will serve free from undue concerns that they will not
be indemnified. Indemnification is required under the Company's bylaws.
Compensation of Executive Officers
The following table shows the compensation earned by the president and
chief executive officer of the Company during fiscal year 2000 to 2002.
Name and Principal Position Fiscal Year Salary Annual Bonus
- --------------------------- ----------- ------ ------------
James E. Miller, 2000 $72,000 -
president and chief executive 2001 $72,000 -
officer; chief financial officer 2002 $72,000(1) -
(1) Mr.Miller is required by the Company to live at the feedlot. For the fiscal
year ended August 31, 2002 the Company paid $9,000 rent to Miller Feed Lots
for a house occupied by Mr. GordenMiller.
There were no other executive officers of the Company whose salary and
bonuses for the year ended August 31, 2002 exceeded $100,000.
PURCHASER
Miller Feed Lots' principal offices are at 23360 Weld County Road 35, La
Salle, Colorado 80645; telephone number: (970) 284-5556. Miller Feed Lots was
incorporated in April 1966. Miller Feed Lots owns a 20,000 head feedlot on 165
acres in La Salle, Weld County, Colorado, which is leased to the Company. See
the caption FEEDLOT FACILITIES. The Company was advised by Farm Credit Services,
an agency which provided financing for feeder cattle, that it would no longer
provide financing to the Company. This meant the Company would have to terminate
its cattle feeding business. The interlocking directors of the Company and
Miller Feed Lots discussed the possibility that the Company's assets could be
acquired by Miller Feed Lots, which would continue in the feedlot business. Farm
Credit Services will provide financing to Miller Feed Lots and to individuals
who qualify, and Norman Dean, James E. Miller and Clark A. Miller all intend to
feed cattle as custom feeders for Miller Feed Lots. In addition, ranchers who
13
grow cattle sometimes want to fatten them for sale because the market for
yearling cattle may not be satisfactory. Ranchers can, therefore, put cattle
into a feedlot at a cost price less than would be paid by speculative feeders
who buy cattle in the open market for the purpose of finishing them for sale as
fat cattle. Because Miller Feed Lots owns the feedlot facility it will not pay
rent for the use of those facilities, and will have that advantage over the
Company. Miller Feed Lots will undertake an extensive program to attract rancher
feeders, as well as speculative feeders, to feed cattle at the Miller Feed Lot
facility. If Miller Feed Lots is successful in attracting rancher cattle for the
feedlot and additional speculative feeder cattle, Miller Feed Lots will realize
revenue from yardage which may enable it to conduct a successful feedlot
business.
Miller Feed Lots also owns numerous pieces of equipment that are necessary
for the feedlot operations, but are not leased to the Company. These items
include three semi tractors and eight trailers which are used for transporting
grain, feed supplements and livestock. Miller Feed Lots provides trucking
services for the Company, the feedlot customers of the Company, and other
outside parties. Miller Feed Lots derives 25-30% of its gross revenues from its
trucking operations.
Over the past five years, Miller Feed Lots and the Company have given
consideration to a merger or other form of combination of business of the two
entities. While there are several positive factors in a combination, none of
them have been thought to be compelling until Farm Credit Services advised the
Company it would terminate its line of credit for purchasing feeder cattle. That
meant the Company would have to terminate its cattle feeding business and the
asset sale transaction which would take the Company out of the cattle feeding
business and provide an opportunity for acquisition by another business was
determined by the board of directors of the Company to be in the best interest
of stockholders.
For information concerning transactions between the Company and its
affiliates, see CONFLICTS OF INTEREST and TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
James E. Miller is a director, the president, chief executive officer and
chief financial officer of the Company. Norman M. Dean is the general partner and owns 50%chairman of the
ownership interestboard of Gorden Properties
LLC. Mr. Gordendirectors of the Company. Clark A. Miller is a director, secretary and
treasurer of the Company. James E. Miller and Norman M. Dean own all the issued
and outstanding common shares of Miller Feed Lots (the "Purchaser"), and
together with Clark A. Miller constitute the board of directors of Miller Feed
Lots. The three directors acted together as a board of the Company and as a
board of Miller Feed Lots in approving the asset sale transaction by both
parties. The three directors are and were aware of their fiduciary obligation to
the Company and Miller Feed Lots. The three individuals (James E. Miller, Norman
M. Dean and Clark A. Miller) are the beneficial owners of 2,669,434 shares
(41.9%) of the common stock of the Company. On April 16, 2003, the business day
prior to the date on which the Agreement was approved by the board of directors
of the Company, the closing bid price of the common stock of the Company was
$0.06.
Under Nevada General Corporation Law, a contract or other transaction is
not void or voidable solely because the contract or transaction is between a
corporation (such as the Company) and one or more of its directors or officers
(such as Dean or the Millers) or another corporation (such as Miller Feed Lots),
in which one or more of its directors are directors or officers or are
financially interested. Neither are such contracts or other transactions void or
voidable solely because a common or interested director or officer is present at
the meeting of the board of directors of the corporation (the Company) which
authorized or approved the contract or transaction. Common or interested
14
directors may be deemedcounted as present for the purposes of determining a quorum at
a meeting where a conflict of interest transaction is to have indirectbe considered. In order
for the contract or transaction between a corporation and its directors or
officers, or between a corporation and another corporation in which one or more
of its board of directors are directors or officers or are financially
interested, the fact of the common directorship, office or financial interest
must be known to the stockholders at the time they approve or ratify the
contract or transaction in good faith by a majority vote of the stockholders
holding a majority of the voting and investment powerpower. The votes of 50 %the common or interested
directors or officers must be counted in any such vote of stockholders. The
contract or transaction may also be valid if it is fair to the Company at the
time it is authorized or approved.
The 2,577,623 shares of common stock directly owned by Gorden PropertiesJames E. Miller,
Norman M. Dean and Clark A. Miller will be counted as present at the Special
Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum. James E. Miller and Norman Dean
own all the outstanding shares of common stock of Miller Feed Lots. The three
directors intend to vote the shares owned directly by them at the meeting for
their election as directors and in favor of the proposal to approve the sale of
assets and adopt the Agreement. If the asset sale transaction is approved, the
relative ownership of Norman M. Dean and James E. Miller in the acquisition
assets will be increased because they own a greater interest in Miller Feed Lots
than they do in the Company. Clark A. Miller will continue in the employ of
Miller Feed Lots after the asset transaction has been closed. He will continue
at the same salary for Miller Feed Lots as he was paid by the Company.
The Company has not adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal
executive officers, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or
persons performing similar function. The proposed asset sale transaction
effectively puts the Company out of business. The Company will make itself
available for acquisition by another business which may be required by law or
SEC regulations to have such a code of ethics.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we
evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure
controls and procedures as of the filing date of this proxy statement and based
on the completion of a comprehensive review as of the filing date, our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that these controls
and procedures, when supplemented with a comprehensive review and reconciliation
process, are effective.
Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures
designed to ensure that information that we are required to disclose under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required. To date we
have relied heavily on comprehensive review and reconciliation procedures
applied to our periodic reports on Forms 10-KSB and 10-QSB as a critical element
of our disclosure controls and procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures
include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that
information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file under the
Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
15
RISK FACTORS
There are risks associated with the asset sale transaction. In determining
whether to vote for the asset sale transaction, stockholders should consider the
following risk factors:
1. Market Fluctuation in the Price of Fat Cattle may Result in a Low
Valuation of Company Assets. The market price of fat cattle is subject to strong
supply and demand indicators. It is not uncommon for there to be substantial
reductions in the market price of fat cattle over very short periods of time.
The Company's primary assets are the cattle it has on feed for its own account.
At February 28, 2003, the Company had 3,979 head of cattle in the feeding
process. Some of those cattle will be sold before the Closing Date. The
remaining cattle, which we estimate will be about 2,235 head, will be valued by
a third party independent appraiser. The value fixed for these cattle will
depend upon the market price for cattle of the sex and weight of the Company
cattle on the Closing Date. If there should be a large supply of cattle
available to packers on the Closing Date, or if demand for red meat is low, the
market price may be low, which may have a significant effect on the value of the
acquired assets to be purchased by Miller Feed Lots on the Closing Date.
2. The Consideration for the Asset Sale Transaction will be Miller Feed
Lots Promissory Note Payable $100,000 Principal Per Year, Together with
Interest. We do not know what the consideration for the asset sale transaction
will be, but the Company will realize no immediate cash and will be dependent on
the continued solvency of Miller Feed Lots for payment. The Company will have a
mortgage on Miller Feed Lot facilities, but if Miller Feed Lots is unable to
successfully operate the feedlot business it acquires from the Company, the
value of the feedlot facilities may be depressed to the point they may not fully
cover the consideration. In the event of bankruptcy of Miller Feed Lots, the
Company would be an unsecured creditor for the portion of the consideration not
covered by the mortgage on Miller Feed Lot facilities. While we cannot now state
what will be the amount of consideration in the asset sale transaction, we have
estimated the amount owed the Company by Miller Feed Lots will be between
$200,000 and $600,000. This means the payout of the purchase money promissory
note would extend from 2 to 6 years in the future. Until the amount of the
consideration is fully paid, the Company is at risk for Miller Feed Lots ability
to pay the full consideration.
16
3. After the Asset Sale Transaction, the Company will no Longer be in the
Feedlot Business and will be Available for Acquisition by another Entity. There
is no assurance that an acceptable acquisition can be arranged. The Company will
make itself available for acquisition by another company desiring to merge with
or acquire a public company. There can be no assurance an acquisition offer will
be made at all and on terms that will afford the stockholders of the Company a
beneficial interest in another business. Management has made inquiries in an
effort to locate a company that may be interested in acquiring the Company, but
as of the date of this proxy statement, no negotiations have been undertaken and
there is no assurance that any desirable prospects will develop. After closing
the asset sale transaction and the Company is no longer in business, it is quite
possible the market for its common stock will decline.
4. Blank Check Companies are Subject to SEC Restriction Greater than is the
Case with Non-Blank Check Companies. After the asset sale transaction, the SEC
will consider the Company to be a "blank check" Company. A "blank check" company
is a development stage company that has no specific business plan or purpose, or
has indicated its business plan is to engage in a merger or acquisition with an
unidentified company or companies, or other entity or person. Rule 144 and
Section 4(1) of the Securities Act of 1933 would not be available for transfers
by affiliates of the Company. Affiliates of the Company will be able to sell
their shares only upon registration.
5. After the Company Becomes a Shell Corporation, a Subsequent Change of
More than 50% Ownership Will Affect the Amount of the Net Operating Loss that
Could be Used. After the proposed asset sale transaction, there is a possibility
of a subsequent shift in ownership of Company stock of more than 50%. In that
situation, Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code would severely limit the
amount of the net operating loss that could be used each year. Thus, the future
benefit from the net operating losses may be negligible.
17
COMPANY BUSINESS
GENERAL
The Company is a publicly held Nevada corporation that was formed in 1987
as the result of several transactions and mergers of predecessor companies. In
1987, the Company acquired the commercial cattle feeding business of Miller Feed
Lots (the Purchaser in this asset sale transaction). The Company's principal
business is commercial cattle feeding that is operated on a feedlot facility,
and with equipment leased or rented from Miller Feed Lots. The Company has a
wholly owned subsidiary, Miller Feeders, Inc. ("MFI"), which was acquired in
1987. MFI is a cattle brokerage company that earns commissions from the
purchasing of feeder cattle and selling finished cattle for the Company's cattle
feeding customers, and for brokering certain "outside" cattle purchases and
sales. MFI has the required bond to enable it to receive and distribute the sale
proceeds from the sale of feeding customers' cattle. The Company is
headquartered near La Salle, Colorado, at the site of its cattle feeding
operations. The address of the Company's principal executive offices is 5754
West 11th Street, #201, Greeley, Colorado 80645. The Company's mailing address
is 5754 West 11th Street, #201, Greeley, Colorado 80645. The Company's telephone
number at that address is (970) 356-1200.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The Company's principal business is cattle feeding, which includes the
selling of feed and services to customers who place their cattle in the
Company's feedlot, as well as also feeding cattle for its own account.
Typically, customers are ranchers and experienced cattle feeders. Cattle feeding
customers are charged for feed consumed by their cattle and at a flat amount per
head per day, referred to as "yardage," for the use of the feedlot facilities.
Feed sales usually account for 30% to 50% of the Company's revenues. The Company
and its Subsidiary (Miller Feeders, Inc.) provide complete feedlot services,
which include assisting customers with outside financing, purchasing feeder
cattle, making trucking arrangements, selling finished cattle, and assisting
with hedging transactions. The Company, through its Subsidiary Miller Feeders,
derives commissions and fees from hedging transactions and buying and selling
customers' cattle.
Most customers have their cattle delivered to the feedlot or authorize the
Company to purchase feeder cattle for them. Feeder cattle are usually delivered
at weights between 500 and 900 pounds. Lighter weight feeder cattle may be "back
grounded," that is, placed in smaller farmer/feeder operations until they reach
the size that entry into the feedlot is deemed most beneficial. These local
farmer/feeders typically have small sheltered facilities and feed a growing
ration until the cattle reach the desired size to place them in the finishing
feedlot.
After cattle enter the feedlot to be finished, they are usually fed from
three to six months, depending upon a variety of factors. The customer and
Company's management, often with the assistance of a nutritionist, plan custom
rations for the cattle considering such variables as size, sex, breed, and age
of the feeder cattle. Feed ingredients are purchased by the Company, stored on
the premises, mixed into rations and sold to the customer. The Company marks up
its cost of the feed for sale to customers. The customer is invoiced at least
twice per month for feed and yardage, and payment is due upon receipt of the
invoice, except for ingredients the customer may have prepaid. The Company
follows certain procedures in managing its operations which include among
others: (i) physically identifying cattle as they are delivered by brand or ear
tags so that all customers' cattle are distinguishable; (ii) all cattle, feed
and funds of customers are strictly accounted for with specific identification
utilizing sophisticated and specialized computerized methods; (iii) billing
procedures are fully automated and current so that customers are sent an
itemized billing with a complete breakdown of costs for each lot of cattle they
own; (iv) weighing of all feed and cattle to be sold is done on sealed scales,
certified by the Colorado Department of Agriculture; (v) environmental standards
of the feedlot is maintained to exceed all government regulation; and (vi)
adhering to all laws and regulations pertaining to the cattle feeding industry.
Cattle fed at the Company's feedlot are given growth promoter unless otherwise
requested by the custom feeder.
18
After cattle reach finished weights, it is not economically feasible to
hold and feed those animals any longer, as further weight gains do not justify
additional feed and feedlot costs. As a result, cattle feeders are subject to
prevailing market prices of cattle at the time of finishing. When the cattle are
finished, the Company often delivers them to a purchaser (usually a meat packer)
designated by the custom feeder or assists the custom feeder in selling the
cattle. Finished cattle are sold to any of several packers, most of whom have
buyers who visit the Company's feedlot on a regular basis. One major meat
packing plant is about 15 miles from the Company's feedlot.
Feeder cattle, finished cattle, and feed are moved by truck, and excellent
trucking services are available because Weld County is a major feed crop and
cattle feeding area. The Company's cattle feeding business is somewhat seasonal
because most calves from the Rocky Mountains and northern plains areas are
weaned and ready to go to a feedlot in the fall. The cows are bred to calve in
the spring and wean their calves in the fall. However, the Company can and does
purchase feeder cattle from southern and west coast ranches at nearly any time
of the year and, in conjunction with its increased feeding cattle for its own
account, is taking measures, including buying heavier yearling cattle, to lessen
the seasonal impact.
RAW MATERIALS
The Company's main raw materials are cattle feed consisting primarily of
silage, hay, corn, wheat, protein supplement, and a variety of by-products that
are seasonally available in the area. The Company purchases most of its feed
from local farmers or brokers. Northern Colorado, which includes Weld County, is
a major crop production area with a reputation for quality crops and consistent
yields. Because most of the land is irrigated, local farmers do not have to
depend exclusively on rainfall, and drought is not often a factor. Shortages of
feed crops are rare in the United States, and especially in Weld County.
While there have been significant price fluctuations for certain feed
ingredients, especially corn, shortages have not developed. Although most feed
comes from local sources, excellent truck and rail systems give the Company
access to feed produced in Nebraska and Iowa.
MAJOR CUSTOM FEEDERS
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002, the Company had one custom
feeder (Charles Micale d/b/a My Way Land and Cattle) to whom sales accounted for
$1,722,862 or 15% of total revenue. Major customers may vary from year to year.
In fact, Mr. Micale was not a customer of the Company in 2003.
COMPETITION
Custom cattle feeding is a highly competitive business in which stability
and quality services and facilities are more important than size. The Company's
feedlot is well laid out and in good repair, and, therefore, "shows well" to
custom feeders. The Company's management has been engaged in cattle feeding at
the site of the Company's feedlot for over 30 years and is known for stable,
quality operations. The Company offers a full range of feedlot services, as
described above, and seeks to be attentive to the inquiries and wishes of its
custom feeders. The Company has an active marketing program of calls, visits,
mailings, and seminars directed at attracting and developing new custom feeders.
Some custom feeders have been with the Company for many years. However, other
custom feeders, some with greater resources, are also engaged in marketing
programs which often are directed at the same custom feeders the Company is
seeking. The Company's principal competitors in Weld County, Colorado include
Swift & Company and Horton Cattle Company. Substantial feedlots outside Weld
County, but which may still be considered to be competitive with the Company,
are Continental Grain at Lamar, Colorado and Swift & Company near Yuma,
Colorado. There are many smaller feedlot operations, some of which are
commercial and some of which are private, which also compete with the Company.
The Company's strategy is to provide complete quality service, conduct feeding
operations to optimize the custom feeders' cattle weight gains at the lowest
cost possible, and continuously seek new custom feeders to maintain and increase
its competitive position.
19
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
The Company is subject, directly and indirectly, to various federal and
state governmental regulations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) are
responsible for regulating the use of animal growth promoter and veterinary
drugs, medicines, and vaccines. The USDA is responsible for regulating certain
other aspects of the agriculture business in which the Company may be engaged.
Specifically, the activities of the Company and Miller Feeders are subject to
the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended, and regulated by the Packers
and Stockyards Administration. The Environmental Protection Agency is
responsible for minimizing the environmental impact of animal pollutants. The
Company does not believe it incurs any expenses in addition to its normal
operating costs to specifically meet the requirements of environmental laws.
Since some of the Company's custom feeders participate in commodity futures
transactions, certain activities may come under the jurisdiction of the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange on livestock transactions, the Chicago board of Trade on
grain transactions, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National
Futures Association which oversees compliance on futures transactions. In
addition, the Company is or may be subject to other regulations such as changes
in freight rates, increases or decreases in exports or imports, and animal
health inspection and brand inspection.
EMPLOYEES
The Company employs between 20 and 30 persons at any given time. As of
March 31, 2003, the Company had 22 full and part-time employees.
FEEDLOT FACILITIES
On February 1, 1991, the Company executed a 25-year lease with an
affiliated company, Miller Feed Lots (the Purchaser in the asset sale
transaction), to lease its feedlot facility. Norman M. Dean and James E. Miller,
who are officers, directors and stockholders of the Company, own all of the
common stock of Miller Feed Lots. The feedlot has a capacity of approximately
20,000 head of cattle on 165 acres. The monthly rent is 2-1/3 cents per head per
day, with a minimum of $10,750 and maximum of $13,300 per month. During the year
2002, the Company's lease payments to Miller Feed Lots were $129,000. The
Company has an option to purchase the feedlot it leases for $1,300,000. The
lease of feedlot facilities will be canceled as a part of the asset sale
transaction. The lease has minimum payments due of $1,655,500. The Company will
deduct $250,000 from the purchase price of the asset sale transaction to
compensate Miller Feed Lots for cancellation. The lease required that the
Company pay all property taxes, insurance, and maintenance on the feedlot being
leased. Company management believes the terms of the lease of the feedlot
facilities were at least as favorable as would have been available from
unaffiliated third parties. In the opinion of management, the leased feedlot is
adequately covered by peril insurance. The property taxes on the leased feedlot
facility amounted to $8,912 for the year ended August 31, 2002.
TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT
In addition to the lease of feedlot facilities, described above, the
Company has other transactions with its managers and Miller Feed Lots. Among the
Company's cattle feeding customers are the three directors. During fiscal year
2002, Norman M. Dean fed cattle with the Company for a market value of
approximately $2,000,000. James E. Miller fed cattle with the Company for a
market value of approximately $2,000,000, and Clark A. Miller fed cattle with
the Company for a market value of approximately $1,000,000. Substantial losses
were incurred by all three directors because the price realized on finished
cattle was less than the cost of the cattle and the cost of feeding. Directors
fed cattle with the Company on the same terms as non-affiliated feeders.
20
In addition to the feedlot lease, the Company also leases equipment from
Miller Feed Lots on which it paid $191,993 in 2002. While Miller Feed Lots does
not lease equipment to any other party, management believes the terms of the
arrangements for the lease of equipment to the Company were on terms no less
favorable than could have been obtained with unaffiliated third parties. The
Company utilizes trucks owned by Miller Feed Lots to transport grain and cattle.
During fiscal year 2002, the Company paid $168,556 in trucking fees to Miller
Feed Lots. There are other trucking facilities available, but charges by Miller
Feed Lots for trucking services are competitive with charges that would be
available from other trucking companies.
The Company has a note payable to Foothills Financial Corporation, which is
owned by Bonnie Dean (spouse of Norman Dean) in the principal amount of
$106,134.44 at March 31, 2003. This note matures in September 2004, and has
monthly payments of principal and interest at 10% per year. The note is
collateralized by the membership interest in Highland Water, LLC. 29This note was
incurred for the purpose of investing in Highland Water, LLC, a water
purification project, which was not profitable. The Company's interest in
Highland Water, LLC was sold to Miller Feedlots for $189,194. The Company's
original cost in the project was $180,000. Through August 31, 2000, the
Company's share of losses was $180,000. For the period September to November
2000, the Company's share of profits was $9,194. Miller Feed Lots paid to the
Company its original $180,000 investment, plus the $9,194 in profit. Miller
Feedlots purchased the property to assist the Company in its deteriorating
financial position. The sale transaction was considered to be fair by the
Company directors. Highland Water, LLC continues to be unprofitable to Miller
Feed Lots.
The Company is a co-signer on a loan from Farm Credit Services to Miller
Feed Lots in the original principal amount of $400,000, which was incurred for
the purpose of providing working capital to Miller Feed Lots. The outstanding
balance on the loan is now $264,087. The loan is secured by a security interest
in Miller Feed Lot equipment, which is used by the Company in operating the
feedlot facility. The Company co-signed the loan because of the importance to
the Company of the equipment securing the loan.
The Company may use equipment leased from Miller Feed Lots as collateral
for its own operating loans.
The Company entered into a loss sharing agreement with Miller Feed Lots,
whereby Miller Feed Lots assumed $514,323 of losses for the Company in 2002, and
another $85,403 of losses to February 28, 2003. The Company will assume all
losses after February 28, 2003 to the Closing Date. These losses are being
repaid by the Company from the proceeds of the asset sale transaction.
The Company has a note receivable from Miller Feed Lots of $300,000, which
was incurred to provide money to Miller Feed Lots to acquire additional feeder
cattle to place in the Company's feedlot. This loan matured May 31, 2003 and was
renewed. The note is unsecured and bears interest at 6% per annum. A total of
$18,000 interest was paid to the Company during fiscal year 2002. The note is
subordinated to Miller Feed Lots mortgagor.
21
MARKET INFORMATIONBecause of the prolonged drought in Colorado, the wide fluctuations in the
grain market and in the fat cattle market, Miller Feed Lots is assuming
significant risk in purchasing the cattle on feed. The Company will pay $250,000
to Miller Feed Lots to cover any possible loss by them on the feeder cattle
being purchased by Miller Feed Lots in the asset sale transaction.
All of the above transactions between the Company and its directors, and
with Miller Feed Lots are subject to the conflict of interest situation
described under the caption CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. Because of the conflicts of
interest, these contracts were not negotiated on an arms-length basis, but all
transactions between the Company and its affiliated officers and directors were
on the same terms and conditions as available to non-affiliated parties.
Management believes that transactions between the Company and Miller Feed Lots
were on the same basis as could have been obtained with unaffiliated third
parties.
BORROWED FUNDS
The Company has an operating line of credit with Farm Credit Services for
$300,000, and a procurement line of credit for $300,000. In addition, the
Company had a cattle feeding line of credit with Farm Credit Services for
$3,000,000, and an investor feeding line for $2,000,000. The procurement lines
give the Company the ability to buy feeder cattle for the feed yard prior to
assigning them to a customer. The cattle feeding line was for the Company's own
cattle on feed for slaughter, and the investor feeding line is for customers
needing financing to feed cattle within the feed yard. Each line of credit bears
interest 1/2 % over the prime interest rate.
The Farm Credit Services lines of credit matured in December 2002, but the
Company may feed out cattle which were acquired with funds available under the
credit line. The credit line was collateralized by inventories, accounts
receivable, and cattle financing notes receivable. They are also guaranteed by
Norman M. Dean and James E. Miller, directors of the Company and of Miller Feed
Lots, and are subject to various covenants, including a minimum working capital
and cash margins per head. Farm Credit Services has refused to renew the
$3,000,000 cattle feeding line of credit.
LOSS SHARING AGREEMENT WITH MILLER FEED LOTS
During the second quarter of 2002, the Company and Miller Feed Lots agreed
to share losses from the Company's fed cattle sales, retroactive to September 1,
2001. The agreement was with respect to any losses incurred by the Seller during
2002 in an amount not to exceed $600,000. Under the Agreement, if the Company
becomes delinquent in any lease payments, or if for any reason discontinues
cattle feeding with Miller Feed Lots, or upon demand by Miller Feed Lots, any
amounts advanced by Miller Feed Lots under the Agreement will be repaid under
terms to be negotiated by the two parties. Miller Feed Lots was motivated to
execute the Agreement because it was receiving lease payments of $10,750 per
month for the use of the feedlot facilities, and was concerned that the
Company's losses might result in the loss of its line of credit with Farm Credit
Services. For the year end of August 31, 2002, Miller Feed Lot's participation
from losses from the Company's fed cattle sales was $514,373. Miller Feed Lots
assumed additional losses of $85,403 to February 28, 2003. This amount equals
50% of the Company's total losses from fed cattle operations in 2002 and to
February 28, 2003.
22
MARKETS FOR THE COMMON STOCK AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The number of record holders of the Company's Common Stock is listed oncommon stock as of April 3,
2003 was 1439 according to information furnished by the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board
under the symbol MILR.Company's transfer
agent.
The following table sets forth the high and low bid pricesquotations for the
Common StockCompany's common stock, as reported by OTC Market Report. Accordingly, the National Quotation Bureau, LLC
forstock
quotations listed below are not necessarily indicative of future trading
activity or price trends.
Quarter Ended High Bid Low Bid
------------- -------- -------
2003
- ----
November 30, 2002 $.09 $.06
February 28, 2003 $.09 $.06
2002
- ----
November 30, 2001 $.09 $.07
February 28, 2002 $.09 $.07
May 31, 2002 $.09 $.06
August 31, 2002 $.09 $.06
2001
- ----
November 30, 2000 $.10 $.01
February 28, 2001 $.085 $.05
May 31, 2001 $.12 $.06
August 31, 2001 $.12 $.07
The above prices are believed to be representative interdealer quotations,
without retail markup, markdown, or commissions, and may not represent actual
transactions. The Company's stock is traded on the quarters indicated.
High Low
---- ---
1997
First Quarter..................... .1875 .09
Second Quarter.................... .20 .13
Third Quarter..................... .15 .12
Fourth Quarter.................... .12 .11
1998
First Quarter..................... .12 .09
Second Quarter.................... .10 .10
Third Quarter..................... .11 .10
Fourth Quarter.................... .09 .075
1999
First Quarter...................... .09 .07
Second Quarter .................... .09 .09
Third Quarter ..................... .09 .09
OnNASD Over-the Counter
Bulletin Board under the Record Date, there were approximately 1475 record owners of Common
Stock. The reported high bid, low bid and last sales price of the Common Stock
on July 2, 1998, the day prior to the public announcement of the proposed
Transaction, was .11 per share. The reported closing sale price on August __,
1999, three business days prior to the first mailing of this Proxy Statement,
was per share.trading symbol MILR.
The Company has not paid any dividends on its Common Stock since
organization,common stock and it isthe board of
directors presently intends to continue a policy of not contemplated thatpaying dividends, with
the expectation it will pay anybe a more attractive entity for acquisition or merger
into another business. The Company may authorize dividends in the future if it
believes a distribution would be in the best interest of stockholders. The terms
of the Company's preferred stock give it a preference on the Common Stockpayment of
dividends in the foreseeable future.any given year, but such dividends are not cumulative. There are
currently no Preferred Shares issued and outstanding. No leasing, financing, or
similar arrangements to which the Company is a party preclude or limit in any
manner the payment of any dividend.
MFL23
ITEM 2. THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION
This section of the proxy statement describes certain aspects of the sale
of substantially all our assets. We recommend that you read carefully the
complete Asset Purchase Agreement for the terms of the sale and other
information that may be important to you. The Asset Purchase Agreement is
included in this proxy statement as Appendix A.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS TO THE STOCKHOLDERS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
"FOR" THE PROPOSAL TO SELL SUBSTANTIALLY ALL THE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY TO MILLER
FEED LOTS FOR A PROMISSORY NOTE, PAYABLE $100,000 PER YEAR PRINCIPAL, PLUS
INTEREST, AND THE ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES. THE BOARD HAS DETERMINED
THAT THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION PROPOSAL IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE
STOCKHOLDERS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY ARE ALSO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF MILLER FEED LOTS AND HAVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH RESPECT TO
THIS RECOMMENDATION. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY WILL VOTE ALL THEIR
SHARES TO APPROVE THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION.
REASONS FOR THE SALE OF ASSETS
In reaching its determination to approve the asset sale transaction, the
board considered several material positive factors as follows:
1. Federal and State Taxation Considerations. Federal income tax laws are
of particular significance to the Company's cattle feeding customers.
Legislation has eroded previous benefits related to the prepayment of feed costs
and have defined cattle feeding as a privately held companypassive activity unless the feeder has
substantial other agricultural involvements, and additional legislation could be
enacted which would have further adverse effects. Cattle feeding customers who
are found to be passive investors cannot offset income derived from salary or
active business income against passive losses. This tax legislation has resulted
in fewer customers feeding cattle primarily for a tax deferral and fewer cattle
being fed in the Company's feedlot in recent years. Some of the Company's custom
feeders engaged in the cattle feeding business because the available of
deducting losses from passing activity was a benefit to their overall federal
taxation situation. Most of the Company's custom feeders now analyze cattle
feeding based on profit potential without significant regard to tax
considerations.
2. Farm Credit Services Terminates Line of Credit. Farm Credit Services
which had provided a credit line of $3,000,000 has advised the Company that the
line of credit which matured December 31, 2002 will not be renewed. Management
was aware of other companies which provide credit for the cattle feeding
business and solicited three such companies for a credit facility for the
Company and its sharescustom feeders who desired credit arrangements. The Company has
been unable to secure capital for cattle feeding from these other sources.
Without sufficient capital, it is not possible to continue in the cattle feeding
business.
3. Competition. The Company competes with a number of local, regional and
national companies which provide similar products and services. Some of these
companies are not publicly traded.
30
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerningbetter established and/or have greater financial resources than
does the compensationCompany. (See COMPETITION).
4. Market Fluctuations Affect Profitability. Generally, the prices
associated with all segments of agriculture and livestock production are subject
to substantial fluctuations over both long periods and short periods of time. A
significant change in consumption in the United States or abroad of beef and/or
cattle feed may adversely affect the number of cattle being fed in Company feed
lots, and thus affect the profitability of the Chief Executive OfficerCompany. Grain shortages can
increase the price of feed and decrease the profitability of finishing cattle
which may also result in fewer cattle being fed for customers by the Company.
The Company has not experienced grain shortages in the past and does not
anticipate shortages of grain in the foreseeable future. However, corn prices
have increased due to the 2002 and 2003 drought in the country's corn belt.
Changes in the price of feed, feeder cattle and fed cattle may significantly
affect the Company's profits.
24
Certain segments of the cattle industry have experienced significant losses
from operations. During certain periods in the past there have been times when
total costs of feeder cattle plus the feed to finish the cattle have exceeded
the market price for finished cattle. These fluctuations have caused the Company
and its custom feeders to suffer losses.
5. Lack of Governmental Price Supports and Restrictions on Volume of
Production have a Negative Effect on Profitability for the three year period ended
August 31, 1998.Cattle Feeding
Business. There wereare no other executivegovernmental price support payments for cattle and no
restrictions on volume of production. Although finished cattle are readily
marketable, they must be sold when they reach slaughter weight at the then
prevailing market price because to continue feeding beyond such time is not
economical. The risks associated with such market fluctuations and the rapid
changes in supply and demand of agricultural products can adversely affect the
Company and its custom feeders, and may indirectly affect the Company's revenues
and profits. (See COMPANY BUSINESS - GENERAL).
6. Inherent Business Risks Affect Profitability of the Cattle Feeding
Business. Agricultural operations are subject to risks of disease, epidemic,
accident, weather, theft and unavailability of transportation, among others. It
is possible that the Company will not carry sufficient insurance to cover such
losses should they occur. Securing insurance to cover all such losses in many
cases would be uneconomical or unavailable to the Company. (See COMPANY BUSINESS
- - GENERAL)
General. The above factors favor the asset sale transaction, which will
result in the termination of the Company's cattle feeding business. The
Company's existence as a shell corporation, which is available for acquisition
by an entity in another business, is considered by management to be favorable to
the unaffiliated stockholders. The affiliated stockholders (being the directors
and officers of the Company whoseand Miller Feed Lots) have made a determination to
remain in the cattle feeding business because they understand its risks and are
willing to endure them. Management believes the unaffiliated stockholders are
better served by terminating their involvement in the cattle feeding business in
favor of an opportunity to become involved in another business which might be
profitable, although there is no assurance an acquiring entity would be a
profitable business. Another alternative would be to consummate the asset sale
transaction and then dissolve the Company. Management believes the fact that the
Company has stockholders will be in its favor, when and if it is analyzed for
acquisition by an acquiring company, and that scenario is more favorable than
dissolution.
Material negative factors considered by the board of directors in reaching
its determination are:
1. Stockholders May Want to be Invested in the Cattle Feeding Business.
Stockholders invested in the Company knowing it was in the cattle feeding
business and that such business was a high risk activity. The proposal to sell
assets of the Company will take stockholders out of the cattle feeding business,
which is a business in which they may want to be invested.
25
2. Problems with Shell Corporations. Any acquisition of the Company as a
shell corporation might result in a change of ownership of more than 50%, which
would affect utilization of tax loss carry forwards. The Company has a history
of losses for tax purposes. We have reported losses for the past three years.
The Company's auditors have advised the Company that as of August 31, 2002,
there was a tax loss carry forward of $738,230 which will expire from 2012 to
2022. There is an additional tax loss carry forward of $1,133,362 subject to
limitation of use of $53,710 per year. This net operating loss expires 2003 to
2012. If there is a gain on the sale of assets, any such gain would be a capital
gain, which may be written off against operating loss carry forwards. If, as a
result of an acquisition of the Company after it becomes a shell corporation,
any change of ownership of the Company by more than 50% would affect utilization
of tax loss carry forwards, and utilization of the tax loss carry forwards as
described above might be lost. The actual amount of (profit-loss) will not be
known until the Acquired Assets are valued as of the Closing Date and results of
operation for the year are known. The Company was aware of these facts
concerning tax loss carry forwards at the time the transaction with Miller Feed
Lots was completed, but approved the asset sale transaction because the
cancellation by Farm Credit Services of the Company's line of credit for cattle
purchases would prevent the Company from continuing in business as a cattle
feeding operation for the period of time required to realize the benefits of the
tax loss carry forwards. Consideration to be received from Miller Feed Lots for
the asset sale transaction will not be affected by this treatment of the
operating loss carry forward (See USE OF PROCEEDS).
SUMMARY OF the ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
We believe this summary describes the material terms of the Agreement,
whereby the Company sells substantially all of its assets to Miller Feed Lots.
Much of the information provided in this section is summarized from the
Agreement. We recommend that you read carefully the complete Agreement for the
terms of the asset sale transaction and other information that may be important
to you. The Asset Purchase Agreement is included in this proxy statement as
Appendix A.
CONSIDERATION
The consideration we will receive in the asset sale transaction is the
Purchaser's promissory note. The amount of this note is unknown because it
depends upon the market value of assets (primarily cattle and grain inventory)
to be sold, which will be determined on the Closing Date. The value of inventory
and other assets to be sold as of February 28, 2003 was $596,544 after
adjustments of $599,776 to Miller Feed Lots for the Loss Sharing Agreement,
$250,000 to Miller Feed Lots for the termination fee of the lease of feedlot
facilities, and $250,000 to Miller Feed Lots to assume losses on the cattle to
be transferred. This amount will change before the Closing Date because the
market value of the assets to be sold will change. The Company has estimated the
net proceeds to the Company from the asset sale transaction will be within a
range of $200,000 to $600,000. The assets being sold are subject to significant
market changes over the short term, and the actual net proceeds to the Company
from the asset sale transaction may be significantly different than our estimate
of the net proceeds to the Company based on February 28, 2003 figures or our
estimate of the range of net proceeds to the Company on the Closing Date. The
consideration due us will be represented by Miller Feed Lots' promissory note,
which will bear interest at the rate of 5% per year and will be payable $100,000
per year plus interest annually until fully paid. Payment of the note will be
secured by a second mortgage on the feedlot facilities to be acquired by Miller
Feed Lots. The Company will have approximately $2,211 cash and notes receivable
within an estimated range of $200,000 to $600,000 after the asset sale
transaction has been completed.
Because two members of the board of directors of the Company are also on
the board of directors and own Miller Feed Lots, the board of directors of the
Company have a conflict of interest. See the caption CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The
Company is turning to appraisers to determine the market value of the Acquired
Assets. Market value for cattle will be the amount determined by an independent
appraiser to be the amount that a packer would pay for finished cattle, or a
third party (such as another feeder) would pay for cattle requiring further
feeding before they were ready to sell to a packer as finished cattle. The value
of other assets to be sold, which is property and equipment and certain
receivables, will be adjusted to market value at the Closing Date. Market value
for property and equipment will be a value determined by an independent
appraiser to be the price that an independent third party would pay for the
items on the Closing Date. This figure may be more or less than the book value
on the Company's financial statements. The fair value of receivables will be
their book value as shown on the Company's financial statement on the Closing
Date. In the same manner, the value of payables and other liabilities to be
assumed by Miller Feed Lots will be valued at their book value on the Company's
financial statements on the Closing Date.
26
The total value of all assets to be sold will be adjusted down by $599,776
to repay Miller Feed Lots for its assumption of 50% of our losses in 2002 and to
February 28, 2003. The Company will bear all additional losses from February 28,
2003 to the Closing Date. This adjustment is pursuant to an agreement between
the Company and Miller Feed Lots, which allowed them to reclaim their portion of
the assumed losses at their election. See the caption LOSS SHARING AGREEMENT.
The value of the Acquired Assets will also be adjusted down by $250,000 to
compensate Miller Feed Lots for the cancellation of the feedlot facility lease.
This adjustment is supported in a letter received from the Company's auditors,
Anderson & Whitney, stating that while they had not been provided with a recent
appraisal of the Lease Agreement, subject to the effect of any such appraisal on
their consideration, they believe that, to the relative position of the Company
stockholders, the $250,000 termination fee is reasonable under the
circumstances. Anderson & Whitney were asked to provide this assessment because
of their familiarity with the lease and its value to the Company. Anderson &
Whitney are the Company's auditors, and they were involved in the preparation of
the Unaudited Proforma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement included with
the Asset Purchase Agreement and the unaudited financial statements of the
Seller included with the Asset Purchase Agreement. The Company will pay Anderson
& Whitney $500 for their assessment. The $250,000 for the adjustment was
determined by the Company and Miller Feed Lots, and Anderson & Whitney was asked
to determine whether that amount was justified. The determination by the Company
of the amount is subject to the conflict of interest because the directors of
the Company and the directors of Miller Feed Lots are the same. The value of the
Acquired Assets will be adjusted down by another $250,000, which is an amount
agreed upon by the Company and Miller Feed Lots to cover the risk of loss to
Miller Feed Lots on the feeder cattle transferred. The Company asked Dennis
Stuehm to provide an assessment of the $250,000 adjustment to the purchase price
for the feedlot facility to cover the risk of loss to Miller Feed Lots on the
feeder cattle being transferred. The $250,000 adjustment is supported in a
letter received from Mr. Stuehm, who operates a feedlot in Ault, Colorado, which
is near the Company's feedlot facilities, advising Miller Feed Lots that after
the past two years of losses, the Company should pay $250,000 to Miller Feed
Lots to assume all responsibility for the feeder cattle to be sold. Mr. Stuehm
recites a number of factors affecting potential losses, including the war in
Iraq, large beef buyers cutting back on purchases, two years of historical
losses at $75 to $150 per head, concerns of health in the beef industry caused
by packer concentration, and historically the markets for the summer months are
very weak. Mr. Stuehm concluded that the potential loss could be in excess of
$250,000. The Company will pay Mr. Stuehm $500 for his assessment. Because of
this adjustment we will bear no further risk of loss on the feeder cattle
included in the Acquired Assets. This adjustment absolves the Company of any
further charge for losses on the cattle acquired by Miller Feed Lots. Mr. Stuehm
is an experienced feedlot operator, having been in the business for more than 30
years, and is familiar with the risks associated with feeding cattle. The
$250,000 adjustment was determined by the Company and Mr. Stuehm was asked to
determine whether or not the amount was fair to the Company and to Miller Feed
Lots. The determination by the Company as to the amount of this adjustment is
subject to the conflict of interest of the Company's directors, because they are
also directors of Miller Feed Lots, the Purchaser in the asset sale transaction.
The letter from Anderson & Whitney and from Dennis Stuehm will be available
for inspection and copying at the principal executive offices of the Company
during its regular business hours by any interested stockholder of the Company,
or representative, who has been so designated in writing.
27
APPRAISERS
The Company has not obtained an independent appraisal of the assets to be
sold or a fairness opinion for the terms of the asset sale transaction because
the sale price cannot be determined until the Closing Date, which will be after
the Special Meeting called to approve the asset sale transaction. The asset sale
transaction has not been reviewed by any independent group, such as a special
committee, because the directors of the Company are also the directors of Miller
Feed Lots and thus have a conflict of interest. There are no independent
directors to form a special committee. The Company instead relies on independent
appraisers to value the market value of the assets to be sold to Miller Feed
Lots. This reliance depends, of course, upon the quality and independence of the
appraisers. The identification of the appraisers and their qualification are set
forth below.
The board of directors of the Company selected Dennis Stuehm to fix the
market value of feeder cattle to be transferred by the Company to Miller Feed
Lots on the Closing Date. Mr. Stuehm has also provided an assessment of the
adjustment to the purchase price for the feedlot facilities to cover the risk of
loss to purchaser on the feeder cattle being transferred. As indicated above,
under the caption CONSIDERATION, Mr. Stuehm owns and operates a competing
feedlot at Ault, Colorado. Dennis Stuehm is the father of Lowell Stuehm, who is
on the staff of the Company as its accountant. The cattle to be transferred by
the Company to Miller Feed Lots as a part of the asset sale transaction will be
weighed, and Mr. Stuehm will determine the market value of the cattle as of the
Closing Date based on their sex and weight. Mr. Stuehm will take into
consideration all factors that affect the price packers will pay for finished
cattle on the Closing Date, such as the numbers of cattle coming to market at
that time, the health and physical condition of the cattle, and the packers'
requirements for cattle at the Closing Date. Cattle which are not yet finished
and ready for slaughter will be valued as cattle requiring further feeding and
market value will depend upon how much further feeding is required and the
health and condition of the cattle. Neither the Company nor Miller Feed Lots
have had any business transactions with Mr. Stuehm. The Company will pay Mr.
Stuehm $500 for both appraisals.
The board of directors of the Company has selected Kreps and Weideman
Auctioneers to determine the market value of property and equipment to be sold.
Kreps and Weideman have 20 years experience in the auction business and they
routinely sell equipment such as that to be sold by the Company to Miller Feed
Lots as a part of the asset sale transaction. Market value for property and
equipment will be a value determined by the appraiser to be a price that an
independent third party would pay for the items on the Closing Date. This amount
may be more or less than the book value on the Company's financial statements.
The Company will pay Kreps and Weideman $500 for their services in performing
this appraisal.
The value of receivables to be purchased by Miller Feed Lots and payables
and other liabilities to be assumed by Miller Feed Lots will be valued at their
book value on the Company's financial statements on the Closing Date. This
valuation will be determined by Lowell Stuehm, who has been employed as an
accountant by the Company for more than 3 years. Mr. Lowell Stuehm will not be
paid any amount in addition to his normal salary for this work. The Company also
has grain in inventory as well as veterinary supplies. Mr. Lowell Stuehm will
determine the quantity in inventory on the Closing Date and bonuseswill calculate the
value of such items based on the last price paid by the Company for those items
when they were purchased.
ASSETS SOLD
Subject to, and upon the terms and conditions of, the Asset Purchase
Agreement, we are selling to Miller Feed Lots substantially all our assets,
including most of our cash, receivables, and inventory consisting of our cattle
on feed in the feedlot and contracts with customers to feed customer cattle in
the feedlot facility. We will also sell our prepaid expenses. Presently we lease
the feedlot facilities from Miller Feed Lots and that lease will be cancelled.
We will pay a $250,000 cancellation charge. We will retain a small amount of
cash for incidental expenses after the Closing.
ASSUMED LIABILITIES
Miller Feed Lots will assume all our liabilities, except an obligation to
Foothills Financial Corporation for $106,134.44.
28
CLOSING
The closing of the asset sale transaction will take place at the end of the
calendar month following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to
closing, as stated in Article VII of the Agreement, or at such other time and
date as we and Miller Feed Lots may mutually agree.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
In the Agreement we represent and warrant to Miller Feed Lots with respect
to the matters set forth below
o We are a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Nevada.
o We have a total of 6,364,640 shares of common stock issued and
outstanding.
o The Agreement has been duly authorized and delivered by us and is
binding on us, subject to approval of our stockholders.
o Our performance of the Agreement will not violate our corporate
documents or any contract or law to which we are subject.
o We have delivered certain financial statements to Miller Feed Lots,
which accurately reflect our financial position at and as of the dates
thereof.
o Except as we have specifically disclosed to Miller Feed Lots, we have
no undisclosed liabilities; there have been no material adverse
changes in our financial condition since the date of our latest
balance sheet provided to Miller Feed Lots, except for liabilities
incurred after the date of Seller's Balance Sheet and prior to the
Closing Date in the ordinary course of business; we have paid all
required taxes; we are not involved in any material litigation; we
have provided to Miller Feed Lots a list of all employees; we are in
compliance with all laws applicable to the feedlot business being
transferred; we own all the assets being transferred, free and clear
of all claims by other parties; we do not own any trademarks or trade
names or other proprietary rights, and are not unlawfully using
proprietary rights of other parties; we have no employee benefit plans
other than health insurance to which employees contribute 50% of the
premium.
o The assets being transferred are in good operating condition, subject
to ordinary wear and tear; accounts receivable being transferred are
valid and collectible as shown on our balance sheet; inventories being
transferred are of quality and quantity usable in the business; the
assets being transferred are not subject to undisclosed contracts or
agreements; accounts payable being assumed were fairly incurred
liabilities; and we have such insurance for coverages which are usual
and customary in the feedlot business.
o All written material being furnished to Miller Feed Lots do not
contain any untrue statements of material facts, or omit to state
facts necessary to make the statements made in the light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
o Since the date of our latest balance sheet provided to Miller Feed
Lots, we have taken no actions that would be prohibited under the
Agreement without the prior consent of Miller Feed Lots.
29
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MILLER FEED LOTS
In the Agreement, Miller Feed Lots represents and warrants to us with
respect to the following matters:
o Miller Feed Lots is a Colorado corporation, with power and authority
to enter into the Agreement.
o The Agreement has been approved by Miller Feed Lots and constitutes a
binding agreement of Miller Feed Lots.
o No consent of any third party is required for Miller Feed Lots to
perform the Agreement and it does not conflict with any of its
corporate documents, contracts or any law by which it is bound or any
agreement that would prevent consummation of the Agreement.
o Miller Feed Lots has delivered to us its unaudited financial
statements as at February 2003, and for the 11 months then ended. Such
financial statements accurately reflect the financial position of
Miller Feed Lots.
COVENANTS OF MILLER FEED LOTS
Miller Feed Lots has covenanted with us that they will take every action
reasonably required of it to satisfy the conditions to the Closing; that it will
cooperate with us in carrying out the transactions required in the Asset
Purchase Agreement; that it will bear all its own expenses in connection with
the Asset Purchase Agreement; and that it will continue health insurance
benefits for employees in the form provided by Pacific Life and Annuity.
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
We have agreed that we will take all actions reasonably required to satisfy
conditions to Closing; that we will afford to Miller Feed Lots reasonable access
to the feedlot facilities; that prior to the Closing we will conduct the feedlot
operations only in the ordinary course of business, unless Miller Feed Lots
consents in writing to other action; we will cooperate with Miller Feed Lots in
carrying out the transactions contemplated by the Agreement; we will bear our
costs and expenses in connection with the Agreement; we will update our exhibits
and disclosure documents to reflect any changes prior to the Closing; and we
will timely pay all unassumed liabilities.
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
The obligations of Miller Feed Lots to effect the asset sale transaction is
subject to fulfillment of the following conditions unless Miller Feed Lots
waives such fulfillment:
o The Agreement and the asset sale transaction shall have received all
approvals, consents, authorizations and waivers required to consummate
the transaction;
o There shall not be in effect a preliminary or permanent injunction
which prohibits the transaction;
o We shall have performed each of our agreements and obligations
contained in the Agreement and required to be performed by us prior to
the Closing;
o There shall have been no material adverse change in the Acquired
Business or the Acquired Assets between the date of our Balance Sheet
and the Closing;
o Our representations and warranties set forth in the Asset Purchase
Agreement shall be true in all material respects as of the date of the
Agreement and as of the Closing Time;
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY
Our obligation under the Agreement is subject to fulfillment prior to the
Closing of the following conditions:
o The Agreement and the asset sale transaction shall have received all
necessary approvals, consents, authorizations and waivers;
o There shall not be effect a preliminary or permanent injunction
prohibiting consummation of the transaction;
o Miller Feed Lots shall have performed all its obligations required to
be performed prior to the Closing;
o The representations and warranties of Miller Feed Lots shall be true
as of the date of the Agreement and as of the Closing Time.
30
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, WAIVER, RELIEF
The Agreement and the asset sale transaction may be terminated at any time
prior to the Closing, whether before or after any approval by stockholders in
either of the following ways:
o By mutual consent of Miller Feed Lots and the Company;
o By either Miller Feed Lots or the Company, upon written notice to the
other, if the conditions to such party's obligations to consummate the
asset sale transaction as provided in the Agreement were not, or
cannot reasonably be, satisfied on or before 30 days after the date of
the Agreement, unless the failure of condition is the result of the
material breach of the Agreement by the party seeking to terminate.
At any time prior to the Closing, we or Miller Feed Lots by action taken by
the respective boards of Directors, may extend the time for performance of any
of the obligations or other acts of the parties, or waive compliance with any of
the agreements or conditions contained in the Asset Purchase Agreement. Any
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of the party granting the waiver.
In the event of liability of Miller Feed Lots or us prior to the Closing,
we and Miller Feed Lots acknowledge that monetary damages will not reasonably be
calculable, and agree that specific performance and injunctive relief should be
available to Miller Feed Lots. If for any reason the asset sale transaction
shall be terminated before the Closing, the Purchaser and we shall be restored
to our positions before the Agreement and each shall pay his own expenses
relating to this Agreement.
ARBITRATION
If a dispute arises out of or relates to the Asset Purchase Agreement, or
the breach thereof, the parties will try in good faith to resolve the dispute by
mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association under the
Commercial Financial Disputes Mediation Rules, before resorting to arbitration.
Thereafter, any unresolved controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
the Asset Purchase Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be resolved by
arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance
with its Commercial Financial Disputes Arbitration Rules, and judgment upon the
award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof pursuant to applicable law. This mediation and arbitration
proceeding does not limit the right of the parties to seek judicial equitable
relief including, but not limited to, injunctive relief and the appointment of a
receiver.
Neither we nor Miller Feedlots shall bring any action with respect to the
Agreement or the asset sale transaction unless the aggregate amount of all
claims so asserted exceeds $10,000, but this shall not prevent actions seeking
injunctions or other equitable forms of relief.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION
The gain or loss on the sale of assets will be recorded in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.
31
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION
GENERAL
The following summary of the anticipated material federal income tax
consequences to us on the asset sale transaction to Miller Feed Lots is not
intended to be a complete description of the federal income tax consequences of
the proposed asset sale transaction. This summary is based upon the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and
the administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as presently in
effect. Each of these authorities is subject to change, possibly with
retroactive effects; thus, we cannot assure you that future legislation,
regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions will not
significantly change the federal income tax consequences discussed herein.
No rulings have been requested or received from the Internal Revenue
Service as to the matters discussed in this proxy statement, and there is no
intent to seek any rulings. Accordingly, we can provide no assurance that the
Internal Revenue Service will not challenge the tax treatment of certain matters
discussed, or, if it does challenge the tax treatment, that it will not be
successful.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE COMPANY
A determination whether the Company will recognize a gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes upon the asset sale transaction and transfer of
certain liabilities to Miller Feedlots pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement
will be made as of the Closing Date when values can be fixed for the various
assets being transferred. The determination of whether gain or loss is
recognized will be made with respect to each of the assets to be sold.
Accordingly, we may recognize gain on the sale of some assets and a loss on the
sale of others. The amount of gain or loss recognized by us with respect to the
sale of a particular asset will be measured by the difference between the amount
realized by us on the sale of that asset, and our tax basis in that asset. The
amount realized on the sale will include the amount of cash received, plus the
amount of liabilities assumed by Miller Feed Lots. For purposes of determining
the amount realized by us with respect to specific assets, the total amount
realized will generally be allocated among the assets according to the rules
prescribed under the Internal Revenue Code.
We cannot compute the amount of gain that we might recognize as a result of
the asset sale transaction until gains and losses from other transactions during
the taxable year are known. Based on the UNAUDITED PROFORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS appearing below, the Company expects to show a
loss on the asset sale transaction. Those proforma calculations are computed as
if the asset sale transaction occurred on February 28, 2003, or on September 1,
2002. The identity of assets has changed since those dates, and will change more
prior to the Closing Date.
The asset sale transaction may subject us to state or local income, sales,
or other tax liabilities.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Company upon closing the asset sale transaction
cannot be accurately determined at this time. The net proceeds will be applied
to the payment of liabilities not assumed by Miller Feed Lots. These liabilities
may be carried until annual payments on the Miller Feed Lots purchase money
promissory note are paid. After all liabilities have been satisfied, payments
made on the Miller Feed Lots promissory note will be retained by the Company in
interest-bearing accounts or investments, to be held by the Company until an
acceptable acquisition proposal is made.
The liability we will retain after the asset sale transaction is a note
payable to Foothills Financial Corporation in the amount of $106,134.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial
statements give effect to the proposed sale of substantially all assets and
liabilities to Miller Feed Lots, Inc. pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement
dated April 17, 2003. This pro forma information has been prepared using the
historical consolidated financial statements.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of February
28, 2003 sets forth the effect of the sales transaction as if it occurred on
February 28, 2003. This presentation uses an estimated adjusted sales price
calculated as of February 28, 2003 of $346.544 and corresponding loss on sale of
$1,138,355.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for
the year ended August 31, 1998 exceeded $100,000.2002 and the six months ended February 28, 2003 set
forth the effect of the sales transaction as if it occurred on September 1,
2001. This presentation uses an estimated adjusted sales price calculated as of
September 1, 2001 of $1,385,339 and corresponding loss on sale of $394,163.
32
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation
------------------- ----------------------
Awards PayoutsMILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma
February 28, 2003 Historical Adjustments Pro forma
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
- ------
-------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
Other All
Restricted Other
Name and Year Ended Annual Compen- Stock Options/ LTIP Compen-
Principal Position August 31 Salary($) Bonus($) sation($) Awards($) SARs(#) Payouts($) sation($)Current Assets:
- ------------------ --------- --------- -------- --------- --------- -------- ---------- -------------------------
James E.Cash $ 185,956 [1] $ (183,745) $ 2,211
Receivables:
Trade accounts 343,881 [1] (343,881) --
Accounts receivable - related parties 899,434 [1] (899,434) --
Notes - cattle financing 287,504 [1] (287,504) --
Inventories 3,116,544 [1] (3,116,544) --
Prepaid expenses and other 99,314 [1] (99,314) --
----------- ----------- -----------
Total Current Assets 4,932,633 (4,930,422) 2,211
----------- ----------- -----------
Property and Equipment:
- -----------------------
Feedlot facility under capital lease -
related party 1,497,840 [2] (1,497,840) --
Equipment 198,494 [1] (198,494) --
Leasehold improvements 187,767 [1] (187,767) --
----------- ----------- -----------
1,884,101 (1,884,101) --
----------- ----------- -----------
Less: Accumulated depreciation
and amortization 999,035 [2] (723,963) --
[1] (275,072)
----------- ----------- -----------
Total Property and Equipment 885,066 (885,066) --
----------- ----------- -----------
Other Assets:
- -----------
Note receivable - Miller 1998 $72,000Feed Lots, Inc. -- [1] 1,446,320 346,544
[2] (250,000)
[3] (599,776)
[4] (250,000)
Notes receivable - related parties 300,000 [1] (300,000) --
Deferred income taxes 350,756 [5] (350,756) --
Deposits and other 11,495 [1] (11,495) --
----------- ----------- -----------
Total Other Assets 662,251 (315,707) 346,544
----------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL ASSETS $ -6,479,950 $(6,131,195) $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Chief Executive 1997 72,000348,755
=========== =========== ===========
33
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma
February 28, 2003 Historical Adjustment Pro forma
- (300,000)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES
- -----------
Current Liabilities:
- Officer 1996 72,000 10,000--------------------
Cash overdraft $ 662,372 [1] $ (662,372) $ --
Notes payable 3,008,120 [1] (3,008,120) --
Trade accounts payable 510,684 [1] (510,684) --
Accrued expenses 37,787 [1] (37,787) --
Current portion of:
Capital lease obligations - related party 31,227 [2] (31,227) --
Long-term debt - (300,000)related party 65,087 65,087
----------- ----------- ----------
Total Current Liabilities 4,315,277 (4,250,190) 65,087
Capital Lease Obligation - Related Party 856,448 [2] (856,448) --
Long-Term Debt - Related Party 41,047 41,047
----------- ----------- ----------
Total Liabilities 5,212,772 (5,106,638) 106,134
----------- ----------- ----------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------
Preferred Stock -- --
Common Stock 636 636
Additional Paid-In Capital 1,351,693 1,351,693
Retained Earnings (26,776) [1] 312,177 (1,051,333)
[2] (136,202)
[3] (599,776)
[4] (250,000)
[5] (350,756)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (58,375) (58,375)
----------- ----------- ----------
Total Stockholders' Equity 1,267,178 (1,024,557) 242,621
----------- ----------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 6,479,950 $(6,131,195) $ 348,755
=========== =========== ==========
Explanatory Notes:
Pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet assumes sales transaction
occurred on February 28, 2003.
[1] Record sale of identified assets and assumption of identified liabilities
for unadjusted sales price of $1,446,320 (adjustments recorded per
[2,3,4]).
[2] Record cancellation of the capital lease obligation, including termination
fee of $250,000.
[3] Record $599,776 deduction from sales price for Purchaser's participation in
losses from Seller's fed cattle sales from September 1, 2001 to February
28, 2003.
[4] Record $250,000 adjustment to sales price for risk of loss on cattle being
transferred from Seller to Purchaser.
[5] Record increase in allowance for deferred tax assets as the sales
transaction reduces likelihood of net operating losses being used in future
years and eliminate deferred taxes for other temporary differences.
34
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma
Year Ended August 31, 2002 Historical Adjustments Pro forma
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue:
- -------
Feed and related sales $ 4,300,696 [2] $ (4,300,696) $ --
Fed cattle sales 6,088,896 [2] (6,088,896) --
Feedlot services 906,487 [2] (906,487) --
Interest income 44,564 [2] (44,564) --
Interest income - related party 18,000 [2] (18,000) 69,267
[3] 69,267
Other income 62,471 [2] (62,471) --
------------ ------------ -----------
Total Revenue 11,421,114 (11,351,847) 69,267
------------ ------------ -----------
Costs and Expenses:
- ------------------
Cost of:
-------
Feed and related sales 3,531,212 [2] (3,531,212) --
Fed cattle sold 6,603,268 [2] (6,603,268) --
Feedlot services 859,326 [2] (859,326) --
Selling, general, and administrative 725,123 [2] (720,123) 5,000
Interest 40,241 [2] (40,241) --
Interest on note payable - related party 119,775 [2] (101,010) 18,765
------------ ------------ ------------
Total Costs and Expenses 11,878,945 (11,855,180) 23,765
------------ ------------ ------------
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (457,831) 503,333 45,502
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 25,411 [2] (8,241) 228,481
[4] 211,311
------------ ------------ ------------
Net Income (Loss) before Disposition of Business (457,831) 300,263 (182,979)
Loss on Disposition of Business -- [1] (394,163) (394,163)
------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (483,242) (93,900) $ (577,142)
============ ============ ============
INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.08) $ (0.09)
============ ============
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding 6,364,640 6,364,640
============ ============
Explanatory Notes:
Pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations assumes the sales
transaction occurred September 1, 2002.
[1] Record sale of identified assets and assumption of identified liabilities
as if it occurred September 1, 2001 for an estimated sales price at that
date of $1,385,339
[2] Remove revenue and expenses related to assets sold and liabilities assumed.
[3] Record interest income on $1,385,339 note receivable from Purchaser.
[4[ Record increase in allowance for deferred tax asset as sales transaction
reduces likelihood of net operating losses being used in future years and
eliminate deferred taxes for other temporary differences.
35
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma
Six Months Ended February 28, 2003 Historical Adjustments Pro forma
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue:
Feed and related sales $ 2,024,259 [1] $(2,024,259) $ --
Fed cattle sales 1,538,455 [1] (1,538,455) --
Feedlot services 303,287 [1] (303,287) --
Interest income 2,193 [1] (2,193) --
Interest income - related party 9,000 [1] (9,000) 34,633
[2] 34,633
Other income 33,920 [1] (33,920) --
----------- ----------- ----------
Total Revenue 3,911,114 (3,909,146) 34,633
----------- ----------- ----------
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of:
Feed and related sales 1,693,116 [1] (1,693,116) --
Fed cattle sold 1,623,857 [1] (1,623,857) --
Feedlot services 368,882 [1] (368,882) --
Selling, general, and administrative 336,381 [1] (335,381) 1,000
Interest 20,094 [1] (20,094) --
Interest on note payable - related party 55,560 [1] (49,314) 6,246
----------- ----------- ----------
Total Costs and Expenses 4,097,890 (4,090,644) 7,246
----------- ----------- ----------
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (186,776) 214,163 27,387
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 25,411 [1] (25,411) --
----------- ----------- ----------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (212,187) $ 239,574 $ 27,387
=========== =========== ==========
INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.03)
=========== ==========
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding 6,364,640 6,364,640
=========== ==========
Explanatory Notes:
Pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations assumes the sales
transaction occurred September 1, 2001.
[1] Remove revenue and expenses related to assets sold and liabilities assumed
on September 1, 2001.
[2] Record interest income on $1,385,339 note receivable from Purchaser.
In January 1997, the Board of Directors rescinded the following options,
which had been granted in the year ended August 31, 1996:
James E. Miller 300,000 shares of common stock at .0605/share
Norman M. Dean 300,000 shares of common stock at .0605/share
Alan D. Gorden 100,000 shares of common stock at .0605/share
The Board rescinded the options when it was discovered that the stock
option plan under which they had been granted had expired.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS IN YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
% of Total
Options/SARs
Name and Granted to Exercise or
Principal Options/SARs Employees in Base Price Expiration
Position Granted (#) Fiscal Year ($/Share) Date
- -------- ----------- ----------- --------- ----
James E. Miller -0- .0% .0000
President
Norman M. Dean -0- .0% .0000
Chairman of the Board
Alan D. Gorden -0- .0% .0000
3136
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998
AND OPTION/SAR VALUE AS OF AUGUST 31, 1998
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Value of
Number of Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SARs Options/SARs
at FY-End (#) at FY-End ($)
Acquired on Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise (#) Realized Unexercisable Unexercisable
- -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------
James E. Miller 0 $0 0/0 $0/$0
Norman M. Dean 0 $0 0/0 $0/$0
Alan D. Gorden 0 $0 0/0 $0/$0
Compensation of Directors
- -------------------------
The Directors of the Company are entitled to receive fees of $500 per
quarter for meeting attended, and reimbursement for travel expenses. During the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1998, each Director received a total of $1,500 in
director fees. These fees may be increased or decreased from time-to-time by a
majority vote of the Board of Directors. Norman M. Dean is a part-time employee
of the Company at a salary of $3,000 per month.
Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangement
- -----------------------------------------------------------
The Company has no compensation plan or arrangement with any of its current
or former Officers or Directors which results or will result from the
resignation, retirement, or any other termination of such individual of
employment with the Company.
AUDITORS
It is anticipated that a representative of the Company's independent
accountant. Anderson & Whitney, P.C., will be present at the Meeting to answer
questions and make a statement if such representative so desires.
32
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
This Proxy Statement incorporates by reference the financial statements,
supplemental financial information and management's discussion and analysis of
the financial condition and results of operations regarding the Company included
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended August 31,
1998, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the quarters ended November 30,
1998, February 28, 1999 and May 31, 1999, and its Form 8-K filed February 3,
1999. Copies of the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-KSB for the year ended
August 31, 1998 as well as the Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended May 31, 1999
are enclosed.
The statements contained in a document incorporated by reference in this
Proxy Statement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Proxy Statement to the extent that a statement contained in this Proxy Statement
or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated by
reference in this Proxy Statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this Proxy Statement.
The Company will provide, without charge, to each person to whom this Proxy
Statement is delivered, upon written or verbal request of such person, by first
class mail or other equally prompt means within one business day of receipt of
such request, a copy of any and all information that has been incorporated by
reference in the Proxy Statement (not including the exhibits to the information
that is incorporated by reference unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference to the information that this Proxy Statement
incorporates). Written requests should be addressed to:
Corporate Secretary
Miller Diversified Corporation
23360 Weld County Road 35
P.O. Box 937
LaSalle, Colorado 80645ITEM 3. OTHER MATTERS
The Boardboard of Directors does not intend to bring any otherdirectors knows of no business before
the meeting, and so far as is known to the Board, no matters are to be brought
beforepresented for action at
the special meeting except as specified indescribed above. If other matters are properly
presented for a vote, the notice of the meeting. However, as
to any other business that may properly come before the meeting, it is intended
that proxies in the form enclosed, will be voted in respect thereofupon such matters (including
matters incident to the conduct of the meeting) in accordance with the judgment
of the persons voting suchacting under the proxies.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
ProposalsINDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
A representative of stockholders intendedAnderson & Whitney P.C. is expected to be presentedpresent at
the 1999special meeting. He will have an opportunity to make a statement if he so
desires, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
STOCKHOLDERS' PROPOSALS FOR 2004 ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders' proposals for the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders must be
received bysubmitted in writing to the secretary at the address set forth on the first page
of this proxy statement a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and
mail its proxy materials. Based on orthe Company's usual schedule for preparing
its proxy statement for annual meetings, shareholder proposals should be
submitted before September
15, 1999,August 11, 2004, in order to be eligiblepresented at the annual meeting
or be considered for inclusion in the Company's 2004 proxy statement and proxy.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED PROXY.
_______, 2003 Miller Diversified Corporation
37
EXHIBITS
3.1 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Amendments (except the Amendment
described in 3.2 below) thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-26285)
3.2 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation dated January 22, 1990, providing for
1:250 reverse stock split and reduction in number of authorized shares
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Registration Statement
No. 33-40461)
10.1 Long-Term Lease of Feedlot Facilities dated August 1, 1992 that constitutes
an amendment to the original lease dated February 1, 1991 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended August
31, 1992)
10.2 Equipment Sale and Purchase Agreement dated August 13, 1992 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended August
31, 1992)
10.3 Equipment Lease dated August 15, 1992 (incorporated by reference to
Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1992)
10.4 Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 17, 2003 appears at Appendix A to this
Proxy Statement
10.5 (Loss Sharing) Agreement dated February 4, 2002 appears as Appendix C to
this Proxy Statement.
38
APPENDIX A
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Between
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.
(Purchaser)
and
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION
(Seller)
Dated: April 17, 2003
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article I DEFINITIONS.......................................................A-1
1.1 Acquired Assets.................................................A-1
1.2 Acquired Business...............................................A-1
1.3 Acquired Business Disclosure Document...........................A-2
1.4 Acquired Facilities.............................................A-2
1.5 Affiliate.......................................................A-2
1.6 Agreement.......................................................A-2
1.7 Asset Sale Transaction..........................................A-2
1.8 Assumed Liabilities.............................................A-2
1.9 Audited Financial Statements....................................A-2
1.10 Auditors........................................................A-2
1.11 Closing.........................................................A-2
1.12 Closing Date....................................................A-2
1.13 Closing Time....................................................A-2
1.14 Consideration...................................................A-3
1.15 Control.........................................................A-3
1.16 Entity..........................................................A-3
1.17 Exchange Act....................................................A-3
1.18 GAAP............................................................A-3
1.19 Inventories.....................................................A-3
1.20 Liabilities.....................................................A-3
1.21 Payables........................................................A-3
1.22 Proprietary Rights..............................................A-3
1.23 Proxy Statement.................................................A-3
1.24 Purchaser.......................................................A-3
1.25 Purchaser's Balance Sheet.......................................A-4
1.26 Receivables.....................................................A-4
1.27 SEC.............................................................A-4
1.28 Securities Act..................................................A-4
1.29 Seller..........................................................A-4
1.30 Seller's Balance Sheet..........................................A-4
1.31 Subsidiary......................................................A-4
1.32 Unaudited Financial Statements of Seller........................A-4
Article II THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION.......................................A-4
2.1 The Asset Sale Transaction......................................A-4
2.2 Consideration...................................................A-5
2.3 Adjustments.....................................................A-5
2.4 Manner of Payment...............................................A-5
2.5 Closing.........................................................A-5
i
Article III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.....................A-6
3.1 Organization and Qualification..................................A-6
3.2 Authority Relative to This Agreement............................A-6
3.3 Absence of Breach; No Consents..................................A-6
3.4 Purchaser's Financial Statements................................A-6
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.........................A-7
4.1 Organization and Qualification..................................A-7
4.2 Capitalization..................................................A-7
4.3 Authority Relative to This Agreement............................A-7
4.4 Absence of Breach; No Consents..................................A-7
4.5 Financial Statements............................................A-8
4.6 Acquired Business Disclosure Document...........................A-8
4.7 Absence of Material Differences From Disclosure Document........A-8
4.8 Full Disclosure................................................A-11
4.9 Actions Since Balance Sheet Date...............................A-11
Article V COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER.......................................A-11
5.1 Affirmative Covenants..........................................A-11
5.2 Cooperation....................................................A-11
5.3 Expenses.......................................................A-11
5.4 Health Insurance...............................................A-11
5.5 Assumed Liabilities............................................A-11
Article VI COVENANTS OF THE SELLER.........................................A-12
6.1 Affirmative Covenants..........................................A-12
6.2 Access and Information.........................................A-12
6.3 Conduct of Business Pending the Closing........................A-12
6.4 Cooperation....................................................A-12
6.5 Expenses.......................................................A-12
6.6 Updating of Exhibits and Disclosure Documents..................A-12
6.7 Payment of Unassumed Liabilities...............................A-12
Article VII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING..........................................A-13
7.1 Conditions to Obligation of Purchaser..........................A-13
7.2 Conditions to Obligation of the Seller.........................A-13
Article VIII SECURITIES AND SECURITY HOLDERS...............................A-14
8.1 Meeting of Stockholders........................................A-14
8.2 Proxy Statement................................................A-14
ii
Article IX TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, WAIVER, RELIEF..........................A-14
9.1 Termination....................................................A-14
9.2 Amendment......................................................A-14
9.3 Waiver.........................................................A-15
9.4 Relief.........................................................A-15
9.5 Failure to Close...............................................A-15
Article X GENERAL PROVISIONS...............................................A-15
10.1 Arbitration....................................................A-15
10.2 Notices........................................................A-16
10.3 Interpretation.................................................A-16
10.4 Survival of Representations, Warranties........................A-17
10.5 De Minimis Claims..............................................A-17
10.6 Miscellaneous..................................................A-17
EXHIBIT A - Purchaser's Unaudited Financial Statement A-19
EXHIBIT B - Seller's Unaudited Financial Statements A-22
SCHEDULE 2.1 - Acquired Assets A-30
SCHEDULE 2.4 - Promissory Note A-35
SCHEDULE 4.6 - Acquired Business Disclosure Document A-36
iii
Execution Copy - 04/17/03
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Between
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.
(Purchaser)
and
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION
(Seller)
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made this 17th day of April, 2003, by and
among Miller Feed Lots Inc. (the Purchaser), a Colorado corporation, and Miller
Diversified Corporation (the Seller), a Nevada corporation, and provides for the
Purchaser to acquire substantially all of the assets of the Seller, subject to
the liabilities assumed in this Agreement by the Purchaser and no other
liabilities.
RECITALS
1. The Purchaser desires to acquire, on the terms and subject to the
conditions reflected below, the business of the Seller insofar as the same is
conducted through the use of the Acquired Assets; and
2. The Seller believes that it is desirable and in the best interests of
the Seller and its stockholders that it sell the Acquired Assets to the
Purchaser;
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Asset Purchase Agreement do hereby
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the terms identified below in this Article I
shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different and common meaning of the
term is clearly indicated by the context, and variants and derivatives of the
following terms shall have correlative meanings.
1.1 Acquired Assets: The assets of the Seller being acquired by the
Purchaser pursuant to the terms hereof, as identified on Schedule 2.1 hereto,
and all other assets of the Seller, tangible or intangible (including
contractual, warranty, and other rights), the use or value of which is
inextricably linked to the assets so identified, or which relate to or arise out
of transactions of the Seller involving the assets so identified.
1.2 Acquired Business: The businesses conducted by the Seller in which the
Seller utilized the Acquired Assets, as described on Schedule 2.1 hereto,
commonly known, described, or identified as the Seller's cattle feeding business
or feedlot facility.
A-1
1.3 Acquired Business Disclosure Document: The document delivered by the
Seller to the Purchaser containing certain disclosures regarding the Acquired
Business as described in Section 4.6 hereof.
1.4 Acquired Facilities: All storage facilities, feedlot facilities,
processing facilities, fixtures, and improvements owned or leased by the Seller
or otherwise used by the Seller in connection with the operation of its business
or leased or subleased by the Seller, but only to the extent that the same
consist of Acquired Assets.
1.5 Affiliate: When used with respect to a person, an "affiliate" of that
person is a person Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with that
person.
1.6 Agreement: This Asset Purchase Agreement, including all of its
schedules and exhibits and all other documents specifically referred to in this
Agreement that have been or are to be delivered by a party to this Agreement to
another such party in connection with the Asset Sale Transaction or this
Agreement, and including all duly adopted amendments, modifications, and
supplements to or of this Agreement and such schedules, exhibits and other
documents.
1.7 Asset Sale Transaction: The Sale of the Acquired Assets, subject to the
Assumed Liabilities, for the Consideration as contemplated by, and subject to
the terms and conditions of, this Agreement.
1.8 Assumed Liabilities: The Liabilities of the Seller incurred or accrued
in the operation of the Acquired Business prior to the Closing Time and being
assumed by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, as specifically identified
in Schedule 2.1 to this Agreement, and no other Liabilities of the Seller.
Assumed Liabilities does not include any liabilities of the Seller incurred or
accrued in activities other than the Acquired Business.
1.9 Audited Financial Statements: The balance sheet, income statement,
statement of stockholders' equity and statement of cash flows or, in each
instance, equivalent statements of the Seller as at August 31, 2002 and for the
year then ended, in each instance as reported on by Auditors.
1.10 Auditors: With respect to the Seller and the Acquired Business,
Anderson & Whitney, P.C. , Certified Public Accountants, 5801 West 11th Street,
Suite 300, Greeley, Colorado 80634-4813.
1.11 Closing: The completion of the Asset Sale Transaction, to take place
as described in Article II.
1.12 Closing Date: The date on which the Closing actually occurs, which
shall not in any event be prior to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to
Closing set forth in Article VII hereof.
1.13 Closing Time: The time at which the Closing actually occurs. All
events that are to occur at the Closing Time shall, for all purposes, be deemed
to occur simultaneously, except to the extent, if at all, that a specific order
of occurrence is otherwise described.
A-2
1.14 Consideration: The net sum to be paid by the Purchaser to the Seller
at the Closing for the Acquired Assets, subject to modification and adjustment
as provided herein.
1.15 Control: Generally, the power to direct the management or affairs of
an Entity.
1.16 Entity: A corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, joint
venture, or other form of proxy. To be so included,organization formed for the conduct of a proposal must also comply with all
applicable provisions of Rule 14a-8 under thebusiness,
whether active or passive.
1.17 Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934.1934, as amended to the
date as of which any reference thereto is relevant under this Agreement,
including any substitute or replacement statute adopted in place or lieu
therefor.
1.18 GAAP: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as in effect on the
date of any statement, report or determination that purports to be, or is
required to be, prepared or made in accordance with GAAP. All references herein
to financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP shall mean in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods to which
reference is made.
1.19 Inventories: The stock of feed, grain, veterinary supplies, feeder
cattle, and cattle procured for feeding purposes but not yet consigned to custom
feeders, held by the Seller for use in the Acquired Business (including the
Miller Feeders, Inc., a Subsidiary of Seller), from time to time in the ordinary
course of the business of the Seller. Inventories are valued as provided in
Section 2.2.
1.20 Liabilities: At any point in time (the Determination Time), the
obligations of a person or Entity, whether known or unknown, contingent or
absolute, recorded on its books or not, arising or resulting in any way from
facts, events, agreements, obligations or occurrences that existed or transpired
at a prior point in time, or resulted from the passage of time to the
Determination Time, but not including obligations accruing or payable after the
Determination Time to the extent (but only to the extent) that such obligations
(i) arise under previously existing agreements for services, benefits, or other
considerations, and (ii) accrue or become payable with respect to services,
benefits, or other considerations received by the person or Entity after the
Determination Time.
1.21 Payables: Liabilities of a party arising from the borrowing of money
or the incurring of obligations for merchandise or goods purchased.
1.22 Proprietary Rights: Trade secrets, copyrights, patents, trademarks,
service marks, customer lists, and all similar types of intangible property
developed, created or owned by the Seller, or used by the Seller in connection
with the Acquired Business, whether or not the same are entitled to legal
protection.
1.23 Proxy Statement: The document prepared by the Seller for submission to
its shareholders soliciting their proxies to permit the persons to whom proxies
are thereby granted to vote upon the consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction.
1.24 Purchaser: Miller Feed Lots, Inc., a Colorado corporation which, under
the terms of this Agreement is acquiring the Acquired Assets of the Seller.
A-3
1.25 Purchaser's Balance Sheet. The balance sheet included in the unaudited
financial statements of the Purchaser referred to in Section 3.4.
1.26 Receivables: Accounts Receivable, notes receivable, and other
obligations appearing as assets on the books of the Seller, and customarily
reflected as assets in balance sheets of entities prepared in accordance with
GAAP, indicating moneys owed to the entity. No allowance for doubtful accounts
receivable from custom feeders has been recorded based on the history of the
Company reservesand its ability to place an agister's lien on customers' cattle in the
rightfeedlot.
1.27 SEC: The Securities And Exchange Commission.
1.28 Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended to reject,the date as
of which any reference thereto is relevant under this Agreement, including any
substitute or replacement statute adopted in place or lieu thereof
1.29 Seller: Miller Diversified Corporation, a Nevada corporation, as the
seller of the Acquired Assets.
1.30 Seller's Balance Sheet. The balance sheet included in the unaudited
financial statements of the Seller referred to in Section 4.5(2).
1.31 Subsidiary: With respect to Seller, its sole subsidiary is Miller
Feeders, Inc. With respect to any other Entity, another Entity of which fifty
percent (50%) or more of the effective voting power, or the effective power to
elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body, or fifty
percent (50%) or more of the true equity interest; is owned by such first
Entity, directly or indirectly.
1.32 Unaudited Financial Statements of Seller : The balance sheet, income
statement, statement of stockholders' equity, and statement of cash flows or, in
each instance, equivalent statements as commonly prepared, as at February 28,
2003, and for the six months then ended for the Acquired Business with
comparable statements for the similar period of the prior fiscal year. Seller's
Unaudited Financial Statements are attached hereto as Exhibit B.
ARTICLE II
THE ASSET SALE TRANSACTION
2.1 The Asset Sale Transaction. On the Closing Date, and at the Closing
Time, subject in all instances to each of the terms, conditions, provisions and
limitations contained in this Agreement, the Seller shall sell, transfer,
convey, and assign to the Purchaser, by instruments satisfactory in form and
substance to the Purchaser and its counsel, and the Purchaser shall acquire from
the Seller, the Acquired Assets, identified on Schedule 2.1, subject to the
Assumed Liabilities, and only those Liabilities and no others, in exchange for
the Consideration. Neither the Purchaser nor any of its Affiliates is assuming,
becoming liable for, agreeing to discharge or in any manner becoming in any way
responsible for any of the Liabilities of the Seller other than those expressly
identified on Schedule 2.1 and accepted by the Purchaser in this Section 2.1.
A-4
2.2 Consideration. The net sum to be paid by the Purchaser to the Seller
for the Acquired Assets after the adjustments provided in Section 2.3.
(a) All feeder cattle being transferred from Seller to Purchaser will
be valued on the Closing Date by an independent person experienced in buying
feeder cattle for packers. Values will be based on the weight and sex of feeder
cattle being transferred.
(b) Equipment will be appraised at fair market value by an independent
third party experienced in valuing equipment of the kind being transferred by
Seller to Purchaser.
(c) Inventory other than cattle being transferred by Seller to
Purchaser will be valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
using the weighted average cost method for feed and grain inventories while the
first in, first out and specific identification methods are used for all other
inventories.
(d) All receivables will be valued at their book value at the accounts
of Seller on the Closing Date, without adjustment for doubtful accounts.
(e) No value will be given to the feed lot lease.
2.3 Adjustments. The total Consideration computed as provided in Section
2.2 shall be adjusted down for the following items:
(a) The sum of $599,776 shall be deducted from the Consideration
representing Purchaser's contribution to losses for Seller's fed cattle sale
from September 1, 2001 to February 28, 2003.
(b) The sum of $250,000 shall be deducted from the Consideration,
representing a fee to Purchaser for the termination of Seller's lease of feedlot
facilities from Purchaser.
(c) The sum of $250,000 shall be deducted from the Consideration
representing Seller's portion of the risk of loss on cattle being transferred
from Seller to Purchaser.
2.4 Manner of Payment. Payment of the Consideration by the Purchaser shall
be by promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 5% per annum on the unpaid
principal, payable annually, with installments of principal of $100,000 each
year, such promissory note to be substantially in the form of the promissory
note attached hereto in Schedule 2.4. Payment of such promissory note shall be
secured by a second deed of trust on feedlot facilities owned by Purchaser. The
form of deed of trust shall be satisfactory to Purchaser and Seller.
2.5 Closing. The Closing hereunder shall take place at the offices of
Seller at 5754 West 11th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634, or at such other place
as the Purchaser and the Seller may agree upon, on the Closing Date.
A-4
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Seller:
3.1 Organization and Qualification. The Purchaser is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Colorado and has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and
to perform this Agreement.
3.2 Authority Relative to This Agreement. The Purchaser has the requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its
obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized and approved by the requisite level of corporate authority of
Purchaser and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Purchaser are
necessary to approve and adopt this Agreement or to approve the consummation of
the Asset Sale Transaction contemplated hereby, including delivery of the
Consideration. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered
by the Purchaser and constitutes a valid and binding Agreement of the Purchaser,
enforceable in accordance with its terms.
3.3 Absence of Breach; No Consents. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement, and the performance by Purchaser of its obligations hereunder
(except for compliance with any regulatory or licensing laws applicable to the
business of the Purchaser, all of which, to the extent applicable to Purchaser
(and to the extent within its control), will be satisfied in all material
respects prior to the Closing) do not, (i) conflict with, and will not result in
a breach of, any of the provisions of Purchaser's articles of incorporation or
bylaws; (ii) contravene any law, rule or regulation of any State or of the
United States, or any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination,
or award affecting or binding upon the Purchaser in such a manner as to provide
a basis for enjoining or otherwise preventing consummation of the Asset Sale
Transaction; (iii) conflict with or result in a material breach of or default
under any material loan or credit agreement or any other material agreement or
instrument to which Purchaser is a party, in such a manner as to provide a basis
for enjoining or otherwise preventing consummation of the Asset Sale
Transaction; or (iv) require the authorization, consent, approval or license of
any third party of such a nature that the failure to obtain the same would
provide a basis for enjoining or otherwise preventing consummation of the Asset
Sale Transaction.
3.4 Purchaser's Financial Statements. Purchaser has heretofore delivered to
the Seller its unaudited financial statements as at February 28, 2003, and for
the 11 months then ended. And a copy of such financial statement is attached
hereto as Exhibit A. Such financial statements were prepared from the books and
records of Purchaser in accordance with GAAP, and fairly and accurately reflect
the financial position and condition of Purchaser as at the dates and for the
periods indicated. Without limiting the foregoing, at the date of the
Purchaser's Balance Sheet, the Purchaser owned each of the assets included in
preparation of such balance sheet, and the valuation of such assets in the
Purchaser's balance sheet is not more than their fair saleable value (on an
item-by-item basis) at that date, and the Purchaser had no liabilities other
than those included in Purchaser's Balance Sheet, nor any liabilities in amounts
in excess of the amounts included for them in Purchaser's Balance Sheet. From
the date hereof until the promissory note referred to in Section 2.4 has been
paid, the Purchaser will continue to prepare financial statements for the
A-6
Purchaser on the same basis that it has done so in the past, will promptly
deliver the same to the Seller, and agrees that from and after such delivery the
foregoing representations will be applicable to each financial statement so
prepared and delivered.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
The Seller represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows:
4.1 Organization and Qualification. The Seller is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Nevada and the character of Seller's business and the nature of its activity are
such that it is not required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation
in any other jurisdiction.
4.2 Capitalization. Seller is authorized to issue 25,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, $.0001 par value. A total of 6,364,640 shares of Common Stock have
been issued and are outstanding. Seller is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares
of 8% noncumulative Preferred Stock, $ 2.00 par value. No shares of Preferred
Stock have been issued.
4.3 Authority Relative to This Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and
validly executed and delivered by the Seller and constitutes a valid and binding
Agreement of the Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject,
however, to the approval of stockholders of Seller as provided for elsewhere in
this Agreement. The Seller has all requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and to carry out the Asset Sale Transaction
contemplated hereby, and its doing so has been duly and sufficiently authorized,
subject only to stockholder approval and to governmental regulatory approvals as
and to the extent specifically set forth elsewhere in this Agreement.
4.4 Absence of Breach; No Consents. The execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement, and the performance by the Seller of its
obligations hereunder, do not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any of
the provisions of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Seller or of
its Subsidiary; (ii) contravene any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation of any
State or political subdivision thereof or of the United States (except for
compliance with regulatory or licensing laws all of which, to the extent
applicable to the Seller (and to the extent within the control of the Seller),
will be satisfied in all material respects prior to the Closing), or contravene
any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination, or takeaward of any
court or other appropriate actionauthority having jurisdiction, or cause the suspension or
revocation of any authorization, consent, approval, or license, presently in
effect, which affects or binds, the Seller or all or any part of the Acquired
Business or any material properties of the Acquired Business, except in any such
case where such contravention will not have a material adverse effect on the
business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or prospects of the
Acquired Business and will not have a material adverse effect on the validity of
this Agreement or on the validity of the consummation the Asset Sale
Transaction; (iii) conflict with or result in a material breach of or default
under any material loan or credit agreement or any other material agreement or
instrument to which the Seller or any of part of the Acquired Business is a
party or by which any of the material properties of the Acquired Business may be
affected or bound; (iv) other than consents disclosed on the Acquired Business
A-7
Disclosure Document, require the authorization, consent, approval, or license of
any third party; or (v) constitute grounds for the loss or suspension of any
permits, licenses, or other authorizations used in the Acquired Business.
4.5 Financial Statements. The Seller has heretofore delivered to the
Purchaser the following:
(1) The Audited Financial Statements of the Seller;
(2) The Unaudited Financial Statements of the Seller attached hereto as
Exhibit B.
All of the historical financial statements contained in such documents were
prepared from the books and records of the Seller. The Audited Financial
Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, and fairly and accurately
reflect the financial position and condition of the Seller as at the dates and
for the periods indicated. Without limiting the foregoing, at the date of the
Seller's Balance Sheet the Seller owned each of the assets included in
preparation of the Seller's Balance Sheet, and the valuation of such assets in
the Seller's Balance Sheet is not more than their fair saleable value (on an
item by item basis) at that date; and the Seller had no Liabilities for which
the Acquired Business or any part of the Acquired Assets is responsible or
liable, other than those included in the Seller's Balance Sheet, or incurred
after the date thereof to the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business,
nor any Liabilities in amounts in excess of the amounts included for them in the
Seller's Balance Sheet. The Unaudited Financial Statements included in the
documents described above in this Section were prepared in a manner consistent
with the basis of presentation used in the Audited Financial Statements, and
fairly present the financial position and condition of the Seller as at and for
the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end adjustments, none of which
will be material. From the date hereof through the Closing Date the Seller will
continue to prepare financial statements for the Seller on the same basis that
it has done so in the past, will promptly deliver the same to the Purchaser, and
agrees that from and after such delivery the foregoing representations will be
applicable to each financial statement so prepared and delivered.
4.6 Acquired Business Disclosure Document. Seller has provided and attached
hereto as Schedule 4.6 its Acquired Business Disclosure Document which lists all
matters of disclosure which Seller makes to Purchaser hereunder which are not
reflected in this Agreement. The Acquired Business Disclosure Document may be
supplemented by Seller at any time after the date of this Agreement but any
disclosure made thereon in addition to the disclosures included in the Acquired
Business Disclosure Document attached hereto shall not affect any
representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement of the Seller contained in
this Agreement.
4.7 Absence of Material Differences From Disclosure Document. Except as
specifically disclosed in the Acquired Business Disclosure Document:
(1) No Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Seller nor its Subsidiary
has any Liabilities relating to or affecting the Acquired Business or the
Acquired Assets which are not adequately reflected or reserved against on the
face of the Seller's Balance Sheet, except Liabilities incurred since the date
of the Seller's Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business of the Acquired
A-8
Business and consistent with past practice. Without limiting the foregoing, (i)
there are no unpaid leasehold improvements at the feedlot facility leased by
Seller from Purchaser, at which Seller's cattle were fed, for which the Acquired
Business is or will be responsible, and (ii) there are no deferred rents due to
lessors at or with respect to any proposalof such Acquired Facilities.
(2) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the Seller's Balance
Sheet, other than as contemplated or caused by this Agreement, there has not
been any material adverse change in the business, condition (financial or
otherwise), operations, or prospects of the Acquired Business.
(3) Taxes. The Seller and its Subsidiary have properly filed or caused
to be filed all federal, state and local, income and other tax returns, reports,
and declarations that doesare required by applicable law to be filed by them and
that relate to or in any way affect the Acquired Business or the Acquired
Assets, and have paid, or made full and adequate provision for the payment of,
all federal, state, and local income and other taxes properly due for the
periods covered by such returns, reports, and declarations, except such taxes,
if any, as are adequately reserved against in the Seller's Balance Sheet.
(4) Litigation. No material investigation or review by any governmental
entity with respect to the Acquired Business or any of the Acquired Assets or
the use thereof is pending or, to the best of the knowledge of the Seller,
threatened (other than inspections and reviews customarily made of businesses
such as the Acquired Business).
(5) Employees, Etc. There are no collective bargaining, bonus, profit
sharing, compensation, or other plans, agreements, trusts, funds, or
arrangements maintained by the Seller or the Subsidiary of the Seller for the
benefit of directors, officers or employees of, or whose principal
responsibilities relate to, the Acquired Business, and there are no employment,
consulting, severance, or indemnification arrangements, agreements, or
understandings between the Seller or its Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any
current or former directors, officers or other employees (or Affiliates thereof)
of, or whose principal responsibilities relate to, the Acquired Business, on the
other hand. Seller has delivered to Purchaser a list of employees of the
Acquired Business, together with the rate of pay for each employee as of the
date of this Agreement.
(6) Compliance With Laws. The Acquired Business and each of the
Acquired Assets is in substantial compliance with all, and has received no
notice of any violation of any, laws or regulations applicable to its
operations, including, without limitation, the laws and regulations relevant to
the use or utilization of premises, or with respect to which compliance is a
condition of engaging in any aspect of the business of the Acquired Business,
and the Acquired Business has all permits, licenses, zoning rights, and other
governmental authorizations necessary to conduct its business as presently
conducted. All such permits, licenses, zoning rights, and other governmental
authorizations will, as a part and consequence of the Asset Sale Transaction, be
transferred to the Purchaser at the Closing.
(7) Ownership of Assets. Neither the Seller nor its Subsidiary have any
real property and no real property is included in the Acquired Assets. Each of
the Seller and its Subsidiary has good, marketable title to all personal
A-9
property owned or leased by it, and comprising a part of the Acquired Assets or
the Acquired Business, or used by it in the conduct of the Acquired Business in
such a manner as to create the appearance or reasonable expectation that the
same is owned or leased by it; such ownership is free and clear of all liens,
claims, encumbrances and charges, except liens for taxes not yet due and minor
imperfections of title and encumbrances, if any, which, singly and in the
aggregate, are not substantial in amount and do not materially detract from the
value of the property subject thereto or materially impair the use thereof.
(8) Proprietary Rights. The Seller and its Subsidiary between them
possess full ownership of, or adequate and enforceable long-term licenses or
other rights to use (without payment), all Proprietary Rights used in the
Acquired Business or utilized in conjunction with the Acquired Assets, and all
such ownership, license or other rights shall be conveyed to the Purchaser at
the Closing pursuant to the Asset Sale Transaction; the Seller has not received
any notice of conflict which asserts the rights of others with respect thereto;
and each of the Seller and its Subsidiary has in all material respects performed
all of the obligations required to be performed by it, and is not in default in
any material respect, under any agreement relating to any such Proprietary
Right.
(9) Employee Benefit Plans. Neither Seller nor its Subsidiary maintain
any Pension Plan or any Welfare Plan for the benefit of employees of Seller.
Seller provides health insurance for employees with Pacific Life. Employees
contribute 50% of the premium and Seller contributes 50% of the premium.
(10) Facilities. None of the Acquired Facilities, nor any of the
vehicles or other equipment used by the Acquired Business in connection with its
business, has any material defects and all of them are in all material respects
in good operating condition and repair and are adequate for the uses to which
they are being put. The Seller is not in breach, violation or default of any
lease affecting the Acquired Business or the Acquired Assets with respect to, or
as a result of, which the other party (whether lessor, lessee, sublessor, or
sublessee) thereto has the right to terminate the same, and the Seller has not
received notice of any claim or assertion that it is or may be in any such
breach, violation or default.
(11) Accounts Receivable. All accounts receivable of the Seller,
whether or not reflected in the Seller's Balance Sheet, represent transactions
in the ordinary course of business, and are current and collectible.
(12) Inventories. All Inventories of the Seller, whether or not
reflected in the Seller's Balance Sheet, are of a quality and quantity usable
and salable in the ordinary course of business..
(13) Contracts. The Acquired Assets and the Acquired Business are not
parties to or affected by any contracts, agreements or understandings, whether
express or implied, written or verbal, except contracts for the purchase of
grain and cattle, which are identified in the Lease Agreement for Equipment
identified on Schedule 2.1 and other contracts or agreements with respect to the
operation of the Acquired Business or Acquired Assets of which Seller has
knowledge.
A-10
(14) Accounts Payable. The accounts payable reflected on the Seller's
Balance Sheet do, and those reflected on the books of the Seller at the time of
the Closing will, reflect all amounts owed by the Seller in respect of trade
accounts due and other Payables of the Acquired Business or relating to the
Acquired Assets, and the actual Liability of the Seller in respect of such
obligations was not, and will not be, on any of such dates, in excess of the
amounts so reflected on the balance sheets or the books of the Seller, as the
case may be.
(15) Insurance. The Seller and its Subsidiary have insurance policies
in full force and effect insuring the Acquired Assets and the Acquired Business,
and such insurance policies provide for coverages which are usual and customary
in the business of the Acquired Business and its Subsidiary as to amount and
scope, and are adequate to protect the Acquired Business against any reasonably
foreseeable risk of loss.
4.8 Full Disclosure. The documents, certificates, and other writings
furnished or to be furnished by or on behalf of the Seller to the Purchaser
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, taken together in the aggregate,
do not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements made, in the light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
4.9 Actions Since Balance Sheet Date. Since the date of the Seller's
Balance Sheet, the Seller has taken no actions that would be prohibited under
the provisions of this Agreement (without the prior consent of the Purchaser)
after the date of this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF THE PURCHASER
5.1 Affirmative Covenants. From the date hereof through the Closing Date,
the Purchaser will take every action reasonably required of it in order to
satisfy the conditions to closing set forth in this Agreement and otherwise to
ensure the prompt and expedient consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction
substantially as contemplated by this Agreement.
5.2 Cooperation. The Purchaser shall cooperate with the Seller and its
counsel, accountants and agents in every way in carrying out the Asset Sale
Transaction contemplated herein, and in delivering all documents and instruments
deemed reasonably necessary or useful by Counsel to the Seller.
5.3 Expenses. Whether or not the Asset Sale Transaction is consummated, all
costs and expenses incurred by the Purchaser in connection with this Agreement
and the Asset Sale Transaction contemplated hereby shall be paid by the
Purchaser except as otherwise provided (directly or indirectly) herein.
5.4 Health Insurance. Purchaser will continue health insurance benefits for
employees as provided by Seller.
5.5 Assumed Liabilities. Purchaser will satisfy in accordance with their
terms all Assumed Liabilities listed on Schedule 2.1 Purchaser will complete
cattle feeding contracts of feeder cattle identified in paragraph 1 of Schedule
2.1. With respect to feeder cattle acquired by Purchaser, it will continue the
feeding program commenced by Seller, including ration and other care obligations
of a feedlot operator.
A-11
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE SELLER
6.1 Affirmative Covenants. From the date hereof through the Closing Date,
the Seller will take every action reasonably required of it to satisfy the
conditions to closing set forth in this Agreement and otherwise to ensure the
prompt and expedient consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction substantially as
contemplated hereby.
6.2 Access and Information. The Seller shall afford to the Purchaser and to
the Purchaser's accountants, counsel, and other representatives reasonable
access during normal business hours throughout the period prior to the Closing
to all of its and its Subsidiary's properties, books, contracts, commitments,
records (including, but not limited to, tax returns), and personnel relating to
the Acquired Assets or the Acquired Business.
6.3 Conduct of Business Pending the Closing.(1) Prior to the Closing of the
Asset Sale Transaction or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its
terms, unless the Purchaser shall otherwise consent, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, and except as otherwise contemplated by this
Agreement, the Seller will conduct the Acquired Business and other businesses of
Seller that relate to, or use or effect the Acquired Assets only in the ordinary
and usual course, and will use all reasonable efforts to keep in tact the
business organization and good will of the Acquired Business. Before undertaking
any activity affecting the value of the Acquired Business or the Acquired
Assets, Seller will consult with Purchaser.
6.4 Cooperation. The Seller will cooperate with the Purchaser and its
counsel, accountants, and agents in every way in carrying out the Asset Sale
Transaction contemplated by this Agreement and in delivering all documents and
instruments deemed reasonably necessary or useful by the Purchaser or its
counsel.
6.5 Expenses. Whether or not the Asset Sale Transaction is consummated, all
costs and expenses incurred by the Seller in connection with this Agreement and
the Asset Sale Transaction shall be paid by the Seller except as otherwise
provided (directly or indirectly) herein.
6.6 Updating of Exhibits and Disclosure Documents. The Seller shall notify
the Purchaser of any changes, additions, or events which may cause any change in
or addition to the Schedules or Exhibits delivered by it under this Agreement
promptly after the occurrence of the same and again at the Closing by delivery
of appropriate updates to Schedules and Exhibits. No such notification made
pursuant to this Section shall be deemed to cure any breach of any
representation or warranty made in this Agreement unless the Purchaser
specifically agrees thereto nor shall any such notification be considered to
constitute or give rise to a waiver by the Purchaser of any condition set forth
in this Agreement.
6.7 Payment of Unassumed Liabilities. The Seller agrees promptly to pay
when due, or otherwise to discharge, without cost or expense to the Purchaser,
each and every Liability of the Seller that is not specifically assumed by the
Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, as described in Section 2.1 above.
A-12
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
7.1 Conditions to Obligation of Purchaser. The obligation of the Purchaser
to effect the Asset Sale Transaction shall be subject to the fulfillment at or
prior to the Closing of the following conditions, unless Purchaser shall waive
such fulfillment:
(1) This Agreement and the Asset Sale Transaction contemplated hereby
shall have received all approvals, consents, authorizations, and waivers from
governmental and other regulatory agencies and other third parties (including
customers, lenders, holders of debt securities and lessors) required to
consummate the Asset Sale Transaction.
(2) There shall not be in effect a preliminary or permanent injunction
or other order by any federal or state court which prohibits the consummation of
the Asset Sale Transaction.
(3) The Seller shall have performed in all material respects each of
its agreements and obligations contained in this Agreement and required to be
performed on or prior to the Closing and shall have complied with all material
requirements, rules, and regulations of all regulatory authorities having
jurisdiction relating to the Asset Sale Transaction.
(4) No material adverse change shall, in the reasonable judgment of the
Purchaser, have taken place in the business, condition (financial or otherwise),
operations, or prospects of the Acquired Business or the Acquired Assets since
the date of the Seller's Balance Sheet other than those, if any, that result
from the changes permitted by, and transactions contemplated by, this Agreement.
(5) The representations and warranties of the Seller set forth in this
Agreement shall be true in all material respects as of the date of this
Agreement and, except in such respects as, in the reasonable judgment of the
Purchaser, do not materially and adversely affect the business, condition
(financial or otherwise), operations, or prospects of the Acquired Business or
the Acquired Assets, as of the Closing Time as if made as of such time.
7.2 Conditions to Obligation of the Seller. The obligation of the Seller to
effect the Asset Sale Transaction shall be subject to the fulfillment at or
prior to the Closing of the following conditions, unless the Seller shall waive
such fulfillment:
(1) This Agreement and the Asset Sale Transaction shall have received
all approvals, consents, authorizations, and waivers from governmental and other
regulatory agencies and other third parties (including lenders, holders of debt
securities, lessors, and the stockholders of the Seller) required by law to
consummate the Asset Sale Transaction.
(2) There shall not be in effect a preliminary or permanent injunction
or other order by any federal or state authority which prohibits the
consummation of the Asset Sale Transaction.
A-13
(3) The Purchaser shall have performed in all material respects its
agreements and obligations contained in this Agreement required to be performed
on or prior to the Closing.
(4) The representations and warranties of the Purchaser set forth in
this Agreement shall be true in all material respects as of the date of this
Agreement and, except in such respects as do not materially and adversely affect
the business of the Purchaser and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of the
Closing Date as if made as of such time.
ARTICLE VIII
SECURITIES AND SECURITY HOLDERS
8.1 Meeting of Stockholders. As soon as practicable after the execution of
this Agreement, Seller will, in conjunction with the Purchaser, commence
activities toward convening a meeting of stockholders of the Seller to vote upon
the approval by such stockholders of the Asset Sale Transaction. Such activities
shall include, without limitation, preparation of the Proxy Statement; filing of
the Proxy Statement with the SEC as required by law; responding to any comments
thereon by the SEC in a prompt manner; establishing a record date for
stockholders entitled to vote on the Asset Sale Transaction; complying with
applicable legal requirements under state law and the Exchange Act regarding the
giving of notice as to such record date; mailing a notice of the meeting, Proxy
Statement and form of proxy to stockholders; and in all other respects taking
all action required by law to authorize the consummation of the Asset Sale
Transaction insofar as authorization thereof by stockholders is required.
8.2 Proxy Statement. The Seller represents and agrees that the Proxy
Statement, including, without limitation, the contents thereof, and the timing
and manner of use thereof, will comply with these
requirements. Proposalsall requirements of the Exchange Act
and of any state law applicable thereto, and, without limiting the foregoing,
will not, at the time the same is mailed to stockholders, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact regarding the Seller or omit to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements regarding the Seller therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, WAIVER, RELIEF
9.1 Termination. This Agreement and the Asset Sale Transaction may be
terminated at any time prior to the Closing, whether before or after any
approval by stockholders:
(1) By mutual consent of the Purchaser and the Seller; orT
(2) By either Purchaser or the Seller, upon written notice to the
other, if the conditions to such party's obligations to consummate the Asset
Sale Transaction, in the case of Purchaser, as provided in Section 7.1, or, in
the case of the Seller, as provided in Section 7.2, were not, or cannot
reasonably be, satisfied on or before 30 days after the date of this Agreement,
unless the failure of condition is the result of the material breach of this
Agreement by the party seeking to terminate.
9.2 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the Seller and the
Purchaser by action taken at any time, but after the Asset Sale Transaction has
been approved by the stockholders of the Seller no amendment shall be made which
A-14
reduces the Consideration or the rate of payment, or which in any way materially
and adversely affects the rights of the Seller or its stockholders without the
further approval of such stockholders. This Agreement may not be amended except
by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of the Seller and the Purchaser.
9.3 Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing Date, the Purchaser or the
Seller, by action taken by their respective Boards of Directors, may (i) extend
the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the
other parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, or
(iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained
herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of such party.
9.4 Relief. In the event of liability on the part of the Seller to the
Purchaser in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement prior to the
Closing, the parties recognize and acknowledge that monetary measures of damages
will not reasonably be calculable because of the volatility of prices for feeder
cattle, and that specific performance and injunctive relief should therefore be
sentavailable to Stephen R. Story, Corporate Secretary,the Purchaser.
9.5 Failure to Close. If, for any reason, this Agreement, and the Asset
Sale Transaction contemplated hereby, shall be terminated without the Closing
having occurred, each party shall be restored to its position before this
Agreement and each party shall pay its own expenses relating to this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1 Arbitration.
(a) If a dispute arises out of or relates to this Agreement, or the
breach thereof, the parties agree first to try in good faith to resolve the
dispute by mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association under
its Commercial Financial Disputes Mediation Rules, before resorting to
arbitration. Thereafter, any unresolved controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or breach thereof, shall be resolved by arbitration
administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its
Commercial Financial Disputes Arbitration Rules, and judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof pursuant to applicable law.
(b) Nothing in the preceding paragraph, or otherwise, nor the exercise
of any right to negotiation, mediation or arbitration, nor the commencement or
pendency of any proceeding, shall limit the right of any party to this
Agreement:
1. to seek judicial equitable relief, or other equitable relief
available to it under applicable statutory and/or case law including,
but not limited to, injunctive relief and the appointment of a
receiver, or
2. to exercise any self-help rights or other rights or remedies
available to it by contract or applicable statutory or case law
(including but not limited to the filing of an involuntary petition in
A-15
bankruptcy, the right of set off, attachment, recoupment, foreclosure,
or repossession) with respect to its extension of credit, the
protection and preservation of collateral, the liquidation and
realization of collateral, the protection, continuation and
preservation of lien rights and priorities, the collection of
indebtedness, and the processing and payment or return of checks,
whether such occurs before, during or after the pendency of any
negotiation, mediation, or arbitration proceeding.
The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial
relief or pursuit of provisional or ancillary rights or remedies or exercise of
self-help remedies, as all provided herein, and the pursuit of any such rights
or remedies, shall not constitute a waiver of the right or obligation of any
Party, including the plaintiff seeking judicial relief or remedies, to submit a
dispute to negotiation, mediation and arbitration, including disputes that may
arise from the exercise of such rights.
(c) The arbitrator(s) shall not have the power to order specific
performance of any obligation or duty of any party to this Agreement or to issue
injunctions in connection therewith or otherwise.
(d) Arbitrators appointed by AAA hereunder shall be appointed
from the National Roster for Commercial Financial Disputes as provided in the
Rules, unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties. Mediators shall be
appointed, with consent by the parties, from the National Panel of Mediators,
when practicable, but otherwise by AAA with the consent of the parties.
10.2 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or mailed by
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice given at least five (5) days prior thereto):
If to the Purchaser:
Miller Feedlots Inc.
P.O. Box 237
La Salle, Colorado 80645
Attention: James E. Miller
If to the Seller:
Miller Diversified Corporation
23360 Weld County Road 35, P.O. Box 937,
LaSalle,5754 West 11th Street
Greeley, Colorado 80645.
3380645
Attention: Norman M. Dean
10.3 Interpretation. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
A-16
10.4 Survival of Representations, Warranties. The representations,
warranties, covenants, and agreements of the parties contained herein shall
survive the Closing and any investigation of the other party made prior thereto.
Representations and warranties shall so survive for a period of two (2) years
from the Closing. Covenants and agreements shall survive for the longer of two
(2) years from the Closing or one (1) year after they were to have been
performed and were capable of performance. Any action for breach shall be
brought, if at all, prior to the end of the two-year period specified.
10.5 De Minimis Claims. No party shall bring any action against any other
party hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof unless the aggregate
amount of all claims so brought in relation to the subject matter of this
Agreement exceeds $10,000, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
prevent or preclude actions seeking injunctive or other equitable forms of
relief.
10.6 Miscellaneous. This Agreement (i) constitutes the entire agreement and
supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
between the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof, except as
specifically provided otherwise or referred to herein, so that no such external
or separate agreements relating to the subject matter of this Agreement shall
have any effect or be binding, unless the same is referred to specifically in
this Agreement or is executed by the parties after the date hereof; (ii) is not
intended to confer upon any other person (other than stockholders of the Seller)
any rights or remedies hereunder; (iii) shall not be assigned by operation of
law or otherwise except for assignment of all or any part of the rights of the
Purchaser hereunder, which may be freely assigned by the Purchaser so long as
the obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement remain obligations of, or
their performance is guaranteed by, the Purchaser; and (iv) shall be governed in
all respects, including validity, interpretation and effect, by the internal
laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to the principles of conflict of
laws thereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts which
together shall constitute a single agreement.
A-17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be signed
on the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized.
The Purchaser:
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.
By: /s/ James E. Miller
--------------------------------
James E. Miller
President
The Seller:
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION
By: /s/ Norman M. Dean
--------------------------------
Norman M. Dean
Chairman
A-18
EXHIBIT A
Purchaser's Unaudited Financial Statement
MILLER FEEDLOTS, INC. PAGE 1
ALL DIVISIONS
BALANCE SHEET
AS OF 02/28/2003
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
ASSETS
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Current Assets
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Cash $4,585.22
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Trade Accounts Receivable 312,786.05
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Officers/Directors Receivables 748,004.64
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
MDC Intercompany Due To/From (736,382.73)
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
MFL Intercompany Due To/From (135,741.42)
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Prepaid Expenses and Other 30,110.93
--------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Total Current Assets $223,362.69
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Property & Equipment
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Land $56,924.00
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Buildings & Improvements 801,931.83
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Equipment 1,145,714.78
--------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Subtotal Property & Equipment $2,004,570.61
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Less Accumulated Depreciation $(1,757,698.88)
---------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Total Property & Equipment $246,871.73
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Other Assets
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Other Investments 294,892.49
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Investments in Subsidiaries 103,488.36
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Notes Receivable-Related Party 263,000.00
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Deferred Income Tax Benefit 51,000.00
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Goodwill 10,888.95
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Total Other Assets $723,269.80
-----------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
Total Assets $1,193,504.22
=============
- ---------------------------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------
A-19
MILLER FEEDLOTS, INC. PAGE 2
ALL DIVISIONS
BALANCE SHEET
AS OF 02/28/2003
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
LIABILITIES
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Current Liabilities
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Trade Accounts Payable 55,583.21
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Accrued Expenses 19,287.07
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
C/P-Notes Payable 141,528.26
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
C/P-Notes Pay Related Pty 39,900.06
-----------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Total Current Liabilities $256,298.60
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Long Term Notes Payable 738,678.60
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Long Term Notes Pay-Related 408,027.10
----------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Total Long Term Liabilities $1,146,705.70
-------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Total Liabilities $1,403,004.30
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Stockholders' Equity
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Common Stock $101,600.00
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Paid-In Capital 11,860.29
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Retained Earnings (322,960.37)
------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Total Stockholders' Equity $(209,500.08)
-------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
Total Liabilities & Equity $1,193,504.22
=============
- -------------------------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------
A-20
PAGE 3
MILLER FEEDLOTS, INC.
ALL DIVISIONS
PROFIT & LOSS STATEMENT
FOR THE PERIOD 02/01/2003 TO 02/28/2003
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
CURRENT-PERIOD YEAR-TO-DATE
AMOUNT AMOUNT
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Revenues
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Freight Services Income 42,525.04 424,823.05
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Rent & Lease Income 22,064.00 242,704.00
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Net Earnings of Subsidiaries 1,848.96 (17,290.01)
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Interest Income-Related Pty 2,017.53 17,903.24
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Other Income 86.61 224,255.43
------------ ------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Total Revenues $68,542.14 $892,395.71
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Costs and Expenses
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Fed Cattle COS 2,780.51 328,302.48
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Feedlot Services Expense .00 (622.02)
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Freight Services Expenses 29,762.79 339,370.94
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
COS Lease & Rent Income 3,440.48 25,375.78
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Selling, General & Admin 8,041.58 118,777.98
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Equity Gain/Loss Investee (1,280.63) (35,584.04)
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Interest Expense 5,019.82 60,956.27
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Interest-Related Party 2,499.87 27,248.24
------------ ------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Total Costs and Expenses $50,264.42 $ 863,825.63
---------- ------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Earnings Before Taxes $18,277.72 $ 28,570.08
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Total Income Tax Expenses $ 497.00 $ 5,491.00
------------ ------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
Net Income (or Loss) $17,780.72 $ 23,079.08
========== ============
- ------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
A-21
EXHIBIT B
Seller's Unaudited Financial Statements
Report on Review by Independent Accountants
To the Board of Directors
Miller Diversified Corporation
We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Miller
Diversified Corporation and its subsidiary as of February 28, 2003, and the
related consolidated statements of operations for each of the three-month and
six-month periods ended February 28, 2003 and 2002, and the consolidated
statement of cash flows for the six-month periods ended February 28, 2003 and
2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management
We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to
financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is
the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a
whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for
them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States.
We previously audited in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31,
2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of shareowners'
equity, and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in
our report dated October 9, 2002 we expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in
the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2002 is fairly
stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet
from which it has been derived.
ANDERSON & WHITNEY, P.C.
Greeley, Colorado
April 10, 2003
A-22
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESSUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
RESTATED
MayFeb. 28, Aug. 31,
August 31,
1999 1998
------------------------2003 2002
-------- --------
ASSETS
- ------
Current Assets:
Cash $ 28,918185,956 $ 21,696214,345
Receivables:
Trade accounts receivable 72,716 65,853Accounts 246,905 636,125
Trade Accounts - Related Parties 96,976 165,761
Accounts Receivable from officers/directors 475,094 287,844- Related Parties 899,434 900,609
Notes - Cattle Financing 287,504 611,869
Notes - Cattle Financing Related Parties -- --
Inventories 3,116,544 1,616,291
Deferred Income tax refunds receivable 24,313Taxes -- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------25,411
Prepaid Expenses and Other 99,314 29,524
Total Current Assets 601,041 375,3934,932,633 4,199,935
Property and equipment:
Land 56,924 56,924
Buildings and improvements 892,799 888,880Equipment:
Feedlot Facility under Capital Lease
Related Party 1,497,840 1,497,840
Equipment 854,289 727,728
--------- ---------
1,804,012 1,673,532198,494 198,494
Leasehold Improvements 187,767 187,767
---------- ----------
1,884,101 1,884,101
Less: Accumulated depreciationDepreciation and amortization 1,280,314 1,206,533
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Amortization 999,035 951,819
Total Property and Equipment 523,698 466,999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------885,066 932,282
Other Assets:
Net investment in sales type leases 7,819 12,953
Other investments 78,500 78,500Notes Receivable Related Parties 300,000 300,000
Deferred income taxes 51,000 51,000Income Taxes 350,756 350,756
Deposits and other 27,889 28,778
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Other 11,495 11,495
Total Other Assets 165,208 171,231
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------662,251 662,251
TOTAL ASSETS 1,289,947 1,013,624
================================================================================$6,479,950 $5,794,468
Continued on next pageNext Page
A-23
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESSUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS RESTATED
May(Continued)
Feb. 28, Aug. 31,
August 31,
1999 1998
----------------------------2003 2002
LIABILITIES
- -----------
Current Liabilities:
Note payableCash Overdraft $ 662,372 $ 193,323
Notes Payable 3,008,120 2,572,120
Trade Accounts Payable 510,684 442,806
Accounts Payable - officer/director $ 13,000 $ 13,000
Trade accounts payable 71,195 59,846
Accounts payableRelated Party -- --
Accrued Expenses 37,787 75,281
Customer Advance Feed Contracts -- --
Current Portion of:
Capital Lease Obligations Related Party 31,227 31,227
Long-Term Debt -- --
Long-Term Debt - related parties 370,083 203,137
Accrued expenses 3,688 5,328
Income taxes payable -- 676
Current portion:
Long-term debt 38,070 33,770
Long-term debt - related parties 138,811 126,280
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Related Party 65,087 65,087
Total Current Liabilities 634,847 442,037
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term4,315,277 3,383,069
Capital Lease Obligation Related Party 856,448 871,634
Long-Term Debt 246,694 277,274
Long-term-- --
Long-Term Debt - related parties 516,965 491,202
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Related Party 41,047 73,045
Total Liabilities 1,398,506 1,296,766
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------5,212,772 4,327,748
Commitments
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------Preferred Stock -- --
Common Stock, par value $100$.0001 per share;
2,500 shares authorized;
1,016 shares issuedshare
25,000,000 Shares Authorized;
6,364,640 Shares Issued and outstanding 101,600 101,600Outstanding 636 636
Additional Paid-In Capital 11,860 11,8601,351,693 1,351,693
Retained Earnings (Deficit) (222,019) (310,349)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------(26,776) 185,411
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (58,375) (71,020)
Total StockholdersStockholders' Equity Deficit (108,559) (196,889)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY1,267,178 1,466,720
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 1,289,9476,479,950 $ 1,013,624
===============================================================================5,795,468
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Nine Months Ended May 31,
1999 1998
------------------------
Revenue
Freight services income $ 259,892 $ 247,255
Rent and lease income 197,352 188,309
Commodity sales commissions 328,283 351,943
Speculative trading gains (losses) 3,444 (44,080)
Interest income 540 847
Other 16,179 --
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenue 805,690 744,274
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of:
Freight services 186,411 176,442
Rent and lease income 44,888 62,012
Commodity sales commissions 166,801 158,537
Selling, general, and administrative 233,047 294,690
Interest 23,692 26,051
Interest - related parties 41,312 50,763
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Costs and Expenses 696,151 768,495
Earnings (Loss) Before Taxes 109,539 (24,221)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 21,209 (15,286)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS (LOSS) $ 88,330 $ (8,935)
===============================================================================
Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share $ 86.94 $ (8.79)
===============================================================================
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares Outstanding 1,016 1,016
================================================================================
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended May 31,
1999 1998
--------------------------
Revenue:
Freight services income 103,957 81,736
Rent and lease income 66,952 58,895
Commodity sales commissions 84,399 96,706
Speculative trading gains (losses) 207 (11)
Interest income 243 239
Other 857 4,192
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenue 256,615 241,757
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of:
Freight services 73,079 48,708
Rent and lease income 14,039 8,134
Commodity sales commissions 33,604 41,223
Selling, general, and administrative 86,156 132,489
Interest 3,732 8,224
Interest - related parties 14,104 14,550
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Costs and Expenses 224,714 253,238
Earnings Before Taxes 31,901 (11,481)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 13,706 (13,476)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET EARNINGS $ 18,195 $ 1,995
================================================================================
Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share $ 57.48 $ 1.96
================================================================================
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares Outstanding 1,016 1,016
================================================================================
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements
A-24
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIESSUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended February 28 2003 2002
Revenue:
Feed and Related Sales $ 2,024,259 $ 1,686,460
Fed Cattle Sales 1,538,455 3,295,479
Feedlot Services 303,287 447,187
Interest Income 2,193 20,489
Interest Income - Related Parties 9,000 9,000
Other Income 33,920 38,643
Total Revenue 3,911,114 5,497,258
Costs and Expenses
Cost of:
Feed and Related Sales 1,693,116 1,325,790
Fed Cattle Sold 1,709,260 3,838,425
Participation Company Cattle Sold - Related Parties (85,403) (271,473)
Feedlot Services 368,882 481,568
Selling, General and Administrative 336,381 386,373
Interest 20,094 22,081
Interest on Note Payable - Related Party 55,560 60,406
Total Costs and Expenses 4,097,890 5,843,170
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (186,776) (345,912)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) 25,411 (79,173)
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (212,187) $ (266,739)
INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.03) $ (0.04)
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding 6,364,640 6,364,640
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A-25
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended February 28 2003 2002
Revenue:
Feed and Related Sales $ 832,013 $ 769,718
Fed Cattle Sales 2,713 1,357,871
Feedlot Services 139,766 213,155
Interest Income (5,145) 7,802
Interest Income - Related Parties 4,500 4,500
Other Income 7,221 13,062
Total Revenue 981,068 2,366,108
Costs and Expenses
Cost of:
Feed and Related Sales 668,250 591,097
Fed Cattle Sold 8,274 1,574,413
Participation Company Cattle Sold - Related Parties (2,781) (271,473)
Feedlot Services 178,015 236,303
Selling, General and Administrative 159,085 184,573
Interest 10,501 10,861
Interest on Note Payable - Related Party 27,477 29,931
Total Costs and Expenses 1,048,821 2,355,705
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (67,753) 10,403
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) -- 9,906
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (67,753) $ 497
INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.01) $ 0.00
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares Outstanding 6,364,640 6,364,640
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A-26
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NineSix Months Ended May 31,
1999 1998
-------------------------
February 28 2003 2002
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Cash receivedReceived from customersCustomers $ 962,3294,359,101 $ 872,2355,675,556
Cash paidPaid to suppliersSuppliers and employees (546,768) (582,439)Employees (5,462,508) (5,306,637)
Interest paid (65,004) (76,814)Received 11,193 29,489
Interest Paid (115,181) (134,876)
Income paid received (46,198) (1,264)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Taxes Paid -- --
Net Cash Provided (Utilized) by Operating Activities 304,359 211,718
==========================================================================(1,207,395) 263,532
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables
from officers/directors (187,250) 152,273
Acquisition of propertyProperty and equipment (30,480) (17,560)
Payments received on sales type leases 5,134 13,343
Revenues (losses)Equipment -- (5,900)
Loans to Related Party -- --
Collections from other investments 3,444 (20,131)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cattle Financing 1,413,169 82,992
Loans for Cattle Financing (1,088,804)) (566,776)
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Investing Activities (209,152) 127,925
=========================================================================324,365 (489,684)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from:
Notes Payable 6,107,522 5,957,615
Long-Term Debt - Related Party -- --
Long-Term Debt -- --
Principal Payments on:
Long-term debt (15,520) (8,073)
Long-term debtNotes Payable (5,671,522) (5,660,589)
Capital Lease Obligations - related parties (72,467) (320,298)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities (87,987) (328,371)
===========================================================================
Net IncreaseRelated Party (15,186) (13,613)
Long-Term Debt - Related Party (31,998) (28,725)
Long-Term Debt (3,225) (2,938)
Change in Cash 7,222 11,272
Cash, beginning of year end 21,696 18,219
Cash, end of period 28,918 29,491
=================================================================================
Reconciliation of Net Earnings (Loss) toOverdraft 469,049 (48,358)
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities:Financing Activities 854,640 203,392
Net earnings (loss)Increase (Decrease) in Cash (28,390) (22,760)
Cash, Beginning of Period 214,345 272,915
Cash, End of Period $ 88,330185,955 $ (8,935)
Adjustments:
(Revenues) losses from other investments (3,444) 20,131
Depreciation and amortization 74,670 89,166
(Increase) decrease in:
Trade accounts receivable (6,863) 12,826
Income tax refunds receivable (24,313) (16,550)
Inventories -- 40,892
Other investments -- 23,949
Deposits, and other -- (10,639)
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable 9,709 (10,177)
Account payable related parties 166,946 71,055
Income taxes payable (676) --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities $ 304,359 $ 211,718
================================================================================
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.250,155
Continued on Next Page
A-27
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIE
NOTESSUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
Six Months Ended February 28 2003 2002
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash
Provided (Used) by Operating Activities:
Net Income (Loss) $ (212,187) $ (266,739)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and Amortization 47,216 47,216
Gain on Sale of Other Investments -- --
Deferred Income Taxes 25,411 (79,173)
Unrealized Hedging Losses 12,645 81,546
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
(Increase) Decrease in:
Trade Accounts Receivable 389,220 344,125
Trade Accounts Receivable - Related Party 68,785 36,496
Accounts Receivable - Related Party 1,175 (444,307)
Inventories (1,500,253) 763,279
Prepaid Expenses (69,790) (32,440)
Deposits and Other -- (1,000)
Increase (Decrease) in:
Trade Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses 30,383 (185,471)
Trade Accounts Payable - Related Parties -- --
Customer Advance Feed Contracts -- --
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities $(1,207,395) $ 263,532
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
A-28
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARYNOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
_____________________
The consolidated balance sheets as of May 31, 1999February 28, 2003 and August 31, 1998,2002, the
consolidated statements of earnings for the three months and ninesix months ended
May 31, 1999February 28, 2003 and 19982002 and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the
ninethree months ended May 31, 1999February 28, 2003 and 19982002 have been prepared by the Company,
without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted as allowed by
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The consolidated balance sheets nine months ended May 31, 1999 and 1998 have
been restated to include the reversal of an entry made in fiscal 1991 which
removed all fully depreciated assets from MFL's general ledger. This entry,
though not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, was
acceptable for "in-house" financial reporting. MFL is not a public company and
was not being audited at the time, thus the error went unnoticed. The effect of
the restatement is as follows and applies to all periods reported:
Buildings and improvements Increased $645,744
Equipment Increased $27,599
Accumulated depreciation Increased $673,343
The restatement does not change net assets, but merely reinstates the historical
cost of assets that are still in existence and part of MFL's assets.
In preparation of the above-described financial statements, all adjustments of a
normal and recurring nature have been made. MFLThe Company believes that the
accompanying
unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present
fairly the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.
Further, management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the
information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these financial
statements be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and the
notes thereto. The operations for the nine monthsix-month period ended May 31, 1999February 28, 2003
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.
A-29
SCHEDULE 2.1
Acquired Assets
1. Miller Diversified Feeder Cattle as follows:
Lot Number TOTAL 2138 2139 2140
- ---------------------- ----------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
Sex Mixed Mixed Steers Steer
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
Head 3,979.00 52.5 84.5 220
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
Weight 1046 1050 1191.5
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $76.00 $76.00
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
Per Head Value $794.96 $798.00 $905.54
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
Total Value $3,305,097.00 $41,735.40 $67,431.00 $199,218.80
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Lot Number 2143 2147 2148
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
Sex Steers Steers Steers
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
Head 272 99 139
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
Weight 937.5 1286 1016
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $76.00 $76.00
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
Per Head Value $712.50 $977.36 $772.16
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
Total Value $193,800.00 $96,758.64 $107,330.24
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------
- --------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Lot Number 2149 2150 2152
- --------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Sex Heifers Steers Heifers
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Head 158 161 114
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Weight 939 1120.5 1107.4
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $76.00 $76.00
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Per Head Value $713.64 $851.58 $841.62
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Total Value $112,755.12 $137,104.38 $95,945.14
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Lot Number 2153 2154 2155
- ---------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06./30/03
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ----------------
Sex Heifers Steers Heifers
- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ -----------------
Head 198 218 178
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ----------------
Weight 858 980 858
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ----------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $76.00 $76.00
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ----------------
Per Head Value $652.08 $744.80 $652.08
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ----------------
Total Value $129,111.84 $162,366.40 $116,070.24
- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ----------------
` A-30
- --------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Lot Number 2161 2165 2167
- --------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Sex Mixed Heifers Heifers
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Head 174 106 212
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Weight 1001 815 856.2
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $76.00 $76.00
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Per Head Value $760.76 $619.40 $650.71
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Total Value $132,372.24 $65,656.40 $137,950.94
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
- --------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Lot Number 2168 2169 2171
- --------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Sex Steers Steers Heifers
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Head 264 192 124
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Weight 924 1022 771.4
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $76.00 $76.00
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Per Head Value $702.24 $776.72 $586.26
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Total Value $185,391.36 $149,130.24 $72,696.74
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
- --------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Lot Number 2172 2173 2174
- --------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Sex Steers Heifers Heifers
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Head 72 192 139
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Weight 938 990.8 844.2
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $76.00 $76.00
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Per Head Value $712.88 $753.01 $641.59
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Total Value $51,327.36 $144,577.54 $89,181.29
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
- --------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Lot Number 2175 2176 2177
- --------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Sex Heifers Heifers Heifers
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Head 66 115 142
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Weight 911.2 908.4 845.4
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $76.00 $76.00
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Per Head Value $692.51 $690.38 $642.50
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
Total Value $45,705.79 $79,394.16 $91,235.57
- --------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- -----------------
A-31
- --------------------- ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Lot Number 2181 2184 2185
- --------------------- ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Date 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03 02/28/03 06/30/03
- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------
Sex Heifers Steers Steers
- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------
Head 130 95 157
- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------
Weight 1016.2 888 1017.5
- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------
Market/Cwt $76.00 $79.00 $76.00
- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------
Per Head Value $772.31 $685.72 $773.30
- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------
Total Value $100,400.56 $65,143.40 $121,408.10
- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ----------------
- -------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Total on Closing
- -------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Sex Mixed
- -------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Head
- -------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Total Value
- -------------------------- -------------------------------------------
A-32
February 28, 2003 Closing
----------------- -------
2. Cash. $ 185,956
3. Receivable.
Trade Accounts: 343,881
Accounts Receivable-Related Parties 899,434
Notes Cattle Financing 287,504
4. Inventories (not including Cattle) 123,624
5. Prepaid Expenses and other: 99,314
6. Equipment (Net of Depreciation) 44,126
7. Leasehold Improvements (net of depreciation) 67,063
8. Note Receivable - Miller Feed Lots 1,446,320
9. Notes receivable-Related Parties: 300,000
10 Deposits and others: 11,495
11. All shares of common stock and other equity
rights of Miller Feeders, Inc.
12. Cattle Feeding Contracts with Customers: 5,237 Head
A-33
Assumed Liabilities
February 28, 2003 Closing
----------------- -------
1. Current Liabilities
Cash Overdraft $ 662,372
Notes payable: 3,008,120
Trade Accounts payables: 510,684
Accrued Expenses: 37,787
A-34
SCHEDULE 2.4
PROMISSORY NOTE
U.S. $____________ Greeley, Colorado
May ___, 2003
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Miller Feed Lots, Inc., a Colorado corporation
("Company") promises to pay to Miller Diversified Corporation, a Nevada
corporation ("Holder"), its successors and assigns, at its offices in Greeley,
Colorado, in lawful money of the United States of America, the unpaid principal
sum of ______________________ (the "Principal Amount"), or such lesser amount as
shall equal the outstanding Principal Amount hereof, together with interest from
the date of this Promissory Note on the unpaid Principal Amount balance at the
rate of 5% per year, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed
and a year of 365 days, payable in installments of $100,000 principal, plus
interest on all remaining unpaid Principal Amount on each annual anniversary
date of this Promissory Note. Payment of this Promissory Note is secured by a
deed of trust of even date covering the Company's feedlot facilities in La
Salle, Colorado.
At the option of the Holder, the entire Principal Amount and interest on
this Promissory Note shall become immediately due and payable upon the
occurrence of any one of the following events or conditions: (i) default in the
payment of any installment of principal or interest due under this Promissory
Note within five days after such payment was due; (ii) any event which gives any
person the right to accelerate the maturity of any indebtedness of the Company
to any person under any security or loan agreement, indenture, promissory note,
or other undertaking; (iii) the dissolution, insolvency, however expressed or
indicated, termination of existence of, appointment of a receiver of any part of
the property of, assignment for the benefit of creditors by, or the commencement
of any proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or other law
relating to the relief of debtors by or against the Company; (iv) if the Holder
in good faith believes that the prospect of payment of this Note is impaired; or
(v) any breach of the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company
and Holder dated ___________________, 2003. If all or any portion of the
Principal Amount or interest is not paid when due or declared due by Holder, the
overdue amount shall bear interest at the rate of 10% per year. In addition to
the foregoing remedies, upon the occurrence or existing of any event of default,
Holder may exercise any other right, power or remedy granted to it by the deed
of trust securing payment of this Promissory Note.
The Company hereby waives presentment for payment, protect, notice of
nonpayment under protest, and agrees to one or more extensions of time of
payment of any length and partial payments before, or after maturity. In the
event this Note is placed for collection in the hands of an attorney, not a
salaried employee of the Holder, the Company agrees to pay, in addition to all
sums hereunder, a reasonable attorney's fee, not exceeding 10% of the unpaid
principal amount.
Upon two (2) days prior written notice to Holder, Company may prepay this
Promissory Note in whole or in part; provided that any such prepayment will be
applied first to the payment of expenses due under this Promissory Note, second
to interest accrued on this Promissory Note and third, if the amount of
prepayment exceeds the amount of all such expenses and accrued interest, to the
payment of Principal Amount.
Neither this Promissory Note nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations hereunder may be assigned, by operation of law or otherwise, in
whole or in part, by Company without the prior written consent of Holder. The
rights and obligations of Holder of this Promissory Note shall be binding upon
and benefit the successors, assigns and transferees of Holder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Promissory Note to be
issued as of the date first written above.
MILLER FEED LOTS, INC.
By: /s/
--------------------------------
James E. Miller
President
A-35
SCHEDULE 4.6
Acquired Business Disclosure Document
Pursuant to Section 4.6 of the above Asset Purchase Agreement, Miller
Diversified Corporation, as Seller, makes disclosure to Miller Feed Lots, Inc.,
as Purchaser, of the following matters:
1. Cattle Feeding Contracts. Seller conducts cattle feeding operations as a
part of the Acquired Business for cattle feeders identified below, together with
the number of cattle on feed as of April 15, 2003. No written contracts exist
with these custom cattle feeders. At the Closing, Seller will assign to
Purchaser the Seller's rights and obligations with respect to unwritten cattle
feeder contracts.
Custom Feeders Cattle on Feed
-------------- --------------
Miller Diversified Corporation 3,578
Bill Barney 41
Cobb Cattle Co. 80
Norman Dean 558
Bonnie Dean 963
Ferris Mountain Ranch 90
Flying Y Cattle Co. 183
Francis Livestock 116
Dave Gardner 172
John Gill 74
Richard Graham 291
JVCO 432
Group 1 165
Lee & Donna Jons 198
Keller Land & Livestock 57
Kelley Cattle Company, LLC 146
Lazy 3L Ranch 80
Lynch Ranch LLP 127
Leroy Mclaughlin 312
Robert Medow 113
James E. Miller 958
Norm & Maxine Munk 177
Salsbery Ranch Inc. 198
Bruce Tonn 102
Weld County Livestock Association 65
2. The feedlot facilities under lease by Seller from Purchaser are in good
condition, subject to ordinary wear and tear, except for the following matters
requiring repair or maintenance action: Most in good to fair condition.
A-36
3. Feeder cattle being transferred to Seller by Purchaser are in good
health, except for approximately 200 head of cattle, which are held in a
hospital pen pending recovery from various causes of illness common to cattle,
which are not expected to be fatal.
4. Seller has outstanding contracts to purchase grain and cattle, which
Purchaser will assume. The name of the contracting entity and the commodity to
be purchased are described below.
Dried Distillers Grain
----------------------
Name Commodity
- ---- ---------
Colorado Commodities 2,375 ton @ $116/ton, delivery Mar thru Aug.
Corn
- ----
Name Commodity
---- ---------
Roggen 30,000 Bu @$2.84/Bu, Apr thru May delivery
Roggen 40,000 Bu @ $2.90/Bu, June thru July delivery
Scoular 15,000 Bu @ $2.80/Bu, March delivery
Scoular 15,000 Bu @ $2.78/Bu, March delivery
Scoular 40,000 Bu @ $2.87/Bu, Apr thru May delivery
Scoular 30,000 Bu @ $2.90/Bu, June thru July delivery
Silage
- ------
Name Commodity
---- ---------
Strohauer Farms Inc. 9,000 Tons @ $28/Ton, Mar thru Sept delivery
5. All feed and grain held in inventory is of a quality capable for use in
cattle feeding operations with the exception of the following: All are in good
condition
6. All veterinary medicine supplies held in inventory are of usable
quality, except the following: All usable.
7. Seller is not aware of any custom cattle feeders in financial
difficulties, such that they may not be in a financial condition to pay costs of
feeding cattle as invoiced in Seller's ordinary business practice, except the
following. All are ok to the best of our knowledge.
A-37
PRELIMINARY PROXY
APPENDIX B
MILLER DIVERSIFIED CORPORATION
5754 WEST 11TH STREET
GREELEY, COLORADO 80634
The undersigned hereby appoints Norman M. Dean and James E. Miller, or
either of them, proxies of the undersigned, each with the power of substitution
and hereby authorizes them to vote as designated below, all the shares of common
stock, $.0001 par value, of the undersigned at the Special Meeting of
Stockholders of Miller Diversified Corporation (the "Company") to be held on May
30, 2003, and at all adjournments thereof, with respect to the following:
Item 1. Election of Directors - Nominees:
Norman M. Dean, James E. Miller, Clark A. Miller
[ ] FOR all nominees (except as indicated to the contrary below]
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for all nominees
INSTRUCTIONS:To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee, print that nominee's name in the space provided below. IF AUTHORITY IS
NOT EXPRESSLY WITHHELD IT SHALL BE DEEMED GRANTED.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 2. to consider and vote on the sale of substantially all the assets of the
Company pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 17, 2003, between
Miller Feed Lots, Inc., as Purchaser, which is owned and controlled by the
persons who are directors of the Company, and the Company, as Seller, for an
indeterminate sum to be paid by promissory note payable to us in the amount of
$100,000 per year, plus interest until paid, and the assumption of certain
related liabilities, which will result in the Company becoming a blank check
company, with no business operations.
____ (FOR) ____ (AGAINST) ____ (ABSTAIN)
Item 3. In the proxy's discretion, on such other business as may properly be
presented for action at the Special Meeting.
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company and
may be revoked prior to its exercise. This proxy when properly executed, will be
voted as directed above by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made,
it will be voted FOR the nominees named in Item 1, FOR approval of the proposed
disposition of substantially all the assets of the Company in Item 2, and in the
proxy's discretion, on such other business as may properly come before the
Special Meeting in Item 3.
--------------------------------------
By:
-----------------------------------
Your signature should appear exactly as
your name appears in the space at the
left. For joint accounts, all owners
should sign. When signing in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, please give
your full title as such.
Date: _________________, 2003
B-1
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.
APPENDIX C
AGREEMENT
This agreement is made this date February 4, 2002 between Miller Diversified
Corporation (MDC) and Miller Feedlots, Inc. (MFL).
On February 1, 1991 MDC executed a 25 year lease with MFL to lease its feedlot
facility. The lease payments have a minimum of $10,750 per month.
MDC experienced a loss of approximately $550,000 in its cattle feeding
operations in 2001 and under present market conditions could incur substantial
losses in 2002.
Because of past and projected losses, Farm Credit System is questioning whether
or not it will continue to provide capital for MDC.
Because it is in the best interest of both parties that MDC continue to feed
cattle with MFL, it is hereby agreed that MFL will share 50% in any losses
incurred by MDC during 2002 in an amount not exceeding $600,000.
Since ownership of these two entities is not identical with the owners of MFL
owning only 40% of MDC, it is hereby agreed that if MDC becomes delinquent in
any lease payments or if for any reason discontinues cattle feeding with MFL or
upon demand by the owners of MFL, any amounts advanced by MFL under the terms of
this agreement will be repaid under terms to be negotiated by the two parties.
Miller Diversified Corporation
/s/ James E. Miller 02/04/02
- -------------------- --------
James E. Miller Date
President
/s/ Clark A. Miller 02/04/02
- -------------------- --------
Clark A. Miller Date
Secretary
Miller Feedlots, Inc.
/s/ James E. Miller 02/04/02
------------------- --------
James E. Miller Date
President
/s/ Clark A. Miller 02/04/02
-------------------- --------
Clark A. Miller Date
Secretary
C-1