UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
| | |
þ | | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009
or
| | |
o | | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to .
Commission file number 333-84486
Land O’Lakes, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| | |
Minnesota (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | 41-0365145 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
4001 Lexington Avenue North | | |
Arden Hills, Minnesota (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | 55112 (Zip Code) |
(651) 481-2222
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all report required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yeso Noþ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web Site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yeso Noo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| | | | | | |
Large accelerated filero | | Accelerated filero | | Non-accelerated filerþ | | Smaller reporting companyo |
| | | | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yeso Noþ
Land O’Lakes, Inc. is a cooperative. Our voting and non-voting common equity can only be held by our members. No public market for voting and non-voting common equity of Land O’Lakes, Inc. is established and it is unlikely, in the foreseeable future, that a public market for our voting and non-voting common equity will develop.
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2009: 870 shares of Class A common stock, 3,820 shares of Class B common stock, 164 shares of Class C common stock, and 1,008 shares of Class D common stock.
Documents incorporated by reference: None.
We maintain a website on the Internet through which additional information about Land O’Lakes, Inc. can be accessed. Our website address is www.landolakesinc.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, press releases and earnings releases are available, free of charge, on our website when they are released publicly or filed with the SEC.
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | |
| | ($ in thousands) | |
ASSETS
|
| | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 33,490 | | | $ | 30,820 | |
Receivables, net | | | 1,445,692 | | | | 1,104,261 | |
Inventories | | | 1,227,786 | | | | 1,083,978 | |
Prepaid assets | | | 222,862 | | | | 1,101,005 | |
Other current assets | | | 90,658 | | | | 123,504 | |
| | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 3,020,488 | | | | 3,443,568 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Investments | | | 301,526 | | | | 314,487 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 672,794 | | | | 658,261 | |
Goodwill, net | | | 277,383 | | | | 277,176 | |
Other intangibles, net | | | 118,999 | | | | 120,982 | |
Other assets | | | 165,388 | | | | 166,838 | |
| | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 4,556,578 | | | $ | 4,981,312 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES
|
| | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Notes and short-term obligations | | $ | 617,551 | | | $ | 409,370 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 2,568 | | | | 2,864 | |
Accounts payable | | | 1,062,973 | | | | 1,175,995 | |
Customer advances | | | 421,634 | | | | 1,045,705 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | 449,313 | | | | 423,494 | |
Patronage refunds and other member equities payable | | | 60,118 | | | | 37,751 | |
| | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 2,614,157 | | | | 3,095,179 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | 531,800 | | | | 531,955 | |
Employee benefits and other liabilities | | | 379,304 | | | | 358,404 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Equities: | | | | | | | | |
Capital stock | | | 1,597 | | | | 1,611 | |
Member equities | | | 970,293 | | | | 947,141 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (151,609 | ) | | | (150,277 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 196,740 | | | | 178,377 | |
| | | | | | |
Total Land O’Lakes, Inc. equity | | | 1,017,021 | | | | 976,852 | |
Noncontrolling interests | | | 14,296 | | | | 18,922 | |
| | | | | | |
Total equities | | | 1,031,317 | | | | 995,774 | |
| | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equities | | $ | 4,556,578 | | | $ | 4,981,312 | |
| | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | ($ in thousands) | |
Net sales | | $ | 2,947,314 | | | $ | 3,256,999 | |
Cost of sales | | | 2,687,270 | | | | 3,006,292 | |
| | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 260,044 | | | | 250,707 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 163,273 | | | | 167,579 | |
Restructuring and impairment charges | | | 297 | | | | 53 | |
| | | | | | |
Earnings from operations | | | 96,474 | | | | 83,075 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | | | 13,198 | | | | 17,135 | |
Other (income) expense, net | | | (2,387 | ) | | | 12 | |
Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliated companies | | | 7,164 | | | | (4,102 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Earnings before income taxes | | | 78,499 | | | | 70,030 | |
Income tax (benefit) expense | | | (1,225 | ) | | | 6,922 | |
| | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 79,724 | | | | 63,108 | |
Less: net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | (2,966 | ) | | | 1,825 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. | | $ | 82,690 | | | $ | 61,283 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Applied to: | | | | | | | | |
Member equities | | | | | | | | |
Allocated patronage | | $ | 77,673 | | | $ | 47,841 | |
Deferred equities | | | (13,159 | ) | | | (4,963 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| | | 64,514 | | | | 42,878 | |
Retained earnings | | | 18,176 | | | | 18,405 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 82,690 | | | $ | 61,283 | |
| | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | ($ in thousands) | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. | | $ | 82,690 | | | $ | 61,283 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. to net cash used by operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 21,095 | | | | 22,146 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 601 | | | | 525 | |
Bad debt (recovery) expense | | | (944 | ) | | | 986 | |
Proceeds from patronage revolvement received | | | 119 | | | | 1,560 | |
Non-cash patronage income | | | (225 | ) | | | (1,331 | ) |
Deferred income tax benefit | | | (2,819 | ) | | | (14,631 | ) |
Increase in other assets | | | (1,279 | ) | | | (948 | ) |
Increase in other liabilities | | | 8,806 | | | | 5,725 | |
Restructuring and impairment charges | | | 297 | | | | 53 | |
(Gain) loss on sale of investment | | | (2,210 | ) | | | 12 | |
Gain on foreign currency exchange contracts on sale of investment | | | (177 | ) | | | — | |
Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliated companies | | | 7,164 | | | | (4,102 | ) |
Dividends from investments in affiliated companies | | | 5,258 | | | | 5,448 | |
Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | (2,966 | ) | | | 1,825 | |
Other | | | (3,449 | ) | | | (194 | ) |
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures: | | | | | | | | |
Receivables | | | (352,074 | ) | | | (450,627 | ) |
Inventories | | | (143,808 | ) | | | (112,649 | ) |
Prepaids and other current assets | | | 918,017 | | | | 354,880 | |
Accounts payable | | | (112,173 | ) | | | 205,268 | |
Customer advances | | | (624,071 | ) | | | (429,128 | ) |
Accrued liabilities | | | 43,299 | | | | 91,283 | |
| | | | | | |
Net cash used by operating activities | | | (158,849 | ) | | | (262,616 | ) |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Additions to property, plant and equipment | | | (36,925 | ) | | | (24,316 | ) |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | | — | | | | (6,419 | ) |
Investments in affiliates | | | (415 | ) | | | (50,835 | ) |
Distributions from investments in affiliated companies | | | — | | | | 4,448 | |
Proceeds from sale of investments | | | 5,568 | | | | 49 | |
Proceeds from foreign currency exchange contracts on sale of investment | | | 518 | | | | — | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | | | 842 | | | | 66 | |
Insurance proceeds for replacement assets | | | 4,415 | | | | — | |
Change in notes receivable | | | 262 | | | | (6,038 | ) |
Other | | | 248 | | | | (476 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net cash used by investing activities | | | (25,487 | ) | | | (83,521 | ) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Increase in short-term debt | | | 208,181 | | | | 341,931 | |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | | | 10 | | | | 666 | |
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations | | | (656 | ) | | | (12,693 | ) |
Payments for redemption of member equities | | | (18,853 | ) | | | (22,161 | ) |
Other | | | (1,676 | ) | | | (36 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 187,006 | | | | 307,707 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 2,670 | | | | (38,430 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | | | 30,820 | | | | 116,839 | |
| | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | | $ | 33,490 | | | $ | 78,409 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplementary Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid (received) during periods for: | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 10,715 | | | $ | 13,691 | |
Income taxes | | | (15,749 | ) | | | 3,170 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
($ in thousands in tables)
(Unaudited)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Land O’Lakes, Inc. (the “Company”) and wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. The effects of intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of the Company’s management, all normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The results of operations and cash flows for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year because of, among other things, the seasonal nature of our businesses. The statements are condensed and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2008 included in our Form 10-K.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to conform to the 2009 presentation. Specifically, a $2.9 million change in deferred compensation balances has been reclassified from financing activities to operating activities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). This statement provides a single definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosures concerning fair value. SFAS 157 applies to other pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements; it does not require any new fair value measurements. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company partially adopted SFAS 157, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Additionally, in February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) Financial Accounting Standard 157-1 (“FSP 157-1”) and 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-1 removed leasing from the scope of SFAS 157, and FSP 157-2 delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2009 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the remaining provisions of SFAS 157 relating to nonrecurring nonfinancial assets and liabilities in accordance with FSP 157-2, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-3 (“FSP 157-3”), which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including all periods for which financial statements had not been issued. The Company has adopted FSP 157-3, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-4 (“FSP 157-4”), which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FSP 157-4 is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. At initial adoption, application of the FSP would not be required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. The Company will adopt FSP 157-4 as of June 30, 2009 and does not expect this statement to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) requires most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at “full fair value.” The statement applies to all business combinations, including combinations among mutual enterprises. SFAS 141(R) requires all business combinations to be accounted for by applying the acquisition method and was effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited. The Company adopted SFAS 141(R) prospectively for all business combinations where the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009 and has ceased amortizing goodwill created as a result of business combinations between mutual enterprises. The impact of amortization of goodwill on the consolidated financial statements was $7.9 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. See Note 6 for further information.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – An Amendment to ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). The objective of this statement is to improve the relevance, comparability and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 requires the reclassification of noncontrolling interests, also referred to as minority interest, to the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet presented upon adoption.
6
Minority interest expense is no longer separately reported as a reduction to net income on the consolidated income statement, but is instead shown below net income under the heading “net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests.” Total provision for income taxes remains unchanged; however, the Company’s effective tax rate as calculated from the balances shown on the consolidated income statement has changed as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is no longer included in the determination of income from continuing operations. This pronouncement was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS 160 as of January 1, 2009 and changed the presentation of its noncontrolling interests in compliance with this pronouncement.
In December 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 07-1, “Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements” (“EITF 07-1”), which defines collaborative arrangements and establishes reporting requirements for transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement and between participants in the arrangement and third parties. EITF 07-1 also establishes the appropriate income statement presentation and classification for joint operating activities and payments between participants, as well as the sufficiency of the disclosures related to these arrangements. EITF 07-1 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. EITF 07-1 shall be applied using a modified version of retrospective transition for those arrangements in place at the effective date. The Company adopted EITF 07-1 as of January 1, 2009, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – An Amendment to FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”), which expands quarterly and annual FASB 133 disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161 was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS 161 as of January 1, 2009 and expanded disclosures regarding its derivative instruments and hedging activities in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 10 for additional disclosures as required by SFAS 161.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”), which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” This pronouncement requires enhanced disclosures concerning a company’s treatment of costs incurred to renew or extend the term of a recognized intangible asset. FSP 142-3 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted FSP 142-3 as of January 1, 2009, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2008, the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations” (“EITF 08-6”). The objective of this issue is to clarify how to account for certain transactions involving equity method investments, including how the initial carrying value of an equity method investment should be determined. The Company adopted EITF 08-6 as of January 1, 2009, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 132 (R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits” (“FSP 132 (R)-1”), which requires that an employer disclose the following information about the fair value of plan assets: 1) how investment allocation decisions are made, including the factors that are pertinent to understanding investment policies and strategies; 2) the major categories of plan assets; 3) the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets; 4) the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period; and 5) significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. This FSP will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, with early application permitted. At initial adoption, application of the FSP would not be required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. The adoption of this FSP in 2009 will increase the disclosures within the Company’s consolidated financial statements related to the assets of its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1”), which require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 are effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. At initial adoption, application of the FSP would not be required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. The Company will adopt FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 as of June 30, 2009 and will include the disclosures within the Company’s consolidated financial statements related to the fair value of financial instruments as of interim reporting periods.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, allowance for doubtful accounts, sales returns and allowances, vendor rebates receivable, asset impairments, valuation of goodwill and unamortized other intangible assets, tax contingency reserves, deferred tax valuation allowances, trade promotion and consumer incentives, and assumptions related to pension and other post-retirement plans.
7
2. Business Combinations
2009 Acquisitions
In January 2009, Feed contributed $0.3 million in cash to create a 50/50 joint venture with Ceres Solutions LLP to form Superior Feed Solutions, LLC. The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
2008 Acquisitions
In January and February of 2008, Agriliance LLC (“Agriliance”) a 50%-owned joint venture along with United Country Brands, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of CHS Inc. (“CHS”)), distributed its interest in four agronomy joint ventures to the Company and CHS, and the Company acquired from CHS its partial interest in the joint ventures for a total cash payment of $8.3 million representing the net book value of these investments.
3. Receivables
A summary of receivables is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Trade accounts | | $ | 1,072,885 | | | $ | 846,794 | |
Notes and contracts | | | 87,886 | | | | 89,736 | |
Vendor rebates | | | 168,022 | | | | 57,007 | |
Other | | | 136,568 | | | | 130,591 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | 1,465,361 | | | | 1,124,128 | |
Less allowance for doubtful accounts | | | (19,669 | ) | | | (19,867 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Total receivables, net | | $ | 1,445,692 | | | $ | 1,104,261 | |
| | | | | | |
A substantial portion of the Company’s receivables is concentrated in agriculture as well as in the wholesale and retail food industries. Collection of receivables may be dependent upon economic returns in these industries. The Company’s credit risks are continually reviewed, and management believes that adequate provisions have been made for doubtful accounts.
The Company operates a wholly owned subsidiary that provides operating loans and facility financing to farmers and livestock producers, which are fully collateralized by the real estate, equipment and livestock of their farming operations. These loans, which relate primarily to dairy, swine, cattle and other livestock production, are presented as notes and contracts for the current portion and as other assets for the non-current portion. Total notes and contracts were $138.8 million at March 31, 2009 and $139.7 million at December 31, 2008 of which $79.5 million and $82.1 million, respectively, was the current portion included in the table above.
Vendor rebate receivables are primarily generated as a result of seed and chemical purchases. These receivables can vary significantly period to period based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, specific terms and conditions set forth in the underlying agreements, the timing of when such agreements become binding arrangements, and the timing of cash receipts.
Other receivables include margin receivables from commodity brokers on open derivative instruments, interest and expected insurance settlements.
4. Inventories
A summary of inventories is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Raw materials | | $ | 212,251 | | | $ | 217,087 | |
Work in process | | | 2,139 | | | | 1,639 | |
Finished goods | | | 1,013,396 | | | | 865,252 | |
| | | | | | |
Total inventories | | $ | 1,227,786 | | | $ | 1,083,978 | |
| | | | | | |
8
5. Investments
A summary of investments is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Agriliance LLC | | $ | 164,500 | | | $ | 176,191 | |
Advanced Food Products, LLC | | | 31,842 | | | | 33,870 | |
Ag Processing Inc. | | | 31,072 | | | | 31,858 | |
Delta Egg Farm, LLC | | | 11,878 | | | | 11,464 | |
Melrose Dairy Proteins, LLC | | | 8,404 | | | | 6,397 | |
Universal Cooperatives, Inc. | | | 7,897 | | | | 7,877 | |
CoBank, ACB | | | 5,345 | | | | 4,892 | |
Pro-Pet, LLC | | | 3,033 | | | | 2,123 | |
Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. | | | 2,922 | | | | 2,954 | |
Wilco-Winfield, LLC | | | 2,373 | | | | 3,131 | |
Other – principally cooperatives and joint ventures | | | 32,260 | | | | 33,730 | |
| | | | | | |
Total investments | | $ | 301,526 | | | $ | 314,487 | |
| | | | | | |
Investments decreased primarily due to $11.7 million of equity losses from the Company’s 50% share of Agriliance, LLC for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
In February 2008, the Company and Golden Oval Eggs, LLC (“Golden Oval”) entered into an Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement that modified certain terms and conditions of the sale of MoArk, LLC’s (“MoArk”) liquid egg operations to Golden Oval, including the cancellation of the principal amount owed under the note and the issuance of a warrant to the Company for the right to purchase 880,492 convertible preferred units. As of the date the warrant was issued, the Company determined that the underlying units had an insignificant fair value. In December 2008, Golden Oval announced that it entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of its assets. As of December 31, 2008, the Company held the warrant for the 880,492 convertible preferred units, which carried a preference upon liquidation of $11.357 per unit, and 697,350 Class A units. In February 2009, the Company notified Golden Oval that it intended to exercise the warrant prior to Golden Oval’s scheduled asset sale, noted above. The Company had the right, in its sole discretion, to convert to Class A units any preferred units it received upon exercise of its warrant. On March 2, 2009, in conjunction with Golden Oval’s planned sale of substantially all of its assets to Rembrandt Enterprises, Inc. (“Rembrandt”), the Company exercised its right to purchase 880,492 Class A Convertible Preferred Units (the “Preferred Units”) of Golden Oval. The Company also elected to convert the Preferred Units to an equal number of Golden Oval’s Class A Common Units. The sale of substantially all Golden Oval’s assets to Rembrandt closed as of March 30, 2009. Upon closing of the asset sale, the Company recorded a $6.4 million receivable and gain, which represents the preferred payment related to the 880,492 Preferred Units that were converted to Class A units in accordance with the terms of the warrant’s execution. The Company expects to receive an additional $6.0 million, approximately, of cash distributions from Golden Oval related to the asset sale in various amounts during 2009 and additional gain will be recorded at that time. Once these distributions are complete, all 1,577,842 Class A units held by the Company are expected to have no remaining value.
6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Feed | | $ | 126,960 | | | $ | 126,960 | |
Dairy Foods | | | 68,525 | | | | 68,525 | |
Agronomy | | | 50,663 | | | | 50,663 | |
Layers | | | 20,553 | | | | 20,346 | |
Seed | | | 10,682 | | | | 10,682 | |
| | | | | | |
Total goodwill | | $ | 277,383 | | | $ | 277,176 | |
| | | | | | |
Goodwill amortization was $0 and $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Amortization of goodwill ceased with the adoption of SFAS 141(R) as of January 1, 2009.
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Other Intangible Assets
A summary of other intangible assets is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Amortized other intangible assets: | | | | | | | | |
Dealer networks and customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $4,660 and $4,045, respectively | | $ | 49,861 | | | $ | 50,478 | |
Patents, less accumulated amortization of $8,704 and $8,414, respectively | | | 8,007 | | | | 8,297 | |
Trademarks, less accumulated amortization of $2,842 and $2,668, respectively | | | 4,773 | | | | 4,946 | |
Other intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $3,802 and $4,412, respectively | | | 4,733 | | | | 5,636 | |
| | | | | | |
Total amortized other intangible assets | | | 67,374 | | | | 69,357 | |
Total non-amortized other intangible assets — trademarks and license agreements | | | 51,625 | | | | 51,625 | |
| | | | | | |
Total other intangible assets | | $ | 118,999 | | | $ | 120,982 | |
| | | | | | |
Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The estimated amortization expense related to other intangible assets subject to amortization for the next five years will approximate $4.8 million annually. The weighted-average life of the intangible assets subject to amortization is approximately 19 years. Non-amortized other intangible assets relate to Feed, and the majority of the amortized other intangible assets relate to Feed, Agronomy and Layers.
7. Accrued Liabilities
A summary of accrued liabilities is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Marketing programs and consumer incentives | | $ | 183,668 | | | $ | 70,209 | |
Employee compensation and benefits | | | 88,379 | | | | 141,376 | |
Unrealized hedging losses and deferred option premiums received | | | 65,757 | | | | 99,964 | |
Other | | | 111,509 | | | | 111,945 | |
| | | | | | |
Total accrued liabilities | | $ | 449,313 | | | $ | 423,494 | |
| | | | | | |
Other accrued liabilities primarily include accrued taxes, interest, self-insurance reserves and environmental liabilities.
8. Debt Obligations
Notes and Short-term Obligations
The Company had notes and short-term obligations at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 of $617.6 million and $409.4 million, respectively. The Company maintains credit facilities to finance its short-term borrowing needs, including a revolving credit facility and a receivables securitization facility.
The Company’s $225 million, five-year revolving credit facility matures in 2011. Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate (either LIBOR or an Alternative Base Rate) plus an applicable margin. The margin is dependent upon the Company’s leverage ratio. Based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the end of March 2009, the LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility was 87.5 basis points and the spread for the Alternative Base Rate was 20 basis points. LIBOR may be set for one, two, three or six month periods at the election of the Company. At March 31, 2009, $100.0 million was outstanding on the revolving credit facility and $88.6 million was available after giving effect to $36.4 million of outstanding letters of credit, which reduce availability. On May 4, 2009, the Company announced that it had closed a $175 million increase to the revolving credit facility, bringing the total capacity to $400 million. Pricing on the facility was increased due to current market rates. Based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the end of March 2009, the LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility was increased to 250 basis points and the spread for the Alternative Base Rate was increased to 150 basis points, effective from the closing date.
The Company’s $400 million, five-year receivables securitization facility arranged by CoBank ACB matures in 2011. The Company and certain wholly owned consolidated entities sell Dairy Foods, Feed, Seed, Agronomy and certain other receivables to LOL SPV, LLC, a wholly owned, consolidated special purpose entity (the “SPE”). The SPE enters into borrowings which are effectively secured solely by the SPE’s receivables. The SPE has its own separate creditors that are entitled to be satisfied out of the assets of the SPE prior to any value becoming available to the Company. Borrowings under the receivables securitization facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the SPE’s receivables were $975.1 million and $1,024.1 million, respectively. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, outstanding balances under the facility, recorded as notes and short-term obligations, were $400.0 million and $280.0 million, respectively, and availability was $0 and $120.0 million, respectively.
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The Company also had $73.9 million as of March 31, 2009, and $74.5 million as of December 31, 2008, of notes and short-term obligations outstanding under a revolving line of credit and other borrowing arrangements for a wholly-owned subsidiary that provides operating loans and facility financing to farmers and livestock producers.
Additionally, the Company had $13.0 million and $20.0 outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively of notes and short term obligations under a credit facility with Agriliance, a 50/50 joint venture with CHS. The purpose of the credit facility is to provide additional working capital liquidity and allows the Company to borrow from or lend to Agriliance at a variable rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points.
The Company’s MoArk subsidiary maintains a $40 million revolving credit facility, which is subject to a borrowing base limitation. Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate (either LIBOR or an Alternative Base Rate) plus an applicable margin. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the outstanding borrowings were $0. MoArk’s facility is not guaranteed by the Company nor is it secured by Company assets. The facility was scheduled to mature on June 1, 2009. On February 27, 2009, MoArk and its lenders agreed to an extension of the facility to June 1, 2012.
The Company’s Agri-AFC, LLC (“AFC”) subsidiary maintains a $45 million revolving credit facility, which is subject to a borrowing base limitation. On March 20, 2009, AFC and its lenders agreed to an extension of the revolving credit facility until March 2010. Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate of LIBOR plus 250 basis points. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the outstanding borrowings were $30.6 million and $34.9 million, respectively. AFC’s facility is not guaranteed by the Company nor is it secured by Company assets, but it does contain a minimum net worth covenant which could require the Company to make subordinated loans or equity infusions into AFC if AFC’s net worth falls below certain levels. The revolving credit facility is subject to certain debt covenants, which were all satisfied as of March 31, 2009.
The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings and notes outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was 1.45% and 1.94%, respectively.
Long-term Debt
A summary of long-term debt is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Senior unsecured notes — due 2011 (8.75%) | | $ | 174,002 | | | $ | 174,002 | |
Senior secured notes — due 2010 (9.00%) | | | 149,700 | | | | 149,700 | |
Capital Securities of Trust Subsidiary — due 2028 (7.45%) | | | 190,700 | | | | 190,700 | |
MoArk, LLC debt — due 2009 through 2023 (8.65% weighted average) | | | 15,232 | | | | 15,449 | |
MoArk, LLC capital lease obligations (6.00% to 8.25%) | | | 4,346 | | | | 4,668 | |
Other debt | | | 388 | | | | 300 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | 534,368 | | | | 534,819 | |
Less current portion | | | (2,568 | ) | | | (2,864 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Total long-term debt | | $ | 531,800 | | | $ | 531,955 | |
| | | | | | |
In December 2008, the Company entered into a transaction with the City of Russell, Kansas (the “City”), whereby, the City purchased the Company’s Russell, Kansas feed facility (the “Facility”) by issuing $4.9 million in industrial development revenue bonds due December 2018 and leased the Facility back to the Company for an identical term under a capital lease. The City’s bonds were purchased by the Company. Because the City has assigned the lease to a trustee for the benefit of the Company as the sole bondholder, the Company, in effect, controls enforcement of the lease against itself. As a result of the capital lease treatment, the Facility will remain a component of property, plant and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and no gain or loss was recognized related to this transaction. As a result of the legal right of offset, the capital lease obligation and the corresponding bond investment have been eliminated upon consolidation. Additional bonds may be issued to cover the costs of certain improvements to the facility. The maximum amount of bonds authorized for issuance is $6.0 million.
The Company and MoArk are each subject to certain restrictions and covenant ratio requirements relating to their respective financing arrangements. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company and MoArk’s debt covenants were all satisfied.
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9. Other Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. | | $ | 82,690 | | | $ | 61,283 | |
Pension and other postretirement adjustments, net of income taxes of $813 and $(61), respectively | | | (1,312 | ) | | | 99 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes of $7 and $(1,940), respectively | | | (12 | ) | | | 2,948 | |
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale-investment securities, net of income taxes of $5 and $(61), respectively | | | (16 | ) | | | (255 | ) |
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | 8 | | | | 79 | |
| | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | $ | 81,358 | | | $ | 64,154 | |
| | | | | | |
10. Derivative Instruments
We are exposed to the impact of fluctuations in the purchase prices of commodity inputs consumed in operations and the impact of fluctuations in the relative value of currencies. We periodically enter into derivative instruments in order to mitigate the effects of changing commodity prices and mitigate our foreign currency risks.
In the normal course of operations, the Company purchases commodities such as: milk, butter, soybean oil and energy in Dairy Foods; soybean meal, corn and energy in Feed and Layers; soybeans and energy in Seed; and energy in Agronomy. Derivative commodity instruments, consisting primarily of futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges, are used to reduce exposure to changes in commodity prices. These contracts are not designated as hedges under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The futures and option contracts are marked-to-market each month and gains and losses (“unrealized hedging gains and losses”) are primarily recognized in cost of sales. The Company has established formal position limits to monitor its hedging activities and executes derivative instruments only with respect to those commodities in which the Company consumes or produces in its normal business operations.
The notional or contractual amount of derivative instruments provides an indication of the extent of the Company’s involvement in such instruments at that time, but does not represent exposure to market risk or future cash requirements under certain of these instruments. As of March 31, 2009, total absolute notional value associated with our outstanding commodity derivative instruments and foreign currency derivative instruments was $410.1 million and $5.7 million, respectively.
The unrealized (gains) and losses on derivative instruments related to commodity contracts and foreign currency exchange contracts for the three months ended March 31, 2009 is as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | | | Three Months Ended |
| | | | March 31, |
Derivative Instrument | | Location | | 2009 |
Commodity derivatives | | Cost of sales | | $ | 2,551 | |
Commodity derivatives | | Selling, general and administrative | | | (364 | ) |
Foreign currency exchange contracts | | Cost of sales | | | (26 | ) |
Foreign currency exchange contracts | | Other (income) expense, net | | | 341 | |
The gross fair market value of all derivative instruments and their location in the consolidated balance sheet are shown by those in an asset or liability position and are further categorized by commodity and foreign currency derivatives at March 31, 2009:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Liability | |
| | Asset Derivatives(a) | | | Derivatives(a) | |
| | March 31, | | | March 31, | |
Derivative Instrument | | 2009 | | | 2009 | |
Commodity derivatives | | $ | 21,761 | | | $ | 59,187 | |
Foreign currency exchange contracts | | | — | | | | 899 | |
| | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 21,761 | | | $ | 60,086 | |
| | | | | | |
| | |
(a) | | Asset derivative instruments are recorded in other current assets and liability derivative instruments are recorded in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. |
The Company enters into derivative contracts with a variety of counterparties. The Company manages its concentration of counterparty credit risk on derivative instruments prior to entering into derivative contracts by evaluating the counterparty’s external credit rating, where available, as well as an assessment of other relevant information such as current financial statements, credit agency reports and/or credit references. As of March 31, 2009, the maximum amount of loss that the Company would incur if the counterparties to derivative instruments
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fail to meet their obligations, not considering collateral received or netting arrangements, was $21.8 million. The Company reviewed its counterparties and believes that a concentration of risk does not exist and no single counterparty or group of counterparties failure would have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2009.
11. Fair Value Measurement
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements,” which was effective for and adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2008. This statement provides a single definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosures concerning fair value. SFAS 157 applies to other pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements; it does not require any new fair value measurements.
Additionally, in February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) Financial Accounting Standard 157-1 (“FSP 157-1”) and 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-1 removes leasing from the scope of SFAS 157 and FSP 157-2 delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2009 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Such assets subject to potential nonrecurring fair value measurement are goodwill, long-lived assets held and used such as intangible asset and fixed asset, long-lived assets held for sale, and assets acquired in a business combination. The Company adopted FSP 157-2 as of January 1, 2009 and upon adoption was not required to recognize any fair value adjustments.
SFAS 157 establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows:
Level 1:inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3:inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.
A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following table provides the assets and liabilities carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2009 Using: |
| | | | | | | | | | Significant | | |
| | | | | | Quoted prices | | other | | Significant |
| | Total carrying | | in active | | observable | | unobservable |
| | value at | | markets | | inputs | | inputs |
| | March 31, 2009(a) | | (Level 1) | | (Level 2) | | (Level 3) |
Commodity derivative assets | | $ | 21,761 | | | $ | 20,990 | | | $ | 771 | | | $ | — | |
Commodity derivative liabilities | | | 59,187 | | | | 59,174 | | | | 13 | | | | — | |
Foreign currency exchange contract liabilities | | | 899 | | | | — | | | | 899 | | | | — | |
Available-for-sale securities | | | 24 | | | | 24 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2008 Using: |
| | | | | | | | | | Significant | | |
| | | | | | Quoted prices | | other | | Significant |
| | Total carrying | | in active | | observable | | unobservable |
| | value at | | markets | | inputs | | inputs |
| | December 31, 2008(a) | | (Level 1) | | (Level 2) | | (Level 3) |
Commodity derivative assets | | $ | 50,053 | | | $ | 49,139 | | | $ | 914 | | | $ | — | |
Commodity derivative liabilities | | | 85,292 | | | | 85,128 | | | | 164 | | | | — | |
Foreign currency exchange contract assets | | | 341 | | | | — | | | | 341 | | | | — | |
Foreign currency exchange contract liabilities | | | 925 | | | | — | | | | 925 | | | | — | |
Available-for-sale securities | | | 47 | | | | 47 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | |
(a) | | FASB Staff Position No. FIN 39-1, “Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39” (“FIN 39-1”) permits, but does not require companies that enter into master netting arrangements to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments against the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral. The Company has master netting arrangements with brokers for its exchange-traded futures and options contracts, however, it does not elect to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments under such master netting arrangements with amounts recognized for margin balances due from or due to brokers. |
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The available-for-sale equity securities and puts, calls and futures are measured at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets and as such are categorized as Level 1. Since commodity derivative forward contracts and the foreign currency exchange forward contracts are not actively traded, they are priced at a fair value derived from an underlying futures market for the commodity or currency. Therefore, they have been categorized as Level 2.
12. Income Taxes
The Company derives a majority of its business from members, although it is allowed by the Internal Revenue Code to conduct non-member business. Earnings from member business are deductible from taxable income as a patronage deduction. Earnings from non-member business are taxed as corporate income in the same manner as a typical corporation. The effective tax rate as a result of non-member business activity was (1.6)% and 9.9% for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Income tax expense and the overall effective tax rate varies significantly each period based upon profitability and the level of non-member business during each of the comparable periods. The tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was primarily the result of non-member earnings offset by the book-tax reporting differences for domestic production activities deduction.
13. Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit cost for pension benefits and other postretirement benefits for the three months ended March 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Other Postretirement | |
| | Pension Benefits | | | Benefits | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Service cost | | $ | 3,334 | | | $ | 3,810 | | | $ | 128 | | | $ | 196 | |
Interest cost | | | 9,474 | | | | 9,678 | | | | 907 | | | | 1,071 | |
Expected return on assets | | | (10,433 | ) | | | (11,000 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Amortization of actuarial loss | | | 1,317 | | | | 1,290 | | | | 184 | | | | 489 | |
Amortization of prior service cost | | | (110 | ) | | | (132 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Amortization of transition obligation | | | — | | | | — | | | | 107 | | | | 116 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net periodic benefit cost | | $ | 3,582 | | | $ | 3,646 | | | $ | 1,326 | | | $ | 1,872 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company contributed $1.1 million to its defined benefit pension plans and $1.1 million to its other postretirement benefit plans.
The Company expects to contribute approximately $14.6 million to its defined benefit pension plans and $5.4 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2009.
14. Restructuring and Impairment Charges
A summary of restructuring and impairment charges is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Restructuring charges | | $ | 297 | | | $ | 53 | |
Impairment charges | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
Total restructuring and impairment charges | | $ | 297 | | | $ | 53 | |
| | | | | | |
Restructuring Charges
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, Feed incurred restructuring charges of $0.3 million primarily related to employee severance due to reorganization of Feed personnel. The remaining liability at March 31, 2009 for severance and other exit costs, including restructuring charges incurred in 2008, was $2.0 million and was presented in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, Dairy Foods incurred restructuring charges related to a long-term contractual obligation for waste-water treatment with the city of Greenwood as the result of a closed facility in Greenwood, Wisconsin.
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15. Other (Income) Expense, Net
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
(Gain) loss on sale of investments | | $ | (2,210 | ) | | $ | 12 | |
Gain on foreign currency exchange contracts on sale of investment | | | (177 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
Total other (income) expense, net | | $ | (2,387 | ) | | $ | 12 | |
| | | | | | |
The Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008 reflected a $10.8 million receivable for cash proceeds expected to be received in 2009 for the sale of its investment in Agronomy Company of Canada Ltd. (“ACC”) within Agronomy. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company received $6.4 million in cash. The remaining $4.4 million receivable represents the portion recorded by the Company at December 31, 2008 in accordance with the sales agreement requirement for a final purchase price true-up based on the audited financial statements for ACC as of December 31, 2008. The Company received the audited financial statements for ACC in 2009, which reflected significantly different financial results than expected or previously reported to the Company. The Company intends to dispute the results of the audit. However, based on the newly obtained information, the Company elected to establish a reserve for the amount in dispute and has recorded a $4.2 million loss on sale of investment for the three months ended March 31, 2009, which reduced the remaining receivable to the amount of the newly reported purchase price true-up.
Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company recognized a $6.4 million gain on sale of investment in Golden Oval. The sale of substantially all of Golden Oval’s assets to Rembrandt closed as of March 30, 2009. Upon closing of the asset sale, the Company recorded a receivable and corresponding gain on sale of investment, which represents the preferred payment related to the 880,492 Preferred Units that were converted to Class A units. The Company expects to receive an additional $6.0 million, approximately, of cash distributions from Golden Oval related to the asset sale in various amounts during 2009 and will record a further gain on sale of investment as cash is received. Once these distributions are complete, all 1,577,842 Class A units held by the Company are expected to have no remaining value.
During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company recognized a loss on sale of an investment held by the Feed segment.
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company received $0.5 million in cash and recognized a $0.2 million gain on foreign currency exchange contracts on the sale of its investment related to ACC.
16. Insurance Proceeds
In October 2008, the Company received notification from its insurance carrier that it would receive $6.7 million of insurance proceeds for the replacement of capital assets at a Feed facility in Statesville, North Carolina that was destroyed by fire in 2005. At December 31, 2008, $6.4 million remained as a receivable in the consolidated balance sheet of which $4.4 million was received during the three months ended March 31, 2009. As of March 31, 2009, $2.0 million remained as a receivable in the consolidated balance sheet. Subsequently, in April 2009, the Company received an additional $2.0 million in insurance proceeds. The Company does not anticipate any further significant insurance recoveries, beyond amounts already accrued, related to the Statesville fire.
17. Commitments and Contingencies
On March 6, 2007, the Company announced that one of its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, Forage Genetics Inc. filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) by the Center for Food Safety, the Sierra Club, two individual farmers/seed producers (together, the “Plaintiffs”) and others regarding Roundup Ready® Alfalfa. The plaintiffs claim that the USDA did not sufficiently assess the potential environmental impact of its decision to approve Roundup Ready® Alfalfa in 2005. The Monsanto Company and several independent alfalfa growers also filed motions to intervene in the lawsuit. On March 12, 2007, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the “Court”) issued a preliminary injunction enjoining all future plantings of Roundup Ready® Alfalfa beginning March 30, 2007. The Court specifically permitted plantings until that date only to the extent the seed to be planted was purchased on or before March 12, 2007. On May 3, 2007, the Court issued a permanent injunction enjoining all future plantings of Roundup Ready® Alfalfa until after an environmental impact study can be completed and a deregulation petition is approved. Roundup Ready® Alfalfa planted before March 30, 2007 may be grown, harvested and sold to the extent certain court-ordered cleaning and handling conditions are satisfied. In January 2008, the USDA filed a notice of intent to file an Environmental Impact Study (the “EIS”). Despite delays in the completion of the draft EIS, the Company anticipates that the USDA will issue its final EIS in early 2010. Although the Company believes the outcome of the EIS will be favorable, which would allow for the reintroduction of the product into the market by 2010, there are approximately $10.5 million of purchase commitments with seed producers over the next year and $26.0 million of inventory as of March 31, 2009, which could negatively impact future earnings if the results of the study are unfavorable or delayed.
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In a letter dated January 18, 2001, the Company was identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) as a potentially responsible party in connection with hazardous substances and wastes at the Hudson Refinery Superfund Site in Cushing, Oklahoma. The letter invited the Company to enter into negotiations with the EPA for the performance of a remedial investigation and feasibility study at the Site and also demanded that the Company reimburse the EPA approximately $8.9 million for removal costs already incurred at the Site. In March 2001, the Company responded to the EPA denying any responsibility with respect to the costs incurred for the remediation expenses incurred through that date. On February 25, 2008, the Company received a Special Notice Letter (“Letter”) from the EPA inviting the Company to enter into negotiations with the EPA to perform selected remedial action for remaining contamination and to resolve the Company’s potential liability for the Site. In the Letter, the EPA claimed that it has incurred approximately $21.0 million in response costs at the Site through October 31, 2007 and is seeking reimbursement of these costs. The EPA has also stated that the estimated cost of the selected remedial action for remaining contamination is $9.6 million. The Company maintains that the costs incurred by the EPA were the direct result of damage caused by owners subsequent to the Company, including negligent salvage activities and lack of maintenance. On January 6, 2009, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (“UAO”) directing the Company to perform remedial design and remedial action (“RD/RA”) at the Site. The Company filed its Notice of Intent to Comply with the UAO on February 10, 2009. On April 20, 2009, the EPA issued its authorization to proceed with RD/RA activities. In addition, the Company is analyzing the amount and extent of its insurance coverage that may be available to further mitigate its ultimate exposure. At the present time, the Company’s request for coverage has been denied. The Company initiated litigation against two carriers on February 18, 2009. As of March 31, 2009, based on the most recent facts and circumstances available to the Company, an $8.9 million environmental reserve recorded in a prior period remained in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On October 27, 2008, MoArk and its wholly owned subsidiary, Norco Ranch, Inc. (“Norco”), received Civil Investigative Demands from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida seeking documents and information relating to the production and sale of eggs and egg products. MoArk and Norco are cooperating with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of the State of Florida. We cannot predict what, if any, the impact of this inquiry and any results from such inquiry could have on the future financial position or results of operations of MoArk, Norco or the Company.
Between September 2008 and January 2009, a total of twenty-two related class action lawsuits were filed against a number of producers of eggs and egg products in three different jurisdictions alleging violations of antitrust laws. MoArk was named as a defendant in twenty-one of the cases. Norco Ranch, Inc., was named as a defendant in thirteen of the cases. The Company was named as a defendant in eight cases. The cases have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings in the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and two separate consolidated amended class action complaints have been filed: one on behalf of those persons who purchased eggs or egg products directly from defendants, and the second on behalf of “indirect” purchasers (i.e. persons who purchased eggs, egg products, or products containing eggs from defendants’ customers). The consolidated amended complaints allege concerted action by producers of shell eggs to restrict output and thereby increase the price of shell eggs and egg products. The Plaintiffs in these suits seek unspecified damages and injunctive relief on behalf of all purchasers of eggs and egg products, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs. MoArk, Norco and the Company deny the allegations set forth in the complaints. The Company cannot predict what, if any, the impact of these lawsuits could have on the future financial position or results of operations of MoArk, Norco, or the Company.
In December 2008, the Company experienced a fire at a dairy facility in Tulare, California. The carrying value of the damaged building and supplies inventory was minimal. Costs to repair the damaged property are covered under the terms of applicable insurance policies, subject to deductibles. The Company expects to receive insurance proceeds for reconstruction costs which, when received, will result in a gain on insurance settlement.
In May 2008, the Company experienced a fire at a Feed facility located in Caldwell, Idaho. Damage was extensive and caused operations to cease. Costs of repair or replacement of inventory, property, plant, and equipment were covered under the terms of applicable insurance policies, subject to deductibles. A receivable of $1.0 million related to the carrying value of the inventory and property, plant and equipment remained recorded as of March 31, 2009. The Company expects to receive insurance proceeds in excess of its deductible in 2009.
In 2005, MoArk sold its Lakeview, California property and simultaneously entered into an asset lease agreement for a portion of the property. This agreement required the Company to treat the proceeds received as a financing transaction. Therefore, no gain was recognized on the transaction at that time. In January 2009, MoArk renegotiated the terms of the lease whereas the new lease qualified for sales-leaseback accounting as it was classified as an operating lease pursuant to SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases”. As such, $3.3 million of previously deferred gain on the sale of the property was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The Company will continue to ratably recognize the remainder of the deferred gain of $1.6 million over the life of the new lease.
16
18. Subsequent Event
On April 9, 2009, the Company announced that Agriliance LLC (a 50-50 joint venture between the Company and CHS Inc.) entered into an operating lease and an asset purchase agreement with Agri-AFC, LLC (“AFC”), a wholesale and retail crop inputs supplier. AFC is a joint venture between Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. and Winfield Solutions, LLC, a Land O’Lakes company. Under the terms of the transaction documents, AFC will immediately begin operating nine former Agriliance retail locations located in Georgia and Mississippi, and will purchase the working capital, primarily inventory, associated with such locations. The parties expect to transfer the property, plant and equipment located at these sites by the end of July 2009.
On April 15, 2009, the Company announced its intent to close one of its Dairy Foods facilities. All 120 employees at the Madison, Wisconsin plant will be affected by the closure. The Company noted that it was no longer cost effective to produce butter at the Madison location. The Company operates several other butter manufacturing facilities across the country and expects to increase production at those facilities to help compensate for the capacity that will be lost once the Madison location is closed. The Company plans to ramp down its production lines at this facility prior to June 30, 2009.
On May 4, 2009, the Company announced that it had closed a $175 million increase to the revolving credit facility, bringing the total capacity to $400 million. Pricing on the facility was increased due to current market rates. Based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the end of March 2009, the LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility was increased to 250 basis points and the spread for the Alternative Base Rate was increased to 150 basis points, effective from the closing date.
19. Segment Information
The Company operates in five segments: Dairy Foods, Feed, Seed, Agronomy and Layers.
Dairy Foods produces, markets and sells products such as butter, spreads, cheese and other dairy related products. Products are sold under well-recognized national brand names includingLAND O LAKES, theIndian Maidenlogo andAlpine Lace, as well as under regional brand names such asNew Yorker.
Feed is largely comprised of the operations of Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC (“Land O’Lakes Purina Feed”), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary. Land O’Lakes Purina Feed develops, produces, markets and distributes animal feeds such as ingredient feed, formula feed, milk replacers, vitamins and additives.
Seed is a supplier and distributor of crop seed products, primarily in the United States. A variety of crop seed is sold, including corn, soybeans, alfalfa and forage and turf grasses.
Agronomy consists primarily of the operations of Winfield Solutions, LLC (“Winfield”), a wholly owned subsidiary. Winfield operates primarily as a wholesale distributor of crop protection products, including herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and adjuvants. Agronomy also includes the Company’s 50% ownership in Agriliance, which operates retail agronomy distribution businesses and is accounted for under the equity method.
Layers consists of the Company’s MoArk subsidiary. MoArk produces, distributes and markets shell eggs that are sold to retail and wholesale customers for consumer and industrial use, primarily in the United States.
Other/Eliminated includes the Company’s remaining operations and the elimination of intersegment transactions. Other operations consist principally of a captive insurance company, a finance company, and a special purpose entity related to the Company’s securitization facility.
The Company’s management uses earnings before income taxes to evaluate a segment’s performance. The Company allocates corporate administrative expense, interest expense, and centrally managed expenses, including insurance and employee benefits expense, to all of its business segments, both directly and indirectly. Corporate administrative functions that are able to determine actual services provided to each segment allocate expense on a direct basis. Interest expense is allocated based on working capital usage. All other corporate administrative functions and centrally managed expenses are allocated indirectly based on a predetermined measure such as a percentage of total invested capital or headcount.
17
Segment Information for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other/ | | | | |
| | Dairy Foods | | | Feed | | | Seed | | | Agronomy | | | Layers | | | Eliminations | | | Consolidated | |
For the three months ended March 31, 2009: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales (1) | | $ | 753,238 | | | $ | 893,752 | | | $ | 775,142 | | | $ | 408,417 | | | $ | 138,227 | | | $ | (21,462 | ) | | $ | 2,947,314 | |
Cost of sales (2) | | | 722,106 | | | | 821,399 | | | | 663,786 | | | | 375,243 | | | | 126,690 | | | | (21,954 | ) | | | 2,687,270 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 49,629 | | | | 62,311 | | | | 22,570 | | | | 21,812 | | | | 5,999 | | | | 952 | | | | 163,273 | |
Restructuring and impairment charges | | | — | | | | 297 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 297 | |
Interest expense (income), net | | | 1,961 | | | | 6,426 | | | | 2,272 | | | | 1,763 | | | | 2,382 | | | | (1,606 | ) | | | 13,198 | |
Other expense (income), net | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,060 | | | | (6,447 | ) | | | — | | | | (2,387 | ) |
Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliated companies | | | (2,572 | ) | | | (1,988 | ) | | | — | | | | 13,292 | | | | (1,568 | ) | | | — | | | | 7,164 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Loss) earnings before income taxes | | $ | (17,886 | ) | | $ | 5,307 | | | $ | 86,514 | | | $ | (7,753 | ) | | $ | 11,171 | | | $ | 1,146 | | | $ | 78,499 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other/ | | | | |
| | Dairy Foods | | | Feed | | | Seed | | | Agronomy | | | Layers | | | Eliminations | | | Consolidated | |
For the three months ended March 31, 2008: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales (1) | | $ | 1,048,059 | | | $ | 941,732 | | | $ | 627,117 | | | $ | 487,151 | | | $ | 181,142 | | | $ | (28,202 | ) | | $ | 3,256,999 | |
Cost of sales (2) | | | 1,006,222 | | | | 861,641 | | | | 560,681 | | | | 457,840 | | | | 147,291 | | | | (27,383 | ) | | | 3,006,292 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 46,951 | | | | 63,392 | | | | 22,712 | | | | 24,577 | | | | 8,997 | | | | 950 | | | | 167,579 | |
Restructuring and impairment charges | | | 53 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 53 | |
Interest expense (income), net | | | 2,540 | | | | 7,184 | | | | 692 | | | | 4,499 | | | | 3,600 | | | | (1,380 | ) | | | 17,135 | |
Other expense, net | | | — | | | | 12 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 12 | |
Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliated companies | | | (2,598 | ) | | | 119 | | | | — | | | | 9,471 | | | | (11,094 | ) | | | — | | | | (4,102 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Loss) earnings before income taxes | | $ | (5,109 | ) | | $ | 9,384 | | | $ | 43,032 | | | $ | (9,236 | ) | | $ | 32,348 | | | $ | (389 | ) | | $ | 70,030 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Other/ | | |
| | Dairy Foods | | Feed | | Seed | | Agronomy | | Layers | | Eliminations | | Consolidated |
(1) Net sales includes intersegment sales of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2009 | | $ | 1,707 | | | $ | 9,149 | | | $ | 9,529 | | | $ | 1,934 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (22,319 | ) | | $ | — | |
2008 | | | 2,158 | | | | 10,745 | | | | 8,926 | | | | 9,656 | | | | — | | | | (31,485 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(2) Cost of sales includes period-to-period change in unrealized hedging (gains) losses of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2009 | | $ | 2,023 | | | $ | (5,577 | ) | | $ | (1,704 | ) | | $ | (127 | ) | | $ | (115 | ) | | $ | 8,025 | | | $ | 2,525 | |
2008 | | | (1,670 | ) | | | 14,508 | | | | 6,338 | | | | — | | | | 7,755 | | | | 1,010 | | | | 27,941 | |
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20. Consolidating Financial Information
The Company has entered into financing arrangements which are guaranteed by the Company and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). Such guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several. The Guarantor Subsidiaries consist primarily of Winfield Solutions, LLC and Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC. The Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries consist primarily of: MoArk, LLC; LOL SPV, LLC; LOL Finance Co.; a wholly owned foreign subsidiary and various majority-owned consolidated joint ventures.
In January and February 2008, the Company acquired partial interests in four joint ventures which are part of Winfield, but are non-guarantors of the Company’s financing arrangements. Accordingly, the consolidated joint ventures’ financial information has been included with the non-guarantor subsidiaries as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Subsequently, in July 2008, three of the four joint ventures were deconsolidated due to renegotiated operating agreements. Accordingly, one remaining consolidated joint venture’s financial information has been included with the non-guarantor subsidiaries as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The financial information related to the three deconsolidated joint ventures was included in the non-guarantor subsidiaries until the date of deconsolidation and subsequently has been included as equity method investments in the financial results of Winfield.
The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on an unconsolidated basis, balance sheet, statement of operations and cash flow information for Land O’Lakes, Guarantor Subsidiaries and Land O’Lakes other subsidiaries (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The supplemental financial information reflects the investments of the Company in the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting.
19
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
March 31, 2009
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Land | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | O’Lakes, Inc. | | | | | | | Non- | | | | | | | |
| | Parent | | | Consolidated | | | Guarantor | | | | | | | |
| | Company | | | Guarantors | | | Subsidiaries | | | Eliminations | | | Consolidated | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 9,451 | | | $ | 29 | | | $ | 24,010 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 33,490 | |
Receivables, net | | | 391,645 | | | | 568,167 | | | | 1,124,660 | | | | (638,780 | ) | | | 1,445,692 | |
Intercompany receivables, net | | | 85,194 | | | | 53,567 | | | | 1,240 | | | | (140,001 | ) | | | — | |
Inventories | | | 373,429 | | | | 759,408 | | | | 94,949 | | | | — | | | | 1,227,786 | |
Prepaid assets | | | 111,835 | | | | 108,328 | | | | 2,699 | | | | — | | | | 222,862 | |
Other current assets | | | 77,509 | | | | 10,929 | | | | 2,220 | | | | — | | | | 90,658 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 1,049,063 | | | | 1,500,428 | | | | 1,249,778 | | | | (778,781 | ) | | | 3,020,488 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments | | | 1,083,610 | | | | 54,850 | | | | 16,126 | | | | (853,060 | ) | | | 301,526 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 267,477 | | | | 292,002 | | | | 113,315 | | | | — | | | | 672,794 | |
Goodwill, net | | | 191,935 | | | | 64,532 | | | | 20,916 | | | | — | | | | 277,383 | |
Other intangibles, net | | | 1,607 | | | | 110,504 | | | | 6,888 | | | | — | | | | 118,999 | |
Other assets | | | 67,621 | | | | 41,506 | | | | 60,159 | | | | (3,898 | ) | | | 165,388 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 2,661,313 | | | $ | 2,063,822 | | | $ | 1,467,182 | | | $ | (1,635,739 | ) | | $ | 4,556,578 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes and short-term obligations | | $ | 113,000 | | | $ | 2,377 | | | $ | 1,121,876 | | | $ | (619,702 | ) | | $ | 617,551 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 15 | | | | 50 | | | | 2,503 | | | | — | | | | 2,568 | |
Accounts payable | | | 304,683 | | | | 744,471 | | | | 35,866 | | | | (22,047 | ) | | | 1,062,973 | |
Intercompany payable, net | | | — | | | | 149,580 | | | | (9,579 | ) | | | (140,001 | ) | | | — | |
Customer advances | | | 96,183 | | | | 321,202 | | | | 4,249 | | | | — | | | | 421,634 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | 212,489 | | | | 206,806 | | | | 30,947 | | | | (929 | ) | | | 449,313 | |
Patronage refunds and other member equities payable | | | 60,118 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 60,118 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 786,488 | | | | 1,424,486 | | | | 1,185,862 | | | | (782,679 | ) | | | 2,614,157 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | 513,190 | | | | 58 | | | | 18,552 | | | | — | | | | 531,800 | |
Employee benefits and other liabilities | | | 344,614 | | | | 29,061 | | | | 5,629 | | | | — | | | | 379,304 | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital stock | | | 1,597 | | | | (34 | ) | | | 2,935 | | | | (2,901 | ) | | | 1,597 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | — | | | | 200,993 | | | | 73,677 | | | | (274,670 | ) | | | — | |
Member equities | | | 970,293 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 970,293 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (151,609 | ) | | | (1 | ) | | | (55 | ) | | | 56 | | | | (151,609 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 196,740 | | | | 409,259 | | | | 166,286 | | | | (575,545 | ) | | | 196,740 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Land O’Lakes, Inc. equities | | | 1,017,021 | | | | 610,217 | | | | 242,843 | | | | (853,060 | ) | | | 1,017,021 | |
Noncontrolling interests | | | — | | | | — | | | | 14,296 | | | | — | | | | 14,296 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total equities | | | 1,017,021 | | | | 610,217 | | | | 257,139 | | | | (853,060 | ) | | | 1,031,317 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equities | | $ | 2,661,313 | | | $ | 2,063,822 | | | $ | 1,467,182 | | | $ | (1,635,739 | ) | | $ | 4,556,578 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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LAND O’LAKES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Land | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | O’Lakes, Inc. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Parent | | | Consolidated | | | Non-Guarantor | | | | | | | |
| | Company | | | Guarantors | | | Subsidiaries | | | Eliminations | | | Consolidated | |
Net sales | | $ | 1,494,323 | | | $ | 1,273,687 | | | $ | 179,304 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,947,314 | |
Cost of sales | | | 1,351,406 | | | | 1,167,679 | | | | 168,185 | | | | — | | | | 2,687,270 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 142,917 | | | | 106,008 | | | | 11,119 | | | | — | | | | 260,044 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 74,021 | | | | 80,125 | | | | 9,127 | | | | — | | | | 163,273 | |
Restructuring and impairment charges | | | — | | | | 297 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 297 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings from operations | | | 68,896 | | | | 25,586 | | | | 1,992 | | | | — | | | | 96,474 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense (income), net | | | 19,121 | | | | (2,134 | ) | | | (3,789 | ) | | | — | | | | 13,198 | |
Other (income) expense, net | | | (2,413 | ) | | | 26 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2,387 | ) |
Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliated companies | | | (27,753 | ) | | | (305 | ) | | | (1,568 | ) | | | 36,790 | | | | 7,164 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings before income taxes | | | 79,941 | | | | 27,999 | | | | 7,349 | | | | (36,790 | ) | | | 78,499 | |
Income tax (benefit) expense | | | (2,749 | ) | | | 562 | | | | 962 | | | | — | | | | (1,225 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 82,690 | | | | 27,437 | | | | 6,387 | | | | (36,790 | ) | | | 79,724 | |
Less: net losses attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | — | | | | (42 | ) | | | (2,924 | ) | | | — | | | | (2,966 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. | | $ | 82,690 | | | $ | 27,479 | | | $ | 9,311 | | | $ | (36,790 | ) | | $ | 82,690 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
21
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Land | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | O’Lakes, Inc. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Parent | | | Consolidated | | | Non-Guarantor | | | | | | | |
| | Company | | | Guarantors | | | Subsidiaries | | | Eliminations | | | Consolidated | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. | | $ | 82,690 | | | $ | 27,479 | | | $ | 9,311 | | | $ | (36,790 | ) | | $ | 82,690 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. to net cash used by operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 9,339 | | | | 9,529 | | | | 2,227 | | | | — | | | | 21,095 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 402 | | | | 114 | | | | 85 | | | | — | | | | 601 | |
Bad debt recovery | | | (306 | ) | | | (297 | ) | | | (341 | ) | | | — | | | | (944 | ) |
Proceeds from patronage revolvement received | | | 89 | | | | 30 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 119 | |
Non-cash patronage income | | | (437 | ) | | | 212 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (225 | ) |
Deferred income tax benefit | | | (2,819 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2,819 | ) |
Increase in other assets | | | (218 | ) | | | (1,053 | ) | | | (22 | ) | | | 14 | | | | (1,279 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities | | | 8,918 | | | | (103 | ) | | | (9 | ) | | | — | | | | 8,806 | |
Restructuring and impairment charges | | | — | | | | 297 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 297 | |
(Gain) loss on sale of investments | | | (2,236 | ) | | | 26 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (2,210 | ) |
Gain on foreign currency exchange contracts on sale of investment | | | (177 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (177 | ) |
Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliated companies | | | (27,753 | ) | | | (305 | ) | | | (1,568 | ) | | | 36,790 | | | | 7,164 | |
Dividends from investments in affiliated companies | | | 356 | | | | 2,000 | | | | 2,902 | | | | — | | | | 5,258 | |
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | — | | | | (42 | ) | | | (2,924 | ) | | | — | | | | (2,966 | ) |
Other | | | (190 | ) | | | 27 | | | | (3,286 | ) | | | — | | | | (3,449 | ) |
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Receivables | | | (116,343 | ) | | | (131,913 | ) | | | (194,542 | ) | | | 90,724 | | | | (352,074 | ) |
Inventories | | | 3,721 | | | | (152,643 | ) | | | 5,114 | | | | — | | | | (143,808 | ) |
Prepaids and other current assets | | | 609,205 | | | | 307,753 | | | | 1,059 | | | | — | | | | 918,017 | |
Accounts payable | | | (112,624 | ) | | | 4,924 | | | | (5,381 | ) | | | 908 | | | | (112,173 | ) |
Customer advances | | | (546,997 | ) | | | (80,215 | ) | | | 3,141 | | | | — | | | | (624,071 | ) |
Accrued liabilities | | | 44,735 | | | | 8,366 | | | | (12,391 | ) | | | 2,589 | | | | 43,299 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash used by operating activities | | | (50,645 | ) | | | (5,814 | ) | | | (196,625 | ) | | | 94,235 | | | | (158,849 | ) |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Additions to property, plant and equipment | | | (24,222 | ) | | | (6,438 | ) | | | (6,265 | ) | | | — | | | | (36,925 | ) |
Investments in affiliates | | | (75 | ) | | | (340 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (415 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of investments | | | 5,568 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,568 | |
Proceeds from foreign currency exchange contracts on sale of investment | | | 518 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 518 | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | | | 6 | | | | 836 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 842 | |
Insurance proceeds for replacement assets | | | — | | | | 4,415 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,415 | |
Change in notes receivable | | | (742 | ) | | | (28 | ) | | | 1,032 | | | | — | | | | 262 | |
Other | | | (2 | ) | | | 250 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 248 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash used by investing activities | | | (18,949 | ) | | | (1,305 | ) | | | (5,233 | ) | | | — | | | | (25,487 | ) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase in short-term debt | | | 93,002 | | | | 133 | | | | 209,281 | | | | (94,235 | ) | | | 208,181 | |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | | | — | | | | 10 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 10 | |
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations | | | (7 | ) | | | (16 | ) | | | (633 | ) | | | — | | | | (656 | ) |
Payments for redemption of member equities | | | (18,853 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (18,853 | ) |
Other | | | (82 | ) | | | (7 | ) | | | (1,587 | ) | | | — | | | | (1,676 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 74,060 | | | | 120 | | | | 207,061 | | | | (94,235 | ) | | | 187,006 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 4,466 | | | | (6,999 | ) | | | 5,203 | | | | — | | | | 2,670 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 4,985 | | | | 7,028 | | | | 18,807 | | | | — | | | | 30,820 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 9,451 | | | $ | 29 | | | $ | 24,010 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 33,490 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
22
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2008
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Land | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | O’Lakes, Inc. | | | | | | | Non- | | | | | | | |
| | Parent | | | Consolidated | | | Guarantor | | | | | | | |
| | Company | | | Guarantors | | | Subsidiaries | | | Eliminations | | | Consolidated | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 4,985 | | | $ | 7,028 | | | $ | 18,807 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 30,820 | |
Receivables, net | | | 130,313 | | | | 580,897 | | | | 941,107 | | | | (548,056 | ) | | | 1,104,261 | |
Intercompany receivables, net | | | 238,447 | | | | 9,633 | | | | 1,240 | | | | (249,320 | ) | | | — | |
Inventories | | | 377,150 | | | | 606,765 | | | | 100,063 | | | | — | | | | 1,083,978 | |
Prepaid assets | | | 686,331 | | | | 410,295 | | | | 4,379 | | | | — | | | | 1,101,005 | |
Other current assets | | | 105,190 | | | | 16,715 | | | | 1,599 | | | | — | | | | 123,504 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 1,542,416 | | | | 1,631,333 | | | | 1,067,195 | | | | (797,376 | ) | | | 3,443,568 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments | | | 1,058,744 | | | | 57,027 | | | | 16,517 | | | | (817,801 | ) | | | 314,487 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 252,638 | | | | 294,212 | | | | 111,411 | | | | — | | | | 658,261 | |
Goodwill, net | | | 191,936 | | | | 64,532 | | | | 20,708 | | | | — | | | | 277,176 | |
Other intangibles, net | | | 2,113 | | | | 111,763 | | | | 7,106 | | | | — | | | | 120,982 | |
Other assets | | | 71,684 | | | | 40,553 | | | | 58,485 | | | | (3,884 | ) | | | 166,838 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 3,119,531 | | | $ | 2,199,420 | | | $ | 1,281,422 | | | $ | (1,619,061 | ) | | $ | 4,981,312 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes and short-term obligations | | $ | 19,998 | | | $ | 2,244 | | | $ | 912,595 | | | $ | (525,467 | ) | | $ | 409,370 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 281 | | | | 50 | | | | 2,533 | | | | — | | | | 2,864 | |
Accounts payable | | | 418,156 | | | | 739,547 | | | | 41,247 | | | | (22,955 | ) | | | 1,175,995 | |
Intercompany payables, net | | | — | | | | 246,342 | | | | 2,978 | | | | (249,320 | ) | | | — | |
Customer advances | | | 643,180 | | | | 401,417 | | | | 1,108 | | | | — | | | | 1,045,705 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | 185,234 | | | | 198,440 | | | | 43,338 | | | | (3,518 | ) | | | 423,494 | |
Patronage refunds and other member equities payable | | | 37,751 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 37,751 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 1,304,600 | | | | 1,588,040 | | | | 1,003,799 | | | | (801,260 | ) | | | 3,095,179 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | | 512,785 | | | | 71 | | | | 19,099 | | | | — | | | | 531,955 | |
Employee benefits and other liabilities | | | 325,294 | | | | 29,047 | | | | 4,063 | | | | — | | | | 358,404 | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital stock | | | 1,611 | | | | (34 | ) | | | 2,935 | | | | (2,901 | ) | | | 1,611 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | — | | | | 200,643 | | | | 73,885 | | | | (274,528 | ) | | | — | |
Member equities | | | 947,141 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 947,141 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (150,277 | ) | | | (15 | ) | | | (31 | ) | | | 46 | | | | (150,277 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 178,377 | | | | 381,679 | | | | 158,739 | | | | (540,418 | ) | | | 178,377 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Land O’Lakes, Inc. equities | | | 976,852 | | | | 582,273 | | | | 235,528 | | | | (817,801 | ) | | | 976,852 | |
Noncontrolling interests | | | — | | | | (11 | ) | | | 18,933 | | | | — | | | | 18,922 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total equities | | | 976,852 | | | | 582,262 | | | | 254,461 | | | | (817,801 | ) | | | 995,774 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and equities | | $ | 3,119,531 | | | $ | 2,199,420 | | | $ | 1,281,422 | | | $ | (1,619,061 | ) | | $ | 4,981,312 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
23
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Land | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | O’Lakes, Inc. | | | | | | | Non- | | | | | | | |
| | Parent | | | Consolidated | | | Guarantor | | | | | | | |
| | Company | | | Guarantors | | | Subsidiaries | | | Eliminations | | | Consolidated | |
Net sales | | $ | 1,636,597 | | | $ | 1,364,571 | | | $ | 255,831 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,256,999 | |
Cost of sales | | | 1,536,532 | | | | 1,268,501 | | | | 201,259 | | | | — | | | | 3,006,292 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 100,065 | | | | 96,070 | | | | 54,572 | | | | — | | | | 250,707 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 71,047 | | | | 79,831 | | | | 16,701 | | | | — | | | | 167,579 | |
Restructuring and impairment charges | | | 53 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 53 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings from operations | | | 28,965 | | | | 16,239 | | | | 37,871 | | | | — | | | | 83,075 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense (income), net | | | 14,982 | | | | 3,203 | | | | (1,050 | ) | | | — | | | | 17,135 | |
Other expense, net | | | — | | | | 12 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 12 | |
Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliated companies | | | (48,991 | ) | | | 81 | | | | (11,093 | ) | | | 55,901 | | | | (4,102 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings before income taxes | | | 62,974 | | | | 12,943 | | | | 50,014 | | | | (55,901 | ) | | | 70,030 | |
Income tax expense | | | 1,691 | | | | 71 | | | | 5,160 | | | | — | | | | 6,922 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 61,283 | | | | 12,872 | | | | 44,854 | | | | (55,901 | ) | | | 63,108 | |
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,825 | | | | — | | | | 1,825 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. | | $ | 61,283 | | | $ | 12,872 | | | $ | 43,029 | | | $ | (55,901 | ) | | $ | 61,283 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
24
LAND O’LAKES, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Land | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | O’Lakes, Inc. | | | | | | | Non- | | | | | | | |
| | Parent | | | Consolidated | | | Guarantor | | | | | | | |
| | Company | | | Guarantors | | | Subsidiaries | | | Eliminations | | | Consolidated | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. | | $ | 61,283 | | | $ | 12,872 | | | $ | 43,029 | | | $ | (55,901 | ) | | $ | 61,283 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 9,760 | | | | 10,168 | | | | 2,218 | | | | — | | | | 22,146 | |
Amortization of deferred financing costs | | | 489 | | | | — | | | | 36 | | | | — | | | | 525 | |
Bad debt expense | | | 388 | | | | 460 | | | | 138 | | | | — | | | | 986 | |
Proceeds from patronage revolvement received | | | 1,560 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,560 | |
Non-cash patronage income | | | (783 | ) | | | (548 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (1,331 | ) |
Deferred income tax benefit | | | (14,631 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (14,631 | ) |
Increase in other assets | | | (425 | ) | | | (537 | ) | | | (30 | ) | | | 44 | | | | (948 | ) |
Increase in other liabilities | | | 5,801 | | | | (76 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,725 | |
Restructuring and impairment charges | | | 53 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 53 | |
Loss on sale of investment | | | — | | | | 12 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 12 | |
Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliated companies | | | (48,991 | ) | | | 81 | | | | (11,093 | ) | | | 55,901 | | | | (4,102 | ) |
Dividends from investments in affiliated companies | | | 227 | | | | 500 | | | | 4,721 | | | | — | | | | 5,448 | |
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,825 | | | | — | | | | 1,825 | |
Other | | | (189 | ) | | | 5 | | | | (10 | ) | | | — | | | | (194 | ) |
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Receivables | | | (95,538 | ) | | | (38,902 | ) | | | (353,163 | ) | | | 36,976 | | | | (450,627 | ) |
Inventories | | | 34,607 | | | | (124,781 | ) | | | (22,475 | ) | | | — | | | | (112,649 | ) |
Prepaids and other current assets | | | 422,705 | | | | (64,662 | ) | | | (3,161 | ) | | | (2 | ) | | | 354,880 | |
Accounts payable | | | 40,143 | | | | 139,454 | | | | 23,296 | | | | 2,375 | | | | 205,268 | |
Customer advances | | | (465,392 | ) | | | 37,163 | | | | (899 | ) | | | — | | | | (429,128 | ) |
Accrued liabilities | | | 64,020 | | | | 23,934 | | | | 2,249 | | | | 1,080 | | | | 91,283 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities | | | 15,087 | | | | (4,857 | ) | | | (313,319 | ) | | | 40,473 | | | | (262,616 | ) |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Additions to property, plant and equipment | | | (4,221 | ) | | | (9,106 | ) | | | (10,989 | ) | | | — | | | | (24,316 | ) |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | | — | | | | — | | | | (6,419 | ) | | | — | | | | (6,419 | ) |
Investments in affiliates | | | (50,600 | ) | | | — | | | | (235 | ) | | | — | | | | (50,835 | ) |
Distributions from investments in affiliated companies | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,448 | | | | — | | | | 4,448 | |
Proceeds from sale of investments | | | — | | | | 49 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 49 | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | | | — | | | | 66 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 66 | |
Change in notes receivable | | | (5,657 | ) | | | 500 | | | | (881 | ) | | | — | | | | (6,038 | ) |
Other | | | (208 | ) | | | — | | | | (268 | ) | | | — | | | | (476 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash used by investing activities | | | (60,686 | ) | | | (8,491 | ) | | | (14,344 | ) | | | — | | | | (83,521 | ) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase (decrease) in short-term debt | | | 56,347 | | | | (2,429 | ) | | | 328,486 | | | | (40,473 | ) | | | 341,931 | |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | | | (1,559 | ) | | | — | | | | 2,225 | | | | — | | | | 666 | |
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations | | | (499 | ) | | | (196 | ) | | | (11,998 | ) | | | — | | | | (12,693 | ) |
Payments for redemption of member equities | | | (22,161 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (22,161 | ) |
Distribution to members | | | 30,900 | | | | — | | | | (30,900 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Other | | | (36 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (36 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities | | | 62,992 | | | | (2,625 | ) | | | 287,813 | | | | (40,473 | ) | | | 307,707 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 17,393 | | | | (15,973 | ) | | | (39,850 | ) | | | — | | | | (38,430 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 12,411 | | | | 17,036 | | | | 87,392 | | | | — | | | | 116,839 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 29,804 | | | $ | 1,063 | | | $ | 47,542 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 78,409 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
25
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussions of financial condition and results of operations together with the financial statements and the notes to such statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.
Overview
General
We operate our business predominantly in the United States in five segments: Dairy Foods, Feed, Seed, Agronomy and Layers. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, we reported net sales of $2.9 billion and net earnings of $82.7 million, compared to net sales of $3.3 billion and net earnings of $61.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The primary drivers for the increase in net earnings were improved earnings in Seed and Agronomy, partially offset by declines in Layers, Dairy Foods and Feed.
On March 6, 2007, the Company announced that one of its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, Forage Genetics Inc. filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) by the Center for Food Safety, the Sierra Club, two individual farmers/seed producers (together, the “Plaintiffs”) and others regarding Roundup Ready® Alfalfa. The plaintiffs claim that the USDA did not sufficiently assess the potential environmental impact of its decision to approve Roundup Ready® Alfalfa in 2005. The Monsanto Company and several independent alfalfa growers also filed motions to intervene in the lawsuit. On March 12, 2007, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the “Court”) issued a preliminary injunction enjoining all future plantings of Roundup Ready® Alfalfa beginning March 30, 2007. The Court specifically permitted plantings until that date only to the extent the seed to be planted was purchased on or before March 12, 2007. On May 3, 2007, the Court issued a permanent injunction enjoining all future plantings of Roundup Ready® Alfalfa until after an environmental impact study can be completed and a deregulation petition is approved. Roundup Ready® Alfalfa planted before March 30, 2007 may be grown, harvested and sold to the extent certain court-ordered cleaning and handling conditions are satisfied. In January 2008, the USDA filed a notice of intent to file an Environmental Impact Study (the “EIS”). Despite delays in the completion of the draft EIS, the Company anticipates that the USDA will issue its final EIS in early 2010. Although the Company believes the outcome of the EIS will be favorable, which would allow for the reintroduction of the product into the market by 2010, there are approximately $10.5 million of purchase commitments with seed producers over the next year and $26.0 million of inventory as of March 31, 2009, which could negatively impact future earnings if the results of the study are unfavorable or delayed.
In a letter dated January 18, 2001, the Company was identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) as a potentially responsible party in connection with hazardous substances and wastes at the Hudson Refinery Superfund Site in Cushing, Oklahoma. The letter invited the Company to enter into negotiations with the EPA for the performance of a remedial investigation and feasibility study at the Site and also demanded that the Company reimburse the EPA approximately $8.9 million for removal costs already incurred at the Site. In March 2001, the Company responded to the EPA denying any responsibility with respect to the costs incurred for the remediation expenses incurred through that date. On February 25, 2008, the Company received a Special Notice Letter (“Letter”) from the EPA inviting the Company to enter into negotiations with the EPA to perform selected remedial action for remaining contamination and to resolve the Company’s potential liability for the Site. In the Letter, the EPA claimed that it has incurred approximately $21.0 million in response costs at the Site through October 31, 2007 and is seeking reimbursement of these costs. The EPA has also stated that the estimated cost of the selected remedial action for remaining contamination is $9.6 million. The Company maintains that the costs incurred by the EPA were the direct result of damage caused by owners subsequent to the Company, including negligent salvage activities and lack of maintenance. On January 6, 2009, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (“UAO”) directing the Company to perform remedial design and remedial action (“RD/RA”) at the Site. The Company filed its Notice of Intent to Comply with the UAO on February 10, 2009. On April 20, 2009, the EPA issued its authorization to proceed with RD/RA activities. In addition, the Company is analyzing the amount and extent of its insurance coverage that may be available to further mitigate its ultimate exposure. At the present time, the Company’s request for coverage has been denied. The Company initiated litigation against two carriers on February 18, 2009. As of March 31, 2009, based on the most recent facts and circumstances available to the Company, an $8.9 million environmental reserve recorded in a prior period remained in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Seasonality
Certain segments of our business are subject to seasonal fluctuations in demand. In our Dairy Foods segment, butter sales typically increase in the fall and winter months due to increased demand during holiday periods. Feed sales tend to be highest in the first and fourth quarters of each year because cattle are less able to graze during cooler months. Most Seed sales occur in the first and fourth quarters of each year. Agronomy product sales tend to be much higher in the second quarter of each year, as farmers buy crop protection products to meet their seasonal planting needs.
26
Dairy and Agricultural Commodity Inputs and Outputs
Many of our products, particularly in our Dairy Foods, Feed and Layers segments, use dairy or agricultural commodities as inputs or our products constitute dairy or agricultural commodity outputs. Consequently, our results are affected by the cost of commodity inputs and the market price of commodity outputs. Government regulation of the dairy industry and industry practices in animal feed tend to stabilize margins in those segments but do not protect against large movements in either input costs or output prices.
Dairy Foods.Raw milk is the major commodity input for our Dairy Foods segment. Our Dairy Foods outputs, namely butter, cheese and nonfat dry milk, are also commodities. The minimum price of raw milk and cream is set monthly by Federal regulators based on regional prices of dairy foods products manufactured. These prices provide the basis for our raw milk and cream input costs. As a result, those dairy foods products for which the sales price is fixed shortly after production, such as most bulk cheese, are not usually subject to significant commodity price risk as the price received for the output usually varies with the cost of the significant inputs. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, bulk cheese, which is generally priced on the date of make, represented approximately 10% of the Dairy Foods segment’s net sales. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, bulk milk, which also is not subject to significant commodity price risk, represented approximately 34% of the Dairy Foods segment’s net sales.
We maintain significant inventories of butter and cheese for sale to our retail and foodservice customers, which are subject to commodity price risk. Because production of raw milk and demand for butter varies seasonally, we inventory significant amounts of butter. Demand for butter typically is highest during the fall and winter, when milk supply is lowest. As a result, we produce and store excess quantities of butter during the spring when milk supply is highest. In addition, we maintain some inventories of cheese for aging. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, retail and foodservice net sales represented approximately 37% of Dairy Foods net sales. We also maintain inventory of nonfat dry milk, which is a by-product of our butter production process. The nonfat dry milk is held in inventory until it is sold to customers.
Market prices for commodities such as butter, cheese and non fat dry milk can have a significant impact on both the cost of products produced and the price for which products are sold. In the past three years, the lowest monthly CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) market price for butter was $1.11 in January 2009, and the highest monthly market price was $1.73 in October 2008. In the past three years, the lowest monthly CME market price for block cheese was $1.08 in January 2009 and the highest monthly market price was $2.10 in May 2008. In the past three years, the lowest monthly NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Survey) market price for non fat dry milk was $0.82 in March 2009 and the highest monthly market price was $2.06 in October 2007. The per pound average market price for the three months ended March 31 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended |
| | March 31, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
Per pound market price average for three months ended: | | | | | | | | |
Butter (CME) | | $ | 1.13 | | | $ | 1.26 | |
Block cheese (CME) | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.88 | |
Non fat dry milk (NASS) | | | 0.82 | | | | 1.36 | |
Feed. The Feed segment follows industry standards for feed pricing. The feed industry generally prices products based on income over ingredient cost (IOIC) per ton of feed, which represents net sales less ingredient costs. This practice tends to lessen the impact of volatility in commodity ingredient markets on our animal feed profits. As ingredient costs fluctuate, the changes are generally passed on to customers through weekly or monthly changes in prices. However, margins can still be impacted by competitive pressures and changes in manufacturing and distribution costs.
We enter into forward sales contracts to supply feed to customers, which currently represent approximately 13% of our Feed sales. When we enter into these contracts, we also generally enter into forward purchase contracts on the underlying commodities to lock in our gross margins.
Changes in commodity grain prices have an impact on the mix of products we sell. When grain prices are relatively high, the demand for complete feed rises since many livestock producers are also grain growers and sell their grain in the market and purchase complete feed as needed. When grain prices are relatively low, these producers feed their grain to their livestock and purchase premixes and supplements to provide complete nutrition to their animals. Complete feed has a far lower margin per ton than supplements and premixes. However, during periods of relatively high grain prices, although our margins per ton are lower, we sell substantially more tonnage because the grain portion of complete feed makes up the majority of its weight.
Complete feed is manufactured to meet the complete nutritional requirements of animals, whereas a simple blend is a blend of processed commodities to which the producer then adds supplements and premixes. As dairy production has shifted to the western United States, we have seen a change in our feed product mix with lower sales of complete feed and increased sales of simple blends, supplements and premixes.
27
This change in product mix is a result of differences in industry practices. Dairy producers in the western United States tend to purchase feed components and mix them at the farm location rather than purchasing a complete feed product delivered to the farm. Producers may purchase grain blends and concentrated premixes from separate suppliers. This shift is reflected in increased sales of simple blends in our western Feed region and increases in sales of premixes in our manufacturing subsidiaries in the West.
We have seen continued erosion of commodity feed volumes, mainly related to producer integration in the swine and poultry sectors as well as conscious efforts made by management to exit some of this low-margin business and place increased focus on value-added business. We expect continued pressure on volumes in dairy, poultry and swine feed to continue as further integration occurs in these industries.
Layers. MoArk, LLC (“MoArk”) produces, distributes and markets shell eggs. MoArk’s sales and earnings are driven, in large part, by egg prices. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, egg prices averaged $1.16 per dozen, as measured by the Urner Barry Midwest Large market, compared to egg prices of $1.62 per dozen for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
Derivative Commodity Instruments
In the normal course of operations, we purchase commodities such as milk, butter and soybean oil in Dairy Foods, soybean meal and corn in Feed, and soybeans in Seed. Derivative commodity instruments, primarily futures and options contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges, are used to reduce our exposure to changes in commodity prices. These contracts are not designated as hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The futures and options contracts for open positions are marked-to-market each month and these unrealized gains or losses (“unrealized hedging gains and losses”) are recognized in earnings and are fully taxed and applied to retained earnings in our consolidated balance sheet. Amounts recognized in earnings before income taxes (primarily reflected in cost of sales), for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended |
| | March 31, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
| | ($ in millions) |
Unrealized hedging loss | | $ | (2.5 | ) | | $ | (27.9 | ) |
Vendor Rebates
We receive vendor rebates primarily from seed and chemical suppliers. These rebates are either covered by binding arrangements, which are agreements between the vendor and the Company, or are covered by published vendor rebate programs. Rebates are recorded as earned in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a Vendor” (“EITF 02-16”), when evidence exists to support binding arrangements (which in most cases is either written agreements between the Company and the vendor or published vendor rebate programs) or in the absence of such arrangements, when cash is received. Certain rebate arrangements for our Agronomy and Seed segments are not finalized until various times during the vendor’s crop year program. Accordingly, the amount of rebates reported in any given period can vary substantially, largely as a result of when the arrangements are formally executed.
Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets
The Company tests for the impairment of goodwill and other unamortized trademarks and license agreements on at least an annual basis, and whenever events or circumstances make it likely that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate. The Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill and other unamortized trademarks and license agreements during the fourth quarter of 2008 and concluded that no write downs or impairments were required at that time. While the Company currently believes that goodwill and unamortized trademarks and license agreements are not impaired, materially different assumptions regarding the future performance of its businesses could result in significant impairment losses. Specifically, within Feed, changes in the current business conditions could bring about significant differences between actual and projected financial results and cause the Company to incur an impairment loss related to its goodwill or unamortized trademarks or license agreements. As presented herein, Feed has been negatively impacted by economic conditions and has underperformed during the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. We will continue to monitor the economic situation, the business environment and our outlook for our full fiscal year to determine whether a triggering event has occurred.
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Unconsolidated Businesses
We have investments in certain entities that are not consolidated in our financial statements. Investments in which we hold a 20% to 50% ownership interest are accounted for under the equity method; losses and earnings from unconsolidated businesses for the three months ended March 31 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended |
| | March 31, |
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
| | (in millions) |
(Losses) earnings from unconsolidated businesses | | $ | (7.2 | ) | | $ | 4.1 | |
We also hold investments in other cooperatives which are stated at cost plus unredeemed patronage refunds received, or estimated to be received, in the form of capital stock and other equities. Investments held in less than 20%-owned companies are stated at cost.
Our investment in unconsolidated businesses was $301.5 million as of March 31, 2009 and $344.4 million as of March 31, 2008. Cash flow from investments in unconsolidated businesses was $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
Agriliance LLC (“Agriliance”), a 50%-owned joint venture which is reflected in our Agronomy segment and is accounted for under the equity method, constitutes the most significant of our investments in unconsolidated businesses. Historically, Agriliance’s sales and earnings have been principally derived from the wholesale distribution of crop nutrients and crop protection products manufactured by others and have primarily occurred in the second quarter of each calendar year. Effective September 1, 2007, Agriliance distributed the wholesale crop protection business to Land O’Lakes, Inc. and the wholesale crop nutrient business to CHS Inc. (“CHS”). CHS and Land O’Lakes continue to explore repositioning alternatives for Agriliance’s remaining retail agronomy distribution business.
Our investment in Agriliance was $164.5 million as of March 31, 2009 and $176.2 million as of December 31, 2008. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, we recorded $11.7 million and $8.3 million of equity losses related to Agriliance, respectively. Agriliance’s results were unfavorably impacted during the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to March 31, 2008 primarily due to lower margins in crop nutrients.
Results of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to three months ended March 31, 2008
Overview of Results
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, |
| | | | | | | | | | Increase |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | (Decrease) |
| | ($ in millions) |
Net earnings | | $ | 82.7 | | | $ | 61.3 | | | $ | 21.4 | |
Net earnings increased $21.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in the prior year. Net earnings include the impact of the year-to-year change in unrealized hedging gains and losses on derivative contracts due to volatility in commodity markets. Unrealized hedging gains and losses in earnings represent the change in value of open derivative instruments from one period to another versus what will be effectively realized by the Company once the instruments expire and the underlying commodity purchases or product sales being hedged occur. In 2009, net earnings included $1.5 million, net of income taxes, for unrealized hedging losses compared to unrealized hedging losses of $17.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008, net of income taxes.
In 2009, net earnings also included a $4.0 million gain, net of income taxes, related to our investment in Golden Oval Eggs, LLC. Excluding the unrealized hedging gains and losses and gain related to the Golden Oval Eggs, LLC investment, the Company’s net earnings increased $1.7 million compared to the same period last year. Earnings growth in Seed and Agronomy were mostly offset by earnings declines in Layers, Feed and Dairy Foods.
29
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, |
| | | | | | | | | | Increase |
| | 2009 | | 2008 | | (Decrease) |
| | ($ in millions) |
Net sales | | $ | 2,947.3 | | | $ | 3,257.0 | | | $ | (309.7 | ) |
|
Net sales increased $148.0 million in Seed and declined in Dairy Foods, Agronomy, Feed and Layers by $294.9 million, $78.8 million, $47.9 million and $42.9 million, respectively. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by lower market pricing in milk, cheese and eggs and lower volume in Agronomy as customers built inventory ahead of price increases in the fall of 2008, reducing demand in 2009. A discussion of net sales by business segment is found below under the caption “Net Sales and Gross Profit by Business Segment.” |
|
Gross profit | | $ | 260.0 | | | $ | 250.7 | | | $ | 9.3 | |
|
Gross profit increased in the three months ended March 31, 2009 largely driven by Seed and improvements in unrealized hedging losses. These increases were mostly offset by declining markets in Dairy Foods and Layers which resulted in lower gross profit in both of those segments. A discussion of gross profit by business segment is found below under the caption “Net Sales and Gross Profit by Business Segment.” |
|
Selling, general and administrative expense | | $ | 163.3 | | | $ | 167.6 | | | $ | (4.3 | ) |
|
The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense compared to the prior year was primarily due to lower expenses in Layers due to a $3.3 million gain on the sale of fixed assets. |
|
Restructuring and impairment charges | | $ | 0.3 | | | $ | 0.1 | | | $ | 0.2 | |
|
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, Feed incurred restructuring charges primarily related to employee severance due to reorganization of Feed personnel. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, Dairy Foods incurred restructuring charges related to a long-term contractual obligation for waste-water treatment with the City of Greenwood as the result of a closed facility in Greenwood, Wisconsin. |
|
Interest expense, net | | $ | 13.2 | | | $ | 17.1 | | | $ | (3.9 | ) |
|
The decrease in interest expense was largely due to lower interest rates. The total debt level remained relatively flat in the current year versus the prior year. |
|
Equity in (losses) earnings of affiliated companies | | $ | (7.2 | ) | | $ | 4.1 | | | $ | (11.3 | ) |
|
Decreased equity in earnings of affiliated companies is primarily related to lower earnings from Layers and Agriliance investments. In Layers, equity method investments had earnings of $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to equity earnings of $11.1 million for the same period of 2008, primarily due to lower egg prices impacting the results of equity method investees. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2009 included equity losses from Agriliance of $11.7 million compared to equity losses of $8.3 million for the same period of 2008. A discussion of net earnings for Agriliance can be found under the caption “Overview —Unconsolidated Businesses.” |
|
Income tax (benefit) expense | | $ | (1.2 | ) | | $ | 6.9 | | | $ | (8.1 | ) |
Income tax (benefit) expense for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 resulted in an effective tax rate of (1.6)% and 9.9% respectively. As a cooperative, earnings from member business that meet certain requirements, known as “patronage income,” are deductible from taxable income. The federal and state statutory rate applied to nonmember business activity was 38.3% for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. Income tax expense, and the difference between the effective tax rate and statutory tax rate, vary each year based upon patronage business activity and the level of profitability of nonmember business during each of the comparable years. The tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was primarily the result of non-member earnings offset by the book-tax reporting differences for domestic production activities deduction
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Net Sales and Gross Profit by Business Segment
Our reportable segments consist of business units that offer similar products and services and/or have similar customers. We have five segments: Dairy Foods, Feed, Seed, Agronomy and Layers.
Dairy Foods
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, |
($ in millions) | | 2009 | | 2008 | | % change |
Net sales | | $ | 753.2 | | | $ | 1,048.1 | | | | (28.1 | )% |
Gross profit | | | 31.1 | | | | 41.8 | | | | (25.6 | )% |
Gross profit % of net sales | | | 4.1 | % | | | 4.0 | % | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Net Sales Variance | | (In millions) | |
Pricing / product mix impact | | $ | (298.0 | ) |
Volume impact | | | 3.1 | |
| | | |
Total decrease | | $ | (294.9 | ) |
The net sales decrease in the three months ended March 31, 2009 was primarily driven by the unfavorable pricing / mix variance of $298.0 million, mostly due to industrial operations. Industrial operations, Dairy Solutions (previously referred to as Foodservice), and Consumer Cheese net sales declined $256.3 million, $25.2 million and $7.4 million, respectively, compared to the same period last year due to lower milk and cheese market prices. The favorable volume variance of $3.1 million was driven by Dairy Solutions and industrial operations as volumes increased $15.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively, mostly offset by volume declines in resale and international of $10.4 million and $7.8 million, respectively, compared to the prior year.
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Gross Profit Variance | | (In millions) | |
Margin / product mix impact | | $ | (6.0 | ) |
Volume impact | | | (1.0 | ) |
Unrealized hedging | | | (3.7 | ) |
| | | |
Total decrease | | $ | (10.7 | ) |
The negative margin / mix variance of $6.0 million was primarily due to declining milk and cheese markets over the prior year. The lower gross profit was also driven by a volume decline of $1.0 million and the effect of a $3.7 million decline due to unrealized hedging losses compared to unrealized hedging gains for the same period in 2008.
Feed
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | |
($ in millions) | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % change | |
Net sales | | $ | 893.8 | | | $ | 941.7 | | | | (5.1 | )% |
Gross profit | | | 72.4 | | | | 80.1 | | | | (9.6 | )% |
Gross profit % of net sales | | | 8.1 | % | | | 8.5 | % | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Net Sales Variance | | (In millions) | |
Pricing / product mix impact | | $ | 5.6 | |
Volume impact | | | (53.5 | ) |
| | | |
Total decrease | | $ | (47.9 | ) |
The $5.6 million favorable pricing / mix variance was primarily due to a shift in sales within product mix resulting in increased sales in premix, livestock and lifestyle of $22.7 million, $19.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively. These gains were mostly offset by declines in ingredients and animal milk of $24.2 million and $15.0 million, respectively.
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Grass cattle and dairy feed accounted for the largest increases in the livestock category as higher selling prices drove improved margins. In lifestyle, increased prices of horse feed accounted for the majority of the increase. The unfavorable volume variance of $53.5 million was mainly due to declines in the livestock category. Grass cattle and dairy feed experienced weaker demand, resulting in volume decreases of $20.8 million and $20.6 million, respectively. In lifestyle, volume increased $13.3 million on companion animal feed, which was mostly offset by a $12.3 million decline in horse feed. Premix and ingredients volumes experienced weaker demand and volumes decreased $6.0 million and $3.7 million, respectively.
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Gross Profit Variance | | (In millions) | |
Margin / product mix impact | | $ | (21.4 | ) |
Volume impact | | | (6.4 | ) |
Unrealized hedging | | | 20.1 | |
| | | |
Total decrease | | $ | (7.7 | ) |
Gross profit declined primarily due to the negative margin / product mix impact of $21.4 million. Gross profit decreased in livestock, ingredients and lifestyle by $8.5 million, $5.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively. In livestock, pricing pressures resulted in lower margins on commodity blends, swine, feedlot and grass cattle feed and ingredients margins did not keep pace with the strong prior year period. Lower volume negatively impacted gross profit by $6.4 million. In lifestyle, horse feed declined by $2.3 million and in livestock grass cattle and dairy feed declined by $2.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively. In addition, unrealized hedging gains in the current year versus unrealized hedging losses in the prior year favorably impacted gross profit by $20.1 million.
Seed
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, |
($ in millions) | | 2009 | | 2008 | | % change |
Net sales | | $ | 775.1 | | | $ | 627.1 | | | | 23.6 | % |
Gross profit | | | 111.4 | | | | 66.4 | | | | 67.8 | % |
Gross profit % of net sales | | | 14.4 | % | | | 10.6 | % | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Net Sales Variance | | (In millions) | |
Pricing / product mix impact | | $ | 131.5 | |
Volume impact | | | 16.2 | |
Acquisitions and divestitures | | | 0.3 | |
| | | |
Total increase | | $ | 148.0 | |
The $131.5 million pricing / mix variance was primarily related to a $58.5 million increase in corn sales due to higher market prices and a $57.3 million increase in soybean sales also due to increased market prices. The $16.2 million favorable volume variance was driven in large part by a $15.9 million increase in corn volume, as partnered brands gained market share. Also contributing to the positive volume variance was an $8.1 million increase in soybean volumes due to an expected increase in acres planted. Volume declined in alfalfa and sunflowers by $3.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The acquisitions and divestitures category includes the effect of the acquisition of the Seed Exchange forage grass business in 2008.
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Gross Profit Variance | | (In millions) | |
Margin / product mix impact | | $ | 39.9 | |
Volume impact | | | (2.9 | ) |
Unrealized hedging | | | 8.0 | |
| | | |
Total increase | | $ | 45.0 | |
The $39.9 million positive margin / product mix variance was driven by corn, soybeans and alfalfa with increases of $19.5 million, $14.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively. This gross profit improvement was mostly due to higher market prices in the current year. The $2.9 million unfavorable volume variance was primarily due to lower alfalfa and sunflower volumes. An $8.0 million positive change in unrealized hedging gains compared to unrealized hedging losses in the prior year also contributed to the higher gross profit in 2009.
32
Layers
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, |
($ in millions) | | 2009 | | 2008 | | % change |
Net sales | | $ | 138.2 | | | $ | 181.1 | | | | (23.7 | )% |
Gross profit | | | 11.5 | | | | 33.9 | | | | (66.1 | )% |
Gross profit % of net sales | | | 8.3 | % | | | 18.7 | % | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Net Sales Variance | | (In millions) | |
Pricing / product mix impact | | $ | (43.0 | ) |
Volume impact | | | 0.1 | |
| | | |
Total decrease | | $ | (42.9 | ) |
The $43.0 million negative pricing / mix variance was primarily driven by lower egg prices for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The average quoted price based on the Urner Barry Midwest Large market decreased to $1.16 per dozen in 2009 compared to $1.62 per dozen in 2008. Volume was flat versus a year ago as volume growth in commodity eggs was offset by a decline in specialty eggs.
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Gross Profit Variance | | (In millions) | |
Margin / product mix impact | | $ | (30.5 | ) |
Volume impact | | | 0.2 | |
Unrealized hedging | | | 7.9 | |
| | | |
Total decrease | | $ | (22.4 | ) |
The margin / product mix decrease was primarily attributable to the decline in the average market price of eggs. Lower feed costs partially offset the impact of lower egg prices. There was also a $7.9 million positive impact of the change to unrealized hedging gains for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from unrealized hedging losses for the same period in 2008.
Agronomy
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, |
($ in millions) | | 2009 | | 2008 | | % change |
Net sales | | $ | 408.4 | | | $ | 487.2 | | | | (16.2 | )% |
Gross profit | | | 33.2 | | | | 29.3 | | | | 13.3 | % |
Gross profit % of net sales | | | 8.1 | % | | | 6.0 | % | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Net Sales Variance | | (In millions) | |
Pricing / product mix impact | | $ | 43.3 | |
Volume impact | | | (115.7 | ) |
Acquisitions and divestitures | | | (6.4 | ) |
| | | |
Total decrease | | $ | (78.8 | ) |
The net sales decline for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the three months ending March 31, 2008 was primarily volume driven. The $115.7 million unfavorable volume variance was due to lower volumes across most product groups as customers increased inventory levels in the fall of 2008 ahead of price increases, which lowered demand in 2009. This was partially offset by a $43.3 million favorable pricing variance due to higher product prices in the current year. The acquisitions and divestitures category includes the unfavorable impact of four Agriliance LLC (“Agriliance”) joint ventures that were distributed to the Company in early January and February 2008 and partially offset by the favorable impact of the Soy Genetics acquisition. In July 2008, three of the Agriliance joint ventures were deconsolidated and accounted for under the equity method after the joint venture agreements were renegotiated.
33
| | | | |
| | Increase | |
| | (decrease) | |
Gross Profit Variance | | (In millions) | |
Margin / product mix impact | | $ | 17.6 | |
Volume impact | | | (7.0 | ) |
Unrealized hedging | | | (0.2 | ) |
Acquisitions and divestitures | | | (6.5 | ) |
| | | |
Total increase | | $ | 3.9 | |
Gross profit increased by $3.9 million due to high margins across most product groups. The favorable $17.6 million margin / product mix variance was primarily driven by strong margins on glyphosate. This was partially offset by $7.0 million lower volumes due to customers building inventory in the fall of 2008. The acquisitions and divestitures category includes a $7.3 million unfarovable impact of four Agriliance joint ventures that were distributed to the company in early January and February 2008 and a positive $0.8 million impact of the Soy Genetics acquisition. The unfavorable impact related to the joint ventures was due to the change in accounting to the equity method in July 2008 and also due to lower margins in crop nutruients.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
We rely on cash from operations, borrowings under our bank facilities and other institutionally-placed debt as the main sources for financing working capital requirements, additions to property, plant and equipment as well as acquisitions and investments in joint ventures. Other sources of funding consist of a receivables securitization facility, leasing arrangements and the sale of non-strategic assets.
Total long-term debt, including the current portion, was $534.4 million at March 31, 2009 compared to $534.8 million at December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to debt repayments for borrowings of consolidated subsidiaries.
Our primary sources of debt at March 31, 2009 include a $225 million revolving credit facility, of which $100.0 million was outstanding, a $400 million receivables securitization facility, which was fully drawn down, $149.7 million in 9.00% senior secured notes, $174.0 million in 8.75% senior unsecured notes and $190.7 million of 7.45% capital securities.
At March 31, 2009, $19.6 million of our long-term debt, including $4.3 million of capital lease obligations, was attributable to MoArk. Land O’Lakes does not provide any guarantees or support for MoArk’s debt. In addition, we had $0.4 million of other miscellaneous long-term debt at March 31, 2009.
Our principal liquidity requirements are to service our debt and meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs. At March 31, 2009, we had available cash and cash equivalents on hand of $33.5 million. Total equities, excluding noncontrolling interests of $14.3 million, were $1,017.0 million at March 31, 2009.
Our total liquidity is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of | | | As of | | | As of | |
| | March 31, | | | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2008 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 33.5 | | | $ | 78.4 | | | $ | 30.8 | |
Availability on revolving credit facility | | | 88.6 | | | | 93.6 | | | | 188.6 | |
Availability on receivable securitization program | | | — | | | | 110.0 | | | | 120.0 | |
Availability on the Agriliance credit facility | | | 7.0 | | | | 20.0 | | | | — | |
Availability on the MoArk revolving credit facility | | | 40.0 | | | | 40.0 | | | | 40.0 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total liquidity | | $ | 169.1 | | | $ | 342.0 | | | $ | 379.4 | |
On May 4, 2009, the Company announced that it had closed a $175 million increase to the revolving credit facility, bringing the total capacity to $400 million, which is not reflected in the liquidity shown above. We expect that funds from operations and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility and receivables securitization facility will provide sufficient working capital to operate our business to make expected capital expenditures and to meet liquidity requirements for at least the next twelve months.
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Cash Flows
The following tables summarize the key elements in our cash flows for the following periods:
Operating Activities
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. | | $ | 82.7 | | | $ | 61.3 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. to net cash used by operating activities | | | 29.3 | | | | 17.1 | |
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures | | | (270.8 | ) | | | (341.0 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net cash used by operating activities | | $ | (158.8 | ) | | $ | (262.6 | ) |
Net cash used by operating activities decreased $103.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease in cash used by operating activities was due to $21.4 million of increased net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes, Inc. and a $70.2 million decrease in working capital requirements due to declines in commodity prices during the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared with the same period in 2008.
Investing Activities
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Additions to property, plant and equipment | | $ | (36.9 | ) | | $ | (24.3 | ) |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | | — | | | | (6.4 | ) |
Investments in affiliates | | | (0.4 | ) | | | (50.8 | ) |
Distributions from investments in affiliated companies | | | — | | | | 4.4 | |
Proceeds from sale of investments | | | 5.6 | | | | — | |
Proceeds from foreign currency exchange contracts on sale of investment | | | 0.5 | | | | — | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | | | 0.8 | | | | 0.1 | |
Insurance proceeds for replacement assets | | | 4.4 | | | | — | |
Change in notes receivable | | | 0.3 | | | | (6.0 | ) |
Other | | | 0.2 | | | | (0.5 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net cash used by investing activities | | $ | (25.5 | ) | | $ | (83.5 | ) |
Net cash used by investing activities decreased $58.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease was primarily related to the $50.0 million of additional investment in Agriliance for the three months ended March 31, 2008 with no comparable investment for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
We expect total capital expenditures to be approximately $170 million in 2009. Of that amount, we currently estimate that a minimum range of $50 million to $60 million of ongoing maintenance capital expenditures will be required.
Financing Activities
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | ($ in millions) | |
Increase in short-term debt, net | | $ | 208.2 | | | $ | 341.9 | |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | | | — | | | | 0.7 | |
Principal payments on long-term debt and obligations under capital lease | | | (0.7 | ) | | | (12.7 | ) |
Payments for redemption of member equities | | | (18.9 | ) | | | (22.2 | ) |
Other | | | (1.6 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | $ | 187.0 | | | $ | 307.7 | |
Net cash provided by financing activities decreased $120.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. The change is primarily due to a decrease of $133.7 million of seasonal borrowings since December 31, 2008 to fund decreased working capital requirements partially offset by a decrease of $12.0 million of principal payments on long-term debt and obligations under capital lease.
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Principal Debt Facilities
The Company’s $225 million, five-year revolving credit facility matures in 2011. Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate (either LIBOR or an Alternative Base Rate) plus an applicable margin. The margin is dependent upon the Company’s leverage ratio. Based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the end of March 2009, the LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility was 87.5 basis points and the spread for the Alternative Base Rate was 20 basis points. LIBOR may be set for one, two, three or six month periods at the election of the Company. At March 31, 2009, $100.0 million was outstanding on the revolving credit facility and $88.6 million was available after giving effect to $36.4 million of outstanding letters of credit, which reduce availability. On May 4, 2009, the Company announced that it had closed a $175 million increase to the revolving credit facility, bringing the total capacity to $400 million. Pricing on the facility was increased due to current market rates. Based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the end of March 2009, the LIBOR margin for the revolving credit facility was increased to 250 basis points and the spread for the Alternative Base Rate was increased to 150 basis points, effective from the closing date.
The Company’s $400 million, five-year receivables securitization facility arranged by CoBank ACB matures in 2011. The Company and certain wholly owned consolidated entities sell Dairy Foods, Feed, Seed, Agronomy and certain other receivables to LOL SPV, LLC, a wholly owned, consolidated special purpose entity (the “SPE”). The SPE enters into borrowings which are effectively secured solely by the SPE’s receivables. The SPE has its own separate creditors that are entitled to be satisfied out of the assets of the SPE prior to any value becoming available to the Company. Borrowings under the receivables securitization facility bear interest at LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the SPE’s receivables were $975.1 million and $1,024.1 million, respectively. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, outstanding balances under the facility, recorded as notes and short-term obligations, were $400.0 million and $280.0 million, respectively, and availability was $0 and $120.0 million, respectively.
The Company also had $73.9 million as of March 31, 2009, and $74.5 million as of December 31, 2008, of notes and short-term obligations outstanding under a revolving line of credit and other borrowing arrangements for a wholly-owned subsidiary that provides operating loans and facility financing to farmers and livestock producers.
Additionally, the Company had $13.0 million and $20.0 outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively of notes and short term obligations under a credit facility with Agriliance, a 50/50 joint venture with CHS. The purpose of the credit facility is to provide additional working capital liquidity and allows the Company to borrow from or lend to Agriliance at a variable rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points.
The Company’s MoArk subsidiary maintains a $40 million revolving credit facility, which is subject to a borrowing base limitation. Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate (either LIBOR or an Alternative Base Rate) plus an applicable margin. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the outstanding borrowings were $0. MoArk’s facility is not guaranteed by the Company nor is it secured by Company assets. The facility was scheduled to mature on June 1, 2009. On February 27, 2009, MoArk and its lenders agreed to an extension of the facility to June 1, 2012. MoArk had outstanding notes and term loans of $15.2 million and $15.4 million as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The decline in MoArk’s long-term debt was primarily due to payments on various term notes from cash provided by operations.
The Company’s Agri-AFC, LLC (“AFC”) subsidiary maintains a $45 million revolving credit facility, which is subject to a borrowing base limitation. On March 20, 2009, AFC and its lenders agreed to an extension of the revolving credit facility until March 2010. Borrowings bear interest at a variable rate of LIBOR plus 250 basis points. At March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the outstanding borrowings were $30.6 million and $34.9 million, respectively. AFC’s facility is not guaranteed by the Company nor is it secured by Company assets, but it does contain a minimum net worth covenant which could require the Company to make subordinated loans or equity infusions into AFC if AFC’s net worth falls below certain levels. The revolving credit facility is subject to certain debt covenants, which were all satisfied as of March 31, 2009.
In December 2003, we issued $175 million of senior secured notes that mature on December 15, 2010. Proceeds from the issuance were used to make prepayments on the Company’s term loans. These notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 9.00% per annum, payable on June 15 and December 15 each year. The notes became callable in December 2007 at a redemption price of 104.5%. In December 2008, the redemption price became 102.25%. The notes are callable at par beginning in December 2009. The balance outstanding for these notes at March 31, 2009 was $149.7 million.
In November 2001, we issued $350 million of senior unsecured notes that mature on November 15, 2011. Proceeds from the issuance were used to refinance the Company in connection with the acquisition of Purina Mills. These notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 8.75% per annum, payable on May 15 and November 15 each year. The notes became callable in November 2006 at a redemption price of 104.375%.
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In November 2007, the redemption price declined to 102.917% and in November 2008, the redemption price declined to 101.458%. The notes are callable at par beginning in November 2009. In September 2005, $3.8 million of these notes were tendered in accordance with the terms of the indentures of the notes, which required a par offer in August 2005 as a result of receiving cash proceeds from the sale of our investment in CF Industries. In November 2005, we completed a “modified Dutch Auction” cash tender for these notes and purchased $149.7 million in aggregate principal amount of the notes at a purchase price of $1,070 per $1,000 principal amount. In April 2007, upon receipt of the proceeds related to the sale of substantially all the assets related to our Cheese & Protein International LLC subsidiary, we launched a par offer in accordance with the terms of the indentures governing these notes and $2.7 million of notes were tendered. In August 2007, the Company made open market purchases of $1.1 million of our 8.75% notes. In November and December of 2008, the Company made open market purchases and retired a total of $18.7 million of the outstanding 8.75% notes. The balance outstanding for these notes at March 31, 2009 was $174.0 million.
In 1998, Capital Securities in an amount of $200 million were issued by our trust subsidiary, and the net proceeds were used to acquire a junior subordinated note of Land O’Lakes. The holders of the securities are entitled to receive dividends at an annual rate of 7.45% until the securities mature in 2028. The payment terms of the Capital Securities correspond to the payment terms of the junior subordinated debentures, which are the sole asset of the trust subsidiary. Interest payments on the debentures can be deferred for up to five years, and the obligations under the debentures are junior to all of our debt. At March 31, 2009, the outstanding balance of Capital Securities was $190.7 million.
The credit agreements relating to the revolving credit facility and the indentures relating to the 8.75% senior unsecured notes and the 9.00% senior secured notes impose certain restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness, make payments to members, make investments, grant liens, sell our assets and engage in certain other activities. In addition, the credit agreement relating to the revolving credit facility requires us to maintain certain interest coverage and leverage ratios. Land O’Lakes debt covenants were all satisfied as of March 31, 2009.
Indebtedness under the revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of the material assets of Land O’Lakes and its wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (other than MoArk, LLC, LOL Finance Co., LOLFC, LLC (a subsidiary of LOL Finance Co.) and LOL SPV, LLC,) including real and personal property, inventory, accounts receivable (other than those receivables which have been sold in connection with our receivables securitization), intellectual property and other intangibles. Indebtedness under the revolving credit facility is also guaranteed by our wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (other than MoArk, LLC, LOL Finance Co., LOLFC, LLC, and LOL SPV, LLC). The 9.00% senior notes are secured by a second lien on essentially all of the assets which secure the revolving credit agreement, and are guaranteed by the same entities. The 8.75% senior notes are unsecured but are guaranteed by the same entities that guarantee the obligations under the revolving credit facility.
In December 2008, the Company entered into a transaction with the City of Russell, Kansas (the “City”), whereby, the City purchased the Company’s Russell, Kansas feed facility (the “Facility”) by issuing $4.9 million in industrial development revenue bonds due December 2018 and leased the Facility back to the Company for an identical term under a capital lease. The City’s bonds were purchased by the Company. Because the City has assigned the lease to a trustee for the benefit of the Company as the sole bondholder, the Company, in effect, controls enforcement of the lease against itself. As a result of the capital lease treatment, the Facility will remain a component of property, plant and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and no gain or loss was recognized related to this transaction. As a result of the legal right of offset, the capital lease obligation and the corresponding bond investment have been eliminated upon consolidation. Additional bonds may be issued to cover the costs of certain improvements to the facility. The maximum amount of bonds authorized for issuance is $6.0 million.
Capital Leases
At March 31, 2009, MoArk had $4.3 million in obligations under capital leases which represents the present value of the future minimum lease payments for the leases. MoArk leases machinery, buildings and equipment at various locations. The interest rates on the capital leases range from 6.00% to 8.25% with the weighted average rate of 7.95%. The weighted average term until maturity is three years.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). This statement provides a single definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosures concerning fair value. SFAS 157 applies to other pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements; it does not require any new fair value measurements. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company partially adopted SFAS 157, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Additionally, in February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) Financial Accounting Standard 157-1 (“FSP 157-1”) and 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”). FSP 157-1 removed leasing from the scope of SFAS 157, and FSP 157-2 delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2009 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually).
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Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the remaining provisions of SFAS 157 relating to nonrecurring nonfinancial assets and liabilities in accordance with FSP 157-2, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-3 (“FSP 157-3”), which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including all periods for which financial statements had not been issued. The Company has adopted FSP 157-3, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-4 (“FSP 157-4”), which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FSP 157-4 is effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. At initial adoption, application of the FSP would not be required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. The Company will adopt FSP 157-4 as of June 30, 2009 and does not expect this statement to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) requires most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at “full fair value.” The statement applies to all business combinations, including combinations among mutual enterprises. SFAS 141(R) requires all business combinations to be accounted for by applying the acquisition method and was effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with early adoption prohibited. The Company adopted SFAS 141(R) prospectively for all business combinations where the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009 and has ceased amortizing goodwill created as a result of business combinations between mutual enterprises. The impact of amortization of goodwill on the consolidated financial statements was $7.9 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. See Item 1. Financial Statements Note 6 for further information.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – An Amendment to ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). The objective of this statement is to improve the relevance, comparability and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 requires the reclassification of noncontrolling interests, also referred to as minority interest, to the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet presented upon adoption. Minority interest expense is no longer separately reported as a reduction to net income on the consolidated income statement, but is instead shown below net income under the heading “net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests.” Total provision for income taxes remains unchanged; however, the Company’s effective tax rate as calculated from the balances shown on the consolidated income statement has changed as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is no longer included in the determination of income from continuing operations. This pronouncement was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS 160 as of January 1, 2009 and changed the presentation of its noncontrolling interests in compliance with this pronouncement.
In December 2007, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 07-1, “Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements” (“EITF 07-1”), which defines collaborative arrangements and establishes reporting requirements for transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement and between participants in the arrangement and third parties. EITF 07-1 also establishes the appropriate income statement presentation and classification for joint operating activities and payments between participants, as well as the sufficiency of the disclosures related to these arrangements. EITF 07-1 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. EITF 07-1 shall be applied using a modified version of retrospective transition for those arrangements in place at the effective date. The Company adopted EITF 07-1 as of January 1, 2009, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – An Amendment to FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”), which expands quarterly and annual FASB 133 disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161 was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS 161 as of January 1, 2009 and expanded disclosures regarding its derivative instruments and hedging activities in the consolidated financial statements. See Item 1. Financial Statements Note 10 for additional disclosures as required by SFAS 161.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”), which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” This pronouncement requires enhanced disclosures concerning a company’s treatment of costs incurred to renew or extend the term of a recognized intangible asset.
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FSP 142-3 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted FSP 142-3 as of January 1, 2009, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2008, the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations” (“EITF 08-6”). The objective of this issue is to clarify how to account for certain transactions involving equity method investments, including how the initial carrying value of an equity method investment should be determined. The Company adopted EITF 08-6 as of January 1, 2009, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 132 (R)-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits” (“FSP 132 (R)-1”), which requires that an employer disclose the following information about the fair value of plan assets: 1) how investment allocation decisions are made, including the factors that are pertinent to understanding investment policies and strategies; 2) the major categories of plan assets; 3) the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets; 4) the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets for the period; and 5) significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. This FSP will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, with early application permitted. At initial adoption, application of the FSP would not be required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. The adoption of this FSP in 2009 will increase the disclosures within the Company’s consolidated financial statements related to the assets of its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1”), which require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 are effective for periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. At initial adoption, application of the FSP would not be required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. The Company will adopt FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 as of June 30, 2009 and will include the disclosures within the Company’s consolidated financial statements related to the fair value of financial instruments as of interim reporting periods.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our significant accounting policies are described in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The accounting policies used in preparing our interim 2009 consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in our Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information presented in this Form 10-Q under the headings “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” may contain forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of our management as well as on assumptions made by and information currently available to us at the time the statements were made. When used in the Form 10-Q, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “seeks”, “pro forma” and “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us are intended to identify the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to persons acting on our behalf or us are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth here and in “Part II. Other Information Item 1A. Risk Factors” on pages 42 to 43. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason. Although we believe that these statements are reasonable, you should be aware that actual results could differ materially from those projected by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements, see the discussion of risk factors set forth in “Part II. Other Information Item 1A — Risk Factors” on pages 42 to 43. Because actual results may differ, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company did not experience significant changes in market risk exposures that materially affected the quantitative and qualitative disclosures presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management, with the participation of the CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of March 31, 2009, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, had not been sufficiently remediated.
(b) Remediation and Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As reported in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 20, 2009, in connection with the Company’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting at the end of its fiscal year, management identified material weaknesses in the internal controls over financial reporting as described below, which continued as of March 31, 2009.
Inadequate interim periodic close process
Management did not maintain adequate policies and procedures in our Seed and Agronomy segments to ensure that accurate interim financial results were prepared on a timely basis under our normal periodic financial close process. This material weakness resulted in accounting errors in the Seed and Agronomy segments that were subsequently corrected.
Personnel lacked adequate accounting expertise and business knowledge
Management did not maintain a sufficient complement of personnel in the Agronomy segment with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, experience with the business and training in the application of generally accepted accounting principles commensurate with the Company’s financial accounting and reporting requirements and low materiality thresholds. As a result of this material weakness, there is a reasonable possibility that matters which could result in errors material to our financial reporting might not be identified and addressed on a timely basis.
Controls were not effective to ensure that significant accounting estimates and elimination of intercompany transactions were appropriately reviewed, analyzed and modified as necessary on a timely basis to prevent and detect material errors.
Remediation and Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:
As of March 31, 2009, we have taken or are taking the following actions to address the material weaknesses in the Seed and Agronomy segments including: (a) enhancing the current quarterly close process and review of the variance analyses as part of the close process to assess items at appropriate materiality levels, (b) adding procedures to the monthly variance analyses which address the timeliness and accuracy of those reviews, (c) adding accounting resources to ensure complete and timely recording of accounting transactions at quarter end, and (d) implementing new training procedures to ensure personnel are adequately trained to perform their job responsibilities. At March 31, 2009, the remediation and changes in internal control over financial reporting as described above, had not been fully implemented or in operation for a period of time sufficient to test their effectiveness. Therefore, these material weakness have not been remediated as of March 31, 2009.
(c) Change in internal controls
Other than the remediation efforts noted above, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
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Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are currently and from time to time involved in litigation and environmental claims incidental to the conduct of business. The damages claimed in some of these cases are substantial. Although the amount of liability that may result from these matters cannot be ascertained, we do not currently believe that, in the aggregate, they will result in liabilities material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, future results of operations or cash flows.
On March 6, 2007, the Company announced that one of its indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, Forage Genetics Inc. filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) by the Center for Food Safety, the Sierra Club, two individual farmers/seed producers (together, the “Plaintiffs”) and others regarding Roundup Ready® Alfalfa. The plaintiffs claim that the USDA did not sufficiently assess the potential environmental impact of its decision to approve Roundup Ready® Alfalfa in 2005. The Monsanto Company and several independent alfalfa growers also filed motions to intervene in the lawsuit. On March 12, 2007, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the “Court”) issued a preliminary injunction enjoining all future plantings of Roundup Ready® Alfalfa beginning March 30, 2007. The Court specifically permitted plantings until that date only to the extent the seed to be planted was purchased on or before March 12, 2007. On May 3, 2007, the Court issued a permanent injunction enjoining all future plantings of Roundup Ready® Alfalfa until after an environmental impact study can be completed and a deregulation petition is approved. Roundup Ready® Alfalfa planted before March 30, 2007 may be grown, harvested and sold to the extent certain court-ordered cleaning and handling conditions are satisfied. In January 2008, the USDA filed a notice of intent to file an Environmental Impact Study (the “EIS”). Despite delays in the completion of the draft EIS, the Company anticipates that the USDA will issue its final EIS in early 2010. Although the Company believes the outcome of the EIS will be favorable, which would allow for the reintroduction of the product into the market by 2010, there are approximately $10.5 million of purchase commitments with seed producers over the next year and $26.0 million of inventory as of March 31, 2009, which could negatively impact future earnings if the results of the study are unfavorable or delayed.
In a letter dated January 18, 2001, the Company was identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) as a potentially responsible party in connection with hazardous substances and wastes at the Hudson Refinery Superfund Site in Cushing, Oklahoma. The letter invited the Company to enter into negotiations with the EPA for the performance of a remedial investigation and feasibility study at the Site and also demanded that the Company reimburse the EPA approximately $8.9 million for removal costs already incurred at the Site. In March 2001, the Company responded to the EPA denying any responsibility with respect to the costs incurred for the remediation expenses incurred through that date. On February 25, 2008, the Company received a Special Notice Letter (“Letter”) from the EPA inviting the Company to enter into negotiations with the EPA to perform selected remedial action for remaining contamination and to resolve the Company’s potential liability for the Site. In the Letter, the EPA claimed that it has incurred approximately $21.0 million in response costs at the Site through October 31, 2007 and is seeking reimbursement of these costs. The EPA has also stated that the estimated cost of the selected remedial action for remaining contamination is $9.6 million. The Company maintains that the costs incurred by the EPA were the direct result of damage caused by owners subsequent to the Company, including negligent salvage activities and lack of maintenance. On January 6, 2009, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (“UAO”) directing the Company to perform remedial design and remedial action (“RD/RA”) at the Site. The Company filed its Notice of Intent to Comply with the UAO on February 10, 2009. On April 20, 2009, the EPA issued its authorization to proceed with RD/RA activities. In addition, the Company is analyzing the amount and extent of its insurance coverage that may be available to further mitigate its ultimate exposure. At the present time, the Company’s request for coverage has been denied. The Company initiated litigation against two carriers on February 18, 2009. As of March 31, 2009, based on the most recent facts and circumstances available to the Company, an $8.9 million environmental reserve recorded in a prior period remained in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On October 27, 2008, MoArk, LLC (“MoArk”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Norco Ranch, Inc. (“Norco”), received Civil Investigative Demands from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida seeking documents and information relating to the production and sale of eggs and egg products. MoArk and Norco are cooperating with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida. We cannot predict what, if any, impact this inquiry and any results from such inquiry could have on the future financial position or results of operations of MoArk, Norco or the Company.
Between September 2008 and January 2009, a total of twenty-two related class action lawsuits were filed against a number of producers of eggs and egg products in three different jurisdictions alleging violations of antitrust laws. MoArk was named as a defendant in twenty-one of the cases. Norco Ranch, Inc., was named as a defendant in thirteen of the cases. The Company was named as a defendant in eight cases. The cases have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings in the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and two separate consolidated amended class action complaints have been filed: one on behalf of those persons who purchased eggs or egg products directly from defendants, and the second on behalf of “indirect” purchasers (i.e. persons who purchased eggs, egg products, or products containing eggs from defendants’ customers). The consolidated amended complaints allege concerted action by producers of shell eggs to restrict output and thereby increase the price of shell eggs and egg products. The Plaintiffs in these suits seek unspecified damages and injunctive relief on behalf
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of all purchasers of eggs and egg products, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs. MoArk, Norco and the Company deny the allegations set forth in the complaints. The Company cannot predict what, if any, impact these lawsuits could have on the future financial position or results of operations of MoArk, Norco, or the Company.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
For a discussion of risk factors that may materially affect our estimates and results, please see the risk factors contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which can be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website(www.sec.gov). Set forth below is a summary of the Company’s material risk factors:
| • | | COMPETITION IN THE INDUSTRY MAY REDUCE OUR SALES AND MARGINS. |
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| • | | THE CURRENT ECONOMIC DOWNTURN COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL RESULTS. |
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| • | | THE CURRENT CREDIT CRISIS COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR LIQUIDITY, INCREASE OUR COSTS OF BORROWING AND DISRUPT THE OPERATIONS OF OUR SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS. |
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| • | | OUR OPERATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS LAWS AND REGULATIONS, EXPOSING US TO POTENTIAL CLAIMS AND COMPLIANCE COSTS THAT COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR MARGINS, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATED TO OUR SALES OF ROUNDUP READY® ALFALFA. |
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| • | | THE GEOGRAPHIC SHIFT IN DAIRY PRODUCTION HAS DECREASED SALES AND MARGINS AND COULD CONTINUE TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR SALES AND MARGINS. |
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| • | | CURRENT AND THREATENED LITIGATION COULD INCREASE OUR EXPENSES, REDUCE OUR PROFITABILITY, AND, IN SOME CASES, ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS REPUTATION. |
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| • | | CHANGES IN CONSUMER PREFERENCES AND DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS COULD DECREASE OUR DAIRY FOODS REVENUES AND CASH FLOWS. |
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| • | | OUR OPERATING RESULTS FLUCTUATE BY SEASON AND ARE AFFECTED BY WEATHER CONDITIONS. |
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| • | | INCREASED ENERGY AND GAS COSTS COULD INCREASE OUR EXPENSES AND REDUCE OUR PROFITABILTIY. |
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| • | | OUTBREAKS OF DISEASE CAN REDUCE OUR NET SALES AND OPERATING MARGINS. |
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| • | | CHANGES IN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE COMMODITIES THAT WE USE AS INPUTS AS WELL AS THE PRODUCTS WE MARKET MAY CAUSE OUR MARGINS TO DECLINE AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF RECEIVING DIVIDENDS FROM OUR JOINT VENTURES. |
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| • | | WE OPERATE THROUGH JOINT VENTURES IN WHICH OUR RIGHTS TO EARNINGS AND TO CONTROL THE JOINT VENTURE ARE LIMITED. |
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| • | | CERTAIN OF OUR BUSINESSES MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY OUR DEPENDENCE UPON OUR SUPPLIERS. |
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| • | | THE MANNER IN WHICH WE PAY FOR CERTAIN OF OUR INPUTS AND OTHER PRODUCTS THAT WE DISTRIBUTE EXPOSES US TO SUPPLIER-SPECIFIC RISK. |
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| • | | INCREASED FINANCIAL LEVERAGE COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO FULFILL OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER OUR DEBT FACILITIES AND TO OPERATE OUR BUSINESSES. |
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| • | | SERVICING OUR INDEBTEDNESS REQUIRES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CASH, AND OUR ABILITY TO GENERATE CASH DEPENDS ON MANY FACTORS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. |
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| • | | IF CREDITORS OF OUR SUBSIDIARIES AND JOINT VENTURES MAKE CLAIMS WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSETS AND EARNINGS OF THESE COMPANIES, SUFFICIENT FUNDS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO REPAY OUR INDEBTEDNESS AND WE MAY NOT RECEIVE THE CASH WE EXPECT FROM INTERCOMPANY TRANSFERS. |
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| • | | THE COLLATERAL PLEDGED IN SUPPORT OF OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS MAY NOT BE VALUABLE ENOUGH TO SATISFY ALL THE BORROWINGS SECURED BY THE COLLATERAL. |
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| • | | A LOSS OF OUR COOPERATIVE TAX STATUS COULD INCREASE OUR TAX LIABILITY. |
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| • | | OUR LIMITED ACCESS TO EQUITY MARKETS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL EQUITY CAPITAL. |
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| • | | INABILITY TO PROTECT OUR TRADEMARKS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS COULD DAMAGE OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION. |
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| • | | OUR BRAND NAMES COULD BE CONFUSED WITH NAMES OF OTHER COMPANIES WHO, BY THEIR ACT OR OMISSION, COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF OUR BRAND NAMES. |
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| • | | A CHANGE IN THE ASSUMPTIONS USED TO VALUE OUR REPORTING UNITS OR OUR INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND NET WORTH. |
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| • | | PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS OR PRODUCT RECALLS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS REPUTATION AND EXPOSE US TO INCREASED SCRUTINY BY FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATORS. |
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| • | | WE COULD INCUR SIGNIFICANT COSTS FOR VIOLATIONS OF OR LIABILITIES UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO OUR OPERATIONS. |
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| • | | STRIKES OR WORK STOPPAGES BY OUR UNIONIZED WORKERS COULD DISRUPT OUR BUSINESS. |
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| • | | THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT OUR SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM OR OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES WILL REMAIN WITH US. |
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
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EXHIBIT | | DESCRIPTION |
31.1 | | Certification Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* |
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31.2 | | Certification Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* |
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32.1 | | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* |
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32.2 | | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* |
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* | | Filed electronically herewith |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on the 8th day of May, 2009.
| | | | |
| LAND O’LAKES, INC. | |
| By | /s/ Daniel Knutson | |
| | Daniel Knutson | |
| | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
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