Vidler Water Resources (VWTR) 10-Q 11 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	4-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PICO HOLDINGS INC /NEW
Entity Central Index Key	830122
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,004,618
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$47,971	$62,978
Investments ($24,155 and $28,370 measured at fair value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	50,973	55,671
Real estate and tangible water assets, net	397,718	392,239
Property, plant and equipment, net	118,802	121,017
Intangible assets	128,139	126,612
Other assets	38,916	45,927
Total assets	782,519	804,444
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Debt	223,328	219,496
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	25,094	32,777
Deferred compensation	24,954	24,584
Other liabilities	16,355	16,042
Total liabilities	289,731	292,899
Commitments and contingencies
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 100,000 shares, 23,083 issued and 23,005 outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	23	23
Additional paid-in capital	492,495	491,662
Accumulated deficit	-86,333	-69,508
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,675	4,717
Treasury stock, at cost (common shares: 78 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)	-1,413	-1,413
Total PICO Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity	409,447	425,481
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	83,341	86,064
Total shareholders’ equity	492,788	511,545
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$782,519	$804,444

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Investments at fair value	$24,155	$28,370
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	23,083,000	23,083,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	23,005,000	23,005,000
Treasury stock, common shares held (in shares)	78,000	78,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income or Loss - Unaudited (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues and other income:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$43,610	$25,646
Sale of canola oil and meal	39,432	34,859
Other income	1,608	771
Total revenues and other income	84,650	61,276
Cost of sales:
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	36,333	21,055
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	42,893	34,174
Total cost of sales	79,226	55,229
Expenses:
Operating and other costs	20,049	16,854
Impairment loss on intangible and long-lived assets	2,964	2,865
Interest	1,439	1,477
Depreciation and amortization	537	542
Total costs and expenses	104,215	76,967
Loss before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	-19,565	-15,691
Benefit for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	-239	-265
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	-483	-479
Net loss	-19,809	-15,905
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,984	2,658
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	-16,825	-13,247
Other comprehensive loss:
Net loss	-19,809	-15,905
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of deferred income tax and reclassification adjustments	-51	487
Foreign currency translation	9	40
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-42	527
Comprehensive loss	-19,851	-15,378
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,984	2,658
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	($16,867)	($12,720)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Net income (loss) per common share - basic ($ per share)	($0.73)	($0.58)
Weighted average shares outstanding (number of shares)	23,005	22,747

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Unaudited (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$564,845	$26	$546,307	($17,083)	$232	($56,593)	$91,956
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2013						3,073
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		25,821
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,972		1,385				587
Withholding taxes paid on vested restricted stock units at UCP, Inc.	-813		-113				-700
Net loss	-15,905			-13,247			-2,658
Unrealized appreciation on investments, net of deferred income tax and reclassification adjustments	487				487
Foreign currency translation	40				40
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2014	550,626	26	547,579	-30,330	759	-56,593	89,185
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Mar. 31, 2014						3,073
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2014		25,821
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	511,545	23	491,662	-69,508	4,717	-1,413	86,064
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	78					78
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014	23,083	23,083
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,115		845				270
Withholding taxes paid on vested restricted stock units at UCP, Inc.	-21		-12				-9
Net loss	-19,809			-16,825			-2,984
Unrealized appreciation on investments, net of deferred income tax and reclassification adjustments	-51				-51
Foreign currency translation	9				9
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$492,788	$23	$492,495	($86,333)	$4,675	($1,413)	$83,341
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Mar. 31, 2015	78					78
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2015	23,083	23,083

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Unaudited (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Deferred income tax on unrealized gain on securities	$28	$262
Reclassification adjustments netted against unrealized gain on securities	$484	$20

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Unaudited (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Net cash used in operating activities	($19,249)	($41,382)
Investing activities:
Purchases of investments	-721	-2,880
Proceeds from sale of investments	5,626	4,326
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-1,975	-2,374
Increase in margin deposits	-2,328	-1,271
Other investing activities, net		287
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	602	-1,912
Financing activities:
Repayment of debt	-26,521	-19,554
Payment of withholding taxes on exercise of RSU	-21	-814
Debt issuance costs	-171
Proceeds from debt	30,353	18,182
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	3,640	-2,186
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		-151
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-15,007	-45,631
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of the period	62,978	138,039
Cash and cash equivalents end of the period	47,971	92,408
Supplemental cash flow information:
Refunds of federal, foreign, and state income taxes	-59	-2,108
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$1,267	$1,521

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of PICO Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “PICO”) have been prepared in accordance with the interim reporting requirements of Form 10-Q, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete consolidated financial statements.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments and reclassifications considered necessary for a fair and comparable presentation of the financial statements presented have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.
	These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC.
	Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements:
	The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period. The significant estimates made in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of other-than-temporary impairments, the application of the equity method of accounting, goodwill and intangibles, real estate and water assets, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, fair value of derivatives, and contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of such assets and liabilities are appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on the balance sheet presentation requirements for debt issuance costs. The guidance will require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. An entity should apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Upon transition, an entity is required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

Real_Estate_and_Tangible_Water

Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Real Estate [Abstract]
Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets	Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets
	The costs assigned to the various components of real estate and tangible water assets were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Real estate and improvements held and used, net of accumulated depreciation of $11,118 and $10,899 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	$	15,169	$	16,463
	Residential real estate and home construction inventories	329,710		322,938
	Other real estate inventories completed or under development	10,308		10,308
	Tangible water assets	42,531		42,530
	Total real estate and tangible water assets	$	397,718	$	392,239
	Amortization of real estate improvements was approximately $220,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Impairment Losses for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $1.9 million to write down the value of certain real estate in Oklahoma and associated capitalized development costs to their estimated fair value of $1.3 million which was based on the estimated selling price of the assets. The loss was reported in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss within impairment loss on intangible and long-lived assets and was included in the results of operations of the agribusiness operations segment.
	Impairment Losses for the Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	During 2014, certain water rights applications were denied by the New Mexico State Engineer and as a result, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $3.5 million by writing down the project’s capitalized costs to zero.
	During 2014, the Company decided to sell a property “as-is” as opposed to performing development activities as originally planned and has therefore written down the carrying value of the asset to the estimated fair value. The Company has reduced the carrying value of the real estate balance to $1.4 million by recording an impairment loss of $2.9 million.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets
	The Company owns the following intangible assets, which primarily represent indefinite-lived intangible water assets within its water resource and water storage operations segment (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Pipeline rights and water credits at Fish Springs Ranch	$	83,897	$	83,897
	Pipeline rights and water rights at Carson-Lyon	24,831		24,804
	Other, net of accumulated amortization	19,411		17,911
	Total intangible assets	$	128,139	$	126,612
	Impairment Losses for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
	There were no impairment losses recognized on intangible assets during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Impairment Losses for the Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	As a result of the Company’s annual review of indefinite-lived intangible assets, using a discounted cash flow model, it was determined that the estimated fair values of other intangible assets of approximately $3.3 million were below the carrying value of $5.6 million, resulting in an impairment loss of $2.3 million. This was the first such impairment recorded on these assets.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments
	The cost and carrying value of available-for-sale investments were as follows (in thousands):
	March 31, 2015	Cost		Gross			Gross				Carrying
				Unrealized			Unrealized				Value
				Gains			Losses
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	8,194	$	239		$	(20	)		$	8,413
	Marketable equity securities	11,358		7,136			(91		)		18,403
	Total	$	19,552	$	7,375		$	(111	)		$	26,816
	December 31, 2014	Cost		Gross			Gross				Carrying
				Unrealized			Unrealized				Value
				Gains			Losses
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	8,909	$	198		$	(65	)		$	9,042
	Marketable equity securities	14,780		7,335			(125		)		21,990
	Total	$	23,689	$	7,533		$	(190	)		$	31,032
	The following tables summarize the market value of those investments in an unrealized loss position for periods less than or greater than 12 months (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months	Fair Value		Gross			Fair Value				Gross
				Unrealized							Unrealized
				Loss							Loss
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	1,996	$	20		$	3,228			$	65
	Marketable equity securities	843		91			1,807				122
	Total	$	2,839	$	111		$	5,035			$	187
		March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Greater than 12 months	Fair Value		Gross			Fair Value				Gross
				Unrealized							Unrealized
				Loss							Loss
	Debt securities: corporate bonds
	Marketable equity securities						$	9			$	3
	Total	$	—	$	—		$	9			$	3
	The amortized cost and carrying value of investments in debt securities, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturity dates may differ from contractual maturity dates because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
		Amortized		Carrying			Amortized				Carrying
		Cost		Value			Cost				Value
	Due in one year or less	$	3,781	$	3,941		$	3,786			$	3,958
	Due after one year through five years	2,549		2,548			3,310				3,255
	Due after five years	1,864		1,924			1,813				1,829
		$	8,194	$	8,413		$	8,909			$	9,042
	Debt Securities
	The Company owns corporate bonds and other debt securities, which are purchased based on the maturity and yield-to-maturity of the bond and an analysis of the fundamental characteristics of the issuer. At March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, there were unrealized losses on certain bonds in the portfolio. The Company does not consider those bonds to be other-than-temporarily impaired because the Company expects to hold, and will not be required to sell, these particular bonds, and it expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis at maturity. There were no impairment losses recorded on debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Marketable Equity Securities
	The Company’s investment in marketable equity securities was $18.4 million at March 31, 2015, and principally consisted of common stock of publicly traded small-capitalization companies in the U.S. and select foreign markets. At March 31, 2015, the Company reviewed its equity securities in an unrealized loss position and concluded certain of such securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as the declines were not of sufficient duration and severity, and publicly-available financial information, collectively, did not indicate impairment. The primary cause of the loss on those securities was normal market volatility. No material impairment losses were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Other Investments
	The Company owned the following investments that are not classified as available-for-sale (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Carrying Value		Voting Interest		Carrying Value				Voting Interest
	Investment in Synthonics, cost method	$	2,170	18.3	%	$	2,170			19.6	%
	Investment in Mindjet:
	Investment in common stock, equity method	$	6,128	15	%	$	6,611			15	%
	Investment in preferred stock, cost method	15,858		13.4	%	15,858				13.4	%
		$	21,986	28.4	%	$	22,469			28.4	%
	Total	$	24,156			$	24,639
	Investment in Synthonics:
	Synthonics, Inc. (“Synthonics”) is a private company co-founded by a member of the Company’s board of directors. The Company’s investment consists of preferred shares as discussed in Note 11 “Related-Party Transactions.”
	Investment in Mindjet:
	At March 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, the Company’s equity investment in Mindjet, Inc. (“Mindjet”) represented 28.4% of the voting interest, which was comprised of 15% from common shares and 13.4% from preferred shares. The Company accounts for the investment in common stock using the equity method of accounting, which resulted in recording a loss of $483,000 and $479,000 in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The investment in preferred stock is held at cost in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	During 2014, the Company purchased $2.7 million of convertible debt of Mindjet. The debt security is reported in investments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The debt was scheduled to mature in March 2015, bears interest at 10% per year, and will convert to additional common or preferred equity, or potentially cash equal to three times the face value of the debt depending on the nature and valuation of certain future transactions including an offering of Mindjet’s securities in a private or initial public offering, or sale of the company. In March 2015, the Company agreed to extend the maturity date on the debt until April 30, 2015. However, the debt was not repaid by the extended date, or converted into preferred equity. The Company intends to convert the debt into preferred equity during the second quarter of 2015.
	At March 31, 2015, the total carrying value of the Company’s debt and equity investment in Mindjet was $24.6 million and is subject to impairment testing at each reporting period, or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate the investment may be impaired. It is reasonably possible that given the volatile nature of software businesses that circumstances may change in the future which could require the Company to write down the investment to fair value.
	During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a $1.1 million impairment loss on the preferred shares as the estimated fair value of such shares was less than the carrying value. The fair value was determined using a 50/50 weighting of the guideline public company method (market approach) and a discounted cash flow method (income approach).
	During 2014 the Company was notified by Mindjet that they were asserting a breach in the representations and warranties made by Spigit, Inc. (“Spigit”) in the September 10, 2013 merger agreement. As part of the notification, Mindjet made a claim against the Mindjet shares held by the former Spigit shareholders, including the Company. A partial settlement was reached by the parties in November 2014 and the Company expects final resolution in 2015. The partial settlement was not material to the Company and was paid in shares of Mindjet. The maximum damages to the Company for the remaining claim is estimated between zero and $1.2 million and any settlement would be paid by the Company in shares of Mindjet. The Company is unable to provide a more meaningful estimate due to the ongoing development of information important to resolving the matter. Consequently, the Company has not accrued any liability related to the claim.

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value

Disclosures About Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Disclosures About Fair Value	Disclosures About Fair Value
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, by level within the fair value hierarchy. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and year ended December 31, 2014, there were $1.6 million of equity securities transferred from level 2 to level 1 and $5.6 million in equity securities transferred from level 1 to level 2, respectively.
	At March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
		Quoted Prices In Active				Significant Other				Significant				Balance at March 31, 2015
		Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs
						(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale equity securities (1)	$	10,858			$	7,546							$	18,404
	Available-for-sale debt securities (1)	$	5,751											$	5,751
	Readily marketable inventory (2)	$	1,546			$	2,817							$	4,363
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	723			$	630							$	1,353
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	1,385			$	501							$	1,886
	Contingent Consideration (4)									$	3,745			$	3,745
	At December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Quoted Prices In Active				Significant Other				Significant				Balance at December 31, 2014
		Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs
						(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale equity securities (1)	$	10,892			$	11,098							$	21,990
	Available-for-sale debt securities (1)	$	6,380											$	6,380
	Readily marketable inventory (2)	$	7,992			$	3,480							$	11,472
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	121			$	1,580							$	1,701
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	1,181			$	365							$	1,546
	Contingent Consideration (4)									$	3,902			$	3,902
	(1) Where there are quoted market prices that are readily available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 available-for-sale investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares owned and debt securities are valued using a market quote in an active market. All Level 2 available-for-sale securities are one class because they all contain similar risks and are valued using market prices and include securities where the markets are not active, that is where there are few transactions, or the prices are not current or the prices vary considerably over time. Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices. Level 3 available-for-sale securities would include securities where valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	(2) Readily marketable inventory comprises commodity inventories that are reported at fair value based on commodity exchange quotations. Canola seed inventories are valued based on the quoted market price multiplied by the quantity of inventory and are classified as Level 1. Canola oil and meal inventories are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market price of the corresponding soybean commodity.
	(3) Included in this caption are exchange traded futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. The exchange traded futures contracts are valued based on quoted prices in active markets multiplied by the number of contracts and are classified as Level 1. Forward commodity purchase and sale contracts classified as derivatives are valued using quantitative models that require the use of multiple inputs including quoted market prices and various other assumptions including time value. These contracts are categorized as Level 2 and are valued based on the difference between the quoted market price and the price in the contract multiplied by the undelivered notional quantity deliverable under the contract.
	(4) Included in this caption is the contingent consideration that the Company entered into as part of the acquisition of Citizens Homes, Inc. (“Citizens”). The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated based on applying the income approach and a weighted probability of achievement of the performance milestones. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was calculated by using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The fair value of the contingent consideration was then estimated as the arithmetic average of all simulation paths. The model was based on forecast adjusted net income over the contingent consideration period. The measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, which are defined as Level 3 inputs.
	Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset.
	The following tables set forth the Company’s non-financial assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and for the year ended December 31, 2014, by level within the fair value hierarchy.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
	Asset Description		Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs				Total Loss
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Oil and gas wells (1)						$	—			$	(1,089	)
	Real estate and development costs(2)						$	1,326			$	(1,875	)
	(1) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for oil and gas wells that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 6 “Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net.”
	(2) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for real estate and capitalized development costs that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets.”
	Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Asset Description		Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs				Total Loss
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Intangible water assets (1)						$	3,638			$	(2,282	)
	Tangible water asset and other assets (2)						$	—			$	(3,509	)
	Oil and gas wells (3)						$	1,730			$	(4,428	)
	Real estate (4)						$	1,357			$	(2,865	)
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost (5)						$	15,858			$	(1,078	)
	(1) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for intangible assets that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 3 “Intangible Assets.”
	(2) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for a tangible water asset that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets.”
	(3) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for oil and gas wells that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 6 “Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net.”
	(4) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of a real estate asset discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets, Net.”
	(5) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost discussed in Note 4 “Investments.”
	Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are classified include measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active (Level 2), and significant valuation assumptions that are not readily observable in the market (Level 3).
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, and accounts receivable approximated their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these assets or liabilities. The estimated fair value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated affiliates approximated their carrying values. The estimated fair value of the Company's debt is based on cash flow models discounted at the then-current interest rates and an estimate of the then-current spread above those rates at which the Company could borrow, which are level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of certain of the Company’s other investments, which included investments in preferred stock of private companies, cannot be reasonably estimated on a recurring basis.
	The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments which are not carried at fair value (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Carrying				Estimated				Carrying				Estimated
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
	Financial assets:
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost	$	18,028			$	18,028			$	18,028			$	18,028
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates debt securities	$	2,662			$	7,964			$	2,662			$	7,964
Financial liabilities:
Debt	$	223,328			$	243,613			$	219,496			$	240,800
Derivatives Notional Amounts
The following tables summarize the notional amount of open derivative positions (in thousands):
	March 31, 2015
	Exchange Traded						Non-Exchange Traded
	(Short)(1)			Long(1)			(Short)(1)			Long(1)			Unit of Measure
Futures
Agricultural Commodities	(104,590	)		79,533									Tons
Natural Gas				600,000									MMBtus(2)
Forwards							(129,362	)		59,820			Tons
	December 31, 2014
	Exchange Traded						Non-Exchange Traded
	(Short)(1)			Long(1)			(Short)(1)			Long(1)			Unit of Measure
Futures
Agricultural Commodities	(99,268	)		85,602									Tons
Natural Gas				690,000									MMBtus(2)
Forwards							(126,615	)		29,666			Tons
(1) Exchange and non-exchange traded futures, forwards, and swaps are presented on a gross (short) and long position basis.
(2) Million Metric British Thermal Units.
The gross derivative asset or liability is included within its respective other assets or liabilities account balance in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The table below summarizes the effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss (in thousands):
	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
			Three Months Ended March 31,
	Location		2015				2014
Futures	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		$	136			$	(1,054	)
Forwards	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		(180		)		1,474
Swaps	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		(630		)		3,675
			$	(674	)		$	4,095
Futures(1)	Other income		$	(159	)
(1) Represents derivative transactions classified as trading.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net
	The major classifications of the Company’s property, plant, and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Plant, equipment, buildings and leasehold improvements	$	137,048		$	133,777
	Construction in progress	1,109			6,432
	Office furniture, fixtures and equipment	8,220			5,862
		146,377			146,071
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(27,575		)	(25,054		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	118,802		$	121,017
	Depreciation and amortization expense was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	2,683		$	2,605
	Amount allocated to inventory and cost of canola oil and meal sold	(2,146		)	(2,063		)
	Total reported depreciation and amortization	$	537		$	542
	Impairment Losses for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $1.1 million to write down the value of capitalized development costs related to an oil and gas well the Company is currently drilling. The estimated fair value of the well was determined using a discounted cash flow model. The loss was reported in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss within impairment loss on intangible and long-lived assets and was included in the results of operations of the corporate segment.
	Impairment Losses for the Year Ended December 31, 2014:
	Due to the significant decline in crude oil prices during the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company completed an impairment analysis of the oil and gas wells using a discounted cash flow model. Based on the analysis, the Company wrote down the carrying value of oil wells capitalized to their estimated fair value, resulting in an impairment loss for the year ended December 31, 2014 of $4.4 million.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	The following table details the outstanding debt within the Company’s real estate and agribusiness operations (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Agribusiness term loan:
	5.25% payments through 2017	$	76,075	$	77,567
	Agribusiness working capital facility:
	6.5% payments through 2017	5,000		6,350
	Other agribusiness debt:
	4.99% payments through 2018	121		128
	Real estate debt:
	3% to 4.75% payments through 2017	60,977		52,379
	5% to 5.5% payments through 2016	4,961		6,918
	Senior Notes: 8.5% payments through 2017	74,590		74,550
	10% payments through 2017	1,604		1,604
	Total debt	$	223,328	$	219,496
	Debt Provisions, Restrictions, and Covenants on Real Estate Debt:
	Certain of UCP’s debt agreements contain various significant financial covenants, each of which UCP was in compliance with at March 31, 2015 as follows.
	1) Certain of UCP’s real estate debt include provisions that require minimum loan-to-value ratios. During the term of the loan, the lender may require UCP to obtain a third-party written appraisal of the underlying real estate collateral. If the appraised fair value of the collateral securing the loan is below the specified minimum, UCP may be required to make principal payments in order to maintain the required loan-to-value ratios. As of March 31, 2015, the lenders have not requested and UCP has not obtained any such appraisals.
	2) The $75 million of senior notes issued in 2014 by UCP limit UCP’s ability to, among other things, incur or guarantee additional unsecured and secured indebtedness (provided that UCP may incur indebtedness so long as UCP’s ratio of indebtedness to its consolidated tangible assets (on a pro forma basis) would be equal to or less than 45% and provided that the aggregate amount of secured debt may not exceed the greater of $75 million or 30% of UCP’s consolidated tangible assets); pay dividends and make certain investments and other restricted payments; acquire unimproved real property in excess of $75 million per fiscal year or in excess of $150 million over the term of the notes, except to the extent funded with subordinated obligations or the proceeds of equity issuances; create or incur certain liens; transfer or sell certain assets; and merge or consolidate with other companies or transfer or sell all or substantially all of UCP’s consolidated assets.
	Additionally, the senior notes require UCP to maintain the following significant covenants, each of which UCP was in compliance with at March 31, 2015.
	1)	Minimum Unlevered Asset Pool: UCP must maintain $50 million of consolidated tangible assets not subject to liens securing indebtedness. At March 31, 2015, UCP’s consolidated tangible assets not subject to liens securing indebtedness was $199.8 million.
	2)	Minimum Net Worth: UCP must maintain a minimum net worth of $175 million. At March 31, 2015, UCP’s minimum net worth was $220.9 million.
	3)	Minimum Liquidity: UCP must maintain a minimum of $15 million of unrestricted cash and/or cash equivalents. At March 31, 2015, UCP’s unrestricted cash and/or cash equivalents was $34.4 million.
	4)	Decrease in Consolidated Tangible Assets: UCP may not permit decreases in the amount of consolidated tangible assets by more than:
	a) $25 million in any fiscal year. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, UCP’s consolidated tangible assets decreased $690,000.
	b) $50 million at any time. Since October 21, 2014, UCP’s consolidated tangible assets increased $69.3 million.
	Debt Covenants on Agribusiness Debt:
	Northstar’s debt agreement contains the following significant financial covenants, each of which Northstar was in compliance with at March 31, 2015.
	1)	Debt to Adjusted Capitalization Ratio: Northstar will not permit its debt to adjusted capitalization ratio as of the last day of any quarter to be more than 0.60 to 1.00. At March 31, 2015, Northstar’s ratio was approximately 0.60.
	2)	Debt Service Coverage Ratio: Beginning on January 1, 2015, Northstar will not permit its debt service coverage ratio to be less than 1.25 to 1.00; provided, however, that if Northstar is not in compliance with the covenant, Northstar shall be considered in compliance if the debt service coverage ratio is not less than 1.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of any quarter. At March 31, 2015, Northstar’s ratio was approximately 1.32 to 1.00.
	3)	Minimum Net Worth of Borrower: Northstar will not permit its net worth on any date to be less than $50 million. At March 31, 2015, Northstar’s net worth was approximately $54.1 million.
	Other:
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $108.6 million of unused loan commitments within the real estate operations and $22 million in the agribusiness operations.
	The Company capitalized $2.6 million and $410,000 of interest during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to construction and real estate development costs.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Neither PICO nor its subsidiaries are parties to any potentially material pending legal proceedings.
	The Company is subject to various litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Because litigation is inherently unpredictable and unfavorable resolutions could occur, assessing contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgments about future events. When evaluating contingencies, we may be unable to provide a meaningful estimate due to a number of factors, including the procedural status of the matter in question, the presence of complex or novel legal theories, and/or the ongoing discovery and development of information important to the matters. In addition, damage amounts claimed in litigation against us may be unsupported, exaggerated or unrelated to possible outcomes, and as such, are not meaningful indicators of our potential liability. We regularly review contingencies to determine the adequacy of our accruals and related disclosures. The amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates, and it is possible that cash flows or results of operations could be materially affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these contingencies.
	Whether any losses finally determined in any claim, action, investigation, or proceeding could reasonably have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows will depend on a number of variables, including: the timing and amount of such losses; the structure and type of any remedies; the significance of the impact any such losses, damages or remedies may have on our condensed consolidated financial statements; and the unique facts and circumstances of the particular matter that may give rise to additional factors.
	Lease Commitments
	The Company leases some of its offices under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2020. Rent expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, for office space was $596,000 and $397,000, respectively.
	Future minimum payments under all operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2015	$	2,015
	2016	2,581
	2017	2,415
	2018	2,265
	2019	1,437
	Thereafter	159
	Total	$	10,872

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	At March 31, 2015, PICO had one stock-based payment arrangement outstanding, the PICO Holdings, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). UCP also issues stock-based compensation under its own long term incentive plan that provides for equity-based awards, which upon vesting results in newly issued shares of UCP Class A common stock.
	The 2014 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 3.3 million shares of common stock in the form of performance-based price-contingent stock options (“Performance-Based Options”), restricted stock units (“RSU”), free standing stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SAR”), non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards (“RSA”), performance shares, performance units, deferred compensation awards, and other stock-based awards to employees, directors and consultants of the Company (or any present or future parent or subsidiary corporation or other affiliated entity of the Company). The 2014 Plan allows for broker assisted cashless exercises and net-settlement of income taxes and employee withholding taxes. Upon exercise of a Performance-Based Option, RSU, and SAR, the employee will receive newly issued shares of PICO common stock with a fair value equal to the in-the-money value of the award, less applicable federal, state and local withholding and income taxes.
	The Company recorded total stock based compensation expense of $1.1 million and $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Of the $1.1 million in stock based compensation expense recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015, $631,000 related to RSU and stock options for UCP common stock granted to the officers of UCP, of which, $270,000 was allocated to noncontrolling interest. Of the $2 million in stock based compensation expense recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014, $1 million related to RSU for UCP common stock granted to the officers of UCP, of which $587,000 was allocated to noncontrolling interest.
	Performance-Based Options:
	Performance-based options contain a market condition based on the achievement of a stock price target during the contractual term and vest monthly over a three year period. The vested portion of the options may be exercised only if the 30-trading-day average closing sales price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds 125% of the grant date stock price. The stock price contingency may be met any time before the options expire and it only needs to be met once for the performance-based option to remain exercisable for the remainder of the term. Compensation expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is the vesting period of the award.
	A summary of Performance-Based Options activity is as follows:
		Performance-Based Option Awards		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)
	Outstanding and unvested at January 1, 2014
	Awards granted	453,333		$	19.51	6.6
	Awards vested	(12,593	)	$	19.51	6.5
	Outstanding and unvested at December 31, 2014	440,740		$	19.51	6.5
	Awards vested	(37,778	)	$	19.51	6.3
	Outstanding and unvested at March 31, 2015	402,962		$	19.51	6.3
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no Performance-Based Options exercisable as the market condition had not been met. The unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Performance-Based Options was $2.6 million and $2.9 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Units (RSU)
	RSU entitle the recipient, who must be continuously employed by the Company until the vesting date, unless the employment contracts stipulate otherwise, the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock. RSU do not vote and are not entitled to receive dividends. Compensation expense for RSU is recognized ratably over the vesting period for each grant.
	A summary of activity of PICO Holdings, Inc. common stock RSU is as follows:
		RSU Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date
				Fair Value Per Share
	Outstanding and unvested at January 1, 2014	469,435		$	30.43
	Granted	142,131		$	19.81
	Vested	(469,435	)	$	30.43
	Outstanding and unvested at December 31, 2014	142,131		$	19.81
	Outstanding and unvested at March 31, 2015	142,131		$	19.81
	There were no RSU forfeited, vested, or granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no RSU forfeited during the year ended December 31, 2014. The unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSU was $2.3 million and $2.5 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Right (SAR)
	Upon exercise, a SAR entitles the recipient to receive a newly issued share of the Company’s common stock equal to the in-the-money value of the award, less applicable federal, state and local withholding and income taxes. SAR do not vote and are not entitled to receive dividends. Compensation expense for SAR was recognized ratably over the vesting period for each grant.
	There were no unvested SAR and therefore no compensation expense was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014. In addition, there were no SAR granted, exercised, or forfeited during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	A summary of SAR activity is as follows:
		SAR Shares		Weighted Average		Weighted Average
				Exercise Price		Contractual Term (In Years)
	Outstanding and exercisable at January, 2014	1,616,625		$	36.45	2.5
	Expired	(20,000	)	$	33.76
	Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014	1,596,625		$	36.49	1.5
	Outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2015	1,596,625		$	36.49	1.2
	At March 31, 2015, none of the outstanding SAR were in-the-money.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s common stock equivalents were excluded from the diluted per share calculation because their effect on earnings per share was anti-dilutive.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments	$	4,722		$	4,773
	Foreign currency translation	(47		)	(56		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,675		$	4,717
	The unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments is net of a deferred income tax liability of $2.5 million at March 31, 2015 and $2.6 million at December 31, 2014. The foreign currency translation is net of a deferred income tax asset of $25,000 at March 31, 2015 and $93,000 at December 31, 2014.
	The following table reports amounts that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss and included in earnings (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	4,717		$	232
	Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	263			474
	Unrealized (gain) loss reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax (1)	(314		)	13
	Accumulated foreign currency translation reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax (2)	262
	Total reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax	(52		)	13
	Change in accumulated foreign currency translation, net of tax	(253		)	40
	Net change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(42		)	527
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,675		$	759
	(1)Amounts reclassified from unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss.
	(2) Amounts reclassified from unrealized gain or loss on foreign exchange are included in other income in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related-Party Transactions	Related-Party Transactions
	Deferred Compensation
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $25 million and $24.6 million, respectively, recorded as deferred compensation payable to various members of management and certain non-employee members of the board of directors of the Company.
	Compensation expense or recovery included in operating and other costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was compensation expense of $579,000 and $599,000, respectively.
	On January 20, 2015, the Company sold equity securities with a cost basis of $2.3 million to certain deferred compensation Rabbi Trust accounts held by the Company, for the benefit of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, John R. Hart, for total proceeds of $5 million, which represented the market value of these securities on the date of sale.
	Investment in Sythonics
	The Company has an investment in preferred stock and an outstanding line of credit with Synthonics, a company co-founded by Mr. Slepicka, a director of the Company, who is currently the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer of Synthonics. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had invested $2.2 million for 18.3% of the voting interest in Synthonics. In addition, the Company extended a $450,000 line of credit to Synthonics during 2014, which bears interest at 15% per annum. As of March 31, 2015, $280,000 was outstanding on the line of credit. The outstanding balance and accrued interest was repaid in April 2015.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting
	PICO is a diversified holding company engaged in the following operating and reportable segments: Water Resource and Water Storage Operations, Real Estate Operations, Agribusiness Operations, and Corporate. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
	Management analyzes segments using the following information:
	Segment assets (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	187,503		$	186,294
	Real estate operations	384,802			384,855
	Agribusiness operations	142,517			152,554
	Corporate	67,697			80,741
	Total assets	$	782,519		$	804,444
	Segment revenues and loss before taxes (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Revenue and other income:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	210		$	136
	Real estate operations	43,680			25,766
	Agribusiness operations	39,326			34,867
	Corporate	1,434			507
	Total revenues and other income	$	84,650		$	61,276
	Loss before income taxes:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	(1,492	)	$	(1,985	)
	Real estate operations	(3,779		)	(6,277		)
	Agribusiness operations	(10,482		)	(4,192		)
	Corporate	(3,812		)	(3,237		)
	Total loss before income taxes	$	(19,565	)	$	(15,691	)

Acquisition_of_Citizens_Homes

Acquisition of Citizens Homes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition of Citizens Homes	Acquisition of Citizens Homes
	On April 10, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of the assets and liabilities of Citizens used in the purchase of real estate and the construction and marketing of residential homes in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement, dated March 25, 2014 between UCP, LLC and Citizens.
	The following table summarizes the calculation of the preliminary estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date (in thousands):
		Adjusted Total as of
		Acquisition Date
	Assets Acquired
	Real estate	$	13,832
	Other assets	$	1,363
		15,195
	Less: Liabilities assumed	$	1,510
	Net assets acquired	13,685
	Goodwill	$	4,223
	Consideration transferred	$	17,908
	The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination with the acquired assets, assumed liabilities, and contingent consideration recorded by the Company at their estimated fair values. The assets that the Company acquired primarily included real estate and various other assets. To the extent the consideration transferred exceeded the fair value of net assets acquired; such excess was assigned to goodwill within the real estate segment.
	Three former employees of Citizens who are now employees of the Company have minority interests in land and general contracting operations that are either under option or contract with Citizens which were disclosed and approved by the Company as part of the Citizens Acquisition.
	Contingent Consideration
	The change in estimated fair value of the contingent consideration consisted of the following (in thousands):
	Contingent Consideration - December 31, 2014	$	3,902
	Fair value adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2015	(157		)
	Contingent consideration - March 31, 2015	$	3,745
	The contingent consideration arrangement requires the Company to pay up to a maximum of $6 million of additional consideration based upon achievement of various pre-tax net income performance milestones of the new business (“performance milestones”) over a five year period commencing on April 1, 2014. Payout calculations are made based on calendar year performance except for the 6th payout calculation which will be calculated based on the achievement of performance milestones from January 1, 2019 through March 25, 2019. Payouts are to be made on an annual basis. The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that the Company could be required to make under the contingent consideration arrangement is between zero and $6 million. The fair value of the contingent consideration of $3.7 million at March 31, 2015 was estimated based on applying the income approach and a weighted probability of achievement of the performance milestones. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was calculated by using a Monte Carlo simulation model.
	The measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, which are defined as Level 3 inputs. Key assumptions include: (1) forecasted adjusted net income over the contingent consideration period, (2) risk-adjusted discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in the forecasted adjusted net income, (3) risk-free interest rates, (4) volatility of adjusted net income, and (5) UCP’s credit spread. The risk adjusted discount rate for adjusted net income was 13.7% plus the applicable risk-free rate resulting in a combined discount rate ranging from 13.7% to 14.3% over the contingent consideration period. The volatility rate of 24.5% and a credit spread of 9.43% were applied to forecast adjusted net income over the contingent consideration period.
	Pro Forma Financial Information
	The pro forma financial information in the table below summarizes the results of operations for the Company as though the acquisition was completed as of January 1, 2013. The pro forma financial information for all periods presented includes additional amortization charges from acquired intangible assets. The pro forma results do not reflect any cost savings, operating synergies or revenue enhancements that UCP may achieve as a result of the acquisition, the costs to integrate the operations of the assets acquired, or the costs necessary to achieve these cost savings, operating synergies and revenue enhancements. Certain other adjustments, including those related to conforming accounting policies and adjusting acquired real estate inventory to fair value, have not been reflected in the supplemental pro forma operating results due to the impracticability of estimating such impacts.
	The pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition was completed as of January 1, 2013, or indicative of the results that will be attained in the future (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2014
	Total revenues and other income	$	71,175
	Net loss	$	(12,925	)
	Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:	$	(0.57	)
	Pro forma net loss for three months ended March 31, 2014, was adjusted to exclude approximately $460,000 of acquisition-related costs incurred in this period.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on the balance sheet presentation requirements for debt issuance costs. The guidance will require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. An entity should apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Upon transition, an entity is required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

Real_Estate_and_Tangible_Water1

Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Real Estate [Abstract]
Components of Real Estate and Water Assets	The costs assigned to the various components of real estate and tangible water assets were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Real estate and improvements held and used, net of accumulated depreciation of $11,118 and $10,899 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	$	15,169	$	16,463
	Residential real estate and home construction inventories	329,710		322,938
	Other real estate inventories completed or under development	10,308		10,308
	Tangible water assets	42,531		42,530
	Total real estate and tangible water assets	$	397,718	$	392,239

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	The Company owns the following intangible assets, which primarily represent indefinite-lived intangible water assets within its water resource and water storage operations segment (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Pipeline rights and water credits at Fish Springs Ranch	$	83,897	$	83,897
	Pipeline rights and water rights at Carson-Lyon	24,831		24,804
	Other, net of accumulated amortization	19,411		17,911
	Total intangible assets	$	128,139	$	126,612

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities	The cost and carrying value of available-for-sale investments were as follows (in thousands):
	March 31, 2015	Cost		Gross		Gross			Carrying
				Unrealized		Unrealized			Value
				Gains		Losses
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	8,194	$	239	$	(20	)	$	8,413
	Marketable equity securities	11,358		7,136		(91		)	18,403
	Total	$	19,552	$	7,375	$	(111	)	$	26,816
	December 31, 2014	Cost		Gross		Gross			Carrying
				Unrealized		Unrealized			Value
				Gains		Losses
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	8,909	$	198	$	(65	)	$	9,042
	Marketable equity securities	14,780		7,335		(125		)	21,990
	Total	$	23,689	$	7,533	$	(190	)	$	31,032
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	The following tables summarize the market value of those investments in an unrealized loss position for periods less than or greater than 12 months (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months	Fair Value		Gross		Fair Value			Gross
				Unrealized					Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	1,996	$	20	$	3,228		$	65
	Marketable equity securities	843		91		1,807			122
	Total	$	2,839	$	111	$	5,035		$	187
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Greater than 12 months	Fair Value		Gross		Fair Value			Gross
				Unrealized					Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
	Debt securities: corporate bonds
	Marketable equity securities					$	9		$	3
	Total	$	—	$	—	$	9		$	3
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	Actual maturity dates may differ from contractual maturity dates because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Amortized		Carrying		Amortized			Carrying
		Cost		Value		Cost			Value
	Due in one year or less	$	3,781	$	3,941	$	3,786		$	3,958
	Due after one year through five years	2,549		2,548		3,310			3,255
	Due after five years	1,864		1,924		1,813			1,829
		$	8,194	$	8,413	$	8,909		$	9,042

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_T

Disclosures About Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, by level within the fair value hierarchy. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and year ended December 31, 2014, there were $1.6 million of equity securities transferred from level 2 to level 1 and $5.6 million in equity securities transferred from level 1 to level 2, respectively.
	At March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
		Quoted Prices In Active				Significant Other				Significant				Balance at March 31, 2015
		Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs
						(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale equity securities (1)	$	10,858			$	7,546							$	18,404
	Available-for-sale debt securities (1)	$	5,751											$	5,751
	Readily marketable inventory (2)	$	1,546			$	2,817							$	4,363
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	723			$	630							$	1,353
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	1,385			$	501							$	1,886
	Contingent Consideration (4)									$	3,745			$	3,745
	At December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Quoted Prices In Active				Significant Other				Significant				Balance at December 31, 2014
		Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs
						(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	Assets
	Available-for-sale equity securities (1)	$	10,892			$	11,098							$	21,990
	Available-for-sale debt securities (1)	$	6,380											$	6,380
	Readily marketable inventory (2)	$	7,992			$	3,480							$	11,472
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	121			$	1,580							$	1,701
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	1,181			$	365							$	1,546
	Contingent Consideration (4)									$	3,902			$	3,902
	(1) Where there are quoted market prices that are readily available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 available-for-sale investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares owned and debt securities are valued using a market quote in an active market. All Level 2 available-for-sale securities are one class because they all contain similar risks and are valued using market prices and include securities where the markets are not active, that is where there are few transactions, or the prices are not current or the prices vary considerably over time. Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices. Level 3 available-for-sale securities would include securities where valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	(2) Readily marketable inventory comprises commodity inventories that are reported at fair value based on commodity exchange quotations. Canola seed inventories are valued based on the quoted market price multiplied by the quantity of inventory and are classified as Level 1. Canola oil and meal inventories are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market price of the corresponding soybean commodity.
	(3) Included in this caption are exchange traded futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. The exchange traded futures contracts are valued based on quoted prices in active markets multiplied by the number of contracts and are classified as Level 1. Forward commodity purchase and sale contracts classified as derivatives are valued using quantitative models that require the use of multiple inputs including quoted market prices and various other assumptions including time value. These contracts are categorized as Level 2 and are valued based on the difference between the quoted market price and the price in the contract multiplied by the undelivered notional quantity deliverable under the contract.
	(4) Included in this caption is the contingent consideration that the Company entered into as part of the acquisition of Citizens Homes, Inc. (“Citizens”). The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated based on applying the income approach and a weighted probability of achievement of the performance milestones. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was calculated by using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The fair value of the contingent consideration was then estimated as the arithmetic average of all simulation paths. The model was based on forecast adjusted net income over the contingent consideration period. The measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, which are defined as Level 3 inputs.
Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis	The following tables set forth the Company’s non-financial assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and for the year ended December 31, 2014, by level within the fair value hierarchy.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
	Asset Description		Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs				Total Loss
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Oil and gas wells (1)						$	—			$	(1,089	)
	Real estate and development costs(2)						$	1,326			$	(1,875	)
	(1) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for oil and gas wells that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 6 “Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net.”
	(2) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for real estate and capitalized development costs that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets.”
	Year Ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Asset Description		Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs				Total Loss
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Intangible water assets (1)						$	3,638			$	(2,282	)
	Tangible water asset and other assets (2)						$	—			$	(3,509	)
	Oil and gas wells (3)						$	1,730			$	(4,428	)
	Real estate (4)						$	1,357			$	(2,865	)
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost (5)						$	15,858			$	(1,078	)
	(1) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for intangible assets that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 3 “Intangible Assets.”
	(2) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for a tangible water asset that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets.”
	(3) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for oil and gas wells that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 6 “Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net.”
	(4) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of a real estate asset discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets, Net.”
	(5) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost discussed in Note 4 “Investments.”
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments which are not carried at fair value (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Carrying				Estimated				Carrying				Estimated
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
	Financial assets:
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost	$	18,028			$	18,028			$	18,028			$	18,028
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates debt securities	$	2,662			$	7,964			$	2,662			$	7,964
	Financial liabilities:
	Debt	$	223,328			$	243,613			$	219,496			$	240,800
Notional Amounts of Open Derivative Positions	The following tables summarize the notional amount of open derivative positions (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015
		Exchange Traded						Non-Exchange Traded
		(Short)(1)			Long(1)			(Short)(1)			Long(1)			Unit of Measure
	Futures
	Agricultural Commodities	(104,590	)		79,533									Tons
	Natural Gas				600,000									MMBtus(2)
	Forwards							(129,362	)		59,820			Tons
		December 31, 2014
		Exchange Traded						Non-Exchange Traded
		(Short)(1)			Long(1)			(Short)(1)			Long(1)			Unit of Measure
	Futures
	Agricultural Commodities	(99,268	)		85,602									Tons
	Natural Gas				690,000									MMBtus(2)
	Forwards							(126,615	)		29,666			Tons
	(1) Exchange and non-exchange traded futures, forwards, and swaps are presented on a gross (short) and long position basis.
	(2) Million Metric British Thermal Units.
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income or Loss	The table below summarizes the effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss (in thousands):
		Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
				Three Months Ended March 31,
		Location		2015				2014
	Futures	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		$	136			$	(1,054	)
	Forwards	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		(180		)		1,474
	Swaps	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		(630		)		3,675
				$	(674	)		$	4,095
	Futures(1)	Other income		$	(159	)
	(1) Represents derivative transactions classified as trading.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N1

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	The major classifications of the Company’s property, plant, and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Plant, equipment, buildings and leasehold improvements	$	137,048		$	133,777
	Construction in progress	1,109			6,432
	Office furniture, fixtures and equipment	8,220			5,862
		146,377			146,071
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(27,575		)	(25,054		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	118,802		$	121,017
	Depreciation and amortization expense was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Total depreciation and amortization expense	$	2,683		$	2,605
	Amount allocated to inventory and cost of canola oil and meal sold	(2,146		)	(2,063		)
	Total reported depreciation and amortization	$	537		$	542

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Company's Consolidated Debt	The following table details the outstanding debt within the Company’s real estate and agribusiness operations (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Agribusiness term loan:
	5.25% payments through 2017	$	76,075	$	77,567
	Agribusiness working capital facility:
	6.5% payments through 2017	5,000		6,350
	Other agribusiness debt:
	4.99% payments through 2018	121		128
	Real estate debt:
	3% to 4.75% payments through 2017	60,977		52,379
	5% to 5.5% payments through 2016	4,961		6,918
	Senior Notes: 8.5% payments through 2017	74,590		74,550
	10% payments through 2017	1,604		1,604
	Total debt	$	223,328	$	219,496

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	Future minimum payments under all operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
	Year ended December 31,
	2015	$	2,015
	2016	2,581
	2017	2,415
	2018	2,265
	2019	1,437
	Thereafter	159
	Total	$	10,872

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	A summary of Performance-Based Options activity is as follows:
		Performance-Based Option Awards		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)
	Outstanding and unvested at January 1, 2014
	Awards granted	453,333		$	19.51	6.6
	Awards vested	(12,593	)	$	19.51	6.5
	Outstanding and unvested at December 31, 2014	440,740		$	19.51	6.5
	Awards vested	(37,778	)	$	19.51	6.3
	Outstanding and unvested at March 31, 2015	402,962		$	19.51	6.3
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	A summary of activity of PICO Holdings, Inc. common stock RSU is as follows:
		RSU Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date
				Fair Value Per Share
	Outstanding and unvested at January 1, 2014	469,435		$	30.43
	Granted	142,131		$	19.81
	Vested	(469,435	)	$	30.43
	Outstanding and unvested at December 31, 2014	142,131		$	19.81
	Outstanding and unvested at March 31, 2015	142,131		$	19.81
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity	A summary of SAR activity is as follows:
		SAR Shares		Weighted Average		Weighted Average
				Exercise Price		Contractual Term (In Years)
	Outstanding and exercisable at January, 2014	1,616,625		$	36.45	2.5
	Expired	(20,000	)	$	33.76
	Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014	1,596,625		$	36.49	1.5
	Outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2015	1,596,625		$	36.49	1.2

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table reports amounts that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss and included in earnings (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	4,717		$	232
	Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	263			474
	Unrealized (gain) loss reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax (1)	(314		)	13
	Accumulated foreign currency translation reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax (2)	262
	Total reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax	(52		)	13
	Change in accumulated foreign currency translation, net of tax	(253		)	40
	Net change in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(42		)	527
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,675		$	759
	(1)Amounts reclassified from unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss.
	(2) Amounts reclassified from unrealized gain or loss on foreign exchange are included in other income in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss.
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments	$	4,722		$	4,773
	Foreign currency translation	(47		)	(56		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	4,675		$	4,717

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	Segment assets (in thousands):
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	187,503		$	186,294
	Real estate operations	384,802			384,855
	Agribusiness operations	142,517			152,554
	Corporate	67,697			80,741
	Total assets	$	782,519		$	804,444
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	Segment revenues and loss before taxes (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Revenue and other income:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	210		$	136
	Real estate operations	43,680			25,766
	Agribusiness operations	39,326			34,867
	Corporate	1,434			507
	Total revenues and other income	$	84,650		$	61,276
	Loss before income taxes:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	(1,492	)	$	(1,985	)
	Real estate operations	(3,779		)	(6,277		)
	Agribusiness operations	(10,482		)	(4,192		)
	Corporate	(3,812		)	(3,237		)
	Total loss before income taxes	$	(19,565	)	$	(15,691	)

Acquisition_of_Citizens_Homes_

Acquisition of Citizens Homes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions by Acquisition, Contingent Consideration	The change in estimated fair value of the contingent consideration consisted of the following (in thousands):
	Contingent Consideration - December 31, 2014	$	3,902
	Fair value adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2015	(157		)
	Contingent consideration - March 31, 2015	$	3,745
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the calculation of the preliminary estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date (in thousands):
		Adjusted Total as of
		Acquisition Date
	Assets Acquired
	Real estate	$	13,832
	Other assets	$	1,363
		15,195
	Less: Liabilities assumed	$	1,510
	Net assets acquired	13,685
	Goodwill	$	4,223
	Consideration transferred	$	17,908
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	The pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition was completed as of January 1, 2013, or indicative of the results that will be attained in the future (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2014
	Total revenues and other income	$	71,175
	Net loss	$	(12,925	)
	Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:	$	(0.57	)

Real_Estate_and_Tangible_Water2

Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014
Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of real estate	($1,875,000)	[1],[2]	($2,865,000)	[3]
Real Estate, Fair Value	1,300,000
Asset impairment charge			3,500,000
Capitalized costs			0
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost	15,169,000		16,463,000
Accumulated amortization	11,118,000		10,899,000
Residential real estate and home construction inventories	329,710,000		322,938,000
Other real estate inventories completed or under development	10,308,000		10,308,000
Water and Water Rights	42,531,000		42,530,000
Real estate and tangible water assets, net	397,718,000		392,239,000
Real Estate Operations
Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of real estate			-2,900,000
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost			1,400,000
Leasehold Improvements
Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets [Line Items]
Amortization	$220,000				$220,000
[1]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for real estate and capitalized development costs that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets.”
[2]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for a tangible water asset that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets.”
[3]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of a real estate asset discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets, Net.”

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$128,139,000	$126,612,000
Intangibles impairment		2,282,000	[1]
Pipeline and Water Rights
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Fair value of intangibles		3,300,000
Intangible asset carrying amount		5,600,000
Intangibles impairment	0	2,300,000
Fish Springs Ranch | Pipeline and Water Rights
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	83,897,000	83,897,000
Carson-Lyon
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	24,831,000	24,804,000
Other Properties
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$19,411,000	$17,911,000
[1]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for intangible assets that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 3 “Intangible Assets.”

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	($483)	($479)
Debt securities, Cost	8,194		8,909
Debt securities, Carrying Value	8,413		9,042
Total, Cost	19,552		23,689
Total, Gross Unrealized Gains	7,375		7,533
Total, Gross Unrealized Losses	-111		-190
Total, Carrying Value	26,816		31,032
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	2,839		5,035
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	111		187
Greater than 12 months, fair value	0		9
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	0		3
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	3,781		3,786
Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	2,549		3,310
Due after five years, Amortized Cost	1,864		1,813
Due in one year or less, Carrying Value	3,941		3,958
Due after one year through five years, Carrying Value	2,548		3,255
Due after five years, Carrying Value	1,924		1,829
Corporate Bond Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt securities, Cost	8,194		8,909
Debt securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	239		198
Debt securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-20		-65
Debt securities, Carrying Value	8,413		9,042
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	1,996		3,228
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	20		65
Greater than 12 months, fair value
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss
Equity Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Marketable equity securities, Cost	11,358		14,780
Marketable equity securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	7,136		7,335
Marketable equity securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-91		-125
Marketable equity securities, carrying value	18,403		21,990
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	843		1,807
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	91		122
Greater than 12 months, fair value			9
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss			$3

Investments_Schedule_for_Cost_

Investments - Schedule for Cost and Equity Method Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Other investments	$24,156,000		$24,639,000	$24,639,000
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	-483,000	-479,000
Synthonics
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investments	2,170,000		2,170,000	2,170,000
Cost method, ownership percentage	18.30%		19.60%	19.60%
Mindjet
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Other investments	24,600,000
Voting interest percentage	28.40%
Impairment on preferred shares			1,100,000
Minimum damages	0
Maximum damages	1,200,000
Equity Securities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Marketable equity securities, carrying value	18,403,000		21,990,000	21,990,000
Equity Securities | Mindjet
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investments	15,858,000		15,858,000	15,858,000
Cost method, ownership percentage	13.40%		13.40%	13.40%
Equity method investments	6,128,000		6,611,000	6,611,000
Equity method investments, ownership percentage	15.00%		15.00%	15.00%
Other investments	21,986,000		22,469,000	22,469,000
Voting interest percentage	28.40%		28.40%	28.40%
Convertible Debt Securities | Mindjet
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Purchased convertible debt				$2,700,000
Conversion ratio	3
Investment interest rate	10.00%

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_F

Disclosures About Fair Value - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities on a Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	$26,816,000		$31,032,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	18,404,000	[1]	21,990,000	[1]
Available-for-sale debt maturities	5,751,000	[1]	6,380,000	[1]
Readily marketable inventory	4,363,000	[2]	11,472,000	[2]
Derivative instruments	1,353,000	[3]	1,701,000	[3]
Liabilities
Derivative instruments	1,886,000	[3]	1,546,000	[3]
Contingent consideration	3,745,000	[4]	3,902,000	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	10,858,000	[1]	10,892,000	[1]
Available-for-sale debt maturities	5,751,000	[1]	6,380,000	[1]
Readily marketable inventory	1,546,000	[2]	7,992,000	[2]
Derivative instruments	723,000	[3]	121,000	[3]
Liabilities
Derivative instruments	1,385,000	[3]	1,181,000	[3]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	7,546,000	[1]	11,098,000	[1]
Available-for-sale debt maturities		[1]		[1]
Readily marketable inventory	2,817,000	[2]	3,480,000	[2]
Derivative instruments	630,000	[3]	1,580,000	[3]
Liabilities
Derivative instruments	501,000	[3]	365,000	[3]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	3,745,000	[4]	3,902,000	[4]
Equity Securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Level 1 to Level 2 transfers	$1,600,000		$5,600,000
[1]	Where there are quoted market prices that are readily available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 available-for-sale investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares owned and debt securities are valued using a market quote in an active market. All Level 2 available-for-sale securities are one class because they all contain similar risks and are valued using market prices and include securities where the markets are not active, that is where there are few transactions, or the prices are not current or the prices vary considerably over time. Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices. Level 3 available-for-sale securities would include securities where valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
[2]	Readily marketable inventory comprises commodity inventories that are reported at fair value based on commodity exchange quotations. Canola seed inventories are valued based on the quoted market price multiplied by the quantity of inventory and are classified as Level 1. Canola oil and meal inventories are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market price of the corresponding soybean commodity.
[3]	Included in this caption are exchange traded futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. The exchange traded futures contracts are valued based on quoted prices in active markets multiplied by the number of contracts and are classified as Level 1. Forward commodity purchase and sale contracts classified as derivatives are valued using quantitative models that require the use of multiple inputs including quoted market prices and various other assumptions including time value. These contracts are categorized as Level 2 and are valued based on the difference between the quoted market price and the price in the contract multiplied by the undelivered notional quantity deliverable under the contract.
[4]	Included in this caption is the contingent consideration that the Company entered into as part of the acquisition of Citizens Homes, Inc. (“Citizens”). The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated based on applying the income approach and a weighted probability of achievement of the performance milestones. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration was calculated by using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The fair value of the contingent consideration was then estimated as the arithmetic average of all simulation paths. The model was based on forecast adjusted net income over the contingent consideration period. The measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, which are defined as Level 3 inputs.

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_F1

Disclosures About Fair Value - Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loss on intangible assets			($2,282)	[1]
Tangible water and other assets			0
Impairment loss	-1,089	[2]
Real estate	1,300
Impairment of real estate	-1,875	[3],[4]	-2,865	[5]
Loss on investments in unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost			-1,078	[6]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Intangible water assets			3,638	[1]
Tangible water and other assets			0	[3]
Oil and gas wells	0	[2]	1,730	[2]
Real estate	1,326	[4]	1,357	[5]
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost			15,858	[6]
Real estate operations
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Loss on tangible water and other assets			-3,509	[3]
Impairment of real estate			-2,900
Corporate
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Impairment loss			($4,428)	[2]
[1]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for intangible assets that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 3 “Intangible Assets.”
[2]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for oil and gas wells that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 6 “Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net.”
[3]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for a tangible water asset that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets.”
[4]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for real estate and capitalized development costs that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets.”
[5]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of a real estate asset discussed in Note 2 “Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets, Net.”
[6]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost discussed in Note 4 “Investments.”

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_C

Disclosures About Fair Value - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Amount
Financial assets:
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost	$18,028	$18,028
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates debt securities	2,662	2,662
Financial liabilities:
Debt	223,328	219,496
Estimated Fair Value
Financial assets:
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates equity securities held at cost	18,028	18,028
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates debt securities	7,964	7,964
Financial liabilities:
Debt	$243,613	$240,800

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_N

Disclosures About Fair Value - Notional Amounts of Derivatives (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
	T		T
Exchange Traded | Agricultural Commodities | Short
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative (agricultural commodities in tons, natural gas in millions of British thermal units, and forwards in tons)	-104,590,000	[1]	-99,268,000	[1]
Exchange Traded | Agricultural Commodities | Long
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative (agricultural commodities in tons, natural gas in millions of British thermal units, and forwards in tons)	-79,533,000	[1]	-85,602,000	[1]
Exchange Traded | Natural Gas | Long
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative (agricultural commodities in tons, natural gas in millions of British thermal units, and forwards in tons)	-600,000,000	[1],[2]	-690,000,000	[1],[2]
Non-Exchange Traded | Forwards | Short
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative (agricultural commodities in tons, natural gas in millions of British thermal units, and forwards in tons)	-129,362,000	[1]	-126,615,000	[1]
Non-Exchange Traded | Forwards | Long
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative (agricultural commodities in tons, natural gas in millions of British thermal units, and forwards in tons)	-59,820,000	[1]	-29,666,000	[1]
[1]	Exchange and non-exchange traded futures, forwards, and swaps are presented on a gross (short) and long position basis.
[2]	Million Metric British Thermal Units.

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_G

Disclosures About Fair Value - Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Cost of canola oil and meal sold
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives	($674)		$4,095
Futures | Cost of canola oil and meal sold
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives	136		-1,054
Futures | Other income
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives	-159	[1]
Forwards | Cost of canola oil and meal sold
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives	-180		1,474
Swaps | Cost of canola oil and meal sold
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives	($630)		$3,675
[1]	Represents derivative transactions classified as trading.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N2

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$146,377			$146,071
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-27,575			-25,054
Property, plant and equipment, net	118,802			121,017
Total depreciation and amortization expense	2,683		2,605
Amount allocated to inventory and cost of canola oil and meal sold	-2,146		-2,063
Total reported depreciation and amortization	537		542
Impairment loss	1,089	[1]
Corporate
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment loss				4,428	[1]
Plant, equipment, buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	137,048			133,777
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,109			6,432
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$8,220			$5,862
[1]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for oil and gas wells that resulted in an impairment loss discussed in Note 6 “Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net.”

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	$223,328,000		$223,328,000	$219,496,000
Interest costs capitalized	2,600,000	410,000
Senior Notes | 8.5% Senior Notes Due in 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issued				75,000,000
Agribusiness term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding	76,075,000		76,075,000	77,567,000
Stated interest rate (percent)	5.25%		5.25%
Agribusiness working capital debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding	5,000,000		5,000,000
Stated interest rate (percent)	6.50%		6.50%
Other agribusiness debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, amount outstanding	121,000		121,000
Stated interest rate (percent)	4.99%		4.99%
Mortgage debt | 3% to 4.75% payments through 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages	60,977,000		60,977,000	52,379,000
Mortgage debt | 3% to 4.75% payments through 2017 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (percent)	3.00%		3.00%
Mortgage debt | 3% to 4.75% payments through 2017 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (percent)	4.75%		4.75%
Mortgage debt | 5% to 5.5% payments through 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages	4,961,000		4,961,000
Mortgage debt | 5% to 5.5% payments through 2016 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (percent)	5.00%		5.00%
Mortgage debt | 5% to 5.5% payments through 2016 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (percent)	5.50%		5.50%
Mortgage debt | Senior Notes: 8.5% payments through 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgages	74,590,000		74,590,000	74,550,000
Mortgage debt | Senior Notes: 8.5% payments through 2017 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (percent)	8.50%		8.50%
Mortgage debt | Senior Notes: 8.5% payments through 2017 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (percent)
Mortgage debt | 10% payments through 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate (percent)	10.00%		10.00%
Mortgages	1,604,000		1,604,000	1,604,000
Real estate operations | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused borrowing capacity	108,600,000		108,600,000
Agribusiness operations | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unused borrowing capacity	22,000,000		22,000,000
UCP | Senior Notes | 8.5% Senior Notes Due in 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum debt to tangible assets ratio allowed per covenant (percent)	45.00%
Maximum secured debt allowed per covenant	75,000,000
Maximum secured debt to tangible assets ratio allowed per covenant (percent)	30.00%
Maximum annual acquisition of unimproved real property allowed per covenant	75,000,000
Maximum acquisition of unimproved real property allowed per covenant over the term of debt agreement	150,000,000
Minimum tangible assets not subject to debt-secured liens required per covenant	50,000,000
Actual tangible assets not subject to debt-secured liens	199,800,000		199,800,000
Minimum net worth required per covenant	175,000,000
Net worth	220,900,000		220,900,000
Minimum cash and cash equivalents required per covenants	15,000,000
Cash and cash equivalents	34,400,000		34,400,000
Maximum annual decrease in tangible assets allowed per covenant	25,000,000
Actual annual decrease in tangible assets	690,000
Maximum decrease in tangible assets allowed per covenant over term of debt agreement	50,000,000
Actual increase (decrease) in tangible assets over term of agreement			69,300,000
Subsidiaries, Northstar | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to adjusted capitalization, maximum	0.6		0.6
Actual debt to adjusted capitalization ratio	0.6		0.6
Debt service coverage ratio, maximum	1.25		1.25
Debt service coverage ratio covenant (ratio), minimum going forward	1		1
Actual debt service ratio	1.32		1.32
Minimum net worth required for compliance	50,000,000		50,000,000
Net worth	$54,100,000		$54,100,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Lease Commitments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$2,015
2016	2,581
2017	2,415
2018	2,265
2019	1,437
Thereafter	159
Total	$10,872

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Rent Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Rent	$596	$397

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock-based compensation plans in effect	1
2014 Long Term Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares of issuable common shares (in shares)	3,300,000
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,100,000	$2,000,000
2014 Long Term Incentive Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested (shares)	0		469,435
Granted (shares)	0		142,131
Unrecognized compensation cost	2,300,000		2,500,000
2014 Long Term Incentive Plan | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options exercisable (in shares)	0
Unrecognized expense	2,600,000		2,900,000
Officer | 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan | Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period (in years)	3 years
Trading day window threshold	30 days
Grant date stock price percentage	125.00%
UCP | 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	631,000	1,000,000
Noncontrolling Interest | Long Term Incentive Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$270,000	$587,000

StockBased_Compensation_Option

Stock-Based Compensation - Options (Details) (2014 Long Term Incentive Plan, Employee Stock Option, USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
2014 Long Term Incentive Plan | Employee Stock Option
Performance-Based Option Awards (shares)
Beginning balance	440,740
Awards granted		453,333
Awards vested	-37,778	-12,593
Ending balance	402,962	440,740
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share ($ per share)
Beginning balance	$19.51
Awards granted		$19.51
Awards vested	$19.51	$19.51
Ending balance	$19.51	$19.51
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)
Beginning balance	6 years 3 months	6 years 6 months
Awards granted		6 years 7 months
Awards vested	6 years 3 months	6 years 6 months
Ending balance	6 years 3 months	6 years 6 months

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share ($ per share)
Beginning balance		30.43
Granted		19.81
Vested		30.43
Ending balance	19.81	19.81
2014 Long Term Incentive Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
RSU Shares (in shares)
Outstanding, beginning balance	142,131	469,435
Granted	0	142,131
Vested	0	-469,435
Outstanding, ending balance	142,131	142,131

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Appreciation Rights (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($ per share)
Ending balance	$19.81	$19.81	$30.43
2014 Long Term Incentive Plan | Stock Appreciation Rights
SAR Shares (in shares)
Outstanding, beginning balance	1,596,625	1,616,625
Expired		-20,000
Outstanding, ending balance	1,596,625	1,596,625	1,616,625
Weighted Average Exercise Price ($ per share)
Beginning balance	$36.49	$36.45
Expired		$33.76
Ending balance	$36.49	$36.49	$36.45
Weighted Average Contractual Term (In Years)
Beginning balance	1 year 2 months	1 year 6 months	2 years 6 months
Ending balance	1 year 2 months	1 year 6 months	2 years 6 months

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale investments	$4,722,000				$4,773,000
Foreign currency translation	-47,000				-56,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4,675,000		759,000
Deferred income tax liability	2,500,000				2,600,000
Deferred income tax asset	25,000				93,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, January 1	4,717,000		232,000
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	263,000		474,000
Unrealized gain reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax	-314,000	[1]	13,000	[1]
Foreign exchange reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax	262,000	[2]
Total reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax	-52,000		13,000
Change in accumulated foreign currency translation, net of tax	-253,000		40,000
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-42,000		527,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$4,675,000		$759,000
[1]	Amounts reclassified from unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss.
[2]	Amounts reclassified from unrealized gain or loss on foreign exchange are included in other income in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss.

RelatedParty_Transactions_Deta

Related-Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 20, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Deferred compensation	$24,954,000			$24,584,000
Deferred compensation expense	579,000	599,000
Synthonics
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost method investments	2,170,000			2,170,000
Cost method, ownership percentage	18.30%			19.60%
Line of Credit | PICO Holdings, Inc. | Synthonics Line of Credit | Synthonics | Affiliated Entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Line of credit				450,000
Stated interest rate (percent)				15.00%
Line of credit, amount outstanding	280,000
Rabbi Trusts | Trust for Benefit of Employees
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost basis			2,300,000
Proceeds from sale			$5,000,000

Segment_Reporting_Assets_and_L

Segment Reporting - Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item
Assets	$782,519	$804,444
Water resource and water storage operations
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item
Assets	187,503	186,294
Real estate operations
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item
Assets	384,802	384,855
Agribusiness operations
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item
Assets	142,517	152,554
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item
Assets	$67,697	$80,741

Segment_Reporting_Revenue_Deta

Segment Reporting - Revenue (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Revenues	$84,650	$61,276
Total loss before income taxes	-19,565	-15,691
Water resource and water storage operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Revenues	210	136
Total loss before income taxes	-1,492	-1,985
Real estate operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Revenues	43,680	25,766
Total loss before income taxes	-3,779	-6,277
Agribusiness operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Revenues	39,326	34,867
Total loss before income taxes	-10,482	-4,192
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Revenues	1,434	507
Total loss before income taxes	($3,812)	($3,237)

Acquisition_of_Citizens_Homes_1

Acquisition of Citizens Homes - Narrative (Details) (Citizens Homes, Inc., USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 10, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 10, 2014
		employee
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of former employees holding minority interests in acquired assets		3
Contingent consideration, maximum	$6,000,000				$6,000,000
Contingent consideration		3,745,000		3,902,000
Performance period for achievement of contingent consideration related milestones	5 years
Contingent consideration, minimum	0				0
Acquisition costs			$460,000
Contingent Consideration Liability
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate (percentage)	13.70%
Volatility rate (percentage)	24.50%
Credit risk (percentage)	9.43%
Contingent Consideration Liability | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate (percentage)	13.70%
Contingent Consideration Liability | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate (percentage)	14.30%

Acquisition_of_Citizens_Homes_2

Acquisition of Citizens Homes - Assets and Liabilities Assumed (Details) (Citizens Homes, Inc., USD $)	Apr. 10, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Citizens Homes, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Real estate	$13,832
Other assets	1,363
Total assets	15,195
Less: Liabilities assumed	1,510
Net assets acquired	13,685
Goodwill	4,223
Consideration transferred	$17,908

Acquisition_of_Citizens_Homes_3

Acquisition of Citizens Homes - Consideration Transferred (Details) (Citizens Homes, Inc., USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Citizens Homes, Inc.
Business Combination, Increase (Decrease) in Contingent Consideration [Roll Forward]
Contingent Consideration - December 31, 2014	$3,745
Fair value adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2015	-157
Contingent consideration - March 31, 2015	$3,902

Acquisition_of_Citizens_Homes_4

Acquisition of Citizens Homes - Pro Forma (Details) (Citizens Homes, Inc., USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Citizens Homes, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues and other income	$71,175
Net loss	($12,925)
Net income (loss) per common share – basic and diluted: ($ per share)	($0.57)