Minimum future principal payments required on the obligations under bonds payable are as follows:
The Company’s net income, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, shall be distributed annually on the basis of delivered pounds of sugar, in cash or in the form of credits to each member-producer’s patronage credit account as established on the books of the Company. In the event of a loss in any one-year, the Company shall act in such a manner as to first recoup the loss from those patrons who were patrons in the year in which the loss occurred.
Under the terms of the Company sugarbeet growing contracts with each of its member-producers, the Company is obligated to pay the member-producers for sugarbeets delivered at a price per pound of extractable and bonus sugar. However, if, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, the working capital position of the Company is insufficient, the Company shall withhold and/or retain from the price to be paid per pound of extractable sugar such amounts as are deemed by the Board of Directors to be necessary for operations, the deductions to be made at such time and in a manner as the Board of Directors shall decide. The amount so withheld and or retained shall be evidenced in the records of the Company by allocated patronage and/or per unit retains in favor of the member-producers. The Board of Directors has the power to determine whether such allocated patronage and/or per unit retains shall be “qualified” or “nonqualified” for income tax purposes.
The Company allocated non-qualified patronage to the members for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 of $4,020,142, $3,727,840, and $5,117,244, respectively.
During the year ended August 31, 2010, the Company revolved the remaining 66% of the allocated patronage for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2004 totaling $2,876,660 and 31% of the allocated patronage for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2005, totaling $1,143,629. In addition, for the fiscal period ending August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 the Company revolved $-0-, $101,701, and $-0- of allocated patronage to certain deceased members’ estates.
During the year ended August 31, 2009, the Company revolved the remaining 46% of the allocated patronage for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003 totaling $2,199,418 and 33% of the allocated patronage for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2004, totaling $1,426,511.
During the year ended August 31, 2008, the Company revolved the remaining 52% of the allocated patronage for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002 totaling $1,868,412 and 54% of the allocated patronage for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2003, totaling $2,548,991.
NOTE 6 - INVESTMENT IN MARKETING COOPERATIVES
The Company has formed common marketing agency agreements with United Sugars Corporation (United Sugars) and Midwest Agri-Commodities (Midwest) to be the exclusive marketing agents for all products produced by the Company and other member processors.
The Company’s ownership requirement in United Sugars is calculated periodically and is based on the average volume of sugar produced during the five previous fiscal years. The investment is accounted for on the equity method and the amount of sales and related costs recognized by each member processor is allocated based on their pro-rata share of production for the year. The Company provided United Sugars with cash advances on an ongoing basis for its share of operating and marketing expenses incurred. During the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company had advanced $26,299,502, $30,087,285 and $34,383,138, for operating and marketing expenses incurred respectively. The Company had outstanding advances due to/(from) United Sugars as of August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 of $(1,424,545), $(1,740,649) and $(2,064,475), respectively. The Company accounts for United Sugars’ FASB ASC 715,Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans adjustment as an additional change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
The Company has a one-fourth ownership interest in Midwest. The amount of the investment is accounted for using the equity method. All sugarbeet pulp and a portion of the molasses produced are sold by Midwest as an agent for the Company. The amount of sales and related costs to be recognized by each owner is allocated based on their pro-rata share of production for the year. The Company provided Midwest with cash advances on an ongoing basis for its share of operating and marketing expenses incurred by Midwest. The Company advanced Midwest during the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, $9,235,346, $8,440,062 and $9,026,985, respectively. The Company had outstanding advances due to Midwest as of August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 of $1,708,006, $634,852 and $572,020, respectively. The owners of Midwest guarantee, on a pro-rata basis, the $9,000,000 short-term line of credit that Midwest has with its primary lender. The Company accounts for Midwest’s FASB ASC 715,Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans adjustment as an additional change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
20
NOTE 7 - INCOME TAXES
The Company is a nonexempt cooperative as described under Section 1381(a) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Accordingly, net margins from business done with member patrons, which are allocated and distributed as prescribed in Section 1382 of the Code, will be taxable to the members and not to the Company. To the extent that net margins are not allocated and paid as stated above or arise from non-patronage business, the Company shall have taxable income subject to corporate income tax rates.
The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities included on the balance sheet at August 31 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred tax assets | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-qualified unit retains and allocated patronage due to members | | $ | 11,319,500 | | $ | 11,319,000 | | $ | 11,319,000 | |
Net operating loss carry-forwards | | | 7,241,900 | | | 6,121,600 | | | 5,706,455 | |
Other | | | 2,443,123 | | | 1,113,741 | | | 2,427,545 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total deferred tax assets | | | 21,004,523 | | | 18,554,341 | | | 19,453,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 18,503,239 | | | 18,528,741 | | | 16,325,000 | |
Other | | | 2,767,083 | | | 354,400 | | | 3,426,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total deferred tax liabilities | | | 21,270,323 | | | 18,883,141 | | | 19,751,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax asset (liability) | | $ | (265,800 | ) | $ | (328,800 | ) | $ | (298,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Classified as follows | | | | | | | | | | |
Current asset | | $ | — | | $ | 25,600 | | $ | 145,000 | |
Long-term asset (liability) | | | (265,800 | ) | | (354,400 | ) | | (443,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax asset (liability) | | $ | (265,800 | ) | $ | (328,800 | ) | $ | (298,000 | ) |
The state and federal operating loss carry forwards totaling approximately $18,100,000 will expire in 2015 through 2029.
The provision for income taxes is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Current expense (benefit) | | $ | 406,579 | | | (535,945 | ) | | 107,679 | |
Net change in temporary differences | | | (62,999 | ) | | 30,800 | | | 1,136,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes | | $ | 343,580 | | $ | (505,145 | ) | $ | 1,243,679 | |
21
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent Management concludes it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. For the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 the Company had a valuation allowance of $705,400, $335,300 and $-0- respectively.
The items accounting for the difference between expected tax (benefit) computed at the federal statutory rate of 35% and the provision of income taxes were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Expected federal income tax expense at the statutory rate | | | 35.0 | % | | 35.0 | % | | 35.0 | % |
State tax expense at statutory rate | | | 5.0 | % | | 5.0 | % | | 5.0 | % |
Payments to members | | | -39.4 | % | | -40.0 | % | | -38.3 | % |
Other, net | | | -0.3 | % | | -0.5 | % | | -0.6 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Effective tax rate | | | 0.3 | % | | -0.5 | % | | 1.1 | % |
The Company allocates the patronage related benefits of the Domestic Production Activities Deduction directly to its patrons. During the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 the Company passed through $5,944,573, $5,742,508 and $-0- respectively to its patrons.
Significant temporary timing differences between financial and income tax reporting are as follows:
| | |
| 1. | When non-qualified allocated patronage is elected by the Board of Directors, the Company is not allowed an income tax deduction until they are paid in cash to the member-producers, where as qualified allocated patronage is deducted when declared. |
| 2. | Depreciation - For financial reporting purposes, the Company uses straight-line and accelerated methods of depreciation with lives of 3 to 40 years, while, for income tax purposes, the Company uses required statutory depreciable lives and methods. |
| 3. | Non-qualified patronage credits from investments in other cooperatives - For financial statement purposes, the Company recognizes income when the patronage credit notification is received while, for income tax purposes, the companies recognize income when the patronage is received in cash. |
| 4. | Inventory capitalization - For income tax reporting purposes, certain overhead costs are included as a part of inventory costs in accordance with inventory capitalization rules. These costs are charged to expense as incurred for financial reporting purposes. |
| 5. | Recognition of vacation pay - For financial reporting purposes, vacation pay is charged to expense as accrued, whereas, for income tax purposes, vacation pay is deducted to the extent paid within 2 ½ months of year end. |
| 6. | On August 31, 2006, the Company had a net $915,560 in non-patronage long-term tax liability resulting from a combination of non-patronage tax issues that will reverse over the life of certain assets now considered to be member business related. The Company will amortize the $915,560 long-term liability over the approximate remaining book life of those assets generating the liability. The amortization of the long-term tax liability for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $88,600, $88,600 and $236,280, respectively leaving a remaining balance on August 31, 2010 of $265,800 to be amortized in future years. |
| 7. | Non-qualified deferred compensation is deducted for book purposes as incurred and deducted for tax purposes as paid. |
22
Adoption of FASB ASC 740-10,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
On September 1, 2007 The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”. FASB ASC 740-10 prescribes a threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. FASB ASC 740-10 requires that the company determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based upon the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, the Company recognizes the largest amount of the benefit that is more likely than not of being sustained in our financial statements. For tax positions that are not more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, the Company does not recognize any portion of the benefit in its financial statements.
As of August 31, 2010, the company’s financial statements reflect the final settlement pertaining to its only income tax activity qualifying for FASB ASC 740-10 treatment. For purposes of FASB ASC Topic 740-10, the Company recognizes any interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of August 31, 2010 is $-0-.
The aggregate changes in the balance of the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits were as follows for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended August 31, | | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits beginning balance | | $ | 274,075 | | $ | 256,075 | | $ | — | |
Increases for tax positions related to current year | | | 13,500 | | | 18,000 | | | — | |
Increases for tax positions related to prior year | | | — | | | | | | 256,075 | |
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Decreases related to settlements | | | (287,575 | ) | | — | | | — | |
Reductions due to lapsed statute of limitations | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits at August 31 | | $ | — | | $ | 274,075 | | $ | 256,075 | |
Tax returns filed as of August 31, 2004 through current filings are open for examination.
NOTE 8 - DEPRECIATION
The Company’s depreciation expense for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $8,808,312, $8,440,002 and $8,115,079, respectively.
23
NOTE 9 - ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Company is subject to extensive federal and state environmental laws and regulations with respect to water and air quality, solid waste disposal and odor and noise control. The Company conducts an ongoing and expanding control program designed to meet these environmental laws and regulations. While the Company will continue to have ongoing environmental compliance requirements, currently there are no pending regulatory enforcement actions and the Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
The Company cannot predict whether future changes in environmental laws or regulations might increase the cost of operating its facilities and conducting its business. Any such changes could have financial consequences for the Company and its members.
NOTE 10 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
During fiscal year 1997, the Company entered into a long-term lease agreement on a property, which included providing a guarantee for the notes to finance the leased property. The Company’s contingent liability related to these notes totaled $555,286 as of August 31, 2010.
During fiscal year 2000, the Company sold certain notes receivable with recourse. The Company’s contingent liability related to these notes totaled $23,585 as of August 31, 2010.
During the fiscal year 2010, the Company entered into a coal purchase agreement requiring a minimum annual purchase of coal in the amount of $1.6 million for each of the fiscal years ending August 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively.
NOTE 11 - OPERATING LEASES
The Company is a party to various operating leases for vehicles and equipment. Future minimum payments for long-term leases for the years ending August 31, under these obligations, are as follows:
| | | | | |
Years ending August 31, | | | | |
| | | | | |
2011 | | | $ | 74,540 | |
2012 | | | | 67,258 | |
2013 | | | | 38,222 | |
| $ | 180,020 | |
Operating lease and contract expenses for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, totaled $960,068, $1,145,998 and $1,535,475, respectively.
24
NOTE 12 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
401(k) Plan
The Company has a qualified 401(k) employee benefit plan that covers all employees meeting eligibility requirements. The Company’s matching contribution to the plan is at a level of 100% of employee contributions, with a maximum of 4% of compensation. Employer contributions to the plan for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 totaled $660,677, $637,822 and $631,063, respectively.
Effective September 1, 2007, individual participating employees who have met the non-elective eligibility requirements of the plan received a contribution of 4% of their compensation each pay period as provided by the plan. Individuals participating in this benefit are excluded from the non-contributory defined benefit plan. Employer contributions to the plan for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 totaled $79,385, $65,657 and $53,907, respectively.
Pension plan
The Company has a non-contributory defined benefit plan, which covers substantially all employees who meet certain requirements of age, hours worked per year, years of service, and age at retirement or termination. The pension funding policy is to deposit amounts allowable by law with independent trustees. Funds deposited with independent trustees maintained to provide pension benefits to plan participants and their beneficiaries. The Company’s measurement date was changed in 2009 which resulted in measurement dates of August 31, 2010 and 2009, and for the prior year the measurement date was May 31, 2008.
In August 2006, the Pension Protection Act (PPA) was signed into law. The PPA modified the funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans by subjecting defined benefit plans to 100% of the current liability-funding target. Defined benefit plans with a funding status of less than 80% of the current liability are defined as being “at risk”. These provisions do not apply to plans with less than 500 participants. As of the last plan filing, the Company’s plan had 477 participants.
In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB ASC 715,Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans. This standard requires employers to recognize the underfunded or overfunded status of defined benefit pension and Post-retirement plans as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position, and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a component of stockholders’ equity. As a result of the application of FASB ASC 715,Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans as of August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 the Company increased liabilities by $6,802,344, $7,547,180 and $639,310. These liabilities were offset to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). As a result of FASB ASC 715, in the year ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 the Company recognized an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of ($6,274,921), ($7,080,155) and ($2,218,282), respectively. In accordance with FASB ASC 715, the measurement date was moved from May 31, 2008 to August 31, 2009 creating a fifteen-month period vs. twelve-month period the preceding year.
25
The following table sets forth the plan’s funded status at August 31:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Change in pension benefit obligation | | | | | | | | | | |
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | | $ | 31,076,170 | | $ | 26,101,309 | | $ | 25,712,339 | |
Service cost | | | 1,003,895 | | | 1,284,966 | | | 940,135 | |
Interest cost | | | 1,843,576 | | | 2,175,966 | | | 1,558,671 | |
Experience (gain)/loss due to participant changes | | | 7,260,190 | | | 2,774,339 | | | (1,351,129 | ) |
Benefits paid | | | (1,051,850 | ) | | (1,260,410 | ) | | (758,707 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Benefit obligation at end of year | | | 40,131,981 | | | 31,076,170 | | | 26,101,309 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Change in plan assets | | | | | | | | | | |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | | | 18,480,578 | | | 20,158,363 | | | 20,277,824 | |
Actual return on plan assets | | | 1,882,201 | | | (2,494,214 | ) | | (360,683 | ) |
Employer contribution | | | 1,512,580 | | | 2,097,024 | | | 1,060,000 | |
Benefits and expenses paid | | | (1,068,267 | ) | | (1,280,595 | ) | | (818,778 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | | | 20,807,092 | | | 18,480,578 | | | 20,158,363 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued pension benefit cost liability | | $ | (19,324,889 | ) | $ | (12,595,592 | ) | $ | (5,942,946 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Pension Benefits | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Non-current assets | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Current liabilities | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Noncurrent | | | | | | | | | | |
liabilities | | | (19,324,889 | ) | | (12,595,592 | ) | | (5,942,946 | ) |
| | $ | (19,324,889 | ) | $ | (12,595,592 | ) | $ | (5,942,946 | ) |
The estimated amounts that will be amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to future fiscal years are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated loss | | $ | 17,802,784 | | $ | 11,525,420 | | $ | 4,436,275 | |
Prior service cost | | | 104,828 | | | 136,860 | | | 169,107 | |
| | $ | 17,907,612 | | $ | 11,662,280 | | $ | 4,605,382 | |
The accumulated benefit obligations for all defined benefit pension plans for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $29,641,358, $22,858,793 and $19,721,092, respectively.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average assumptions as of August 31 | | | | | | | | | | |
Discount rate | | | 5.2 | % | | 6.2 | % | | 6.5 | % |
Expected return on plan assets | | | 8.0 | % | | 8.0 | % | | 8.0 | % |
Rate of total compensation increase | | | 4.5 | % | | 4.3 | % | | 4.3 | % |
26
The net periodic pension cost for the years ended August 31, includes the following components:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Components on net periodic pension benefit cost | | | | | | | | | | |
Service cost | | $ | 1,003,895 | | $ | 1,284,966 | | $ | 940,135 | |
Interest cost | | | 1,843,576 | | | 2,175,966 | | | 1,558,671 | |
Expected return on plan assets | | | (1,492,426 | ) | | (2,036,453 | ) | | (1,621,109 | ) |
Amortization of prior service cost | | | 32,032 | | | 32,247 | | | 32,782 | |
Amortization of transition amount | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Amortization of net (gain) or loss | | | 609,468 | | | 236,046 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net periodic pension benefit cost | | $ | 1,996,545 | | $ | 1,692,772 | | $ | 910,479 | |
The 2009 data includes a fifteen-month period. The net periodic cost was allocated as follows:
| | | | |
Current Period | | $ | 1,407,876 | |
Adjustment to Retained Earnings | | | 284,896 | |
Total | | $ | 1,692,772 | |
The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocation at August 31, by asset category is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
Asset category | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity securities | | | 59 | % | | 61 | % | | 66 | % |
Debt securities | | | 35 | % | | 37 | % | | 31 | % |
Real estate | | | 4 | % | | 0 | % | | 0 | % |
Other | | | 2 | % | | 2 | % | | 3 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
27
The fair values of the company’s pension plan assets at August 31, 2010, by asset category are as follows:
|
Pension Plan Assets Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2010 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Total | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | | Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | $ | 544,983 | | $ | 544,983 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic Common Stocks | | $ | 2,708,722 | | $ | 2,708,722 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Stocks | | $ | 85,377 | | $ | 85,377 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mutual Funds-Equity | | $ | 8,018,686 | | $ | 8,018,686 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mutual Funds-Fixed Income | | $ | 6,978,002 | | $ | 6,978,002 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Core Equity Account | | $ | 296,753 | | $ | 296,753 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International Equity Account | | $ | 2,174,569 | | $ | 2,174,569 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 20,807,092 | | $ | 20,807,092 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
28
The fair values of the company’s pension plan assets at August 31, 2009, by asset category are as follows:
|
Pension Plan Assets Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2009 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Total | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | | Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | $ | 924,841 | | $ | 924,841 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic Common Stocks | | $ | 2,400,669 | | $ | 2,400,669 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Stocks | | $ | 131,010 | | $ | 131,010 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mutual Funds-Equity | | $ | 6,482,750 | | $ | 6,482,750 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Mutual Funds-Fixed Income | | $ | 6,460,184 | | $ | 6,460,184 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Core Equity Account | | $ | 440,639 | | $ | 440,639 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International Equity Account | | $ | 1,640,485 | | $ | 1,640,485 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 18,480,578 | | $ | 18,480,578 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
The fair values of the company’s pension plan assets at August 31, 2008, by asset category are as follows:
|
Pension Plan Assets Fair Value Measurements at August 31, 2008 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Total | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | | Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | $ | 943,634 | | $ | 943,634 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Domestic Common Stocks | | $ | 2,580,263 | | $ | 2,580,263 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Foreign Stocks | | $ | 151,351 | | $ | 151,351 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Mutual Funds-Equity | | $ | 8,737,566 | | $ | 8,737,566 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Mutual Funds-Fixed Income | | $ | 5,893,353 | | $ | 5,893,353 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Core Equity Account | | $ | 568,645 | | $ | 568,645 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
International Equity Account | | $ | 1,283,551 | | $ | 1,283,551 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | $ | 20,158,363 | | $ | 20,158,363 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
29
Discount Rate
The Company’s methodology for selecting the discount rate for the Company’s plan was to seek guidance from outside pension experts for determination of the appropriate discount rate through August 31, 2008 and use the Mercer Index for dates beginning September 1, 2008. The decision to use the Mercer index rate was intended to provide an outside unbiased benchmark for this key accounting assumption.
Investment Philosophy
The Company’s Board of Directors appoints individuals to serve as Trustees of the Company’s Pension Plans. The Trustees approve the Investment Policy Statement for the Company’s Pension Plans. The Pension Operating committee is responsible for administering and following the Investment Policy Statement. The independent Investment Consultant provides investment advice and assistance regarding the investments of the Trust, analyzes investment expenses, and negotiates fees of Investment Managers and Custodians. The Investment Policy Statement is designed to diversify against the risk of large losses while still achieving long-term return goals on a historical basis. The Investment Policy is reviewed at least annually by the Operating Committee who recommends changes to the Trustees. Diversification of investment risk is consistent with other pension plans of similar size and demographics as reviewed by the Company’s independent Investment Consultant. The asset allocation targets for the plan consist of five primary areas: Domestic Equity, International Equity, Real Estate, Marketable Alternatives and Fixed Income. Cash allocations are allowed only as necessary for impending benefit payments. The stated goal for each allocation target is to exceed the return of its corresponding benchmark without exposure to excessive risk.
Percentage of Pension Plan Assets by Asset Class as of August 31, 2010
| | | | | |
Asset Class | | Target Range | | Actual Allocations |
| | | | | |
Large Cap Us Common Stocks | | 25% - 30% | | 30.8% | |
| | | | | |
Mid and Small Cap US Common Stock | | 10% - 20% | | 14.7% | |
| | | | | |
Total Domestic Equity | | 40% - 50% | | 45.5% | |
| | | | | |
International (Non US) Equity | | 15% - 21% | | 15.8% | |
| | | | | |
Total Equity | | 58% - 68% | | 61.3% | |
| | | | | |
Real Estate | | 2.5% - 5.5% | | 4.4% | |
| | | | | |
Marketable Alternatives | | 1.5% - 4.5% | | 3.3% | |
| | | | | |
Total Fixed Income | | 25% - 40% | | 31.0% | |
| | | | | |
Cash | | 0% - 5% | | 0.0% | |
30
Prohibited Investments
Non-Marketable Securities
Short Sales or Purchases on Margin
There have been no changes in the valuation methodologies used at August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The Plan’s investment in any category over 10% is diversified through the use of multiple investment alternatives to reduce risk.
Expected Return on Plan Assets
The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets should, over time, approximate the historical long-term returns on pension plan assets. The Company’s methodology for selecting the Expected Return on Plan Assets is to seek guidance from outside pension experts for an appropriate rate.
The expected return on total Plan assets is developed by combining the Plan’s long-term asset class allocation targets with the long-term return expectations for each of these asset classes. Expected asset class returns are developed by the Plan’s investment consultant. The final assumption is chosen by the company as their best estimate among a range of possible alternatives, and reviewed for reasonableness by the Plan actuary.
Contributions
The Company expects to contribute $1,790,000 to its pension plan in 2011.
Distributions (Expected Future)
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:
| | | | |
2011 | | $ | 929,000 | |
2012 | | | 884,000 | |
2013 | | | 968,000 | |
2014 | | | 899,000 | |
2015 | | | 1,038,000 | |
Thereafter, through 2020 | | | 8,426,000 | |
| | $ | 13,144,000 | |
31
As a result of FASB ASC 715,Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, the Company has recognized a charge to accumulated other comprehensive loss as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
Fiscal Year Ended August 31: | | 2010 | | 2009 | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning Balance | | $ | 12,811,235 | | $ | 4,890,516 | | | 2,368,458 | |
Minn Dak Farmers Cooperative | | | 6,274,921 | | | 7,080,155 | | | 2,218,280 | |
United Sugars | | | (315,151 | ) | | 771,949 | | | 209,017 | |
Midwest Agri | | | 66,152 | | | 68,615 | | | 94,761 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Ending Balance | | $ | 18,837,157 | | $ | 12,811,235 | | $ | 4,890,516 | |
Non-qualified benefit plans
The Company has various non-qualified plans for those employees who meet certain requirements.
The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) is designed to provide an employee who exceeds the annual compensation limit of the Company’s defined benefit plan with a benefit as if the annual compensation limit didn’t apply. This plan is unfunded; therefore there are no assets associated with this plan. The cumulative liability for this plan for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 was $304,815, $231,768 and $276,562, respectively.
The Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plan allows an employee to defer wages to a future date. The deferment becomes part of the company assets. To receive payments under this plan, the participant must meet the requirements of the plan or separate from the Company. The cumulative assets and liabilities for this plan for the years ended August 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 were $411,507, $365,015 and $385,745, respectively.
Non-Qualified key-life insurance - The Company has life insurance policies on a former executive sufficient to cover a $500,000 obligation to the former executive’s estate. The policies are self sufficient, and requiring no additional funding for the term of the policies.
NOTE 13 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Quoted market prices are generally not available for the Company’s financial instruments. Fair values are based on judgments regarding anticipated cash flows, future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates involve uncertainties and matters of judgment, and therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
| | |
| o | Long-Term Debt, Inclusive of Current Maturities - Based upon discounted cash flows and current borrowing rates with similar maturities, the book value of the Bank debt of approximately $19.1 million, $22.5 million and $15.8 million compares to fair values of $19.2 million, $22.8 million and $16.1 million respectively as of August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Also included in the Company’s long-term debt was $19.2 million, $13.5, million and $15.5 million in tax exempt bonds, in comparison to the fair value of $19.2 million, $13.5 million and $15.5 million respectively for the periods ending August 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. |
32
| | |
| | |
| o | Proceeds for Bond Issuance Transferred to Restricted Investment –included in the Company’s current bond trust and restricted long-term other assets was $7.0 million in comparison to the fair value of $7.0 million as of August 31, 2010. |
| | |
| o | Investments in CoBank, and Investments in Marketing Cooperatives - The Company believes it is not practical to estimate the fair value of these investments without incurring excessive costs because there is no established market for these securities and equity interests, and it is inappropriate to estimate future cash flows which are largely dependent on future earnings of these organizations. |
NOTE 14 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has considered subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.
33
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.
| | | |
| MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE | |
| | |
| BY | /S/ David H. Roche | |
| | DAVID H. ROCHE, PRESIDENT | |
| | AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | |
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THIS REPORT HAS BEEN SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTRANT BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| SIGNATURE | | | | TITLE | | | | DATED | |
|
/s/ David H. Roche | | President and | | 2-22-11 |
David H. Roche | | Chief Executive Officer | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Steven M. Caspers | | Executive Vice President and | | 2-22-11 |
Steven M. Caspers | | Chief Financial Officer | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Allen E. Larson | | Controller and | | 2-22-11 |
Allen E. Larson | | Chief Accounting Officer | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Dale Blume | | | | 2-22-11 |
Dale Blume | | Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Dennis Butenhoff | | | | 2-22-11 |
Dennis Butenhoff | | Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Brent Davison | | | | 2-22-11 |
Brent Davison | | Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Doug Etten | | | | 2-22-11 |
Doug Etten | | Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Patrick Freese | | | | 2-22-11 |
Patrick Freese | | Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Dennis Klosterman | | | | 2-22-11 |
Dennis Klosterman | | Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Russell Mauch | | | | 2-22-11 |
Russell Mauch | | Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ C Kevin Kutzer | | | | 2-22-11 |
C Kevin Kutzer | | Director | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Charles Steiner | | | | 2-22-11 |
Charles Steiner | | Director | | |
34