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Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies  
Principles of Combination and Consolidation

Principles of Combination and Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and include the accounts of the Company and the Operating Partnership. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation used in 2020. Such reclassification had no effect on net income or total equity.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual

results could materially differ from those estimates, particularly in light of the ongoing coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and its effects on the domestic and global economies. So far, the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operations has been somewhat limited. The Company has experienced a decrease in crop share revenue related to the permanent crop portfolio as a result of a decrease in demand for lemons and blueberries, and delayed and weaker pricing of the 2020 almonds crop as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and trade war related disruptions.The pandemic has significantly affected only certain sectors of the U.S. agricultural industry to which we have limited or no direct exposure. Despite short and medium-term disruptions in the U.S. agricultural industry, we do not expect global demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber to be materially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic turmoil, and therefore in the long term we expect the industry to experience some degree of transformation, but to survive relatively unscathed compared to other industries. We are unable to quantify what the ultimate impact of the pandemic on our business will be.

Real Estate Acquisitions

Real Estate Acquisitions

When the Company acquires farmland where substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets it is not considered a business. As such, the Company accounts for these types of acquisitions as asset acquisitions. When substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is not concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar assets and contains acquired inputs, processes and outputs, these acquisitions are accounted for as a business combination.

The Company considers single identifiable assets as tangible assets that are attached to and cannot be physically removed and used separately from another tangible asset without incurring significant cost or significant diminution in utility or fair value. The Company considers similar assets as assets that have a similar nature and risk characteristics.

Whether the Company’s acquisitions are treated as an asset acquisition under ASC 360 or a business combination under ASC 805, the fair value of the purchase price is allocated among the assets acquired and any liabilities assumed by valuing the property as if it was vacant.  The “as-if-vacant” value is allocated to land, buildings, improvements, permanent plantings and any liabilities, based on management’s determination of the relative fair values of such assets and liabilities as of the date of acquisition.

 

Upon acquisition of real estate under ASC 805, the Company allocates the purchase price of the real estate based upon the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired, which historically have consisted of land, drainage improvements, irrigation improvements, groundwater, permanent plantings (bushes, shrubs, vines, and perennial crops), and grain facilities, and may also consist of intangible assets including in-place leases, above market and below market leases, and tenant relationships. The Company allocates the purchase price to the fair value of the tangible assets by valuing the land as if it were unimproved. The Company values improvements, including permanent plantings and grain facilities, at replacement cost, adjusted for depreciation.

 

Management’s estimates of land value are made using a comparable sales analysis. Factors considered by management in its analysis of land value include soil types and water availability and the sales prices of comparable farms. Management’s estimates of groundwater value are made using historical information obtained regarding the applicable aquifer.  Factors considered by management in its analysis of groundwater value are related to the location of the aquifer and whether or not the aquifer is a depletable resource or a replenishing resource.  If the aquifer is a replenishing resource, no value is allocated to the groundwater.  The Company includes an estimate of property taxes in the purchase price allocation of acquisitions to account for the expected liability that was assumed. 

 

When above or below market leases are acquired, the Company values the intangible assets based on the present value of the difference between prevailing market rates and the in-place rates measured over a period equal to the remaining term of the lease for above market leases and the initial term plus the term of any below market fixed rate renewal options for below market leases that are considered bargain renewal options. The above market lease values are amortized as a reduction of rental income over the remaining term of the respective leases. The fair value of acquired below market leases,

included in deferred revenue on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, is amortized as an increase to rental income on a straight-line basis over the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective leases, plus the terms of any below market fixed rate renewal options that are considered bargain renewal options of the respective leases. As of December 31, 2020, all below market leases had been fully amortized, with amortization totaling $0.0 million recorded in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, recorded for tenant relationship intangibles, gross of accumulated amortization and amortization expense of $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The purchase price is allocated to in-place lease values and tenant relationships, if they are acquired, based on the Company’s evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease, availability of replacement tenants, probability of lease renewal, estimated down time and its overall relationship with the tenant. The value of in-place lease intangibles and tenant relationships are included as an intangible asset and have been amortized over the remaining lease term (including expected renewal periods of the respective leases for tenant relationships) as amortization expense. If a tenant terminates its lease prior to its stated expiration, any unamortized amounts relating to that lease, including (i) above and below market leases, (ii) in-place lease values, and (iii) tenant relationships, would be recorded to revenue or expense as appropriate.

 

The Company capitalizes acquisition costs and due diligence costs if the asset is expected to qualify as an asset acquisition. If the asset acquisition is abandoned, the capitalized asset acquisition costs are expensed to acquisition and due diligence costs in the period of abandonment. Costs associated with a business combination are expensed to acquisition and due diligence costs as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, the company incurred an immaterial amount of costs related to acquisition and due diligence.

 

Total consideration for acquisitions may include a combination of cash and equity securities.  When equity securities are issued, the Company determines the fair value of the equity securities issued based on the number of shares of common stock and Common units issued multiplied by the price per share of the Company’s common stock on the date of closing in the case of common stock and Common units and by liquidation preference in the case of preferred stock and preferred units.

 

Using information available at the time of business combination, the Company allocates the total consideration to tangible assets and liabilities and identified intangible assets and liabilities.  During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may adjust the preliminary purchase price allocations after obtaining more information about assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

Real Estate Sales

Real Estate Sales

The Company recognizes gains from the sales of real estate assets, generally at the time the title is transferred, consideration is received and the Company no longer has substantial continuing involvement with the real estate sold.

Liquidity Policy

Liquidity Policy

The Company manages its liquidity position and expected liquidity needs taking into consideration current cash balances and reasonably expected cash receipts. The business model of the Company, and of real estate investment companies in general, relies on debt as a structural source of financing. When debt becomes due, it is generally refinanced rather than repaid using the Company’s cash flow from operations. The Company has a history of being able to refinance its debt obligations to manage its debt maturities. Furthermore, the Company also has a deep portfolio of real estate assets which management believes could be readily liquidated if necessary to fund any immediate liquidity needs.  Management’s first course of action is to work with its lenders to refinance debt which is coming due on terms acceptable to the Company. In the event the Company is unsuccessful in refinancing its debt on terms acceptable to the Company, management would look to liquidate certain assets to fund its liquidity shortfall.

Real Estate

Real Estate

The Company’s real estate consists of land, groundwater and improvements made to the land consisting of permanent plantings, grain facilities, irrigation improvements, drainage improvements and other improvements. The Company records real estate at cost and capitalizes improvements and replacements when they extend the useful life or improve the efficiency of the asset. Construction in progress includes the costs to build new grain storage facilities and install new pivots, drainage and wells on newly acquired farms. The Company begins depreciating assets when the asset is ready for its intended use.

The Company expenses costs of repairs and maintenance at the time such costs are incurred. The Company computes depreciation and depletion for assets classified as improvements using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:

    

Years

 

Grain facilities

 

10

-

40

Irrigation improvements

 

2

-

40

Drainage improvements

 

20

-

65

Groundwater

 

3

-

50

Permanent plantings

13

-

40

Other

 

5

-

40

The Company periodically evaluates the estimated useful lives for groundwater based on current state water regulations and depletion levels of the aquifers.  

When a sale occurs, the Company recognizes the associated gain or loss when all consideration has been transferred, the sale has closed and there is no material continuing involvement. If a sale is expected to generate a loss, the Company first assesses it through the impairment evaluation process—see ‘‘Impairment of Real Estate Assets’’ below.

Impairment of Real Estate Assets

Impairment of Real Estate Assets

The Company evaluates its tangible and identifiable intangible real estate assets for impairment indicators whenever events such as declines in a property’s operating performance, deteriorating market conditions or environmental or legal concerns bring recoverability of the carrying value of one or more assets into question. If such events are present, the Company projects the total undiscounted cash flows of the asset, including proceeds from disposition, and compares them to the net book value of the asset. If this evaluation indicates that the carrying value may not be recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in earnings equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. There have been no impairments recognized on real estate assets in the accompanying financial statements.

Cash

Cash

The Company’s cash at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was held in the custody of three financial institutions, and the Company’s balance at any given financial institution may at times exceed federally insurable limits. The Company monitors balances with individual financial institutions to mitigate risks relating to balances exceeding such limits.

Debt issuance costs

Debt Issuance Costs

Costs incurred by the Company in obtaining debt are deducted from the face amount of mortgage notes and bonds payable, net except for those costs relating to the Company’s lines of credit which are recognized as an asset within deferred financing fees, net.  During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company incurred $0.3 million in connection with the payoff of Farmer Mac Notes 8A and 9, the Farm Credit of Central Florida Note, with the related issuance of MetLife 10, (as defined in “Note 7—Mortgage Notes, Lines of Credit and Bonds Payable, net”). During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company incurred no costs in connection with the issuance of debt. Debt issuance costs are

amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, over the terms of the related indebtedness. Any unamortized amounts upon early repayment of mortgage notes payable are written off in the period in which repayment occurs. Fully amortized deferred financing fees are removed from the books upon maturity or repayment of the underlying debt. The Company recorded amortization expense of $0.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is included in interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accumulated amortization of deferred financing fees was $1.3 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Notes and Interest Receivable

Notes and Interest Receivable

Notes receivable are stated at their unpaid principal balance and include unamortized direct origination costs, prepaid interest and accrued interest through the reporting date, less any allowance for losses and unearned borrower paid points.  

Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of issuance and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had issued three notes under the FPI Loan Program and have designated each of the notes receivable as loans. Loans are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity computed under the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. Such amortization, including interest, is included in other revenue within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See “Note 6—Notes Receivable.”

Allowance for Note and Interest Receivable

Allowance for Notes and Interest Receivable

A note is placed on non-accrual status when management determines, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the note is impaired or collection of interest is doubtful. The accrual of interest on the instrument ceases when there is concern that principal or interest due according to the note agreement will not be collected. Any payment received on such non-accrual notes are recorded as interest income when the payment is received. The note is reclassified as accrual-basis once interest and principal payments become current. The Company periodically reviews the value of the underlying collateral of farm real estate for the note receivable and evaluates whether the value of the collateral continues to provide adequate security for the note. Should the value of the underlying collateral become less than the outstanding principal and interest, the Company will determine whether an allowance is necessary. Any uncollectible interest previously accrued is also charged off. As of December 31, 2020, we believe the value of the underlying collateral for each of the notes to be sufficient and in excess of the respective outstanding principal and accrued interest.

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs include incremental direct costs incurred by the Company in conjunction with proposed or actual offerings of securities. At the completion of the offering, the deferred offering costs are charged ratably as a reduction of the gross proceeds of equity as stock is issued. If an offering is abandoned, the previously deferred offering costs will be charged to operations in the period in which the abandonment occurs. The Company incurred $0.0 million in offering costs during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $0.0 million in deferred offering costs related to regulatory, legal, accounting and professional service costs associated with proposed or actual offerings of securities.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are presented at face value, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts, reducing the receivables balance to an amount that it estimates is collectible from our customers. Estimates used in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts are based on historical collection experience, current trends, aging of accounts receivable and periodic credit evaluations of the Company’s customers’ financial condition. The Company creates an allowance for accounts receivable when it becomes apparent, based upon age or

customer circumstances, that an amount may not be collectible, such that all current expected losses are sufficiently reserved for at each reporting period. The Company considered its current expectations of future economic conditions, including the impact of COVID-19, when estimating its allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.0 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is recorded on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a reduction to rental revenue if in relation to revenues recognized in the year, or as property operating expenses if  in relation to revenue recognized in the prior years.

Inventory

Inventory

The costs of growing crops are accumulated until the time of harvest at the lower of cost or net realizable value and are included in inventory in the consolidated balance sheets. Costs are allocated to growing crops based on a percentage of the total costs of production and total operating costs that are attributable to the portion of the crops that remain in inventory at the end of the period. The costs of growing crops incurred by FPI Agribusiness consist primarily of costs related to land preparation, cultivation, irrigation and fertilization. Growing crop inventory is charged to cost of products sold when the related crop is harvested and sold and is included in other operating expenses. The cost of harvested crop sold was $3.4 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Harvested crop inventory includes costs accumulated both during the growing and harvesting phases and are stated at the lower of those costs or the estimated net realizable value, which is the market price, based upon the nearest market in the geographic region, less any cost of disposition. Cost of disposition includes broker’s commissions, freight and other marketing costs.    

 

General inventory, such as fertilizer, seeds and pesticides, is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, inventory consisted of the following:

 

December 31,

($ in thousands)

    

2020

 

2019

Harvested crop

$

47

$

171

Growing crop

1,070

1,379

General inventory

$

1,117

$

1,550

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Rental income includes rents that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its lease. Minimum rents pursuant to leases are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including renewal options in the case of bargain renewal options. Deferred revenue includes the cumulative difference between the rental revenue recorded on a straight-line basis and the cash rent received from tenants in accordance with the lease terms. Acquired below market leases are included in deferred revenue on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, which are amortized into rental income over the life of the respective leases, plus the terms of the below market renewal options, if any.

Leases in place as of December 31, 2020 had terms ranging from one to forty years. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 99 leases over 209 properties with rent escalations. The majority of the Company’s leases provide for a fixed annual or semi-annual cash rent payment. Tenant leases on acquired farms generally require the tenant to pay the Company rent for the entire initial year regardless of the date of acquisition, if the acquisition is closed prior to, or shortly after, planting of crops. If the acquisition is closed later in the year, the Company typically receives a partial rent payment or no rent payment at all.

Certain of the Company’s leases provide for a rent payment determined as a percentage of the gross farm proceeds (contingent rent). Revenue under leases providing for a payment equal to a percentage of the gross farm proceeds are recorded at the guaranteed crop insurance minimums and recognized ratably over the lease term during the crop year.

Upon notification from the grain or packing facility that a future contract for delivery of the harvest has been finalized or when the tenant has notified the Company of the total amount of gross farm proceeds, revenue is recognized for the excess of the actual gross farm proceeds and the previously recognized minimum guaranteed insurance. Contingent rent recognized for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 totaled $9.3 million and $11.4 million, respectively.

Certain of the Company’s leases provide for minimum cash rent plus a bonus based on gross farm proceeds. Revenue under this type of lease is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term based on the minimum cash rent. Bonus rent is recognized upon notification from the tenant of the gross farm proceeds for the year.

Tenant reimbursements include reimbursements for real estate taxes that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of its lease. When leases require that the tenant reimburse the Company for property taxes paid by the Company, the reimbursement is reflected as tenant reimbursement revenue on the statements of operations, as earned, and the related property tax as property operating expense, as incurred.

Crop sales revenue

The Company records revenue from the sale of harvested crops when the harvested crop has been contracted to be delivered to a grain or packing facility and title has transferred. Harvested crops delivered under marketing contracts are recorded using the fixed price of the marketing contract at the time of delivery to a grain or packing facility. Harvested crops delivered without a marketing contract are recorded using the market price at the date the harvested crop is delivered to the grain or packing facility and title has transferred.

Other revenue

The Company recognizes interest income on notes receivable on an accrual basis over the life of the note. Direct origination costs are netted against loan origination fees and are amortized over the life of the note using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method, as an adjustment to interest income which is included as a component of other revenue in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

As a REIT, the Company is permitted to deduct dividends, for income tax purposes, paid to its stockholders, thereby eliminating the U.S. federal taxation of income represented by such distributions at the Company level, provided certain requirements are met. REITs are subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements. If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, the Company will be subject to U.S. federal income tax (including, for periods prior to 2018, any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates.  The Company recorded income tax expense totaling $0.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

The Operating Partnership leases certain of its farms to the TRS, which is subject to federal and state income taxes. The TRS accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax basis and for operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards based on enacted income tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. However, deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely than not they will be realized on consideration of available evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future projected taxable income and tax planning strategies. There was $(1.9) million in taxable income from the TRS for the year ended December 31, 2020, and $(0.2) million at December 31, 2019. The Company did not have any deferred tax assets or liabilities for these years.

The Company performs an annual review for any uncertain tax positions and, if necessary, will record future tax consequences of uncertain tax positions in the financial statements.  An uncertain tax position is defined as a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that is not based on clear and unambiguous tax law and which when examined by

taxing authorities is more-likely-than-not to be sustained on review and which is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities for interim or annual periods.  At December 31, 2020, the Company did not identify any uncertain tax positions. The Company did not identify any uncertain tax positions related to the 2019 open tax year.

When the Company acquires a property in a business combination, the Company evaluates such acquisition for any related deferred tax assets or liabilities and determines if a deferred tax asset or liability should be recorded in conjunction with the purchase price allocation. If a built-in gain is acquired, the Company evaluates the required holding period (generally 5 years) and determines if it has the ability and intent to hold the underlying assets for the necessary holding period. If the Company has the ability to hold the underlying assets for the required holding period, no deferred tax liability is recorded with respect to the built-in gain. The Company determined that no deferred tax asset or liability should be recorded as a result of any acquisitions that it undertook during the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Derivatives and Hedge Accounting

Derivatives and Hedge Accounting

The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, by managing the amount, sources, duration and interest rate exposure of its funding. The Company may also use interest rate derivative financial instruments, namely interest rate swaps.

The Company enters into marketing contracts to sell commodities. Derivatives and hedge accounting guidance requires a company to evaluate these contracts to determine whether the contracts are derivatives. Certain contracts that meet the definition of a derivative may be exempt from derivative accounting if designated as normal purchase or normal sales. The Company evaluates all contracts at inception to determine if they are derivatives and if they meet the normal purchase and normal sale designation requirements. All contracts entered into during the year ended December 31, 2020 met the criteria to be exempt from derivative accounting and were designated as normal purchase and sales exceptions for hedge accounting.

The Company has in place one interest rate swap agreement with Rabobank to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. This agreement qualifies as a cash flow hedge and is actively evaluated for its effectiveness (see Note 12 – “Hedge Accounting”). The entire change in the fair value of the Company’s designated cash flow hedges is recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Additionally, the Company assesses whether the derivative used in its hedging transaction is expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it is determined that a derivative has ceased to be or is not expected to be highly effective as a hedge, and then reflects changes in fair value of the derivative in earnings after termination of the hedge relationship.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

The Company’s chief operating decision maker does not evaluate performance on a farm-specific or transactional basis and does not distinguish the Company’s principal business or group its operations on a geographical basis for purposes of measuring performance. Accordingly, the Company believes it has a single operating segment for reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, excluding the weighted average number of unvested restricted shares (“participating securities” as defined in “Note 9—Stockholders’ Equity and non-controlling Interests”).  Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common

stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, plus other potentially dilutive securities such as stock grants or shares that would be issued in the event that Common units are redeemed for shares of common stock of the Company.  No adjustment is made for shares that are anti-dilutive during a period.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling Interests

The Company’s non-controlling interests are interests in the Operating Partnership not owned by the Company. The Company evaluates whether non-controlling interests are subject to redemption features outside of its control. The Company classifies non-controlling interests that are contingently redeemable solely for cash (unless stockholder approval is obtained to redeem for shares of common stock) one year after issuance or deemed probable to eventually become redeemable and which have redemption features outside of its control, as redeemable non-controlling interests in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts reported for non-controlling interests on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations represent the portion of income or losses not attributable to the Company.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation

From time to time, the Company may award non-vested shares under the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) as compensation to officers, employees, non-employee directors and non-employee consultants (see “Note 9—Stockholders’ Equity and Non-controlling Interests”).  The shares issued to officers, employees, and non-employee directors vest over a period of time as determined by the Board of Directors at the date of grant.  The Company recognizes compensation expense for non-vested shares granted to officers, employees and directors on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period based upon the fair value of the shares on the date of grant, as adjusted for forfeitures. The Company recognizes expense related to non-vested shares granted to non-employee consultants over the period that services are received.

New or Revised Accounting Standards

New or Revised Accounting Standards

Recently adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes the method and timing of the recognition of credit losses on financial assets. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities are required to use a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowance for losses. This credit loss standard is required to be applied using a modified-retrospective approach and requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings be recorded as of the date of adoption. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, which clarifies that operating lease receivables are outside the scope of the new standard. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. 

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), that provided practical expedients to address existing guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting due to the expected market transition from the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates (together “IBORs”) to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority announced it intended to stop compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. We refer to this transition as “reference rate reform.”

The first practical expedient allows companies to elect to not apply certain modification accounting requirements to debt, derivative and lease contracts affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. These criteria include the following: (i) the contract referenced an IBOR rate that is expected to be discontinued; (ii) the modified terms directly replace or have the potential to replace the IBOR rate that is expected to be discontinued; and (iii) any contemporaneous changes to other terms that change or have the potential to change the amount and timing of contractual cash flows must be related to the replacement of the IBOR rate. If the contract meets all three criteria, there is no requirement for remeasurement of the contract at the modification date or reassessment of the previous hedging relationship accounting determination.

The second practical expedient allows companies to change the reference rate and other critical terms related to the reference rate reform in derivative hedge documentation without having to de-designate the hedging relationship. This allows for companies to continue applying hedge accounting to existing cash flow and net investment hedges.

The ASU was effective upon issuance on a prospective basis beginning January 1, 2020 and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company elected to apply the hedge accounting practical expedient to its cash flow hedge. The Company will continue to evaluate its debt, derivative and lease contracts that are eligible for modification relief and expects to apply those elections as needed.