-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, MnvMCc45JZKZvWXImFN6bBs81rqpYKcigIGiZpfydCfARk4r6oo6Il4TP2GyCinY OJfaTwtW/YZUx+B+/GBL/g== 0000034616-97-000003.txt : 19970115 0000034616-97-000003.hdr.sgml : 19970115 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000034616-97-000003 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 424B3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19970114 SROS: NONE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FARMLAND INDUSTRIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000034616 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MEAT PACKING PLANTS [2011] IRS NUMBER: 440209330 STATE OF INCORPORATION: KS FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 424B3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-16945 FILM NUMBER: 97505243 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3315 N FARMLAND TRAFFICWAY STREET 2: DEPT 140 CITY: KANSAS CITY STATE: MO ZIP: 64116-0005 BUSINESS PHONE: 816-459-6882 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CONSUMERS COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19681201 424B3 1 SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 15, 1997 TO PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 31, 1996 FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. Demand Loan Certificates Subordinated Capital Investment Certificates Ten Year Five Year Subordinated Monthly Income Capital Investment Certificates Ten Year Five Year This Prospectus Supplement to the Prospectus dated December 31, 1996 (the "Prospectus") supplements certain information contained in, and describes certain modifications to, the Prospectus. The Prospectus is hereby amended by the terms of this Prospectus Supplement and the matters addressed herein supersede any contrary statements that may be contained in the Prospectus. Defined terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus. This Prospectus Supplement contains the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Farmland Industries, Inc. for the three months ended November 30, 1996. The information included in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period presented. This Prospectus Supplement also contains Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relating to the three months ended November 30, 1996. FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS
August 31 November 30 1996 1996 (Amounts in Thousands) Current Assets: Accounts receivable - trade................................ $ 624,002 $ 622,573 Inventories (Note 2)....................................... 736,620 729,653 Other current assets....................................... 101,748 85,799 Total Current Assets.................................. $ 1,462,370 $ 1,438,025 Investments and Long-Term Receivables (Note 4)............... $ 241,124 $ 249,073 Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment, at cost..................... $ 1,506,460 $ 1,526,552 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization............................................ 789,236 800,706 Net Property, Plant and Equipment.......................... $ 717,224 $ 725,846 Other Assets................................................. $ 147,728 $ 154,789 Total Assets................................................. $ 2,568,446 $ 2,567,733 FN> See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES
August 31 November 30 1996 1996 (Amounts in Thousands) Current Liabilities: Checks and drafts outstanding................................... $ 30,944 $ 132,075 Demand loan certificates........................................ 40,099 37,970 Short-term notes payable ....................................... 315,428 199,355 Current maturities of long-term debt ........................... 41,080 39,529 Accounts payable - trade........................................ 392,436 368,463 Customers' allowances on product purchases...................... 17,007 119,064 Other current liabilities....................................... 303,326 216,667 Total Current Liabilities................................... $ 1,140,320 $ 1,113,123 Long-Term Liabilities: Long-term borrowings (excluding current maturities)............. $ 616,258 $ 618,976 Other long-term liabilities..................................... 35,983 33,359 Total Long-Term Liabilities................................. $ 652,241 $ 652,335 Deferred Income Taxes............................................... $ 6,709 $ 10,575 Minority Owners' Equity in Subsidiaries............................. $ 13,845 12,614 Net Income (Note 1)................................................. $ 0 $ 23,892 Capital Shares and Equities: Common shares, $25 par value--Authorized 50,000,000 shares.............................................. 414,503 467,874 Earned surplus and other equities............................... 340,828 287,320 Total Capital Shares and Equities........................... $ 755,331 $ 755,194 Contingent Liabilities and Commitments (Note 3) Total Liabilities and Equities...................................... $ 2,568,446 $ 2,567,733 See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended November 30 November 30 1995 1996 (Amounts in Thousands) Sales.......................................................... $ 2,156,949 $ 2,389,279 Cost of sales.................................................. 2,009,590 2,272,215 Gross income................................................... $ 147,359 $ 117,064 Selling, general and administrative expenses................... $ 81,261 $ 94,312 Other income (deductions): Interest expense............................................ $ (14,289) $ (16,019) Other, net.................................................. 4,185 9,131 Total other income (deductions)................................ $ (10,104) $ (6,888) Income before income taxes, equity in net income of investees and minority owners' interest in net (income) loss of subsidiaries.......................... $ 55,994 $ 15,864 Income tax expense............................................ (12,162) (3,051) Income before equity in net income of investees and minority owners' interest in net (income) loss of subsidiaries............................................ $ 43,832 $ 12,813 Equity in net income of investees (Note 4).................................................... 9,832 10,002 Minority owners' interest in net (income) loss of subsidiaries............................................. (1,380) 1,077 Net income .................................................... $ 52,284 $ 23,892 See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended November 30 1995 November 30 1996 (Amounts in Thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income.................................................................. $ 52,284 $ 23,892 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization.......................................... 17,749 22,822 Equity in net income of investees...................................... (9,832) (10,002) Other................................................................... 3,908 4,843 Changes in operating assets and operating liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable.................................................. (73,314) (869) Inventories.......................................................... (34,934) 6,827 Other assets......................................................... (26,599) 22,128 Accounts payable..................................................... 71,319 (23,973) Advances on product purchases........................................ 69,613 102,057 Other liabilities.................................................... 3,726 (59,785) Net cash provided by operating activities................................... $ 73,920 $ 87,940 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from sale of investments and collection of notes receivable.......................................................... $ 1,335 $ 1,968 Acquisition of investments and notes receivable............................. (11,878) (34,251) Capital expenditures........................................................ (41,905) (30,163) Acquisition of other long-term assets....................................... (3,046) (6,947) Proceeds from sale of fixed assets.......................................... 799 4,182 Distributions from joint ventures........................................... 487 28,868 Other....................................................................... (2,145) (3,515) Net cash used in investing activities....................................... $ (56,353) $ (39,858) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net (decrease) in demand loan certificates.................................. $ (597) $ (2,129) Proceeds from bank loans and notes payable.................................. 107,316 88,127 Payments of bank loans and notes payable.................................... (123,171) (191,217) Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt certificates.................... 11,525 30,216 Payments for redemption of subordinated debt certificates................... (11,487) (16,493) Net increase in checks and drafts outstanding............................... 58,901 101,130 Payments for redemption of equities......................................... (23,380) (25,258) Payments of patronage refunds and dividends................................. (32,594) (32,459) Other, increase (decrease).................................................. (4,080) 1 Net cash used in financing activities....................................... $ (17,567) $ (48,082) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents................................... $ -0- $ -0- Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............................ -0- -0- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................................. $ -0- $ -0- See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FARMLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (1) INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) "Farmland" or the "Company" herein refers to Farmland Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, (ii) all references herein to "year" or "years" are to fiscal years ended August 31 and (iii) all references herein to "members" are to persons eligible to receive patronage refunds from Farmland including voting members, associate members and other patrons with which Farmland has a currently effective patronage refund agreement. Operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. The principal businesses of the Company are highly seasonal and subject to price volatility. Historically, the majority of farm supply products are sold in the spring. Sales in the beef business and in grain marketing historically have been concentrated in the summer. Summer is the lowest sales period for pork products. In view of the seasonality of the Company's businesses, it must be emphasized that the results for the three months ended November 30, 1996 should not be annualized to project a full year's results. The information included in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Farmland reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. In accordance with the bylaws of Farmland and its cooperative subsidiaries, the member-sourced portion of income before income taxes is determined annually and distributed as patronage refunds to members of Farmland. The member-sourced portion of such income is determined on the basis of the quantity or value of business done by Farmland during the year with or for members. As this determination is made only after the end of the fiscal year, and since the appropriation of earned surplus is dependent on the determination of the amount of patronage refunds, and in view of the fact that the portion of the annual patronage refund to be paid in cash and in Farmland equity (common stock, associate member common stock or capital credits) is determined (by the Farmland Board of Directors at its discretion) after the amount of the annual patronage refund has been determined, Farmland makes no provision for patronage refunds in its interim financial statements. Therefore, the amount of net income has been reflected as a separate item in the accompanying November 30, 1996 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. (2) INVENTORIES Major components of inventories at August 31, 1996 and November 30, 1996 are as follows:
August 31 November 30 1996 1996 (Amounts in Thousands) Finished and in-process products.............. $ 620,794 $ 592,283 Materials..................................... 58,526 74,459 Supplies...................................... 57,300 62,911 $ 736,620 $ 729,653
(3) CONTINGENCIES (A) TAX LITIGATION In July 1983, Farmland sold the stock of Terra Resources, Inc. ("Terra"), a wholly owned subsidiary engaged in oil and gas exploration and production operations, and exited its oil and gas exploration and production activities. The gain from the sale of Terra amounted to $237.2 million for tax reporting purposes. On March 24, 1993, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") issued a statutory notice to Farmland asserting deficiencies in federal income taxes (exclusive of statutory interest thereon) in the aggregate amount of $70.8 million. The asserted deficiencies relate primarily to the Company's tax treatment of the $237.2 million gain resulting from its sale of the stock of Terra and the IRS's contention that Farmland incorrectly treated the Terra sale gain as patronage income against which certain patronage-sourced operating losses could be offset. The statutory notice further asserts that, among other things, Farmland incorrectly characterized for tax purposes gains aggregating approximately $14.6 million, and a loss of approximately $2.3 million from dispositions of certain other assets. On June 11, 1993, Farmland filed a petition in the United States Tax Court contesting the asserted deficiencies in their entirety. The case was tried on June 13-15, 1995. The parties submitted post-trial briefs to the court in September 1995 and reply briefs were submitted to the court in November 1995. If the United States Tax Court decides in favor of the IRS on all unresolved issues raised in the statutory notice, Farmland would have additional federal and state income tax liabilities aggregating approximately $85.8 million plus accumulating statutory interest thereon (approximately $217.2 million, before tax benefits of the interest deduction, through November 30, 1996), or $303.0 million in the aggregate at November 30, 1996. In addition, such a decision would affect the computation of Farmland's taxable income for its 1989 tax year and, as a result, could increase Farmland's federal and state income taxes for that year by approximately $5.0 million plus accumulating statutory interest thereon (approximately $7.1 million), or $12.1 million in the aggregate at November 30, 1996. The asserted federal and state income tax liabilities and accumulated interest thereon would become immediately due and payable unless the Company appealed the decision and posted the requisite bond to stay assessment and collection. The liability resulting from an adverse decision by the United States Tax Court would be charged to current earnings and would have a material adverse effect on the Company. In the event of such an adverse determination of the Terra tax issue, certain financial covenants of the Company's Credit Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated May 15, 1996, become less restrictive. Had the United States Tax Court decided in favor of the IRS on all unresolved issues, and had the obligation related to such unresolved issues been due and payable on November 30, 1996, Farmland's borrowing capacity under the Agreement would have been adequate to finance the liability. However, Farmland's capacity to finance such an adverse decision with borrowings under the Agreement will depend substantially on the financial effects of future operating events and on its ability to satisfy the financial covenants in the Agreement. No provision has been made in the consolidated financial statements for federal or state income taxes (or interest thereon) in respect of the IRS claims described above. Farmland believes that it has meritorious positions with respect to all of these claims. In the opinion of Bryan Cave LLP, Farmland's special tax counsel, it is more likely than not that the courts will ultimately conclude that Farmland's treatment of the Terra sale gain was substantially, if not entirely, correct. Such counsel has further advised, however, that none of the issues involved in this dispute is free from doubt, and there can be no assurance that the courts will ultimately rule in favor of Farmland on any of these issues. (B) ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS The Company has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as a potentially responsible party ("PRP") under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), at various National Priority List ("NPL") sites. The Company currently is aware of probable obligations for environmental matters at 39 properties. At November 30, 1996, the Company has an environmental accrual in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet for probable and reasonably estimated costs for remediation of contaminated property of $16.6 million. The Company periodically reviews and, as appropriate, revises its environmental accruals. Based on current information and regulatory requirements, the Company believes that the accruals established for environmental expenditures are adequate. The Company's actual final costs of addressing certain environmental matters are not quantifiable, and therefore have not been accrued, because such matters are in preliminary stages and the timing, extent and costs of various actions which governmental authorities may require are currently unknown. Management is aware of other environmental matters for which there is a reasonable possibility that the Company will incur costs to resolve. It is possible that the costs of resolution of the matters described in this paragraph may exceed the liabilities which, in the opinion of management, are probable and which costs are reasonably estimable at November 30, 1996. In the opinion of management, it is reasonably possible for such costs to be approximately an additional $21.2 million. Under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act of 1976 (''RCRA''), the Company has four closure and four post-closure plans in place for six locations. Closure and post-closure plans also are in place for three landfills and two injection wells as required by state regulations. Such closure and post-closure costs are estimated to be $5.1 million at August 31, 1996 (and is in addition to the $16.6 million accrual and the $21.2 million discussed in the prior paragraphs). Operations are being conducted at these locations and the Company does not plan to terminate such operations in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Company has not accrued these environmental exit costs. The Company accrues these liabilities when plans for termination of plant operations have been made. (4) SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF INVESTEES ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE EQUITY METHOD Summarized financial information of investees accounted for by the equity method for the three months ended November 30, 1995 and November 30, 1996 is as follows:
November 30 November 30 1995 1996 (Amounts in Thousands) Net sales..................................... $ 138,236 $ 229,080 Net income.................................... $ 19,362 $ 20,576 Farmland's equity in net income............... $ 9,832 $ 10,002
The Company's investments accounted for by the equity method consist principally of 50% equity interests in three manufacturers of crop production products, Farmland Hydro, L.P., SF Phosphates Limited Company and Farmland MissChem, Limited (expected to commence production in 1998) and a 50% equity interest in a distributor of crop protection products, WILFARM, LLC. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The information contained herein and the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Accompanying Notes presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with information set forth in Part II, Items 7 and 8, in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1996. FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company has historically maintained two primary sources for debt capital: a substantially continuous public offering of its debt securities (the ''continuous debt program'') and bank lines of credit. The Company's debt securities issued under the continuous debt program generally are offered on a best-efforts basis through the Company's wholly owned broker-dealer subsidiary, Farmland Securities Company, and through American Heartland Investments, Inc. (which is not affiliated with Farmland), and also may be offered by selected unaffiliated broker-dealers. The types of securities offered in the continuous debt program include certificates payable on demand and five- and ten-year subordinated debt certificates. The total amount of such debt outstanding and the flow of funds to, or from, the Company as a result of the continuous debt program are influenced by the rate of interest which Farmland establishes for each type of debt certificate offered and by options of Farmland to call for redemption certain of its outstanding subordinated debt certificates. During the three months ended November 30, 1996, the outstanding balance of demand loan and subordinated debt certificates increased $11.7 million. In May 1996, Farmland entered into a five year Credit Agreement (the "Agreement") with various participating banks. The Agreement provides a $1.1 billion facility, subject to compliance with financial covenants as set forth in the Agreement, consisting of an annually renewable short-term credit of up to $650.0 million and a long-term credit of up to $450.0 million. Farmland pays commitment fees under the Agreement equal to 1/10 of 1% annually on the unused portion of the short-term credit and 1/4 of 1% annually on the unused portion of the long-term credit. In addition, Farmland must comply with the Agreement's financial covenants regarding working capital, the ratio of certain debts to average cash flow, and the ratio of equity to total capitalization, all as defined therein. The short-term credit provisions of the Agreement are subject to review and renewal annually by the lenders and the Company. The next renewal date is in May 1997. Management believes that the short-term commitment will be renewed. The Agreement matures in May 2001. At November 30, 1996, under the Agreement the Company had short-term borrowings of $151.6 million, long-term borrowings of $150.0 million and $61.1 million was being utilized to support letters of credit issued on behalf of Farmland by participating banks. As of November 30, 1996, under the short-term credit the Company had capacity to finance additional working capital of $480.1 million and under the long-term credit provisions the Company had capacity to borrow up to an additional $257.2 million. The Company maintains other borrowing arrangements with banks and financial institutions. Under such agreements at November 30, 1996, $14.9 million was borrowed. National Beef Packing Company, L.P. ("NBPC") maintains borrowing agreements with a group of banks which provide financing support for its beef packing operations. Such borrowings are nonrecourse to Farmland or Farmland's other affiliates (except to the extent of $10.0 million). At November 30, 1996, $90.0 million was available under this facility of which $62.9 million was borrowed and $0.6 million was utilized to support letters of credit. In addition, NBPC has incurred certain long-term borrowings from Farmland. NBPC has pledged certain assets to Farmland and such group of banks to support its borrowings. Tradigrain, which conducts international grain trading operations, has borrowing agreements with various international banks which provide financing and letters of credit to support current international grain trading transactions. Obligations of Tradigrain under these loan agreements are nonrecourse to Farmland or Farmland's other affiliates. At November 30, 1996, such borrowings totaled $47.7 million. Leveraged leasing has been used to finance railcars and a substantial portion of the Company's fertilizer production equipment. In the opinion of management, these arrangements for debt capital are adequate for the Company's present operating and capital plans. However, additional financing arrangements are continuously evaluated. Major uses of cash during the three months ended November 30, 1996 include: $64.4 million for capital expenditures and acquisition of investments; $32.5 million for patronage refunds and dividends distributed from income of the 1996 fiscal year; $25.3 million for the redemption of equities under the Farmland base capital plan and for other allocated equity redemptions; and net payments of bank loans and notes payable of $103.1 million. Major sources of cash include: $87.9 million from operations (including receipts of $102.1 million from advanced payments by customers on product purchases, principally plant nutrients which are expected to be shipped later in the current fiscal year); $28.9 million in distributions from joint ventures; and $101.1 million from an increase in the balance of checks and drafts outstanding. In 1993, the IRS issued a statutory notice to Farmland asserting significant deficiencies in federal income taxes and statutory interest thereon. Farmland filed a petition in the United States Tax Court contesting the asserted deficiencies in their entirety. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (which is incorporated herein by reference). RESULTS OF OPERATIONS GENERAL Operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. The principal businesses of the Company are highly seasonal and subject to price volatility. Historically, the majority of farm supply products are sold in the spring. Sales in the beef business and in grain marketing historically have been concentrated in the summer. Summer is the lowest sales period for pork products. In view of the seasonality of the Company's businesses, it must be emphasized that the results for the three months ended November 30, 1996 should not be annualized to project a full year's results. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1995 SALES Sales for the three months ended November 30, 1996 increased $232.3 million, or 10.8%, compared with the prior period primarily reflecting $143.4 million higher sales of agricultural output products and $94.9 million higher sales of farm production input products. The increased sales of output businesses includes $131.1 million higher sales of the food processing and marketing segment and $12.3 million higher sales of grain. Approximately half of the sales increase in the food processing and marketing business was attributable to acquisitions of additional pork slaughter and processing facilities subsequent to the first quarter of 1996. The remainder of this sales increase primarily results from increases in pork and beef unit prices. The increased sales of grain reflects primarily higher grain prices largely offset by a 9.5% decrease in unit sales. On the input side of the Company's business, sales of the petroleum and feed segments in the three months ended November 30, 1996 increased $124.1 million and $24.0 million, respectively, compared with the prior year, and sales of the crop production segment decreased $53.2 million. The petroleum sales increase was the result of increases in unit sales and prices and feed sales increased primarily due to higher prices. Crop production sales decreased primarily due to lower unit sales resulting from a relatively wet and cold fall season in the geographic area served by the Company. NET INCOME Net income for the three months ended November 30, 1996 decreased $28.4 million compared with the prior period. This decrease was principally attributable to lower operating income in crop production and food processing and marketing of $25.2 million and $21.1 million, respectively. The impact of these decreases on net income was partially offset by a $7.9 million increase in petroleum's operating income and by a $9.1 million decrease in the provision for income taxes. Operating income in the crop production business decreased reflecting primarily the adverse impact of higher natural gas prices on nitrogen unit margins. The lower nitrogen unit margins, combined with lower unit sales of nitrogen- and phosphate-based plant nutrients, resulted in lower operating income. Operating income of the food processing and marketing business for the three months ended November 30, 1996 decreased $21.1 million compared to the prior period. This decline resulted primarily from decreased margins and increased selling and administrative costs related to operating the additional pork slaughter and processing facilities. Operating income for the petroleum business was $6.1 million for the three months ended November 30, 1996 compared with an operating loss of $1.8 million for the three months ended November 30, 1995. This improvement was due, in part, to the adverse effect on last year's operating income of an extended turnaround and, in part, to a short-term improvement in the spread between the cost of crude oil and the selling price of refined products combined with higher unit sales of refined products. Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased $13.1 million, or 16.1%, over the prior period. SG&A expenses directly connected to business segments increased approximately $13.6 million (primarily food processing and marketing relating to the acquisition of the additional pork slaughtering and processing facilities) and these expenses have been included in the determination of net income of the business segments. General corporate expenses not identified to business segments decreased $0.5 million, or 2.6%. The decrease in income before taxes is the primary reason for the $9.1 million decrease in the provision for income taxes. The level of operating income in the crop production, petroleum and food processing and marketing businesses are, to a significant degree, attributable to the spread between selling prices and raw material costs (natural gas in the case of nitrogen-based plant nutrients, crude oil in the case of petroleum and live hogs and cattle in the food processing and marketing business). These price and cost factors are beyond the control of the Company's management and are volatile. Accordingly, management cannot determine the direction or magnitude to which these factors will affect the Company's business. The Company's cash flow and income may be volatile as conditions affecting agriculture generally and the costs and markets for the Company's products change. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In the first quarter of 1997, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and For Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" ("Statement 121"), which was issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in March 1995. Statement 121 establishes accounting standards for the impairment of long-lived assets, certain identifiable intangibles, and goodwill related to those assets to be held and used and for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be disposed of. The effect of the Company's implementation of Statement 121 at September 1, 1996 was insignificant. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 The Company is including the following cautionary statement in this Form 10-K to make applicable and take advantage of the new "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The factors identified in this cautionary statement include important factors (but not necessarily all important factors) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Where any such forward-looking statement includes a statement of the assumptions or basis underlying such forward-looking statement, the Company cautions that, while it believes such assumptions or basis to be reasonable and makes them in good faith, assumed facts or basis almost always vary from actual results, and the differences between assumed facts or basis and actual results can be material, depending upon the circumstances. Where, in any forward- looking statement, the Company, or its management, expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement of expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The words "believe", "expect" and "anticipate" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Taking into account the foregoing, the following are identified as important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company: 1.Weather patterns (flood, drought, frost, etc.) or crop failure. 2.Federal or state regulations regarding agricultural programs and production efficiencies. 3.Federal or state regulations regarding the amounts of fertilizer and other chemical applications used by farmers. 4.Factors affecting the export of U.S. agricultural produce (including foreign trade and monetary policies, laws and regulations, political and governmental changes, inflation and exchange rates, taxes, operating conditions and world demand). 5.Factors affecting supply, demand and price of crude oil, refined fuels, natural gas and other commodities. 6.Regulatory delays and other unforeseeable obstacles beyond the Company's control that may affect growth strategies through acquisitions and investments in joint ventures. 7.Competitors in various segments which may be larger than the Company, offer more varied products or possess greater resources. 8.Unusual or unexpected events such as, among other things, litigation settlements, adverse rulings or judgments, and environmental remediation costs in excess of reserves. 9.The factors identified in "Business and Properties - Business - Business Risk Factors" included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1996. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----