-----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, QKNP1eK2spgKq/AgxDzr44cKSQX+Jnm5F3dhF4MZwWrNygQSx58feyRiHPnFwJ5r AImMTzD1e8Q5sB73j0S/sQ== 0001104659-02-003033.txt : 20020712 0001104659-02-003033.hdr.sgml : 20020712 20020712123608 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-02-003033 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20020531 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020712 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR CO /MN/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000004828 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SUGAR & CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS [2060] IRS NUMBER: 840004720 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MN FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 033-83868 FILM NUMBER: 02701699 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 101 N 3RD ST CITY: MOORHEAD STATE: MN ZIP: 56560 BUSINESS PHONE: 6122028110 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 101 NORTH THIRD STREET CITY: MOORHEAD STATE: MN ZIP: 56560 10-Q 1 j4315_10q.htm 10-Q AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


 

ý

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the period ended May 31, 2002

 

Commission file number:  33-83868

 

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

 

84-0004720

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

101 North Third Street
Moorhead, Minnesota  56560

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Telephone Number (218) 236-4400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES

ý

NO

o

 

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class of Common Stock

 

Outstanding at
July 8, 2002

$10 Par Value

 

3,035

 

 



 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

 

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

 

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

 

SIGNATURES

 



 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

May 31

 

August 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2001*

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

21

 

$

26

 

$

5,902

 

Accounts Receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

60,315

 

67,681

 

67,332

 

Members

 

3,716

 

3,230

 

3,300

 

Other

 

839

 

889

 

1,553

 

Advances to Related Parties

 

15,786

 

5,944

 

14,924

 

Inventories

 

268,692

 

274,488

 

104,269

 

Prepaid Expenses

 

3,637

 

2,099

 

2,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

 

353,006

 

354,357

 

200,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and Equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

32,940

 

31,179

 

32,511

 

Buildings and Equipment

 

842,216

 

831,624

 

839,431

 

Construction-in-Progress

 

4,593

 

7,088

 

1,453

 

Less: Accumulated Depreciation

 

(546,926

)

(511,285

)

(510,015

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment

 

332,823

 

358,606

 

363,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in CoBank, ACB

 

15,772

 

15,676

 

15,676

 

Investments in Marketing Cooperatives

 

2,294

 

3,352

 

1,638

 

Investments in ProGold Limited Liability Company

 

40,350

 

38,559

 

38,533

 

Investments in Crystech, LLC

 

1,416

 

1,489

 

1,545

 

Notes Receivable - Crystech, LLC

 

13,905

 

13,905

 

13,905

 

Long-Term Prepaid Pension Expense

 

8,156

 

3,423

 

3,231

 

Other Assets

 

3,949

 

2,029

 

3,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Other Assets

 

85,842

 

78,433

 

78,027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

771,671

 

$

791,396

 

$

641,445

 

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Financial Statements.

* Derived from Audited Financial Statements.

 

1



 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

May 31

 

August 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2001*

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Debt

 

$

136,787

 

$

134,264

 

$

13,963

 

Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt

 

19,045

 

18,930

 

19,070

 

Accounts Payable

 

5,970

 

7,076

 

19,775

 

Advances Due to Related Parties

 

5,762

 

5,786

 

3,568

 

Accrued Continuing Costs (see note 3)

 

79,529

 

93,220

 

 

Other Current Liabilities

 

17,208

 

16,064

 

15,555

 

Amounts Due Members

 

49,947

 

52,806

 

82,766

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

314,248

 

328,146

 

154,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Maturities

 

182,372

 

200,306

 

201,416

 

Other Liabilities

 

30,058

 

27,208

 

29,672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

526,678

 

555,660

 

385,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members’ Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

38,275

 

38,275

 

38,275

 

Common Stock

 

30

 

31

 

31

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

143,055

 

137,236

 

137,241

 

Unit Retains

 

100,145

 

97,241

 

116,480

 

Equity Retention

 

1,557

 

 

1,560

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

 

(436

)

(655

)

(436

)

Retained Earnings/(Deficit)

 

(37,633

)

(36,392

)

(37,491

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Members’ Investments

 

244,993

 

235,736

 

255,660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Members’ Investments

 

$

771,671

 

$

791,396

 

$

641,445

 

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Financial Statements.

* Derived from Audited Financial Statements.

 

2



 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended
May 31

 

For the Three Months Ended
May 31

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenue

 

$

554,841

 

$

638,444

 

$

208,377

 

$

222,202

 

Cost of Product Sold

 

11,222

 

64,979

 

74,272

 

51,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Proceeds

 

543,619

 

573,465

 

134,105

 

170,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

 

112,168

 

128,549

 

35,863

 

45,956

 

Accrued Continuing Costs (see note 3)

 

79,529

 

93,220

 

2,988

 

28,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Proceeds

 

351,922

 

351,696

 

95,254

 

96,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income/(Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

1,418

 

2,503

 

399

 

615

 

Interest Expense

 

(11,214

)

(16,159

)

(3,129

)

(5,227

)

Other, Net

 

2,437

 

1,406

 

1,549

 

739

 

Other (Expense)

 

(7,359

)

(12,250

)

(1,181

)

(3,873

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds before Income Taxes

 

344,563

 

339,446

 

94,073

 

92,413

 

Income Tax Expense

 

(13

)

(67

)

(8

)

(28

)

Net Proceeds Resulting from Member and Non-Member Business

 

$

344,550

 

$

339,379

 

$

94,065

 

$

92,385

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution of Net Proceeds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credited/(Charged) to Members’ Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Member Business Income/(Loss)

 

$

(142

)

$

(785

)

$

669

 

$

(87

)

Unit Retains Declared to Members

 

 

 

 

 

Equity Retention Declared to Members

 

 

 

 

 

Net Credit(Charge) to Members’ Investments

 

(142

)

(785

)

669

 

(87

)

Payments to/due Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared

 

322,172

 

312,833

 

81,546

 

92,624

 

Payment to/due Members for PIK Certificates, Net of Equity Retention Declared

 

22,520

 

27,331

 

11,850

 

(152

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

344,550

 

$

339,379

 

$

94,065

 

$

92,385

 

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Financial Statements.

 

3



 

American Crystal Sugar Company

Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended
May 31

 

 

 

2002

 

2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Provided By (Used In) Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Proceeds Resulting from Member and Non-Member Business

 

$

344,550

 

$

339,379

 

Payments To/Due Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared

 

(322,172

)

(312,833

)

Payments To/Due Members for PIK Certificates, Net of Equity Rentention Declared

 

(22,520

)

(27,331

)

Add (Deduct) Non-Cash Items:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

38,661

 

37,960

 

(Income) from Equity Method Investees

 

(2,397

)

(1,735

)

Loss on the Disposition of Property and Equipment

 

208

 

747

 

Non-Cash Portion of Patronage Dividend from CoBank, ACB

 

(437

)

(541

)

Deferred Gain Recognition

 

(148

)

(148

)

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

7,315

 

(18,018

)

Inventories

 

(164,423

)

(231,598

)

Prepaid Expenses

 

(879

)

542

 

Long-Term Prepaid Pension Expense

 

(4,925

)

(1,700

)

Advances To/Due to Related Parties

 

1,332

 

216

 

Accounts Payable

 

(13,805

)

(19,215

)

Accrued Continuing Costs

 

79,529

 

93,220

 

Other Liabilities

 

2,038

 

(1,573

)

Amounts Due Members

 

(32,819

)

(860

)

Net Cash (Used In) Operations

 

(90,892

)

(143,488

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of Property and Equipment

 

(8,228

)

(15,591

)

Proceeds from the Sale of Property and Equipment

 

177

 

6

 

Investments in CoBank, ACB

 

341

 

 

Changes in Other Assets

 

(509

)

(18

)

Net Cash (Used In) Investing Activities

 

(8,219

)

(15,603

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds (Payments) on Short-Term Debt, Net

 

122,824

 

132,396

 

Proceeds from Long-Term Debt

 

1

 

8,415

 

Long-Term Debt Repayment

 

(19,070

)

(39,009

)

Issuance of Stock

 

5,813

 

6,166

 

Payment of Unit Retains & Equity Retention

 

(16,338

)

(18,975

)

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

 

93,230

 

88,993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(5,881

)

(70,098

)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year

 

5,902

 

70,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

 

$

21

 

$

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

On September 30, 2000, the Company forfeited sugar in satisfaction of the Commodity Credit Corporation loans of $105.3 million including accrued interest of $3.8 million.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Financial Statements.

 

4



 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2002 AND 2001

 

Note 1:  Basis of Presentation

 

The unaudited financial statements contained herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles.  However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

 

The operating results for the nine month period ended May 31, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended August 31, 2002.

 

The amount paid to growers for sugarbeets (beet payment) and PIK certificates depends on the future selling prices of sugar and agri-products as well as processing and other costs to be incurred during the remainder of the fiscal year. For the purposes of this report, the amount of the beet payment, the PIK payment, future revenues and costs have been estimated. Therefore, adjustments with respect to these estimates may be necessary in the future, as additional information becomes available.

 

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s annual report for the year ended August 31, 2001.

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the May 31, 2001 financial statements to conform with the May 31, 2002 presentation.

 

Note 2:  Inventories

 

The major components of inventories are as follows (In Thousands):

 

 

 

05/31/02

 

05/31/01

 

8/31/01

 

Refined Sugar, Pulp, Molasses, Other Agri-Products and Sugar Beet Seed

 

$

250,673

 

$

256,855

 

$

86,367

 

Maintenance Parts & Supplies

 

18,019

 

17,633

 

17,902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Inventories

 

$

268,692

 

$

274,488

 

$

104,269

 

 

Sugar, pulp, molasses and other agri-products inventories are valued at estimated net realizable value.  Unprocessed sugarbeets are valued at the estimated gross beet payment. Maintenance parts & supplies and beet seed inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market.

 

Note 3: Accrued Continuing Costs

 

For interim reporting, the Net Proceeds from Member Business is based on (i) the forecasted gross beet payment and the percentage of the tons of sugarbeets processed to the total estimated tons of sugarbeets to process for a given crop year and (ii) on the forecasted gross PIK payment and the percentage of the hundredweight of sugar received to the total hundredweight of sugar to be received. Accrued continuing costs represent the difference between the Net Proceeds from Member Business as determined above and actual member business crop year revenues realized and expenses incurred through the end of the reporting period.  Accrued continuing costs are reflected in the Financial Statements as a cost on the Statements of Operations and as a current liability on the Balance Sheets.

 

5



 

Note 4:  Members’ Investments

 

 

 

Par Value

 

Shares
Authorized

 

Shares Issued
& Outstanding

 

Preferred Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 8, 2002

 

$

76.77

 

600,000

 

498,570

 

May 31, 2002

 

$

76.77

 

600,000

 

498,570

 

August 31, 2001

 

$

76.77

 

600,000

 

498,570

 

May 31, 2001

 

$

76.77

 

600,000

 

498,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 8, 2002

 

$

10.00

 

4,000

 

3,035

 

May 31, 2002

 

$

10.00

 

4,000

 

3,025

 

August 31, 2001

 

$

10.00

 

4,000

 

3,134

 

May 31, 2001

 

$

10.00

 

4,000

 

3,135

 

 

Note 5:  Interest Paid

 

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized, was $10.7 million and $16.1 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Note 6: Short-Term Debt

 

As of May 31, 2002, the Company had outstanding commercial paper of $136.8 million at an average interest rate of 2.86% and maturity dates between June 18, 2002 and August 23, 2002.

 

As of May 31, 2001, the Company had outstanding commercial paper of $134.3 million at an average interest rate of 4.61% and maturity dates between June 1, 2001 and October 25, 2001.

 

In March 2002, the Company renewed its annual $180 million seasonal line of credit agreement with CoBank, ACB with terms and conditions similar to those contained in the previous agreement.

 

Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition for the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2002 and 2001

 

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Such forward-looking statements include, among others, those statements including the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “may” and similar expressions.  The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those indicated.  Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, market factors, weather and general economic conditions, farm and trade policy, available quantity and quality of sugarbeets.  For a more complete discussion of “Important Factors”, please refer to the Company’s 2001 Form 10-K.

 

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2002 and 2001

 

Revenue for the nine months ended May 31, 2002, was $554.8 million, a decrease of $83.6 million as compared to the same period last year. Revenue from total sugar sales decreased 15.1 percent which reflects the proceeds from the forfeiture of sugar to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) last year and an 8.7 percent decrease in hundredweight sold partially offset by a 5.4 percent increase in the average selling price per hundredweight.  Revenue from pulp sales increased 17.8 percent due to a 24.4 percent increase in the volume of pulp sold partially offset by a 5.3 percent decrease in the average selling price per ton.  Revenue from molasses sales decreased 26.1 percent due to a 48.2 percent decrease in the volume of molasses sold partially offset by a 42.5 percent increase in the average selling price per ton.  Revenue from the sales of Concentrated Separated By-Product (CSB), a by-product of the molasses desugarization process, increased 10.9 percent due to a 21.7 percent increase in the average selling price per ton partially offset by an 8.9 percent decrease in sales volume.

 

6



 

Cost of product sold, for the nine months ended May 31, 2002, exclusive of payments for sugarbeets and PIK certificates, decreased $53.8 million as compared to the same period last year. Direct processing costs for sugar and pulp decreased 19.9 percent due to harvesting 16.3 percent fewer sugarbeets and processing 16.4 percent less sugarbeets. Fixed and committed expenses decreased .2 percent reflecting lower maintenance costs. The change in product inventories impacted the cost of product sold favorably by $33.6 million. This was primarily due to the value of the carryover sugar inventory as of August 31, 2000, which was sold in first quarter of fiscal 2001. This inventory value was approximately $43.0 million higher than the value of the carryover sugar inventory as of August 31, 2001, which was sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The higher inventory level as of August 31, 2000 consisted largely of sugar pledged to the CCC, which was forfeited during the first quarter of fiscal 2001. This was partially offset by decreased inventory values for pulp as of May 31, 2002.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended May 31, 2002 decreased $16.4 million from 2001. Selling expenses decreased $16.2 million primarily due to lower sugar storage costs. General and Administrative expenses decreased $ ...2 million due to lower personnel costs and other general cost reductions.

 

As of May 31, 2002, 100 percent of the 2001 crop had been processed resulting in the recognition of net proceeds from member business of $322.2 million. This represented 100 percent of the $322.2 million projected gross beet payment for the 2001 crop. In addition, $22.5 million, representing 100 percent of the projected gross PIK payment had also been recognized as net proceeds from member business. The actual net proceeds from member business, for the nine months ended May 31, 2002, were $424.2 million. The difference between the actual net proceeds from member business and the amounts recognized as of May 31, 2002, resulted in the recognition of $79.5 million of accrued continuing costs. In comparison, as of May 31, 2001, 100 percent of the 2000 crop had been processed resulting in the recognition of net proceeds from member business of $312.8 million. This represented 100 percent of the projected gross beet payment for the 2000 crop. In addition, $27.5 million, representing 100 percent of the projected gross PIK payment, had also been recognized as net proceeds from member business. The actual net proceeds from member business, for the nine months ended May 31, 2001, were $433.5 million. The difference between the actual net proceeds from member business and the amounts recognized as of May 31, 2001, resulted in the recognition of $93.2 million of accrued continuing costs.

 

Interest income decreased $ 1.1 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2002 as compared to the same period last year primarily due to a lower average balance of investments and slightly lower interest rates.

 

Interest expense decreased $ 4.9 million from last year primarily due to lower long-term and short-term interest rates and lower average borrowing levels.

 

Non-member activities resulted in a loss of $ .1 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2002 as compared to a loss of $ .8 million for the same period last year.  The losses in both fiscal years were comprised mainly of activities related to the investment in ProGold Limited Liability Company partially offset in the current year by income from activities related to Midwest Agri-Commodities.

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended May 31, 2002 and 2001

 

Revenue for the three months ended May 31, 2002, was $208.4 million, a decrease of $13.8 million as compared to the same period last year. Revenue from total sugar sales decreased 7.2 percent reflecting a 15.8 percent decrease in the hundredweight sold partially offset by a 10.2 percent increase in the average selling price per hundredweight. Revenue from pulp sales decreased 3.0 percent due to a 3.2 percent decrease in the average selling price per ton partially offset by a ...2 percent increase in the volume of pulp sold. Revenue from molasses sales decreased 44.6 percent due to a 58.7 percent decrease in the volume of molasses sold partially offset by a 33.9 percent increase in the average selling price per ton.  Revenue from the sales of Concentrated Separated By-Product (CSB), a by-product of the molasses desugarization process, increased 3.4 percent due to a 22.4 percent increase in the average selling price per ton partially offset by a 15.5 percent decrease in sales volume.

 

7



 

Cost of product sold, for the three months ended May 31, 2002, exclusive of payments for sugarbeets, increased $22.8 million as compared to the same period last year. Direct processing costs for sugar and pulp decreased 34.1 percent due to lower pulp hauling costs, lower major operating supplies expense and natural gas expense.  Fixed and committed expenses increased 4.3 percent reflecting higher maintenance costs. The change in product inventories impacted the cost of product sold unfavorably by $ 32.6 million due to lower inventory values for sugar and pulp.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended May 31, 2002 decreased $10.1 million from 2001. Selling expenses decreased $10.9 million primarily due to lower sugar storage costs. General and Administrative expenses increased $ ...8 million due to general cost increases.

 

During the three months ended May 31, 2002, 25.3 percent of the 2001 crop was processed resulting in the recognition of net proceeds from member business of $81.5 million. This represented 25.3 percent of the $322.2 million projected gross beet payment for the 2001 crop. In addition, $11.9 million, representing 52.4 percent of the $22.5 million projected gross PIK payment, had also been recognized as net proceeds from member business. The actual net proceeds from member business, for the three months ended May 31, 2002, were $96.3 million. The difference between the actual net proceeds from member business and the amounts recognized for the three months ended May 31, 2002, resulted in the recognition of $3.0 million of accrued continuing costs. In comparison, during the three months ended May 31, 2001, 29.6 percent of the 2000 crop was processed resulting in the recognition of net proceeds from member business of $92.6 million. This represented 29.6 percent of the $312.8 million projected gross beet payment for the 2000 crop. In addition, an adjustment of ($.1) million for the projected gross PIK payment, was also recognized in net proceeds from member business. The actual net proceeds from member business, for the three months ended February 28, 2001, were $121 million. The difference between the actual net proceeds from member business and the amounts recognized for the three months ended May 31, 2001, resulted in the recognition of $28.5 million of accrued continuing costs.

 

Interest income decreased $ .2 million for the three months ended May 31, 2002 as compared to the same period last year primarily due to a lower average balance of investments and slightly lower interest rates.

 

Interest expense decreased $ 2.1 million from last year primarily due to lower long-term and short-term interest rates and lower average borrowing levels.

 

Non-member activities resulted in income of $ .7 million for the three months ended May 31, 2002 compared to a loss of $ .1 million for the same period last year. This non-member income in fiscal 2002 is the result of activities related to Midwest Agri-Commodities, partially offset by activities related to the investment in ProGold Limited Liability Company.

 

Payment-In-Kind Program

 

In September 2001, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a Payment-In-Kind (PIK) program for the 2001 crop year. Under this program, the Company’s shareholders were paid to destroy a portion of their 2001 sugarbeet crop.  Payments to the Company’s shareholders were made by the USDA in the form of certificates to be exchanged for sugar held by the USDA.  The Company entered into contracts with its shareholders to purchase the sugar certificates they received from the USDA and reduced the shareholders’ delivery obligation to the Company to the extent sugarbeets were destroyed. As a result of the PIK program, the number of acres of the 2001 sugarbeet crop harvested by the shareholders was reduced by approximately 29,000 acres. On December 3, 2001, the CCC finalized the amount of sugar to be exchanged for the PIK certificates. As a result, the Company received approximately 588,673 hundredweight of sugar in exchange for the PIK certificates on December 3, 2001 and received an additional 588,802 hundredweight of sugar on March 1, 2002.

 

8



 

Farm Security and Investment Act of 2002

 

The Farm Security and Investment Act of 2002 was enacted into law on May 13, 2002. This act contains several provisions related to the domestic sugar industry with the overriding goal of these sugar provisions to achieve balance and stability in the U.S. sugar market while minimizing the cost to the Federal government. The act covers the 2002 through the 2007 sugarbeet crop years. The act restricts imports of foreign sugar and maintains the non-recourse loan program for domestic sugar that was in place under the prior farm bill. The act also includes a system of marketing allotments and allocations for beet sugar and cane sugar producers that are meant to balance the supply and demand of sugar in the U.S. domestic sugar market. These allotments may reduce the amount of sugar that a particular processor can sell into the domestic sugar market, which could result in a reduction in the number of acres of sugarbeets required for processing. The act also gives the USDA the authority to implement a pre-plant PIK program to help offset an oversupply situation should it occur. It also eliminates the marketing assessment fee as well as the CCC loan forfeiture penalty. The bill mandates that the sugar program be run at no cost to the government. The final rules and regulations required to implement the details of this act are still being drafted, with the final impact on the Company not certain until these rules and regulations are finalized.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Under the Company’s Bylaws and Grower Contracts, payments for member delivered sugarbeets, the principal raw material used in producing the sugar and agri-products it sells, are subordinated to all member business expenses.  In addition, the beet payments made to members are paid in three payments over the course of a year, and the payments are made net of any anticipated unit retain for the crop. These procedures have the effect of providing the Company with an additional source of short-term financing.  This member financing arrangement may result in an additional source of liquidity and reduced need for outside financing in comparison to a similar business operated on a non-cooperative basis.

 

Because sugar is sold throughout the year (while sugarbeets are processed primarily in the fall and winter) and because substantial amounts of equipment are required for its operations, the Company has utilized substantial outside financing on both a seasonal and long-term basis to fund such operations. The majority of such financing has been provided by a consortium of lenders lead by CoBank, ACB. The Company has a long-term debt commitment with CoBank, ACB of $132.4 million, of which $101.3 million is currently outstanding.  In addition, the Company has long-term debt outstanding of $50 million from a private placement of Senior Notes that occurred in September of 1998; $43.6 million from nine separate issuances of Pollution Control and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds; a term loan with Bank of North Dakota of $5.6 million; and a $1 million term loan from US Bank.  The Company also has a seasonal line of credit with a consortium of lenders led by CoBank, ACB of $180 million and a line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank for $3 million. The Company’s commercial paper program provides short-term borrowings of up to $150 million of which approximately $136.8 million is currently outstanding.  Any borrowings under the commercial paper program will act to reduce the available credit under the CoBank, ACB seasonal line of credit by a commensurate amount.

 

The change in the Company’s financial condition from August 31, 2001 to May 31, 2002 is primarily due to normal business seasonality.  The first nine months of the Company’s fiscal year includes the completion of the sugarbeet harvest, the processing campaign, and the initial payments to members for delivered sugarbeets.  The cash used in operations of $81.7 million and investing activities of $17.4 million was funded primarily through the cash provided by financing activities. The net cash provided by financing activities was primarily comprised of the net proceeds from short-term debt of $122.8 million, and proceeds from the installment sale of stock of $5.8 million partially offset by the payment of unit retains of $16.3 million and long-term debt repayment of $19.1 million.

 

Working capital has decreased $9.8 million from $48.6 million at the beginning of the year to $38.8 million as of May 31, 2002 primarily due to additional short-term debt, increases in payables and an increase in receivables partially offset by a decrease in amounts due growers and increased inventories.  Working capital as of May 31, 2002 was $38.8 million, an increase of $9.2 million when compared to $29.6 million of working capital as of May 31, 2001.

 

9



 

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended May 31, 2002 were $8.2 million as compared to $15.6 million for the same period in 2001. The Company had outstanding commitments totaling $6.1 million as of May 31, 2002, for equipment and construction contracts related to various capital projects.

 

The Company anticipates that the funds necessary for working capital requirements and future capital expenditures will be derived from operations, short-term borrowings, depreciation, unit retains and long-term borrowings.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time and in the ordinary course of its business, the Company is named as a defendant in legal proceedings related to various issues, including worker’s compensation claims, tort claims and contractual disputes. The Company is currently involved in certain legal proceedings, which have arisen in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The Company is also aware of certain other potential claims, which could result in the commencement of legal proceedings. The Company carries insurance, which provides protection against certain types of claims. With respect to current litigation and potential claims of which the Company is aware, the Company’s management believes that (i) the Company has insurance protection to cover all or a portion of any judgments which may be rendered against the Company with respect to certain claims or actions and (ii) any judgments which may be entered against the Company and which may exceed such insurance coverage or which may arise in actions involving potential liabilities not covered by insurance policies are not likely to have a material adverse effect upon the Company, or its assets or operations.

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None

 

10



 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)          Exhibits

 

Item
No.

 

 

 

Method of Filing

3.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation of American Crystal Sugar Company

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

Restated By-laws of American Crystal Sugar Company

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation of American Crystal Sugar Company

 

See Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

Restated By-laws of American Crystal Sugar Company

 

See Exhibit 3.2

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Trademark License Agreement between Registrant and United Sugars Corporation, dated November 1, 1993

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between Registrant and US Bank, formerly First Bank National Association, dated November 22, 1993

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(q) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

Pension Contract and Amendments

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(r) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

Form of Operating Agreement between Registrant and ProGold Limited Liability Company

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

 

Form of Member Control Agreement between Registrant and ProGold Limited Liability Company

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

 

Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant and ProGold Limited Liability  Company

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(w) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

+10.7

 

Coal Supply Agreement between Registrant and Spring Creek Coal Company, dated August 25, 1995

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(y) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11693), declared effective November 13, 1996.

 

 

 

 

 

+10.8

 

Coal Transportation Agreement between Registrant and Northern Coal Transportation Company, dated August 25, 1995

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(z) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11693), declared effective November 13, 1996.

 

 

 

 

 

+10.9

 

Trademark License Agreement between Registrant and The Pillsbury Company, dated as of April 9, 1997

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(dd) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-32251), declared effective October 24, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

10.10

 

Pledge Agreement between Registrant and First Union Trust Company, NA

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ee) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

10.11

 

Indemnity Agreement between Registrant, Newcourt Capital USA Inc., Crystech, LLC and Crystech Senior Lender Trust

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ff) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

10.12

 

Tolling Services Agreement between Crystech, LLC and Registrant

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(gg) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

10.13

 

Operations and Maintenance Agreement between Crystech, LLC and Registrant

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(hh) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

++10.14

 

Limited Liability Company Agreement of Crystech, LLC

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

10.15

 

Master Agreement between the Registrant and Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers AFL-CIO, CLC

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999

 

 

 

 

 

10.16

 

Registrant’s Senior Note Purchase Agreement

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

 

Registrant’s  Senior Note Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999

 

 

 

 

 

10.18

 

Registrant’s Senior Note Restated Mortgage and Security Agreement

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999

 

 

 

 

 

10.19

 

Employment Agreement between the Registrant and James J. Horvath

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K form the year ended August 31, 1999

 

 

 

 

 

10.20

 

Stipulation Agreement between Registrant and State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, dated April 4, 2000

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2000

 

 

 

 

 

10.21

 

Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, dated June 30, 1994

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 2000

 

 

 

 

 

10.22

 

Long Term Incentive Plan, dated June 23, 1999

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 2000

 

 

 

 

 

10.23

 

Growers’ Contract (5-year Agreement) for the crop years 1998 through 2002.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

10.24

 

Addendum to Master Agreement between the Registrant and Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers AFL-CIO, CLC dated July 10, 2001.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

10.25

 

Uniform Member Sugar Marketing Agreement between the Registrant and United Sugars Corporation dated September 1, 2001.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

10.26

 

Uniform Member Marketing Agreement between the Registrant and Midwest Agri-Commodities Company dated September 1, 2001.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

10.27

 

Term and Seasonal Loan Agreements between the Registrant and CoBank, ACB dated March 27, 2002

 

Filed herewith electronically

 

 

 

 

 

10.28

 

Growers’ Contract (Annual Contract) for crop year 2002.

 

Filed herewith electronically

 

 

 

 

 

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 1999

 


+              Portions of the Exhibit have been granted confidential treatment by the Commission. The omitted portions have been filed separately with the Commission.

++           Portions of the Exhibit have been deleted from the publicly filed document and have been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

 

11



 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

The Company filed the following Current Report on Form 8-K during this quarter.

 

(i)            Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 19, 2002, under item 9 stating that the Company had announced to its shareholders on March 19, 2002, that the forecasted gross beet payment for the 2001 crop has increased $4.00 from $36.00 to $40.00 per average ton of sugarbeets.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirement 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.

 

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

Date:

 July 11, 2002

 

/s/ Brian Ingulsrud

 

 

 

Brian Ingulsrud

 

 

 

Corporate Controller,

 

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

 

Duly Authorized Officer

 

12


EX-10.27 3 j4315_ex10d27.htm EX-10.27 MLA No

Exhibit 10.27

 

MLA No. Z269

 

MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

 

THIS MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT is entered into as of March 31, 2000, between CoBANK, ACB  (“CoBank”, successor by merger to the St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives) and AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY, Moorhead, Minnesota  (the “Company”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

On March 5, 1999, the St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives (“SPB”) entered into a Seasonal Loan Agreement (the “Seasonal Loan Agreement”) and a Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) (collectively, the “Existing Loan Agreements”) with the Company.  Under the Seasonal Loan Agreement, SPB made various seasonal loans to the Company, each of which was evidenced by a promissory note.  Under the Term Loan Agreement, SPB made various term loans, each of which was also evidenced by a promissory note.  Subsequently, SPB merged with and into CoBank.  CoBank and the Company now desire to amend and restate the Existing Loan Agreements and consolidate the Existing Loan Agreements into this Master Loan Agreement.  CoBank and the Company also desire to amend and restate the promissory notes evidencing the seasonal loans and term loans made pursuant to the Existing Loan Agreements by entering into various Supplements in place of the promissory notes.  Each Supplement will set forth the amount of the loan, the purpose of the loan, the interest rate or rate options applicable to that loan, the repayment terms of the loan, and any other terms and conditions applicable to that particular loan.  Each loan will be governed by the terms and conditions contained in this Master Loan Agreement and in the Supplement relating to the loan.  Collateral securing loans made pursuant to the Existing Loan Agreements shall continue to secure those same loans, all as now evidenced by various Supplements, to the same extent as provided for in the Existing Loan Agreements and any security agreements (including, without limitation, mortgages and deeds of trust) entered into in connection therewith.

 

SECTION 1.   Supplements.  In addition to those Supplements entered into to amend and restate the promissory notes executed in connection with the Existing Loan Agreements, the parties may enter into other Supplements in order to evidence new loans that CoBank may make to the Company.  Each Supplement will set forth the amount of the loan, the purpose of the loan, the interest rate or rate options applicable to that loan, the repayment terms of the loan, and any other terms and conditions applicable to that particular loan.  Each loan will be governed by the terms and conditions contained in this Master Loan Agreement and in the Supplement relating to the loan.

 

SECTION 2.   Availability.  Loans will be made available on any day on which CoBank and the Federal Reserve Banks are open for business upon the telephonic or written request of the Company.  Requests for loans must be received no later than 12:00 noon Company’s local time on the date the loan is desired.  Loans will be made available by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account or accounts as may be authorized by the Company. The Company shall furnish to CoBank a duly completed and executed copy of a CoBank Delegation and Wire and Electronic Transfer Authorization Form, and CoBank shall be entitled to rely on (and shall incur no liability to the Company in acting on) any request or direction furnished in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

SECTION 3.   Repayment.  The Company’s obligation to repay each loan shall be evidenced by the promissory note set forth in the Supplement relating to that loan or by such replacement note as CoBank shall require.  CoBank shall maintain a record of all loans, the interest accrued thereon, and all payments made with respect thereto, and such record shall, absent proof of manifest error, be conclusive evidence of the outstanding principal and interest on the loans.  All payments shall be made by wire transfer of

 



 

immediately available funds or by check.  Wire transfers shall be made to ABA No. 307088754 for advice to and credit of CoBANK (or to such other account as CoBank may direct by notice).  The Company shall give CoBank telephonic notice no later than 12:00 noon Company’s local time of its intent to pay by wire and funds received after 3:00 p.m. Company’s local time shall be credited on the next business day.  Checks shall be mailed to CoBank, Department 167, Denver, Colorado, 80291–0167 (or to such other place as CoBank may direct by notice).  Credit for payment by check will not be given until the latter of: (a) the day on which CoBank receives immediately available funds; or (b) the next business day after receipt of the check.

 

SECTION 4.   Capitalization.  The Company agrees to purchase such equity in CoBank as CoBank may from time to time require in accordance with its Bylaws.  However, the maximum amount of equity which the Company shall be obligated to purchase in connection with any loan may not exceed the maximum amount permitted by the Bylaws at the time the Supplement relating to that loan is entered into or such loan is renewed or refinanced by CoBank.

 

SECTION 5.   Security. The Company’s obligations under this agreement, all Supplements (whenever executed), and all instruments and documents contemplated hereby or thereby, shall be secured by a statutory first lien on all equity which the Company may now own or hereafter acquire in CoBank.  This security shall be in addition to any other security that may otherwise be required or provided.

 

SECTION 6.   Conditions Precedent.

 

(A)    Conditions to Initial Supplement.  CoBank’s obligation to extend credit under the initial Supplement hereto is subject to the conditions precedent that CoBank receive, in form and substance satisfactory to CoBank, each of the following:

 

(i)      This Agreement, Etc.  A duly executed copy of this agreement and all instruments and documents contemplated hereby.

 

(ii)     Opinion of Counsel.  A favorable opinion from the Company’s counsel addressed to CoBank covering each matter as CoBank may reasonably require.

 

(iii)    Evidence of Authority.  Such certified board resolutions, evidence of incumbency, and other evidence that CoBank may require that the Supplement, all instruments and documents executed in connection therewith, and, in the case of initial Supplement hereto, this agreement and all instruments and documents executed in connection herewith, have been duly authorized and executed.

 

(B)    Conditions to Each Supplement.  CoBank’s obligation to extend credit under each Supplement, including the initial Supplement, is subject to the conditions precedent that CoBank receive, in form and content satisfactory to CoBank, each of the following:

 

(i)      Supplement.  A duly executed copy of the Supplement and all instruments and documents contemplated thereby.

 

(ii)     Fees and Other Charges.  All fees and other charges specifically permitted by this Master Loan Agreement or the Supplements, as well as reasonable expenses for outside counsel.

 

2



 

(iii)    Evidence of Perfection, Etc.  Such evidence as CoBank may require that CoBank has a duly perfected first priority lien on all security for the Company’s obligations, and that the Company is in compliance with Section 8(D) hereof.

 

(C)    Conditions to Each Loan.  CoBank’s obligation under each Supplement to make any loan to the Company thereunder is subject to the condition that no “Event of Default” (as defined in Section 11 hereof) or event which with the giving of notice and/or the passage of time would become an Event of Default hereunder (a “Potential Default”), shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

SECTION 7.   Representations and Warranties.

 

(A)    This Agreement.  The Company represents and warrants to CoBank that as of the date of this Agreement:

 

(i)      Compliance.  The Company is in compliance with all of the terms of this agreement, and no Event of Default or Potential Default exists hereunder.

 

(B)    Each Supplement.  The execution by the Company of each Supplement hereto shall constitute a representation and warranty to CoBank that:

 

(i)      Applications.  Each representation and warranty and all information set forth in any application or other documents submitted in connection with, or to induce CoBank to enter into, such Supplement, is correct in all material respects as of the date of the Supplement.

 

(ii)     Conflicting Agreements, Etc.  This agreement, the Supplements, and all security and other instruments and documents relating hereto and thereto (collectively, at any time, the “Loan Documents”),  do not conflict with, or require the consent of any party to, any other agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it or its property may be bound or affected, and do not conflict with any provision of the Company’s bylaws, articles of incorporation, or other organizational documents.

 

(iii)    Compliance.  The Company is in compliance with all of the terms of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, Section 8(A) of this agreement on eligibility to borrow from CoBank).

 

(iv)     Binding Agreement.  The Loan Documents create legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Company which are enforceable in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

 

SECTION 8.   Affirmative Covenants.  Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by CoBank, while this agreement is in effect, the Company agrees to:

 

(A)      Eligibility.  Maintain its status as an entity eligible to borrow from CoBank.

 

(B)      Corporate Existence, Licenses. Etc.  (i) Preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation; (ii) qualify and remain qualified to transact business in all jurisdictions where such qualification is required; and (iii) obtain and maintain all licenses, certificates, permits, authorizations, approvals, and the like which are material to the conduct of its business or required by law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, order, and the like (collectively, “Laws”).

 

3



 

(C)    Compliance with Laws.  Comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws, including, without limitation, all Laws relating to environmental protection and any patron or member investment program that it may have.  In addition, the Company agrees to cause all persons occupying or present on any of its properties to comply in all material respects with all environmental protection Laws.

 

(D)    Insurance.  Maintain insurance with insurance companies or associations acceptable to CoBank in such amounts and covering such risks as are usually carried by companies engaged in the same or similar business and similarly situated, and make such increases in the type or amount of coverage as CoBank may request.  All such policies insuring any collateral for the Company’s obligations to CoBank shall have mortgagee or lender loss payable clauses or endorsements in form and content acceptable to CoBank.  At CoBank’s request, all policies (or such other proof of compliance with this Subsection as may be satisfactory to CoBank) shall be delivered to CoBank.

 

(E)     Property Maintenance.  Maintain all of its property that is necessary to or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

 

(F)     Books and Records.  Keep adequate records and books of account in which complete entries will be made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) consistently applied.

 

(G)    Inspection.  Permit CoBank or its agents, upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours or at such other times as the parties may agree, to examine its properties, books, and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances, and accounts, with its respective officers, directors, employees, and independent certified public accountants.

 

(H)    Reports and Notices.  Furnish to CoBank:

 

(i)      Annual Financial Statements.  As soon as available, but in no event more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company occurring during the term hereof, annual financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.  Such financial statements shall:  (a) be audited by independent certified public accountants selected by the Company and acceptable to CoBank; (b) be accompanied by a report of such accountants containing an opinion thereon acceptable to CoBank; (c) be prepared in reasonable detail and in comparative form; and (d) include a balance sheet, a statement of income, a statement of retained earnings, a statement of cash flows, and all notes and schedules relating thereto.

 

(ii)     Interim Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in no event more than 5 days after the filing with the Securities Exchange Commission, after the end of each quarter, a balance sheet of the Company as of the end of such fiscal quarter, a statement of income for the Company for such period and for the period year to date, and such other interim statements as CoBank may specifically request, all prepared in reasonable detail and in comparative form in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

(iii)    Annual Budgets. As soon as available, but in no event more than  60 days after the end of any fiscal year of the Company occurring during the term hereof, copies of the Company’s annual budgets and forecasts of operations.

 

(iv)     Capital Expenditures Budget: The Company will furnish an annual capital expenditure budget, within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year.  The Company will also furnish a revised budget if increases over the original capital expenditure budget are approved by the board of directors.

 

4



 

(v)      Notice of Default.  Promptly after becoming aware thereof, notice of the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Default.

 

(vi)     Notice of Non-Environmental Litigation.  Promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of the commencement of all actions, suits, or proceedings before any court, arbitrator, or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality affecting the Company which, if determined adversely to the Company, could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties, profits, or operations of the Company.

 

(vii)   Notice of Environmental Litigation, Etc.  Promptly after receipt thereof, notice of the receipt of all pleadings, orders, complaints, indictments, or any other communication alleging a condition that may require the Company to undertake or to contribute to a cleanup or other response under environmental Laws, or which seek penalties, damages, injunctive relief, or criminal sanctions related to alleged violations of such Laws, or which claim personal injury or property damage to any person as a result of environmental factors or conditions.

 

(viii)  Bylaws and Articles.  Promptly after any change in the Company’s bylaws or articles of incorporation (or like documents), copies of all such changes, certified by the Company’s Secretary.

 

(ix)    Other Information.  Such other information regarding the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of the Company as CoBank may from time to time reasonably request, including but not limited to copies of all pleadings, notices, and communications referred to in Subsections 8(H)(vi) and (vii) above.

 

(x)      Officer Certificate.  A quarterly officers certificate within 45 days of each fiscal quarter end, in a form acceptable to CoBank, certified by an officer of the Company, that measures compliance with Minimum Net Working Capital; Long Term Debt Coverage and Long Term Debt to Capitalization.  (Section 10 (A) & (B) & (C)).

 

(I)      Grower Agreements.  The Company shall abide by the terms and conditions of its member grower agreements; make no material amendments or changes to the agreements without the written consent of the Bank; and extend the agreements for an additional five years when the current contracts expire.

 

(J)     Crystech, L.L.C. (“Crystech”).  Cause to be furnished to CoBank:

 

(i)      Annual Financial Statements.  As soon as available, but in no event more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Crystech occurring during the term hereof, annual financial statements of Crystech prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.  Such financial statements shall:  (a) be audited by independent certified public accountants selected by Crystech and acceptable to CoBank; (b) be accompanied by a report of such accountants containing an opinion thereon acceptable to CoBank; (c) be prepared in reasonable detail and in comparative form; and (d) include a balance sheet, a statement of income, a statement of retained earnings, a statement of cash flows, and all notes and schedules relating thereto.

 

(ii)     Interim Financial Statements.  As soon as available, but in no event more than 60 days after the end of each quarter, a balance sheet of Crystech as of the end of such fiscal quarter, a statement of income for Crystech for such period and for the period year to date, and such other interim statements

 

5



 

as CoBank may specifically request, all prepared in reasonable detail and in comparative form in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

(iii)    Examinations.  Such examination of Crystech’s books and records as CoBank may reasonably request.

 

(K)    Annual Paydown.  The Company will paydown all short term loans to $80,000,000 or less for a period of 30 consecutive days during the calendar year.  Total short term loans includes the seasonal loans, Commodity Credit Corporation loans, commercial paper, overdraft loans with original maturity dates of one year or less.  Total short term loans excludes current maturities of long term debt.

 

SECTION 9.   Negative Covenants.  Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by CoBank, while this agreement is in effect the Company will not:

 

(A)    Borrowings.  Create, incur, assume, or allow to exist, directly or indirectly, any indebtedness or liability for borrowed money (including trade or bankers’ acceptances), letters of credit, or the deferred purchase price of property or services (including capitalized leases), except for:  (i) debt to CoBank; (ii) accounts payable to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business; (iii) current operating liabilities (other than for borrowed money) incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (iv) permitted borrowings identified on Attachment A.

 

(B)    Liens.  Create, incur, assume, or allow to exist any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien (including the lien of an attachment, judgment, or execution), security interest, or other encumbrance of any kind upon any of its property, real or personal (collectively, “Liens”).  The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:  (i) Liens in favor of CoBank; (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments, or governmental charges that are not past due; (iii) Liens and deposits under workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and social security Laws; (iv) Liens and deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), and like obligations arising in the ordinary course of business as conducted on the date hereof; (v) Liens imposed by Law in favor of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, and like persons that secure obligations that are not past due or that are being contested in good faith by the Company; and (vi) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, and other similar encumbrances which, in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with the occupation, use, and enjoyment of the property or assets encumbered thereby in the normal course of its business or materially impair the value of the property subject thereto except for the permitted liens identified on Attachment B, without the prior written consent of the Bank.  In addition, the Company agrees that it will not agree to a negative pledge with any other lender or third party.

 

(C)    Mergers, Acquisitions, Etc.  Merge or consolidate with any other entity or acquire all or a material part of the assets of any person or entity, or form or create any new subsidiary or affiliate, or commence operations under any other name, organization, or entity, including any joint venture.

 

(D)    Transfer of Assets.  Sell, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, except in the ordinary course of business.

 

(E)     Loans.  Lend or advance money, credit, or property to any person or entity, except for trade credit extended in the ordinary course of business and certain inter-company loans made pursuant to Intercompany Loan/Security Agreement dated August 31, 1997 and successor agreements.

 

(F)     Contingent Liabilities.  Assume, guarantee, become liable as a surety, endorse, contingently agree to purchase, or otherwise be or become liable, directly or indirectly (including, but not

 

6



 

limited to, by means of a maintenance agreement, an asset or stock purchase agreement, or any other agreement designed to ensure any creditor against loss), for or on account of the obligation of any person or entity, except by the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and except for any liability on account of a guaranty of indebtedness of Midwest Agri Commodities.

 

(G)    Change in Business.  Engage in any business activities or operations substantially different from or unrelated to the Company’s present business activities or operations.

 

SECTION 10.  Financial Covenants.  Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, while this agreement is in effect:

 

(A)    Minimum Net Working Capital. The Company shall maintain minimum at all times and measured as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter a ratio of Current Assets less Current Liabilities of not less than $35,000,000.

 

(B)    Long Term Debt to Capitalization.   The Company shall maintain at all times and measured as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter a ratio of Long Term Debt divided by the sum of Long Term Debt plus Equity of no greater than fifty-five percent (55%).

 

(C)    Long Term Debt Coverage. The Company shall maintain at all times and measured as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter a ratio of Long Term Debt to Average Net Funds Generated during the most recent three Fiscal Years of not greater than six (6) times.

 

(D)    Definitions.  For purposes of this Section 10 and this Master Loan Agreement, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

 

(i)      Average Net Funds Generated. Average Net Funds Generated is the sum of the following for the most recent three fiscal years divided by three (3).

 

Add: Unit Retains; Depreciation and amortization; Net income from non-member business and member business tax timing differences; Decrease in investments in other cooperatives (excluding subsidiaries); and Net revenue from sale of stock.

 

Minus: Increase in investments in other cooperatives (excluding subsidiaries); Net loss from non-member business and member business tax timing differences; Provision for income tax; and Members’ investment retirements.

 

(ii)     Borrowing Base. A maximum dollar amount available to the Borrower under the terms of the Commitment (as set forth in a Supplement) as determined on the basis of the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate.

 

(iii)    Borrowing Base Certificate. A certification of the value of specified assets of the Borrower used in computing the Borrowing Base.

 

(iv)     Capitalization. The sum of long term debt plus equity as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

7



 

(v)      Current Assets. The current assets of the Borrower as measured in accordance with GAAP.

 

(vi)     Current Liability. The current liabilities of the Borrower as measured in accordance with GAAP.

 

(vii)   Depreciation. Total depreciation of the Borrower as measured in accordance with GAAP.

 

(viii)  Debt. Debt means as to any Person: (a) indebtedness or liability of such Person for borrowed money, or for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (b) obligations of such Person as lessee under capital leases; (c) obligations of such Person arising under bankers’ or trade acceptance facilities; (d) all guarantees, endorsements (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), and other contingent obligations of such Person to purchase any of the items included in this definition, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to invest in any other Person, or otherwise to assure a creditor of another Person against loss; (e) all obligations secured by a lien on property owned by such Person, whether or not the obligations have been assumed; and (f) all obligations of such Person under any agreement providing for an interest rate swap, cap, cap and floor, contingent participation or other hedging mechanisms with respect to interest payable on any of the items described in this definition.

 

(ix)    Equity. Total equity of the Borrower as measured in accordance with GAAP.

 

(x)      Fiscal Quarter. Each three (3) month period beginning on the first day of each of the following months: September, December, March and June.

 

(xi)    Fiscal Year. A year commencing on September 1 and ending on August 31.

 

(xii)   GAAP. Generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time.

 

(xiii)  Interest Expense. Current cost of borrowing funds that is shown as a financial expense in the income statement and as measured in accordance with GAAP.

 

(xiv)   Long Term Debt. The long term debt (excluding current maturities) as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

(xv)    Net Realizable Value. The expected selling price of an inventory item less expected costs to complete and dispose, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

(xvi)   Net Working Capital. Shall mean the Total Current Assets minus the Total Current Liabilities of the Borrower as determined in accordance with GAAP accounting principles, consistently applied.

 

(xvii) Person. Person shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation, limited liability company, cooperative association, institution, entity, party or government (whether national, federal, state, provincial, country, city, municipal or otherwise, including without limitation, and instrumentality, division, agency, body or department thereof).

 

8



 

(xviii) Subsidiary. Subsidiary shall mean with respect to any Person: (a) any corporation in which such Person, directly or indirectly, (i) owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding stock thereof, or (ii) has the power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the directors thereof, or (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company, or other unincorporated organization or entity with respect to which such Person, directly or indirectly, owns an equity interest in an amount sufficient to control the management thereof.

 

SECTION 11.  Events of Default.  Each of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this agreement:

 

(A)    Payment Default.  The Company should fail to make any payment to, or to purchase any equity in, CoBank when due.  Any payment received by CoBank after its due date shall not be subject to an increase in the interest rate, as provided for in Section 12 below, if the Company is not responsible for the payment delay.

 

(B)    Representations and Warranties.  Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Company herein or in any Supplement, application, agreement, certificate, or other document related to or furnished in connection with this agreement or any Supplement, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made.

 

(C)    Certain Affirmative Covenants.  The Company should fail to perform or comply with Sections 8(A) through 8(H)(ii), 8(H)(viii), or any reporting covenant set forth in any Supplement hereto, and such failure continues for 15 days after written notice thereof shall have been delivered by CoBank to the Company.

 

(D)    Other Covenants and Agreements.  The Company should fail to perform or comply with any other covenant or agreement contained herein or in any other Loan Document or shall use the proceeds of any loan for an unauthorized purpose.

 

(E)     Cross-Default.  The Company should, after any applicable grace period, breach or be in default under the terms of any other agreement between the Company and CoBank.

 

(F)     Other Indebtedness.  The Company should fail to pay when due any indebtedness to any other person or entity for borrowed money or any long-term obligation for the deferred purchase price of property (including any capitalized lease), or any other event occurs which, under any agreement or instrument relating to such indebtedness or obligation, has the effect of accelerating or permitting the acceleration of such indebtedness or obligation, whether or not such indebtedness or obligation is actually accelerated or the right to accelerate is conditioned on the giving of notice, the passage of time, or otherwise.

 

(G)    Judgments.  A judgment, decree, or order for the payment of money shall be rendered against the Company in an amount which, if enforced, would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, profits or operations of the Compay, or a Lien prohibited under Section 9(B) hereof shall have been obtained and shall continue in effect for a period of 20 consecutive days without being discharged, satisfied, or stayed pending appeal.

 

(H)    Insolvency, Etc.  The Company shall:  (i) become insolvent or shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they come due; or (ii) suspend its business operations or a material part thereof or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iii) apply for, consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of a trustee, receiver, or other custodian for it

 

9



 

or any of its property or, in the absence of such application, consent, or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver, or other custodian is so appointed; or (iv) commence or have commenced against it any proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution, or liquidation Law of any jurisdiction.

 

(I)      Material Adverse Change.  Any material adverse change occurs, as reasonably determined by CoBank, in the Company’s financial condition, results of operation, or ability to perform its obligations hereunder or under any instrument or document contemplated hereby.

 

(J)     Guaranties. The Company’s agreement to guaranty, assume, or provide surety of other entities’ financial obligations shall not exceed an aggregate amount greater than 10% of the Company’s net worth, without the Bank’s prior written consent.

 

SECTION 12.  Remedies.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default or any Potential Default, CoBank shall have no obligation to continue to extend credit to the Company and may discontinue doing so at any time without prior notice.  CoBank shall promptly notify the Company subsequent to any action to discontinue extending credit to the Company.  In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, CoBank may, upon notice to the Company, terminate any commitment and declare the entire unpaid principal balance of the loans, all accrued interest thereon, and all other amounts payable under this agreement, all Supplements, and the other Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable.  Upon such a declaration, the unpaid principal balance of the loans and all such other amounts shall become immediately due and payable, without protest, presentment, demand, or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company.  In addition, upon such an acceleration:

 

(A)    Enforcement.  CoBank may proceed to protect, exercise, and enforce such rights and remedies as may be provided by this agreement, any other Loan Document or under Law.  Each and every one of such rights and remedies shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time, and no failure on the part of CoBank to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall preclude any other or future exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right.  Without limiting the foregoing, CoBank may hold and/or set off and apply against the Company’s obligations to CoBank the proceeds of any equity in CoBank, any cash collateral held by CoBank, or any balances held by CoBank for the Company’s account (whether or not such balances are then due).

 

(B)    Application of Funds.  CoBank may apply all payments received by it to the Company’s obligations to CoBank in such order and manner as CoBank may elect in its sole discretion.

 

In addition to the rights and remedies set forth above:  (i) if the Company fails to purchase any equity in CoBank when required or fails to make any payment to CoBank when due, then at CoBank’s option in each instance, such payment shall bear interest from the date due to the date paid at 4% per annum in excess of the rate(s) of interest that would otherwise be in effect on that loan; and (ii) after the maturity of any loan (whether as a result of acceleration or otherwise), the unpaid principal balance of such loan (including without limitation, principal, interest, fees and expenses) shall automatically bear interest at 4% per annum in excess of the rate(s) of interest that would otherwise be in effect on that loan.  All interest provided for herein shall be payable on demand and shall be calculated on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days.

 

10



 

SECTION 13.  Broken Funding Surcharge.  Notwithstanding any provision contained in any Supplement giving the Company the right to repay any loan prior to the date it would otherwise be due and payable, the Company agrees that in the event it repays any fixed rate balance prior to its scheduled due date or prior to the last day of the fixed rate period applicable thereto (whether such payment is made voluntarily, as a result of an acceleration, or otherwise), the Company will pay to CoBank a surcharge in an amount which would result in CoBank being made whole (on a present value basis) for the actual or imputed funding losses incurred by CoBank as a result thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any fixed rate balance is repaid as a result of the Company refinancing the loan with another lender or by other means, then in lieu of the foregoing, the Company shall pay to CoBank a surcharge in an amount sufficient (on a present value basis) to enable CoBank to maintain the yield it would have earned during the fixed rate period on the amount repaid.  Such surcharges will be calculated in accordance with methodology established by CoBank (a copy of which will be made available to the Company upon request).

 

SECTION 14.  Complete Agreement, Amendments.  This agreement, all Supplements, and all other instruments and documents contemplated hereby and thereby, are intended by the parties to be a complete and final expression of their agreement.  No amendment, modification, or waiver of any provision hereof or thereof, and no consent to any departure by the Company herefrom or therefrom, shall be effective unless approved by CoBank and contained in a writing signed by or on behalf of CoBank, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.  In the event this agreement is amended or restated, each such amendment or restatement shall be applicable to all Supplements hereto.

 

SECTION 15.  Other Types of Credit.  From time to time, CoBank may issue letters of credit or extend other types of credit to or for the account of the Company.  In the event the parties desire to do so under the terms of this agreement, such extensions of credit may be set forth in any Supplement hereto and this agreement shall be applicable thereto.

 

SECTION 16.  Applicable Law.  Except to the extent governed by applicable federal law, this agreement and each Supplement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without reference to choice of law doctrine.

 

SECTION 17.  Notices.  All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given upon delivery if personally delivered or sent by telegram or facsimile transmission, or 3 days after mailing if sent by express, certified or registered mail, to the parties at the following addresses (or such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to CoBank, as follows:

CoBank, ACB

Corporate Finance

P.O. Box 5110

Denver, Colorado 80217 — Fax # (303) 694-5830

 

If to the Company, as follows:

American Crystal Sugar Company

ATTN: Treasurer

101 North 3rd Street, Moorhead, Minnesota 56560

FAX#:  (218) 236-4702

 

SECTION 18.  Taxes and Expenses.  To the extent allowed by law, the Company agrees to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel retained by CoBank) incurred by CoBank in connection with the origination, administration, collection, and enforcement of this agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, all costs and expenses incurred in perfecting, maintaining, determining the priority of, and releasing any security for the Company’s obligations to CoBank, and any stamp, intangible, transfer, or like tax payable in connection with this agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

11



 

SECTION 19.  Effectiveness and Severability.  This agreement shall continue in effect until:  (i) all indebtedness and obligations of the Company under this agreement, all Supplements, and all other Loan Documents shall have been paid or satisfied; (ii) CoBank has no commitment to extend credit to or for the account of the Company under any Supplement; and (iii) either party sends written notice to the other terminating this agreement.  Any provision of this agreement or any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or thereof.

 

SECTION 20.  Successors and Assigns.  This agreement, each Supplement, and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and CoBank and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Company may not assign or transfer its rights or obligations under this agreement, any Supplement or any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of CoBank.

 

SECTION 21.  Participations.   From time to time, CoBank may sell to one or more banks or other financial institutions a participation in one or more of the loans or other extensions of credit made pursuant to this agreement.  However, no such participation shall relieve CoBank of any commitment made to the Company under any Supplement hereto.  In connection with the foregoing, CoBank may disclose information concerning the Company  to any participant or prospective participant, provided that such participant or prospective participant agrees to keep such information confidential.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

 

CoBANK, ACB

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

 

By

/s/ Casey Garten

 

By:

/s/ Sam Wai

 

 

 

 

 

Title

Vice President

 

Title:

Treasurer

 

 

12



 

No. Z269A

 

AMENDMENT

 

THIS AMENDMENT is entered into as of March 28, 2001, between CoBANK, ACB (“CoBank”) and AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY, Moorhead, Minnesota (the “Company”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

CoBank and the Company are parties to a Master Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2000, (such agreement, as previously amended, is hereinafter referred to as the “MLA”).  CoBank and the Company now desire to amend the MLA.  For that reason, and for valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), CoBank and the Company agree as follows:

 

1.             Section 10(A) of the MLA is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

(A)  Minimum Net Working Capital. (1) have at the end of each fiscal quarter, other than fiscal year end, an excess of current assets over current liabilities (both as determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) of not less than $15,000,000.00 and (2) have at then end of each fiscal year, an excess of current assets over current liabilities (both as determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied) of not less than $35,000,000.00.

 

2.             Except as set forth in this amendment, the MLA shall continue in full force and effect as written.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this amendment to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

CoBANK, ACB

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

By:

/s/ Casey Garten

 

By:

/s/ Sam Wai

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Title:

Treasurer

 

 

13



 

Loan No. Z269T01B

 

REVOLVING TERM LOAN SUPPLEMENT

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT to the Master Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2000 (the “MLA”), is entered into as of March 27, 2002, between CoBANK, ACB (“CoBank”) and AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY, Moorhead, Minnesota (the “Company”), and amends and restates the Supplement dated March 28, 2001 and numbered Z269T01 A.

 

SECTION 1. The Revolving Term Loan Commitment. On the terms and conditions set forth in the MLA and this Supplement, CoBank agrees to make loans to the Company during the period set forth below in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $66,024,319.00 at any one time outstanding (the “Commitment”). Within the limits of the Commitment, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow.

 

SECTION 2. Purpose and Transfer. The purpose of the Commitment is to finance the operating needs of the Company.

 

SECTION 3. Term. The term of the Commitment shall be from the date hereof, up to but not including March 30, 2003, or such later date as CoBank may, in its sole discretion, authorize in writing.

 

SECTION 4. Interest. The Company agrees to pay interest on the unpaid balance of the loans in accordance with one or more of the following interest rate options, as selected by the Company:

 

(A)          Variable Rate Option.   At a rate per annum equal at all times to the rate of interest established by CoBank from time to time as its National Variable Rate, which Rate is intended by CoBank to be a reference rate and not its lowest rate. The National Variable Rate will change on the date established by CoBank as the effective date of any change therein and CoBank agrees to notify the Company promptly after any such change.

 

(B)          Quoted Rate Option.    At a fixed rate per annum to be quoted by CoBank in its sole discretion in each instance.  Under this option, rates may be fixed on such balances and for such periods as may be agreeable to CoBank in its sole discretion in each instance.

 

(C)          LIBOR Option.   At a fixed rate equal to “LIBOR” (as hereinafter defined) plus the Applicable LIBOR Margin per annum (as described in terms of basis points (“bps”) in the chart immediately set forth below).   Under this option:    (a) rates may be fixed for “Interest Periods” (as hereinafter defined) of 1, 2, 3, or 6 months, or 1 year, as selected by the Company; (b) the minimum amount that may be fixed at any one time shall be $2,000,000.00; and (c) rates may only be fixed on a “Banking Day” (as hereinafter defined) or, at the option of the Company, on 2 Banking Days’ prior notice.  For purposes hereof: (i) “LIBOR” shall mean the rate indicated by Telerate (rounded upward to the nearest thousandth) as having been quoted by the British Bankers Association at 11:00 a.m. London time on the date the Company elects to fix a rate under this option for the offering of U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market for the Interest Period designated by the Company; (ii) “Banking Day” shall mean a day on which CoBank is open for business, dealings in U.S. dollar deposits are being carried out in the London interbank market, and banks are open for business in New York City and London, England; and (iii) “Interest Period” shall mean a period commencing on the day the Company elects to fix a rate under this option (or, at the option of the Company, two Banking Days later) and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month or the month that is 2, 3 or 6 months or 1 year thereafter, as the case may be; provided, however, that:  (x) in the event such ending day is not a Banking Day, such period shall be extended to the next Banking Day unless such next Banking Day falls in the

 

14



 

next calendar month, in which case it shall end on the preceding Banking Day; and (y) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month, then such period shall end on the last Banking Day in the relevant month.

 

LIBOR MARGINS

 

FIXED RATE
PRODUCT

 

INDEX

 

SPREAD OVER INDEX IN BASIS
POINTS (Applicable LIBOR Margin)

 

One Month

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

Two Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

Three Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

Six Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

One Year

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

 

(D) Treasury Option. At a fixed rate equal to Applicable Treasury Margin per annum (as described in terms of basis points (“bps”) in the chart immediately set forth below) above the “U.S. Treasury Rate” (as hereinafter defined). Under this option, balances of $2,000,000.00 or more may be fixed on or before for periods ranging from two years to the final maturity date of the loan, as selected by the Company. However, rates may not be fixed in such a manner as to require the Company to have to repay any fixed rate balance prior to the last day of its fixed rate period in order to pay any installment of principal. For purposes hereof, the “U.S. Treasury Rate” shall mean the yield to maturity on U.S. Treasury instruments having the same maturity date as the last day of the fixed rate period selected by the Company, as calculated from the bid price indicated by Telerate (page 5) at the time the rate is fixed. If, however, no instrument is indicated for the maturity selected, then the rate shall be interpolated based on the bid prices quoted for the next longest and shortest maturities so indicated. In the event Telerate ceases to provide such quotations or materially changes the form or substance of page 5 (as determined by CoBank), then CoBank will notify the Company and the parties hereto will agree upon a substitute basis for obtaining such quotations

 

TREASURY MARGINS

FIXED RATE
PRODUCT

 

INDEX

 

SPREAD OVER INDEX IN BASIS
POINTS (Applicable Treasury Margin)

 

Two Years

 

U.S.$ Constant Maturity
 Treasury Rate (“US$CMT”)

 

125 bps

 

Three Years

 

US$CMT

 

125 bps

 

Four Years

 

US$CMT

 

125 bps

 

Five Years

 

US$CMT

 

125 bps

 

Seven Years

 

USSCMT

 

140 bps

 

Ten Years

 

US$CMT

 

140 bps

 

Floor (Minimum) Rate (For Two to Ten Year Fixed Rate Products Only)

 

CoBank’s cost of funds (as reasonablydeterminedby CoBank in its sole discretion)

 

105 bps

 

 

15



 

The spread over all of the above indices, including the Floor (Minimum) Rate, may increase or decrease for future fixed amounts based on the Company’s previous fiscal quarter’s leverage ratio, as follows:

 

 

LEVERAGE RATIO (as defined below)

 

INCREASE / DECREASE
TO SPREAD

 

CHANGE TO LIBOR and
 TREASURY MARGINS
(IN BASIS POINTS)

 

A. Equal to or greater than 1.35:1.00

 

Increase

 

20

 

B. Equal to or greater than 1.20:1.00, but less than 1.35:1.00

 

None

 

0

 

C. Less than 1.20:1.00, but greater than or equal to 1.00:1.00

 

Decrease

 

10

 

D. Less than 1.00:1.00

 

Decrease

 

20

 

 

Leverage Ratio: The Company will maintain a leverage ratio of not more than 1.50:1.0, and attain a leverage ratio of not more than 1.40:1.0 on November 30, 2002. Leverage ratio is long term debt (excluding current maturities) calculated in accordance with GAAP plus or minus the difference between actual working capital and minimum net working capital (as defined in the MLA No. Z269, Section 10), divided by total members investments plus the estimated unit retains.

 

The spread shall be adjusted quarterly on the latter of either: (a) five business days after the Bank’s receipt of the Company’s certification of compliance with the leverage ratio, or (b) 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

 

The Company shall select the applicable rate option at the time it requests a loan hereunder and may, subject to the limitations set forth above, elect to convert balances bearing interest at the variable rate option to one of the fixed rate options. Upon the expiration of any fixed rate period, interest shall automatically accrue at the variable rate option unless the amount fixed is repaid or fixed for an additional period in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless CoBank otherwise consents in its sole discretion in each instance, rates may not be fixed for periods expiring after the maturity date of the loans. In the event CoBank so consents and the Commitment is not renewed, then each balance so fixed shall be due and payable on the last day of its fixed rate period, and the promissory note set forth below shall be deemed amended accordingly. All elections provided for herein shall be made telephonically or in writing and must be received by 12:00 noon Company’s local time. Interest shall be calculated on the actual number of days each loan is outstanding on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be payable quarterly in arrears by the 20th day of the following month.

 

SECTION 5. Promissory Note. The Company promises to repay the outstanding in annual principal payments of $9,396,579.17 each due on or before December 3 year through December 31, 2008, and a final principal payment due on or before December 31, 2009. All outstanding balances shall be repaid by December 31, 2009. If any installment due date is not a day on which CoBank is open for business, then such payment shall be made on the next day on which CoBank is open for business. In addition to the above, the Company promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof at the times and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 4 hereof.

 

16



 

This note replaces and supersedes, but does not constitute payment of the indebtedness evidenced by, the promissory note set forth in the Supplement being amended and restated hereby.

 

The Company shall be permitted to make special payments, in a minimum amount of $388,500.00, on the variable rate portion of this loan, when all short term financing, including the Company’s seasonal loans, Commodity Credit Corporation loans and other short term loans have been zeroed out. These special payments may be readvanced through the expiration date of the Commitment. Reinstatement may be denied and canceled at any time at the option, of CoBank. The reinstatable commitments arising from such special payments shall be subject to the Commitment Fee as described in Section 8 below.

 

SECTION 6. Prepayment. The loans may be prepaid in whole or in part on one CoBank business day’s prior written notice. During the term of the Commitment, prepayments shall be applied to such balances, fixed or variable, as the Company shall specify. After the expiration of the term of the Commitment, prepayments shall, unless CoBank otherwise agrees, be applied to principal installments in the inverse order of their maturity and to such balances, fixed or variable, as CoBank shall specify.

 

SECTION 7. Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Commitment, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Commitment at the rate of 20 basis points per annum (calculated on a 360 day basis), payable quarterly in arrears by the 20th day following each calendar quarter. Such fee shall be payable for each calendar quarter (or portion thereof) occurring during the original or any extended term of the Commitment.

 

SECTION 8. Commitments Arising From Special Payments. Commitments arising as a result of special payments described in Section 5 above shall be subject to a commitment fee of 25 basis points (0.25%) on an annualized basis, on the average daily commitment. Any such fees incurred shall be payable on the last day of the calendar quarter, in arrears, computed on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed in which such reinstatable commitments were outstanding.

 

SECTION 9. Security. In addition to any other security that may otherwise be required or provided, the Company’s obligations under this Supplement are secured by that Restated Mortgage and Security Agreement dated September 15, 1998, from American Crystal Sugar Company to St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives (now known as CoBank as a result of merger), as Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 10. Extension Fee. In consideration of extending the Commitment, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank on the execution hereof, an extension fee in the amount of $9,397.00, (10bp based on 12/31/01 principal payment of $9,396,579.00).

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

CoBANK, ACB

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Wai

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Treasurer

 

 

17



 

Loan No. Z269T01BNP

 

REVOLVING TERM LOAN SUPPLEMENT

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT to the Master Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2000 (the “MLA”), is entered into as of March 27, 2002, between CoBANK, ACB (“CoBank”) and AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR C1OMPANY, Moorhead, Minnesota (the “Company”), and amends and restates the Supplement dated March 28, 2001 and number0ed Z269T01ANP.

 

SECTION 1. The Revolving Term Loan Commitment. On the terms and conditions set forth in the MLA and this Supplement, CoBank agrees to make loans to the Company during the period set forth below in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $52,275,680.83 at any one time outstanding (the “Commitment”). Within the limits of the Commitment, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow.

 

SECTION 2. Purpose and Transfer. The purpose of the Commitment is to finance the operating needs of the Company.

 

SECTION 3. Term. The term of the Commitment shall be from the date hereof, up to but not including March 30, 2003, or such later date as CoBank may, in its sole discretion, authorize in writing.

 

SECTION 4. Interest. The Company agrees to pay interest on the unpaid balance of the loans in accordance with one or more of the following interest rate options, as selected by the Company:

 

(A)           Variable Rate Option.   At a rate per annum equal at all times to the rate of interest established by CoBank from time to time as its National Variable Rate, which Rate is intended by CoBank to be a reference rate and not its lowest rate. The National Variable Rate will change on the date established by CoBank as the effective date of any change therein and CoBank agrees to notify the Company promptly after any such change.

 

(B)           Quoted Rate Option.    At a fixed rate per annum to be quoted by CoBank in its sole discretion in each instance.  Under this option, rates may be fixed on such balances and for such periods as may be agreeable to CoBank in its sole discretion in each instance.

 

(C)           LIBOR Option.   At a fixed rate equal to “LIBOR” (as hereinafter defined) plus the Applicable LIBOR Margin per annum (as described in terms of basis points (“bps”) in the chart immediately set forth below).  Under this option:  (a) rates may be fixed for “Interest Periods” (as hereinafter defined) of 1, 2, 3 or 6 months, or 1 year, as selected by the Company; (b) the minimum amount that may be fixed at any one time shall be $2,000,000.00; and (c) rates may only be fixed on a “Banking Day” (as hereinafter defined) or, at the option of the Company, on 2 Banking Days’ prior notice.  For purposes hereof: (i) “LIBOR” shall mean the rate indicated by Telerate (rounded upward to the nearest thousandth) as having been quoted by the British Bankers Association at 11:00 a.m. London time on the date the Company elects to fix a rate under this option for the offering of U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market for the Interest Period designated by the Company; (ii) “Banking Day” shall mean a day on which CoBank is open for business, dealings in U.S. dollar deposits are being carried out in the London interbank market, and banks are open for business in New York City and London, England; and (iii) “Interest Period” shall mean a period commencing on the day the Company elects to fix a rate under this option (or, at the option of the Company, two Banking Days later) and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month or the month that is 2, 3 or 6 months or 1 year thereafter, as the case may be; provided, however, that:  (x) in the event such ending day is not a Banking Day, such period shall be extended to the next Banking Day unless such next Banking Day falls in the

 

18



 

next calendar month, in which case it shall end on the preceding Banking Day; and (y) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month, then such period shall end on the last Banking Day in the relevant month.

 

LIBOR MARGINS

 

FIXED RATE PRODUCT

 

INDEX

 

SPREAD OVER INDEX IN BASIS
POINTS (Applicable LIBOR Margin)

One Month

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

Two Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

Three Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

Six Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

One Year

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

(D) Treasury Option. At a fixed rate equal to the Applicable Treasury Margin per annum (as described in terms of basis points (“bps”) in the chart immediately set forth below) above the “U.S. Treasury Rate” (as hereinafter defined). Under this option, balances of $2,000,000.00 or more may be fixed on or before for periods ranging from two years to the final maturity date of the loan, as selected by the Company. However, rates may not be fixed in such a manner as to require the Company to have to repay any fixed rate balance prior to the last day of its fixed rate period in order to pay any installment of principal. For purposes hereof, the “U.S. Treasury Rate” shall mean the yield to maturity on U.S. Treasury instruments having the same maturity date as the last day of the fixed rate period selected by the Company, as calculated from the bid price indicated by Telerate (page 5) at the time the rate is fixed. If, however, no instrument is indicated for the maturity selected, then the rate shall be interpolated based on the bid prices quoted for the next longest and shortest maturities so indicated. In the event Telerate ceases to provide such quotations or materially changes the form or substance of page 5 (as determined by CoBank), then CoBank will notify the Company and the parties hereto will agree upon a substitute basis for obtaining such quotations.

 

TREASURY MARGINS

 

FIXED RATE PRODUCT

 

INDEX

 

SPREAD OVER INDEX IN BASIS
POINTS (Applicable Treasury Margin)

Two Years

 

U.S. $ Constant Maturity
Treasury (“US$CMT”)

 

125 bps

Three Years

 

USSCMT

 

125 bps

Four Years

 

US$CMT

 

125 bps

Five Years

 

USSCMT

 

125 bps

Seven Years

 

US$CMT

 

140 bps

Ten Years

 

US$CMT

 

140 bps

Floor (Minimum) Rate (For Two to Ten Year Fixed Rate Products Only)

 

CoBank‘s cost of funds (as reasonably determined by CoBank in its sole discretion)

 

105 bps

 

19



 

The spread over all of the above indices, including the Floor (Minimum) Rate, may increase or decrease for future fixed amounts based on the Company’s previous fiscal quarter’s leverage ratio, as follows:

 

LEVERAGE RATIO (as
defined below)

 

INCREASE / DECREASE
TO SPREAD

 

CHANGE TO LIBOR and
TREASURY MARGINS
(IN BASIS POINTS)

A.  Equal to or greater than 1.35:1.00

 

Increase

 

20

B.  Equal to or greater  than 1 .20: 1 .00, but less than 1 .35 : 1 .00

 

None

 

0

C.  Less than 1.20:1.00, but greater than or equal to 1 .00: 1 .00

 

Decrease

 

10

D.  Less than 1.00:1.00

 

Decrease

 

20

 

Leverage Ratio: The Company will maintain a leverage ratio of not more than 1.50:1.0, and attain a leverage ratio of not more than 1.40:1.0 on November 30, 2002. Leverage ratio is long term debt (excluding current maturities) calculated in accordance with GAAP plus or minus the difference between actual working capital and minimum net working capital (as defined in the MLA No. Z269, Section 10), divided by total members investments plus the estimated unit retains.

 

The spread shall be adjusted quarterly on the latter of either: (a) five business days after the Bank’s receipt of the Company’s certification of compliance with the leverage ratio, or (b) 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

 

The Company shall select the applicable rate option at the time it requests a loan hereunder and may, subject to the limitations set forth above, elect to convert balances bearing interest at the variable rate option to one of the fixed rate options. Upon the expiration of any fixed rate period, interest shall automatically accrue at the variable rate option unless the amount fixed is repaid or fixed for an additional period in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless CoBank otherwise consents in its sole discretion in each instance, rates may not be fixed for periods expiring after the maturity date of the loans. In the event CoBank so consents and the Commitment is not renewed, then each balance so fixed shall be due and payable on the last day of its fixed rate period, and the promissory note set forth below shall be deemed amended accordingly. All elections provided for herein shall be made telephonically or in writing and must be received by 12:00 noon Company’s local time. Interest shall be calculated on the actual number of days each loan is outstanding on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be payable quarterly in arrears by the 20th day of the following month.

 

SECTION 5. Promissory Note. The Company promises to repay the loans that are outstanding in annual principal payments of $7,603,420.83 each due on or before December 31” of each year through December 31, 2007, and a final principal payment due on or before December 31, 2008. All outstanding balances shall be repaid by December 31, 2008. If any installment due date is not a day on which CoBank is open for business, then such payment shall be made on the next day on which CoBank is open for business. In addition to the above, the Company promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof at the times and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 4 hereof. This note replaces and supersedes, but does not constitute payment of the indebtedness evidenced by, the promissory note set forth in the Supplement being amended and restated hereby.

 

20



 

The Company shall be permitted to make special payments, in a minimum amount of $111,500.00, on the variable rate portion of this loan, when all short term financing, including the Company’s seasonal loans, Commodity Credit Corporation loans and other short term loans have been zeroed out. These special payments may be readvanced through the expiration date of the Commitment. Reinstatement may be denied and canceled at any time at the option of CoBank. The reinstatable commitments arising from such special payments shall be subject to the Commitment Fee as described in Section 8 below.

 

SECTION 6. Prepayment. The loans may be prepaid in whole or in part on one CoBank business day’s prior written notice. During the term of the Commitment, prepayments shall be applied to such balances, fixed or variable, as the Company shall specify. After the expiration of the term of the Commitment, prepayments shall, unless CoBank otherwise agrees, be applied to principal installments in the inverse order of their maturity and to such balances, fixed or variable, as CoBank shall specify.

 

SECTION 7. Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Commitment, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Commitment at the rate of 20 basis points per annum (calculated on a 360 day basis), payable quarterly in arrears by the 20th day following each calendar quarter. Such fee shall be payable for each calendar quarter (or portion thereof) occurring during the original or any extended term of the Commitment.

 

SECTION 8. Commitments Arising From Special Payments. Commitments arising as a result of special payments described in Section 5 above shall be subject to a commitment fee of 25 basis points (0.25%) on an annualized basis, on the average daily commitment. Any such fees incurred shall be payable on the last day of the calendar quarter, in arrears, computed on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed in which such reinstatable commitments were outstanding.

 

SECTION 9. Security. In addition to any other security that may otherwise be required or provided, the Company’s obligations under this Supplement are secured by that Restated Mortgage and Security Agreement dated September 15, 1998, from American Crystal Sugar Company to St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives (now known as CoBank as a result of merger), as Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 10. Extension Fee. In consideration of extending the Commitment, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank on the execution hereof, an extension fee in the amount of $7,603.00, (10bp based on the 12/31/01 principal payment of $7,603,421.00).

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

CoBANK, ACB

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

  /s/ Sam Wai

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

  Treasurer

 

21



 

Loan No. Z269T02BNP

 

REVOLVING TERM LOAN SUPPLEMENT

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT to the Master Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2000 (the “MLA”), is entered into as of March 27, 2002, between CoBANK, ACB (“CoBank”) and AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY, Moorhead, Minnesota (the “Company”), and amends and restates the Supplement dated March 28, 2001 and numbered Z269T02ANP.

 

SECTION 1. The Revolving Term Loan Commitment. On the terms and conditions set forth in the MLA and this Supplement, CoBank agrees to make loans to the Company during the period set forth below in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $14,068,836.00 at any one time outstanding (the “Commitment”). Within the limits of the Commitment, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow, provided, however, no advances shall be made on this Term Loan, until Term Loan No. Z269T01 (as it may be amended), has been fully advanced.

 

SECTION 2. Purpose and Transfer.  The purpose of the Commitment is to finance the operating needs of the Company.

 

SECTION 3. Term.  The term of the Commitment shall be from the date hereof, up to but not including March 30, 2003, or such later date as CoBank may, in its sole discretion, authorize in writing.

 

SECTION 4. Interest.  The Company agrees to pay interest on the unpaid balance of the loans in accordance with one or more of the following interest rate options, as selected by the Company:

 

(A)           Variable Rate Option.  At a rate per annum equal at all times to the rate of interest established by CoBank from time to time as its National Variable Rate, which Rate is intended by CoBank to be a reference rate and not its lowest rate. The National Variable Rate will change on the date established by CoBank as the effective date of any change therein and CoBank agrees to notify the Company promptly after any such change.

 

(B)                  Quoted Rate Option.  At a fixed rate per annum to be quoted by CoBank in its sole discretion in each instance. Under this option, rates may be fixed on such balances and for such periods as may be agreeable to CoBank in its sole discretion in each instance.

 

(C)           LIBOR Option.  At a fixed rate equal to “LIBOR” (as hereinafter defined) plus the Applicable LIBOR Margin per annum (as described in terms of basis points (“bps”) in the chart immediately set forth below).   Under this option:    (a) rates may be fixed for “Interest Periods” (as hereinafter defined) of 1, 2, 3, or 6 months, or 1 year, as selected by the Company; (b) the minimum amount that may be fixed at any one time shall be $2,000,000.00; and (c) rates may only be fixed on a “Banking Day” (as hereinafter defined) or, at the option of the Company, on 2 Banking Days’ prior notice.  For purposes hereof: (i) “LIBOR” shall mean the rate indicated by Telerate (rounded upward to the nearest thousandth) as having been quoted by the British Bankers Association at 11:00 a.m. London time on the date the Company elects to fix a rate under this option for the offering of U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market for the Interest Period designated by the Company; (ii) “Banking Day” shall mean a day on which CoBank is open for business, dealings in U.S. dollar deposits are being carried out in the London interbank market, and banks are open for business in New York City and London, England; and (iii) “Interest Period” shall mean a period commencing on the day the Company elects to fix a rate under this option (or, at the option of the Company, two Banking Days later) and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month or the month that is 2, 3 or 6 months or 1 year thereafter, as the case may be; provided, however, that: (x) in the event such ending day is not a Banking

 

22



 

 

Day, such period shall be extended to the next Banking Day unless such next Banking Day falls in the next calendar month, in which case it shall end on the preceding Banking Day; and (y) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month, then such period shall end on the last Banking Day in the relevant month.

 

LIBOR MARGINS

 

FIXED RATE PRODUCT

 

INDEX

 

SPREAD OVER INDEX IN BASIS
POINTS (Applicable LIBOR Margin)

 

One Month

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

Two Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

Three Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

Six Months

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

One Year

 

LIBOR

 

90bps

 

 

(D)          Treasury Option.  At a fixed rate equal to Applicable “Treasury” Margin per annum (as described in terms of basis points (“bps”) in the chart immediately set forth below) above the “U.S. Treasury Rate” (as hereinafter defined). Under this option, balances of $2,000,000.00 or more may be fixed on or before for periods ranging from two years to the final maturity date of the loan, as selected by the Company. However, rates may not be fixed in such a manner as to require the Company to have to repay any fixed rate balance prior to the last day of its fixed rate period in order to pay any installment of principal. For purposes hereof, the “U.S. Treasury Rate” shall mean the yield to maturity on U.S. Treasury instruments having the same maturity date as the last day of the fixed rate period selected by the Company, as calculated from the bid price indicated by Telerate (page 5) at the time the rate is fixed. If, however, no instrument is indicated for the maturity selected, then the rate shall be interpolated based on the bid prices quoted for the next longest and shortest maturities so indicated. In the event Telerate ceases to provide such quotations or materially changes the form or substance of page 5 (as determined by CoBank), then CoBank will notify the Company and the parties hereto will agree upon a substitute basis for obtaining such quotations.

 

TREASURY MARGINS

 

FIXED RATE PRODUCT

 

INDEX

 

SPREAD OVER INDEX IN BASIS
POINTS (Applicable Treasury Margin)

 

Two Years

 

U.S.$ Constant Maturity
Treasury (“US$CMT”
)

 

125 bps

 

Three Years

 

US$CMT

 

125 bps

 

Four Years

 

USSCMT

 

125 bps

 

Five Years

 

USSCMT

 

125 bps

 

Seven Years

 

US$CMT

 

140 bps

 

Ten Years

 

USSCMT

 

140 bps

 

Floor (Minimum) Rate (For Two to Ten Year Fixed Rate Products Only)

 

CoBank’s cost of funds (as reasonably determined by CoBank in its sole discretion)

 

105 bps

 

 

 

23



 

The spread over all of the above indices, including the Floor (Minimum) Rate, may increase or decrease for future fixed amounts based on the Borrower’s previous fiscal quarter’s leverage ratio, as follows:

 

LEVERAGE RATIO (as defined below)

 

INCREASE/DECREASE TO SPREAD

 

CHANGE TO LIBOR and TREASURY MARGINS (IN BASIS POINTS)

 

A. Equal to or greater than 1.35:1.00

 

Increase

 

20

 

B. Equal to or greater than 1.20:1.00, but less than 1.35:1.00

 

None

 

0

 

C. Less than 1.20:1.00, but greater than or equal to 1.00:1.00

 

Decrease

 

10

 

D. Less than 1.00:1.00

 

Decrease

 

20

 

 

Leverage Ratio:  The Borrower will maintain a leverage ratio of not more than 1.50:1.0, and attain a leverage ratio of not more than 1.40:1.0 on November 30, 2002. Leverage ratio is long term debt (excluding current maturities) calculated in accordance with GAAP plus or minus the difference between actual working capital and minimum net working capital (as defined in the MLA No. Z269, Section 10), divided by total members investments plus the estimated unit retains.

 

The spread shall be adjusted quarterly on the latter of either: (a) five business days after the Bank’s receipt of the Borrower’s certification of compliance with the leverage ratio, or (b) 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

 

The Company shall select the applicable rate option at the time it requests a loan hereunder and may, subject to the limitations set forth above, elect to convert balances bearing interest at the variable rate option to one of the fixed rate options. Upon the expiration of any fixed rate period, interest shall automatically accrue at the variable rate option unless the amount fixed is repaid or fixed for an additional period in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless CoBank otherwise consents in its sole discretion in each instance, rates may not be fixed for periods expiring after the maturity date of the loans. In the event CoBank so consents and the Commitment is not renewed, then each balance so fixed shall be due and payable on the last day of its fixed rate period, and the promissory note set forth below shall be deemed amended accordingly. All elections provided for herein shall be made telephonically or in writing and must be received by 12:00 noon Company’s local time. Interest shall be calculated on the actual number of days each loan is outstanding on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be payable quarterly in arrears by the 20th day of the following month.

 

SECTION 5. Promissory Note. The Company promises to repay the loans that are outstanding in annual principal payments of $2,000,000.00 each due on or before December 31st of each year commencing in 2002. All outstanding balances shall be repaid by December 31, 2009. If any installment

 

24



 

due date is not a day on which CoBank is open for business, then such payment shall be made on the next day on which CoBank is open for business. In addition to the above, the Company promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof at the times and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 4 hereof. This note replaces and supersedes, but does not constitute payment of the indebtedness evidenced by, the promissory note set forth in the Supplement being amended and restated hereby.

 

SECTION 6.  Prepayment. The loans may be prepaid in whole or in part on one CoBank business day’s prior written notice. During the term of the Commitment, prepayments shall be applied to such balances, fixed or variable, as the Company shall specify. After the expiration of the term of the Commitment, prepayments shall, unless CoBank otherwise agrees, be applied to principal installments in the inverse order of their maturity and to such balances, fixed or variable, as CoBank shall specify.

 

SECTION 7.  Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Commitment, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Commitment at the rate of 20 basis points per annum (calculated on a 360 day basis), payable quarterly in arrears by the 20th day following each calendar quarter. Such fee shall be payable for each calendar quarter (or portion thereof) occurring during the original or any extended term of the Commitment.

 

SECTION 8.  Letters of Credit. In addition to loans, and if agreeable to CoBank in its sole discretion in each instance, the Company may utilize the Commitment to open irrevocable letters of credit for its account. Each letter of credit shall reduce the amount available under the Commitment by the maximum amount capable of being drawn thereunder. The rights and obligations of the parties with respect to each letter of credit will be governed by the Reimbursement Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (which rights and obligations shall be in addition to the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder and under the MLA). The fee for issuing each letter of credit shall be determined at the time of application.

 

SECTION 9.  Security. In addition to any other security that may otherwise be required or provided, the Company’s obligations under this Supplement are secured by that Restated Mortgage and Security Agreement dated September 15, 1998, from American Crystal Sugar Company to St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives (now known as CoBank as a result of merger), as Collateral Agent.

SECTION 10.  Extension Fee. In consideration of extending the Commitment, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank on the execution hereof, an extension fee in the amount of $14,069.00 (10bp based on the current balance of $14,068,836.00).

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

CoBANK, ACB

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Wai

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

Treasurer

 

25



 

Exhibit A

 

LETTER OF CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of CoBank issuing one or more letters of credit (each a “Credit”) for the Company’s account under the Supplement to which this agreement is attached (the “Supplement”), the Company agrees as follows:

 

1.         The Company will pay to CoBank in United States currency and in immediately available funds the amount of each draft drawn or instrument paid under a Credit.   In addition, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank such fee for issuing each Credit as CoBank shall prescribe, as well as all customary charges associated with the issuance of a Credit.   If a Credit is payable in a foreign currency, the Company will pay to CoBank an amount in United States currency equivalent to CoBank’s selling rate of exchange for that currency.   In addition to the amounts set forth above, the Company shall pay to CoBank such amounts as CoBank shall determine are necessary to compensate CoBank for any cost attributable to CoBank issuing or having outstanding any Credit resulting from the application of any law or regulation concerning any reserve, assessment, capital adequacy or similar requirement relating to letters of credit, reimbursement agreements with respect thereto, or to similar liabilities or assets of banks, whether existing at the time of the issuance of a Credit or adopted thereafter.   Each payment hereunder shall be payable on demand at the place and manner set forth in the Master Loan Agreement between the parties (the “MLA”) and with interest from the date of demand to the date paid at CoBank’s National Variable Rate.  The Company hereby authorizes CoBank to create a loan under the Supplement bearing interest at the variable rate set forth therein for any sums owing hereunder.

 

2.         Neither CoBank nor any of its correspondents shall in any way be responsible for the performance by any beneficiary of its obligations to the Company nor for the form, sufficiency, correctness, genuineness, authority of the person signing, falsification or legal effect of any documents called for under a Credit if such documents on their face appear to be in order.   In addition, CoBank and its correspondents may receive and accept or pay as complying with the terms of a Credit any drafts, documents, or certificates, otherwise in order, signed by any person purporting to be an administrator, executor, trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver, or other legal representative of the party authorized under a Credit to draw or issue such instruments or other documents.

 

3.         In the event the Credit is a commercial Credit, then, in addition to the other provisions hereof, the Company:   (i) agrees to obtain or cause to be in existence insurance on any merchandise described in the Credit against fire and other usual risks and against any additional risks which CoBank may request; and (ii) authorizes and empowers CoBank to collect the amount due under any such insurance and apply the same against any of the Company’s obligations to CoBank arising under the Credit or otherwise.   In addition, whether the Credit is a commercial or a standby Credit, the Company represents and warrants that any required import, export or foreign exchange licenses or other governmental approvals relevant to the Credit and the merchandise described therein have been obtained and that the transactions contemplated thereby are not prohibited under any law, rule, regulation, order or the like, including the Foreign Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

 

4.     All directions and correspondence relating to a Credit are to be sent at the Company’s risk and CoBank does not assume any responsibility for any inaccuracy, interruption, error, or delay in transmission or delivery by post, telegraph, cable or other electronic means, or for any inaccuracy of translation.

 

5.         CoBank shall not be responsible for any act, error, neglect, default, omission, insolvency or failure in business of any of its correspondents, and any action taken or omitted by CoBank or its correspondents under or in connection with a Credit shall, if taken or omitted with honesty in fact, be binding on the Company and shall not put CoBank or its correspondents under any resulting liability to the Company. In no event shall CoBank be liable for special, consequential or punitive damages.

 

6.         The Company will indemnify CoBank against and hold it harmless from all loss, damage, cost, and expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) arising out of (i) its issuance of or any other action taken by CoBank in connection with a Credit, other than loss or damage resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (ii) claims or legal proceedings incident to the collection of amounts owed by the Company hereunder, or the enforcement of CoBank’s rights or the rights of others under a Credit, including, without limitation, legal proceedings relating to any court order, injunction or other process or decree restraining or seeking to restrain CoBank from paying any amount under a Credit.

 

7.         In the event:   (i) the Company fails to make any payment owing hereunder when the same shall become due and payable; (ii) any covenant or representation or warranty set forth herein  is breached; (iii) the “Commitment” (as defined in the Supplement) expires prior to the expiration date of any Credit; or (iv) an “Event of Default” (as defined in the MLA) occurs

 

26



 

under the MLA, then, in any such event, the amount of each Credit, together with any amounts payable by us in connection therewith, shall, at CoBank’s option, become immediately due and payable. To the extent that any amount paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 7 shall not then be due under the terms of a Credit, such payment shall serve as security for the Company’s obligation to indemnify CoBank for any amounts subsequently disbursed by CoBank pursuant to a Credit. Furthermore, upon the institution of any legal proceeding described in Section 6(ii) hereof, the Company will, on demand, assign and deliver to CoBank, as security for the Company’s obligation to indemnify CoBank, cash collateral in an amount satisfactory to CoBank.

 

8.          CoBank shall be fully protected in, and shall incur no liability to the Company for acting upon, any oral, telephonic, facsimile, cable or other electronic instructions which CoBank in good faith believes to have been given by any authorized person.  CoBank may, at its option, use any means of verifying any instructions received by it and may also, at its option, refuse to act on any oral, telephonic, facsimile, cable or other electronic instructions or any part thereof, without incurring any responsibility for any loss, liability or expenses arising out of such refusal.

 

9.          The Uniform Customs and Practice as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce (hereafter called the “UCP”) shall in all respects be deemed a part hereof as fully as if incorporated herein, and shall apply to the Credits. To the extent the UCP is inconsistent with the governing law set forth in the MLA, the UCP shall control.

 

27



 

Loan No. Z269T03A NP

 

SINGLE ADVANCE TERM LOAN SUPPLEMENT

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT to the Master Loan Agreement dated as of March 31, 2000 (the “MLA”), is entered into as of April 21, 2000, between CoBANK, ACB (“CoBank”) and AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY, Moorhead, Minnesota (the “Company”), and amends and restates the Supplement dated March 31, 2000 and numbered Z269T03NP.

 

SECTION 1.         The Term Loan.  This Supplement is to evidence a term loan to the Company in the original principal commitment amount of $12,000,000.00 (the “Loan”).  The Loan is currently evidenced by Note No. 30800NP (the “Note”) and is subject to the terms of that certain Note Agreement dated December 5, 1994 by and among the Company, CoBank’s predecessor (the St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives), and Bank of North Dakota (the “Note Agreement”).  The outstanding principal balance of the Loan as of the date hereof is $7,200,000.00.

 

SECTION 2.         Purpose and Transfer.  The purpose of this Supplement is to replace the Note and transfer the indebtedness evidenced thereby to this Supplement.  As of the date of this Supplement, the Note shall be deemed replaced and superseded, but the indebtedness evidenced by such Note shall not be deemed to have been paid off, by this Supplement and the MLA.  The Note Agreement shall remain in full force and effect except that any reference to the “Loan” shall be deemed to mean the indebtedness evidenced by this Supplement, and any reference to “Loan Agreement” shall be deemed a reference to the MLA.  To the extent that the Note Agreement may be inconsistent with the terms of this Supplement or the MLA, the terms of the Note Agreement shall control.  All security given to secure the Note shall secure this Supplement.

 

SECTION 3.         Availability.  The date for permitting advances under the Note has expired.  There is no further availability.

 

SECTION 4.         Interest. The Company agrees to pay interest on the unpaid balance of the Loan at such rate or rates as determined in accordance with the terms of the Note Agreement.  As of the date hereof the interest rate is fixed at 6.34% per annum and shall remain fixed at such rate for the period as provided for in the Note Agreement.  All other matters regarding the calculation and payment of interest shall be in accordance with the terms of the Note Agreement (including, without limitation, the terms applicable to prepayment of fixed rate loans prior to pricing maturity dates).

 

SECTION 5.         Promissory Note.  The Company promises to repay the Loan in accordance with the repayment terms of the Note Agreement.  If any installment due date is not a day on which CoBank is open for business, then such payment shall be made on the next day on which CoBank is open for business.  In addition to the above, the Company promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof at the times and in accordance with the terms of the Note Agreement.  This note replaces and supersedes, but does not constitute payment of the indebtedness evidenced by, the promissory note set forth in the Supplement being amended and restated hereby.

 

SECTION 6.         Prepayment.  Subject to the terms of the Note Agreement, the Loan may be prepaid in whole or in part on one CoBank business day’s prior written notice.

 

28



 

SECTION 7.         Security.  In addition to any other security that may otherwise be required or provided, the Company’s obligations under this Supplement are secured by that Restated Mortgage and Security Agreement dated September 15, 1998, from American Crystal Sugar Company to St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives (now known as CoBank as a result of merger), as Collateral Agent.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

CoBANK, ACB

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

By:

/s/ Casey Garten

 

By:

/s/ Sam Wai

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Title:

Treasurer

 

 

29



 

Loan No.  Z269S01C

 

STATUSED REVOLVING CREDIT SUPPLEMENT

 

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT to the Master Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2000 (the “MLA”), is entered into as of March 27, 2002, between CoBANK, ACB (“CoBank”) and AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY, Moorhead, Minnesota (the “Company”), and amends and restates the Supplement dated March 28, 2001 and numbered Z269S01B.

 

SECTION 1.         The Revolving Credit Facility.  On the terms and conditions set forth in the MLA and this Supplement, CoBank agrees to make loans to the Company during the period set forth below in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, the lesser of the “Borrowing Base” (as calculated pursuant to the Borrowing Base Certificate, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A) or $180,000,000.00 (the “Commitment”). Within the limits of the Commitment, but subject to the Borrowing Base, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow.

 

SECTION 2.         Purpose and Transfer.  The purpose of the Commitment is to finance the Company’s general corporate purposes, fund working capital requirements, back the Company’s commercial paper program, and issue short-term commercial and standby letters of credit.

 

SECTION 3.         Term.  The term of the Commitment shall be from the date hereof, up to but not including March 30, 2003, or such later date as CoBank may, in its sole discretion, authorize in writing.

 

SECTION 4.         Interest.  The Company agrees to pay interest on the unpaid balance of the loans in accordance with one or more of the following interest rate options, as selected by the Company:

 

(A)          Base Rate Option.  At a rate per annum at all times equal to the Base Rate.  For the purposes hereof, Base Rate means that rate in effect from day to day defined as the “prime rate” as published from time to time in the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal as the average prime lending rate for seventy-five percent (75%) of the United States; thirty (30) largest commercial banks, or if The Wall Street Journal shall cease publication or cease publishing the “prime rate” on a regular basis, such other regularly published average prime rate applicable to such commercial banks as is acceptable to the Lender in its reasonable discretion.  Loans for which the Base Rate option is selected are referred to herein as “Base Rate Loans”.

 

Base Rate Loans shall be:  (a) in minimum amounts of $5,000,000 and incremental multiples of $1,000,000; and (b) made available on any Banking Day.  Interest on Base Rate Loans shall be calculated on the actual number of days each loan is outstanding on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be payable monthly in arrears on the twentieth Banking Day of the following month.

 

(B)          Quoted Rate Option.  At a fixed rate per annum at all times equal to the Quoted Rate.  For the purposes hereof, Quoted Rate means a fixed rate of interest to apply to a loan (referred to herein as a “Quoted Rate Loan”) for a specified period of time not to exceed thirty (30) days quoted by CoBank in its sole discretion.

 

Quoted Rate Loans shall be (i) in minimum amounts of $1,000,000 and incremental multiples of $1,000,000; and (ii) made available on any Banking Day.  The Quoted Rate may not necessarily be the lowest rate at which CoBank funds at that time.

 

30



 

Interest on Quoted Rate Loans shall be calculated on the actual number of days each loan is outstanding on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be payable monthly in arrears on the twentieth Banking Day of the following month.

 

(C)          LIBOR Option.  At a fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus the Applicable Margin (as defined below).  For the purposes hereof, LIBOR means the rate for deposits in U.S. Dollars, with maturities comparable to the selected LIBOR Interest Period, that appears on the display designed as page “3750” of the Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace the 3750 page of that service of if the Telerate Service shall cease displaying such rates, such other service or services as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association for the purpose of displaying London Interbank Offered Rates for U.S. Dollar deposits), determined as of 11:00 a.m. London time two Banking Days prior to the commencement of such LIBOR Interest Period.  “LIBOR Interest Period” means a period of one, two, three or six months.  LIBOR pricing will be adjusted for Regulation D reserve requirements.  The Applicable Margin is 70 basis points.  Loans for which the LIBOR option is selected are referred to herein as “LIBOR Loans”.

 

LIBOR Loans shall be:  (a) in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and incremental multiples of $1,000,000;  (b) made available on three Banking Days prior notice; and (c) be for periods of one, two, three, or six months.  Interest on LIBOR Loans shall be calculated on the actual number of days each loan is outstanding on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be payable in arrears upon maturity of the applicable LIBOR Interest Period, but no less frequently than quarterly.  The LIBOR option shall be subject to the following limitations:

 

(1)           Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, on or prior to the determination of the LIBOR rate for any LIBOR Interest Period, CoBank determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that quotations of interest rates in accordance with the definition of LIBOR rate are not being provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for purposes of determining rates of interest for LIBOR rate advances as provided in this Supplement, then CoBank shall give the Company prompt notice thereof, and so long as such condition remains in effect, CoBank shall be under no obligation to make LIBOR rate loans, convert Base Rate loans into LIBOR rate loans, or continue LIBOR rate loans, and the Company shall, on the last day(s) of the then current applicable LIBOR Interest Period(s) for the outstanding LIBOR rate loans, either prepay such LIBOR rate loans or such LIBOR rate loans shall automatically be converted into a Base Rate loan in accordance with this Section 4.

 

(2)           If any law, treaty, rule, regulation or determination of a court or governmental authority or any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof subsequent to the date hereof (each, a “Change in Law”) shall make it unlawful for CoBank to (a) advance any LIBOR rate loan or (b) maintain all or any portion of a LIBOR rate loan, then CoBank shall promptly notify the Company thereof.  In the former event, any obligation of CoBank to make available any future LIBOR rate loan shall immediately be canceled (and, in lieu thereof shall be made as a Base Rate loan or Quoted Rate loan at the option of the Company), and in the latter event, any such unlawful LIBOR rate loan or portions thereof then outstanding shall be converted, at the option of the Company, to either a Base Rate loan or a Quoted Rate loan; provided, however, that if any such Change in Law shall permit the LIBOR rate to remain in effect until the expiration of the LIBOR rate period applicable to any such unlawful LIBOR rate loan, then such LIBOR rate loan shall continue in effect until the expiration of such LIBOR rate period.  Upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing events on account of any Change in Law, the Company shall pay to CoBank immediately upon demand such amounts as may be necessary to compensate CoBank for any fees, charges, or other costs incurred or payable by CoBank as a result thereof and which are attributable to any LIBOR rate loans made available to the Company hereunder.

 

31



 

(3)           If CoBank shall determine that, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable Law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital of CoBank as a consequence of CoBank’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which CoBank could have achieved but for such adoption, change, request or directive (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy existing on the date of this Supplement) by an amount deemed by CoBank to be material, then from time to time, within fifteen (15) days after demand by CoBank, the Company shall pay to CoBank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate CoBank for such reduction.  CoBank agrees to take reasonable steps to reduce the amount of such increase, provided, however, that CoBank shall not be required to take any such step, if in CoBank’s sole opinion, CoBank would suffer an economic loss or any negative legal or regulatory consequences as a result thereof.  If CoBank is to require the Company to make payments under this Section then CoBank must make a demand on the Company to make such payment within ninety (90) days of the later of (1) the date on which such capital costs are actually incurred by CoBank, or (2) the date on which CoBank knows, or should have known, that such capital costs have been incurred by CoBank.

 

The Company shall select the applicable rate option at the time it requests a loan hereunder and may, subject to the limitations set forth above, elect to convert balances bearing interest at the variable rate option to one of the fixed rate options. Upon the expiration of any fixed rate period, interest shall automatically accrue at the Base Rate unless the amount fixed is repaid or fixed for an additional period in accordance with the terms hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless CoBank otherwise consents in its sole discretion in each instance, rates may not be fixed for periods expiring after the maturity date of the loan. In the event CoBank so consents and the Commitment is not renewed, then each balance so fixed shall be due and payable on the last day of its fixed rate period, and the promissory note set forth below shall be deemed amended accordingly. All elections provided for herein shall be made telephonically or in writing and must be received by 12:00 noon Company’s local time.  As used in this Section 4, “Banking Day” means a day on which CoBank is open for business, dealings in U.S. dollar deposits are being carried out in the London interbank market, and banks are open for business in New York City and London, England.

 

SECTION 5.         Promissory Note. The Company promises to repay the unpaid principal balance of the loans on the first CoBank business day following the last day of the term of the Commitment.  In addition to the above, the Company promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance of the loans at the times and in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 4 hereof.  This note replaces and supersedes, but does not constitute payment of the indebtedness evidenced by, the promissory note set forth in the Supplement being amended and restated hereby.

 

SECTION 6.         Borrowing Base Certificate, Etc.  The Company agrees to furnish a Borrowing Base Certificate to CoBank at such times or intervals as CoBank may from time to time request.  Until receipt of such a request, the Company agrees to furnish a Borrowing Base Certificate to CoBank within 30 days after each month end calculating the Borrowing Base as of the last day of the month for which the Certificate is being furnished.  However, if no balance is outstanding hereunder on the last day of such period, no Report need be furnished.  Regardless of the frequency of the reporting, if at any time the amount outstanding under the Commitment exceeds the Borrowing Base, the Company shall immediately

 

32



 

notify CoBank and repay so much of the loans as is necessary to reduce the amount outstanding under the Commitment to the limits of the Borrowing Base.

 

SECTION 7.         Commitment Fee.  In consideration of the Commitment, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Commitment at the rate of 20 basis points per annum (calculated on a 360 day basis), payable quarterly in arrears by the 20th day following each calendar quarter. The unused amount of the 364-Day facility will be the difference between the 364-Day Commitment and the sum of the outstanding 364-Day Facility Loans and the undrawn face amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

 

SECTION 8.         Utilization Fee.  For any day on which the outstanding principal amount of loans shall be greater than 25% of the Commitment (but no greater than 50% of the Commitment), the Company shall pay to CoBank a utilization fee equal to 0.125% per annum (calculated on a 360 day basis) on the aggregate amount outstanding on such day.  For any day on which the outstanding principal amount of loans shall be greater than 50% of the Commitment, the Company shall pay to CoBank a utilization fee equal to 0.25% per annum (calculated on a 360 day basis) on the aggregate amount outstanding on such day.  Accrued and unpaid utilization fees, if any, shall be payable quarterly in arrears by the 20th day following each calendar quarter.

 

SECTION 9.         Letters of Credit.  In addition to loans, and if agreeable to CoBank in its sole discretion in each instance, the Company may utilize the Commitment to open irrevocable letters of credit for its account.  Each letter of credit shall reduce the amount available under the Commitment by the maximum amount capable of being drawn thereunder.  The rights and obligations of the parties with respect to each letter of credit will be governed by the Reimbursement Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B (which rights and obligations shall be in addition to the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder and under the MLA).  This Commitment shall expire on March 30, 2003. The fee for issuing each letter of credit shall be 70 basis points of the face amount of each letter of credit, along with an issuance fee to CoBank, for its own account, equal to the greater of (a) 1/8% of the face amount of the letter of credit, or (b) $2,000. The Company promises to repay the outstanding balance on the Commitment in full on demand, or if no demand is made, then any time on or before the commitment expiration date of March 30, 2003.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

CoBANK, ACB

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

33



 

EXHIBIT “A”

 

[Form of Borrowing Base]

American Crystal Sugar Company

Monthly Borrowing Base

For the month ended _______________

 

Trade Accounts Receivables

$

 

@ 80%

$

 

 

(a)

Trade Accounts Receivables are defined as those of the Borrower and all Guarantors which:  (1) arise from the sale and delivery of inventory on ordinary trade terms; (2) are evidenced by an invoice; (3) are net of any credit, trade or other allowance given to the account debtor; (4) are not owing by an account debtor who has become insolvent or is the subject of any bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation or like proceeding; (5) are not subject to any offset or deduction; (6) are not owing by an affiliate of Borrower; (7) are not owing by an obligor located outside of the U.S. unless the receivable is supported by a letter of credit issued by a bank acceptable to the Lender; and (8) are not government receivables.  The above provisions notwithstanding, Trade Receivables shall also exclude (i) any accounts that are past due more than 90 days, and (ii) any contra account regardless of the date;

 

Inventory

$

 

(b)

 

 

 

Inventory as determined on the basis of Net Realizable Value, defined as the expected selling price of an inventory item less expected costs to complete and dispose, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Crop Payments due Non-members
and members

$

 

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Inventory Value (b-c)
(d)

$

 

@ 75%

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowing Base (a+d)

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Paper
(e)

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seasonal Loan
(f)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CCC
(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Short-term Loans (e+f+g)

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

34



 

Exhibit B

 

LETTER OF CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of CoBank issuing one or more letters of credit (each a “Credit”) for the Company’s account under the Supplement to which this agreement is attached (the “Supplement”), the Company agrees as follows:

 

1.     The Company will pay to CoBank in United States currency and in immediately available funds the amount of each draft drawn or instrument paid under a Credit.  In addition, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank such fee for issuing each Credit as prescribed in Section 9 of Supplement number Z269S01C, as well as all customary charges associated with the issuance of a Credit.  If a Credit is payable in a foreign currency, the Company will pay to CoBank an amount in United States currency equivalent to CoBank’s selling rate of exchange for that currency.  In addition to the amounts set forth above, the Company shall pay to CoBank such amounts as CoBank shall determine are necessary to compensate CoBank for any cost attributable to CoBank issuing or having outstanding any Credit resulting from the application of any law or regulation concerning any reserve, assessment, capital adequacy or similar requirement relating to letters of credit, reimbursement agreements with respect thereto, or to similar liabilities or assets of banks, whether existing at the time of the issuance of a Credit or adopted thereafter.  Each payment hereunder shall be payable on demand at the place and manner set forth in the Master Loan Agreement between the parties (the “MLA”) and with interest from the date of demand to the date paid at CoBank’s National Variable Rate.  The Company hereby authorizes CoBank to create a loan under the Supplement bearing interest at the variable rate set forth therein for any sums owing hereunder.

 

2.     Neither CoBank nor any of its correspondents shall in any way be responsible for the performance by any beneficiary of its obligations to the Company nor for the form, sufficiency, correctness, genuineness, authority of the person signing, falsification or legal effect of any documents called for under a Credit if such documents on their face appear to be in order.  In addition, CoBank and its correspondents may receive and accept or pay as complying with the terms of a Credit any drafts, documents, or certificates, otherwise in order, signed by any person purporting to be an administrator, executor, trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver, or other legal representative of the party authorized under a Credit to draw or issue such instruments or other documents.

 

3.     In the event the Credit is a commercial Credit, then, in addition to the other provisions hereof, the Company:  (i) agrees to obtain or cause to be in existence insurance on any merchandise described in the Credit against fire and other usual risks and against any additional risks which CoBank may request; and (ii) authorizes and empowers CoBank to collect the amount due under any such insurance and apply the same against any of the Company’s  obligations to CoBank arising under the Credit or otherwise.  In addition, whether the Credit is a commercial or a standby Credit, the Company represents and warrants that any required import, export or foreign exchange licenses or other governmental approvals relevant to the Credit and the merchandise described therein have been obtained and that the transactions contemplated thereby are not prohibited under any  law, rule, regulation, order or the like, including the Foreign Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

 

4.     All directions and correspondence relating to a Credit are to be sent at the Company’s risk and CoBank does not assume any responsibility for any inaccuracy, interruption, error, or delay in transmission or delivery by post, telegraph, cable or other electronic means, or for any inaccuracy of translation.

 

5.     CoBank shall not be responsible for any act, error, neglect, default, omission, insolvency or failure in business of any of its correspondents, and any action taken or omitted by CoBank or its correspondents under or in connection with a Credit shall, if taken or omitted with honesty in fact, be binding on the Company and shall not put CoBank or its correspondents under any resulting liability to the Company.  In no event shall  CoBank be liable for special, consequential or punitive damages.

 

6.     The Company will indemnify CoBank against and hold it harmless from all loss, damage, cost, and expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) arising out of (i) its issuance of or any other action taken by CoBank in connection with a Credit, other than loss or damage resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (ii) claims or legal proceedings incident to the collection of amounts owed by the Company hereunder, or the enforcement of CoBank’s rights or the rights of others under a Credit, including, without limitation, legal proceedings relating to any court order, injunction or other process or decree restraining or seeking to restrain CoBank from paying any amount under a Credit.

 

7.     In the event:  (i) the Company fails to make any payment owing hereunder when the same shall become due and payable; (ii) any covenant or representation or warranty set forth herein is breached; (iii) the “Commitment” (as defined in the Supplement) expires prior to the expiration date of any Credit; or (iv) an “Event of Default” (as defined in the MLA) occurs

 

35



 

under the MLA, then, in any such event, the amount of each Credit, together with any amounts payable by us in connection therewith, shall, at CoBank’s option, become immediately due and payable. To the extent that any amount paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 7 shall not then be due under the terms of a Credit, such payment shall serve as security for the Company’s obligation to indemnify CoBank for any amounts subsequently disbursed by CoBank pursuant to a Credit.  Furthermore, upon the institution of any legal proceeding described in Section 6(ii) hereof, the Company will, on demand, assign and deliver to CoBank, as security for the Company’s obligation to indemnify CoBank, cash collateral in an amount satisfactory to CoBank.

 

8.     CoBank shall be fully protected in, and shall incur no liability to the Company for acting upon, any oral, telephonic, facsimile, cable or other electronic instructions which CoBank in good faith believes to have been given by any authorized person.  CoBank may, at its option, use any means of verifying any instructions received by it and may also, at its option, refuse to act on any oral, telephonic, facsimile, cable or other electronic instructions or any part thereof, without incurring any responsibility for any loss, liability or expenses arising out of such refusal.

 

9.     The Uniform Customs and Practice as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce (hereafter called the “UCP”) shall in all respects be deemed a part hereof as fully as if incorporated herein, and shall apply to the Credits.  To the extent the UCP is inconsistent with the governing law set forth in the MLA, the UCP shall control.

 

36



 

[Form of Borrowing Base]

 

American Crystal Sugar Company

Monthly Borrowing Base

For the month ended __________________

 

Trade Accounts Receivables

$

 

@ 80%

$

 

(a)

 

 

Trade Accounts Receivables are defined as those of the Borrower and all Guarantors which:  (1) arise from the sale and delivery of inventory on ordinary trade terms; (2) are evidenced by an invoice; (3) are net of any credit, trade or other allowance given to the account debtor; (4) are not owing by an account debtor who has become insolvent or is the subject of any bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation or like proceeding; (5) are not subject to any offset or deduction; (6) are not owing by an affiliate of Borrower; (7) are not owing by an obligor located outside of the U.S. unless the receivable is supported by a letter of credit issued by a bank acceptable to the Lender; and (8) are not government receivables.  The above provisions notwithstanding, Trade Receivables shall also exclude (i) any accounts that are past due more than 90 days, and (ii) any contra account regardless of the date;

 

Inventory

$

 

(b)

 

 

 

Inventory as determined on the basis of Net Realizable Value, defined as the expected selling price of an inventory item less expected costs to complete and dispose, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Crop Payments due Non-members
and members

$

 

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Inventory Value (b-c)

$

 

@ 75%

$

 

(d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowing Base (a+d)

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial Paper

 

 

 

$

 

(e)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seasonal Loan

 

 

 

 

 

(f)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CCC

 

 

 

 

 

(g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Short-term Loans (e+f+g)

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

37



 

Loan No. Z269T04

 

LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT SUPPLEMENT.

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT to the Master Loan Agreement dated March 31, 2000  (the “MLA”), is entered into as of March 31, 2000, between CoBANK, ACB (“CoBank”) and AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY, Moorhead, Minnesota   (the “Company”).

 

SECTION 1.         The Letter of Credit.  On the terms and conditions set forth in the MLA, CoBank agrees to establish a loan commitment to the Company in an amount not to exceed $31,000,000.00 (the “Commitment”).  The Commitment shall expire at 12:00 noon (Company’s local time) on April 30, 2013 or on such later date as CoBank may, in its sole discretion, authorize in writing.

 

SECTION 2.         Purpose.  The purpose of the Commitment is to reimburse CoBank in the event of draws on letters of credit issued by CoBank (or its predecessor) for the benefit of the Company, and to renew, extend and refinance the Company’s obligations to CoBank under the Company’s existing Letter of Credit Commitment (“Existing Letter of Credit Commitment”) as currently evidenced by Note No. 30343  (the “Note”) and the Loan Agreement dated March 5, 1999. (the “Existing Agreement”).  The Company agrees that on the date when all conditions precedent to CoBank’s obligation to extend credit hereunder have been satisfied:  (a) the principal balance outstanding (or any obligations outstanding as a result of any letters of credit currently in effect) under the Existing Letter of Credit Commitment shall be transferred to and charged against this Commitment; (b) all accrued obligations of the Company under the Existing Letter of Credit Commitment for the payment of interest or other charges shall be transferred to and become part of the Company’s obligations under this Supplement as if fully set forth herein; and, (c) the Note and the Existing Agreement (to the extent applicable to the Note) shall be deemed replaced and superseded, but the indebtedness evidenced by such Note shall not be deemed to have been paid off, by this Supplement and the MLA.

 

SECTION 3.         Promissory Note.  The Company promises to repay all outstanding balances for advances made in support of outstanding letters of credit, upon demand

 

SECTION 4.         Interest. The Company agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance of each loan, from the date of draw to actual repayment on a daily basis for the actual number of days any portion of the principal is outstanding.  The unpaid principal balance shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal at all times to the rate of interest established by CoBank from time to time as its National Variable Rate, which Rate is intended by CoBank to be a reference rate and not its lowest rate.  The National Variable Rate will change on the date established by CoBank as the effective date of any change therein and CoBank agrees to notify the Company promptly after any such change. Interest shall be calculated on the actual number of days each loan is outstanding on the basis of a year consisting of 360 days and shall be payable monthly in arrears by the 20th day of the following month.

 

SECTION 5.         Issuance of Letters of Credit.  Each letter of credit issued shall reduce the amount available under the Commitment by the maximum amount capable of being drawn thereunder.  The rights and obligations of the parties with respect to each letter of credit will be governed by the Reimbursement Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (which rights and obligations shall be in addition to the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder and under the MLA).  The fee for issuing each  letter of credit shall be determined CoBank at the time of issuance.  The Company promises to repay the outstanding balance on the Commitment in full on demand, or if no demand is made, then any time on or before the Commitment expiration date.

 

38



 

SECTION 6.          Security.  In addition to any other security that may otherwise be required or provided, the Company’s obligations under this Supplement are secured by that Restated Mortgage and Security Agreement dated September 15, 1998, from American Crystal Sugar Company to St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives (now known as CoBank as a result of merger), as Collateral Agent.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date shown above.

 

CoBANK, ACB

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

 

By:

/s/ Casey Garten

 

By:

/s/ Sam Wai

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Title:

Treasurer

 

 

39



 

Exhibit A

 

LETTER OF CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of CoBank issuing one or more letters of credit (each a “Credit”) for the Company’s account under the Supplement to which this agreement is attached (the “Supplement”), the Company agrees as follows:

 

1.     The Company will pay to CoBank in United States currency and in immediately available funds the amount of each draft drawn or instrument paid under a Credit.  In addition, the Company agrees to pay to CoBank such fee for issuing each Credit as CoBank shall prescribe, as well as all customary charges associated with the issuance of a Credit.  If a Credit is payable in a foreign currency, the Company will pay to CoBank an amount in United States currency equivalent to CoBank’s selling rate of exchange for that currency.  In addition to the amounts set forth above, the Company shall pay to CoBank such amounts as CoBank shall determine are necessary to compensate CoBank for any cost attributable to CoBank issuing or having outstanding any Credit resulting from the application of any law or regulation concerning any reserve, assessment, capital adequacy or similar requirement relating to letters of credit, reimbursement agreements with respect thereto, or to similar liabilities or assets of banks, whether existing at the time of the issuance of a Credit or adopted thereafter.  Each payment hereunder shall be payable on demand at the place and manner set forth in the Master Loan Agreement between the parties (the “MLA”) and with interest from the date of demand to the date paid at CoBank’s National Variable Rate.  The Company hereby authorizes CoBank to create a loan under the Supplement bearing interest at the variable rate set forth therein for any sums owing hereunder.

 

2.     Neither CoBank nor any of its correspondents shall in any way be responsible for the performance by any beneficiary of its obligations to the Company nor for the form, sufficiency, correctness, genuineness, authority of the person signing, falsification or legal effect of any documents called for under a Credit if such documents on their face appear to be in order.  In addition, CoBank and its correspondents may receive and accept or pay as complying with the terms of a Credit any drafts, documents, or certificates, otherwise in order, signed by any person purporting to be an administrator, executor, trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver, or other legal representative of the party authorized under a Credit to draw or issue such instruments or other documents.

 

3.     In the event the Credit is a commercial Credit, then, in addition to the other provisions hereof, the Company:  (i) agrees to obtain or cause to be in existence insurance on any merchandise described in the Credit against fire and other usual risks and against any additional risks which CoBank may request; and (ii) authorizes and empowers CoBank to collect the amount due under any such insurance and apply the same against any of the Company’s  obligations to CoBank arising under the Credit or otherwise.  In addition, whether the Credit is a commercial or a standby Credit, the Company represents and warrants that any required import, export or foreign exchange licenses or other governmental approvals relevant to the Credit and the merchandise described therein have been obtained and that the transactions contemplated thereby are not prohibited under any  law, rule, regulation, order or the like, including the Foreign Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

 

4.     All directions and correspondence relating to a Credit are to be sent at the Company’s risk and CoBank does not assume any responsibility for any inaccuracy, interruption, error, or delay in transmission or delivery by post, telegraph, cable or other electronic means, or for any inaccuracy of translation.

 

5.     CoBank shall not be responsible for any act, error, neglect, default, omission, insolvency or failure in business of any of its correspondents, and any action taken or omitted by CoBank or its correspondents under or in connection with a Credit shall, if taken or omitted with honesty in fact, be binding on the Company and shall not put CoBank or its correspondents under any resulting liability to the Company.  In no event shall  CoBank be liable for special, consequential or punitive damages.

 

6.     The Company will indemnify CoBank against and hold it harmless from all loss, damage, cost, and expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) arising out of (i) its issuance of or any other action taken by CoBank in connection with a Credit, other than loss or damage resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (ii) claims or legal proceedings incident to the collection of amounts owed by the Company hereunder, or the enforcement of CoBank’s rights or the rights of others under a Credit, including, without limitation, legal proceedings relating to any court order, injunction or other process or decree restraining or seeking to restrain CoBank from paying any amount under a Credit.

 

7.     In the event:  (i) the Company fails to make any payment owing hereunder when the same shall become due and payable; (ii) any covenant or representation or warranty set forth herein is breached; (iii) the “Commitment” (as defined in the Supplement) expires prior to the expiration date of any Credit; or (iv) an “Event of Default” (as defined in the MLA) occurs under the MLA, then, in any such event, the amount of each Credit, together with any amounts payable by us in connection therewith, shall, at CoBank’s option, become immediately due and payable. To the extent that any amount paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 7 shall not then be due under the terms of a Credit, such payment shall serve as security for the Company’s obligation to indemnify CoBank for any amounts subsequently disbursed by CoBank pursuant to a Credit.  Furthermore, upon the institution of any legal proceeding described in Section 6(ii) hereof, the Company will, on demand, assign and deliver to CoBank, as security for the Company’s obligation to indemnify CoBank, cash collateral in an amount satisfactory to CoBank.

 

8.     CoBank shall be fully protected in, and shall incur no liability to the Company for acting upon, any oral, telephonic, facsimile, cable or other electronic instructions which CoBank in good faith believes to have been given by any authorized person.  CoBank may, at its option, use any means of verifying any instructions received by it and may also, at its option, refuse to act on any oral, telephonic, facsimile, cable or other electronic instructions or any part thereof, without incurring any responsibility for any loss, liability or expenses arising out of such refusal.

 

9.     The Uniform Customs and Practice as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce (hereafter called the “UCP”) shall in all respects be deemed a part hereof as fully as if incorporated herein, and shall apply to the Credits.  To the extent the UCP is inconsistent with the governing law set forth in the MLA, the UCP shall control.

 

40



 

(to be placed on Company letterhead)

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

To induce CoBank to make and continue making advances to the Company and to comply with and demonstrate compliance with the terms, covenants, and conditions of the Loan Agreement and all Supplements thereto, this financial statement is furnished to the Bank.  The undersigned certifies that, (i) this statement was prepared from the books and records of the Association, is in agreement with them, and is correct to the best of the undersigned’s knowledge and belief, and (ii) no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, might become an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement.

 

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR

 

 

 

 

Date

 

(Name/Title)

 

 

41



 

[Form of Compliance Certificate]

 

American Crystal Sugar Company

Quarterly Compliance Certificate

Term and Seasonal Loans

 

Net Working Capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a) Current Assets as measured in accordance with GAAP

 

$

 

b) Current Liabilities as measured in accordance with GAAP

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

Net Working Capital (a-b)

 

$

 

 

Minimum Net Working Capital Required for fiscal quarters other than fiscal year end = $15,000000.

Minimum Net Working Capital Required for fiscal year end = $35,000,000.

 

Long-Term Debt Coverage:

 

     Net Funds

 

 

 

 

Year 1

 

Year 2

 

Year 3

 

a)

Unit retains

 

+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b)

Depreciation and amortization

 

+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c)

Net income from non-member business and member business tax timing differences

 

+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d)

Decrease in investments in other cooperatives (excluding subsidiaries)

 

+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

e)

Net revenue from the sale of stock

 

+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

f)

Increase in investments in other cooperatives (excluding subsidiaries)

 

(

)

(

)

(

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

g)

Net loss from non-member business and member business tax timing differences

 

(

)

(

)

(

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

h)

Provision for income tax

 

(

)

(

)

(

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i)

Members’ investment retirements

 

(

)

(

)

(

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sum (a through i)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Funds

$

 

j

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term Debt

$

 

k

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio (k / j)

 

 

:l

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42



 

Long-Term Debt to Capitalization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a)    Long-term debt (excluding current maturities)
as determined in accordance with GAAP

$

 

 

 

 

b)   Total equity as measured in accordance with GAAP

$

 

 

 

 

c)    Capitalization (a + b)

$

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt to Capitalization (a / c)

 

:1.0

 

Leverage Ratio (Term Pricing Only)

 

 

 

 

 

 

a)    Long-term Debt

$

 

 

 

 

 

b)   Actual Less Minimum Net Working Capital

$

 

 

 

 

 

c)    Adjusted Long-term Debt (a — b)

$

 

 

 

 

 

d)   Total Member Investment

$

 

 

 

 

 

e)    Estimated Unit Retains

$

 

 

 

 

 

f)    Adjusted Members Investment (d + e)

$

 

 

 

 

 

g)   Adjusted Leverage Ratio (c / f)

 

:1.0

 

Pricing Grid (Term Only)

 

A.     >     1.35:1___________B.     1.20:1___________ C.     < 1.20:1___________ D.     < 1.0:1___________

 

43


EX-10.28 4 j4315_ex10d28.htm EX-10.28 2000 ANNUAL AGREEMENT

 

Exhibit 10.28

 

2002 ANNUAL AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement is entered into as of                      , 2002 by and between American Crystal Sugar Company (the “Company”) and                                                                                                                            , shareholder #                                     (the “Grower”).

 

WHEREAS, the Grower is a shareholder of the Company, and as such has entered into a Five Year Agreement with the Company with regard to the growing and delivery of sugarbeets to the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to supplement the Five Year Agreement as provided therein with regard to the 2002 sugarbeet crop.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.   Delivery Obligation.  In accordance with the terms of the Five Year Agreement, the Grower agrees to prepare land, plant, cultivate, harvest and deliver the 2002 sugarbeet crop from such number of acres and such fields as set forth on the Annual GPS Information form to be separately completed in an electronic format by the parties, and which shall thereafter be deemed to become an integral part of this Agreement.  The Company shall provide a copy of the Annual GPS Information form to the Grower at the Grower’s request.

 

2.   Prevented Planting.  The Grower shall be unconditionally obligated to plant the 2002 sugarbeet crop unless such planting is prevented as a result of acts of God or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Grower, as provided in Section 12 of the Five Year Agreement.  If, after making all reasonable efforts, the Grower has been so prevented from planting the 2002 sugarbeet crop on or before June 1, 2002, the Grower shall be relieved of its obligation to plant the 2002 sugarbeet crop.  The Grower may elect to plant the 2002 sugarbeet crop at any time after June 1, 2002.  A determination as to whether the Grower is prevented from planting shall be mutually determined by the Grower and a representative of the Company based on the Grower’s planting conditions for the period leading up to and including June 1, 2002.

 

3.   Tolerances.  The total number of acres of sugarbeets to be planted by the Grower shall be subject to overplant and underplant tolerances as established from time to time by the Company pursuant to the Five Year Agreement.  The Grower hereby acknowledges and agrees that said tolerances may be established and/or modified from time to time by the Company as determined to be appropriate to respond to planting and crop conditions.  The initial tolerance and any modification thereof shall be effective upon communication of the same to the Grower by the Company, and the Annual GPS Information form shall be deemed modified to the extent of the tolerance.

 

4.   Proration.  The Company hereby reserves the right to modify the annual tolerance levels by prorating delivery rights with regard to the 2002 crop.  Any such proration shall be established by the Company after a determination that the Company may not be able to economically process the entire crop.  A proration shall be communicated to, and applied against, all Growers of the Company on a uniform and equitable basis.  The Annual GPS Information form shall be deemed modified to the extent of any such proration.

 

5.   Deductions.  The Grower hereby authorizes and directs the Company to:

 

(a)  Deduct an amount specified by the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association, Inc., which amount shall not exceed 17½¢ per ton, from the beet payments to be made by the Company to the Grower for sugarbeets delivered for the 2002 crop; provided, that, such deduction shall not be made in the event the Grower notifies the Company in writing prior to June 1, 2002 that such deduction should not be made.  Amounts deducted under this provision shall be paid by the Company to the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association, Inc.; and

 

(b)  Deduct such per ton amount, as may be necessary, from the beet payments to be made by the Company to the Grower for sugarbeets delivered for the 2002 crop to reimburse the Company for all costs incurred in the operation of the Truck Haul Committee for the piling location to which the Grower delivers sugarbeets.  The amount charged to the Grower shall be determined on a per ton basis, reflecting a proration of the costs based on the total tonnage delivered to the respective piling locations.

 

6.   Certification.  The Grower hereby certifies that:

 

(a)  It is a bona fide sugarbeet farm operator who will: (i) be the legal owner of the 2002 sugarbeet crop; (ii) have the majority financial interest in the 2002 crop, and (iii) have general control of the sugarbeet operations on the farm where the 2002 crop will be grown.

 

(b)  It has no agreements or understanding with third parties (i.e., owners, partners, shareholders, etc.) providing for guaranteed cash payments.

 

7.   Nature of Agreement.  This Agreement is intended to supplement the Five Year Agreement as contemplated therein, and except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement shall not be deemed to amend or modify the terms of the Five Year Agreement.  This Agreement and the related Five Year Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon ten (10) days written notice to the Grower in the event the Grower is, as of April 1, 2002, in default on any payment obligation owed to the Company.

 

8.   No Modification.  No agent of the Company has any authority to change, waive, or modify any of the terms of this Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date set forth above.

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

GROWER

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its

 

 

 

Its

 

 


-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----