-----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, WLyRQbm5Uy8ibpiOVw24ZB0lQHLJmXCKnrhNuqbYZAzlxcAebxrUQvjWIld7AwU6 j05t03ecoFQwhEdHR3bj1Q== 0001104659-09-043224.txt : 20090715 0001104659-09-043224.hdr.sgml : 20090715 20090715102104 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-09-043224 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090531 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090715 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090715 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: 09945064 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 a09-18155_110q.htm 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2009

 

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  x

 

NO  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES  o

 

NO  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Act).

YES  o

 

NO  x

 

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, 2009

$10 Par Value

 

2,813

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

 

FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

 

 

PAGE NO.

 

 

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

1

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

3

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

4

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

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

13

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

21

ITEM 4T.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

21

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

21

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

22

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

22

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

22

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

22

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

22

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

23

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

25

 



Table of Contents

 

American Crystal Sugar Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

May 31

 

August 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2008*

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

125

 

$

4,483

 

$

128

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

64,850

 

64,994

 

66,149

 

Members

 

5,108

 

1,948

 

2,535

 

Other

 

281

 

1,069

 

2,767

 

Advances to Related Parties

 

14,131

 

13,054

 

20,391

 

Inventories

 

381,026

 

393,307

 

188,328

 

Prepaid Expenses

 

1,465

 

1,584

 

1,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

 

466,986

 

480,439

 

281,461

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and Equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and Land Improvements

 

63,259

 

58,292

 

60,110

 

Buildings

 

115,096

 

111,127

 

112,170

 

Equipment

 

877,245

 

870,885

 

877,113

 

Construction in Progress

 

13,731

 

19,323

 

5,322

 

Less Accumulated Depreciation

 

(739,588

)

(710,398

)

(703,134

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment

 

329,743

 

349,229

 

351,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Property and Equipment Held for Lease

 

113,075

 

122,502

 

120,001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in CoBank, ACB

 

10,111

 

9,946

 

9,946

 

Investments in Marketing Cooperatives

 

4,306

 

5,836

 

4,152

 

Pension Asset

 

35,713

 

37,485

 

35,101

 

Other Assets

 

10,589

 

11,622

 

11,057

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Other Assets

 

60,719

 

64,889

 

60,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

970,523

 

$

1,017,059

 

$

813,299

 

 

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

 


* Derived from audited financial statements

 

1



Table of Contents

 

American Crystal Sugar Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

 

Liabilities and Members’ Investments

 

 

 

May 31

 

August 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2008*

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Debt

 

$

193,770

 

$

210,134

 

$

15,297

 

Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt

 

19,503

 

20,992

 

20,991

 

Accounts Payable

 

14,292

 

12,263

 

35,836

 

Advances Due to Related Parties

 

1,087

 

1,970

 

3,343

 

Accrued Continuing Costs

 

77,046

 

92,160

 

 

Other Current Liabilities

 

29,484

 

24,673

 

27,286

 

Amounts Due Growers

 

89,624

 

72,133

 

120,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

424,806

 

434,325

 

223,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Maturities

 

139,012

 

156,879

 

157,801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued Employee Benefits

 

35,091

 

38,875

 

33,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Liabilities

 

7,621

 

9,737

 

6,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

606,530

 

639,816

 

422,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interest in ProGold Limited Liability Company

 

55,923

 

61,518

 

59,839

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members’ Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

38,275

 

38,275

 

38,275

 

Common Stock

 

28

 

28

 

28

 

Additional Paid-In Capital

 

152,261

 

152,261

 

152,261

 

Unit Retains

 

150,577

 

151,289

 

174,506

 

Equity Retention

 

 

1,157

 

1,155

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

(8,152

)

(8,571

)

(8,984

)

Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)

 

(24,919

)

(18,714

)

(25,965

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Members’ Investments

 

308,070

 

315,725

 

331,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Members’ Investments

 

$

970,523

 

$

1,017,059

 

$

813,299

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 


* Derived from audited financial statements

 

2



Table of Contents

 

American Crystal Sugar Company

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31

 

May 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net Revenue

 

$

900,215

 

$

890,671

 

$

303,571

 

$

333,618

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Sales

 

126,721

 

111,487

 

51,088

 

88,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Proceeds

 

773,494

 

779,184

 

252,483

 

244,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

179,883

 

189,717

 

55,857

 

69,969

 

Accrued Continuing Costs

 

77,046

 

92,160

 

19,387

 

28,912

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Proceeds

 

516,565

 

497,307

 

177,239

 

145,858

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

163

 

349

 

60

 

13

 

Interest Expense, Net

 

(7,220

)

(11,269

)

(1,890

)

(3,347

)

Other, Net

 

4,356

 

71

 

(133

)

(552

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Other (Expense)

 

(2,701

)

(10,849

)

(1,963

)

(3,886

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds Before Minority Interest and Income Tax Expense

 

513,864

 

486,458

 

175,276

 

141,972

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority Interest

 

(4,445

)

(5,450

)

(1,386

)

(1,523

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense

 

(1,046

)

(1,717

)

(478

)

226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Proceeds Resulting from Member and Non-Member Business

 

$

508,373

 

$

479,291

 

$

173,412

 

$

140,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions of Net Proceeds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credited (Charged) to Members’ Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Member Business Income

 

$

1,273

 

$

2,464

 

$

459

 

$

(327

)

Unit Retains Declared to Members

 

 

 

 

 

Net Credit (Charge) to Members’ Investments

 

1,273

 

2,464

 

459

 

(327

)

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

 

507,100

 

476,827

 

172,953

 

141,002

 

Total

 

$

508,373

 

$

479,291

 

$

173,412

 

$

140,675

 

 

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

 

3



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American Crystal Sugar Company

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Proceeds Resulting from Member and Non-Member Business

 

$

508,373

 

$

479,291

 

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

 

(507,100

)

(476,827

)

Add (Deduct) Non-Cash Items:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

50,530

 

52,043

 

Income from Equity Method Investees

 

(28

)

(30

)

Loss on the Disposition of Property and Equipment

 

610

 

240

 

Non-Cash Portion of Patronage Dividend from CoBank, ACB

 

(165

)

(121

)

Deferred Gain Recognition

 

(81

)

(148

)

Minority Interest Gain

 

4,445

 

5,450

 

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

1,212

 

17,277

 

Inventories

 

(192,698

)

(176,744

)

Prepaid Expenses

 

(300

)

(399

)

Non Current Pension Asset

 

473

 

(85

)

Advances To/Due to Related Parties

 

4,004

 

(6,162

)

Accounts Payable

 

(21,544

)

(26,735

)

Accrued Continuing Costs

 

77,046

 

92,160

 

Other Liabilities

 

3,686

 

(7,097

)

Amounts Due Growers

 

(31,309

)

(71,127

)

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

 

(102,846

)

(119,014

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of Property and Equipment

 

(20,209

)

(27,230

)

Purchases of Property and Equipment Held for Lease

 

(1,591

)

(1,043

)

Proceeds from the Sale of Property and Equipment

 

6

 

38

 

Equity Refund from CoBank, ACB

 

 

1,802

 

Changes in Other Assets

 

(114

)

2,155

 

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

 

(21,908

)

(24,278

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Proceeds from Short-Term Debt

 

178,473

 

185,154

 

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt

 

68,700

 

19,183

 

Long-Term Debt Repayment

 

(88,977

)

(30,513

)

Distributions to Minority Interest

 

(8,361

)

(5,667

)

Payment of Unit Retains and Equity Retention

 

(25,084

)

(20,604

)

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

 

124,751

 

147,553

 

Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(3

)

4,261

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year

 

128

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

 

$

125

 

$

4,483

 

 

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

 

4



Table of Contents

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS AND THREE MONTHS ENDED

May 31, 2009 and 2008

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1:  Basis of Presentation

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of American Crystal Sugar Company (the Company) 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2008.

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are comprised of: American Crystal Sugar Company; its wholly-owned subsidiaries Sidney Sugars Incorporated (Sidney Sugars) and Crab Creek Sugar Company (Crab Creek); and ProGold Limited Liability Company (ProGold), a limited liability company in which the Company holds a 51 percent ownership interest.  All material inter-company transactions have been eliminated.

 

The operating results for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended August 31, 2009.  The amount paid to shareholders for sugarbeets (member beet payment) depends on the future selling prices of sugar and agri-products as well as processing and other costs incurred during the remainder of the fiscal year associated with the 2008 Red River Valley sugarbeet crop (RRV crop).  The amount paid to non-member growers for sugarbeets (non-member beet payment) depends on the future selling prices of sugar and the related selling expenses associated with the 2008 Sidney Sugars sugarbeet crop (Sidney crop).  For the purposes of this report, the amount of the beet payments, 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.

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the May 31, 2008, consolidated financial statements to conform with the May 31, 2009, presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or Members’ Investments.

 

Note 2: Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157).  This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  This statement became effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.  Relative to SFAS 157, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) 157-1, 157-2, 157-3 and 157-4. FSP 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions, while FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of the application of SFAS 157 for the Company to the first quarter of fiscal 2010 for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis.  FSP 157-3 became effective October 10, 2008 for determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that asset is not active.  FSP 157-4, which becomes effective for the Company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of these statements will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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The FASB has issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1.  The FSP, which becomes effective for the Company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, amends FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this FSP will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The FASB has issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2. The FSP, which becomes effective for the Company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this FSP will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The FASB has issued Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).  This statement requires the Company to recognize the over-funded or under-funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  This requirement became effective and was adopted by the Company as of August 31, 2007.  This statement also requires the Company in this fiscal year to change the annual measurement date of the funded status of the plans from May 31 to August 31, the date of its year-end statement of financial position.

 

The FASB has issued Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB  No. 51.  This statement requires all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements.  Its intention is to eliminate the diversity in practice regarding the accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests.  This statement becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.  At that time, the Company will be required to report the minority interest in ProGold as a component of equity.

 

The FASB has issued statement No. 141R, Business Combinations.  This statement replaces FASB Statement No. 141, Business Combinations.  This Statement retains the fundamental requirements in Statement 141 that the acquisition method of accounting (which Statement 141 called the purchase method) be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination.  This Statement defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in the business combination and establishes the acquisition date as the date that the acquirer achieves control.  The FASB also released FSP No. FAS 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies, to address some of the application issues under SFAS No. 141(R) Business Combinations. FSP No. FAS 141(R)-1 deals with the initial recognition and measurement of an asset acquired or a liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency provided the asset or liability’s fair value on the date of acquisition can be determined. When the fair value can’t be determined, the FSP requires using the guidance under SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies and FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 14, Reasonable Estimation of the Amount of a Loss. These statements become effective for the Company in fiscal 2010.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of these statements will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The FASB has issued FSP FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.  This FSP amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.  The intent of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under Statement 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under FASB Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, and other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  This FSP becomes

 

6



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effective for the Company in Fiscal 2010.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this FSP will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The FASB has issued FSP FAS 132(R)-1 Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets.  This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 132 (revised 2003), Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosure about plan assets of a defined benefit pension plan or other postretirement plan.  This FSP becomes effective for the Company in Fiscal 2010.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this FSP will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The FASB has issued statement No. 165, Subsequent Events.  This statement establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. This statement becomes effective for the Company in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this statement will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The FASB has issued statement No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets an amendment of FASB Statement No.140. This statement improves the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets.  This statement becomes effective for the Company in fiscal 2011.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this statement will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The FASB has issued statement No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No 46(R). This statement amends certain requirements of FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved with variable interest entities and to provide more relevant and reliable information to users of financial statements. This statement becomes effective for the Company in fiscal 2011.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this statement will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

The FASB has issued statement No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  This statement replaces Statement No.162 and establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (Codification) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP.  Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.  All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority.  This statement becomes effective for the Company for the first quarter of fiscal 2010.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of this statement will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

Note 3:  Inventories

 

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

 

 

 

May 31
2009

 

May 31
2008

 

August 31
2008

 

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

 

$

346,319

 

$

363,901

 

$

151,741

 

Unprocessed Sugarbeets

 

 

392

 

 

Maintenance Parts and Supplies

 

34,707

 

29,014

 

36,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Inventories

 

$

381,026

 

$

393,307

 

$

188,328

 

 

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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 and supplies and sugarbeet seed inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market.

 

Note 4: Short-Term Debt

 

The Company has a seasonal line of credit with a consortium of lenders led by CoBank, ACB through August 1, 2010, of $345.0 million and a line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank for $1 million.  The Company’s commercial paper program provides short-term borrowings of up to $325 million.  Any borrowings under the commercial paper program along with outstanding short-term letters of credit will act to reduce the available credit under the CoBank, ACB seasonal line of credit by a commensurate amount.  The Company also utilizes the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to meet its short-term borrowing needs.

 

As of May 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding commercial paper of $163.8 million at an average interest rate of 1.21% and maturity dates between June 1, 2009 and July 10, 2009.  The Company also had outstanding short-term debt with CoBank, ACB as of May 31, 2009 of $30.0 million at an interest rate of 1.69% and a maturity date of June 8, 2009.  The Company had $2.7 million of short-term letters of credit outstanding as of May 31, 2009.  The unused seasonal line of credit as of May 31, 2009 was $149.5 million.

 

As of May 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding commercial paper of $102.9 million at an average interest rate of 4.41% and maturity dates between June 4, 2008 and June 30, 2008.  The Company also had outstanding short-term debt with CoBank, ACB as of May 31, 2008 of $50.0 million at an average interest rate of 3.09% and a maturity date of June 30, 2008.  The Company had $2.1 million of short-term letters of credit outstanding as of May 31, 2008.  The unused seasonal line of credit, out of a total seasonal line of credit of $391 million, as of May 31, 2008, was $236.0 million.  In addition, the Company had an outstanding non-recourse loan with the CCC of $57.2 million, against which 2.5 million hundredweight of sugar was pledged as collateral.  The CCC loan carried an interest rate of 3.6% and a maturity date of September 30, 2008.

 

Note 5:  Long-Term Debt

 

As of May 31, 2009, the Company had long-term debt availability with CoBank, ACB of $174.6 million, of which $36.3 million in loans and $70.1 million in long-term letters of credit were outstanding.  The unused long-term line of credit as of May 31, 2009, was $68.2 million.  In addition, the Company had long-term debt outstanding, as of May 31, 2009, of $50.0 million from a private placement of Senior Notes that occurred in September of 1998; $2.1 million from a private placement of Senior Notes that occurred in January of 2003; and $70.1 million from seven separate issuances of Pollution Control and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds.

 

As of May 31, 2008, the Company had long-term debt availability with CoBank, ACB of $174.8 million, of which $55.3 million in loans and $69.5 million in long-term letters of credit were outstanding.  The unused long-term line of credit as of May 31, 2008, was $50.0 million.  In addition, the Company had long-term debt outstanding, as of May 31, 2008, of $50 million from a private placement of Senior Notes that occurred in September of 1998; $5.0 million from a private placement of Senior Notes that occurred in January of 2003; $66.8 million from ten separate issuances of Pollution Control and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds; and a term loan with Bank of North Dakota of $ .8 million.

 

Note 6:  Interest Paid and Interest Capitalized

 

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized, was $5.9 million and $10.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $ .7 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Interest capitalized was $ ..6 million and $ .8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $ .2 million and $ .1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

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Note 7:  Accrued Continuing Costs

 

For interim reporting, the net proceeds from member business is based on 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.  The net proceeds from the operations of Sidney Sugars is based on the forecasted net income for the fiscal year and the percentage of the tons of non-member sugarbeets processed to the total estimated tons of non-member sugarbeets to process for a given fiscal year.

 

Accrued continuing costs represent the difference between the net proceeds as determined above and actual member business crop year and Sidney Sugars fiscal year revenues realized and expenses incurred through the end of the reporting period.  Accrued continuing costs are reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a cost on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and as a current liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Note 8:  Net Periodic Pension and Post-Retirement Costs

 

The following schedules provide the components of the Net Periodic Pension and Post-Retirement Costs for the nine months and three months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008:

 

Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31

 

May 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Service Cost

 

$

3,148

 

$

2,822

 

$

1,049

 

$

940

 

Interest Cost

 

8,005

 

6,115

 

2,668

 

2,039

 

Expected Return on Plan Assets

 

(11,593

)

(9,724

)

(3,864

)

(3,241

)

Amortization of Prior Service Costs

 

1,233

 

988

 

411

 

329

 

Amortization of Net Actuarial Loss

 

53

 

45

 

18

 

15

 

FAS 158 Measurement Date Adjustment

 

(169

)

 

(56

)

 

Net Periodic Pension Cost

 

$

677

 

$

246

 

$

226

 

$

82

 

 

Components of Net Periodic Post-Retirement Cost

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

May 31

 

May 31

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

Service Cost

 

$

726

 

$

807

 

$

242

 

$

269

 

Interest Cost

 

1,415

 

1,398

 

472

 

466

 

Amortization of Net Actuarial Gain

 

(506

)

(169

)

(169

)

(57

)

Net Periodic Post-Retirement Cost

 

$

1,635

 

$

2,036

 

$

545

 

$

678

 

 

In accordance with Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) which requires the Company in fiscal 2009 to change the annual measurement date of the funded status of the pension plans from May 31 to August 31, the Company has recorded a direct charge of approximately $225,000 to retained earnings representing a measurement date adjustment of 3/15ths of the pension cost

 

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for the period of June 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009.  The remaining 12/15ths of this pension cost will be expensed and recognized during fiscal 2009.

 

The Company is not anticipating making contributions to the pension plans during this fiscal year.  The Company has contributed and made benefit payments of approximately $83,000 related to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans during the nine months ended May 31, 2009.  The Company expects to contribute and make benefit payments of approximately $116,000 this fiscal year related to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans.

 

The Company has contributed and made benefit payments of approximately $697,000 related to the post-retirement plans during the nine months ended May 31, 2009.  The Company expects to contribute and make benefit payments of approximately $1.0 million related to the post-retirement plans during the current fiscal year.

 

Note 9:  Members’ Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Shares Issued

 

 

 

Par Value

 

Authorized

 

& Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 8, 2009

 

$

76.77

 

600,000

 

498,570

 

May 31, 2009

 

$

76.77

 

600,000

 

498,570

 

August 31, 2008

 

$

76.77

 

600,000

 

498,570

 

May 31, 2008

 

$

76.77

 

600,000

 

498,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 8, 2009

 

$

10.00

 

4,000

 

2,813

 

May 31, 2009

 

$

10.00

 

4,000

 

2,795

 

August 31, 2008

 

$

10.00

 

4,000

 

2,839

 

May 31, 2008

 

$

10.00

 

4,000

 

2,838

 

 

Note 10: Shipping and Handling Costs

 

The costs incurred for the shipping and handling of products sold are classified in the financial statements as a selling expense on the Statements of Operations.  Shipping and handling costs were $120.9 million and $131.6 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $38.2 million and $49.4 million for the three months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Note 11: Segment Reporting

 

The Company has identified two reportable segments: Sugar and Leasing.  The sugar segment is engaged primarily in the production and marketing of sugar from sugarbeets.  It also sells agri-products and sugarbeet seed.  The leasing segment is engaged in the leasing of a corn wet-milling plant used in the production of high-fructose corn syrup sweetener.  The segments are managed separately.  There are no inter-segment sales.  The leasing segment has a major customer that accounts for all of that segment’s revenue.

 

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the nine months and three months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, is shown below:

 

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For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2009

 

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

Sugar

 

Leasing

 

Consolidated

 

Net Revenue from External Customers

 

$

882,491

 

$

17,724

 

$

900,215

 

Gross Proceeds

 

$

764,147

 

$

9,347

 

$

773,494

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

42,153

 

$

8,377

 

$

50,530

 

Interest Income

 

$

161

 

$

2

 

$

163

 

Interest Expense

 

$

7,220

 

$

 

$

7,220

 

Income from Equity Method Investees

 

$

28

 

$

 

$

28

 

Other Income/(Expense), Net

 

$

4,468

 

$

(140

)

$

4,328

 

Net Proceeds

 

$

503,746

 

$

4,627

 

$

508,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

20,209

 

$

1,591

 

$

21,800

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2008

 

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

Sugar

 

Leasing

 

Consolidated

 

Net Revenue from External Customers

 

$

872,263

 

$

18,408

 

$

890,671

 

Gross Proceeds

 

$

767,851

 

$

11,333

 

$

779,184

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

43,706

 

$

8,337

 

$

52,043

 

Interest Income

 

$

314

 

$

35

 

$

349

 

Interest Expense

 

$

11,111

 

$

158

 

$

11,269

 

Income from Equity Method Investees

 

$

30

 

$

 

$

30

 

Other Income/(Expense), Net

 

$

41

 

$

 

$

41

 

Net Proceeds

 

$

473,618

 

$

5,673

 

$

479,291

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

27,230

 

$

1,043

 

$

28,273

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2009

 

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

Sugar

 

Leasing

 

Consolidated

 

Net Revenue from External Customers

 

$

297,854

 

$

5,717

 

$

303,571

 

Gross Proceeds

 

$

249,558

 

$

2,925

 

$

252,483

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

12,464

 

$

2,792

 

$

15,256

 

Interest Income

 

$

59

 

$

1

 

$

60

 

Interest Expense

 

$

1,890

 

$

 

$

1,890

 

Income from Equity Method Investees

 

$

18

 

$

 

$

18

 

Other Income/(Expense), Net

 

$

(151

)

$

 

$

(151

)

Net Proceeds

 

$

171,969

 

$

1,443

 

$

173,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

7,048

 

$

534

 

$

7,582

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2008

 

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

Sugar

 

Leasing

 

Consolidated

 

Net Revenue from External Customers

 

$

327,856

 

$

5,762

 

$

333,618

 

Gross Proceeds

 

$

241,757

 

$

2,982

 

$

244,739

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

$

13,248

 

$

2,780

 

$

16,028

 

Interest Income

 

$

(2

)

$

15

 

$

13

 

Interest Expense

 

$

3,479

 

$

(132

)

$

3,347

 

Income from Equity Method Investees

 

$

6

 

$

 

$

6

 

Other Income/(Expense), Net

 

$

(558

)

$

 

$

(558

)

Net Proceeds

 

$

139,089

 

$

1,586

 

$

140,675

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

$

7,434

 

$

286

 

$

7,720

 

 

 

 

As of May 31, 2009

 

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

Sugar

 

Leasing

 

Consolidated

 

Property and Equipment, Net

 

$

329,743

 

$

 

$

329,743

 

Assets Held for Lease, Net

 

$

 

$

113,075

 

$

113,075

 

Segment Assets

 

$

852,960

 

$

117,563

 

$

970,523

 

 

 

 

As of May 31, 2008

 

 

 

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

 

 

Sugar

 

Leasing

 

Consolidated

 

Property and Equipment, Net

 

$

349,229

 

$

 

$

349,229

 

Assets Held for Lease, Net

 

$

 

$

122,502

 

$

122,502

 

Segment Assets

 

$

890,012

 

$

127,047

 

$

1,017,059

 

 

Note 12: Environmental Matters

 

The Company is subject to extensive federal and state environmental laws and regulations with respect to water and air quality, solid waste disposal and odor and noise control.  The Company conducts an ongoing compliance program designed to meet these environmental laws and regulations.  The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.  From time to time, however, the Company may be involved in investigations or determinations regarding non-material matters that may arise.

 

The Company’s sugar manufacturing process is energy intensive and generates carbon dioxide and other “Greenhouse Gases” (GHGs).  Several bills have been introduced in the United States Senate and House of Representatives that would regulate GHGs and carbon dioxide emissions to reduce the impact of global climate change.  The Company believes it is likely that industries generating GHGs, including the Company, will be subject to either federal or state regulation under climate change policies in the relatively near future.  These policies, if adopted, will increase the Company’s energy and other operating costs.  Depending on how these policies address imports, the domestic market may have a competitive disadvantage with imported products.  These policies could have a significant negative impact on the Company’s beet payment to shareholders if we are not able to pass the increased costs on to the Company’s customers.

 

On June 26, 2009, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act.  This bill creates a system for regulating emissions of GHG’s and also creates a market for emission allowances or credits. It is uncertain whether the steps necessary to move this bill or similar bills through the legislative process will be completed this year.

 

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On November 25, 2008, the Company entered into a stipulation agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) related to hydrogen sulfide emissions from its Crookston, East Grand Forks and Moorhead, Minnesota factories.  As part of the stipulation agreement, the Company has agreed to make certain capital expenditures over the next three years and implement specified changes in operating procedures to contain hydrogen sulfide emissions at the Minnesota factories.  The required capital expenditures are currently estimated to be approximately $12 million.  The costs associated with operational changes are not currently known.

 

The Company works closely with all affected government agencies to resolve environmental issues that arise and believes they will be resolved without any adverse effect on the Company.

 

The Company has identified capital expenditures for environmental related projects over the next three years at the Company’s factory locations of approximately $27.0 million.

 

Note 13: Legal Matters

 

On February 11, 2009, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (the Court) issued its decision in the case of Amalgamated Sugar Co, LLC v. Thomas Vilsack; Department of Agriculture, a case that involved Amalgamated Sugar’s challenge of a decision by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to transfer certain sugar marketing allocations to the Company.  The Court reversed the lower court’s decision which confirmed the USDA’s transfer of the marketing allocations, and remanded the case back to the lower court for further action.  On May 19, 2009, the USDA announced, subject to further proceedings, that it was redistributing a portion of the Company’s sugar marketing allocations to other sugar beet processors in response to legal proceedings contesting the transfer of certain sugar marketing allocations to the Company.  To protect the Company’s interests in the marketing allocations, the Company has appealed the Court’s decision.  If the Court’s decision is implemented as it currently stands, the Company would experience a net reduction of marketing allocations of approximately 1 million CWT.  The Company does not believe that any future loss of these marketing allocations will have a material impact on the Company’s planted acres going forward, assuming average crop yield, crop quality and continued domestic consumption trends.

 

Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the Nine Months and Three Months Ended May 31, 2009 and 2008

 

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.  Risk factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, market factors, weather and general economic conditions, farm and trade policy, and available quantity and quality of sugarbeets.  For a more complete discussion of “Risk Factors”, please refer to the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K.

 

OVERVIEW

 

The harvest of the Red River Valley and Sidney sugarbeet crops grown during 2008 and to be processed during fiscal 2009 produced a total of 10.7 million tons of sugarbeets, or approximately 25.4 tons of sugarbeets per acre from approximately 422,000 acres.  This represents a decrease in total tons harvested of approximately 14.1 percent compared to the 2007 crop.  The sugar content of the 2008 crop is 17.6 percent as compared to the 18.1 percent sugar content of the 2007 crop.  The Company expects to produce a total of approximately 30.7 million hundredweight of sugar from the 2008 crop, a decrease of approximately 16.1 percent compared to the 2007 crop.

 

Net Proceeds from Member and Non-Member Business for fiscal 2009 are expected to be approximately 6.3 percent lower than in fiscal 2008.  This decrease is primarily due to fewer tons harvested and a decline in the sugar content of the sugarbeets resulting in the decreased production of sugar and agri-products. This decrease is partially offset by anticipated higher net selling prices for sugar and agri-products.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2009 and 2008

 

Revenue for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, was $900.2 million, an increase of $9.5 million from the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  The table below reflects the percentage changes in product revenues, prices and volumes for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008.

 

Product

 

Revenue

 

Selling Price

 

Volume

 

Sugar

 

-0.4

%

8.3

%

-8.1

%

Pulp

 

15.8

%

46.5

%

-21.0

%

Molasses

 

-50.2

%

20.6

%

-58.7

%

CSB

 

22.9

%

20.7

%

1.8

%

Betaine

 

6.0

%

27.9

%

-17.1

%

 

The increases in selling prices for our products reflect strong markets due to supply and demand factors. The decrease in the volume of sugar sold reflects the impact of less product availability due to a 14.9% decline in sugar produced this year as compared to last year. The decreases in the volumes of pulp and molasses sold were due in part to lower product availability resulting from an 11.1% decrease in pulp produced and a 61.7 % decrease in molasses produced in the first nine months of this year as compared to same time period last year. Lower beginning inventory levels for both pulp and molasses this year as compared to prior year also contributed to the reduction in the availability of these products for sale.

 

Rental revenue on the ProGold operating lease was $17.7 million and $18.4 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Cost of sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, exclusive of payments to members for sugarbeets, increased $15.2 million as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  This increase was primarily related to the following:

 

·                  At the end of each reporting period, product inventories are recorded at their net realizable value.  The change in the net realizable value of the product inventories from the beginning of the reporting period is recorded on the balance sheet as either an increase or decrease to inventories with a corresponding dollar for dollar adjustment to cost of sales on the statement of operations.  The increase in the net realizable value of product inventories for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 was $194.8 million as compared to an increase of $205.0 million for the previous year’s nine month period ended May 31, 2008 resulting in a $10.2 million unfavorable change in the cost of sales between the two years as shown in the table below:

 

Change in the Net Realizable Value of Product Inventories

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended May 31

(In Millions)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

Beginning Product Inventories at Net Realizable Value

 

$

(150.6

)

$

(156.4

)

$

5.8

(1)

Ending Product Inventories at Net Realizable Value

 

345.4

 

361.4

 

(16.0

)(2)

Increase in the Net Realizable Value of Product Inventories

 

$

194.8

 

$

205.0

 

$

(10.2

)

 


(1) The change is primarily due to lower quantities of products as of August 31, 2008 as compared to August 31, 2007.

(2) The change is primarily due to a 21.1 percent decrease in the hundredweight of sugar inventory as of May 31, 2009 as compared to May 31, 2008 partially offset by an 17.0 percent increase in the per hundredweight net realizable value of sugar inventory along with higher quantities and per ton net realizable value of pulp inventory as of May 31, 2009 as compared to May 31, 2008.

 

·                  Due to lower than anticipated sugar production and inventory levels during the first quarter of this year, the Company’s sugar marketing agent, United Sugars Corporation, purchased and sold

 

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additional sugar to meet our customers’ needs.  As a result, the costs associated with purchased sugar increased $15.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008.

·                  Factory operating costs increased $4.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to higher costs associated with coke, limerock and chemicals along with increased maintenance costs.

·                  The cost recognized associated with the non-member sugarbeets decreased $17.6 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, when compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  This decrease was primarily due to fewer tons of non-member sugarbeets harvested this year.

·                  The cost of beet seed sold increased $4.2 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, when compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008. This increase was due to higher seed processing costs along with a 75.6% increase in the volume of beet seed sold.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $9.8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  Selling expenses decreased $9.6 million primarily due to the decreased freight and warehousing costs for sugar and lower freight costs for pulp and molasses resulting from lower sales volumes.  General and administrative expenses decreased $.2 million due to general cost decreases.

 

Interest expense decreased $4.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  This was primarily due to decreased short term and long term average borrowing levels and lower short term and long term average interest rates.

 

Other income, net increased $4.3 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  This was due primarily to the receipt of $4.8 million in November 2008 related to a legal settlement.

 

Non-member business activities resulted in a gain of $1.3 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009 as compared to a gain of $2.5 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  The decrease was primarily related to the reduced earnings of Sidney Sugars and reduced income from the activities of ProGold.

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended May 31, 2009 and 2008

 

Revenue for the three months ended May 31, 2009, was $303.6 million, a decrease of $30.0 million from the three months ended May 31, 2008.  The table below reflects the percentage changes in product revenues, prices and volumes for the three months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2008.

 

Product

 

Revenue

 

Selling Price

 

Volume

 

Sugar

 

-13.2

%

11.1

%

-21.9

%

Pulp

 

21.9

%

45.7

%

-16.3

%

Molasses

 

-43.8

%

30.1

%

-56.8

%

CSB

 

32.8

%

16.6

%

13.8

%

Betaine

 

2.5

%

38.8

%

-26.2

%

 

The increases in selling prices for our products reflect strong markets due to supply and demand factors. The decrease in the volume of sugar sold reflects the impact of less product availability due to an 8.6% decline in sugar produced during the third quarter of this year as compared to the same period last year and a 14.9% decline in sugar produced during the first three quarters of this year as compared to the same period last year.  The decreases in the volumes of pulp and molasses sold were due in part to lower product availability resulting from a 2.0% decrease in pulp produced and an 80.3 % decrease in molasses produced in the three months ended May 31, 2009 as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2008. Lower production of both pulp and molasses in the first two quarters of 2009 as compared to the first two quarters of 2008 also contributed to the reduction in the availability of these products for sale in the third quarter of 2009.

 

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Rental revenue on the ProGold operating lease was $5.7 million and $5.8 million in the three months ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

Cost of sales for the three months ended May 31, 2009, exclusive of payments to members for sugarbeets, decreased $ 37.8 million as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2008.  This decrease was primarily related to the following:

 

·                  At the end of each reporting period, product inventories are recorded at their net realizable value.  The change in the net realizable value of the product inventories from the beginning of the reporting period is recorded on the balance sheet as either an increase or decrease to inventories with a corresponding dollar for dollar adjustment to cost of sales on the statement of operations.  The increase in the net realizable value of product inventories for the three months ended May 31, 2009 was $45.2 million as compared to an increase of $8.3 million for the previous year’s three month period ended May 31, 2008 resulting in a $36.9 million favorable change in the cost of sales between the two years as shown in the table below:

 

Change in the Net Realizable Value of Product Inventories

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended May 31

 

(In Millions)

 

2009

 

2008

 

Change

 

Beginning Product Inventories at Net Realizable Value

 

$

(300.2

)

$

(353.1

)

$

52.9

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending Product Inventories at Net Realizable Value

 

345.4

 

361.4

 

(16.0

)(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in the Net Realizable Value of Product Inventories

 

$

45.2

 

$

8.3

 

$

36.9

 

 


(1) The change is primarily due to a 29.9 percent decrease in the hundredweight of sugar inventory as of February 28, 2009 as compared to February 29, 2008 partially offset by a 15.9 percent increase in the per hundredweight net realizable value of sugar inventory along with higher quantities and per ton net realizable value of pulp inventory as of February 28, 2009 as compared to February 29, 2008.

(2) The change is primarily due to a 21.1 percent decrease in the hundredweight of sugar inventory as of May 31, 2009 as compared to May 31, 2008 partially offset by an 17.0 percent increase in the per hundredweight net realizable value of sugar inventory along with higher quantities and per ton net realizable value of pulp inventory as of May 31, 2009 as compared to May 31, 2008.

 

·                  Factory operating costs decreased $2.6 million for the three months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2008, primarily due to lower costs associated with natural gas and purchased power partially offset by higher costs for coke and chemicals.

·                  The cost of beet seed sold increased $4.2 million for the three months ended May 31, 2009, when compared to the three months ended May 31, 2008. This increase was due to higher seed processing costs along with a 75.6% increase in the volume of beet seed sold.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $14.1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2008.  Selling expenses decreased $15.0 million primarily due to the decreased freight and warehousing costs for sugar and lower freight costs for pulp and molasses resulting from lower sales volumes.  General and administrative expenses increased $ .9 million due to general cost increases.

 

Interest expense decreased $1.5 million for the three months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to the three months ended May 31, 2008.  This was primarily due to decreased short term and long term average borrowing levels and lower short term and long term average interest rates.

 

Non-member business activities resulted in a gain of $ .5 million for the three months ended May 31, 2009 as compared to a loss of $ .3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2008.  The increase was primarily related to the activities of Sidney Sugars.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Under the Company’s Bylaws and Member 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 member growers and non-member growers are paid in three payments over the course of a year, and the member 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 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, winter and spring) 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 its operations.  The majority of such financing has been provided by a consortium of lenders led by CoBank, ACB.

 

During the current national economic downturn and financial market instability, the Company, due to its strong financial position and relationships with its lenders, has continued to secure the necessary financing for its working capital requirements and capital expenditures.

 

The Company has a seasonal line of credit through August 1, 2010, with a consortium of lenders led by CoBank, ACB of $345.0 million, against which there was a $30.0 million outstanding balance as of May 31, 2009 and a line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank for $1.0 million, against which there was no outstanding balance as of May 31, 2009.  The Company’s commercial paper program provides short-term borrowings of up to $325 million of which approximately $163.8 million was outstanding as of May 31, 2009.  The Company had $2.7 million of short-term letters of credit outstanding as of May 31, 2009.  Any borrowings under the commercial paper program along with outstanding short-term letters of credit will act to reduce the available credit under the CoBank, ACB seasonal line of credit by a commensurate amount.  The unused short-term line of credit as of May 31, 2009, was $149.5 million

 

The Company also has long-term debt availability with CoBank, ACB of $174.6 million, of which $36.3 million in loans and $70.1 million in long-term letters of credit were outstanding as of May 31, 2009.  The unused long-term line of credit as of May 31, 2009, was $68.2 million.  In addition, the Company had long-term debt outstanding, as of May 31, 2009, of $50 million from a private placement of Senior Notes that occurred in September of 1998; $2.1 million from a private placement of Senior Notes that occurred in January of 2003; and $70.1 million from seven separate issuances of Pollution Control and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds.

 

The Company had outstanding purchase commitments totaling $19.6 million as of May 31, 2009, for equipment and construction contracts related to various capital and maintenance projects.

 

The liquidity changes that have occurred in the Company’s financial statements from August 31, 2008, to May 31, 2009, were 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; the final payments to growers for sugarbeets delivered from the previous year’s crop; and the initial payments to growers for sugarbeets delivered from the current year’s crop.

 

The net cash used by operations was $102.8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to $119.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  This decrease in the use of cash of $16.2 million was primarily the result of the following:

 

·                  The decrease in cash used related to the Amount Due Growers of $39.8 million was due to a larger previous year’s final crop payment in 2008 as compared to that in 2009 along with a higher estimated per ton member grower payment this year as compared to last year at this time. These were partially offset by a reduction in the current year’s total estimated grower payment due to a reduction in tons harvested.

·                  The decrease in cash used associated with Advances to Related Parties of $10.2 million was due primarily to the timing of the cash requirements of our marketing agents.

 

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·                  The decrease in cash used related to Accounts Payable of $5.2 million and Other Liabilities of $10.8 million was due to a higher beginning of the year balance last year resulting from an early campaign start-up in August 2007.

·                  The above changes were partially offset by less cash provided related to: Accounts Receivable of $16.1 million due to increased collections last year on a larger beginning of the year receivable balance resulting from increased sales; a $16.0 million larger increase in Inventories this year due to higher per unit net realizable values for sugar and pulp along with no beginning inventory of unprocessed sugarbeets this year; and the change in Accrued Continuing Costs of $15.1 million resulting from the difference in the timing of revenues and expenses between the two years.

 

The net cash used in investing activities was $21.9 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to $24.3 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  The decrease of $2.4 million was due to decreased purchases of property and equipment of $6.5 million partially offset by a change in other assets of $2.3 million and an equity distribution from CoBank LLC in 2008 of $1.8 million.

 

The net cash provided by financing activities was $124.8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2009, as compared to $147.6 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2008.  This decrease of $22.8 million was primarily due to decreased net proceeds from short-term debt of $6.7 million, increased payments on long term debt of $58.4 million, increased distributions to Minority Interest of $2.7 million and increased payments of unit retains of $4.5 million partially offset by increased proceeds from long-term debt of $49.5 million.

 

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

 

Based on current market conditions, the Company is anticipating that the funded status of the pension plans as of August 31, 2009, will be lower than that which was determined at the previous measurement date. As a result, the Company is expecting a reduction in its Pension Asset and a corresponding reduction in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income as of August 31, 2009.

 

OTHER

 

Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008

 

The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (the Farm Bill) enacted in May, 2008, contains several provisions related to the domestic sugar industry aimed at achieving balance and stability in the U.S. sugar market while minimizing the cost to the Federal government.  The Farm Bill applies to the 2008 through 2012 crop years.  Generally, the Farm Bill:

 

·                  maintains a non-recourse loan program,

·                  sets a minimum overall allotment quantity for U.S. producers at no less than 85% of domestic consumption,

·                  maintains a system of marketing allocations for sugarbeet and sugar cane producers,

·                  restricts imports of foreign sugar and

·                  provides a new market balancing mechanism to divert any oversupply of sugar from sugar producers to ethanol producers.

 

Under the Farm Bill, sugar processors can borrow funds on a non-recourse basis from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), with repayment of such funds secured by sugar.  If the price of sugar drops below the forfeiture price, the processors can forfeit the sugar securing the loans to the CCC in lieu of repayment.  Processors may also obtain CCC loans for “in-process” sugar or syrups at 80 percent of the loan rate.

 

The Farm Bill incorporates gradual loan rate increases for raw and refined sugar.  For raw sugar, the loan rate will increase three-quarters of a cent per pound, raw value, phased-in in quarter-cent increments over crop years 2009-2011.  Raw cane loan rates will remain at 18.00 cents/lb in 2008 then

 

18



Table of Contents

 

rise gradually to 18.75 cents by 2011, and they will remain at 18.75 cents/lb for the 2012 crop year.  Refined beet sugar loan rates are set at 22.90 cents/lb for the 2008 crop and thereafter are set at a rate equal to 128.5 percent of the loan rate per pound for raw cane sugar for each of the 2009 through 2012 crop years.

 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has historically maintained raw and refined sugar prices above the forfeiture price without cost to the U.S. Treasury by regulating the supply of sugar in the U.S. market through management of a tariff rate quota system.  Currently, forty exporting countries retain guaranteed preferential access to the U.S. market under World Trade Organization (WTO) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) rules.  Mexico’s access has been unlimited since January 1, 2008.  This Farm Bill sets a minimum overall allotment quantity for U.S. producers at no less than 85% of domestic consumption and provides a market balancing mechanism if there is an oversupply in the domestic sugar market.  If the Secretary of Agriculture determines there is an oversupply of sugar, the new market balancing mechanism requires the Secretary to divert the excess sugar from sugar producers to ethanol producers while minimizing the cost to the U.S Treasury.  Although the market balancing mechanism will provide sustainability to the sugar industry in the short term, there is no assurance that the sugar-to-ethanol program will be in place after the Farm Bill expires.

 

The marketing allotments and allocations set forth under the Farm Bill affect the sugar produced from the 2008 crop through the 2012 crop.  On an annual basis, the marketing allotments and the corresponding allocation to the Company will dictate the amount of sugar the Company can sell into the domestic market.  The Company’s marketing allocation for the 2008 crop is currently set at approximately 35 million hundredweight.  The Company’s allocation may reduce or increase the amount of sugar the Company can market for a given year, thus affecting the number of acres of sugarbeets required for processing to produce that amount of sugar.

 

North American Free Trade Agreement

 

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) governs sweetener trade between the United States and Mexico.  Under the NAFTA, tariffs on over-quota imports of sugar from and exports of sugar to Mexico expired on January 1, 2008.  Imports of Mexican sugar could cause material harm to the United States sugar market.  The Company has no way to predict the extent to which Mexico will take advantage of its export opportunities.

 

Regional and Bilateral Free Trade Agreements

 

The United States government may continue to pursue international trade agreements.  The Company monitors the U.S. government’s international trade policy because it may lead to additional commitments to import sugar into the U.S. market.  Some of the countries who have either participated in trade agreements or are contemplated for new negotiations are major producers of sugar.  The primary agreements affecting sugar that are completed or are being negotiated, to the Company’s knowledge, include the Colombian Free Trade Agreement, Panama Free Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, South Africa, Thailand, and others.  The Company believes these agreements, if they reach fruition, could negatively impact the Company’s profitability.  If increases in guaranteed access or reductions in sugar tariffs are included in these agreements, excess sugar from these regions could enter the U.S. market and put pressure on domestic sugar prices.

 

The Peru Free Trade Agreement has been ratified by the U.S. Congress and it became effective on February 1, 2009.  Sugar trade with Peru is subject to a net surplus requirement.  Peru, typically a net importer, is unlikely to meet that requirement most years.  Negotiations have been completed on the U.S.-Colombian Free Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement but they have not been ratified by the U.S. Congress.  The Company does not know when these trade agreements will be brought before Congress for a vote.

 

The Doha Round negotiations of the WTO may be pursued by the U.S. Administration and some of its international counterparts.  It is unclear at this time whether negotiations will be completed.  If the

 

19



Table of Contents

 

negotiations are completed, the outcome of any negotiated arrangement could have significant adverse consequences for the Company.

 

The U.S. sugar industry and the Company, as an influential member of such industry, recognize the potential negative impact that could result if these agreements are entered into by the United States and are taking steps to attempt to positively influence the outcome.  The Company and the sugar industry intend to continue to focus significant attention on trade issues in the future.

 

The impact of the various trade agreements on the Company cannot be assessed at this time due to the uncertainty concerning the terms of the agreements and whether they will ultimately be implemented.  It is possible, however, that the passage of various trade agreements could have a material adverse effect on the Company through a reduction in sugar selling prices, and a corresponding reduction in the beet payment to the shareholders.

 

Environmental

 

The Company is subject to extensive federal and state environmental laws and regulations with respect to water and air quality, solid waste disposal and odor and noise control.  The Company conducts an ongoing compliance program designed to meet these environmental laws and regulations.  The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.  From time to time, however, the Company may be involved in investigations or determinations regarding non-material matters that may arise.

 

The Company’s sugar manufacturing process is energy intensive and generates carbon dioxide and other “Greenhouse Gases” (GHGs).  Several bills have been introduced in the United States Senate and House of Representatives that would regulate GHGs and carbon dioxide emissions to reduce the impact of global climate change.  The Company believes it is likely that industries generating GHGs, including the Company, will be subject to either federal or state regulation under climate change policies in the relatively near future.  These policies, if adopted, will increase the Company’s energy and other operating costs.  Depending on how these policies address imports, the domestic market may have a competitive disadvantage with imported products.  These policies could have a significant negative impact on the Company’s beet payment to shareholders if we are not able to pass the increased costs on to the Company’s customers.

 

On June 26, 2009, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act.  This bill creates a system for regulating emissions of GHG’s and also creates a market for emission allowances or credits. It is uncertain whether the steps necessary to move this bill or similar bills through the legislative process will be completed this year.

 

On November 25, 2008, the Company entered into a stipulation agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) related to hydrogen sulfide emissions from its Crookston, East Grand Forks and Moorhead, Minnesota factories.  As part of the stipulation agreement, the Company has agreed to make certain capital expenditures over the next three years and implement specified changes in operating procedures to contain hydrogen sulfide emissions at the Minnesota factories.  The required capital expenditures are currently estimated to be approximately $12 million.  The costs associated with operational changes are not currently known.

 

The Company works closely with all affected government agencies to resolve environmental issues that arise and believes they will be resolved without any adverse effect on the Company.

 

The Company has identified capital expenditures for environmental related projects over the next three years at the Company’s factory locations of approximately $27.0 million.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Market risk is the risk of loss to future earnings, to fair values or to future cash flows that may result from changes in the price of a financial instrument.  The value of a financial instrument may change as a result of changes in the interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes.  Market risk is attributed to all market-risk sensitive financial instruments, including long term debt.

 

The Company does not believe that there is any material market risk exposure with respect to interest rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes that would require disclosure under this item.

 

Item 4T.   Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 240.13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of May 31, 2009.  Based on that review and evaluation, which included inquiries made to certain other employees of the Company, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, are effective in ensuring that information relating to the Company required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, including ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that may have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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.

 

On February 11, 2009, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (the Court) issued its decision in the case of Amalgamated Sugar Co, LLC v. Thomas Vilsack; Department of Agriculture, a case that involved Amalgamated Sugar’s challenge of a decision by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to transfer certain sugar marketing allocations to the Company.  The Court reversed the lower court’s decision which confirmed the USDA’s transfer of the marketing allocations, and remanded the case back to the lower court for further action.  On May 19, 2009, the USDA announced, subject to further proceedings, that it was redistributing a portion of the Company’s sugar marketing allocations to other sugar beet processors in response to legal proceedings contesting the transfer of certain sugar marketing allocations to the Company.  To protect the Company’s interests in the marketing allocations, the Company has appealed the Court’s decision.  If the Court’s decision is implemented as it currently stands,

 

21



Table of Contents

 

the Company would experience a net reduction of marketing allocations of approximately 1 million CWT.  The Company does not believe that any future loss of these marketing allocations will have a material impact on the Company’s planted acres going forward, assuming average crop yield, crop quality and continued domestic consumption trends.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

 

For a detailed discussion of certain risk factors that could affect the Company’s operations, financial condition or results for future periods, see Item 1A, Risk factors, in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations may impact our operations.

 

We are subject to extensive federal and state environmental laws and regulations with respect to water and air quality and solid waste disposal.  We conduct on-going programs designed to meet these environmental laws and regulations.  Changes in environmental laws or regulations or complying with existing environmental laws and regulations or enforcement action brought under such environmental laws and regulations might increase the cost of operating our facilities or result in significant capital investment.  Any such changes or compliance costs could have adverse financial consequences to our profitability.

 

Our sugar manufacturing process is energy intensive and generates carbon dioxide and other “Greenhouse Gases” (GHGs).  Several bills have been introduced in the United States Senate and House of Representatives that would regulate GHGs and carbon dioxide emissions to reduce the impact of global climate change.  We believe it is likely that industries generating GHGs, including us, will be subject to either federal or state regulation under climate change policies in the relatively near future.  These policies, if adopted, will increase our energy and other operating costs.  Depending on how these policies address imports, the domestic market may have a competitive disadvantage with imported products.  These policies could have a significant negative impact on our beet payment to shareholders if we are not able to pass the increased costs on to our customers.

 

On June 26, 2009, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act.  This bill creates a system for regulating emissions of GHG’s and also creates a market for emission allowances or credits. It is uncertain whether the steps necessary to move this bill or similar bills through the legislative process will be completed this year.

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 5.  Other Information.

 

None.

 

22



Table of Contents

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Item No.

 

Method of Filing

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation of American Crystal Sugar Company

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

Restated By-laws of American Crystal Sugar Company

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11693), declared effective November 13, 1996.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

Registrant’s Senior Note Inter-creditor 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

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

++10.6

 

Long Term Incentive Plan, dated June 23, 1999

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

10.7

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

 

10.8

 

Registrant’s Senior Note Purchase Agreement dated January 15, 2003

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

++10.9

 

Long Term Incentive Plan, dated August 24, 2005

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

10.10

 

Term and Seasonal Loan Agreements between the Registrant and CoBank, ACB dated July 31, 2006

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

10.11

 

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between the Registrant and CoBank, ACB dated November 3, 2006.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

++10.12

 

Employment Agreement dated March 21, 2007 between the Registrant and David A. Berg.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

10.13

 

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between the Registrant and CoBank, ACB dated April 2, 2007.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

10.14

 

Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between the Registrant and CoBank, ACB dated July 25, 2007.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

10.15

 

Growers’ Contract (5-year Agreement) for the crop years 2008 through 2012

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

10.16

 

Commitment and Acceptance Agreement between the Registrant and CoBank, ACB dated November 6, 2007

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

 

Amended and Restated Uniform Member Sugar Marketing Agreement between the Registrant and United Sugars Corporation dated September 20, 2007.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

10.18

 

Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between the Registrant and CoBank, ACB dated July 23, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

10.19

 

Stipulation Agreement between Registrant and State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, dated November 25, 2008

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

++10.20

 

Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, dated December 5, 2008

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

++10.21

 

Restated Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, dated December 8, 2008

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2008

 

24



Table of Contents

 

++10.22

 

First Amendment to 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, dated December 20, 2006.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

++10.23

 

Second Amendment to 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, dated November 5, 2007.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

++10.24

 

Third Amendment to 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, dated December 11, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

 

Accompanying herewith electronically

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

 

Accompanying herewith electronically

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

 

Accompanying herewith electronically

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

 

Accompanying herewith electronically

 


+              Confidential treatment under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, has been granted with respect to designated portions of this document.

 

++           A management contract or compensatory plan required to be filed with this report.

 

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 15, 2009

/s/ Teresa Warne

 

Teresa Warne

 

Corporate Controller,

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

Duly Authorized Officer

 

25


EX-31.1 2 a09-18155_1ex31d1.htm EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, David A. Berg, certify that:

 

1.                                       I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of American Crystal Sugar Company (the registrant);

 

2.                                       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                                      designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)                                     evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c)                                      disclosed in this report any changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and.

 

5.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

 

a)                                      all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of the internal controls over financial reporting which are likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                                     any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

July 15, 2009

/s/ DAVID A. BERG

 

David A. Berg

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 


EX-31.2 3 a09-18155_1ex31d2.htm EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Thomas S. Astrup, certify that:

 

1.                                       I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of American Crystal Sugar Company (the registrant);

 

2.                                       Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                       Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e) for the registrant and have:

 

a)                                      designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b)                                     evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

c)                                      disclosed in this report any changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and.

 

5.                                       The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

 

a)                                      all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of the internal controls over financial reporting which are likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b)                                     any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

July 15, 2009

/s/ THOMAS S. ASTRUP

 

Thomas S. Astrup

 

Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer

 


EX-32.1 4 a09-18155_1ex32d1.htm EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF SARBANES — OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

The undersigned, David A. Berg, Chief Executive Officer of American Crystal Sugar Company, (the “Company”), does hereby certify that to his knowledge:

 

1.     The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2009 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

2.     Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this instrument to be executed this 15th day of July, 2009.

 

 

By:

/s/ DAVID A. BERG

 

 

Name: David A. Berg

 

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 


EX-32.2 5 a09-18155_1ex32d2.htm EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF SARBANES — OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

The undersigned, Thomas S. Astrup, Chief Financial Officer of American Crystal Sugar Company, (the “Company”), does hereby certify that to his knowledge:

 

1.     The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2009 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

2.     Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this instrument to be executed this 15th day of July, 2009.

 

 

By:

/s/ THOMAS S. ASTRUP

 

 

Name: Thomas S. Astrup

 

 

Title: Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 


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