Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared using accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which assumes realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company incurred losses of $18.9 million, $22.7 million and $19.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company had working capital of $14.9 million at December 31, 2014, and used cash in operations of $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Cash requirements during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, primarily reflect certain administrative and litigation costs related to the Company’s water project development efforts. Currently, the Company’s sole focus is the development of its land and water assets.

In March 2013, the Company completed arrangements with its senior lenders to refinance its then existing $66 million zero coupon convertible term loan (“Term Loan”). Under the terms of the new arrangements, the existing lenders held $30 million of non-convertible secured debt at the time of the transaction, with the balance of the Company’s outstanding debt of approximately $36 million held in a convertible note instrument. Further, the Company increased the capacity of the convertible note instrument with an additional $17.5 million to be used for working capital purposes. In July 2013, the majority of the $30 million of non-convertible secured debt was acquired in a private transaction by MSD Credit Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. (“MSD Credit”). In October 2013, the Company completed arrangements with MSD Credit to increase the secured debt facility by $10 million to fund additional working capital (“New Term Loan”). See Note 6, “Long-Term Debt”.

In July 2013, the Company filed a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3 registering the issuance of up to $40 million in shares of the Company’s common stock, preferred stock, warrants, subscription rights, units and certain debt instruments in one or more public offerings. In November 2014, the Company raised approximately $14.6 million with the sale of 1,435,713 shares at $10.1751 per share by way of takedown from this shelf registration

The $14.6 million in additional working capital raised in November 2014, as discussed above, together with the Company’s existing cash resources, provides the Company with sufficient funds to meet its expected working capital needs through the end of February 2016. As further detailed in Note 6 – Long-Term Debt, the Company has a first mortgage debt obligation coming due in March of 2016. Based upon the Company’s current and anticipated usage of cash resources, and depending on its progress toward implementation of the Cadiz Valley Water Conservation, Recovery and Storage Project, the first mortgage obligation may be extinguished, extended or replaced. Further, the Company may require additional working capital during 2016. The Company will evaluate the amount of cash needed, and the manner in which such cash will be raised, on an ongoing basis. The Company may meet any future cash requirements through a variety of means, including equity or debt placements, or through the sale or other disposition of assets. Equity placements would be undertaken only to the extent necessary, so as to minimize the dilutive effect of any such placements upon the Company’s existing stockholders. Limitations on the Company’s liquidity and ability to raise capital may adversely affect it. Sufficient liquidity is critical to meet its resource development activities. Although the Company currently expects its sources of capital to be sufficient to meet its near-term liquidity needs, there can be no assurance that its liquidity requirements will continue to be satisfied. If the Company cannot raise needed funds, it might be forced to make substantial reductions in its operating expenses, which could adversely affect its ability to implement its current business plan and ultimately its viability as a company.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cadiz Inc. and all subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In preparing these financial statements, management has made estimates with regard to goodwill and other long-lived assets, stock compensation and deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes crop sale revenue upon shipment and transfer of title to customers.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

General and administrative expenses include $1.1 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million of stock-based compensation expenses in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company applies the Black-Scholes valuation model in determining the fair value of options granted to employees and consultants. For employees, the fair value is then charged to expense on the straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For consultants, the fair value is remeasured at each reporting period and recorded as a liability until the award is settled.

ASC 718 also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation as opposed to only recognizing forfeitures and the corresponding reduction in expense as they occur. As of December 31, 2014, all options outstanding are fully vested; therefore, there is no potential impact of forfeitures. The Company is in a tax loss carryforward position and is not expected to realize a benefit from any additional compensation expense recognized under ASC 718. See Note 7, “Income Taxes".

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average common shares outstanding. Options, deferred stock units, warrants, and the zero coupon term loan convertible into or exercisable for certain shares of the Company’s common stock were not considered in the computation of net loss per share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive. Had these instruments been included, the fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding would have increased by approximately 8,237,000 shares, 7,012,000 shares and 2,996,000 shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant, Equipment and Water Programs

Property, plant, equipment and water programs are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally ten to forty-five years for land improvements and buildings, and five to fifteen years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the relevant lease agreement or the estimated useful life of the asset.

Water rights, storage and supply programs are stated at cost. Certain costs directly attributable to the development of such programs have been capitalized by the Company. These costs, which are expected to be recovered through future revenues, consist of direct labor, drilling costs, consulting fees for various engineering, hydrological, environmental and additional feasibility studies, and other professional and legal fees. While interest on borrowed funds is currently expensed, interest costs related to the construction of project facilities will be capitalized at the time construction of these facilities commences.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Assets

As a result of a merger in May 1988 between two companies which eventually became known as Cadiz Inc., goodwill in the amount of $7,006,000 was recorded. Approximately $3,193,000 of this amount was amortized prior to the adoption of ASC 350 on January 1, 2002. Since the adoption of ASC 350, there have been no goodwill impairments recorded.

	Amounts
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	3,813
Adjustments		-
Balance at December 31, 2013		3,813
Adjustments		-
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3,813

Deferred loan costs represent costs incurred to obtain debt financing. Such costs are amortized over the life of the related loan using the interest method. At December 31, 2014, the deferred loan fees relate to the corporate term loan, as described in Note 6, “Long-Term Debt”.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses long-lived assets, excluding goodwill, for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the assets. If it is determined that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the impairment is measured by using the projected discounted cash-flow method.
 

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of December 31, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate carrying values may not be recoverable.

The Company uses a two-step impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of a goodwill impairment loss to be recognized (if any) for the Company. The first step considers whether there are qualitative factors present such that it is more likely than not a goodwill impairment exists. If based on qualitative factors it is more likely than not a goodwill impairment exists, the Company performs “Step 2” as described below.

The step 2 calculation of the impairment test compares the implied fair value of the goodwill to the carrying value of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill represents the excess of the estimated fair value above the fair value of the Company's identified assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess (not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill). The determination of the fair value of its assets and liabilities is performed as of the measurement date using observable market data before and after the measurement date (if that subsequent information is relevant to the fair value on the measurement date).

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Income taxes are provided for using an asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at the applicable enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial assets with carrying values approximating fair value include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Financial liabilities with carrying values approximating fair value include accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Company's debt approximates fair value, based on interest rates available to the Company for debt with similar terms. See Note 6, “Long-Term Debt”, for discussion of fair value of debt.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information

No cash payments, including interest, are due on the corporate secured debt or convertible notes prior to their maturities.

In November and December 2014, approximately $314 thousand in convertible notes were converted by certain of the Company’s lenders. As a result, 39,037 shares of common stock were issued to the lenders.

The Company recorded $2,500 in non-cash additions to fixed assets during the year ended December 31, 2014, which were accrued at year end. Non-cash additions to fixed assets recorded as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $923,000 and $1,090,000 respectively.

Cash payments for income taxes were $4,000, $5,700 and $10,000 in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which will require an unrecognized tax benefit be presented on the balance sheet as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss ("NOL") or tax credit carryforward under certain circumstances.  The guidance is effective for all fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013.  The adoption of this pronouncement did not have any impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted 

           On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on revenue recognition including enhanced disclosures. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized when (or as) a good or service is transferred to the customer and the customer obtains control of the good or service. The Company is currently evaluating this new guidance which is effective January 1, 2017 and cannot determine the impact of this standard at this time.

In August 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update requiring an entity’s management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). The Company is currently evaluating this new guidance which is effective for all fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and all annual and interim periods thereafter, and cannot determine the impact of this standard at this time.