Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Note 2. Accounting Policies

          The interim consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s fiscal year 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. While management believes that the procedures followed in the preparation of interim financial information are reasonable, the accuracy of some estimated amounts is dependent upon facts that will exist or calculations that will be accomplished at fiscal year end. Examples of such estimates include management bonuses, the fair value of financial instruments, reserves for lower of cost or market inventory calculations and the provision for income taxes. Any adjustments pursuant to such estimates during the quarter were of a normal recurring nature. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

          The Company recognizes sales from the production of ethanol and distillers grains when title transfers to customers, upon shipment from its plant.

          The Company includes income from real estate leasing activities in net sales and revenue. The Company accounts for these leases as operating leases. Accordingly, minimum rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

          Prior to exiting the retail business, the Company sold retail product service contracts covering periods beyond the normal manufacturers’ warranty periods, usually with terms of coverage (including manufacturers’ warranty periods) of between 12 to 60 months. Contract revenues and sales commissions are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the contracts after the expiration of applicable manufacturers’ warranty periods. The Company retains the obligation to perform warranty service and such costs are expensed as incurred. All related revenue and expense is classified as discontinued operations.

Cost of Sales

          Ethanol cost of sales includes depreciation, costs of raw materials, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, other distribution expenses, warehousing costs, plant management, certain compensation costs, and general facility overhead charges.

          Real estate cost of sales includes depreciation, real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance and other costs directly associated with operating the Company’s portfolio of real property.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

          The Company includes non-production related costs from its alternative energy segment such as professional fees, selling charges and certain payroll in selling, general and administrative expenses.

          The Company includes costs not directly related to operating its portfolio of real property from its real estate segment such as certain payroll and related costs, professional fees and other general expenses in selling, general and administrative expenses.

          The Company includes costs associated with its corporate headquarters such as certain payroll and related costs, professional fees and other general expenses in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Interest Cost

          No interest was capitalized for the six months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010. Cash paid for interest for the six months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $1,353,000 and $2,448,000, respectively.

Financial Instruments

          The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its balance of fixed and variable rate debt. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments and do not represent an actual exchange of the notional amounts between the parties. The swap agreements were not designated for hedge accounting pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The interest rate swaps are recorded at their fair values and the changes in fair values are recorded as gain or loss on derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations. The Company paid settlements of interest rate swaps of approximately $1,297,000 and $1,710,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

          Forward grain purchase and ethanol and distillers grains sale contracts are accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of ASC 815 because these arrangements are for purchases of grain that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used by the Company and sales of ethanol and distillers grains quantities expected to be produced by the Company over a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business.

Income Taxes

          The Company applies an effective tax rate to interim periods that is consistent with the Company’s estimated annual tax rate. The Company provides for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company provides for a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company paid no income taxes during the six months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010. During the six months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company received tax refunds of $7,247,000 and $5,539,000, respectively.

          As of July 31, 2011, total unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $2,733,000 and accrued penalties and interest were $301,000. If the Company were to prevail on all unrecognized tax benefits recorded, approximately $129,000 of the reserve would benefit the effective tax rate. In addition, the impact of penalties and interest would also benefit the effective tax rate. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are recorded within income tax expense. On a quarterly and annual basis, the Company accrues for the effects of open uncertain tax positions and the related potential penalties and interest.

Inventories

          Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Alternative energy segment inventory includes direct production costs and certain overhead costs such as depreciation, property taxes and utilities related to producing ethanol and related by-products. Reserves are established for estimated net realizable value based primarily upon commodity prices. The components of inventory at July 31, 2011 and January 31, 2011 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	July 31, 2011		January 31, 2011
Ethanol and other finished goods, net	$	2,554	$	2,347
Work in process, net		2,344		1,705
Grain and other raw materials		5,472		3,767
Total	$	10,370	$	7,819

Property and Equipment

          Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, and 3 to 20 years for fixtures and equipment.

          In accordance with ASC 360-05 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the carrying value of long-lived assets is assessed for recoverability by management when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable, based on an analysis of undiscounted future expected cash flows from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. Impairment charges were approximately $1.2 million and $0.4 million in the first six months of fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. These charges relate to the Company’s real estate segment (fiscal year 2011) and discontinued operations (fiscal year 2010). Impairment charges result from the Company’s management performing cash flow analysis and represent management’s estimate of the excess of net book value over fair value. Fair value is estimated using expected future cash flows on a discounted basis or appraisals of specific properties as appropriate. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Generally, declining cash flows from an ethanol plant or deterioration in local real estate market conditions are indicators of possible impairment.

Investments and Deposits

          Restricted investments, which are principally money market mutual funds and cash deposits, are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market. Restricted investments at July 31, 2011 and January 31, 2011 are required by two states to cover possible future claims under extended service policies over the remaining lives of the service policy contracts. In accordance with ASC 320, “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities” the Company has classified these investments as held-to-maturity. The investments had maturity dates of less than one year at July 31, 2011 and January 31, 2011. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity.

          The method of accounting applied to long-term investments, whether consolidated, equity or cost, involves an evaluation of the significant terms of each investment that explicitly grant or suggest evidence of control or influence over the operations of the investee and also includes the identification of any variable interests in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company consolidates the results of one majority owned subsidiary, One Earth, with a one month lag. The Company accounts for investments in limited liability companies in which it may have a less than 20% ownership interest, using the equity method of accounting when the factors discussed in ASC 323 “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures” are met. The excess of the carrying value over the underlying equity in the net assets of equity method investees is allocated to specific assets and liabilities. Any unallocated excess is treated as goodwill and is recorded as a component of the carrying value of the equity method investee. Investments in businesses that the Company does not control but for which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters are accounted for using the cost method. The Company accounts for its investments in Big River Resources, LLC (“Big River”), Patriot Renewable Fuels, LLC (“Patriot”) and NuGen Energy, LLC (“NuGen”) using the equity method of accounting and includes the results of these entities on a delayed basis of one month.

          The Company periodically evaluates its investments for impairment due to declines in market value considered to be other than temporary. Such impairment evaluations include, in addition to persistent, declining market prices, general economic and company-specific evaluations. If the Company determines that a decline in market value is other than temporary, then a charge to earnings is recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

Accounting Changes and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

          Effective February 1, 2012, the Company will be required to adopt the third phase of amended guidance in ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”. The amendment establishes common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements by improving comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and those prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards. The amended guidance clarifies the application of existing requirements and requires additional disclosure for Level 3 measurements regarding the sensitivity of fair value to changes in unobservable inputs and any interrelationships between those inputs. The Company has not determined the impact, if any, of adopting this amended guidance.

          Effective February 1, 2012, the Company will be required to adopt the amended guidance in ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income”. This amendment increases the prominence of other comprehensive income in the financial statement by eliminating the option to present other comprehensive income in the statement of stockholders’ equity, and rather requiring comprehensive income to be reported in either a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements reporting net income and other comprehensive income. The Company has determined that the changes to the accounting standards will affect the presentation of consolidated financial information but will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.