Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

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 2012 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 accrued liabilities, such as management bonuses, 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, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil when title transfers to customers, upon shipment from its plant. Shipping and handling charges billed to customers are included in net sales and revenue.

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 its exit of the retail business, the Company sold extended service policies 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 charged to operations as incurred. All related revenue and expense is classified as discontinued operations.

Cost of Sales

Alternative energy cost of sales includes depreciation, costs of raw materials, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, shipping 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

Cash paid for interest for the three months ended October 31, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $900,000 and $1,044,000, respectively. Cash paid for interest for the nine months ended October 31, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $2,822,000 and $3,779,000, 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 agreement was not designated for hedge accounting pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The interest rate swap is recorded at its fair value and the changes in fair value 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 $416,000 and $446,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company paid settlements of the interest rate swap of approximately $1,278,000 and $1,375,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Forward grain purchase and ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil 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, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil 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 income taxes of $2,150,000 and $51,000 during the nine months ended October 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company received 0 refunds of income taxes during the nine months ended October 31, 2013. The Company received refunds of $1,000,000 during the nine months ended October 31, 2012.

As of October 31, 2013, total unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $1,710,000 and accrued penalties and interest were approximately $395,000. If the Company were to prevail on all unrecognized tax benefits recorded, approximately $24,000 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 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. Inventory is permanently written down for instances when cost exceeds estimated net realizable value; such write-downs are based primarily upon commodity prices as the market value of inventory is often dependent upon changes in commodity prices. The write-down of inventory was approximately $35,000 and $466,000 at October 31, 2013 and January 31, 2013, respectively. Fluctuations in the write-down of inventory generally relate to the levels and composition of such inventory at a given point in time. The components of inventory at October 31, 2013 and January 31, 2013 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	October 31, 2013		January 31, 2013
Ethanol and other finished goods	$	4,453	$	7,306
Work in process		3,360		4,414
Grain and other raw materials		8,493		13,199
Total	$	16,306	$	24,919

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 360-10 “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. There were 0 impairment charges in the first nine months of fiscal year 2013. There were approximately $0.3 million of impairment charges in the first nine months of fiscal year 2012. 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. Given the nature of the Company’s business, events and changes in circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant decline in estimated future cash flows, a sustained decline in market prices for similar assets, or a significant adverse change in legal or regulatory factors or the business climate. A significant decline in estimated future cash flows is represented by a greater than 25% annual decline in expected future cash flows (for asset groups in the real estate reportable segment) or a change in the spread between ethanol and grain prices that would result in greater than six consecutive months of estimated or actual significant negative cash flows (for asset groups in the alternative energy reportable segment).

The Company tests for recoverability of an asset group by comparing its carrying amount to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, if any. The Company generally determines the fair value of the asset group using a discounted cash flow model based on market participant assumptions (for income producing asset groups) or by obtaining appraisals based on the market approach and comparable market transactions (for non-income producing asset groups).

In the real estate reportable segment, each individual real estate property represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. As such, the Company separately tests individual real estate properties for recoverability. The real estate reportable segment includes both income producing and non-income producing asset groups.

In the alternative energy reportable segment, each individual ethanol plant represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. As such, the Company separately tests individual ethanol plants for recoverability. In addition to the general events and changes in circumstances noted above that indicate that an asset group may not be recoverable, the Company also considers the following events as indicators: (i) the decision to suspend operations at a plant for at least a six month period and/or (ii) an expected or actual failure to maintain compliance with debt covenants. The alternative energy reportable segment includes only income producing asset groups.

Investments

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 two majority owned subsidiaries, One Earth and NuGen. The results of One Earth are included on a delayed basis of one month. 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”) and Patriot Holdings, LLC (“Patriot”) 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, 2013, the Company was required to adopt the amended guidance in ASC 220 “Comprehensive Income”. This amendment requires disclosure of additional information regarding reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income including presentation of the amounts and individual income statement line items affected. This amendment is in addition to ASC 220 guidance adopted on February 1, 2012, which increased the prominence of other comprehensive income in the financial statements 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 adoption of this amended guidance did not impact the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements.

Effective February 1, 2013, the Company was required to adopt the third phase of amended guidance in ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”. The amendment established 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 clarified 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 adoption of this amended guidance did expand disclosure related to fair value but, otherwise, did not impact the Company’s consolidated condensed financial statements.

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11 (“ASU 2013-11”), “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”. The update requires, unless certain conditions exists, an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. ASU 2013-11 is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2013-11.