Investments

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2014

Investments And Deposits [Abstract]

Investments And Deposits [Text Block]

Note 12. Investments

The following table summarizes equity method investments at April 30, 2014 and January 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands):

Entity	Ownership Percentage			Carrying Amount April 30, 2014		Carrying Amount January 31, 2014
Big River		10	%	$	40,090	$	40,042
Patriot		27	%		34,349		31,147
Total Equity Method Investments				$	74,439	$	71,189

The following table summarizes income recognized from equity method investments for the periods presented (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended April 30,
	2014		2013
Big River	$	5,059	$	644
Patriot		3,238		955
Total	$	8,297	$	1,599

Undistributed earnings of Big River and Patriot totaled approximately $35.9 million and $32.6 million at April 30, 2014 and January 31, 2014, respectively. During the first quarters of fiscal years 2014 and 2013, the Company received dividends from equity method investees of approximately $5.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Summarized financial information for each of the Company’s equity method investees is presented in the following table for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended April 30, 2014
		Patriot		Big River
Net sales and revenue	$	80,409	$	280,423
Gross profit		13,785		83,833
Income from continuing operations		12,195		52,121
Net income		12,195		52,121

	Three Months Ended April 30, 2013
	Patriot		Big River
Net sales and revenue	$	94,093	$	294,628
Gross profit	$	5,142	$	15,619
Income from continuing operations	$	3,599	$	6,632
Net income	$	3,599	$	6,632

Patriot and Big River have debt agreements that limit and restrict amounts the companies can pay in the form of dividends or advances to owners. The restricted net assets of Patriot and Big River combined at April 30, 2014 and January 31, 2014 are approximately $366.5 million and $366.2 million, respectively.