Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

The Company’s operations include five reportable business segments that are distinguished primarily on the basis of products and services offered. The Grain business includes grain merchandising, the operation of terminal grain elevator facilities and the investments in LTG and the Thompsons Limited joint ventures. The Ethanol business purchases and sells ethanol and also manages the ethanol production facilities organized as limited liability companies, one is consolidated and three are investments accounted for under the equity method. There are various service contracts for these investments. Rail operations include the leasing, marketing and fleet management of railcars and other assets, railcar repair and metal fabrication. The Plant Nutrient business manufactures and distributes agricultural inputs, primarily fertilizer, to dealers and farmers, along with other turf care and corncob-based products. The Retail business operates large retail stores, a specialty food market, a distribution center and a lawn and garden equipment sales and service facility. Included in “Other” are the corporate level amounts not attributed to an operating segment.

In the first quarter of 2015, the Plant Nutrient Group merged with the Turf & Specialty Group, as announced in the fourth quarter of 2014. Management has adjusted its internal reporting structure to reflect this organizational change and the result of this merger is one reportable business segment, referred to as the Plant Nutrient Group. All prior periods have been restated to reflect this change.

The segment information below includes the allocation of expenses shared by one or more operating segments. Although management believes such allocations are reasonable, the operating information does not necessarily reflect how such data might appear if the segments were operated as separate businesses. Inter-segment sales are made at prices comparable to normal, unaffiliated customer sales. The Company does not have any customers who represent 10 percent or more of total revenues.

	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2015		2014
Revenues from external customers
Grain	$	585,162	$	583,159
Ethanol	138,180		188,820
Plant Nutrient	153,951		151,355
Rail	44,216		52,302
Retail	28,581		27,658
Total	$	950,090	$	1,003,294

	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2015		2014
Inter-segment sales
Grain	$	1,689	$	—
Plant Nutrient	317		289
Rail	181		109
Total	$	2,187	$	398

	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2015			2014
Income (loss) before income taxes
Grain	$	743		$	11,306
Ethanol	5,280			19,824
Plant Nutrient	424			(36		)
Rail	10,313			15,045
Retail	(2,183		)	(2,335		)
Other	(9,387		)	(7,224		)
Noncontrolling interests	(152		)	3,321
Total	$	5,038		$	39,901

(in thousands)	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014		March 31, 2014
Identifiable assets
Grain	$	1,022,753	$	1,137,437	$	979,608
Ethanol	200,095		197,888		224,931
Plant Nutrient	496,906		433,013		421,757
Rail	381,909		365,531		303,532
Retail	47,413		44,536		47,710
Other	138,551		186,287		148,045
Total	$	2,287,627	$	2,364,692	$	2,125,583