Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

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 Thompsons Limited. 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 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 costs not attributed to an operating segment.

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)	2016		2015
Revenues from external customers
Grain	$	538,814	$	558,676
Ethanol	114,693		132,801
Plant Nutrient	166,991		153,951
Rail	39,609		44,216
Retail	27,772		28,581
Total	$	887,879	$	918,225

	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2016		2015
Inter-segment sales
Grain	$	1,451	$	1,689
Plant Nutrient	247		317
Rail	379		181
Total	$	2,077	$	2,187

	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2016			2015
Income (loss) before income taxes
Grain	$	(17,405	)	$	743
Ethanol	(2,680		)	5,280
Plant Nutrient	1,704			424
Rail	9,375			10,313
Retail	(2,076		)	(2,183		)
Other	(10,900		)	(9,387		)
Noncontrolling interests	(926		)	(152		)
Total	$	(22,908	)	$	5,038

(in thousands)	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015		March 31, 2015
Identifiable assets
Grain	$	948,802	$	1,010,810	$	1,022,753
Ethanol	177,987		183,080		200,095
Plant Nutrient	591,639		531,753		496,906
Rail	380,347		405,702		381,909
Retail	46,653		44,135		47,413
Other	174,210		183,621		138,551
Total	$	2,319,638	$	2,359,101	$	2,287,627