Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

7. Segment Information

During the first quarter of 2011, management re-evaluated the Company’s reportable segments. Based on that evaluation, the Company has separated the segment previously reported as Grain & Ethanol into two separate reportable segments for external financial reporting. The Company also evaluated the impact of this change on the recoverability of goodwill and no impairment charge was necessary. Corresponding items of segment information for earlier periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

The Company’s operations include six 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 investment in Lansing Trade Group, LLC (“LTG”). The Ethanol business purchases and sells ethanol and also manages the ethanol production facilities organized as limited liability companies (“ethanol LLCs”) in which the Company has investments and various service contracts for these investments. Rail operations include the leasing, marketing and fleet management of railcars and locomotives, railcar repair and metal fabrication. The Plant Nutrient business manufactures and distributes agricultural inputs, primarily fertilizer, to dealers and farmers. Turf & Specialty operations include the production and distribution of 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 shop. Included in Other are the corporate level amounts not attributable to an operating segment.

Results of Operations – Segment Disclosures

(in thousands)

		00000000		00000000			00000000		00000000		00000000			00000000			00000000			00000000
Third quarter ended September 30, 2011	Grain		Ethanol			Rail		Plant Nutrient		Turf  & Specialty			Retail			Other			Total
Revenues from external customers	$	538,723	$	179,331		$	24,067	$	137,637	$	23,051		$	35,851		$	—		$	938,660
Inter-segment sales		1		—			111		4,224		317			—			—			4,653
Equity in earnings of affiliates		6,459		3,270			—		2		—			—			—			9,731
Other income (loss), net		652		38			604		282		167			130			(656	)		1,217
Interest expense (income)		2,674		194			1,614		940		273			238			(222	)		5,711
Operating income (loss) (a)		8,313		4,443			1,123		6,622		(1,245	)		(1,233	)		(2,614	)		15,409
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—		(306	)		—		—		—			—			—			(306	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		8,313		4,749			1,123		6,622		(1,245	)		(1,233	)		(2,614	)		15,715

		00000000		00000000			00000000		00000000		00000000			00000000			00000000			00000000
Third quarter ended September 30, 2010	Grain		Ethanol			Rail		Plant Nutrient		Turf & Specialty			Retail			Other			Total
Revenues from external customers	$	388,981	$	109,264		$	22,314	$	129,109	$	23,156		$	34,001		$	—		$	706,825
Inter-segment sales		—		—			144		1,828		251			—			—			2,223
Equity in earnings of affiliates		1,538		(2,635	)		—		1		—			—			—			(1,096	)
Other income, net		664		45			1,782		233		244			128			465			3,561
Interest expense (income)		1,952		468			1,279		1,065		337			312			(788	)		4,625
Operating income (loss) (a)		3,220		(764	)		85		1,462		(291	)		(1,651	)		(229	)		1,832
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		—		1,026			—		—		—			—			—			1,026
Income (loss) before income taxes		3,220		(1,790	)		85		1,462		(291	)		(1,651	)		(229	)		806

		00000000		00000000			00000000		00000000		00000000		00000000			00000000			00000000
Nine months ended September 30, 2011	Grain		Ethanol			Rail		Plant Nutrient		Turf  & Specialty		Retail			Other			Total
Revenues from external customers	$	1,973,820	$	476,783		$	82,478	$	521,109	$	111,872	$	112,439		$	—		$	3,278,501
Inter-segment sales		3		—			486		12,830		1,649		—			—			14,968
Equity in earnings of affiliates		18,117		11,366			—		6		—		—			—			29,489
Other income (loss), net		1,754		133			2,198		541		716		430			(231	)		5,541
Interest expense (income)		11,373		880			4,572		2,756		1,094		705			(771	)		20,609
Operating income (loss) (a)		59,955		16,844			7,432		35,813		3,811		(2,020	)		(8,161	)		113,674
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—		(1,245	)		—		—		—		—			—			(1,245	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		59,955		18,089			7,432		35,813		3,811		(2,020	)		(8,161	)		114,919

		00000000		00000000		00000000		00000000		00000000		00000000			00000000			00000000
Nine months ended September 30, 2010	Grain		Ethanol		Rail		Plant Nutrient		Turf  & Specialty		Retail			Other			Total
Revenues from external customers	$	1,151,984	$	340,830	$	72,639	$	460,671	$	105,971	$	107,727		$	—		$	2,239,822
Inter-segment sales		2		—		445		8,820		1,284		—			—			10,551
Equity in earnings of affiliates		6,869		8,602		—		5		—		—			—			15,476
Other income, net		1,918		88		4,090		866		1,038		404			692			9,096
Interest expense (income)		4,183		920		3,923		3,331		1,379		868			(681	)		13,923
Operating income (loss) (a)		28,791		14,003		1,225		21,198		4,859		(2,400	)		(4,442	)		63,234
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		—		25		—		—		—		—			—			25
Income (loss) before income taxes		28,791		13,978		1,225		21,198		4,859		(2,400	)		(4,442	)		63,209

(a) Operating income (loss), the operating segment measure of profitability, is defined as net sales and merchandising revenues plus identifiable other income less all identifiable operating expenses, including interest expense for carrying working capital and long-term assets and is reported net of the noncontrolling interest share of (income) loss.