10-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

Commission file number 000-20557

THE ANDERSONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

OHIO	34-1562374
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
480 W. Dussel Drive, Maumee, Ohio	43537
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (419) 893-5050

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Shares

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting stock which may be voted by persons other than affiliates of the registrant was $780.6 million on June 30, 2011, computed by reference to the last sales price for such stock on that date as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

The registrant had 18.5 million common shares outstanding, no par value, at February 9, 2012.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2012, are incorporated by reference into Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the Commission on or about March 13, 2012.

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The Andersons, Inc.

Table of Contents

PART I.
Item 1. Business	4
Item 1A. Risk Factors	11
Item 2. Properties	16
Item 3. Legal Proceedings	17
Item 4. Mine Safety	17
PART II.
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters	19
Item 6. Selected Financial Data	22
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	40
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	41
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures	89
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures	89
PART III.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant	91
Item 11. Executive Compensation	91
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management	91
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	91
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services	91
PART IV.
Item  15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K	92
Signatures	95
Exhibits

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PART I

Item 1. Business

Company Overview

The Andersons, Inc. (the “Company”) is a diversified company with interests in the grain, ethanol and plant nutrient sectors of U.S. agriculture, as well as in railcar leasing and repair, turf products production and general merchandise retailing. Founded in Maumee, Ohio in 1947, the Company now has operations across the United States and in Puerto Rico, and has railcar leasing interests in Canada and Mexico.

Segment Descriptions

The Company’s operations are classified into six reportable business segments: Grain, Ethanol, Rail, Plant Nutrient, Turf & Specialty, and Retail. Each of these segments is organized based upon the nature of products and services offered. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for information regarding business segments.

Grain Group

The Grain business operates grain terminals in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Nebraska with storage capacity of approximately 109 million bushels at December 31, 2011. Bushels shipped by the Grain Group approximated 350 million bushels in 2011. Income is earned on grain bought and sold or “put thru” the elevator, grain that is purchased and conditioned for resale, and space income. Space income consists of appreciation or depreciation in the basis value of grain held and represents the difference between the cash price of a commodity in one of the Company’s facilities and the nearest exchange traded futures price (“basis”); appreciation or depreciation between the future exchange contract months (“spread”); and grain stored for others upon which storage fees are earned. The Grain business also offers a number of unique grain marketing, risk management and corn origination services to its customers and affiliate ethanol facilities for which it collects fees.

In 2008, the Company renewed the five-year lease agreement and the five-year marketing agreement (“the Agreement”) with Cargill, Incorporated (“Cargill”) for Cargill’s Maumee and Toledo, Ohio grain handling and storage facilities. As part of the agreement, Cargill is given the marketing rights to grain in the Cargill-owned facilities as well as the adjacent Company-owned facilities in Maumee and Toledo. The lease of the Cargill-owned facilities covers 8.1%, or approximately 8.9 million bushels, of the Company’s total storage space. Grain sales to Cargill totaled $258.4 million in 2011, and includes grain covered by the Agreement (i.e. grain sold out of the Maumee and Toledo facilities) as well as grain sold to Cargill via normal forward sales from locations not covered by the Agreement.

Grain prices are not predetermined, so sales are negotiated by the Company’s merchandising staff. The principal grains sold by the Company are yellow corn, yellow soybeans and soft red and white wheat. Approximately 94% of the grain bushels sold by the Company in 2011 were purchased by U.S. grain processors and feeders, and approximately 6% were exported. Most of the Company’s exported grain sales are done through intermediaries while some grain is shipped directly to foreign countries, mainly Canada. Most grain shipments from our facilities are by rail or boat. Rail shipments are made primarily to grain processors and feeders with some rail shipments made to exporters on the Gulf of Mexico or east coast. Boat shipments are from the Port of Toledo. In addition, grain is transported via truck for direct ship transactions where customers sell grain to the Company but have it delivered directly to the end user.

The Company’s grain operations rely principally on forward purchase contracts with producers, dealers and commercial elevators to ensure an adequate supply of grain to the Company’s facilities throughout the year. The Company makes grain purchases at prices referenced to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“the CME”). Bushels contracted for future delivery at January 31, 2012 approximated 178.5 million.

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The Company competes in the sale of grain with other public and private grain brokers, elevator operators and farmer owned cooperative elevators. Some of the Company’s competitors are also its customers. Competition is based primarily on price, service and reliability. Because the Company generally buys in smaller lots, its competition is generally local or regional in scope, although there are some large national and international companies that maintain regional grain purchase and storage facilities. Significant portions of grain bushels purchased and sold are done so using forward contracts.

The grain handling business is seasonal in nature in that a large portion of the principal grains are harvested and delivered from the farm and commercial elevators in July, October and November although a significant portion of the principal grains are bought, sold and handled throughout the year.

Fixed price purchase and sale commitments for grain and grain held in inventory expose the Company to risks related to adverse changes in market prices. The Company attempts to manage these risks by entering into exchange-traded futures and option contracts with the CME. The contracts are economic hedges of price risk, but are not designated or accounted for as hedging instruments. The CME is a regulated commodity futures exchange that maintains futures markets for the grains merchandised by the Company. Futures prices are determined by worldwide supply and demand.

The Company’s grain risk management practices are designed to reduce the risk of changing commodity prices. In that regard, such practices also limit potential gains from further changes in market prices. The Company has policies that specify the key controls over its risk management practices. These policies include a description of the objectives of the programs and review of position limits by key management outside of the trading function on a daily basis along with other internal controls. The Company monitors current market conditions and may expand or reduce the purchasing program in response to changes in those conditions. In addition, the Company monitors the parties to its purchase contracts on a regular basis for credit worthiness, defaults and non-delivery.

Purchases of grain can be made the day the grain is delivered to a terminal or via a forward contract made prior to actual delivery. Sales of grain generally are made by contract for delivery in a future period. When the Company purchases grain at a fixed price or at a price where a component of the purchase price is fixed via reference to a futures price on the CME, it also enters into an offsetting sale of a futures contract on the CME. Similarly, when the Company sells grain at a fixed price, the sale is offset with the purchase of a futures contract on the CME. At the close of business each day, inventory and open purchase and sale contracts as well as open futures and option positions are marked-to-market. Gains and losses in the value of the Company’s ownership positions due to changing market prices are netted with and generally offset in the income statement by losses and gains in the value of the Company’s futures positions.

When a futures contract is entered into, an initial margin deposit must be sent to the CME. The amount of the margin deposit is set by the CME and varies by commodity. If the market price of a futures contract moves in a direction that is adverse to the Company’s position, an additional margin deposit, called a maintenance margin, is required by the CME. Subsequent price changes could require additional maintenance margin deposits or result in the return of maintenance margin deposits by the CME. Significant increases in market prices, such as those that occur when grain supplies are affected by unfavorable weather conditions and/or when increases in demand occur, can have an effect on the Company’s liquidity and, as a result, require it to maintain appropriate short-term lines of credit. The Company may utilize CME option contracts to limit its exposure to potential required margin deposits in the event of a rapidly rising market.

The Company owns 52% of the diluted equity in Lansing Trade Group LLC (“LTG”). LTG is largely focused on the movement of physical commodities, including grain and ethanol and is exposed to the some of the same risks as the Company’s grain and ethanol businesses. LTG trades in other commodities that the Company’s grain and ethanol businesses do not trade in, some of which are not exchange traded. This investment provides the Company with further opportunity to diversify and complement its income through activity outside of its traditional product and geographic regions. This investment is accounted for under the equity method. The Company periodically enters into transactions with LTG as disclosed in Note 8 of Item 8.

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Sales of grain and related service and merchandising revenues totaled $2,849.4 million, $1,936.8 million and $1,734.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

The Company intends to continue to grow its traditional grain business through geographic expansion of its physical operations, pursuit of grain handling agreements, food supply chain risk management relationships, expansion at existing facilities and acquisitions.

Ethanol Group

The Ethanol Group has ownership interests in three Limited Liability Companies (“the ethanol LLCs” or “LLCs”). Each of the LLCs owns an ethanol plant that is operated by the Company’s Ethanol Group. The plants are located in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio and have combined capacity of 275 million gallons of ethanol. The Group offers facility operations, risk management and marketing services to the LLCs it operates as well as third parties.

The ethanol LLC investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company holds a 50% interest in The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC (“TAAE”) and a 38% interest in The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC (“TACE”). The Company holds a 50% interest in The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC (“TAME”) through its majority owned subsidiary The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC (“TAEI”). A third party owns 34% of TAEI.

The Company has a management agreement with each of the LLCs. As part of these agreements, the Ethanol Group runs the day-to-day operations of the plants and provides all administrative functions. The Company is compensated for these services based on a fixed cost plus an indexed annual increase determined by a consumer price index and is accounted for on a gross basis. Additionally, the Company has entered into agreements with each of the LLCs under which the Grain Group has the exclusive right to act as supplier for 100% of the corn used by the LLCs in the production of ethanol. For this service, the Grain Group receives a fee for each bushel of corn sold. In addition, the Company has entered into marketing agreements with the ethanol LLCs. Under the ethanol marketing agreement, the Company purchases 100% of the ethanol produced by TAAE and TACE and 50% of the ethanol produced by TAME to sell to external customers. The Ethanol Group receives a fee for each gallon of ethanol sold to external customers. Under the DDG marketing agreement, the Grain Group markets the DDG and receives a fee for each ton of DDG sold. Most recently, the Company has entered into corn oil marketing agreements with the LLCs for which a commission is earned on units sold.

Sales of ethanol and related merchandising and service fee revenues totaled $641.5 million, $468.6 million and $419.4 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months, the Company may make additional investments in the ethanol industry singly or through joint venture agreements and by providing services as described above, to non-affiliated ethanol entities.

Plant Nutrient Group

The Company’s Plant Nutrient Group is a manufacturer and distributor of agricultural plant nutrients in the U.S. Corn Belt and Florida. It operates 19 wholesale distribution and manufacturing locations as well as 8 leased locations throughout Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Puerto Rico. The Group operates 11 farm centers throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Florida.

Wholesale Nutrients – The Wholesale Nutrients business manufactures, stores, and distributes nearly 2.0 million tons of dry and liquid agricultural nutrients, and pelleted lime and gypsum products annually. The Group purchases basic nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulfur materials for resale and uses some of these same materials in its manufactured nutrient products.

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The Plant Nutrient business also manufactures and distributes a variety of industrial products throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico including nitrogen reagents for air pollution control systems used in coal-fired power plants, water treatment and dust abatement products, and de-icers and anti-icers for airport runways, roadways, and other commercial applications.

Farm Centers – The Farm Centers offer a variety of essential crop nutrients, crop protection chemicals and seed products in addition to application and agronomic services to commercial and family farmers. Soil and tissue sampling along with global satellite assisted services provide for pinpointing crop or soil deficiencies and prescriptive agronomic advice is provided to farmer customers.

Storage capacity at the Company’s wholesale nutrient and farm center facilities was approximately 15.3 million cubic feet for dry nutrients and approximately 72.4 million gallons for liquid nutrients at December 31, 2011. The Company reserves 7.2 million cubic feet of its dry storage capacity and 26.3 million gallons of its liquid nutrient capacity for basic manufacturers and customers. The agreements for reserved space provide the Company storage and handling fees and are generally for one to three year terms, renewable at the end of each term. The Company also leases 0.8 million gallons of liquid fertilizer capacity under arrangements with other distributors, farm supply dealers and public warehouses where the Company does not have facilities. Sales and warehouse shipments of agricultural nutrients are heaviest in the spring and fall.

In its plant nutrient businesses, the Company competes with regional and local cooperatives wholesalers and retailers, predominantly publicly owned manufacturers and privately owned retailers, wholesalers and importers. Some of these competitors are also suppliers and have considerably larger resources than the Company. Competition in the nutrient business of the Company is based largely on depth of product offering, price, location and service.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, sales and service revenues in the wholesale business totaled $577.2 million, $520.5 million and $390.2 million, respectively. Sales of crop production inputs and service revenues in the farm center business totaled $113.4 million, $98.8 million and $101.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The Company continues to identify opportunities to strategically grow the Plant Nutrient business. On October 31, 2011, the Company completed the purchase of Immokalee Farmers Supply, Inc., which principally supplies crop protection products to the specialty vegetable producers in Southwest Florida. On January 31, 2012, the Company announced the purchase of New Eezy Gro, Inc., which is a manufacturer and wholesale marketer of specialty agricultural nutrients and industrial products.

Rail Group

The Company’s Rail Group ranks in the top ten in fleet size among privately-owned fleets in the U.S. This group repairs, sells and leases a fleet of almost 23,000 railcars and locomotives of various types, as well as a small number of containers. There are eleven railcar repair facilities across the country. In addition, fleet management services are offered to private railcar owners. The Rail Group is also an investor in the short-line railroad, Iowa Northern Railway Company (“IANR”).

The Company has a diversified fleet of car types (boxcars, gondolas, covered and open top hopper cars, tank cars and pressure differential cars), locomotives, and containers serving a broad customer base. The Company principally operates in the used car market – purchasing used cars and repairing and refurbishing them for specific markets and customers. The Company plans to continue to diversify its fleet both in terms of car types, industries and age of cars. The Rail Group will execute its strategy through expansion of its fleet of railcars and locomotives through targeted portfolio acquisitions and open market purchases as well as strategic selling or scrapping of railcars. The Company also plans to expand its repair and refurbishment operations by adding fixed and mobile facilities.

A significant portion of the railcars and locomotives managed by the Company are included on the balance sheet as long-lived assets. The others are either in off-balance sheet operating leases (with the Company leasing railcars from financial intermediaries and leasing those same railcars to the end-users of the railcars) or non-recourse arrangements (where the Company is not subject to any lease arrangement related to the railcars, but provides management services to the owner of the railcars).

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The Company generally holds purchase options on most railcars owned by financial intermediaries. We are under contract to provide maintenance services for many of the railcars that we own or manage. Refer to the Off-Balance Sheet Transactions section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis for a breakdown of our railcar and locomotive positions at December 31, 2011.

In the case of our off-balance sheet railcars and locomotives, the risk management philosophy of the Company is to match-fund the lease commitments where possible. Match-funding (in relation to rail lease transactions) means matching the terms of the financial intermediary funding arrangement with the lease terms of the customer where the Company is both lessee and sublessor. If the Company is unable to match-fund, it will attempt to get an early buyout provision within the funding arrangement to match the underlying customer lease. The Company does not attempt to match-fund lease commitments for railcars that are on our balance sheet.

Competition for railcar marketing and fleet maintenance services is based primarily on price, service ability, and access to both used rail equipment and third party financing. Repair and fabrication shop competition is based primarily on price, quality and location.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues were $107.5 million, $94.8 million and $92.8 million, respectively, which include lease revenues of $70.8 million, $63.1 million and $75.6 million, respectively.

Turf & Specialty Group

The Turf & Specialty Group produces granular fertilizer and control products for the turf and ornamental markets. It also produces private label fertilizer and control products, and corncob-based animal bedding and cat litter for the consumer markets.

Turf Products – Proprietary professional turf care products are produced for the golf course and professional turf care markets, serving both U.S. and international customers. These products are sold both directly and through distributors to golf courses under The Andersons Golf Products^TM label and lawn service applicators. The Company also produces and sells fertilizer and control products for “do-it-yourself” application, to mass merchandisers, small independent retailers and other lawn fertilizer manufacturers and performs contract manufacturing of fertilizer and control products.

The turf products industry is seasonal with the majority of sales occurring from early spring to early summer. Principal raw materials for the turf care products are nitrogen, phosphate and potash, which are purchased primarily from the Company’s Plant Nutrient Group. Competition is based principally on merchandising ability, logistics, service, quality and technology.

The Company attempts to minimize the amount of finished goods inventory it must maintain for customers, however, because demand is highly seasonal and influenced by local weather conditions, it may be required to carry inventory that it has produced into the next season. Also, because a majority of the consumer and industrial businesses use private label packaging, the Company closely manages production to anticipated orders by product and customer.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, sales of granular plant fertilizer and control products totaled $109.2 million, $104.0 million and $109.5 million, respectively.

Cob Products – The Company is one of a limited number of processors of corncob-based products in the United States. These products serve the chemical and feed ingredient carrier, animal litter and industrial markets, and are distributed throughout the United States and Canada and into Europe and Asia. The principal sources for corncobs are seed corn producers.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, sales of corncob and related products totaled $20.5 million, $19.6 million and $15.8 million, respectively.

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Retail Group

The Company’s Retail Group includes large retail stores operated as “The Andersons,” which are located in the Columbus and Toledo, Ohio markets. The retail concept is More for Your Home® and the stores focus on providing significant product breadth with offerings in home improvement and other mass merchandise categories as well as specialty foods, wine and indoor and outdoor garden centers. Each store has 100,000 square feet or more of in-store display space plus 40,000 or more square feet of outdoor garden center space, and features do-it-yourself clinics, special promotions and varying merchandise displays. The Company also operates a specialty food store operated as “The Andersons Market”™ located in the Toledo, Ohio market area. The specialty food store concept has product offerings with a strong emphasis on “freshness” that features produce, deli and bakery items, fresh meats, specialty and conventional dry goods and wine. The majority of the Company’s non-perishable merchandise is received at a distribution center located in Maumee, Ohio. The Company also operates a sales and service facility for outdoor power equipment near one of its retail stores.

The retail merchandising business is highly competitive. The Company competes with a variety of retail merchandisers, including grocery stores, home centers, department and hardware stores. Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial resources and purchasing power than the Company. The principal competitive factors are location, quality of product, price, service, reputation and breadth of selection. The Company’s retail business is affected by seasonal factors with significant sales occurring in the spring and during the holiday season.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, sales of retail merchandise including commissions on third party sales totaled $157.6 million, $150.6 million and $161.9 million respectively.

Employees

The Andersons offers a broad range of full-time and part-time career opportunities. Each position in the Company is important to our success, and we recognize the worth and dignity of every individual. We strive to treat each person with respect and utilize his or her unique talents. At December 31, 2011 the Company had 1,690 full-time and 1,295 part-time or seasonal employees.

Government Regulation

Grain sold by the Company must conform to official grade standards imposed under a federal system of grain grading and inspection administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”).

The production levels, markets and prices of the grains that the Company merchandises are affected by United States government programs, which include acreage control and price support programs of the USDA. In regards to our investments in ethanol production facilities, the U.S. government has mandated a ten percent blend for motor fuel gasoline sold. In addition, the U.S. Government provided incentives to the ethanol blender through December 2011 but has discontinued these incentives beginning in 2012. Also, under federal law, the President may prohibit the export of any product, the scarcity of which is deemed detrimental to the domestic economy, or under circumstances relating to national security. Because a portion of the Company’s grain sales is to exporters, the imposition of such restrictions could have an adverse effect upon the Company’s operations.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has developed bioterrorism prevention regulations for food facilities, which require that we register our grain operations with the FDA, provide prior notice of any imports of food or other agricultural commodities coming into the United States and maintain records to be made available upon request that identifies the immediate previous sources and immediate subsequent recipients of our grain commodities.

The Company, like other companies engaged in similar businesses, is subject to a multitude of federal, state and local environmental protection laws and regulations including, but not limited to, laws and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, pesticides and hazardous materials.

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The provisions of these various regulations could require modifications of certain of the Company’s existing facilities and could restrict the expansion of future facilities or significantly increase the cost of their operations. The Company spent approximately $1.7 million, $1.9 million and $1.8 million in order to comply with these regulations in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Available Information

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports are available on our Company website soon after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Company website is http://www.andersonsinc.com. The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. These reports are also available at the SEC’s website: http://www.sec.gov.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our operations are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this Form 10-K and could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. These risks can be impacted by factors beyond our control as well as by errors and omissions on our part. The following risk factors should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and the forward-looking statements contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

Certain of our business segments are affected by the supply and demand of commodities, and are sensitive to factors outside of our control. Adverse price movements could negatively affect our profitability and results of operations.

Our Grain, Ethanol and Plant Nutrient businesses buy, sell and hold inventories of agricultural input and output commodities, some of which are readily traded on commodity futures exchanges. In addition, our Turf & Specialty business uses some of the same nutrient commodities as the Plant Nutrient business as base raw materials in manufacturing turf products. Unfavorable weather conditions, both local and worldwide, as well as other factors beyond our control, can affect the supply and demand of these commodities and expose us to liquidity pressures to finance hedges in the grain business in rapidly rising markets. In our Plant Nutrient and Turf & Specialty businesses, changes in the supply and demand of these commodities can also affect the value of inventories that we hold, as well as the price of raw materials as we are unable to effectively hedge these commodities. Increased costs of inventory and prices of raw material would decrease our profit margins and adversely affect our results of operations.

Corn – The principal raw material the ethanol LLCs use to produce ethanol and co-products is corn. As a result, changes in the price of corn in the absence of a corresponding increase in petroleum based fuel prices will decrease ethanol margins thus adversely affecting financial results in the ethanol LLCs. At certain levels, corn prices may make ethanol uneconomical to use in fuel markets. The price of corn is influenced by weather conditions and other factors affecting crop yields, shift in acreage allocated to corn versus other major crops and general economic and regulatory factors. These factors include government policies and subsidies with respect to agriculture and international trade, and global and local demand and supply. The significance and relative effect of these factors on the price of corn is difficult to predict. Any event that tends to negatively affect the supply of corn, such as adverse weather or crop disease, could increase corn prices and potentially harm our share of the ethanol LLCs results. The Company will attempt to lock in ethanol margins as far out as practical in order to secure reasonable returns using whatever risk management tools are available in the marketplace. In addition, we may also have difficulty, from time to time, in physically sourcing corn on economical terms due to supply shortages. High costs or shortages could require us to suspend ethanol operations until corn is available on economical terms, which would have a material adverse effect on operating results.

Grains – While we attempt to manage the risk associated with commodity price changes for our grain inventory positions with derivative instruments, including purchase and sale contracts, we are unable to offset 100% of the price risk of each transaction due to timing, availability of futures and options contracts and third party credit risk. Furthermore, there is a risk that the derivatives we employ will not be effective in offsetting all of the risks we are trying to manage. This can happen when the derivative and the underlying value of grain inventories and purchase and sale contracts are not perfectly matched. Our grain derivatives, for example, do not perfectly correlate with the basis component of our grain inventory and contracts. (Basis is defined as the difference between the cash price of a commodity and the corresponding exchange-traded futures price.) Differences can reflect time periods, locations or product forms. Although the basis component is smaller and generally less volatile than the futures component of our grain market price, significant basis moves on a large grain position can significantly impact the profitability of the Grain business.

Our futures, options and over-the-counter contracts are subject to margin calls. If there is a significant movement in the commodities market, we could be required to post significant levels of margin, which would impact our liquidity. There is no assurance that the efforts we have taken to mitigate the impact of the volatility of the prices of commodities upon which we rely will be successful and any sudden change in the price of these commodities could have an adverse affect on our business and results of operations.

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Natural Gas – We rely on third parties for our supply of natural gas, which is consumed in the drying of wet grain, manufacturing of certain turf products, pelleted lime and gypsum, and manufacturing of ethanol within the LLCs. The prices for and availability of natural gas are subject to market conditions. These market conditions often are affected by factors beyond our control such as higher prices resulting from colder than average weather conditions and overall economic conditions. Significant disruptions in the supply of natural gas could impair the operations of the ethanol facilities. Furthermore, increases in natural gas prices or changes in our natural gas costs relative to natural gas costs paid by competitors may adversely affect future results of operations and financial position.

Gasoline – In addition, we market ethanol as a fuel additive to reduce vehicle emissions from gasoline, as an octane enhancer to improve the octane rating of gasoline with which it is blended and as a substitute for petroleum based gasoline. As a result, ethanol prices will be influenced by the supply and demand for gasoline and our future results of operations and financial position may be adversely affected if gasoline demand or price changes.

Potash, phosphate and nitrogen – Raw materials used by the Plant Nutrient business include potash, phosphate and nitrogen, for which prices can be volatile driven by global and local supply and demand factors. Significant increases in the price of these commodities may result in lower customer demand and higher than optimal inventory levels. In contrast, reductions in the price of these commodities may create lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments to inventories.

Some of our business segments operate in highly regulated industries. Changes in government regulations or trade association policies could adversely affect our results of operations.

Many of our business segments are subject to government regulation and regulation by certain private sector associations, compliance with which can impose significant costs on our business. Failure to comply with such regulations can result in additional costs, fines or criminal action.

A significant part of our operations is regulated by environmental laws and regulations, including those governing the labeling, use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous materials. Because we use and handle hazardous substances in our businesses, changes in environmental requirements or an unanticipated significant adverse environmental event could have a material adverse effect on our business. We cannot assure you that we have been, or will at all times be, in compliance with all environmental requirements, or that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with these requirements. Private parties, including current and former employees, could bring personal injury or other claims against us due to the presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances used, stored or disposed of by us, or contained in our products. We are also exposed to residual risk because some of the facilities and land which we have acquired may have environmental liabilities arising from their prior use. In addition, changes to environmental regulations may require us to modify our existing plant and processing facilities and could significantly increase the cost of those operations.

Grain and Ethanol businesses – In our Grain and Ethanol businesses, agricultural production and trade flows can be affected by government programs and legislation. Production levels, markets and prices of the grains we merchandise can be affected by U.S. government programs, which include acreage controls and price support programs administered by the USDA. Other examples of government policies that can have an impact on our business include tariffs, duties, subsidies, import and export restrictions and outright embargoes. Because a portion of our grain sales are to exporters, the imposition of export restrictions could limit our sales opportunities. In addition, we have invested in the ethanol industry where development has been stimulated by Federal mandates for refiners to blend ethanol. Future changes in those mandates could have an impact on U.S. ethanol demand.

Rail – Our Rail business is subject to regulation by the American Association of Railroads and the Federal Railroad Administration. These agencies regulate rail operations with respect to health and safety matters. New regulatory rulings could negatively impact financial results through higher maintenance costs or reduced economic value of railcar assets.

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The Rail business is also subject to risks associated with the demands and restrictions of the Class 1 railroads, a group of rail companies owning a high percentage of the existing rail lines. These companies exercise a high degree of control over whether private railcars can be allowed on their lines and may reject certain railcars or require maintenance or improvements to the railcars. This presents risk and uncertainty for our Rail business and it can increase maintenance costs. In addition, a shift in the railroad strategy to investing in new rail cars and improvements to existing railcars, instead of investing in locomotives and infrastructure, could adversely impact our business by causing increased competition and creating a greater oversupply of railcars. Our rail fleet consists of a range of railcar types (boxcars, gondolas, covered and open top hoppers, tank cars and pressure differential cars), locomotives and a small number of containers. However a large concentration of a particular type of railcar could expose us to risk if demand were to decrease for that railcar type. Failure on our part to identify and assess risks and uncertainties such as these could negatively impact our business.

Turf & Specialty – Our Turf & Specialty business manufactures lawn fertilizers and weed and pest control products and uses potentially hazardous materials. All products containing pesticides, fungicides and herbicides must be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and state regulatory bodies before they can be sold. The inability to obtain or the cancellation of such registrations could have an adverse impact on our business. In the past, regulations governing the use and registration of these materials have required us to adjust the raw material content of our products and make formulation changes. Future regulatory changes may have similar consequences. Regulatory agencies, such as the EPA, may at any time reassess the safety of our products based on new scientific knowledge or other factors. If it were determined that any of our products were no longer considered to be safe, it could result in the amendment or withdrawal of existing approvals, which, in turn, could result in a loss of revenue, cause our inventory to become obsolete or give rise to potential lawsuits against us. Consequently, changes in existing and future government or trade association polices may restrict our ability to do business and cause our financial results to suffer.

We are required to carry significant amounts of inventory across all of our businesses. If a substantial portion of our inventory becomes damaged or obsolete, its value would decrease and our profit margins would suffer.

We are exposed to the risk of a decrease in the value of our inventories due to a variety of circumstances in all of our businesses. For example, within our Grain and Ethanol businesses, there is the risk that the quality of our grain inventory could deteriorate due to damage, moisture, insects, disease or foreign material. If the quality of our grain were to deteriorate below an acceptable level, the value of our inventory could decrease significantly. In our Plant Nutrient business, planted acreage, and consequently the volume of fertilizer and crop protection products applied, is partially dependent upon government programs and the perception held by the producer of demand for production. Technological advances in agriculture, such as genetically engineered seeds that resist disease and insects, or that meet certain nutritional requirements, could also affect the demand for our crop nutrients and crop protection products. Either of these factors could render some of our inventory obsolete or reduce its value. Within our Rail business, major design improvements to loading, unloading and transporting of certain products can render existing (especially old) equipment obsolete. A significant portion of our rail fleet is composed of older railcars. In addition, in our Turf & Specialty business, we build substantial amounts of inventory in advance of the season to prepare for customer demand. If we were to forecast our customer demand incorrectly, we could build up excess inventory which could cause the value of our inventory to decrease.

Our substantial indebtedness could negatively affect our financial condition, decrease our liquidity and impair our ability to operate the business.

If cash on hand is insufficient to pay our obligations or margin calls as they come due at a time when we are unable to draw on our credit facility, it could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is dependent on various factors.

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These factors include general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Certain of our long-term borrowings include provisions that require minimum levels of working capital and equity, and impose limitations on additional debt. Our ability to satisfy these provisions can be affected by events beyond our control, such as the demand for and fluctuating price of grain. Although we are and have been in compliance with these provisions, noncompliance could result in default and acceleration of long-term debt payments.

Adoption of new accounting rules can affect our financial position and results of operations.

The Company’s implementation of and compliance with changes in accounting rules and interpretations could adversely affect its operating results or cause unanticipated fluctuations in its results in future periods. The accounting rules and regulations that the Company must comply with are complex and continually changing. The Financial Accounting Standards Board has recently introduced several new or proposed accounting standards, or is developing new proposed standards, such as International Financial Reporting Standards convergence projects, which would represent a significant change from current industry practices. Potential changes in accounting for leases, for example, will eliminate the off-balance sheet treatment of operating leases, which would not only impact the way we account for these leases, but may also impact our customers lease-versus-buy decisions and could have a negative impact on demand for our rail leases. The Company cannot predict the impact of future changes to accounting principles or its accounting policies on its financial statements going forward.

We face increasing competition and pricing pressure from other companies in our industries. If we are unable to compete effectively with these companies, our sales and profit margins would decrease, and our earnings and cash flows would be adversely affected.

The markets for our products in each of our business segments are highly competitive. While we have substantial operations in our region, some of our competitors are significantly larger, compete in wider markets, have greater purchasing power, and have considerably larger financial resources. We also may enter into new markets where our brand is not recognized and do not have an established customer base. Competitive pressures in all of our businesses could affect the price of, and customer demand for, our products, thereby negatively impacting our profit margins and resulting in a loss of market share.

Our grain and ethanol businesses use derivative contracts to reduce volatility in the commodity markets. Non-performance by the counter-parties to those contracts could adversely affect our future results of operations and financial position.

A significant amount of our grain and ethanol purchases and sales are done through forward contracting. In addition, the Company uses exchange traded and to a lesser degree over-the-counter contracts to reduce volatility in changing commodity prices. A significant adverse change in commodity prices could cause a counter-party to one or more of our derivative contracts not to perform on their obligation.

We rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain of our raw materials and other products and the loss of one or several of these suppliers could increase our costs and have a material adverse effect on any one of our business segments.

We rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain of our raw materials and other products. If we were unable to obtain these raw materials and products from our current vendors, or if there were significant increases in our supplier’s prices, it could significantly increase our costs and reduce our profit margins.

Our investments in limited liability companies are subject to risks beyond our control.

We currently have investments in numerous limited liability companies. By operating a business through this arrangement, we do not have full control over operating decisions like we would if we owned the business outright. Specifically, we cannot act on major business initiatives without the consent of the other investors who may not always be in agreement with our ideas.

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The Company may not be able to effectively integrate additional businesses it acquires in the future.

We continuously look for opportunities to enhance our existing businesses through strategic acquisitions. The process of integrating an acquired business into our existing business and operations may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures as well as require a significant amount of management resources. There is also the risk that our due diligence efforts may not uncover significant business flaws or hidden liabilities. In addition, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of an acquisition and they may not generate the anticipated financial results. Additional risks may include the inability to effectively integrate the operations, products, technologies and personnel of the acquired companies. The inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies would also negatively impact operations.

Our business involves considerable safety risks. Significant unexpected costs and liabilities would have a material adverse effect on our profitability and overall financial position.

Due to the nature of some of the businesses in which we operate, we are exposed to significant operational hazards such as grain dust explosions, fires, malfunction of equipment, abnormal pressures, blowouts, pipeline and tank ruptures, chemical spills or run-off, transportation accidents and natural disasters. Some of these operational hazards may cause personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment or environmental damage, and may result in suspension of operations and the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. If one of our elevators were to experience a grain dust explosion or if one of our pieces of equipment were to fail or malfunction due to an accident or improper maintenance, it could put our employees and others at serious risk.

The Company’s information technology systems may impose limitations or failures which may affect the Company’s ability to conduct its business.

The Company’s information technology systems, some of which are dependent on services provided by third-parties, provide critical data connectivity, information and services for internal and external users. These interactions include, but are not limited to, ordering and managing materials from suppliers, converting raw materials to finished products, inventory management, shipping products to customers, processing transactions, summarizing and reporting results of operations, complying with regulatory, legal or tax requirements, and other processes necessary to manage the business. The Company has put in place business continuity plans for its critical systems. However, if the Company’s information technology systems are damaged, or cease to function properly due to any number of causes, such as catastrophic events, power outages, security breaches, and the Company’s business continuity plans do not effectively recover on a timely basis, the Company may suffer interruptions in the ability to manage its operations, which may adversely impact the Company’s revenues and operating results. In addition, although the system has been refreshed periodically, the infrastructure is outdated and may not be adequate to support new business processes, accounting for new transactions, or implementation of new accounting standards if requirements are complex or materially different than what is currently in place.

The Company may be unable to recover process development and testing costs, which could increase the cost of operating its business.

Early in 2012, the Company began implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system that will require significant amounts of capital and human resources to deploy. If for any reason this implementation is not successful, the Company could be required to expense rather than capitalize related amounts. Throughout implementation of the system there are also risks created to the Company’s ability to successfully and efficiently operate. These risks include, but are not limited to the inability to resource the appropriate combination of highly skilled employees, distractions to operating the base business due to use of employees time for the project, as well as unforeseen additional costs due to the inability to appropriately integrate within the planned timeframe.

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Item 2. Properties

The Company’s principal agriculture, rail, retail and other properties are described below.

Agriculture Facilities

			Agricultural Fertilizer
(in thousands) Location	Grain Storage (bushels)		Dry Storage (cubic feet)		Liquid Storage (gallons)
Florida		—		137		3,965
Illinois		13,389		2,233		—
Indiana		29,189		4,323		24,253
Michigan		17,571		1,787		5,304
Minnesota		—		—		10,419
Nebraska		7,267		—		—
Ohio		41,623		6,759		9,041
Puerto Rico		—		—		4,472
Wisconsin		—		57		14,942
		109,039		15,296		72,396

The grain facilities are mostly concrete and steel tanks, with some flat storage, which is primarily cover-on-first temporary storage. The Company also owns grain inspection buildings and dryers, maintenance buildings and truck scales and dumps. Approximately 81% of the total storage capacity is owned, while the remaining 19% of the total capacity is leased from third parties.

The Plant Nutrient Group’s wholesale nutrient and farm center properties consist mainly of fertilizer warehouse and formulation and packaging facilities for dry and liquid fertilizers. The Company owns all dry storage facilities and 94% of the total liquid storage facilities. The tanks located in Puerto Rico are leased.

Retail Store Properties

Name	Location	Square Feet
Maumee Store	Maumee, OH		166,000
Toledo Store	Toledo, OH		162,000
Woodville Store (1)	Northwood, OH		120,000
Sawmill Store	Columbus, OH		169,000
Brice Store	Columbus, OH		159,000
The Andersons Market (1)	Sylvania, OH		30,000
Distribution Center (1)	Maumee, OH		245,000

(1) Facility leased

The leases for the two stores and the distribution center are operating leases with several renewal options and provide for minimum aggregate annual lease payments approximating $1.7 million. In addition, the Company owns a service and sales facility for outdoor power equipment adjacent to its Maumee, Ohio retail store.

Other Properties

The Company owns lawn fertilizer production facilities in Maumee, Ohio; Bowling Green, Ohio; and Montgomery, Alabama. It also owns a corncob processing and storage facility in Delphi, Indiana. The Company leases a lawn fertilizer warehouse facility in Toledo, Ohio.

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The Company also owns an auto service center that is leased to its former venture partner. The Company’s administrative office building is leased under a net lease expiring in 2015. The Company owns approximately 1,456 acres of land on which the above properties and facilities are located and approximately 307 acres of farmland and land held for sale or future use.

The Company believes that its properties are adequate for its business, well maintained and utilized, suitable for their intended uses and adequately insured.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company has received, and is cooperating fully with, a request for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) regarding the history of its grain and fertilizer facility along the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The U.S. EPA is investigating the possible introduction into the Maumee River of hazardous materials potentially leaching from rouge piles deposited along the riverfront by glass manufacturing operations that existed in the area prior to the Company’s initial acquisition of the land in 1960. The Company has on several prior occasions cooperated with local, state and federal regulators to install or improve drainage systems to contain storm water runoff and sewer discharges along its riverfront property to minimize the potential for such leaching. Other area land owners and the successor to the original glass making operations have also been contacted by the U.S. EPA for information. No claim or finding has been asserted thus far.

The Company is also currently subject to various claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business, which include environmental issues, employment claims, contractual disputes, and defensive counter claims. The Company accrues liabilities where litigation losses are deemed probable and estimable. The Company believes it is unlikely that the results of its current legal proceedings, even if unfavorable, will be materially different from what it currently has accrued. There can be no assurance, however, that any claims or suits arising in the future, whether taken individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 4. Mine Safety

Not applicable.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

The information is furnished pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K. The executive officers of The Andersons, Inc., their positions and ages (as of March 1, 2012) are presented in the table below.

Name	Position	Age	Year Assumed
Dennis J. Addis	President, Grain Group President, Plant Nutrient Group	59	2012 2000
Daniel T. Anderson	President, Retail Group and Vice President, Corporate Operations Services President, Retail Group	56	2009 1996
Michael J. Anderson	President and Chief Executive Officer	60	1999
Naran U. Burchinow	Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary	58	2005
Nicholas C. Conrad	Vice President, Finance and Treasurer Assistant Treasurer	59	2009 1996
Arthur D. DePompei	Vice President, Human Resources	58	2008
Neill McKinstray	President, Ethanol Group Vice President & General Manager, Ethanol Division	59	2012 2005
Harold M. Reed	Chief Operating Officer President, Grain & Ethanol Group	55	2012 2000
Anne G. Rex	Vice President, Corporate Controller Assistant Controller	47	2012 2002
Rasesh H. Shah	President, Rail Group	57	1999
Tamara S. Sparks	Vice President, Corporate Business /Financial Analysis Internal Audit Manager	43	2007 1999
Thomas L. Waggoner	President, Turf & Specialty Group	57	2005
William J. Wolf	President, Plant Nutrient Group Vice President of Supply & Merchandising, Plant Nutrient Group	54	2012 2008

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PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The Common Shares of The Andersons, Inc. trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ANDE.” On February 9, 2012, the closing price for the Company’s Common Shares was $42.84 per share. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for the Company’s Common Shares for the four fiscal quarters in each of 2011 and 2010.

	2011				2010
	High		Low		High		Low
Quarter Ended
March 31	$	51.23	$	36.45	$	35.36	$	24.59
June 30		50.17		37.62		37.99		29.90
September 30		43.99		33.62		40.16		31.28
December 31		45.75		30.04		42.44		32.01

The Company’s transfer agent and registrar is Computershare Investor Services, LLC, 2 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60602. Telephone: 312-588-4991.

Shareholders

At February 9, 2012, there were approximately 18.5 million common shares outstanding, 1,343 shareholders of record and approximately 13,276 shareholders for whom security firms acted as nominees.

Dividends

The Company has declared and paid consecutive quarterly dividends since the end of 1996, its first year of trading on the Nasdaq market. Dividends paid from January 2010 to January 2012 are as follows:

Payment Date	Amount
01/25/10	$	0.0875
04/22/10	$	0.0900
07/22/10	$	0.0900
10/22/10	$	0.0900
01/24/11	$	0.1100
04/22/11	$	0.1100
07/22/11	$	0.1100
09/30/11	$	0.1100
01/24/12	$	0.1500

While the Company’s objective is to pay a quarterly cash dividend, dividends are subject to Board of Director approval.

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Equity Plans

The following table gives information as of December 31, 2011 about the Company’s Common Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of options under all of its existing equity compensation plans.

	Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan category	(a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights			Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under  equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		760,767	(1)	$	32.06		662,437	(2)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		—			—		—
Total		760,767		$	32.06		662,437

(1) This number includes 502,532 Share Only Share Appreciation Rights (“SOSARs”), 164,951 performance share units and 93,284 restricted shares outstanding under The Andersons, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Performance Compensation Plan dated May 6, 2005. This number does not include any shares related to the Employee Share Purchase Plan. The Employee Share Purchase Plan allows employees to purchase common shares at the lower of the market value on the beginning or end of the calendar year through payroll withholdings. These purchases are completed as of December 31.

(2) This number includes 265,978 Common Shares available to be purchased under the Employee Share Purchase Plan.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

In 1996, the Company’s Board of Directors began approving the repurchase of shares of common stock for use in employee, officer and director stock purchase and stock compensation plans, which reached 2.8 million authorized shares in 2001. The Company purchased 2.1 million shares under this repurchase program. The original resolution was superseded by the Board in October 2007 with a resolution authorizing the repurchase of 1.0 million shares of common stock. Since the beginning of the current repurchase program, the Company has repurchased 0.2 million shares in the open market. The following table presents the Company’s share purchases in 2011. All shares repurchased in the fourth quarter were made in the month of October.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
March 31		—	$	—		—		—
June 30		3,650		38.42		—		—
September 30		72,421		36.28
December 31		8,887		32.73		—		—
2011 Total		84,958	$	35.81		—		—

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Performance Graph

The graph below compares the total shareholder return on the Corporation’s Common Shares to the cumulative total return for the Nasdaq U.S. Index and a Peer Group Index. The indices reflect the year-end market value of an investment in the stock of each company in the index, including additional shares assumed to have been acquired with cash dividends, if any. The Peer Group Index, weighted for market capitalization, includes the following companies:

•      Agrium, Inc.	•      Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
•      Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.	•      The Scott’s Miracle-Gro Company
•      Corn Products International, Inc.	•      Lowes Companies, Inc.
•      GATX Corp.

The graph assumes a $100 investment in The Andersons, Inc. Common Shares on December 31, 2006 and also assumes investments of $100 in each of the Nasdaq U.S. and Peer Group indices, respectively, on December 31 of the first year of the graph. The value of these investments as of the following calendar year-ends is shown in the table below the graph.

	Base Period		Cumulative Returns
	December 31, 2006		2007		2008		2009		2010		2011
The Andersons, Inc.	$	100.00	$	106.28	$	39.54	$	62.88	$	89.48	$	108.72
NASDAQ U.S.		100.00		110.65		66.42		96.54		114.07		113.16
Peer Group Index		100.00		102.37		77.79		91.04		104.23		101.10

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data of the Company. The data for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2011 are derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included in Item 7, and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Item 8.

	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands, except for per share and ratios and other data)	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
Operating results
Sales and merchandising revenues (a)	$	4,576,331		$	3,393,791		$	3,025,304		$	3,489,478		$	2,379,059
Gross profit (b)		352,852			281,679			255,506			257,829			239,712
Equity in earnings of affiliates		41,450			26,007			17,463			4,033			31,863
Other income, net (c)		7,922			11,652			8,331			6,170			21,731
Net income		96,825			64,881			39,566			30,097			67,428
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.		95,106			64,662			38,351			32,900			68,784
Financial position
Total assets		1,734,123			1,699,390			1,284,391			1,308,773			1,324,988
Working capital		312,971			301,815			307,702			330,699			177,679
Long-term debt (d)		238,088			263,675			288,756			293,955			133,195
Long-term debt, non-recourse (d)		797			13,150			19,270			40,055			56,277
Total equity		538,842			464,559			406,276			365,107			356,583
Cash flows / liquidity
Cash flows from (used in) operations		290,265			(239,285	)		180,241			278,664			(158,395	)
Depreciation and amortization		40,837			38,913			36,020			29,767			26,253
Cash invested in acquisitions / investments in affiliates		2,486			39,688			31,680			60,370			36,249
Investments in property, plant and equipment		44,162			30,897			16,560			20,315			20,346
Net investment in (proceeds from) railcars (e)		33,763			(1,748	)		16,512			29,533			8,751
EBITDA (f)		212,252			162,702			116,989			110,372			151,162
Per share data: (g)
Net income – basic		5.13			3.51			2.10			1.82			3.85
Net income – diluted		5.09			3.48			2.08			1.79			3.75
Dividends paid		0.4400			0.3575			0.3475			0.325			0.220
Year-end market value		43.66			36.35			25.82			16.48			44.80
Ratios and other data
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc. return on beginning equity attributable to The Andersons, Inc.		21.1	%		16.4	%		10.9	%		9.6	%		25.4	%
Funded long-term debt to equity ratio (h)		0.4-to-1			0.6-to-1			0.8-to-1			0.9-to-1			0.5-to-1
Weighted average shares outstanding (000’s)		18,457			18,356			18,190			18,068			17,833
Effective tax rate		34.5	%		37.7	%		35.7	%		35.4	%		35.5	%

(a) Includes sales of $1,385.4 million in 2011, $928.2 million in 2010, $806.3 million in 2009, $865.8 million in 2008, and $407.4 million in 2007 pursuant to marketing and originations agreements between the Company and the ethanol LLCs.

(b) Gross profit in 2011, 2009, and 2008 includes a $3.1 million, $2.9 million, and $97.2 million write down in the Plant Nutrient Group for lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments for inventory on hand and firm purchase commitments that were valued higher than the market.

(c) Includes $1.7 million and $1.1 million of dividend income from IANR in 2011 and 2010, respectively. Includes $2.2 million in Rail end of lease settlements in 2010. Includes development fees related to ethanol joint venture formation of $1.3 million in 2008, and $5.4 million in 2007. Includes $4.9 million in gain on available for sale securities in 2007.

(d) Excludes current portion of long-term debt.

(e) Represents the net of purchases of railcars offset by proceeds on sales of railcars.

(f) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, is a non-GAAP measure. It is one of the measures the Company uses to evaluate its liquidity. The Company believes that EBITDA provides additional information important to investors and others in determining the ability to meet debt service obligations. EBITDA does not represent and

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should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations as determined by generally accepted accounting principles, and EBITDA does not necessarily indicate whether cash flow will be sufficient to meet cash requirements, for debt service obligations or otherwise. Because EBITDA, as determined by the Company, excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income, it may not be comparable to EBITDA or similarly titled measures used by other companies.

(g) Earnings per share are calculated based on Income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.

(h) Calculated by dividing long-term debt by total year-end equity as stated under “Financial position.”

The following table sets forth (1) our calculation of EBITDA and (2) a reconciliation of EBITDA to our net cash flow provided by (used in) operations.

	For the years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$	95,106		$	64,662		$	38,351		$	32,900		$	68,784
Add:
Provision for income taxes		51,053			39,262			21,930			16,466			37,077
Interest expense		25,256			19,865			20,688			31,239			19,048
Depreciation and amortization		40,837			38,913			36,020			29,767			26,253
EBITDA		212,252			162,702			116,989			110,372			151,162
Add/(subtract):
Provision for income taxes		(51,053	)		(39,262	)		(21,930	)		(16,466	)		(37,077	)
Interest expense		(25,256	)		(19,865	)		(20,688	)		(31,239	)		(19,048	)
Realized gains on railcars and related leases		(8,417	)		(7,771	)		(1,758	)		(4,040	)		(8,103	)
Deferred income taxes		5,473			12,205			16,430			4,124			5,274
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement		(307	)		(876	)		(566	)		(2,620	)		(5,399	)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions received		(23,591	)		(17,594	)		(15,105	)		19,307			(23,583	)
Noncontrolling interest in income (loss) of affiliates		1,719			219			1,215			(2,803	)		(1,356	)
Changes in working capital and other		179,445			(329,043	)		105,654			202,029			(220,265	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operations	$	290,265		$	(239,285	)	$	180,241		$	278,664		$	(158,395	)

The Company has included its Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges in Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K as Exhibit 12.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains forward-looking statements which relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are urged to carefully consider these risks and factors, including those listed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. These forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation, other than any imposed by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Executive Overview

Grain Business

The Grain business operates grain elevators in various states, primarily in the U.S. Corn Belt. In addition to storage, merchandising and grain trading, Grain performs marketing, risk management, and corn origination services to its customers and affiliated ethanol production facilities. Grain is a significant investor in Lansing Trade Group, LLC (“LTG”), an established commodity trading, grain handling and merchandising business with operations throughout the country and with global trading/merchandising offices.

The agricultural commodity-based business is one in which changes in selling prices generally move in relationship to changes in purchase prices. Therefore, increases or decreases in prices of the agricultural commodities that the business deals in will have a relatively equal impact on sales and cost of sales and a much less significant impact on gross profit. As a result, changes in sales for the period may not necessarily be indicative of the overall performance of the business and more focus should be placed on changes to merchandising revenues and service income.

Grain inventories on hand at December 31, 2011 were 77.5 million bushels, of which 0.4 million bushels were stored for others. This compares to 68.1 million bushels on hand at December 31, 2010, of which 20.0 million bushels were stored for others. At December 31, 2010, Grain had a significant number of bushels on delivery (bushels physically sold to a customer for which the Company no longer has ownership of) with the CME, which was not the case at December 31, 2011.

During 2011, Grain increased its storage capacity by approximately 1.7 million bushels through grain merchandising and handling agreements and expansion at existing locations. The total storage capacity is approximately 109.0 million bushels as of December 31, 2011 compared to 107.3 million bushels at December 31, 2010. The Grain Group is currently constructing a grain shuttle loader facility in Anselmo, Nebraska. The 3.8 million bushel capacity grain elevator will primarily handle corn and soybeans and is expected to open in the fall of 2012.

Looking ahead, increased corn acres without a corresponding drop in yields will likely lead to lower corn and grain commodity prices. According to the February 9, 2012 USDA crop report, agricultural commodity prices decreased across the board.

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Ethanol Business

The Ethanol business holds investments in the three ethanol production facilities. The business also offers facility operations, risk management, and ethanol and distillers dried grains (“DDG”) marketing to the ethanol plants it operates as well as third parties.

The E-85 blend is now being produced by all three ethanol LLCs. A combined total of 11.9 million gallons were sold by these facilities in 2011. In addition, the Ethanol Group has entered into corn oil marketing agreements with TAME and TACE for which a commission is earned on each pound sold.

As is typical for this time of year, forward margins for ethanol are negative. There is not a significant amount of future production contracted for sale nor are required inputs contracted for. This puts the ethanol inventory at risk for potential market losses due to ongoing volatility in corn, DDG and ethanol prices.

Plant Nutrient Business

The Company’s Plant Nutrient business is a leading manufacturer, distributor and retailer of agricultural and related plant nutrients and pelleted lime and gypsum products in the U.S. Corn Belt and Florida. It operates 30 facilities in the Midwest, Florida and Puerto Rico. The Plant Nutrient Group provides warehousing, packaging and manufacturing services to basic manufacturers and other distributors. The business also manufactures and distributes a variety of industrial products in the U.S. including nitrogen reagents for air pollution control systems used in coal-fired power plants, water treatment products, and de-icers and anti-icers for airport runways, roadways, and other commercial applications. The major nutrient products sold by the business principally contain nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulfur.

Margins were strong in 2011 for the Plant Nutrient business as a result of price appreciation resulting from strong world demand creating a tight supply situation. Volume was down due to a strong fourth quarter of 2010 and extremely wet weather conditions throughout the spring and fall of 2011 which reduced the ability to apply nutrients in the fields. Favorable weather in early 2012 should allow for nutrient application that did not occur in the prior quarter. We expect 2012 volume to be strong as acres planted are expected to increase and grain prices have been strong as well.

On October 31, 2011, the Company completed the purchase of the Florida based Immokalee Farmers Supply, Inc., which serves the specialty vegetable producers in Southwest Florida. Subsequent to year end, the Company announced the purchase of the Ohio based New Eezy Gro, Inc., which is a manufacturer and wholesale marketer of specialty agricultural nutrients and industrial products.

Rail Business

The Rail business buys, sells, leases, rebuilds and repairs various types of used railcars and rail equipment. The business also provides fleet management services to fleet owners. Rail has a diversified fleet of car types (boxcars, gondolas, covered and open top hoppers, tank cars and pressure differential cars) and locomotives.

Railcars and locomotives under management (owned, leased or managed for financial institutions in non-recourse arrangements) at December 31, 2011 were 22,675 compared to 22,475 at December 31, 2010. The average utilization rate (railcars and locomotives under management that are in lease service, exclusive of railcars managed for third party investors) has increased from 73.6% for the year ended December 31, 2010 to 84.6% for the year ended December 31, 2011. Rail traffic in early 2012 is anticipated to slightly increase over 2011.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Rail Group offered a 1,400 car portfolio sale to potential buyers. One or more deals are expected to close on a portion of the cars in the first quarter of 2012 and could result in a gain of up to $9.0 million.

25

Turf & Specialty Business

The Turf & Specialty business produces granular fertilizer products for the professional lawn care and golf course markets. It also sells consumer fertilizer and weed and turf pest control products for “do-it-yourself” application to mass merchandisers, small independent retailers and other lawn fertilizer manufacturers and performs contract manufacturing of fertilizer and weed and turf pest control products. Turf & Specialty is one of a limited number of processors of corncob-based products in the United States. These products primarily serve the weed and turf pest control and feed ingredient carrier, animal litter and industrial markets, and are distributed throughout the United States and Canada and into Europe and Asia. The turf products industry is highly seasonal, with the majority of sales occurring from early spring to early summer. Corncob-based products are sold throughout the year.

Retail Business

The Retail business includes large retail stores operated as “The Andersons” and a specialty food market operated as “The Andersons Market”. It also operates a sales and service facility for outdoor power equipment. The retail concept is More for Your Home ® and the conventional retail stores focus on providing significant product breadth with offerings in home improvement and other mass merchandise categories, as well as specialty foods, wine and indoor and outdoor garden centers.

The retail business is highly competitive. The Company competes with a variety of retail merchandisers, including home centers, department and hardware stores, as well as local and national grocers. The Retail Group continues to work on new departments and products to maximize the profitability.

Other

The “Other” business segment of the Company represents corporate functions that provide support and services to the operating segments. The results contained within this segment include expenses and benefits not allocated back to the operating segments.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved job retention tax credits and job creation tax credits for the Company in relation to upcoming capital projects. To earn these credits, the Company has committed to invest a minimum amount in new machinery and equipment and property renovations/improvements in the city of Maumee and surrounding areas. In addition to the capital investment, the Company will retain 636 and create a minimum of 20 full-time equivalent positions.

Operating Results

The following discussion focuses on the operating results as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income with a separate discussion by segment. Additional segment information is included in Note 7 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

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	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	4,576,331	$	3,393,791	$	3,025,304
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		4,223,479		3,112,112		2,769,798
Gross profit		352,852		281,679		255,506
Operating, administrative and general expenses		229,090		195,330		199,116
Interest expense		25,256		19,865		20,688
Equity in earnings of affiliates		41,450		26,007		17,463
Other income, net		7,922		11,652		8,331
Income before income taxes		147,878		104,143		61,496
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		1,719		219		1,215
Operating income	$	146,159	$	103,924	$	60,281

Comparison of 2011 with 2010

Grain Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	2,849,358	$	1,936,813
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		2,705,745		1,833,097
Gross profit		143,613		103,716
Operating, administrative and general expenses		69,258		50,861
Interest expense		13,277		6,686
Equity in earnings of affiliates		23,748		15,648
Other income, net		2,462		2,557
Operating income	$	87,288	$	64,374

Operating results for the Grain Group increased $22.9 million over 2010. Sales and merchandising revenues increased $912.5 million over 2010, primarily as a result of higher grain prices and the acquisition of B4 Grain, Inc. in December 2010 which accounts for $220.3 million of the increase.

Gross profit increased $39.9 million primarily as a result of substantial wheat basis appreciation and spread gains. Basis is the difference between the cash price of a commodity in one of the Company’s facilities and the nearest exchange traded futures price. Basis income was higher than 2010 by $43.1 million primarily due to wheat. The increase due to spread gains was $9.3 million higher in the current year. The increase was offset by a $10.4 million decrease in storage income as a result of having fewer bushels of wheat on delivery as compared to 2010.

Operating expenses increased by $18.4 million over 2010. A large portion of the increase is higher labor and benefits expenses due to necessary expansion of human resources as a result of business growth. Specifically, $1.8 million of the labor and benefits increase related to the acquisition noted above. Performance incentives expense was also up year-over-year due to strong financial performance.

Interest expense increased $6.6 million due to a greater need to cover margin deposits which were a result of higher grain prices in the first half of 2011, as well as more wheat bushels on delivery at the end of 2011 versus 2010 upon which short-term interest is calculated.

Equity in earnings of affiliates increased $8.1 million over 2010. Income from the Group’s investment in LTG increased $8.4 million due primarily to strong results in the core grain and point to point merchandising businesses. Other income did not fluctuate significantly from prior year.

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Ethanol Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	641,546	$	468,639
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		626,524		453,865
Gross profit		15,022		14,774
Operating, administrative and general expenses		6,785		6,440
Interest expense		1,048		1,629
Equity in earnings of affiliates		17,715		10,351
Other income, net		159		176
Income before income taxes		25,063		17,232
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		1,719		219
Operating income	$	23,344	$	17,013

Operating results for the Ethanol Group increased $6.3 million over 2010. Sales and merchandising revenues increased $172.9 million and is the result of a 41% increase in the average price per gallon of ethanol sold, as volume was relatively unchanged year over year. Gross profit increased $0.2 million due to an increase in services provided to the ethanol industry.

Interest expense decreased $0.6 million from 2010 due to lower borrowings outstanding. Equity in earnings of affiliates increased $7.4 million over 2010 and represents higher earnings from the investment in three ethanol LLCs. There were no significant changes in operating expenses or other income.

Plant Nutrient Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	690,631		$	619,330
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		593,437			539,793
Gross profit		97,194			79,537
Operating, administrative and general expenses		56,101			46,880
Interest expense		3,517			3,901
Equity in (loss) earnings of affiliates		(13	)		8
Other income, net		704			1,298
Operating income	$	38,267		$	30,062

Operating results for the Plant Nutrient Group increased $8.2 million over its 2010 results. Sales were $71.3 million higher due to a 30.8% increase in average price per ton sold for the year offset by a 14.7% decrease in volume. Volume was below last year due to extremely wet weather conditions throughout the spring and fall of 2011 which reduced the ability to apply nutrients during this time and a strong fourth quarter of 2010 where significant tonnage was sold and applied earlier than most years. Gross profit increased $17.7 million over prior year as a result of the impact of price escalation experienced the majority of the year, offset by a $3.1 million lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustment taken in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Operating expenses increased $9.2 million and includes asset impairment charges in the amount of $1.7 million. The remaining increase in operating expenses relates to higher labor, benefits and performance incentives. There were no significant changes in interest expense, equity in earnings of affiliates, or other income.

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Rail Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	107,459	$	94,816
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		82,709		81,437
Gross profit		24,750		13,379
Operating, administrative and general expenses		12,161		12,846
Interest expense		5,677		4,928
Other income, net		2,866		4,502
Operating income	$	9,778	$	107

Operating results for the Rail Group increased $9.7 million over 2010. Revenues related to car sales, repairs and fabrication increased $4.9 million and leasing revenues increased $7.7 million for a total increase in sales and merchandising revenues of $12.6 million. Gross profit for Rail increased $11.4 million in total and includes gains on sales of railcars and related leases of $8.4 million. Gross profit from the leasing business was $4.0 higher than the prior year due to higher utilization and average lease rates.

Operating expenses decreased by $0.7 million from prior year due to lower bad debt expense along with a decrease in various other expense categories. Interest expense increased $0.7 million due to increased working capital use for railcar purchases. Other income was higher in 2010 primarily due to settlements received from customers for railcars returned at the end of a lease that were not in the required operating condition, as well as gains from the sale of certain assets.

Turf & Specialty Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	129,716	$	123,549
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		103,481		96,612
Gross profit		26,235		26,937
Operating, administrative and general expenses		23,734		23,225
Interest expense		1,381		1,604
Other income, net		880		1,335
Operating income	$	2,000	$	3,443

Operating results for the Turf & Specialty Group decreased $1.4 million from its 2010 results. Sales increased $6.2 million. Sales in the lawn fertilizer business increased $5.2 million due to a 5% increase in the average price per ton sold. Sales in the cob business increased $1.0 million as the average price per ton sold was up nearly 7%. Gross profit for Turf & Specialty decreased $0.7 million primarily due to a 7.8% increase in the average cost per ton due to higher raw material costs.

Operating expenses increased $0.5 million over the prior year due to a variety of variable expenses. There were no significant fluctuations in interest expense or other income.

Retail Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	157,621		$	150,644
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		111,583			107,308
Gross profit		46,038			43,336
Operating, administrative and general expenses		47,297			45,439
Interest expense		899			1,039
Other income, net		638			608
Operating loss	$	(1,520	)	$	(2,534	)

Operating results for the Retail Group improved $1.0 million over its 2010 results. Sales increased $7.0 million over 2010. While the average sale per customer increased by 6.5%, customer counts decreased by almost 2%. Gross profit increased $2.7 million due to the increased sales as well as a slight increase in gross margin percentage.

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Operating expenses for Retail increased $1.9 million mainly due to higher labor, benefits and performance incentives due to overall company performance. There were no significant changes in interest expense or other income.

Other

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	—		$	—
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		—			—
Gross profit		—			—
Operating, administrative and general expenses		13,754			9,639
Interest expense		(543	)		78
Equity in earnings of affiliates		—			—
Other income, net		213			1,176
Operating loss	$	(12,998	)	$	(8,541	)

The Corporate operating loss (costs not allocated back to the business units) increased $4.5 million over 2010 and relates primarily to an increase in performance incentives due to favorable operating performance and an increase in charitable contributions.

As a result of the operating performances noted above, income attributable to The Andersons, Inc. of $95.1 million for 2011 was 47% higher than the income attributable to The Andersons, Inc. of $64.7 million in 2010. Income tax expense of $51.1 million was provided at 34.5%. In 2010, income tax expense of $39.3 million was provided at 37.7%. The higher effective tax rate for 2010 was due primarily to the impact of Federal legislation on Medicare Part D. The 2011 effective tax rate also benefited from the permanent tax deduction related to domestic production activities.

Comparison of 2010 with 2009

Grain Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2010		2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	1,936,813	$	1,734,574
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		1,833,097		1,641,567
Gross profit		103,716		93,007
Operating, administrative and general expenses		50,861		58,341
Interest expense		6,686		8,735
Equity in earnings of affiliates		15,648		5,816
Other income, net		2,557		2,030
Operating income before noncontrolling interest	$	64,374	$	33,777

Operating results for Grain increased $30.6 million over 2009. Sales of grain increased $174 million, or 10.5%, over 2009 and is the result of an 11% increase in volume.

Gross profit increased $10.7 million, or 12%, for Grain. Basis income was higher than 2009 by $18.6 million due to earlier than normal 2010 harvest causing significant basis appreciation. Position income increased by $7.9 million from 2009 to 2010 primarily as a result of the growth of the ingredient trading area. The harvest occurred earlier in 2010 than 2009 and grain was drier which resulted in $11.5 million less service fees than prior year from drying and mixing services (when wet grain is received into the elevator and dried to an acceptable moisture level). In addition, the market value adjustment for customer credit exposure was $4.6 million higher for 2010 due to higher grain prices.

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Operating expenses decreased $7.5 million, or 13%, from 2009. Bad debt expense decreased approximately $14.6 million due to reductions in amounts reserved for customer receivables and the net reversal of $6.7 million of reserves following the settlement of a long standing collection matter. Approximately $2.7 million of the decrease in operating expenses is the result of a decline in utilities expense due to the early and dry harvest in comparison with 2009. These expense decreases were partially offset by increases in labor, benefits, and depreciation and amortization expenses due to the acquisition of O’Malley Grain during the second quarter of 2010. Performance incentives expense was also up year-over-year due to higher overall earnings.

Interest expense decreased $2.0 million, or 23%, from 2009 due to lower rates on outstanding borrowings.

Equity in earnings of affiliates increased $9.8 million over 2009 and relates to income from the investment in LTG.

Ethanol Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2010		2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	468,639	$	419,404
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		453,865		405,607
Gross profit		14,774		13,797
Operating, administrative and general expenses		6,440		6,302
Interest expense		1,629		628
Equity in earnings of affiliates		10,351		11,636
Other income, net		176		289
Income before income taxes		17,232		18,792
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		219		1,215
Operating income	$	17,013	$	17,577

Operating results for Ethanol decreased $0.6 million from 2009. Total sales and merchandising revenues increased $49.2 million over 2009. Sales of ethanol increased as a result of an increase in the overall volume by 7 million gallons and a 16.5% increase in the average price per gallon sold. Fees for services provided to the ethanol industry increased $0.4 million. Gross profit increased $1.0 million over 2009 and relates to an increase in ethanol service fee income.

There were no significant changes in operating expenses or other income from 2009 to 2010. Interest expense increased $1.0 million over 2009 due to an increase in short-term borrowings.

Equity in earnings of affiliates relates to the investment in the three ethanol LLCs. Earnings decreased $1.3 million, or 11%, from 2009 primarily as a result of rising corn prices.

Plant Nutrient Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2010		2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	619,330	$	491,293
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		539,793		431,874
Gross profit		79,537		59,419
Operating, administrative and general expenses		46,880		45,955
Interest expense		3,901		3,933
Equity in earnings of affiliates		8		8
Other income, net		1,298		1,755
Operating income	$	30,062	$	11,294

Operating results for the Plant Nutrient Group increased $18.8 million over its 2009 results. Sales increased $128 million, or 26%, over 2009 due to an increase in tons sold by 31% offset by a 3% decrease in average price per ton sold for the year.

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Volume increased almost twenty percent in the fourth quarter alone due to excellent fall application conditions and the continued restocking of the retail fertilizer pipeline. The overall margin per ton was approximately 6% higher than prior year.

Operating expenses increased $1.0 million over prior year due to incremental expenses relating to an August 2009 acquisition.

Rail Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2010		2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	94,816	$	92,789
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		81,437		75,973
Gross profit		13,379		16,816
Operating, administrative and general expenses		12,846		13,867
Interest expense		4,928		4,468
Other income, net		4,502		485
Operating income (loss)	$	107	$	(1,034	)

Operating results for the Rail Group increased $1.1 million over 2009. Sales of railcars increased $12.6 million, which includes $4.3 million related to intentional scrapping of railcars, nearly offset by leasing revenues which decreased $12.5 million. Sales relating to the repair and fabrication businesses increased $1.9 million. Gross profit for the Group decreased $3.4 million, or 20%, and is the result of more idle cars and increased storage costs during the first half of 2010 coupled with increased freight and maintenance costs, as cars were repaired and moved into service during the second half of 2010. Storage expenses for the Group increased $1.1 million in 2010 compared to 2009.

Other income increased by $4.0 million over 2009 primarily due to $2.2 million in settlements received from customers for railcars returned at the end of a lease that were not in the required operating condition. These settlements may be negotiated in lieu of a customer performing the required repairs. In addition, IANR dividends began accruing in May 2010 and amounted to approximately $1.1 million at year end.

Turf & Specialty Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2010		2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	123,549	$	125,306
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		96,612		99,849
Gross profit		26,937		25,457
Operating, administrative and general expenses		23,225		20,424
Interest expense		1,604		1,429
Other income, net		1,335		1,131
Operating income	$	3,443	$	4,735

Operating results for the Turf & Specialty Group decreased $1.3 million from its 2009 results. Sales decreased $1.8 million, or 1%. Sales in the lawn fertilizer business decreased $5.6 million, or 5%, due to a 3% decrease in volume along with a 2% decrease in average price per ton sold. Sales in the cob business increased $3.7 million, or 24% as tonnage sold was up 24% over 2009. Gross profit for the Group increased $1.5 million, or 6% due to an overall increase in volume and margin.

Operating expenses for the Group increased $2.8 million, or 14%, from 2009, and is primarily related to the 2009 recognition of a pension curtailment gain that was not repeated in 2010 and more maintenance projects in 2010.

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Retail Group

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2010			2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	150,644		$	161,938
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		107,308			114,928
Gross profit		43,336			47,010
Operating, administrative and general expenses		45,439			49,575
Interest expense		1,039			961
Other income, net		608			683
Operating loss	$	(2,534	)	$	(2,843	)

Operating results for the Retail Group increased $0.3 million over its 2009 results. Sales decreased $11.4 million, or 7%, from 2009 and were experienced in all of the Group’s market areas, but the majority was due to the Lima store closing in late 2009. Customer counts decreased 3% and the average sale per customer decreased by nearly 5%. Gross profit decreased $3.7 million, or 8%, due to the decreased sales as well as a slight decrease in gross margin percentage.

Operating expenses for the Group decreased $4.1 million, or 8%. As noted above, the Lima, Ohio store was closed in the fourth quarter of 2009 which contributed to the decrease in both sales and expenses year-over-year.

Other

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2010			2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	—		$	—
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		—			—
Gross profit		—			—
Operating, administrative and general expenses		9,639			4,652
Interest expense		78			534
Equity in earnings of affiliates		—			3
Other income, net		1,176			1,958
Operating loss	$	(8,541	)	$	(3,225	)

The Corporate operating loss (costs not allocated back to the business units) increased $5.3 million, or 165%, over 2009 and relates primarily to an increase in performance incentives due to favorable operating performance, an increase in charitable contributions, and increased expenses for the Company’s deferred compensation plan.

As a result of the operating performances noted above, income attributable to The Andersons, Inc. of $64.7 million for 2010 was 69% higher than the income attributable to The Andersons, Inc. of $38.4 million in 2009. Income tax expense of $39.3 million was recorded in 2010 at an effective rate of 37.7% which is an increase from the 2009 effective rate of 35.7% due primarily to the impact of Federal legislation on Medicare Part D.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital

At December 31, 2011, the Company had working capital of $313.0 million, an increase of $11.2 million from the prior year. This increase was attributable to changes in the following components of current assets and current liabilities:

(in thousands)	2011		2010		Variance
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,390	$	29,219	$	(8,829	)
Restricted cash		18,651		12,134		6,517
Accounts receivable, net		167,640		152,227		15,413
Inventories		760,459		647,189		113,270
Commodity derivative assets – current		83,950		246,475		(162,525	)
Deferred income taxes		21,483		16,813		4,670
Other current assets		34,649		34,501		148
Total current assets		1,107,222		1,138,558		(31,336	)
Current liabilities:
Borrowing under short-term line of credit	$	71,500	$	241,100	$	(169,600	)
Accounts payable for grain		391,905		274,596		117,309
Other accounts payable		142,762		111,501		31,261
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue		79,557		78,550		1,007
Commodity derivative liabilities – current		15,874		57,621		(41,747	)
Other current liabilities		60,445		48,851		11,594
Current maturities of long-term debt		32,208		24,524		7,684
Total current liabilities		794,251		836,743		(42,492	)
Working capital	$	312,971	$	301,815	$	11,156

In comparison to the prior year-end, current assets decreased largely as a result of lower commodity derivative assets driven by falling commodity prices in the second half of 2011. This decrease was partially offset by higher inventories for the Grain and Plant Nutrient businesses. Grain inventories are up $76.4 million over prior year due to owning the majority of the wheat in our facilities rather than storing it for others as in the prior year along with an increase in ownership bushels in beans. Plant Nutrient inventories are up $28.5 million over prior year due to higher volumes and cost of raw materials. Trade receivables fluctuate with timing of sales along with variations in prices of commodities. The increase in accounts receivable is consistent with the increase in sales and merchandising revenues. Restricted cash increased due to a new industrial development revenue bond. See the discussion below on sources and uses of cash for an understanding of the decrease in cash from prior year. Current liabilities decreased primarily as a result of lower borrowings on our short-term line of credit used to fund other components of working capital. Commodity derivative liabilities also decreased due to falling commodity prices in the second half of 2011. These decreases were partially offset by a large increase in accounts payable for grain attributed to higher hold pay for corn (grain we have purchased but not yet paid for) and the increase in other accounts payable which is consistent with the increase in cost of sales and merchandising revenues. Other current liabilities increased primarily due to the increase in performance incentive accruals.

Borrowings and Credit Facilities

On December 5, 2011, the Company entered into a restated loan agreement (“the agreement”) with several financial institutions, including U.S. Bank National Association, acting as agent. The agreement provides the Company with $735 million (“Line A) of short-term borrowing capacity and $115 million (“Line B”) of long-term borrowing capacity. The Company plans to use the lines to fund components of working capital and margin call requirements, as necessary, if commodity prices increase into 2012. Total borrowing capacity for the Company under Lines A and B is currently at $743.4 million.

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Sources and Uses of Cash

Operating Activities and Liquidity

The Company’s operations provided cash of $290.3 million in 2011, an increase of $529.6 million from cash used in operations of $239.3 million in 2010. The significant amount of operating cash flows in 2011 relates primarily to the changes in working capital (before short-term borrowings) discussed above along with higher earnings.

In 2011, the Company paid income taxes of $48.9 million compared to $24.8 million in 2010. The Company makes quarterly estimated tax payments based on full-year estimated income. The significant increase in income taxes paid from 2010 to 2011 is primarily due to the increase in pre-tax book income and making payments of 2010 taxes with tax return extension requests filed in 2011.

Investing Activities

Investing activities used $86.0 million, which is $3.0 million less than the amount used in 2010. The largest portion of the spending relates to capital spending and purchases of railcars in the amount of $44.2 million and $64.2 million, respectively. Purchases of railcars were partially offset by proceeds from the sale of railcars in the amount of $30.4 million. Capital spending for 2011 on property, plant and equipment includes: Grain – $24.3 million; Plant Nutrient – $13.3 million; Rail – $1.5 million; Turf & Specialty – $2.1 million; Retail – $1.2 million and $1.8 million in corporate purchases.

The Company spent more on business acquisitions in previous years than in 2011. On October 31, 2011, the Company completed the purchase of Immokalee Farmers Supply, Inc., which serves the specialty vegetable producers in Southwest Florida, for a purchase price of $3.0 million. $2.4 million in cash was paid at closing with the remaining portion of the purchase price accrued as it is contingent upon future performance. On May 1, 2010, the Company acquired two grain cleaning and storage facilities from O’Malley Grain, Inc. for a purchase price of $7.8 million. On December 31, 2010, the Company completed the purchase of grain storage facilities in Nebraska from B4 Grain, Inc. with a cash payment of $31.5 million.

On May 25, 2010, the Company paid $13.1 million to acquire 100% of newly issued cumulative convertible preferred shares of IANR and Zephyr. As a result of this investment, the Company has a 49.9% voting interest in IANR, with dividends accruing at a rate of 14% annually. The Company recorded dividend income of $1.7 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

The Company expects to spend approximately $123 million in 2012 on conventional property, plant and equipment, which includes amounts for an acquisition that occurred subsequent to year end but prior to the filing of this Form 10-K. On January 31, 2012, the Company purchased New Eezy Gro, Inc. for a purchase price of $15.5 million plus working capital in the amount of $1.4 million. An additional $90.0 million is estimated to be spent on the purchase and capitalized modifications of railcars with related sales or financings of $96.4 million. Included in the above number is estimated 2012 spending for a project to replace current technology with an enterprise resource planning system to begin in 2012.

Financing Arrangements

Net cash used in financing activities was $213.1 million in 2011, compared to $211.6 million cash provided by financing activities in 2010. A combination of reduced borrowings due to a drop in commodity prices, increasing earnings and working capital, and lower capital spending than originally planned resulted in pay down of a significant amount of long-term debt in the second half of the year. Payments of long-term debt totaled $104.0 million for 2011.

35

The Company has significant committed short-term lines of credit available to finance working capital, primarily inventories, margin calls on commodity contracts and accounts receivable. As noted above, the Company is party to a borrowing arrangement with a syndicate of banks, which was amended in December 2011, to provide the Company with $735 million in short-term lines of credit. The Company had drawn $71.5 million on its short-term line of credit at December 31, 2011 compared to $241.1 million at December 31, 2010. Peak borrowing on the line of credit during 2011 and 2010 were $601.5 million and $305.0 million, respectively. Typically, the Company’s highest borrowing occurs in the spring due to seasonal inventory requirements in the fertilizer and retail businesses, credit sales of fertilizer and a customary reduction in grain payables due to the cash needs and market strategies of grain customers.

Certain of the Company’s long-term borrowings include covenants that, among other things, impose minimum levels of equity and limitations on additional debt. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 2011. In addition, certain of the Company’s long-term borrowings are collateralized by first mortgages on various facilities or are collateralized by railcar assets. The Company’s non-recourse long-term debt is collateralized by railcar assets.

The Company paid $8.2 million in dividends in 2011 compared to $6.6 million in 2010. The Company paid $0.0875 per common share for the dividends paid in January 2010, $0.0900 per common share for the dividends paid in April, July and October 2010, $0.1100 per common share for the dividends paid in January, April, July and September 2011, and declared a dividend of $0.15 per common share for the dividends paid in January 2012.

Proceeds from the sale of treasury shares to employees and directors were $0.8 million and $1.3 million for 2011 and 2010, respectively. During 2011, the Company issued approximately 137,000 shares to employees and directors under its share compensation plans. In addition, the Company repurchased treasury shares in the amount of $3.0 million.

Because the Company is a significant consumer of short-term debt in peak seasons and the majority of this is variable rate debt, increases in interest rates could have a significant impact on the profitability of the Company. In addition, periods of high grain prices and / or unfavorable market conditions could require the Company to make additional margin deposits on its exchange traded futures contracts. Conversely, in periods of declining prices, the Company receives a return of cash.

The volatility in the capital and credit markets has had a significant impact on the economy in the past few years. Despite the volatile and challenging economic environment, the Company has continued to have good access to the credit markets. In the unlikely event that the Company was faced with a situation where it was not able to access the capital markets (including through the renewal of its line of credit), the Company believes it could successfully implement contingency plans to maintain adequate liquidity such as expanding or contracting the amount of its forward grain contracting, which will reduce the impact of grain price volatility on its daily margin calls. Additionally, the Company could begin to liquidate its stored grain inventory as well as execute sales contracts with its customers that align the timing of the receipt of grain from its producers to the shipment of grain to its customers (thereby freeing up working capital that is typically utilized to store the grain for extended periods of time). The Company could also raise equity through other portions of the capital market. The Company believes that its operating cash flow, the marketability of its grain inventories, other liquidity contingency plans and its access to sufficient sources of liquidity, will enable it to meet its ongoing funding requirements. At December 31, 2011, the Company had $743.4 million available under its lines of credit.

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Contractual Obligations

Future payments due under contractual obligations at December 31, 2011 are as follows:

	Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations (in thousands)	Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		After 5 years		Total
Long-term debt (a)	$	32,051	$	56,799	$	86,450	$	94,839	$	270,139
Long-term debt non-recourse (a)		157		797		—		—		954
Interest obligations (b)		9,961		20,755		11,326		15,675		57,717
Uncertain tax positions		288		11		—		—		299
Operating leases (c)		17,188		21,052		14,762		12,070		65,072
Purchase commitments (d)		1,309,610		140,221		909		—		1,450,740
Other long-term liabilities (e)		4,211		2,606		2,859		8,137		17,813
Total contractual cash obligations	$	1,373,466	$	242,241	$	116,306	$	130,721	$	1,862,734

(a) The Company is subject to various loan covenants. Although the Company is in compliance with its covenants, noncompliance could result in default and acceleration of long-term debt payments. The Company does not anticipate noncompliance with its covenants.

(b) Future interest obligations are calculated based on interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2011 for the Company’s variable rate debt and do not include any assumptions on expected borrowings, if any, under the short-term line of credit.

(c) Approximately 78% of the operating lease commitments above relate to railcars and locomotives that the Company leases from financial intermediaries. See “Off-Balance Sheet Transactions” below.

(d) Includes the amounts related to purchase obligations in the Company’s operating units, including $1,062 million for the purchase of grain from producers and $297 million for the purchase of ethanol from the ethanol joint ventures. There are also forward grain and ethanol sales contracts to consumers and traders and the net of these forward contracts are offset by exchange-traded futures and options contracts or over-the-counter contracts. See the narrative description of businesses for the Grain and Ethanol Groups in Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.

(e) Other long-term liabilities include estimated obligations under our retiree healthcare programs and the estimated 2012 contribution to our defined benefit pension plan. Obligations under the retiree healthcare programs are not fixed commitments and will vary depending on various factors, including the level of participant utilization and inflation. Our estimates of postretirement payments through 2016 have considered recent payment trends and actuarial assumptions. We have not estimated pension contributions beyond 2012 due to the significant impact that return on plan assets and changes in discount rates might have on such amounts.

The Company had standby letters of credit outstanding of $35.1 million at December 31, 2011.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

The Company’s Rail Group utilizes leasing arrangements that provide off-balance sheet financing for its activities. The Company leases railcars from financial intermediaries through sale-leaseback transactions, the majority of which involve operating leasebacks. Railcars owned by the Company, or leased by the Company from a financial intermediary, are generally leased to a customer under an operating lease. The Company also arranges non-recourse lease transactions under which it sells railcars or locomotives to a financial intermediary, and assigns the related operating lease to the financial intermediary on a non-recourse basis. In such arrangements, the Company generally provides ongoing railcar maintenance and management services for the financial intermediary, and receives a fee for such services. On most of the railcars and locomotives, the Company holds an option to purchase these assets at the end of the lease.

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The following table describes the Company’s railcar and locomotive positions at December 31, 2011.

Method of Control	Financial Statement	Units
Owned-railcars available for sale	On balance sheet – current		62
Owned-railcar assets leased to others	On balance sheet – non-current		15,593
Railcars leased from financial intermediaries	Off balance sheet		5,211
Railcars – non-recourse arrangements	Off balance sheet		1,685
Total Railcars			22,551
Owned-containers leased to others	On balance sheet – non-current		639
Total Containers			639
Locomotive assets leased to others	On balance sheet – non-current		44
Locomotives leased from financial intermediaries	Off balance sheet		4
Locomotives leased from financial intermediaries under limited recourse arrangements	Off balance sheet		—
Locomotives – non-recourse arrangements	Off balance sheet		76
Total Locomotives			124

In addition, the Company manages approximately 342 railcars for third-party customers or owners for which it receives a fee.

The Company has future lease payment commitments aggregating $51.0 million for the railcars leased by the Company from financial intermediaries under various operating leases. Remaining lease terms vary with none exceeding fifteen years. The Company utilizes non-recourse arrangements whenever possible in order to minimize its credit risk. Refer to Note 11 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 for more information on the Company’s leasing activities.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The process of preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company evaluates these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Estimates and assumptions are based on the Company’s historical experience and management’s knowledge and understanding of current facts and circumstances. Actual results, under conditions and circumstances different from those assumed, may change from estimates.

Certain of the Company’s accounting estimates are considered critical, as they are important to the depiction of the Company’s financial statements and / or require significant or complex judgment by management. There are other items within our financial statements that require estimation, however, they are not deemed critical as defined above. Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 describes our significant accounting policies which should be read in conjunction with our critical accounting estimates.

The Company believes that accounting for fair value adjustment for counterparty risk, grain inventories and commodity derivative contracts, lower-of-cost-or-market inventory adjustments and impairment of long-lived assets and equity method investments involve significant estimates and assumptions in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Adjustment for Counterparty Risk

The Company records estimated fair value adjustments to its commodity contracts on a quarterly basis. These market value adjustments for customer credit exposure are based on internal projections, the Company’s historical experience with its producers and customers and the Company’s knowledge of the counterparties business. In addition, the adjustments to contract fair values fluctuate with the rise and fall of commodity prices.

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Grain Inventories and Commodity Derivative Contracts

The Company marks to market all grain inventory, forward purchase and sale contracts for grain and ethanol, over-the-counter grain and ethanol contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts. The overall market for grain inventories is very liquid and active; market value is determined by reference to prices for identical commodities on the CME (adjusted primarily for transportation costs); and the Company’s grain inventories may be sold without significant additional processing. The Company uses forward purchase and sale contracts and both exchange traded and over-the-counter contracts (such as derivatives generally used by the International Swap Dealers Association). Management estimates fair value based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted for differences in local markets, as well as counter-party non-performance risk in the case of forward and over-the-counter contracts. The amount of risk, and therefore the impact to the fair value of the contracts, varies by type of contract and type of counter-party. With the exception of specific customers thought to be at higher risk, the Company looks at the contracts in total, segregated by contract type, in its assessment of non-performance risk. For those customers that are thought to be at higher risk, the Company makes assumptions as to performance based on past history and facts about the current situation. Changes in fair value are recorded as a component of sales and merchandising revenues in the statement of income.

Lower-of-Cost-or-Market Inventory Adjustments

The Company records its non-grain inventory at the lower of cost or market. Whenever changing conditions warrant, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its inventory compared to the current market. Market price is determined using both external data, such as current selling prices by third parties and quoted trading prices for the same or similar products, and internal data, such as the Company’s current ask price and expectations on normal margins. If the evaluation indicates that the Company’s inventory is being carried at values higher than the current market can support, the Company will write down its inventory to its best estimate of net realizable value.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Equity Method Investments

The Company’s business segments are each highly capital intensive and require significant investment in facilities and / or railcars. Fixed assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. This is done by evaluating the recoverability based on undiscounted projected cash flows, excluding interest. If an asset group is considered impaired, the impairment loss to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

We also annually review the balance of goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter. Historically, these reviews for impairment have taken into account our quantitative estimates of future cash flows. Our estimates of future cash flows are based upon a number of assumptions including lease rates, lease terms, operating costs, life of the assets, potential disposition proceeds, budgets and long-range plans. The majority of our goodwill is in the Grain and Plant Nutrient businesses. Based on the strength of performance in both of these groups, a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment was performed in the current year versus the traditional quantitative assessment. Key factors considered in the qualitative assessment included, but were not limited to industry and market specific factors, the competitive environment, comparison of the prior-year actual results relative to budgeted performance, current financial performance, and managements forecast for future financial performance. These factors are discussed in more detail in Note 12, Goodwill and Intangible Assets.

In addition, the Company holds investments in limited liability companies that are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company reviews its investments to determine whether there has been a decline in the estimated fair value of the investment that is below the Company’s carrying value which is other than temporary. Other than consideration of past and current performance, these reviews take into account forecasted earnings which are based on management’s estimates of future performance.

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Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The market risk inherent in the Company’s market risk-sensitive instruments and positions is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in commodity prices and interest rates as discussed below.

Commodity Prices

The Company’s daily net commodity position consists of inventories, related purchase and sale contracts and exchange-traded futures and over-the-counter contracts. The fair value of the position is a summation of the fair values calculated for each commodity by valuing each net position at quoted futures market prices. The Company has established controls to manage risk exposure, which consists of daily review of position limits and effects of potential market prices moves on those positions.

A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate the Company’s exposure to market risk of its commodity position. Market risk is estimated as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted market prices. The result of this analysis, which may differ from actual results, is as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Net position	$	5,984	$	2,105
Market risk		598		211

Interest Rates

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated using quoted market prices or discounted future cash flows based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates and credit ratings for similar types of borrowing arrangements. Market risk, which is estimated as the potential increase in fair value resulting from a hypothetical one-half percent decrease in interest rates, is summarized below:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Fair value of long-term debt	$	279,001	$	305,708
Fair value in excess of carrying value		7,908		4,359
Market risk		3,454		4,200

Actual results may differ. The estimated fair value and market risk will vary from year to year depending on the total amount of long-term debt and the mix of variable and fixed rate debt.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The Andersons, Inc.

Index to Financial Statements

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	42
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP	43
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Crowe Chizek LLP	45
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009	46
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010	47
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009	48
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009	49
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	50
Schedule II – Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December  31, 2011, 2010 and 2009	96
Exhibit Index	97

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of The Andersons, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework. Based on the results of this assessment and on those criteria, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, as stated in their report which follows in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

Of The Andersons, Inc.:

In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Andersons, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We did not audit the consolidated financial statements of Lansing Trade Group, LLC, an entity in which The Andersons, inc. has an investment in and accounts for under the equity method of accounting, and for which The Andersons, Inc. recorded $23.6 million, $15.1 million, and $5.8 million of equity in earnings of affiliates for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. The financial statements of Lansing Trade Group, LLC were audited by other auditors whose report thereon has been furnished to us, and our opinion on the financial statements expressed herein, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Lansing Trade Group, LLC, is based solely on the report of the other auditors. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Toledo, Ohio

February 27, 2012

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Lansing Trade Group, LLC

Overland Park, Kansas

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Lansing Trade Group, LLC and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, members’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 (not included herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Crowe Chizek LLP

Elkhart, Indiana

February 23, 2012

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The Andersons, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per common share data)	2011		2010		2009
Sales and merchandising revenues	$	4,576,331	$	3,393,791	$	3,025,304
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues		4,223,479		3,112,112		2,769,798
Gross profit		352,852		281,679		255,506
Operating, administrative and general expenses		229,090		195,330		199,116
Interest expense		25,256		19,865		20,688
Other income:
Equity in earnings of affiliates		41,450		26,007		17,463
Other income - net		7,922		11,652		8,331
Income before income taxes		147,878		104,143		61,496
Income tax provision		51,053		39,262		21,930
Net income		96,825		64,881		39,566
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest		1,719		219		1,215
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$	95,106	$	64,662	$	38,351
Per common share:
Basic earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders	$	5.13	$	3.51	$	2.10
Diluted earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders	$	5.09	$	3.48	$	2.08
Dividends paid	$	0.4400	$	0.3575	$	0.3475

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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The Andersons, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,390		$	29,219
Restricted cash		18,651			12,134
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,799 in 2011; $5,684 in 2010		167,640			152,227
Inventories		760,459			647,189
Commodity derivative assets – current		83,950			246,475
Deferred income taxes		21,483			16,813
Other current assets		34,649			34,501
Total current assets		1,107,222			1,138,558
Other assets:
Commodity derivative assets – noncurrent		2,289			18,113
Other assets, net		53,327			47,855
Equity method investments		199,061			175,349
		254,677			241,317
Railcar assets leased to others, net		197,137			168,483
Property, plant and equipment, net		175,087			151,032
Total assets	$	1,734,123		$	1,699,390
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under short-term line of credit	$	71,500		$	241,100
Accounts payable for grain		391,905			274,596
Other accounts payable		142,762			111,501
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue		79,557			78,550
Commodity derivative liabilities – current		15,874			57,621
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		60,445			48,851
Current maturities of long-term debt		32,208			24,524
Total current liabilities		794,251			836,743
Other long-term liabilities		43,014			25,183
Commodity derivative liabilities – noncurrent		1,519			3,279
Employee benefit plan obligations		52,972			30,152
Long-term debt, less current maturities		238,885			276,825
Deferred income taxes		64,640			62,649
Total liabilities		1,195,281			1,234,831
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common shares, without par value, 42,000 shares authorized; 19,198 shares issued		96			96
Preferred shares, without par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued		—			—
Additional paid-in capital		179,463			177,875
Treasury shares, at cost (697 in 2011; 762 in 2010)		(14,997	)		(14,058	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(43,090	)		(28,799	)
Retained earnings		402,523			316,317
Total shareholders’ equity of The Andersons, Inc.		523,995			451,431
Noncontrolling interest		14,847			13,128
Total equity		538,842			464,559
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,734,123		$	1,699,390

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

47

The Andersons, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Operating activities
Net income	$	96,825		$	64,881		$	39,566
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		40,837			38,913			36,020
Bad debt expense (recovery)		187			(8,716	)		4,973
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions received		(23,591	)		(17,594	)		(15,105	)
Gains on sales of railcars and related leases		(8,417	)		(7,771	)		(1,758	)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement		(307	)		(876	)		(566	)
Deferred income taxes		5,473			12,205			16,430
Gain from pension plan curtailment		—			—			(4,132	)
Stock based compensation expense		4,071			2,589			2,747
Lower of cost or market inventory and contract adjustment		3,142			—			2,944
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		1,704			1,682			304
Other		254			215			186
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(15,708	)		(848	)		(15,259	)
Inventories		(114,427	)		(214,171	)		32,227
Commodity derivatives		134,309			(158,183	)		2,211
Other assets		(1,104	)		(3,970	)		61,938
Accounts payable for grain		117,309			20,703			18,089
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses		49,708			31,656			(574	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		290,265			(239,285	)		180,241
Investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(2,365	)		(39,293	)		(30,480	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(44,162	)		(30,897	)		(16,560	)
Purchases of railcars		(64,161	)		(18,354	)		(24,965	)
Investment in convertible preferred securities		—			(13,100	)		—
Proceeds from sale of railcars		30,398			20,102			8,453
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other		931			1,942			540
Change in restricted cash		(6,517	)		(9,010	)		803
Investment in affiliates		(121	)		(395	)		(1,200	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(85,997	)		(89,005	)		(63,409	)
Financing activities
Net change in short-term borrowings		(169,600	)		241,100			—
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		73,752			18,986			9,523
Payments of long-term debt		(104,008	)		(36,598	)		(52,349	)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(3,170	)		(7,508	)		(4,500	)
Purchase of treasury stock		(3,040	)		—			(229	)
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares to employees and directors		815			1,305			750
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement		307			876			566
Dividends paid		(8,153	)		(6,581	)		(6,346	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(213,097	)		211,580			(52,585	)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(8,829	)		(116,710	)		64,247
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		29,219			145,929			81,682
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	20,390		$	29,219		$	145,929

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

48

The Andersons, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Equity

(in thousands, except per share data)	Common Shares		Additional Paid-in Capital		Treasury Shares			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Retained Earnings			Noncontrolling Interest		Total
Balances at January 1, 2009	$	96	$	173,393	$	(16,737	)	$	(30,046	)	$	226,707		$	11,694	$	365,107
Net income												38,351			1,215		39,566
Other comprehensive income:
Unrecognized actuarial gain and prior service costs (net of income tax of $2,431)									4,491								4,491
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $134)									241								241
Comprehensive income																	44,298
Purchase of treasury shares (20 shares)						(229	)										(229	)
Stock awards, stock option exercises, and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $826 (171 shares)				2,084		1,412											3,496
Dividends declared ($0.3475 per common share)												(6,396	)				(6,396	)
Balances at December 31, 2009		96		175,477		(15,554	)		(25,314	)		258,662			12,909		406,276
Net income												64,662			219		64,881
Other comprehensive income:
Unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service costs (net of income tax of $3,116)									(4,992	)							(4,992	)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities (net of income tax of $1,004)									1,685								1,685
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $112)									(178	)							(178	)
Comprehensive income																	61,396
Stock awards, stock option exercises, and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $1,076 (157 shares)				2,398		1,496											3,894
Dividends declared ($0.3575 per common share)												(7,007	)				(7,007	)
Balances at December 31, 2010		96		177,875		(14,058	)		(28,799	)		316,317			13,128		464,559
Net income												95,106			1,719		96,825
Other comprehensive income:
Unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service costs (net of income tax of $10,293)									(17,120	)							(17,120	)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities (net of income tax of $1,710)									2,860								2,860
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $21)									(31	)							(31	)
Comprehensive income																	82,534
Purchase of treasury shares (85 shares)						(3,039	)										(3,039	)
Stock awards, stock option exercises, and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $1,197 (150 shares)				1,588		2,100											3,688
Dividends declared ($0.4810 per common share)												(8,900	)				(8,900	)
Balances at December 31, 2011	$	96	$	179,463	$	(14,997	)	$	(43,090	)	$	402,523		$	14,847	$	538,842

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

49

The Andersons, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Consolidation

These Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Andersons, Inc. and its wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Investments in unconsolidated entities in which the Company has significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods indicated, have been made.

Certain balance sheet items have been reclassified from their prior presentation to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications are not considered material and had no effect on the statement of income, statement of equity, current assets, current liabilities or operating cash flows as previously reported.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. The carrying values of these assets approximate their fair values.

A significant portion of restricted cash is held in escrow for certain of the Company’s industrial development revenue bonds described in Note 10.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and may bear interest if past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed quarterly. The allowance is based both on specific identification of potentially uncollectible accounts and the application of a consistent policy to estimate the allowance necessary for the remaining accounts receivable. For those customers that are thought to be at higher risk, the Company makes assumptions as to collectability based on past history and facts about the current situation. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it becomes more certain that the receivable will not be recovered.

Commodity Derivatives and Inventories

The Company’s operating results can be affected by changes to commodity prices. The Grain and Ethanol businesses have established “unhedged” position limits (the amount of a commodity, either owned or contracted for, that does not have an offsetting derivative contract to mitigate the price risk associated with those contracts and inventory). To reduce the exposure to market price risk on commodities owned and forward grain and ethanol purchase and sale contracts, the Company enters into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts and over-the-counter forward and option contracts with various counterparties.

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The exchange traded contracts are primarily via the regulated Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the “CME”). The forward purchase and sale contracts are for physical delivery of the commodity in a future period. Contracts to purchase commodities from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of commodities to processors or other commercial consumers generally do not extend beyond one year.

The Company accounts for its commodity derivatives at fair value, the same method it uses to value grain inventory. The estimated fair value of the commodity derivative contracts that require the receipt or posting of cash collateral is recorded on a net basis (offset against cash collateral posted or received, also known as margin deposits) within commodity derivative assets or liabilities. Management determines fair value based on exchange-quoted prices and in the case of its forward purchase and sale contracts, estimated fair value is adjusted for differences in local markets and non-performance risk. While the Company considers its commodity contracts to be effective economic hedges, the Company does not designate or account for its commodity contracts as hedges. Realized and unrealized gains and losses in the value of commodity contracts (whether due to changes in commodity prices, changes in performance or credit risk, or due to sale, maturity or extinguishment of the commodity contract) and grain inventories are included in sales and merchandising revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Additional information about the fair value of the Company’s commodity derivatives is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the average cost method. Additional information about inventories is presented in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives – Master Netting Arrangements

Generally accepted accounting principles permit a party to a master netting arrangement to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments against the right to reclaim cash collateral or obligation to return cash collateral under the same master netting arrangement. The Company has master netting arrangements for its exchange traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter contracts. When the Company enters into a futures, options or an over-the-counter contract, an initial margin deposit may be required by the counterparty. The amount of the margin deposit varies by commodity. If the market price of a future, option or an over-the-counter contract moves in a direction that is adverse to the Company’s position, an additional margin deposit, called a maintenance margin, is required. The Company nets, by counterparty, its futures and over-the-counter positions against the cash collateral provided or received. The margin deposit assets and liabilities are included in short-term commodity derivative assets or liabilities, as appropriate, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additional information about the Company’s master netting arrangements is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives – Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Contracts

The Company periodically enters into interest rate contracts to manage interest rate risk on borrowing or financing activities. The Company has a long-term interest rate swap recorded in other long-term liabilities and a foreign currency collar recorded in other assets and has designated them as cash flow hedges; accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income. The Company has other interest rate contracts that are not designated as hedges. While the Company considers all of its derivative positions to be effective economic hedges of specified risks, these interest rate contracts for which hedge accounting is not applied are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in either other current assets or liabilities (if short-term in nature) or in other assets or other long-term liabilities (if non-current in nature), and changes in fair value are recognized in income as interest expense. Upon termination of a derivative instrument or a change in the hedged item, any remaining fair value recorded on the balance sheet is recorded as interest expense consistent with the cash flows associated with the underlying hedged item. Information regarding the nature and terms of the Company’s interest rate derivatives is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Marketing Agreement

The Company has a marketing agreement that covers certain of its grain facilities, some of which are leased from Cargill, Incorporated (“Cargill”). Under the five-year amended and restated agreement (ending in May 2013), the Company sells grain from these facilities to Cargill at market prices. Income earned from operating the facilities (including buying, storing and selling grain and providing grain marketing services to its producer customers) over a specified threshold is shared equally with Cargill. Measurement of this threshold is made on a cumulative basis and cash is paid to Cargill at the end of the contract. The Company recognizes its pro rata share of income every month and accrues for any payment owed to Cargill. The payable balance was $33.2 million and $16.7 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Railcars

The Company’s Rail Group purchases, leases, markets and manages railcars for third parties and for internal use. Railcars to which the Company holds title are shown on the balance sheet in one of two categories – other current assets (for railcars that are available for sale) or railcar assets leased to others. Railcars leased to others, both on short and long-term leases, are classified as long-term assets and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

Railcars have statutory lives of either 40 or 50 years, measured from the date built. At the time of purchase, the remaining statutory life is used in determining useful lives which are depreciated on a straight-line basis. Additional information regarding railcar assets leased to others is presented in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, while betterments that extend useful lives are capitalized. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets, principally by the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are generally as follows: land improvements – 16 years; leasehold improvements – the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement, ranging from 3 to 20 years; buildings and storage facilities – 20 to 30 years; machinery and equipment – 3 to 20 years; and software – 3 to 10 years. The cost of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the accumulated depreciation thereon are removed from the accounts, with any gain or loss realized upon sale or disposal credited or charged to operations. Additional information regarding the Company’s property, plant and equipment is presented in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Debt Issue Costs

Costs associated with the issuance of debt are capitalized. These costs are amortized using an interest-method equivalent over the earlier of the stated term of the debt or the period from the issue date through the first early payoff date without penalty, or the expected payoff if the loan does not contain a prepayment penalty. Capitalized costs associated with the borrowing arrangement with a syndication of banks are amortized over the term of the agreement.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization of intangible assets is provided over their estimated useful lives (generally 5 to 10 years) on the straight-line method. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment tests or more often when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may be impaired. A goodwill impairment loss is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. Additional information about the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets is presented in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets, including intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to the undiscounted future net cash flows the Company expects to generate with the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the Company recognizes impairment expense for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

Accounts Payable for Grain

Accounts payable for grain includes certain amounts related to grain purchases for which, even though the Company has taken ownership and possession of the grain, the final purchase price has not been established (delayed price contracts). Amounts recorded for such delayed price contracts are determined on the basis of grain market prices at the balance sheet date in a similar manner for which grain inventory is valued and equated to $71.1 million and $37.8 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards is based on the estimated grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, adjusted for revisions to performance expectations. Additional information about the Company’s stock compensation plans is presented in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Compensation Liability

Included in accrued expenses are $6.2 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of deferred compensation for certain employees who, due to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, may not take full advantage of the Company’s qualified defined contribution plan. Assets funding this plan are recorded at fair value and are equal to the value of this liability. This plan has no impact on results of operations as the changes in the fair value of the assets are offset on a one-for-one basis, by the change in the recorded amount of the deferred compensation liability.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of grain and ethanol are primarily recognized at the time of shipment, which is when title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. Direct ship grain sales (where the Company never takes physical possession of the grain) are recognized when the grain arrives at the customer’s facility. Revenues from other grain and ethanol merchandising activities are recognized as services are provided; gains and losses on the market value of grain inventory as well as commodity derivatives are recognized into revenue on a daily basis when these positions are marked-to-market. Sales of other products are recognized at the time title and risk of loss transfers to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment or, in the case of the retail store sales, when the customer takes possession of the goods. Revenues for all other services are recognized as the service is provided.

Certain of the Company’s operations provide for customer billings, deposits or prepayments for product that is stored at the Company’s facilities. The sales and gross profit related to these transactions are not recognized until the product is shipped in accordance with the previously stated revenue recognition policy and these amounts are classified as a current liability titled “Customer prepayments and deferred revenue.”

Rental revenues on operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Sales to financial intermediaries of owned railcars which are subject to an operating lease (with the Company being the lessor in such operating leases prior to the sale, referred to as a “non-recourse transaction”) are recognized as revenue on the date of sale if the Company does not maintain substantial risk of ownership in the sold railcars. Revenue related to railcar servicing and maintenance contracts is recognized over the term of the lease or service contract.

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Sales returns and allowances are provided for at the time sales are recorded. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales. Sales taxes and motor fuel taxes on ethanol sales are presented on a net basis and are excluded from revenues. In all cases, revenues are recognized only if collectability is reasonably assured at the time the revenue is recorded.

Rail Lease Accounting

In addition to the sale of railcars that the Company makes to financial intermediaries on a non-recourse basis and records as revenue as discussed above, the Company also acts as the lessor and / or the lessee in various leasing arrangements as described below.

The Company’s Rail Group leases railcars and locomotives to customers, manages railcars for third parties and leases railcars for internal use. The Company acts as the lessor in various operating leases of railcars that are owned by the Company, or leased by the Company from financial intermediaries and, in turn, leased by the Company to end-users of the railcars. The leases from financial intermediaries are generally structured as sale-leaseback transactions, with the leaseback by the Company being treated as an operating lease.

Certain of the Company’s leases include monthly lease fees that are contingent upon some measure of usage (“per diem” leases). This monthly usage is tracked, billed and collected by third party service providers and funds are generally remitted to the Company along with usage data three months after they are earned. Typically, the lease term related to per-diem leases is one year or less. The Company records lease revenue for these per diem arrangements based on recent historical usage patterns and records a true-up adjustment when the actual data is received. Such true-up adjustments were not significant for any period presented.

The Company expenses operating lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additional information about railcar leasing activities is presented in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for each period includes current tax expense plus deferred expense, which is related to the change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws governing periods in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates the realizability of deferred tax assets and provides a valuation allowance for amounts that management does not believe are more likely than not to be recoverable, as applicable.

The annual effective tax rate is determined by income tax expense from continuing operations, described above, as a percentage of pretax book income. Differences in the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate may be due to permanent items, tax credits, foreign tax rates and state tax rates in jurisdictions in which the Company operates, or changes in valuation allowances.

The Company records reserves for uncertain tax positions when, despite the belief that tax return positions are fully supportable, it is anticipated that certain tax return positions are likely to be challenged and that the Company may not prevail. These reserves are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit or the lapse of statutes of limitations.

Additional information about the Company’s income taxes is presented in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company provides all full-time, non-retail employees hired before July 1, 2010 with pension benefits and full-time employees hired before January 1, 2003 with postretirement health care benefits. In order to measure the expense and funded status of these employee benefit plans, management makes several estimates and assumptions, including rates of return on assets set aside to fund these plans, rates of compensation increases, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates and anticipated future healthcare cost trends.

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These estimates and assumptions are based on the Company’s historical experience combined with management’s knowledge and understanding of current facts and circumstances. The selection of the discount rate is based on an index given projected plan payouts.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consists of the following:

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service costs	$	(46,482	)	$	(29,362	)
Cash flow hedges		(1,154	)		(1,122	)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities		4,546			1,685
	$	(43,090	)	$	(28,799	)

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The Company’s research and development program is mainly involved with the development of improved products and processes, primarily for the Turf & Specialty operating segment. The Company expended approximately $0.8 million, $1.8 million and $1.4 million on research and development activities during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In 2008, the Company, along with several partners, was awarded a $5 million grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. The grant is for the development and commercialization of advanced granules and other emerging technologies to provide solutions for the economic health and environmental concerns of today’s agricultural industry. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company received $0.3 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, as part of this grant.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense of $4.0 million, $4.1 million and $4.0 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, is included in operating, administrative and general expenses.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) updated Accounting Standards Code (“ASC”) Topic 820, to clarify requirements on fair value measurements and related disclosures. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The additional requirements in this update will be included in the note on fair value measurements upon adoption in the first quarter of 2012. The new standard will have no impact on financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). The amendments in ASU 2011-05 eliminate the option to report other comprehensive income in the statement of equity and require entities to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance will change financial statement presentation and require expanded disclosures in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements but will not impact financial results.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”). ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify the testing of goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted.

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The Company implemented the requirements of ASU 2011-08 for the 2011 annual goodwill impairment analysis that was completed in the fourth quarter. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the analysis performed.

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Topic 210). The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The disclosures required by the amendments are required to be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of this amended guidance will require expanded disclosure in the notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements but will not impact financial results.

2. Inventories

Major classes of inventories are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Grain	$	570,337	$	493,911
Ethanol		5,461		3,356
Agricultural fertilizer and supplies		118,716		90,182
Lawn and garden fertilizer and corncob products		37,001		32,954
Retail merchandise		25,612		24,416
Railcar repair parts		3,063		2,058
Other		269		312
	$	760,459	$	647,189

3. Property, Plant and Equipment

The components of property, plant and equipment are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Land	$	17,655	$	15,424
Land improvements and leasehold improvements		47,958		45,080
Buildings and storage facilities		150,461		141,349
Machinery and equipment		191,833		181,650
Software		10,861		10,306
Construction in progress		13,006		2,572
		431,774		396,381
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		256,687		245,349
	$	175,087	$	151,032

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Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment amounted to $20.4 million, $18.7 million and $17.4 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Railcar assets leased to others

The components of railcar assets leased to others are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Railcar assets leased to others	$	272,883	$	234,667
Less: accumulated depreciation		75,746		66,184
	$	197,137	$	168,483

Depreciation expense on railcar assets leased to others amounted to $13.8 million, $14.0 million and $14.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, a group of railcars were found to have major defects and were written down to scrap value which resulted in a $1.2 million loss. There were no significant impairment charges incurred in 2011.

4. Derivatives

The margin deposit assets and liabilities which were shown net on the face of the balance sheet in previous periods are now included in short-term commodity derivative assets and liabilities, as appropriate. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. The change in presentation had no effect on current or total assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s operating results are affected by changes to commodity prices. The Grain and Ethanol businesses have established “unhedged” position limits (the amount of a commodity, either owned or contracted for, that does not have an offsetting derivative contract to lock in the price). To reduce the exposure to market price risk on commodities owned and forward grain and ethanol purchase and sale contracts, the Company enters into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts and over the counter forward and option contracts with various counterparties. The exchange traded contracts are primarily via the regulated Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The Company’s forward purchase and sales contracts are for physical delivery of the commodity in a future period. Contracts to purchase commodities from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of commodities to processors or other commercial consumers generally do not extend beyond one year.

All of these contracts are considered derivatives. While the Company considers its commodity contracts to be effective economic hedges, the Company does not designate or account for its commodity contracts as hedges as defined under current accounting standards. The Company accounts for its commodity derivatives at estimated fair value, the same method it uses to value its grain inventory. The estimated fair value of the commodity derivative contracts that require the receipt or posting of cash collateral is recorded on a net basis (offset against cash collateral posted or received, also known as margin deposits) within commodity derivative assets or liabilities. Management determines fair value based on exchange-quoted prices and in the case of its forward purchase and sale contracts, estimated fair value is adjusted for differences in local markets and non-performance risk. For contracts for which physical delivery occurs, balance sheet classification is based on estimated delivery date. For futures, options and over-the-counter contracts in which physical delivery is not expected to occur but, rather, the contract is expected to be net settled, the Company classifies these contracts as current or noncurrent assets or liabilities, as appropriate, based on the Company’s expectations as to when such contracts will be settled.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses in the value of commodity contracts (whether due to changes in commodity prices, changes in performance or credit risk, or due to sale, maturity or extinguishment of the commodity contract) and grain inventories are included in sales and merchandising revenues.

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The following table presents at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, a summary of the estimated fair value of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments that require cash collateral and the associated cash posted/received as collateral.

	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
(in thousands)	Net derivative asset position			Net derivative liability position		Net derivative asset position			Net derivative liability position
Collateral paid	$	66,870		$	—	$	166,589		$	—
Collateral received		—			—		—			—
Fair value of derivatives		(20,480	)		—		(146,330	)		—
Balance at end of period	$	46,390		$	—	$	20,259		$	—

Certain contracts allow the Company to post grain inventory as collateral rather than cash. Grain inventory posted as collateral on derivative contracts are recorded in Inventories on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the estimated fair value of such inventory was $1.0 million and $27.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s commodity derivatives as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the balance sheet line item in which they are located:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative assets - current	$	37,560		$	226,216
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative assets - noncurrent		2,289			18,113
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative liabilities - current		(15,874	)		(57,621	)
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative liabilities - noncurrent		(1,519	)		(3,279	)
Regulated futures and options contracts included in Commodity derivatives (a)		(23,367	)		(105,030	)
Over-the-counter contracts included in Commodity derivatives (a)		2,887			(41,300	)
Total estimated fair value of commodity derivatives	$	1,976		$	37,099

(a) The fair value of futures, options and over-the-counter contracts are offset by cash collateral posted or received and included as a net amount in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The gains included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income and the line items in which they are located for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Gains (losses) on commodity derivatives included in sales and merchandising revenues	$	131,209	$	(53,942	)

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At December 31, 2011, the Company had the following bushels of grain commodity derivative contracts and gallons of ethanol derivative contracts outstanding (on a gross basis):

Commodity	Number of bushels (in thousands)		Number of tons (in thousands)		Number of gallons (in thousands)
Non-exchange traded:
Corn		200,072		—		—
Soybeans		10,568		—		—
Wheat		6,593		—		—
Oats		11,581		—		—
Ethanol		—		—		239,240
Other		—		98		—
Subtotal		228,814		98		239,240
Exchange traded:
Corn		96,500		—		—
Soybeans		16,570		—		—
Wheat		46,935		—		—
Oats		1,715		—		—
Ethanol		—		—		29,463
Other		—		—		10
Subtotal		161,720		—		29,473
Total		390,534		98		268,713

Interest Rate Derivatives

The Company periodically enters into interest rate contracts to manage interest rate risk on borrowing or financing activities. One of the Company’s long-term interest rate swaps is recorded in other long-term liabilities and is designated as a cash flow hedge; accordingly, changes in the fair value of this instrument are recognized in other comprehensive income. The terms of the swap match the terms of the underlying debt instrument. The deferred derivative gains and losses on the interest rate swap are reclassified into income over the term of the underlying hedged items. For each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company reclassified less than $0.1 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings. The Company expects to reclassify less than $0.1 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings in the next twelve months.

The Company has other interest rate contracts that are not designated as hedges. While the Company considers all of its interest rate derivative positions to be effective economic hedges of specified risks, these interest rate contracts are recorded on the balance sheet in other current assets or liabilities (if short-term in nature) or in other assets or other long-term liabilities (if non-current in nature) and changes in fair value are recognized currently in income as interest expense.

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The following table presents the open interest rate contracts at December 31, 2011:

Interest Rate Hedging Instrument	Year Entered	Year of Maturity	Initial Notional Amount (in  millions)		Hedged Item	Interest Rate
Short-term
Caps	2011	2012	$	80.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	0.60% to 3.42%
Long-term
Swap	2005	2016	$	4.0	Interest rate component of an operating lease – not accounted for as a hedge	5.23%
Swap	2006	2016	$	14.0	Interest rate component of debt – accounted for as cash flow hedge	5.95%
Cap	2011	2014	$	20.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	1.36%
Cap	2011	2013	$	40.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	1.62% to 1.65%

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had recorded the following amounts for the fair value of the Company’s interest rate derivatives:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contracts included in other assets	$	31		$	6
Interest rate contracts included in other long term liabilities		(372	)		(368	)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	(341	)	$	(362	)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contract included in other long term liabilities	$	(1,856	)	$	(1,768	)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	(1,856	)	$	(1,768	)

The losses included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income and the line item in which they are located for interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Interest expense	$	(232	)	$	(133	)

The losses included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Equity and the line item in which they are located for interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments are as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(88	)	$	(229	)

Foreign Currency Derivatives

The Company holds a zero cost foreign currency collar to hedge the change in conversion rate between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar for railcar leases in Canada. This zero cost collar, which is being accounted for as a cash flow hedge, has an initial notional amount of $6.8 million and places a floor and ceiling on the Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar exchange rate at $0.9875 and $1.069, respectively. Changes in the fair value of this derivative are included as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. The terms of the collar match the underlying lease agreements and therefore any ineffectiveness is considered immaterial.

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At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had recorded the following amount for the fair value of the Company’s foreign currency derivatives:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Foreign currency contract included in other assets	$	—	$	(26	)

The gains (losses) included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Equity and the line item in which they are located for foreign currency derivatives designated as hedging instruments are as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	26	$	(68	)

Swaptions

In 2011, the Company entered into two $10 million swaptions for Rail purchase options on sale leaseback transactions to manage the risk of higher interest rates in the future. The effective dates of the options to enter into a swap are September 28, 2012 and 2013. The swaptions are recorded at fair value and are marked-to-market each reporting period, with the change recorded in income as interest expense.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had recorded the following amount for the fair value of the Company’s swaptions:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Swaptions included in other assets	$	19	$	—

The losses included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income and the line item in which they are located for swaptions are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Interest expense	$	(328	)	$	—

5. Earnings per Share

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for common stock and any participating securities according to dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company’s nonvested restricted stock are considered participating securities since the share-based awards contain a non-forfeitable right to dividends irrespective of whether the awards ultimately vest.

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	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2011		2010		2009
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$	95,106	$	64,662	$	38,351
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stock		369		204		122
Earnings available to common shareholders	$	94,737	$	64,458	$	38,229
Earnings per share – basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		18,457		18,356		18,190
Earnings per common share – basic	$	5.13	$	3.51	$	2.10
Earnings per share – diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		18,457		18,356		18,190
Effect of dilutive options		162		151		179
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		18,619		18,507		18,369
Earnings per common share – diluted	$	5.09	$	3.48	$	2.08

There were no antidilutive equity instruments at December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009.

6. Employee Benefit Plan Obligations

The Company provides full-time employees with pension benefits under defined benefit and defined contribution plans. The measurement date for all plans is December 31. The Company’s expense for its defined contribution plans amounted to $7.8 million in 2011, $5.3 million in 2010 and $3.3 million in 2009. The Company also provides certain health insurance benefits to employees as well as retirees.

The Company has both funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. The plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and average monthly compensation using a career average formula. Pension benefits for the retail line of business employees were frozen at December 31, 2006. Pension benefits for the non-retail line of business employees were frozen at July 1, 2010.

The Company also has postretirement health care benefit plans covering substantially all of its full time employees hired prior to January 1, 2003. These plans are generally contributory and include a cap on the Company’s share for most retirees.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) was signed into law. One of the provisions of the PPACA eliminates the tax deductibility of retiree health care costs to the extent of federal subsidies received by plan sponsors that provide retiree prescription drug benefits equivalent to Medicare Part D coverage. As a result, the Company was required to make an adjustment to its deferred tax asset associated with its postretirement benefit plan in the amount of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The offset to this adjustment was included in the provision for income taxes on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

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Obligation and Funded Status

Following are the details of the obligation and funded status of the pension and postretirement benefit plans:

(in thousands)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
Change in benefit obligation	2011			2010			2011			2010
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	90,603		$	74,875		$	24,593		$	21,294
Service cost		—			1,614			555			465
Interest cost		4,578			4,339			1,285			1,213
Actuarial (gains)/losses		16,363			12,120			6,020			2,383
Participant contributions		—			—			478			444
Retiree drug subsidy received		—			—			202			118
Benefits paid		(1,568	)		(2,345	)		(1,575	)		(1,324	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	109,976		$	90,603		$	31,558		$	24,593

(in thousands)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
Change in plan assets	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	84,097		$	70,423		$	—		$	—
Actual gains (loss) on plan assets		(91	)		9,852			—			—
Company contributions		5,167			6,167			1,097			880
Participant contributions		—			—			478			444
Benefits paid		(1,568	)		(2,345	)		(1,575	)		(1,324	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	87,605		$	84,097		$	—		$	—
Funded status of plans at end of year	$	(22,371	)	$	(6,506	)	$	(31,558	)	$	(24,593	)

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of:

	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Accrued expenses	$	(213	)	$	(210	)	$	(1,211	)	$	(1,196	)
Employee benefit plan obligations		(22,158	)		(6,296	)		(30,347	)		(23,397	)
Net amount recognized	$	(22,371	)	$	(6,506	)	$	(31,558	)	$	(24,593	)

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Following are the details of the pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2011:

	Pension Benefits					Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses			Unamortized Prior Service Costs		Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses			Unamortized Prior Service Costs
Balance at beginning of year	$	39,161		$	—	$	10,761		$	(3,070	)
Amounts arising during the period		22,691			—		6,020			—
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost		(940	)		—		(901	)		543
Balance at end of year	$	60,912		$	—	$	15,880		$	(2,527	)

The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during the next fiscal year are as follows:

(in thousands)	Pension		Postretirement			Total
Prior service cost	$	—	$	(543	)	$	(543	)
Net actuarial loss		1,799		1,306			3,105

The accumulated benefit obligations related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans are $110.0 million and $90.4 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Amounts applicable to the Company’s defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Projected benefit obligation	$	109,976	$	90,603
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	109,976	$	90,357

The combined benefits expected to be paid for all Company defined benefit plans over the next ten years (in thousands) are as follows:

Year	Expected Pension Benefit Payout		Expected Postretirement Benefit Payout		Medicare Part D Subsidy
2012	$	3,784	$	1,372	$	(161	)
2013		3,980		1,455		(187	)
2014		4,346		1,547		(209	)
2015		5,036		1,638		(236	)
2016		5,279		1,723		(267	)
2017-2021		31,164		10,040		(1,903	)

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Following are components of the net periodic benefit cost for each year:

	Pension Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Service cost	$	—		$	1,614		$	2,861		$	555		$	465		$	412
Interest cost		4,578			4,339			4,001			1,285			1,213			1,155
Expected return on plan assets		(6,236	)		(5,451	)		(4,356	)		—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost		—			—			(392	)		(543	)		(511	)		(511	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		940			1,817			3,503			901			691			624
Curtailment gain		—			—			(4,132	)		—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(718	)	$	2,319		$	1,485		$	2,198		$	1,858		$	1,680

Following are weighted average assumptions of pension and postretirement benefits for each year:

	Pension Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at Measurement Date
Discount rate (a)		4.30	%		5.20	%		5.70	%		4.30	%		5.30	%		5.80	%
Rate of compensation increases		N/A			3.50	%		3.50	%		—			—			—
Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years ended December 31
Discount rate (b)		5.20	%		5.70	%		6.10	%		5.30	%		5.80	%		6.10	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.75	%		8.00	%		8.25	%		—			—			—
Rate of compensation increases		3.50	%		3.50	%		4.50	%		—			—			—

(a) In 2011, 2010 and 2009, the calculated discount rate for the unfunded pension plan was different than the defined benefit pension plan. The calculated rate for the supplemental employee retirement plan was 3.20%, 4.20% and 6.00% in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(b) In 2011 and 2010, the calculated discount rate for the unfunded pension plan was different than the defined benefit pension plan. The calculated rate for the supplemental employee retirement plan was 4.20% and 6.00% in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The discount rate is calculated based on projecting future cash flows and aligning each year’s cash flows to the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve and then calculating a weighted average discount rate for each plan. The Company has elected to use the nearest tenth of a percent from this calculated rate.

The expected long-term return on plan assets was determined based on the current asset allocation and historical results from plan inception. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on a target allocation of assets, which is based on a goal of earning the highest rate of return while maintaining risk at acceptable levels and is disclosed in the Plan Assets section of this Note. The plan strives to have assets sufficiently diversified so that adverse or unexpected results from one security class will not have an unduly detrimental impact on the entire portfolio.

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates at Beginning of Year

	2011			2010
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year		7.5	%		8.0	%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)		5.0	%		5.0	%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate		2017			2017

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The assumed health care cost trend rate has an effect on the amounts reported for postretirement benefits. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:

	One-Percentage-Point
(in thousands)	Increase			Decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2011	$	(18	)	$	16
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2011		(164	)		140

Plan Assets

The Company’s pension plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31 by asset category, are as follows:

Asset Category	2011			2010
Equity securities		57	%		68	%
Fixed income securities		41	%		31	%
Cash and equivalents		2	%		1	%
		100	%		100	%

The plan assets are allocated within the broader asset categories in investments that focus on more specific sectors. Within equity securities, subcategories include large cap growth, large cap value, small cap growth, small cap value, and internationally focused investment funds. These funds are judged in comparison to benchmark indexes that best match their specific category. Within fixed income securities, the funds are invested in a broad cross section of securities to ensure diversification. These include treasury, government agency, corporate, securitization, high yield, global, emerging market and other debt securities.

The investment policy and strategy for the assets of the Company’s funded defined benefit plan includes the following objectives:

• ensure superior long-term capital growth and capital preservation;

• reduce the level of the unfunded accrued liability in the plan; and

• offset the impact of inflation.

Risks of investing are managed through asset allocation and diversification. Investments are given extensive due diligence by an impartial third party investment firm. All investments are monitored and re-assessed by the Company’s pension committee on a semi-annual basis. Available investment options include U.S. Government and agency bonds and instruments, equity and debt securities of public corporations listed on U.S. stock exchanges, exchange listed U.S. mutual funds and institutional portfolios investing in equity and debt securities of publicly traded domestic or international companies and cash or money market securities. In order to reduce risk and volatility, the Company has placed the following portfolio market value limits on its investments, to which the investments must be rebalanced after each quarterly cash contribution. Note that the single security restriction does not apply to mutual funds or institutional investment portfolios. No securities are purchased on margin, nor are any derivatives used to create leverage. The overall expected long-term rate of return is determined by using long-term historical returns for equity and fixed income securities in proportion to their weight in the investment portfolio.

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	Percentage of Total Portfolio Market Value
	Minimum			Maximum			Single Security
Equity based		30	%		70	%		<5	%
Fixed income based		20	%		70	%		<5	%
Cash and equivalents		1	%		5	%		<5	%
Alternative investments		0	%		20	%		<5	%

The following table presents the fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company’s defined benefit pension plan at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

December 31, 2011

		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000
(in thousands) Assets	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	10,773	$	—	$	—	$	10,773
Money market fund		—		1,659		—		1,659
Equity funds		—		39,573		—		39,573
Fixed income funds		—		35,600		—		35,600
Total	$	10,773	$	76,832	$	—	$	87,605

December 31, 2010

		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000
(in thousands) Assets	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	12,119	$	—	$	—	$	12,119
Money market fund		—		793		—		793
Equity funds		—		45,502		—		45,502
Fixed income funds		—		25,683		—		25,683
Total	$	12,119	$	71,978	$	—	$	84,097

There is no equity or debt of the Company included in the assets of the defined benefit plan.

Cash Flows

The Company expects to make contributions to the defined benefit pension plan of up to $3.0 million in 2012. The Company reserves the right to contribute more or less than this amount. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company contributed $5.0 million to the defined benefit pension plan.

7. Segment Information

During the first quarter of 2011, management separated the segment previously reported as Grain & Ethanol into two separate reportable segments for external financial reporting. The Company 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.

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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.

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. Capital expenditures include additions to property, plant and equipment, software and intangible assets.

		$0,000,000		$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Revenues from external customers
Grain	$	2,849,358	$	1,936,813	$	1,734,574
Ethanol		641,546		468,639		419,404
Plant Nutrient		690,631		619,330		491,293
Rail		107,459		94,816		92,789
Turf & Specialty		129,716		123,549		125,306
Retail		157,621		150,644		161,938
Other		—		—		—
Total	$	4,576,331	$	3,393,791	$	3,025,304

		$0,000,000		$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Inter-segment sales
Grain	$	2	$	3	$	9
Ethanol		—		—		—
Plant Nutrient		16,527		13,517		12,245
Rail		593		637		634
Turf & Specialty		2,062		1,636		1,504
Retail		—		—		—
Other		—		—		—
Total	$	19,184	$	15,793	$	14,392

		$0,000,000			$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010		2009
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates
Grain	$	23,748		$	15,648	$	5,816
Ethanol		17,715			10,351		11,636
Plant Nutrient		(13	)		8		8
Rail		—			—		—
Turf & Specialty		—			—		—
Retail		—			—		—
Other		—			—		3
Total	$	41,450		$	26,007	$	17,463

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	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Other income, net
Grain	$	2,462	$	2,557	$	2,030
Ethanol		159		176		289
Plant Nutrient		704		1,298		1,755
Rail		2,866		4,502		485
Turf & Specialty		880		1,335		1,131
Retail		638		608		683
Other		213		1,176		1,958
Total	$	7,922	$	11,652	$	8,331

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010		2009
Interest expense (income)
Grain	$	13,277		$	6,686	$	8,735
Ethanol		1,048			1,629		628
Plant Nutrient		3,517			3,901		3,933
Rail		5,677			4,928		4,468
Turf & Specialty		1,381			1,604		1,429
Retail		899			1,039		961
Other		(543	)		78		534
Total	$	25,256		$	19,865	$	20,688

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Income (loss) before income taxes
Grain	$	87,288		$	64,374		$	33,777
Ethanol		23,344			17,013			17,577
Plant Nutrient		38,267			30,062			11,294
Rail		9,778			107			(1,034	)
Turf & Specialty		2,000			3,443			4,735
Retail		(1,520	)		(2,534	)		(2,843	)
Other		(12,998	)		(8,541	)		(3,225	)
Noncontrolling interest		1,719			219			1,215
Total	$	147,878		$	104,143		$	61,496

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Identifiable assets
Grain	$	883,395	$	978,273	$	451,056
Ethanol		148,975		121,207		145,985
Plant Nutrient		240,543		208,548		205,968
Rail (b) (c)		246,188		196,149		194,748
Turf & Specialty		69,487		62,643		63,353
Retail		52,018		52,430		45,696
Other		93,517		80,140		177,585
Total	$	1,734,123	$	1,699,390	$	1,284,391

^(a)  Rail acquired 100% of newly issued cumulative convertible preferred shares in the amount of $13.1 million in 2010.

^(b)  Rail also had purchases of railcars in the amount of $64.2 million, $18.4 million and $25.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Capital expenditures
Grain	$	24,284	$	10,343	$	6,129
Ethanol		—		—		16
Plant Nutrient		13,296		7,631		6,610
Rail		1,478		927		297
Turf & Specialty		2,089		2,237		1,305
Retail		1,230		8,827		1,157
Other		1,785		932		1,046
Total	$	44,162	$	30,897	$	16,560

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Cash invested in affiliates
Ethanol	$	—	$	395	$	1,100
Plant Nutrient		21		—		—
Other		100		—		100
Total	$	121	$	395	$	1,200

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Acquisition of businesses
Grain	$	—	$	39,293	$	—
Plant Nutrient		2,365		—		30,480
Total	$	2,365	$	39,293	$	30,480

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Depreciation and amortization
Grain	$	9,625	$	7,580	$	5,161
Ethanol		382		371		371
Plant Nutrient		9,913		10,225		8,665
Rail		14,780		15,107		15,967
Turf & Specialty		1,801		2,032		2,314
Retail		2,770		2,400		2,286
Other		1,566		1,198		1,256
Total	$	40,837	$	38,913	$	36,020

Grain sales for export to foreign markets amounted to $164.8 million, $267.3 million and $312.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Revenues from leased railcars in Canada totaled $13.3 million, $9.1 million and $12.4 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The net book value of the leased railcars at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $29.0 million and $22.0 million, respectively. Lease revenue on railcars in Mexico totaled $0.4 million in 2011, $0.3 million in 2010 and $0.3 million in 2009.

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8. Related Parties

Equity Method Investments

The Company, directly or indirectly, holds investments in companies that are accounted for under the equity method. The Company’s equity in these entities is presented at cost plus its accumulated proportional share of income or loss, less any distributions it has received.

In January 2003, the Company became a minority investor in LTG, which focuses on grain merchandising as well as trading related to the energy and biofuels industry. The Company has increased its investment in LTG over time. As a result of share redemptions by LTG, the Company’s ownership percentage in LTG increased to 52% during the second quarter of 2010. Even though the Company holds a majority of the outstanding shares, all major operating decisions of LTG are made by LTG’s Board of Directors and the Company does not have a majority of the board seats. In addition, based on the terms of the operating agreement between LTG and its owners, the minority shareholders have substantive participating rights that allow them to effectively participate in the decisions made in the ordinary course of business that are significant to LTG. Due to these factors, the Company does not have control over LTG and therefore accounts for this investment under the equity method. The Company sells and purchases both grain and ethanol with LTG in the ordinary course of business on terms similar to sales and purchases with unrelated customers.

In 2005, the Company became a minority investor in The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC (“TAAE”). TAAE is a producer of ethanol and its co-product distillers dried grains (“DDG”) at its 55 million gallon-per-year ethanol production facility in Albion, Michigan. The Company operates the facility under a management contract and provides corn origination, ethanol and DDG marketing and risk management services for which it is separately compensated. The Company also leases its Albion, Michigan grain facility to TAAE. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company purchased 59 additional units of TAAE from one of its investors. This purchase gives the Company 5,001 units, or a 50.01% ownership interest. While the Company holds a majority of the outstanding units of TAAE, a super-majority vote is required for all major operating decisions of TAAE based on the terms of the Operating Agreement. The Company has concluded that the super-majority vote requirement gives the minority shareholders substantive participating rights and therefore consolidation for book purposes is not appropriate. The Company accounts for its investment in TAAE under the equity method of accounting.

In 2006, the Company became a minority investor in The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC (“TACE”). TACE is also a producer of ethanol and its co-product DDG at a 110 million gallon-per-year ethanol production facility in Clymers, Indiana. The Company operates the facility under a management contract and provides corn origination, ethanol and DDG marketing and risk management services for which it is separately compensated. The Company also leases its Clymers, Indiana grain facility to TACE.

In 2006, the Company became a 50% investor in The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC (“TAME”). TAME is also a producer of ethanol and its co-product DDG at a 110 million gallon-per-year ethanol production facility in Greenville, Ohio. In January 2007, the Company transferred its 50% share in TAME to The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC (“TAEI”), a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, of which a third party owns 34% of the shares. The Company operates the facility under a management contract and provides corn origination, ethanol and DDG marketing and risk management services for which it is separately compensated. In 2009 TAEI invested an additional $1.1 million in TAME, retaining a 50% ownership interest.

The Company has marketing agreements with the three ethanol LLCs under which the Company purchases and markets the ethanol produced to external customers. As compensation for these marketing services, the Company earns a fee on each gallon of ethanol sold. For two of the LLCs, the Company purchases 100% of the ethanol produced and then sells it to external parties. For the third LLC, the Company buys only a portion of the ethanol produced. The Company acts as the principal in these ethanol sales transactions to external parties as the Company has ultimate responsibility of performance to the external parties. Substantially all of these purchases and subsequent sales are executed through forward contracts on matching terms and, outside of the fee the Company earns for each gallon sold, the Company does not recognize any gross profit on the sales transactions. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol purchased from related parties were $678.8 million, $482.6 million and $402.1 million, respectively. In addition to the ethanol marketing agreements, the Company holds corn origination agreements, under which the Company originates 100% of the corn used in production for each ethanol LLC.

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For this service, the Company receives a unit based fee. Similar to the ethanol sales described above, the Company acts as a principal in these transactions, and accordingly, records revenues on a gross basis. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues recognized for the sale of corn under these agreements were $706.6 million, $445.6 million and $404.2 million, respectively. As part of the corn origination agreements, the Company also markets the ethanol DDG produced by the entities. For this service the Company receives a unit based fee. The Company does not purchase any of the DDG from the ethanol entities; however, as part of the agreement, the Company guarantees payment by the customer for DDG sales where the Company has identified the buyer. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the three ethanol entities had a combined receivable balance for DDG of $7.8 million and $6.8 million, respectively, of which only $3,000 and $15,000, respectively, was more than thirty days past due. The Company has concluded that the fair value of this guarantee is inconsequential.

From time to time, the Company enters into derivative contracts with certain of its related parties, including the ethanol LLCs and LTG, for the purchase and sale of corn and ethanol, for similar price risk mitigation purposes and on similar terms as the purchase and sale of derivative contracts it enters into with unrelated parties. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of derivative contracts with related parties was a gross asset and liability of $0.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

The following table presents aggregate summarized financial information of LTG, TAAE, TACE and TAME as they qualified as significant subsidiaries in the aggregate. LTG was the only equity method investment that qualified as a significant subsidiary individually for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Sales	$	6,938,345	$	4,707,422	$	3,436,192
Gross profit		168,383		133,653		106,755
Income from continuing operations		90,510		59,046		37,439
Net income		87,673		57,691		37,757
Current assets		707,400		697,371
Non-current assets		336,554		352,441
Current liabilities		514,671		550,463
Non-current liabilities		100,315		115,735
Noncontrolling interest		26,799		31,294

The following table summarizes income earned from the Company’s equity method investees by entity:

(in thousands)	% ownership at December  31, 2011 (direct and indirect)	2011		December 31, 2010		2009
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC	50%	$	5,285	$	3,916	$	5,735
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC	38%		4,341		5,318		2,965
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC	50%		8,089		1,117		2,936
Lansing Trade Group, LLC	52% *		23,558		15,133		5,781
Other	7%-33%		177		523		46
Total		$	41,450	$	26,007	$	17,463

* This does not consider restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 2%.

Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates were $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The balance in retained earnings at December 31, 2011 that represents undistributed earnings of the Company’s equity method investments is $66.5 million.

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The following table presents the Company’s investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC	$	32,829	$	31,048
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC		40,001		37,496
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC		43,019		34,929
Lansing Trade Group, LLC		81,209		70,143
Other		2,003		1,733
Total	$	199,061	$	175,349

Investment in Debt Securities

During the second quarter of 2010, the Company paid $13.1 million to acquire 100% of newly issued cumulative convertible preferred shares of Iowa Northern Railway Corporation (“IANR”), which operates a short-line railroad in Iowa. As a result of this investment, the Company has a 49.9% voting interest in IANR, with the remaining 50.1% voting interest held by the common shareholders. The preferred shares purchased by the Company have certain rights associated with them, including voting, dividends, liquidation, redemption and conversion. Dividends accrue to the Company at a rate of 14% annually whether or not declared by IANR and are cumulative in nature. The Company can convert its preferred shares into common shares of IANR at any time, but the shares cannot be redeemed until after five years. This investment is accounted for as “available-for-sale” debt securities in accordance with ASC 320 and is carried at estimated fair value in other noncurrent assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimated fair value of the Company’s investment in IANR as of December 31, 2011 was $20.4 million. Dividends received for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $0.9 million.

Based on the Company’s assessment, IANR is considered a variable interest entity (VIE). Since the Company does not possess the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, it is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of IANR and therefore does not consolidate IANR. The decisions that most significantly impact the economic performance of IANR are made by IANR’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has five directors; two directors from the Company, two directors from the common shareholders and one independent director who is elected by unanimous decision of the other four directors. The vote of four of the five directors is required for all key decisions.

The Company’s current maximum exposure to loss related to IANR is $22.3 million, which represents the Company’s investment at fair value plus unpaid accrued dividends to date of $1.9 million. The Company does not have any obligation or commitments to provide additional financial support to IANR.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company will enter into related party transactions with each of the investments described above, along with other related parties. The following table sets forth the related party transactions entered into for the time periods presented:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Sales and revenues	$	864,216	$	531,452	$	474,724
Purchases of product		636,144		454,314		411,423
Lease income (a)		6,128		5,431		5,442
Labor and benefits reimbursement (b)		10,784		10,760		10,195
Other expenses (c)		192		—		—
Accounts receivable at December 31 (d)		14,730		14,991		13,641
Accounts payable at December 31 (e)		24,530		13,930		18,069

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(a) Lease income includes the lease of the Company’s Albion, Michigan and Clymers, Indiana grain facilities as well as certain railcars to the various LLCs and IANR.

(b) The Company provides all operational labor to the ethanol LLCs and charges them an amount equal to the Company’s costs of the related services.

(c) Other expenses include payments to IANR for repair shop rent and use of their railroad reporting mark.

(d) Accounts receivable represents amounts due from related parties for sales of corn, leasing revenue and service fees.

(e) Accounts payable represents amounts due to related parties for purchases of ethanol.

The Company has a processing agreement with Midwest Renewable Energy, LLC (“MRE”) through its acquisition of B4 Grain, Inc. which was completed on December 31, 2010. The agreement stipulates that the Company supplies a sufficient quantity of corn to MRE to allow for ethanol processing at full capacity which the Company will then market on their behalf. The Company has evaluated all of the applicable criteria for an entity subject to consolidation under the provisions of ASC 810-10-15 and has concluded that MRE is considered a VIE. However, as the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact MRE’s economic performance, and does not have the obligation to absorb the losses or right to receive the benefits of MRE, it is not the primary beneficiary of MRE. Therefore, consolidation is not required under the variable interest model. There is no significant risk of loss to the Company relating to this VIE as the Company does not have any equity at risk or obligation to provide additional financial support to MRE.

9. Fair Value Measurements

Generally accepted accounting principles defines fair value as an exit price and also establishes a framework for measuring fair value. An exit price represents the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy is used, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

• Level 1 inputs: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

• Level 2 inputs: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and

• Level 3 inputs: Unobservable inputs (e.g., a reporting entity’s own data).

In many cases, a valuation technique used to measure fair value includes inputs from multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy.

The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

(in thousands)	December 31, 2011
Assets (liabilities)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
Cash equivalents	$	183	$	—	$	—		$	183
Commodity derivatives, net		43,503		22,876		2,467			68,846
Convertible preferred securities (b)		—		—		20,360			20,360
Other assets and liabilities (a)		24,875		—		(2,178	)		22,697
Total	$	68,561	$	22,876	$	20,649		$	112,086

(in thousands)	December 31, 2010
Assets (liabilities)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
Cash equivalents	$	213	$	—	$	—		$	213
Commodity derivatives, net		61,559		129,723		12,406			203,688
Convertible preferred securities (b)		—		—		15,790			15,790
Other assets and liabilities (a)		17,983		—		(2,156	)		15,827
Total	$	79,755	$	129,723	$	26,040		$	235,518

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(a) Included in other assets and liabilities is restricted cash, interest rate and foreign currency derivatives, swaptions and deferred compensation assets.

(b) Recorded in “Other noncurrent assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets

Level 1 commodity derivatives reflect the fair value of the futures and options contracts that the Company holds, net of the cash collateral that the Company has in its margin account.

A reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for the Company’s fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs is as follows:

	2011								2010
(in thousands)	Interest rate derivatives and swaptions			Convertible preferred securities		Commodity derivatives, net			Interest rate derivatives			Convertible preferred securities		Commodity derivatives, net
Asset (liability) at December 31,	$	(2,156	)	$	15,790	$	12,406		$	(1,763	)	$	—	$	1,948
Investment in debt securities		—			—		—			—			13,100		—
Gains (losses) included in earnings		(560	)		—		(9,109	)		(132	)		—		(1,519	)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		(62	)		—		—			(297	)		—		—
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities included in other comprehensive income		—			4,570		—			—			2,690		—
New contracts entered into		600			—		—			36			—		—
Transfers to level 2		—			—		(1,234	)		—			—		—
Transfers from level 2		—			—		404			—			—		11,977
Asset (liability) at December 31,	$	(2,178	)	$	20,360	$	2,467		$	(2,156	)	$	15,790	$	12,406

The majority of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the market approach valuation technique. With the market approach, fair value is derived using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

The Company’s convertible preferred securities are measured at fair value using a combination of the income and market approaches. Specifically, the income approach incorporates the use of the Discounted Cash Flow method, whereas the Market Approach incorporates the use of the Guideline Public Company method. Application of the Discounted Cash Flow method requires estimating the annual cash flows that the business enterprise is expected to generate in the future. The assumptions input into this method are estimated annual cash flows for a specified estimation period, the discount rate, and the terminal value at the end of the estimation period. In the Guideline Public Company method, valuation multiples, including total invested capital, are calculated based on financial statements and stock price data from selected guideline publicly traded companies. A comparative analysis is then performed for factors including, but not limited to size, profitability and growth to determine fair value.

The Company’s net commodity derivatives primarily consist of futures or options contracts via regulated exchanges and contracts with producers or customers under which the future settlement date and bushels (or gallons in the case of ethanol contracts) of commodities to be delivered (primarily wheat, corn, soybeans and ethanol) are fixed and under which the price may or may not be fixed. Depending on the specifics of the individual contracts, the fair value is derived from the futures or options prices on the CME or the New York Mercantile Exchange for similar commodities and delivery dates as well as observable quotes for local basis adjustments (the difference, which is attributable to local market conditions, between the quoted futures price and the local cash price). Although nonperformance risk, both of the Company and the counterparty, is present in each of these commodity contracts and is a component of the estimated fair values, based on the Company’s historical experience with its producers and customers and the Company’s knowledge of their businesses, the Company does not view nonperformance risk to be a significant input to fair value for the majority of these commodity contracts.

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However, in situations where the Company believes that nonperformance risk exists, based on past or present experience with a customer or knowledge of the customer’s operations or financial condition, the Company classifies these commodity contracts as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and, accordingly, records estimated fair value adjustments based on internal projections and views of these contracts.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Certain long-term notes payable and the Company’s debenture bonds bear fixed rates of interest and terms of up to 10 years. Based upon the Company’s credit standing and current interest rates offered by the Company on similar bonds and rates currently available to the Company for long-term borrowings with similar terms and remaining maturities, the Company estimates the fair values of its long-term debt instruments outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, as follows:

(in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
2011:
Fixed rate long-term notes payable	$	179,160	$	186,918
Long-term notes payable, non-recourse		954		966
Debenture bonds		29,483		30,666
	$	209,597	$	218,550
2010:
Fixed rate long-term notes payable	$	196,242	$	199,292
Long-term notes payable, non-recourse		15,991		16,157
Debenture bonds		36,887		39,991
	$	249,120	$	255,440

The fair values of the Company’s cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their carrying values as they are close to maturity.

10. Debt

Borrowing Arrangements

The Company maintains a borrowing arrangement with a syndicate of banks, which was amended on December 7, 2011, and provides the Company with $735 million (“Line A”) in short-term lines of credit and $115 million (“Line B”) in long-term lines of credit. It also provides the Company with $90 million in letters of credit. Any amounts outstanding on letters of credit will reduce the amount available on the lines of credit. The Company had standby letters of credit outstanding of $35.1 million at December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, $71.5 million in borrowings was outstanding on Line A and no borrowings were outstanding on Line B. Borrowings under the line of credit bear interest at variable interest rates, which are based off LIBOR plus an applicable spread. The maturity date for Line A is December 2014 and September 2015 for Line B. Draw downs that are less than 90 days are recorded net in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The long-term portion of the syndicate line can be drawn on and the resulting debt considered long-term when used for long-term purposes such as replacing long-term debt that is maturing, funding the purchase of long-term assets, or increasing permanent working capital when needed. The expectation at the time of drawing is that it will be kept open until more permanent replacement debt is secured, until other long-term assets are sold, or earnings are generated to pay it down.

The Company drew $20.0 million on the long-term syndicate line at the end of the first quarter, and again in the second quarter of 2011 as a partial replacement for $25.0 million in long-term private placement debt that was becoming a current maturity and another $17.0 million that was maturing. In the second half of the year, a combination of reduced borrowings due to a drop in commodity prices, increasing earnings and working capital, and lower capital spending than originally planned resulted in pay down of a

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significant amount of long-term debt. Total payments of long-term debt are $104.0 million year-to-date.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had a total of $743.4 million available for borrowing under its lines of credit.

The following information relates to short-term borrowings:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011			2010			2009
Maximum amount borrowed	$	601,500		$	305,000		$	92,700
Weighted average interest rate		2.73	%		3.69	%		2.89	%

Long-Term Debt

Recourse Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011		2010
Note payable, 4.80%, payable at maturity, due 2011	$	—	$	17,000
Note payable, 4.55%, payable at maturity, due 2012		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 5.52 %, payable at maturity, due 2013		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 6.10%, payable at maturity, due 2014		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 6.12%, payable at maturity, due 2015		61,500		61,500
Note payable, 6.78%, payable at maturity due 2018		41,500		41,500
Note payable, variable rate (2.82% at December 31, 2010), payable $110 monthly plus interest, due 2012 (a)		—		10,031
Note payable, variable rate (1.65% at December 31, 2011), payable in increasing amounts ($875 annually at December 31, 2011) plus interest, due 2023 (a)		13,715		14,590
Note payable, variable rate (1.09% at December 31, 2011), payable $58 monthly plus interest, due 2016 (a)		10,150		10,850
Note payable, 8.5%, payable $15 monthly, due 2016 (a)		1,160		1,242
Industrial development revenue bonds:
Variable rate (2.76% at December 31, 2011), due 2017 (a)		8,881		9,000
Variable rate (2.19% at December 31, 2011), due 2019 (a)		4,650		4,650
Variable rate (2.25% at December 31, 2011), due 2025 (a)		3,100		3,100
Variable rate (1.87% at December 31, 2011), due 2036 (a)		21,000		—
Debenture bonds, 4.00% to 6.5%, due 2011 through 2021		29,483		36,887
Other notes payable and bonds		—		8
		270,139		285,358
Less: current maturities		32,051		21,683
	$	238,088	$	263,675

(a) Debt is collateralized by first mortgages on certain facilities and related equipment or other assets with a book value of $41.6 million

The Company called certain issues of debenture bonds earning a rate of interest of 6% or higher during the fourth quarter of 2011. The total amount called was $18.3 million. At December 31, 2011, the Company had $8.9 million of five-year term debenture bonds bearing interest at 3.0% and $2.7 million of ten-year term debenture bonds bearing interest at 4.25% available for sale under an existing registration statement.

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The Company’s short-term and long-term borrowing agreements include both financial and non-financial covenants that, among other things, require the Company at a minimum to maintain:

• tangible net worth of not less than $300 million

• current ratio net of hedged inventory of not less than 1.25 to 1

• debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 70%

• asset coverage ratio of not more than 70%

• interest coverage ratio of not less than 2.75 to 1

The Company was in compliance with all covenants at and during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

The aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows: 2012 — $32.1 million; 2013 — $27.2 million; 2014 — $29.6 million; 2015 — $70.0 million; 2016 — $16.5 million; and $94.8 million thereafter.

Non-Recourse Debt

The Company’s non-recourse long-term debt consists of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011		2010
Note payable, 5.96%, payable $218 monthly plus interest, due 2013	$	—	$	14,550
Note payable, 6.37%, payable $24 monthly, due 2014		954		1,405
Note payable, 7.06%, payable $2 monthly, due 2011		—		36
		954		15,991
Less: current maturities		157		2,841
	$	797	$	13,150

In 2005, The Andersons Rail Operating I (“TARO I”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $41 million in non-recourse long-term debt for the purpose of purchasing 2,293 railcars and related leases from the Company. The balance outstanding on the TARO I non-recourse long-term debt at December 31, 2010 was $14.6 million. The full amount of the note was paid off prior to December 31, 2011.

The aggregate annual maturities of non-recourse, long-term debt are as follows: 2012 — $0.2 million; 2013 — $0.2 million; 2014 — $0.6 million and $0.0 million thereafter.

Interest paid (including interest on short-term lines of credit) amounted to $25.2 million, $20.0 million and $20.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Railcar leasing activities:

The Company is a lessor of railcars. The majority of railcars are leased to customers under operating leases that may be either net leases (where the customer pays for all maintenance) or full service leases (where the Company provides maintenance and fleet management services). The Company also provides such services to financial intermediaries to whom it has sold railcars and locomotives in non-recourse lease transactions. Fleet management services generally include maintenance, escrow, tax filings and car tracking services.

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Many of the Company’s leases provide for renewals. The Company also generally holds purchase options for railcars it has sold and leased-back from a financial intermediary, and railcars sold in non-recourse lease transactions. These purchase options are for stated amounts which are determined at the inception of the lease and are intended to approximate the estimated fair value of the applicable railcars at the date for which such purchase options can be exercised.

Lease income from operating leases (with the Company as lessor) to customers (including month to month and per diem leases) and rental expense for railcar operating leases (with the Company as lessee) were as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Rental and service income – operating leases	$	68,124	$	60,700	$	73,575
Rental expense	$	16,303	$	20,023	$	24,271

Lease income recognized under per diem arrangements (described in Note 1) totaled $2.9 million, $2.6 million and $3.9 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and is included in the amounts above.

Future minimum rentals and service income for all noncancelable railcar operating leases greater than one year are as follows:

(in thousands)	Future Rental and Service Income – Operating Leases		Future Minimum Rental Payments
Year ended December 31,
2012	$	53,848	$	12,575
2013		39,435		9,014
2014		26,676		6,572
2015		19,756		6,396
2016		14,704		6,174
Future years		22,923		10,230
	$	177,342	$	50,961

The Company also arranges non-recourse lease transactions under which it sells railcars or locomotives to financial intermediaries and assigns the related operating lease on a non-recourse basis. The Company generally provides ongoing railcar maintenance and management services for the financial intermediaries, and receives a fee for such services when earned. Management and service fees earned in 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $2.8 million, $2.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

Other leasing activities:

The Company, as a lessee, leases real property, vehicles and other equipment under operating leases. Certain of these agreements contain lease renewal and purchase options. The Company also leases excess property to third parties. Net rental expense under these agreements was $6.3 million, $5.6 million and $5.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Future minimum lease payments (net of sublease income commitments) under agreements in effect at December 31, 2011 are as follows: 2012 — $4.2 million; 2013 — $3.0 million; 2014 — $1.8 million; 2015 — $1.3 million; 2016 — $0.4 million; and $1.4 million thereafter.

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In addition to the above, the Company leases its Albion, Michigan and Clymers, Indiana grain elevators under operating leases to two of its ethanol joint ventures. The Albion, Michigan grain elevator lease expires in 2056. The initial term of the Clymers, Indiana grain elevator lease ends in 2014 and provides for 5 renewals of 7.5 years each. Lease income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1.9 million, $1.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Litigation activities:

The Company is party to litigation, or threats thereof, both as defendant and plaintiff with some regularity, although individual cases that are material in size occur infrequently. As a defendant, the Company establishes reserves for claimed amounts that are considered probable, and capable of estimation. If those cases are resolved for lesser amounts, the excess reserves are taken into income and, conversely, if those cases are resolved for larger than the amount the Company has accrued, the Company records a charge to income. The Company believes it is unlikely that the results of its current legal proceedings for which it is the defendant, even if unfavorable, will be material. As a plaintiff, amounts that are collected can also result in sudden, non-recurring income. Litigation results depend upon a variety of factors, including the availability of evidence, the credibility of witnesses, the performance of counsel, the state of the law, and the impressions of judges and jurors, any of which can be critical in importance, yet difficult, if not impossible, to predict. Consequently, cases currently pending, or future matters, may result in unexpected, and non-recurring losses, or income, from time to time. Finally, litigation results are often subject to judicial reconsideration, appeal and further negotiation by the parties, and as a result, the final impact of a particular judicial decision may be unknown for some time, or may result in continued reserves to account for the potential of such post-verdict actions.

The estimated range of loss for all outstanding claims that are considered reasonably possible of occurring is not significant. There are several pending claims for which the question of loss or the range of loss cannot be estimated at this time, among them the investigation of the Maumee River in Toledo Ohio with which we are cooperating.

In 2011, the Company received a trial verdict in the amount of $3.2 million in a civil suit, for which both the Company and the defendant have subsequently filed appeals. No income has been recorded to-date due to uncertainty of the final amount and overall collectability of any amount against the defendant.

12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company has goodwill of $12.5 million included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Goodwill includes $5.0 million in the Grain business, $6.8 million in the Plant Nutrient business and $0.7 million in the Turf & Specialty business. The total amount of goodwill in the Plant Nutrient business includes $1.7 million goodwill from the 2011 acquisition discussed in Note 16, Business Acquisitions.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of December 31 or whenever events or circumstances change that would indicate that an impairment of goodwill may be present. There have been no goodwill impairment charges historically. In 2010, the reporting units’ fair value significantly exceeded its carrying value. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment analysis. In performing this qualitative assessment of goodwill, management has considered the following relevant events and circumstances:

• Macroeconomic conditions including, but not limited to deterioration in general economic conditions, limitation on accessing capital, or other developments in equity and credit markets;

• Industry and market considerations such as a deterioration in the environment in which an entity operates, an increased competitive environment, a change in the market for an entity’s products or services, or a regulatory or political development;

• Cost factors such as increases in commodity prices, raw materials, labor, or other costs that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows;

• Overall financial performance such as negative or declining cash flows or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods;

• Other relevant entity-specific events such as changes in management, key personnel, strategy, or customers and;

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• Events affecting a reporting unit such as a change in the composition or carrying amount of its net assets, a more-likely-than-not expectation of selling or disposing all, or a portion, of a reporting unit, the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit, or recognition of a goodwill impairment loss in the financial statements of a subsidiary that is a component of a reporting unit.

There is a certain degree of uncertainty associated with the key assumptions used. Potential events or changes in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the key assumptions include significant volatility in commodity prices or raw material prices and unanticipated changes in the economy or industries within which the businesses operate. When considering all factors in totality, management believes it is more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill exceeds its carrying amount, and as such, no further analysis was required for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment.

The Company’s intangible assets are included in other assets and are as follows:

(in thousands)	Group	Original Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
December 31, 2011
Amortized intangible assets
Acquired customer list	Rail	$	3,462	$	3,331	$	131
Acquired customer list	Plant Nutrient		4,096		1,098		2,998
Acquired customer list	Grain		1,250		433		817
Acquired non-compete agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,319		847		472
Acquired non-compete agreement	Grain		175		46		129
Acquired marketing agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,607		825		782
Acquired supply agreement	Plant Nutrient		4,846		1,443		3,403
Acquired grower agreement	Grain		300		175		125
Patents and other	Various		943		474		469
Lease intangible	Rail		2,222		1,433		789
		$	20,220	$	10,105	$	10,115
December 31, 2010
Amortized intangible assets
Acquired customer list	Rail	$	3,462	$	3,299	$	163
Acquired customer list	Plant Nutrient		3,846		670		3,176
Acquired customer list	Grain		1,250		150		1,100
Acquired non-compete agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,250		594		656
Acquired non-compete agreement	Grain		175		11		164
Acquired marketing agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,604		619		985
Acquired supply agreement	Plant Nutrient		4,846		926		3,920
Acquired grower agreement	Grain		300		75		225
Acquired patents and other	Various		943		401		542
Lease intangible	Rail		1,673		633		1,040
		$	19,349	$	7,378	$	11,971

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $2.8 million, $2.4 million and $1.2 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Expected future annual amortization expense is as follows: 2012 — $2.8 million; 2013 — $1.6 million; 2014 — $1.2 million; 2015 — $1.0 million; and 2016 — $0.9 million.

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13. Income Taxes

Income tax provision applicable to continuing operations consists of the following:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Current:
Federal	$	39,015		$	22,288		$	4,848
State and local		5,603			3,613			828
Foreign		962			1,156			(176	)
	$	45,580		$	27,057		$	5,500
Deferred:
Federal	$	5,281		$	13,558		$	15,638
State and local		553			595			1,833
Foreign		(361	)		(1,948	)		(1,041	)
	$	5,473		$	12,205		$	16,430
Total:
Federal	$	44,296		$	35,846		$	20,486
State and local		6,156			4,208			2,661
Foreign		601			(792	)		(1,217	)
	$	51,053		$	39,262		$	21,930

Income before income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010			2009
U.S. income	$	146,420	$	106,184		$	64,359
Foreign		1,458		(2,041	)		(2,863	)
	$	147,878	$	104,143		$	61,496

A reconciliation from the statutory U.S. federal tax rate to the effective tax rate follows:

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:
Effect of qualified domestic production deduction		(1.6	)		(1.1	)		(0.4	)
Effect of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act		—			1.4			—
State and local income taxes, net of related federal taxes		2.7			2.5			2.8
Other, net		(1.6	)		(0.1	)		(1.7	)
Effective tax rate		34.5	%		37.7	%		35.7	%

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Income taxes paid in 2011 were $48.9 million. Income taxes paid in 2010 were $24.8 million. Income tax refunds of $24.2 million were received in 2009.

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment and railcar assets leased to others	$	(72,997	)	$	(64,392	)
Prepaid employee benefits		(15,419	)		(12,724	)
Investments		(23,262	)		(20,242	)
Other		(3,205	)		(3,877	)
		(114,883	)		(101,235	)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits		42,482			32,463
Accounts and notes receivable		1,909			2,212
Inventory		6,326			7,056
Deferred expenses		16,022			10,036
Net operating loss carryforwards		1,299			1,207
Other		3,688			2,425
Total deferred tax assets		71,726			55,399
Valuation allowance		—			—
		71,726			55,399
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(43,157	)	$	(45,836	)

On December 31, 2011 the Company had $13.9 million in state net operating loss carryforwards that expire from 2017 to 2023. A deferred tax asset of $0.6 million has been recorded with respect to state net operating loss carryforwards. No valuation allowance has been established because based on all available evidence, the Company concluded it is more likely than not that it will realize the deferred tax asset. On December 31, 2010 the Company had recorded a $0.6 million deferred tax asset and no valuation allowance with respect to state net operating loss carryforwards.

On December 31, 2011, the Company had $2.9 million in cumulative Canadian net operating losses that expire from 2029 to 2031. A deferred tax asset of $0.7 million has been recorded with respect to Canadian net operating loss carryforwards. No valuation allowance has been established because based on all available evidence, the Company concluded it is more likely than not that it will realize the deferred tax asset. On December 31, 2010 the Company had recorded a deferred tax asset, and no valuation allowance, of $0.6 million with respect to Canadian net operating loss carryforwards.

On December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded a $2.0 million deferred tax asset related to U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards that expire from 2020 through 2022. No valuation allowance has been established because based on all available evidence, the Company concluded it is more likely than not that it will realize the deferred tax asset. On December 31, 2010, the Company had $0.8 million in U.S. foreign credit carryforwards that expire in 2020 and 2021 and no valuation allowance with respect to the foreign credit carryforwards.

The Company accounts for utilization of windfall tax benefits based on tax law ordering and considered only the direct effects of stock-based compensation for purposes of measuring the windfall at settlement of an award. During 2011, there was no cash resulting from the exercise of awards and the Company realized no tax benefit from the exercise of awards. For 2010, the amount of cash resulting from the exercise of awards was $0.2 million and the tax benefit the Company realized from the exercise of awards was $0.8 million.

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The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S., various foreign jurisdictions and various state and local jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to examinations by U.S. tax authorities for years before 2007 and is no longer subject to examinations by foreign jurisdictions for years before 2006. The Company is no longer subject to examination by state tax authorities in most states for tax years before 2008.

A reconciliation of the January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	727
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		28
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years		(25	)
Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		(153	)
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(259	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		318
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		20
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		474
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(198	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		614
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		—
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		43
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(22	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	635

The unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011 are associated with positions taken on state income tax returns, and would decrease the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not anticipate any significant changes during 2012 in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company has elected to classify interest and penalties as interest expense and penalty expense, respectively, rather than as income tax expense. The Company has $0.2 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2011. The net interest and penalties expense for 2011 is $0.1 million benefit, due to the reduction in uncertain tax positions and associated release of previously recorded interest and penalties. The Company had $0.3 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2010. The net interest and penalties expense for 2010 was $0.1 million.

14. Stock Compensation Plans

The Company’s 2005 Long-Term Performance Compensation Plan, dated May 6, 2005 (the “LT Plan”), authorizes the Board of Directors to grant options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares and share awards to employees and outside directors for up to 400,000 of the Company’s common shares plus 426,000 common shares that remained available under a prior plan. In 2008, shareholders approved an additional 500,000 of the Company’s common shares to be available under the LT Plan. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 396,000 shares remain available for grant under the LT Plan. Options granted have a maximum term of 10 years.

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards are based on the grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. Total compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income for all stock compensation programs was $4.1 million, $2.6 million and $2.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights (“SOSARs”) and Stock Options

Beginning in 2006, the Company discontinued granting options to directors and management and instead began granting SOSARs. SOSARs granted to directors and management personnel under the LT Plan beginning in 2008 have a term of five-years and have three year graded vesting. The SOSARs granted in 2006 and 2007 have a term of five years and vest after three years. SOSARs granted under the LT Plan are structured as fixed grants with the exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying stock on the date of the grant. The related compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period.

Beginning in 2011, the Company replaced the SOSAR equity awards with full value Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”). No SOSAR equity awards were granted in 2011.

The fair value for SOSARs granted in previous years was estimated at the date of grant, using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions listed below. Volatility was estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common shares over the past five years. The average expected life was based on the contractual term of the award and expected employee exercise and post-vesting employment termination trends. The risk-free rate is based on U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant based on historical experience.

	2011		2010			2009
Risk free interest rate		—		1.96	%		1.89	%
Dividend yield		—		1.10	%		3.18	%
Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company’s common shares		—		.560			.520
Expected life for the options (in years)		—		4.10			4.10

A reconciliation of the number of SOSARs and stock options outstanding and exercisable under the Long-Term Performance Compensation Plan as of December 31, 2011, and changes during the period then ended is as follows:

	Shares (000’s)			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000’s)
Options & SOSARs outstanding at January 1, 2011		851		$	33.38
SOSARs granted		—			—
Options exercised		(329	)		35.66
Options & SOSARs cancelled / forfeited		(19	)		41.65
Options and SOSARs outstanding at December 31, 2011		503		$	31.56		1.81	$	6,380
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2011		501		$	31.58		1.80	$	6,352
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		363		$	34.57		1.41	$	3,597

	2011		2010		2009
Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended December 31 (000’s)	$	3,817	$	2,724	$	2,127
Total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31 (000’s)	$	816	$	3,084	$	4,145
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31	$	—	$	13.75	$	3.80

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As of December 31, 2011, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options and SOSARs granted under the LT Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over the next 0.17 years.

Restricted Stock Awards

The LT Plan permits awards of restricted stock. These shares carry voting and dividend rights; however, sale of the shares is restricted prior to vesting. Restricted shares have a three year vesting period. Total restricted stock expense is equal to the market value of the Company’s common shares on the date of the award and is recognized over the service period. In 2011, there were 46,862 shares issued to members of management and directors.

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2011, and changes during the period then ended, is presented below:

Nonvested Shares	Shares (000)’s			Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2011		64		$	26.52
Granted		47			47.80
Vested		(17	)		45.49
Forfeited		(1	)		40.81
Nonvested at December 31, 2011		93		$	33.54

	2011		2010		2009
Total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31 (000’s)	$	1,367	$	566	$	109
Weighted average fair value of restricted shares granted during the year ended December 31	$	47.80	$	32.75	$	11.02

As of December 31, 2011, there was $1.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted shares granted under the LT Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over the next 2.0 years.

Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)

The LT Plan also allows for the award of PSUs. Each PSU gives the participant the right to receive common shares dependent on the achievement of specified performance results over a three calendar year performance period. At the end of the performance period, the number of shares of stock issued will be determined by adjusting the award upward or downward from a target award. Fair value of PSUs issued is based on the market value of the Company’s common shares on the date of the award. The related compensation expense is recognized over the performance period when achievement of the award is probable and is adjusted for changes in the number of shares expected to be issued if changes in performance are expected. In 2011 there were 77,025 PSUs issued to members of management. Currently, the Company is accounting for the awards granted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 at 40%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, of the maximum amount available for issuance.

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PSUs Activity

A summary of the status of the Company’s PSUs as of December 31, 2011, and changes during the period then ended, is presented below:

Nonvested Shares	Shares (000)’s			Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2011		124		$	26.90
Granted		77			47.80
Vested		—			—
Forfeited		(36	)		44.97
Nonvested at December 31, 2011		165		$	32.73

	2011		2010		2009
Weighted average fair value of PSUs granted during the year ended December 31	$	47.80	$	32.69	$	10.81

As of December 31, 2011, there was $2.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested PSUs granted under the LT Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over the next 2.0 years.

Employee Share Purchase Plan (the “ESP Plan”)

The Company’s 2004 ESP Plan allows employees to purchase common shares through payroll withholdings. The Company has approximately 266,000 common shares remaining available for issuance to and purchase by employees under this plan. The ESP Plan also contains an option component. The purchase price per share under the ESP Plan is the lower of the market price at the beginning or end of the year. The Company records a liability for withholdings not yet applied towards the purchase of common stock.

The fair value of the option component of the ESP Plan is estimated at the date of grant under the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions for the appropriate year. Expected volatility was estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common shares over the past year. The average expected life was based on the contractual term of the plan. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury issues with a one year term. Forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant based on historical experience.

	2011			2010			2009
Employee Share Purchase Plan
Risk free interest rate		0.27	%		0.47	%		0.37	%
Dividend yield		1.21	%		1.10	%		2.06	%
Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company’s common shares		.340			.544			.673
Expected life for the options (in years)		1.00			1.00			1.00

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15. Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2011 and 2010:

(in thousands, except for per common share data) Quarter Ended	Sales and merchandising revenues		Gross profit		Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.		Earnings per share- basic		Earnings per share- diluted
2011
March 31	$	1,001,674	$	78,685	$	17,266	$	0.93	$	0.93
June 30		1,338,167		122,772		45,218		2.44		2.42
September 30		938,660		64,964		10,925		0.59		0.59
December 31		1,297,830		86,431		21,697		1.17		1.17
Year	$	4,576,331	$	352,852	$	95,106		5.13		5.09
2010
March 31	$	721,998	$	58,550	$	12,265	$	0.67	$	0.66
June 30		810,999		87,554		25,169		1.37		1.36
September 30		706,825		53,109		1,394		0.08		0.08
December 31		1,153,969		82,466		25,834		1.40		1.39
Year	$	3,393,791	$	281,679	$	64,662		3.51		3.48

Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. As such, the summation of the quarterly amounts may not equal the total net income per share reported for the year.

16. Business Acquisitions

On October 31, 2011, the Company completed the purchase of Immokalee Farmers Supply, Inc., which serves the specialty vegetable producers in Southwest Florida, for a total purchase price of $3.0 million, which includes a $0.6 million payable recorded in other long-term liabilities and is based on future performance of the acquired company.

On May 1, 2010, the Company acquired two grain cleaning and storage facilities from O’Malley Grain, Inc. (“O’Malley”) for a purchase price of $7.8 million. O’Malley is a supplier of consistent, high quality food-grade corn to the snack food and tortilla industries with facilities in Nebraska and Illinois.

On December 31, 2010, the Company acquired the assets of B4 Grain, Inc. (“B4”), for a purchase price of $35.1 million, including cash paid through December 31, 2010 of $31.5 million. B4 has three grain elevators located in Nebraska, two of which are owned and have a combined storage capacity of 1.9 million bushels and another that is leased with storage capacity of 1.1 million bushels. B4’s focus is on their direct ship program, which complements the Company’s existing direct ship program that it is currently expanding.

The goodwill recognized as a result of the O’Malley and B4 acquisitions is $1.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively, and relates to expected synergies from combining operations.

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The summarized purchase price allocation for the two 2010 acquisitions is as follows:

	B4			O’Malley			Total
Current assets	$	44,428		$	4,097		$	48,525
Intangible assets		350			1,375			1,725
Goodwill		2,850			1,231			4,081
Property, plant and equipment		1,879			5,959			7,838
Other long-term assets		1,005			111			1,116
Current liabilities		(15,383	)		(4,864	)		(20,247	)
Other long-term liabilities		—			(126	)		(126	)
Total purchase price (a)	$	35,129		$	7,783		$	42,912

(a) Of the $35.1 million purchase price for B4, $0.8 million remained in accounts payable and a $2.8 million earn-out provision remained in other-long term liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2010.

Approximately $1.1 million of the O’Malley intangible assets (which include customer lists and a non-compete agreement) are being amortized over 5 years. The other $0.3 million (which consists of a grower’s list) is being amortized over 3 years.

The B4 intangible assets include $0.1 million for a non-compete agreement and $0.3 million for a customer list. The non-compete agreement is being amortized over 5 years and the customer list is being amortized over 3 years. The purchase agreement for B4 includes an earn-out provision. The prior owners of B4 have the ability to receive an additional $3.5 million if certain income levels are achieved over the next five years. The estimated fair value of this contingent liability is $2.8 million and is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet. In addition to the $2.8 million of contingent consideration, there is an additional $0.8 million of the initial purchase price that remained unpaid at December 31, 2010. This is recorded in accounts payable in the Company’s balance sheet.

17. Subsequent Events

On January 31, 2012, the Company announced the purchase of 100% of the stock of New Eezy Gro, Inc. for a purchase price of $15.5 million plus working capital in the amount of $1.4 million. New Eezy Gro is a manufacturer and wholesale marketer of specialty agricultural nutrients and industrial products and will become a part of the Company’s Plant Nutrient Group. The purchase price allocation will not be available prior to the filing of this Form 10-K.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

The Company is not organized with one Chief Financial Officer. Our Vice President, Corporate Controller is responsible for all accounting decisions while our Vice President, Finance and Treasurer is responsible for all treasury, insurance and credit functions and financing decisions. Each of them, along with the President and Chief Executive Officer (“Certifying Officers”), are responsible for evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures. These Certifying Officers have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as of December 31, 2011, and have determined that such controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

89

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is included in Item 8 on page 42.

There were no significant changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2011, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

90

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

For information with respect to the executive officers of the registrant, see “Executive Officers of the Registrant” included in Part I of this report. For information with respect to the Directors of the registrant, see “Election of Directors” in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2012 (the “Proxy Statement”), which is incorporated herein by reference; for information concerning 1934 Securities and Exchange Act Section 16(a) Compliance, see such section in the Proxy Statement, incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The information set forth under the caption “Share Ownership” and “Executive Compensation – Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The information set forth under the caption “Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information set forth under “Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

91

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) (1) The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are set forth under Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K.

(2) The following consolidated financial statement schedule is included in Item 15(d):

		Page
II.	Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		96

All other schedules for which provisions are made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable, and therefore have been omitted.

(3) Exhibits:

2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 28, 1995 and amended as of September 26, 1995, by and between The Andersons Management Corp. and The Andersons. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-58963).
3.1	Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Registration Statement No. 33-16936).
3.4	Code of Regulations of The Andersons, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement No. 33-58963).
4.1	Form of Indenture dated as of October 1, 1985, between The Andersons, Inc. and Ohio Citizens Bank, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 (a) in Registration Statement No. 33-819)
4.3	Specimen Common Share Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-58963).
4.4	The Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 14, 1997, between The Andersons, Inc. and The Fifth Third Bank, successor Trustee to an Indenture between The Andersons and Ohio Citizens Bank, dated as of October 1, 1985. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to The Andersons, Inc. 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
4.5	Loan Agreement dated October 30, 2002 and amendments through the ninth amendment dated March 14, 2007 between The Andersons, Inc., the banks listed therein and U.S. Bank National Association as Administrative Agent. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2006).
10.1	Management Performance Program. * (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Predecessor Partnership’s Form 10-K dated December 31, 1990, File No. 2-55070).
10.3	The Andersons, Inc. 2004 Employee Share Purchase Plan * (Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Proxy Statement for the May 13, 2004 Annual Meeting).

92

10.4	Marketing Agreement between The Andersons, Inc. and Cargill, Incorporated dated June 1, 1998 (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).
10.5	Lease and Sublease between Cargill, Incorporated and The Andersons, Inc. dated June 1, 1998 (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).
10.6	Amended and Restated Marketing Agreement between The Andersons, Inc.; The Andersons Agriculture Group LP; and Cargill, Incorporated dated June 1, 2003 (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).
10.7	Amendment to Lease and Sublease between Cargill, Incorporated; The Andersons Agriculture Group LP; and The Andersons, Inc. dated July 10, 2003 (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003).
10.15	Management Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2005, made by The Andersons Rail Operating I, LLC and The Andersons, Inc., as Manager (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed January 5, 2006).
10.16	Servicing Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2005, made by The Andersons Rail Operating I, LLC and The Andersons, Inc., as Servicer (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed January 5, 2006).
10.18	The Andersons, Inc. Long-Term Performance Compensation Plan dated May 6, 2005* (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Proxy Statement for the May 6, 2005 Annual Meeting).
10.26	Form of Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed May 10, 2007).
10.29	Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 27, 2008, between The Andersons, Inc., as borrowers, and several purchases with Wells Fargo Capital Markets acting as agent (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed March 27, 2008).
10.31	Form of Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2008).
10.34	Form of Change in Control and Severance Participation Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed January 13, 2009).
10.35	Change in Control and Severance Policy (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed January 13, 2009).
10.36	Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed March 6, 2009).
10.37	Form of Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed March 6, 2009).
10.38	Form of Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement – Non-Employee Directors (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed March 6, 2009).

93

10.40	Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated February 26, 2010, between The Andersons, Inc., as borrower, and Co-Bank, one of the lenders to the original agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed March 5, 2010).
10.41	Form of Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed May 7, 2010).
10.42	Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed May 7, 2010).
10.46	Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed May 5, 2011).
10.47	Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed May 5, 2011).
10.48	Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated December 7, 2011, between The Andersons, Inc., as borrower, and several banks with U.S. Bank National Association acting as agent and lender (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed December 8, 2011).
12	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (filed herewith).
21	Consolidated Subsidiaries of The Andersons, Inc.
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a).
31.2	Certification of Vice President, Corporate Controller under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a).
31.3	Certification of Vice President, Finance and Treasurer under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a).
32.1	Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

* Management contract or compensatory plan.

The Company agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any long-term debt instrument or loan agreement that it may request.

(b) Exhibits:

The exhibits listed in Item 15(a)(3) of this report, and not incorporated by reference, follow “Financial Statement Schedule” referred to in (c) below.

(c) Financial Statement Schedule

The financial statement schedule listed in 15(a)(2) follows “Signatures.”

94

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

THE ANDERSONS, INC. (Registrant)
By	/s/ Michael J. Anderson
	Michael J. Anderson
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date	Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Michael J. Anderson	Chairman of the Board	2/27/12	/s/ John T. Stout, Jr.	Director	2/27/12
Michael J. Anderson	President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)		John T. Stout, Jr.
/s/ Anne G. Rex Anne G. Rex	Vice President, Corporate Controller	2/27/12	/s/ Donald L. Mennel Donald L. Mennel	Director	2/27/12
	(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Nicholas C. Conrad Nicholas C. Conrad	Vice President, Finance & Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)	2/27/12	/s/ David L. Nichols David L. Nichols	Director	2/27/12
/s/ Gerard M. Anderson	Director	2/27/12	/s/ Ross W. Manire	Director	2/27/12
Gerard M. Anderson			Ross W. Manire
/s/ Robert J. King, Jr.	Director	2/27/12	/s/ Jacqueline F. Woods	Director	2/27/12
Robert J. King, Jr.			Jacqueline F. Woods
/s/ Catherine M. Kilbane	Director	2/27/12
Catherine M. Kilbane

95

THE ANDERSONS, INC.

SCHEDULE II - CONSOLIDATED VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(in thousands)			Additions
Description	Balance at beginning of period		Charged to costs and expenses			Transferred from (to) allowance for notes receivable			(1) Deductions			Balance at end of period
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable – Year ended December 31
2011	$	5,684	$	(187	)	$	46		$	(744	)	$	4,799
2010		8,753		8,678			(101	)		(11,646	)		5,684
2009		13,584		4,973			(7,889	)		(1,915	)		8,753
Allowance for doubtful notes receivable – Year ended December 31
2011	$	254	$	—		$	(46	)	$	—		$	208
2010		7,950		38			101			(7,835	)		254
2009		134		—			7,889			(73	)		7,950

(1) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries and adjustments to estimates for the allowance accounts.

96

THE ANDERSONS, INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
12	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
21	Consolidated Subsidiaries of The Andersons, Inc.
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31.1	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)
31.2	Certification of Vice President, Corporate Controller under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)
31.3	Certification of Vice President, Finance and Treasurer under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)
32.1	Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

97

EX-12

Exhibit 12

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

THE ANDERSONS, INC.

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated:

	Year ended December 31
	2011		2010		2009		2008		2007
Computation of earnings
Pretax income (a)	$	106,428	$	78,136	$	44,033	$	42,530	$	72, 642
Add:
Interest expense on indebtedness		25,256		19,865		20,688		31,239		19,048
Amortization of debt issue costs		1,518		3,841		1,866		1,215		82
Interest portion of rent expense(b)		7,845		8,738		9,976		9,657		8,636
Distributed income of equity investees		17,831		8,412		2,358		23,308		8,281
Earnings	$	158,878	$	118,992	$	78,921	$	107,949	$	108,689
Computation of fixed charges
Interest expense on indebtedness	$	25,256	$	19,865	$	20,688	$	31,239	$	19,048
Amortization of debt issue costs		1,518		3,841		1,866		1,215		82
Interest portion of rent expense (b)		7,845		8,738		9,976		9,657		8,636
Fixed charges	$	34,619	$	32,444	$	32,530	$	42,111	$	27,766
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		4.59		3.67		2.43		2.56		3.91

(a) Pretax income as presented is income from continuing operations before adjustment for income or loss from equity investees.

(b) The portion of rent expense on operating leases included in the calculation of the fixed charges ratio above is a reasonable approximation of the interest factor on those agreements.

EX-21

Exhibit 21

CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES OF THE ANDERSONS, INC.

Subsidiary	Place of Organization
The Andersons Agriculture Group, L.P.	Ohio
The Andersons AgVantage Agency, LLC	Ohio
The Andersons ALACO Lawn, Inc.	Alabama
The Andersons Ethanol Investment, LLC	Ohio
The Andersons Lawn Fertilizer Division, Inc.	Ohio
The Andersons Rail Operating I, LLC	Delaware
The Andersons Inc. Charitable Foundation	Ohio
The Andersons ECO Services LLC	Ohio
The Andersons Ethanol Champaign LLC	Ohio
The Andersons Ethanol Investment II LLC	Ohio
The Andersons Farm Development LLC	Ohio
Cap Acquire LLC	Delaware
Cap Acquire Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.	Mexico
Liqui Fert Corporation	Puerto Rico
The Andersons Winona Terminal, LLC	Minnesota
Metamora Commodity Company Incorporated	Ohio
Mineral Processing Company	Ohio
NARCAT LLC	Delaware
NARCAT Mexico S. De R.L. de C.V.	Mexico
NuRail USA LLC	Ohio
NuRail Canada ULC	Nova Scotia
TAI Holdings, Inc.	Michigan
TOP CAT Holding Co.	Delaware

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-139253, 333-139251 and 333-139250) and Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-169826) of The Andersons, Inc. of our report dated February 27, 2012 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Toledo, Ohio

February 27, 2012

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-139253, 333-139250 and 333-139251) and Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-169826) of The Andersons, Inc. of our report dated February 23, 2012 which appears in this Form 10-K related to the consolidated financial statements of Lansing Trade Group, LLC and Subsidiaries.

Crowe Chizek LLP

Elkhart, Indiana

February 23, 2012

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer

Under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)

I, Michael J. Anderson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of The Andersons, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 27, 2012

/s/ Michael J. Anderson

Michael J. Anderson

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Vice President, Corporate Controller

under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)

I, Anne G. Rex, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of The Andersons, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 27, 2012

/s/ Anne G. Rex

Anne G. Rex

Vice President, Corporate Controller

EX-31.3

Exhibit 31.3

Certification of Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

under rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)

I, Nicholas C. Conrad, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of The Andersons, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (registrants fourth quarter in the case of annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 27, 2012

/s/ Nicholas C. Conrad

Nicholas C. Conrad

Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

The Andersons, Inc.

Certifications Pursuant To 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

In connection with the Annual Report of The Andersons, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to such officer’s knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods expressed in the Report.

February 27, 2012

/s/ Michael J. Anderson

Michael J. Anderson

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Anne G. Rex

Anne G. Rex

Vice President, Corporate Controller

/s/ Nicholas C. Conrad

Nicholas C. Conrad

Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

XML

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes (Tables) [Abstract]

Components of income tax provision

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Current:
Federal	$	39,015		$	22,288		$	4,848
State and local		5,603			3,613			828
Foreign		962			1,156			(176	)
	$	45,580		$	27,057		$	5,500
Deferred:
Federal	$	5,281		$	13,558		$	15,638
State and local		553			595			1,833
Foreign		(361	)		(1,948	)		(1,041	)
	$	5,473		$	12,205		$	16,430
Total:
Federal	$	44,296		$	35,846		$	20,486
State and local		6,156			4,208			2,661
Foreign		601			(792	)		(1,217	)
	$	51,053		$	39,262		$	21,930

Components of income before income taxes

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010			2009
U.S. income	$	146,420	$	106,184		$	64,359
Foreign		1,458		(2,041	)		(2,863	)
	$	147,878	$	104,143		$	61,496

Effective tax rate reconciliation

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:
Effect of qualified domestic production deduction		(1.6	)		(1.1	)		(0.4	)
Effect of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act		—			1.4			—
State and local income taxes, net of related federal taxes		2.7			2.5			2.8
Other, net		(1.6	)		(0.1	)		(1.7	)
Effective tax rate		34.5	%		37.7	%		35.7	%

Deferred tax liabilities and assets

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment and railcar assets leased to others	$	(72,997	)	$	(64,392	)
Prepaid employee benefits		(15,419	)		(12,724	)
Investments		(23,262	)		(20,242	)
Other		(3,205	)		(3,877	)
		(114,883	)		(101,235	)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits		42,482			32,463
Accounts and notes receivable		1,909			2,212
Inventory		6,326			7,056
Deferred expenses		16,022			10,036
Net operating loss carryforwards		1,299			1,207
Other		3,688			2,425
Total deferred tax assets		71,726			55,399
Valuation allowance
		71,726			55,399
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(43,157	)	$	(45,836	)

Unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	727
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		28
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years		(25	)
Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		(153	)
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(259	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		318
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		20
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		474
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(198	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		614
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		43
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(22	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	635

XML

Subsequent Events (Details) (New Eezy Gro, Inc [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012
New Eezy Gro, Inc [Member]
Subsequent Events (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage of stock purchased	100.00%
Purchase price of stock	$ 15.5
Working capital acquired	$ 1.4

XML

Derivatives (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contracts included in other assets	$ 31	$ 6
Interest rate contracts included in other long term liabilities	(372)	(368)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	(341)	(362)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contract included in other long term liabilities	(1,856)	(1,768)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$ (1,856)	$ (1,768)

XML

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property, Plant and Equipment (Textual) [Abstract]
Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment		$ 20.4	$ 18.7	$ 17.4
Depreciation expense on railcar assets leased to others		13.8	14.0	14.1
Scrap value write down	1.2
Significant impairment charges		$ 0

XML

Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 7)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Pension Benefits [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at Measurement Date
Discount rate	4.30%	5.20%	5.70%
Rate of compensation increases		3.50%	3.50%
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years ended December 31
Discount rate	5.20%	5.70%	6.10%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	7.75%	8.00%	8.25%
Rate of compensation increases	3.50%	3.50%	4.50%
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at Measurement Date
Discount rate	4.30%	5.30%	5.80%
Rate of compensation increases
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years ended December 31
Discount rate	5.30%	5.80%	6.10%

XML

Derivatives (Details 6) (Interest Expense [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest Expense [Member]
Gains (losses) included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income and interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Interest expense	$ (232)	$ (133)

XML

Segment Information (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 segments	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Lease revenue on railcars	$ 68,124,000	$ 60,700,000	$ 73,575,000
Net book value of leased railcars	197,137,000	168,483,000
Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	6
Grain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	164,800,000	267,300,000	312,700,000
Rail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment reporting information purchases	64,200,000	18,400,000	25,000,000
Percentage of cumulative convertible preferred shares acquired		100.00%
Amount of cumulative convertible preferred shares acquired		13,100,000
Canada [Member] | Rail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from External Customers	13,300,000	9,100,000	12,400,000
Mexico [Member] | Rail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Lease revenue on railcars	400,000	300,000	300,000
Railcar [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net book value of leased railcars	$ 29,000,000	$ 22,000,000

XML

Stock Compensation Plans (Details 1) (SOSARs and Stock Options [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
SOSARs and Stock Options [Member]
Summary of stock options outstanding and exercisable under long-term performance compensation plan
Options & SOSARs outstanding at January 1, 2011, Shares	851
Options exercised, Shares	(329)
Options & SOSARs cancelled / forfeited, Shares	(19)
Options and SOSARs outstanding at December 31, 2011, Shares	503	851
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2011, Shares	501
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011, Shares	363
Options & SOSARs outstanding at January 1, 2011, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 33.38
Options exercised, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 35.66
Options & SOSARs cancelled / forfeited, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 41.65
Options and SOSARs outstanding at December 31, 2011, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 31.56	$ 33.38
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2011, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 31.58
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011, Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 34.57
Options and SOSARs outstanding at December 31, 2011, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	1.81
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2011, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	1.80
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	1.41
Options and SOSARs outstanding at December 31, 2011, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 6,380
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2011, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	6,352
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	3,597
Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended December 31	3,817	2,724	2,127
Total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31	$ 816	$ 3,084	$ 4,145
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31		$ 13.75	$ 3.80

XML

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Components of property, plant and equipment
Land	$ 17,655	$ 15,424
Land improvements and leasehold improvements	47,958	45,080
Buildings and storage facilities	150,461	141,349
Machinery and equipment	191,833	181,650
Software	10,861	10,306
Construction in progress	13,006	2,572
Property, plant and equipment, gross	431,774	396,381
Less :accumulated depreciation and amortization	256,687	245,349
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 175,087	$ 151,032

XML

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Information (Tables) [Abstract]

Segment Information

		$0,000,000		$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Revenues from external customers
Grain	$	2,849,358	$	1,936,813	$	1,734,574
Ethanol		641,546		468,639		419,404
Plant Nutrient		690,631		619,330		491,293
Rail		107,459		94,816		92,789
Turf & Specialty		129,716		123,549		125,306
Retail		157,621		150,644		161,938
Other		—		—		—
Total	$	4,576,331	$	3,393,791	$	3,025,304

		$0,000,000		$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Inter-segment sales
Grain	$	2	$	3	$	9
Ethanol		—		—		—
Plant Nutrient		16,527		13,517		12,245
Rail		593		637		634
Turf & Specialty		2,062		1,636		1,504
Retail		—		—		—
Other		—		—		—
Total	$	19,184	$	15,793	$	14,392

		$0,000,000			$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010		2009
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates
Grain	$	23,748		$	15,648	$	5,816
Ethanol		17,715			10,351		11,636
Plant Nutrient		(13	)		8		8
Rail		—			—		—
Turf & Specialty		—			—		—
Retail		—			—		—
Other		—			—		3
Total	$	41,450		$	26,007	$	17,463

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Other income, net
Grain	$	2,462	$	2,557	$	2,030
Ethanol		159		176		289
Plant Nutrient		704		1,298		1,755
Rail		2,866		4,502		485
Turf & Specialty		880		1,335		1,131
Retail		638		608		683
Other		213		1,176		1,958
Total	$	7,922	$	11,652	$	8,331

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010		2009
Interest expense (income)
Grain	$	13,277		$	6,686	$	8,735
Ethanol		1,048			1,629		628
Plant Nutrient		3,517			3,901		3,933
Rail		5,677			4,928		4,468
Turf & Specialty		1,381			1,604		1,429
Retail		899			1,039		961
Other		(543	)		78		534
Total	$	25,256		$	19,865	$	20,688

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Income (loss) before income taxes
Grain	$	87,288		$	64,374		$	33,777
Ethanol		23,344			17,013			17,577
Plant Nutrient		38,267			30,062			11,294
Rail		9,778			107			(1,034	)
Turf & Specialty		2,000			3,443			4,735
Retail		(1,520	)		(2,534	)		(2,843	)
Other		(12,998	)		(8,541	)		(3,225	)
Noncontrolling interest		1,719			219			1,215
Total	$	147,878		$	104,143		$	61,496

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Identifiable assets
Grain	$	883,395	$	978,273	$	451,056
Ethanol		148,975		121,207		145,985
Plant Nutrient		240,543		208,548		205,968
Rail (b) (c)		246,188		196,149		194,748
Turf & Specialty		69,487		62,643		63,353
Retail		52,018		52,430		45,696
Other		93,517		80,140		177,585
Total	$	1,734,123	$	1,699,390	$	1,284,391

^(a)  Rail acquired 100% of newly issued cumulative convertible preferred shares in the amount of $13.1 million in 2010.

^(b)  Rail also had purchases of railcars in the amount of $64.2 million, $18.4 million and $25.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Capital expenditures
Grain	$	24,284	$	10,343	$	6,129
Ethanol		—		—		16
Plant Nutrient		13,296		7,631		6,610
Rail		1,478		927		297
Turf & Specialty		2,089		2,237		1,305
Retail		1,230		8,827		1,157
Other		1,785		932		1,046
Total	$	44,162	$	30,897	$	16,560

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Cash invested in affiliates
Ethanol	$	—	$	395	$	1,100
Plant Nutrient		21		—		—
Other		100		—		100
Total	$	121	$	395	$	1,200

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Acquisition of businesses
Grain	$	—	$	39,293	$	—
Plant Nutrient		2,365		—		30,480
Total	$	2,365	$	39,293	$	30,480

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Depreciation and amortization
Grain	$	9,625	$	7,580	$	5,161
Ethanol		382		371		371
Plant Nutrient		9,913		10,225		8,665
Rail		14,780		15,107		15,967
Turf & Specialty		1,801		2,032		2,314
Retail		2,770		2,400		2,286
Other		1,566		1,198		1,256
Total	$	40,837	$	38,913	$	36,020

XML

Related Parties (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Aggregate summarized financial information
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,297,830	$ 938,660	$ 1,338,167	$ 1,001,674	$ 1,153,969	$ 706,825	$ 810,999	$ 721,998	$ 4,576,331	$ 3,393,791	$ 3,025,304
Gross profit	86,431	64,964	122,772	78,685	82,466	53,109	87,554	58,550	352,852	281,679	255,506
Net income									96,825	64,881	39,566
Current assets	1,107,222				1,138,558				1,107,222	1,138,558
Current liabilities	794,251				836,743				794,251	836,743
Noncontrolling interest	538,842				464,559				538,842	464,559	406,276	365,107
Subsidiaries [Member]
Aggregate summarized financial information
Sales and merchandising revenues									6,938,345	4,707,422	3,436,192
Gross profit									168,383	133,653	106,755
Income from continuing operations									90,510	59,046	37,439
Net income									87,673	57,691	37,757
Current assets	707,400				697,371				707,400	697,371
Non-current assets	336,554				352,441				336,554	352,441
Current liabilities	514,617				550,463				514,617	550,463
Non-current liabilities	100,315				115,735				100,315	115,735
Noncontrolling interest	$ 26,799				$ 31,294				$ 26,799	$ 31,294

XML

Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 10)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Asset Category
Equity Securities	57.00%	68.00%
Fixed income securities	41.00%	31.00%
Cash and equivalents	2.00%	1.00%
Weighted average asset allocations, Total	100.00%	100.00%

XML

Debt (Details1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term debt
Total current maturities of long-term debt	$ 32,208	$ 24,524
Total long-term debt, less current maturities	238,885	276,825
Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Other notes payable and bonds	0	8
Total long-term debt	270,139	285,358
Total current maturities of long-term debt	32,051	21,683
Total long-term debt, less current maturities	238,088	263,675
Note payable, 4.80%, payable at maturity, due 2011 [ Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	0	17,000
Note payable, 4.55%, payable at maturity, due 2012 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	25,000	25,000
Note payable, 5.52 %, payable at maturity, due 2013 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	25,000	25,000
Note payable, 6.10%, payable at maturity, due 2014 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	25,000	25,000
Note payable, 6.12%, payable at maturity, due 2015 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	61,500	61,500
Note payable, 6.78%, payable at maturity due 2018 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	41,500	41,500
Note payable, variable rate (2.82% at December 31, 2010), payable $110 monthly plus interest, due 2012 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	0	10,031
Note payable, variable rate (1.69% at December 31, 2011), payable in increasing amounts ($875 annually at December 31, 2011) plus interest, due 2023 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	13,715	14,590
Note payable, variable rate (1.09% at December 31, 2011), payable $58 monthly plus interest, due 2016 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	10,150	10,850
Note payable, 8.5%, payable $15 monthly, due 2016 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	1,160	1,242
Variable rate (2.76% at December 31, 2011), due 2017 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	8,881	9,000
Variable rate (2.19% at December 31, 2011), due 2019 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	4,650	4,650
Variable rate (2.25% at December 31, 2011), due 2025 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	3,100	3,100
Variable rate (1.87% at December 31, 2011), due 2036 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	21,000	0
Debenture bonds, 4.00% to 6.5%, due 2011 through 2021 [Member] | Recourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	$ 29,483	$ 36,887

XML

Derivatives (Details 8) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair value of foreign currency derivatives
Foreign currency contract included in other assets	$ 0	$ (26)

XML

Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information Unaudited (Details) [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,297,830	$ 938,660	$ 1,338,167	$ 1,001,674	$ 1,153,969	$ 706,825	$ 810,999	$ 721,998	$ 4,576,331	$ 3,393,791	$ 3,025,304
Gross Profit	86,431	64,964	122,772	78,685	82,466	53,109	87,554	58,550	352,852	281,679	255,506
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 21,697	$ 10,925	$ 45,218	$ 17,266	$ 25,834	$ 1,394	$ 25,169	$ 12,265	$ 95,106	$ 64,662	$ 38,351
Earnings per common share - basic	$ 1.17	$ 0.59	$ 2.44	$ 0.93	$ 1.40	$ 0.08	$ 1.37	$ 0.67	$ 5.13	$ 3.51	$ 2.10
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.17	$ 0.59	$ 2.42	$ 0.93	$ 1.39	$ 0.08	$ 1.36	$ 0.66	$ 5.09	$ 3.48	$ 2.08

XML

Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Textual) [Abstract]
Company's expense for its defined contribution plans	$ 7,800,000	$ 5,300,000	$ 3,300,000
Adjustment of deferred tax assets associated with postretirement benefit		1,400,000
Accumulated benefit obligations related to the Company's defined benefit pension plans	110,000,000	90,400,000
Company contributed to the defined benefit pension plan to the next fiscal year	3,000,000
Contributions to the defined benefit pension plan	$ 5,000,000
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Calculated rate for the supplemental employee retirement plan	3.20%	4.20%	6.00%

XML

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair value of long-term debt estimated using quoted market prices or discounted future cash flows
Carrying Amount	$ 209,597	$ 249,120
Fair Value	218,550	255,440
Fixed rate long-term notes payable [Member]
Fair value of long-term debt estimated using quoted market prices or discounted future cash flows
Carrying Amount	179,160	196,242
Fair Value	186,918	199,292
Long-term notes payable, non-recourse [Member]
Fair value of long-term debt estimated using quoted market prices or discounted future cash flows
Carrying Amount	954	15,991
Fair Value	966	16,157
Debenture bonds [Member]
Fair value of long-term debt estimated using quoted market prices or discounted future cash flows
Carrying Amount	29,483	36,887
Fair Value	$ 30,666	$ 39,991

XML

Related Parties (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	$ 199,061	$ 175,349
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	32,829	31,048
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC [Member]
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	40,001	37,496
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	43,019	34,929
Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	81,209	70,143
Other [Member]
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	$ 2,003	$ 1,733

XML

Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Measurements (Textual) [Abstract]
Maturity period of long term notes payable and debenture bonds	10 years

XML

Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 1,297,830	$ 938,660	$ 1,338,167	$ 1,001,674	$ 1,153,969	$ 706,825	$ 810,999	$ 721,998	$ 4,576,331	$ 3,393,791	$ 3,025,304
Inter-segment sales									19,184	15,793	14,392
Equity in earnings of affiliates									41,450	26,007	17,463
Other income, net									7,922	11,652	8,331
Interest expense (income)									(25,256)	(19,865)	(20,688)
Income (loss) before taxes									147,878	104,143	61,496
Identifiable assets	1,734,123				1,699,390				1,734,123	1,699,390	1,284,391
Capital expenditures									44,162	30,897	16,560
Cash invested in affiliates									121	395	1,200
Acquisition of businesses									2,365	39,293	30,480
Depreciation and amortization									40,837	38,913	36,020
Grain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers									2,849,358	1,936,813	1,734,574
Inter-segment sales									2	3	9
Equity in earnings of affiliates									23,748	15,648	5,816
Other income, net									2,462	2,557	2,030
Interest expense (income)									13,277	6,686	8,735
Income (loss) before taxes									87,288	64,374	33,777
Identifiable assets	883,395				978,273				883,395	978,273	451,056
Capital expenditures									24,284	10,343	6,129
Acquisition of businesses										39,293
Depreciation and amortization									9,625	7,580	5,161
Ethanol [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers									641,546	468,639	419,404
Inter-segment sales
Equity in earnings of affiliates									17,715	10,351	11,636
Other income, net									159	176	289
Interest expense (income)									1,048	1,629	628
Income (loss) before taxes									23,344	17,013	17,577
Identifiable assets	148,975				121,207				148,975	121,207	145,985
Capital expenditures											16
Cash invested in affiliates										395	1,100
Depreciation and amortization									382	371	371
Plant Nutrient [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers									690,631	619,330	491,293
Inter-segment sales									16,527	13,517	12,245
Equity in earnings of affiliates									(13)	8	8
Other income, net									704	1,298	1,755
Interest expense (income)									3,517	3,901	3,933
Income (loss) before taxes									38,267	30,062	11,294
Identifiable assets	240,543				208,548				240,543	208,548	205,968
Capital expenditures									13,296	7,631	6,610
Cash invested in affiliates									21
Acquisition of businesses									2,365		30,480
Depreciation and amortization									9,913	10,225	8,665
Rail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers									107,459	94,816	92,789
Inter-segment sales									593	637	634
Equity in earnings of affiliates
Other income, net									2,866	4,502	485
Interest expense (income)									5,677	4,928	4,468
Income (loss) before taxes									9,778	107	(1,034)
Identifiable assets	246,188				196,149				246,188	196,149	194,748
Capital expenditures									1,478	927	297
Depreciation and amortization									14,780	15,107	15,967
Turf and Specialty [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers									129,716	123,549	125,306
Inter-segment sales									2,062	1,636	1,504
Equity in earnings of affiliates
Other income, net									880	1,335	1,131
Interest expense (income)									1,381	1,604	1,429
Income (loss) before taxes									2,000	3,443	4,735
Identifiable assets	69,487				62,643				69,487	62,643	63,353
Capital expenditures									2,089	2,237	1,305
Depreciation and amortization									1,801	2,032	2,314
Retail [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers									157,621	150,644	161,938
Inter-segment sales
Equity in earnings of affiliates
Other income, net									638	608	683
Interest expense (income)									899	1,039	961
Income (loss) before taxes									(1,520)	(2,534)	(2,843)
Identifiable assets	52,018				52,430				52,018	52,430	45,696
Capital expenditures									1,230	8,827	1,157
Depreciation and amortization									2,770	2,400	2,286
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers
Inter-segment sales
Equity in earnings of affiliates											3
Other income, net									213	1,176	1,958
Interest expense (income)									(543)	78	534
Income (loss) before taxes									(12,998)	(8,541)	(3,225)
Identifiable assets	93,517				80,140				93,517	80,140	177,585
Capital expenditures									1,785	932	1,046
Cash invested in affiliates									100		100
Depreciation and amortization									1,566	1,198	1,256
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before taxes									$ 1,719	$ 219	$ 1,215

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 8)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates at Beginning of Year
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year	7.50%	8.00%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5.00%	5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2017	2017

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Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

CONSOLIDATED VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

THE ANDERSONS, INC.

SCHEDULE II - CONSOLIDATED VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(in thousands)			Additions
Description	Balance at beginning of period		Charged to costs and expenses			Transferred from (to) allowance for notes receivable			(1) Deductions			Balance at end of period
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable – Year ended December 31
2011	$	5,684	$	(187	)	$	46		$	(744	)	$	4,799
2010		8,753		8,678			(101	)		(11,646	)		5,684
2009		13,584		4,973			(7,889	)		(1,915	)		8,753
Allowance for doubtful notes receivable – Year ended December 31
2011	$	254	$	—		$	(46	)	$	—		$	208
2010		7,950		38			101			(7,835	)		254
2009		134		—			7,889			(73	)		7,950

(1) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries and adjustments to estimates for the allowance accounts.

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Derivatives (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair value of the Company's commodity derivatives in the balance sheet
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative assets - current	$ 37,560	$ 226,216
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative assets - noncurrent	2,289	18,113
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative liabilities - current	(15,874)	(57,621)
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative liabilities - noncurrent	(1,519)	(3,279)
Regulated futures and options contracts included in Commodity derivatives	(23,367)	(105,030)
Over-the-counter contracts included in Commodity derivatives	2,887	(41,300)
Total estimated fair value of commodity derivatives	$ 1,976	$ 37,099

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Business Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Business Acquisitions (Tables) [Abstract]

Summary of preliminary purchase price allocation for acquisitions

	B4			O'Malley			Total
Current assets	$	44,428		$	4,097		$	48,525
Intangible assets		350			1,375			1,725
Goodwill		2,850			1,231			4,081
Property, plant and equipment		1,879			5,959			7,838
Other long-term assets		1,005			111			1,116
Current liabilities		(15,383	)		(4,864	)		(20,247	)
Other long-term liabilities		—			(126	)		(126	)
Total purchase price (a)	$	35,129		$	7,783		$	42,912

(a) Of the $35.1 million purchase price for B4, $0.8 million remained in accounts payable and a $2.8 million earn-out provision remained in other-long term liabilities in the Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2010.

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 12) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	$ 87,605	$ 84,097
Level 1 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	10,773	12,119
Level 2 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	76,832	71,978
Level 3 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	10,773	12,119
Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	10,773	12,119
Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	0	0
Money Market Funds [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	1,659	793
Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	0
Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	1,659	793
Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	0	0
Equity Funds [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	39,573	45,502
Equity Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	0
Equity Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	39,573	45,502
Equity Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	0	0
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	35,600	25,683
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	0
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	35,600	25,683
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan	$ 0	$ 0

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Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Current:
Federal	$ 39,015	$ 22,288	$ 4,848
State and Local	5,603	3,613	828
Foreign	962	1,156	(176)
Total current income tax provision	45,580	27,057	5,500
Deferred:
Federal	5,281	13,558	15,638
State and Local	553	595	1,833
Foreign	(361)	(1,948)	(1,041)
Total deferred income tax provision	5,473	12,205	16,430
Federal	44,296	35,846	20,486
State and Local	6,156	4,208	2,661
Foreign	601	(792)	(1,217)
Total income tax expense	$ 51,053	$ 39,262	$ 21,930

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) [Abstract]

Lease income and rental expense from operating leases

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Rental and service income – operating leases	$	68,124	$	60,700	$	73,575
Rental expense	$	16,303	$	20,023	$	24,271

Operating leases future minimum rentals and service income

(in thousands)	Future Rental and Service Income – Operating Leases		Future Minimum Rental Payments
Year ended December 31,
2012	$	53,848	$	12,575
2013		39,435		9,014
2014		26,676		6,572
2015		19,756		6,396
2016		14,704		6,174
Future years		22,923		10,230
	$	177,342	$	50,961

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Derivatives (Details 3)	Dec. 31, 2011 T bushels gal
Non-exchange Traded [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	228,814,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	98,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	239,240,000
Non-exchange Traded [Member] | Corn [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	200,072,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Non-exchange Traded [Member] | Soybeans [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	10,568,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Non-exchange Traded [Member] | Wheat [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	6,593,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Non-exchange Traded [Member] | Oats [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	11,581,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Non-exchange Traded [Member] | Ethanol [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	239,240,000
Non-exchange Traded [Member] | Other [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	98,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Exchange Traded [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	161,720,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	29,473,000
Exchange Traded [Member] | Corn [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	96,500,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Exchange Traded [Member] | Soybeans [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	16,570,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Exchange Traded [Member] | Wheat [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	46,935,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Exchange Traded [Member] | Oats [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	1,715,000
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Exchange Traded [Member] | Ethanol [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	29,463,000
Exchange Traded [Member] | Other [Member]
Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	0
Amount of quantities of price risk derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments	10,000

XML

Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Amounts applicable to the Company's defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation	$ 109,976	$ 90,603
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 109,976	$ 90,357

XML

Business Acquisitions (Details Textual) (USD $)		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010 B4 Grain, Inc [Member] bushels	Dec. 31, 2011 B4 Grain, Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 O Malley Grain Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 O Malley Grain Inc [Member]	May 01, 2010 O Malley Grain Inc [Member]	Oct. 31, 2011 Immokalee Farmers Supply Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Non-compete agreement [Member] B4 Grain, Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Grower's list [Member] O Malley Grain Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Customer lists [Member] B4 Grain, Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Customer lists [Member] Non-compete agreement [Member] O Malley Grain Inc [Member]
Business Acquisitions (Textual) [Abstract]
Total Purchase Price		$ 35,100,000				$ 7,800,000	$ 3,000,000
Other long-term liabilities	126,000		0		126,000		600,000
Number of storage facilities				2
Number of grain elevators		3
Cash paid for acquisition		31,500,000
Combined storage capacity of the equipment		1,900,000
Storage capacity for acquired assets by lease		1,100,000
Goodwill recognized in respect of acquisitions	4,081,000	2,900,000	2,850,000	1,200,000	1,231,000
Amount of remained accounts payable		800,000
Earn-out provision remained		2,800,000
Intangible Assets	1,725,000		350,000		1,375,000			100,000	300,000	300,000	1,100,000
Period for amortization of intangible assets								5 years	3 years	3 years	5 years
Additional earn out provision		3,500,000
Period of achieve certain level of income		5 years
Estimated fair value of contingent liability		2,800,000
Unpaid initial purchase price		$ 800,000

XML

Derivatives (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Derivatives (Textual) [Abstract]
Foreign currency collar	$ 6.8
Maximum period in which contracts for the sale of grain to processors or other consumers extend	1 year
Estimated fair value of inventory	1.0	27.3
Amount reclassified from accumulated and other comprehensive income	0.1	0.1	0.1
Amount to be reclassified from accumulated and other comprehensive income in next twelve months	0.1
Foreign Currency Derivatives, Exchange rate floor	0.9875
Foreign Currency Derivatives, Exchange rate cap		1.069
Number of swaptions	2
Amount on swaptions	$ 10

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Property, Plant and Equipment (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Components of Railcar assets leased to others
Railcar leased to others	$ 272,883	$ 234,667
Less: accumulated depreciation	75,746	66,184
Railcar assets leased to others, net	$ 197,137	$ 168,483

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Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Inventories [Abstract]

Inventories

2. Inventories

Major classes of inventories are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Grain	$	570,337	$	493,911
Ethanol		5,461		3,356
Agricultural fertilizer and supplies		118,716		90,182
Lawn and garden fertilizer and corncob products		37,001		32,954
Retail merchandise		25,612		24,416
Railcar repair parts		3,063		2,058
Other		269		312
	$	760,459	$	647,189

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Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Earnings per share
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 21,697	$ 10,925	$ 45,218	$ 17,266	$ 25,834	$ 1,394	$ 25,169	$ 12,265	$ 95,106	$ 64,662	$ 38,351
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stock									369	204	122
Earnings available to common shareholders									$ 94,737	$ 64,458	$ 38,229
Earnings per share - basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic									18,457	18,356	18,190
Earnings per common share - basic	$ 1.17	$ 0.59	$ 2.44	$ 0.93	$ 1.40	$ 0.08	$ 1.37	$ 0.67	$ 5.13	$ 3.51	$ 2.10
Earnings per share - diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic									18,457	18,356	18,190
Effect of dilutive options									162	151	179
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted									18,619	18,507	18,369
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.17	$ 0.59	$ 2.42	$ 0.93	$ 1.39	$ 0.08	$ 1.36	$ 0.66	$ 5.09	$ 3.48	$ 2.08
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Antidilutive stock-based awards outstanding									0	0	0

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service costs	$ (46,482)	$ (29,362)
Cash flow hedges	(1,154)	(1,122)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities	4,546	1,685
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total	$ (43,090)	$ (28,799)

XML

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables) [Abstract]

Components of property, plant and equipment

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Land	$	17,655	$	15,424
Land improvements and leasehold improvements		47,958		45,080
Buildings and storage facilities		150,461		141,349
Machinery and equipment		191,833		181,650
Software		10,861		10,306
Construction in progress		13,006		2,572
		431,774		396,381
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		256,687		245,349
	$	175,087	$	151,032

Components of Railcar assets leased to others

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Railcar assets leased to others	$	272,883	$	234,667
Less: accumulated depreciation		75,746		66,184
	$	197,137	$	168,483

XML

Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Inventories (Tables) [Abstract]

Classes of inventories

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Grain	$	570,337	$	493,911
Ethanol		5,461		3,356
Agricultural fertilizer and supplies		118,716		90,182
Lawn and garden fertilizer and corncob products		37,001		32,954
Retail merchandise		25,612		24,416
Railcar repair parts		3,063		2,058
Other		269		312
	$	760,459	$	647,189

XML

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment and railcar assets leased to others	$ (72,997)	$ (64,392)
Prepaid employee benefits	(15,419)	(12,724)
Investments	(23,262)	(20,242)
Other	(3,205)	(3,877)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(114,883)	(101,235)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits	42,482	32,463
Accounts and notes receivable	1,909	2,212
Inventory	6,326	7,056
Deferred expenses	16,022	10,036
Net operating loss carryforwards	1,299	1,207
Other	3,688	2,425
Total deferred tax assets	71,726	55,399
Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax assets	71,726	55,399
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (43,157)	$ (45,836)

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Derivatives (Details 7) (Interest Rate Contract [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Gains included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (88)	$ (229)

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Marketing balance payable	$ 33.2	$ 16.7
Property subject to or available for leases statutory life minimum	40 years
Property subject to or available for leases statutory life maximum	50 years
Property subject to or available for leases useful life minimum	10 years
Property subject to or available for leases useful life maximum	38 years
Accounts payable for grain	71.1	37.8
Intangible assets estimated useful life, minimum	5
Intangible assets estimated useful life, maximum	10
Accrued compensation liability	6.2	5.8
Research and development expense	0.8	1.8	1.4
Grants awarded				5
Grants received	0.3	0.9	0.9
Advertising expense	$ 4.0	$ 4.1	$ 4.0
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Asset estimated average useful life	16
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Asset estimated useful life, minimum	3
Asset estimated useful life, maximum	20
Buildings and Storage Facilities [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Asset estimated useful life, minimum	20
Asset estimated useful life, maximum	30
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Asset estimated useful life, minimum	3
Asset estimated useful life, maximum	20
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Asset estimated useful life, minimum	3
Asset estimated useful life, maximum	10

XML

Derivatives (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivatives (Tables) [Abstract]

Estimated fair value of Company's commodity derivative instruments for cash collateral and associated cash as collateral

	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
(in thousands)	Net derivative asset position			Net derivative liability position		Net derivative asset position			Net derivative liability position
Collateral paid	$	66,870		$	—	$	166,589		$	—
Collateral received		—			—		—			—
Fair value of derivatives		(20,480	)		—		(146,330	)		—
Balance at end of period	$	46,390		$	—	$	20,259		$	—

Fair value of the Company's commodity derivatives in the balance sheet

December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative assets - current	$	37,560		$	226,216
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative assets - noncurrent		2,289			18,113
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative liabilities - current		(15,874	)		(57,621	)
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative liabilities - noncurrent		(1,519	)		(3,279	)
Regulated futures and options contracts included in Commodity derivatives (a)		(23,367	)		(105,030	)
Over-the-counter contracts included in Commodity derivatives (a)		2,887			(41,300	)
Total estimated fair value of commodity derivatives	$	1,976		$	37,099

(a) The fair value of futures, options and over-the-counter contracts are offset by cash collateral posted or received and included as a net amount in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Company's Consolidated Statement of Income gains and location of line items

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Gains (losses) on commodity derivatives included in sales and merchandising revenues	$	131,209	$	(53,942	)

Amounts of quantities outstanding included in commodity derivative contracts

Commodity	Number of bushels (in thousands)		Number of tons (in thousands)		Number of gallons (in thousands)
Non-exchange traded:
Corn		200,072
Soybeans		10,568
Wheat		6,593
Oats		11,581
Ethanol						239,240
Other				98
Subtotal		228,814		98		239,240
Exchange traded:
Corn		96,500
Soybeans		16,570
Wheat		46,935
Oats		1,715
Ethanol						29,463
Other						10
Subtotal		161,720				29,473
Total		390,534		98		268,713

Open interest rate contracts

Interest Rate Hedging Instrument	Year Entered	Year of Maturity	Initial Notional Amount (in  millions)		Hedged Item	Interest Rate
Short-term
Caps	2011	2012	$	80.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	0.60% to 3.42%
Long-term
Swap	2005	2016	$	4.0	Interest rate component of an operating lease – not accounted for as a hedge	5.23%
Swap	2006	2016	$	14.0	Interest rate component of debt – accounted for as cash flow hedge	5.95%
Cap	2011	2014	$	20.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	1.36%
Cap	2011	2013	$	40.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	1.62% to 1.65%

Fair value of the Company's interest rate derivatives

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contracts included in other assets	$	31		$	6
Interest rate contracts included in other long term liabilities		(372	)		(368	)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	(341	)	$	(362	)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contract included in other long term liabilities	$	(1,856	)	$	(1,768	)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	(1,856	)	$	(1,768	)

Gains (losses) included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income and interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Interest expense	$	(232	)	$	(133	)

Gains included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(88	)	$	(229	)

Fair value of foreign currency derivatives

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Foreign currency contract included in other assets	$	—	$	(26	)

Foreign currency derivatives designated as hedging instruments

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	26	$	(68	)

Fair value of swaptions

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Swaptions included in other assets	$	19	$	—

Losses located for swaptions

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Interest expense	$	(328	)	$	—

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share (Tables) [Abstract]

Earnings per share

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2011		2010		2009
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$	95,106	$	64,662	$	38,351
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stock		369		204		122
Earnings available to common shareholders	$	94,737	$	64,458	$	38,229
Earnings per share – basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		18,457		18,356		18,190
Earnings per common share – basic	$	5.13	$	3.51	$	2.10
Earnings per share – diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		18,457		18,356		18,190
Effect of dilutive options		162		151		179
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		18,619		18,507		18,369
Earnings per common share – diluted	$	5.09	$	3.48	$	2.08

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Consolidation

These Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Andersons, Inc. and its wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Investments in unconsolidated entities in which the Company has significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods indicated, have been made.

Certain balance sheet items have been reclassified from their prior presentation to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications are not considered material and had no effect on the statement of income, statement of equity, current assets, current liabilities or operating cash flows as previously reported.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. The carrying values of these assets approximate their fair values.

A significant portion of restricted cash is held in escrow for certain of the Company's industrial development revenue bonds described in Note 10.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and may bear interest if past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed quarterly. The allowance is based both on specific identification of potentially uncollectible accounts and the application of a consistent policy to estimate the allowance necessary for the remaining accounts receivable. For those customers that are thought to be at higher risk, the Company makes assumptions as to collectability based on past history and facts about the current situation. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it becomes more certain that the receivable will not be recovered.

Commodity Derivatives and Inventories

The Company's operating results can be affected by changes to commodity prices. The Grain and Ethanol businesses have established "unhedged" position limits (the amount of a commodity, either owned or contracted for, that does not have an offsetting derivative contract to mitigate the price risk associated with those contracts and inventory). To reduce the exposure to market price risk on commodities owned and forward grain and ethanol purchase and sale contracts, the Company enters into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts and over-the-counter forward and option contracts with various counterparties. The exchange traded contracts are primarily via the regulated Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the "CME"). The forward purchase and sale contracts are for physical delivery of the commodity in a future period. Contracts to purchase commodities from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of commodities to processors or other commercial consumers generally do not extend beyond one year.

The Company accounts for its commodity derivatives at fair value, the same method it uses to value grain inventory. The estimated fair value of the commodity derivative contracts that require the receipt or posting of cash collateral is recorded on a net basis (offset against cash collateral posted or received, also known as margin deposits) within commodity derivative assets or liabilities. Management determines fair value based on exchange-quoted prices and in the case of its forward purchase and sale contracts, estimated fair value is adjusted for differences in local markets and non-performance risk. While the Company considers its commodity contracts to be effective economic hedges, the Company does not designate or account for its commodity contracts as hedges. Realized and unrealized gains and losses in the value of commodity contracts (whether due to changes in commodity prices, changes in performance or credit risk, or due to sale, maturity or extinguishment of the commodity contract) and grain inventories are included in sales and merchandising revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Additional information about the fair value of the Company's commodity derivatives is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the average cost method. Additional information about inventories is presented in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives – Master Netting Arrangements

Generally accepted accounting principles permit a party to a master netting arrangement to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments against the right to reclaim cash collateral or obligation to return cash collateral under the same master netting arrangement. The Company has master netting arrangements for its exchange traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter contracts. When the Company enters into a futures, options or an over-the-counter contract, an initial margin deposit may be required by the counterparty. The amount of the margin deposit varies by commodity. If the market price of a future, option or an over-the-counter contract moves in a direction that is adverse to the Company's position, an additional margin deposit, called a maintenance margin, is required. The Company nets, by counterparty, its futures and over-the-counter positions against the cash collateral provided or received. The margin deposit assets and liabilities are included in short-term commodity derivative assets or liabilities, as appropriate, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additional information about the Company's master netting arrangements is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives – Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Contracts

The Company periodically enters into interest rate contracts to manage interest rate risk on borrowing or financing activities. The Company has a long-term interest rate swap recorded in other long-term liabilities and a foreign currency collar recorded in other assets and has designated them as cash flow hedges; accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income. The Company has other interest rate contracts that are not designated as hedges. While the Company considers all of its derivative positions to be effective economic hedges of specified risks, these interest rate contracts for which hedge accounting is not applied are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in either other current assets or liabilities (if short-term in nature) or in other assets or other long-term liabilities (if non-current in nature), and changes in fair value are recognized in income as interest expense. Upon termination of a derivative instrument or a change in the hedged item, any remaining fair value recorded on the balance sheet is recorded as interest expense consistent with the cash flows associated with the underlying hedged item. Information regarding the nature and terms of the Company's interest rate derivatives is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Marketing Agreement

The Company has a marketing agreement that covers certain of its grain facilities, some of which are leased from Cargill, Incorporated ("Cargill"). Under the five-year amended and restated agreement (ending in May 2013), the Company sells grain from these facilities to Cargill at market prices. Income earned from operating the facilities (including buying, storing and selling grain and providing grain marketing services to its producer customers) over a specified threshold is shared equally with Cargill. Measurement of this threshold is made on a cumulative basis and cash is paid to Cargill at the end of the contract. The Company recognizes its pro rata share of income every month and accrues for any payment owed to Cargill. The payable balance was $33.2 million and $16.7 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Railcars

The Company's Rail Group purchases, leases, markets and manages railcars for third parties and for internal use. Railcars to which the Company holds title are shown on the balance sheet in one of two categories other current assets (for railcars that are available for sale) or railcar assets leased to others. Railcars leased to others, both on short and long-term leases, are classified as long-term assets and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

Railcars have statutory lives of either 40 or 50 years, measured from the date built. At the time of purchase, the remaining statutory life is used in determining useful lives which are depreciated on a straight-line basis. Additional information regarding railcar assets leased to others is presented in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, while betterments that extend useful lives are capitalized. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets, principally by the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are generally as follows: land improvements – 16 years; leasehold improvements – the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement, ranging from 3 to 20 years; buildings and storage facilities – 20 to 30 years; machinery and equipment – 3 to 20 years; and software – 3 to 10 years. The cost of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the accumulated depreciation thereon are removed from the accounts, with any gain or loss realized upon sale or disposal credited or charged to operations. Additional information regarding the Company's property, plant and equipment is presented in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Debt Issue Costs

Costs associated with the issuance of debt are capitalized. These costs are amortized using an interest-method equivalent over the earlier of the stated term of the debt or the period from the issue date through the first early payoff date without penalty, or the expected payoff if the loan does not contain a prepayment penalty. Capitalized costs associated with the borrowing arrangement with a syndication of banks are amortized over the term of the agreement.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization of intangible assets is provided over their estimated useful lives (generally 5 to 10 years) on the straight-line method. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment tests or more often when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may be impaired. A goodwill impairment loss is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. Additional information about the Company's goodwill and intangible assets is presented in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets, including intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to the undiscounted future net cash flows the Company expects to generate with the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the Company recognizes impairment expense for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

Accounts Payable for Grain

Accounts payable for grain includes certain amounts related to grain purchases for which, even though the Company has taken ownership and possession of the grain, the final purchase price has not been established (delayed price contracts). Amounts recorded for such delayed price contracts are determined on the basis of grain market prices at the balance sheet date in a similar manner for which grain inventory is valued and equated to $71.1 million and $37.8 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards is based on the estimated grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, adjusted for revisions to performance expectations. Additional information about the Company's stock compensation plans is presented in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Compensation Liability

Included in accrued expenses are $6.2 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of deferred compensation for certain employees who, due to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, may not take full advantage of the Company's qualified defined contribution plan. Assets funding this plan are recorded at fair value and are equal to the value of this liability. This plan has no impact on results of operations as the changes in the fair value of the assets are offset on a one-for-one basis, by the change in the recorded amount of the deferred compensation liability.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of grain and ethanol are primarily recognized at the time of shipment, which is when title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. Direct ship grain sales (where the Company never takes physical possession of the grain) are recognized when the grain arrives at the customer's facility. Revenues from other grain and ethanol merchandising activities are recognized as services are provided; gains and losses on the market value of grain inventory as well as commodity derivatives are recognized into revenue on a daily basis when these positions are marked-to-market. Sales of other products are recognized at the time title and risk of loss transfers to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment or, in the case of the retail store sales, when the customer takes possession of the goods. Revenues for all other services are recognized as the service is provided.

Certain of the Company's operations provide for customer billings, deposits or prepayments for product that is stored at the Company's facilities. The sales and gross profit related to these transactions are not recognized until the product is shipped in accordance with the previously stated revenue recognition policy and these amounts are classified as a current liability titled "Customer prepayments and deferred revenue."

Rental revenues on operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Sales to financial intermediaries of owned railcars which are subject to an operating lease (with the Company being the lessor in such operating leases prior to the sale, referred to as a "non-recourse transaction") are recognized as revenue on the date of sale if the Company does not maintain substantial risk of ownership in the sold railcars. Revenue related to railcar servicing and maintenance contracts is recognized over the term of the lease or service contract.

Sales returns and allowances are provided for at the time sales are recorded. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales. Sales taxes and motor fuel taxes on ethanol sales are presented on a net basis and are excluded from revenues. In all cases, revenues are recognized only if collectability is reasonably assured at the time the revenue is recorded.

Rail Lease Accounting

In addition to the sale of railcars that the Company makes to financial intermediaries on a non-recourse basis and records as revenue as discussed above, the Company also acts as the lessor and / or the lessee in various leasing arrangements as described below.

The Company's Rail Group leases railcars and locomotives to customers, manages railcars for third parties and leases railcars for internal use. The Company acts as the lessor in various operating leases of railcars that are owned by the Company, or leased by the Company from financial intermediaries and, in turn, leased by the Company to end-users of the railcars. The leases from financial intermediaries are generally structured as sale-leaseback transactions, with the leaseback by the Company being treated as an operating lease.

Certain of the Company's leases include monthly lease fees that are contingent upon some measure of usage ("per diem" leases). This monthly usage is tracked, billed and collected by third party service providers and funds are generally remitted to the Company along with usage data three months after they are earned. Typically, the lease term related to per-diem leases is one year or less. The Company records lease revenue for these per diem arrangements based on recent historical usage patterns and records a true-up adjustment when the actual data is received. Such true-up adjustments were not significant for any period presented.

The Company expenses operating lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additional information about railcar leasing activities is presented in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for each period includes current tax expense plus deferred expense, which is related to the change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws governing periods in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates the realizability of deferred tax assets and provides a valuation allowance for amounts that management does not believe are more likely than not to be recoverable, as applicable.

The annual effective tax rate is determined by income tax expense from continuing operations, described above, as a percentage of pretax book income. Differences in the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate may be due to permanent items, tax credits, foreign tax rates and state tax rates in jurisdictions in which the Company operates, or changes in valuation allowances.

The Company records reserves for uncertain tax positions when, despite the belief that tax return positions are fully supportable, it is anticipated that certain tax return positions are likely to be challenged and that the Company may not prevail. These reserves are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit or the lapse of statutes of limitations.

Additional information about the Company's income taxes is presented in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company provides all full-time, non-retail employees hired before July 1, 2010 with pension benefits and full-time employees hired before January 1, 2003 with postretirement health care benefits. In order to measure the expense and funded status of these employee benefit plans, management makes several estimates and assumptions, including rates of return on assets set aside to fund these plans, rates of compensation increases, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates and anticipated future healthcare cost trends. These estimates and assumptions are based on the Company's historical experience combined with management's knowledge and understanding of current facts and circumstances. The selection of the discount rate is based on an index given projected plan payouts.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consists of the following:

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service costs	$	(46,482	)	$	(29,362	)
Cash flow hedges		(1,154	)		(1,122	)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities		4,546			1,685
	$	(43,090	)	$	(28,799	)

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The Company's research and development program is mainly involved with the development of improved products and processes, primarily for the Turf & Specialty operating segment. The Company expended approximately $0.8 million, $1.8 million and $1.4 million on research and development activities during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In 2008, the Company, along with several partners, was awarded a $5 million grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. The grant is for the development and commercialization of advanced granules and other emerging technologies to provide solutions for the economic health and environmental concerns of today's agricultural industry. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company received $0.3 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, as part of this grant.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense of $4.0 million, $4.1 million and $4.0 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, is included in operating, administrative and general expenses.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") updated Accounting Standards Code ("ASC") Topic 820, to clarify requirements on fair value measurements and related disclosures. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The additional requirements in this update will be included in the note on fair value measurements upon adoption in the first quarter of 2012. The new standard will have no impact on financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2011-05"). The amendments in ASU 2011-05 eliminate the option to report other comprehensive income in the statement of equity and require entities to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance will change financial statement presentation and require expanded disclosures in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements but will not impact financial results.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment ("ASU 2011-08"). ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify the testing of goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted. The Company implemented the requirements of ASU 2011-08 for the 2011 annual goodwill impairment analysis that was completed in the fourth quarter. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the analysis performed.

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Topic 210). The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The disclosures required by the amendments are required to be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of this amended guidance will require expanded disclosure in the notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements but will not impact financial results.

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Tables) [Abstract]

Obligation and funded status of the pension and postretirement benefit plans

(in thousands)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
Change in benefit obligation	2011			2010			2011			2010
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	90,603		$	74,875		$	24,593		$	21,294
Service cost		—			1,614			555			465
Interest cost		4,578			4,339			1,285			1,213
Actuarial (gains)/losses		16,363			12,120			6,020			2,383
Participant contributions		—			—			478			444
Retiree drug subsidy received		—			—			202			118
Benefits paid		(1,568	)		(2,345	)		(1,575	)		(1,324	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	109,976		$	90,603		$	31,558		$	24,593

(in thousands)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
Change in plan assets	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	84,097		$	70,423		$	—		$	—
Actual gains (loss) on plan assets		(91	)		9,852			—			—
Company contributions		5,167			6,167			1,097			880
Participant contributions		—			—			478			444
Benefits paid		(1,568	)		(2,345	)		(1,575	)		(1,324	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	87,605		$	84,097		$	—		$	—
Funded status of plans at end of year	$	(22,371	)	$	(6,506	)	$	(31,558	)	$	(24,593	)

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets

	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Accrued expenses	$	(213	)	$	(210	)	$	(1,211	)	$	(1,196	)
Employee benefit plan obligations		(22,158	)		(6,296	)		(30,347	)		(23,397	)
Net amount recognized	$	(22,371	)	$	(6,506	)	$	(31,558	)	$	(24,593	)

Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss

	Pension Benefits					Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses			Unamortized Prior Service Costs		Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses			Unamortized Prior Service Costs
Balance at beginning of year	$	39,161		$	—	$	10,761		$	(3,070	)
Amounts arising during the period		22,691			—		6,020			—
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost		(940	)		—		(901	)		543
Balance at end of year	$	60,912		$	—	$	15,880		$	(2,527	)

Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost

(in thousands)	Pension		Postretirement			Total
Prior service cost	$	—	$	(543	)	$	(543	)
Net actuarial loss		1,799		1,306			3,105

Amounts applicable to the Company's defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Projected benefit obligation	$	109,976	$	90,603
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	109,976	$	90,357

Defined benefit plan estimated future benefit payments

Year	Expected Pension Benefit Payout		Expected Postretirement Benefit Payout		Medicare Part D Subsidy
2012	$	3,784	$	1,372	$	(161	)
2013		3,980		1,455		(187	)
2014		4,346		1,547		(209	)
2015		5,036		1,638		(236	)
2016		5,279		1,723		(267	)
2017-2021		31,164		10,040		(1,903	)

Components of the net periodic benefit cost

	Pension Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Service cost	$	—		$	1,614		$	2,861		$	555		$	465		$	412
Interest cost		4,578			4,339			4,001			1,285			1,213			1,155
Expected return on plan assets		(6,236	)		(5,451	)		(4,356	)		—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost		—			—			(392	)		(543	)		(511	)		(511	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		940			1,817			3,503			901			691			624
Curtailment gain		—			—			(4,132	)		—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(718	)	$	2,319		$	1,485		$	2,198		$	1,858		$	1,680

Weighted average assumptions of pension and postretirement benefits for each year

	Pension Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at Measurement Date
Discount rate (a)		4.30	%		5.20	%		5.70	%		4.30	%		5.30	%		5.80	%
Rate of compensation increases		N/A			3.50	%		3.50	%		—			—			—
Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years ended December 31
Discount rate (b)		5.20	%		5.70	%		6.10	%		5.30	%		5.80	%		6.10	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.75	%		8.00	%		8.25	%		—			—			—
Rate of compensation increases		3.50	%		3.50	%		4.50	%		—			—			—

Assumed health care cost trend rates at beginning of year

	2011			2010
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year		7.5	%		8.0	%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)		5.0	%		5.0	%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate		2017			2017

Assumed health care cost trend rate has an effect on the amounts reported for postretirement benefits

	One-Percentage-Point
(in thousands)	Increase			Decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2011	$	(18	)	$	16
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2011		(164	)		140

Company's pension plan weighted average asset allocations

Asset Category	2011			2010
Equity securities		57	%		68	%
Fixed income securities		41	%		31	%
Cash and equivalents		2	%		1	%
		100	%		100	%

Defined benefit plan assets target allocations

	Percentage of Total Portfolio Market Value
	Minimum			Maximum			Single Security
Equity based		30	%		70	%		<5	%
Fixed income based		20	%		70	%		<5	%
Cash and equivalents		1	%		5	%		<5	%
Alternative investments		0	%		20	%		<5	%

Fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan

December 31, 2011

		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000
(in thousands) Assets	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	10,773	$	—	$	—	$	10,773
Money market fund		—		1,659		—		1,659
Equity funds		—		39,573		—		39,573
Fixed income funds		—		35,600		—		35,600
Total	$	10,773	$	76,832	$	—	$	87,605

December 31, 2010

		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000
(in thousands) Assets	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	12,119	$	—	$	—	$	12,119
Money market fund		—		793		—		793
Equity funds		—		45,502		—		45,502
Fixed income funds		—		25,683		—		25,683
Total	$	12,119	$	71,978	$	—	$	84,097

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Related Parties (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 entities	Dec. 31, 2010 entities	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2007	Jun. 30, 2010 LTG [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member] gal	Dec. 31, 2009 The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2007 The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2006 The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC [Member] gal	Sep. 30, 2010 The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member] gal
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership after redemption						52.00%
Capacity of production facility gallon per year							110,000,000					110,000,000		55,000,000
Additional units purchased from investors													59
Number of units hold by company													5,001
Percentage of company ownership interest							50.00%	50.00%		50.00%	52.00%	38.00%	50.01%	50.00%
Additional investment for minority interest ownership by noncontrolling owners								$ 1,100,000
Equity method investment ownership percentage transferred									50.00%
Reduction in ownership percentage											2.00%
Related Parties (Textual) [Abstract]
Related party, Gross liability		1,900,000
Related party, Gross asset		600,000
Percentage of ethanol purchase		100.00%
Revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol		678,800,000	482,600,000	402,100,000
Percentage of corn used in production		100.00%
Revenues recognized for the sale of corn		706,600,000	445,600,000	404,200,000
Number of ethanol entities		3	3
Receivables from ethanol entities		7,800,000	6,800,000
Receivables due from related parties due more than thirty days		3,000	15,000
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates		17,800,000
Undistributed earnings included in retained earnings		66,500,000
Noncontrolling interest in TAEI is attributed of all gains and losses of TAME					34.00%
Investment in convertible preferred securities	13,100,000		13,100,000
Percentage of new shares acquired from subsidiary	100.00%
Voting interest in IANR	49.90%
Voting interest held by the common shareholders	50.10%
Rate of dividends accrued annually		14.00%
Estimated fair value of the Company's investment in IANR		20,400,000
Number of board of directors		5
Directors from the Company		2
Directors from common shareholders		2
Independent director		1
Number of board of directors required to take key decision		4
Current maximum exposure to loss related to IANR		22,300,000
Investment and unpaid accrued dividends		1,900,000
Dividends received		$ 900,000

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Stock Compensation Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock Compensation Plans (Tables) [Abstract]

Weighted-average fair values and assumptions for options granted

	2011		2010			2009
Risk free interest rate		—		1.96	%		1.89	%
Dividend yield		—		1.10	%		3.18	%
Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common shares		—		.560			.520
Expected life for the options (in years)		—		4.10			4.10

Summary of stock options outstanding and exercisable under long-term performance compensation plan

		$000,00			$000,00		$000,00		$000,00
	Shares (000)'s			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000)
Options & SOSARs outstanding at January 1, 2011		851		$	33.38
SOSARs granted		—			—
Options exercised		(329	)		35.66
Options & SOSARs cancelled / forfeited		(19	)		41.65
Options and SOSARs outstanding at December 31, 2011		503		$	31.56		1.81	$	6,380
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2011		501		$	31.58		1.80	$	6,352
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		363		$	34.57		1.41	$	3,597

	2011		2010		2009
Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended December 31 (000's)	$	3,817	$	2,724	$	2,127
Total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31 (000's)	$	816	$	3,084	$	4,145
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31			$	13.75	$	3.80

Summary of nonvested restricted shares

	Shares (000)'s			Weighted-Average Grant-Date  Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2011		64			$	26.52
Granted		47				47.80
Vested		(17	)			45.49
Forfeited		(1	)			40.81
Nonvested at December 31, 2011		93			$	33.54

	2011		2010		2009
Total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31 (000's)	$	1,367	$	566	$	109
Weighted average fair value of restricted shares granted during the year ended December 31	$	47.80	$	32.75	$	11.02

Summary of nonvested performance share units

 

	Shares (000)'s			Weighted-Average Grant- Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2011		124			$	26.90
Granted		77				47.80
Vested		—				—
Forfeited		(36	)			44.97
Nonvested at December 31, 2011		165			$	32.73

	2011		2010		2009
Weighted average fair value of PSUs granted during the year ended December 31	$	47.80	$	32.69	$	10.81

Fair value of the option component of the ESP Plan

	2011			2010			2009
Employee Share Purchase Plan
Risk free interest rate		0.27	%		0.47	%		0.37	%
Dividend yield		1.21	%		1.10	%		2.06	%
Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common shares		.340			.544			.673
Expected life for the options (in years)		1.00			1.00			1.00

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Derivatives (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Short-term Cap One [Member] | Short term Cap 2011 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Year Entered	2011
Year of Maturity	2012
Initial Notional Amount	$ 80.0
Hedged Item	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge
Long-term Swap One [Member] | Long term Swap 2005 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Year Entered	2005
Year of Maturity	2016
Initial Notional Amount	4.0
Hedged Item	Interest rate component of an operating lease – not accounted for as a hedge
Interest Rate	5.23%
Long-term Swap Two [Member] | Long term Swap 2006 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Year Entered	2006
Year of Maturity	2016
Initial Notional Amount	14.0
Hedged Item	Interest rate component of debt – accounted for as cash flow hedge
Interest Rate	5.95%
Long-term Cap One [Member] | Long term Cap 2011 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Year Entered	2011
Year of Maturity	2014
Initial Notional Amount	20.0
Hedged Item	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge
Interest Rate	1.36%
Long-term Cap Two [Member] | Long term Cap 2011 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Year Entered	2011
Year of Maturity	2013
Initial Notional Amount	$ 40.0
Hedged Item	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge
Minimum [Member] | Short-term Cap One [Member] | Short term Cap 2011 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Interest Rate	0.60%
Minimum [Member] | Long-term Cap Two [Member] | Long term Cap 2011 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Interest Rate	1.62%
Maximum [Member] | Short-term Cap One [Member] | Short term Cap 2011 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Interest Rate	3.42%
Maximum [Member] | Long-term Cap Two [Member] | Long term Cap 2011 [Member]
Open interest rate contracts
Interest Rate	1.65%

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 9) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Effects of one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate
Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2011, One Percentage Point Increase	$ (18)
Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2011, One Percentage Point Decrease	16
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2011, One Percentage Point Increase	(164)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2011, One Percentage Point Decrease	$ 140

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Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 4,576,331	$ 3,393,791	$ 3,025,304
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues	4,223,479	3,112,112	2,769,798
Gross profit	352,852	281,679	255,506
Operating, administrative and general expenses	229,090	195,330	199,116
Interest expense	25,256	19,865	20,688
Other income:
Equity in earnings of affiliates	41,450	26,007	17,463
Other income - net	7,922	11,652	8,331
Income before income taxes	147,878	104,143	61,496
Income tax provision	51,053	39,262	21,930
Net income	96,825	64,881	39,566
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1,719	219	1,215
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 95,106	$ 64,662	$ 38,351
Per common share:
Basic earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders	$ 5.13	$ 3.51	$ 2.10
Diluted earnings attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders	$ 5.09	$ 3.48	$ 2.08
Dividends paid	$ 0.4400	$ 0.3575	$ 0.3475

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Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Classes of inventories
Grain	$ 570,337	$ 493,911
Ethanol	5,461	3,356
Agricultural fertilizer and supplies	118,716	90,182
Lawn and garden fertilizer and corncob products	37,001	32,954
Retail merchandise	25,612	24,416
Railcar repair parts	3,063	2,058
Other	269	312
Total inventories	$ 760,459	$ 647,189

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 12.5
Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Textual) [Abstract]
Amortization expense for intangible assets	2.8	2.4	1.2
Expected future annual amortization expense, 2012	2.8
Expected future annual amortization expense, 2013	1.6
Expected future annual amortization expense, 2014	1.2
Expected future annual amortization expense, 2015	1.0
Expected future annual amortization expense, 2016	0.9
Grain [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	5.0
Plant Nutrient [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	6.8
Total amount of goodwill	1.7
Turf and Specialty [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 0.7

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Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable [Member]
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	$ 5,684	$ 8,753	$ 13,584
Charged to costs and expenses	(187)	8,678	4,973
Transferred from (to) allowance for notes receivable	46	(101)	(7,889)
Deductions	(744)	(11,646)	(1,915)
Balance at end of period	4,799	5,684	8,753
Allowance for doubtful notes receivable [Member]
Consolidated Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	254	7,950	134
Charged to costs and expenses		38
Transferred from (to) allowance for notes receivable	(46)	101	7,889
Deductions		(7,835)	(73)
Balance at end of period	$ 208	$ 254	$ 7,950

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Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Common Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Shares	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 96	$ 173,393	$ (16,737)	$ (30,046)	$ 226,707	$ 11,694	$ 365,107
Net income					38,351	1,215	39,566
Other comprehensive income:
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) and prior service costs (net of income tax of $10,293, $3,116 and $2,431 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively)				4,491			4,491
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $21, $112, and $134 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively)				241			241
Comprehensive income							44,298
Purchase of treasury shares (85 and 20 shares for 2011 and 2009 respectively)			(229)				(229)
Stock awards, stock option exercises, and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $1,197, $1,076, and $826 for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively (150, 157 and 171 shares for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively)		2,084	1,412				3,496
Dividends declared ($0.4810, $0.3575 and $0.3475 per common share for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively)					(6,396)		(6,396)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	96	175,477	(15,554)	(25,314)	258,662	12,909	406,276
Net income					64,662	219	64,881
Other comprehensive income:
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) and prior service costs (net of income tax of $10,293, $3,116 and $2,431 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively)				(4,992)			(4,992)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities (net of income tax of $1,710 and $1,004 for 2011 and 2010)				1,685			1,685
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $21, $112, and $134 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively)				(178)			(178)
Comprehensive income							61,396
Stock awards, stock option exercises, and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $1,197, $1,076, and $826 for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively (150, 157 and 171 shares for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively)		2,398	1,496				3,894
Dividends declared ($0.4810, $0.3575 and $0.3475 per common share for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively)					(7,007)		(7,007)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	96	177,875	(14,058)	(28,799)	316,317	13,128	464,559
Net income					95,106	1,719	96,825
Other comprehensive income:
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) and prior service costs (net of income tax of $10,293, $3,116 and $2,431 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively)				(17,120)			(17,120)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities (net of income tax of $1,710 and $1,004 for 2011 and 2010)				2,860			2,860
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $21, $112, and $134 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively)				(31)			(31)
Comprehensive income							82,534
Purchase of treasury shares (85 and 20 shares for 2011 and 2009 respectively)			(3,039)				(3,039)
Stock awards, stock option exercises, and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $1,197, $1,076, and $826 for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively (150, 157 and 171 shares for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively)		1,588	2,100				3,688
Dividends declared ($0.4810, $0.3575 and $0.3475 per common share for 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively)					(8,900)		(8,900)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 96	$ 179,463	$ (14,997)	$ (43,090)	$ 402,523	$ 14,847	$ 538,842

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Jun. 30, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Amount of settlement received in civil suit				$ 3.2
Management and service fees	2.8	2.9	3.0
Lease income per diem arrangements recognized	2.9	2.6	3.9
Future minimum lease payments, 2012	4.2
Future minimum lease payments, 2013	3.0
Future minimum lease payments, 2014	1.8
Future minimum lease payments, 2015	1.3
Future minimum lease payments, 2016	0.4
Future minimum lease payments, thereafter	1.4
Rental expense under agreements net	6.3	5.6	5.1
Number of operating leases	2
Number of renewals	5
Periods of lease income renewals	7 years 6 months
Operating lease income	$ 1.9	$ 1.8	$ 1.8

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Derivatives (Details 10) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair value of swaptions
Swaptions included in other assets	$ 19	$ 0

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Income Taxes (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Effective tax rate reconciliation
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:
Effect of qualified domestic production deduction	(1.60%)	(1.10%)	(0.40%)
Effect of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act		1.40%
State and local income taxes, net of related federal taxes	2.70%	2.50%	2.80%
Other, net	(1.60%)	(0.10%)	(1.70%)
Effective tax rate	34.50%	37.70%	35.70%

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements (Tables) [Abstract]

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

(in thousands)	December 31, 2011
Assets (liabilities)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
Cash equivalents	$	183	$	—	$	—		$	183
Commodity derivatives, net		43,503		22,876		2,467			68,846
Convertible preferred securities (b)		—		—		20,360			20,360
Other assets and liabilities (a)		24,875		—		(2,178	)		22,697
Total	$	68,561	$	22,876	$	20,649		$	112,086

(in thousands)	December 31, 2010
Assets (liabilities)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
Cash equivalents	$	213	$	—	$	—		$	213
Commodity derivatives, net		61,559		129,723		12,406			203,688
Convertible preferred securities (b)		—		—		15,790			15,790
Other assets and liabilities (a)		17,983		—		(2,156	)		15,827
Total	$	79,755	$	129,723	$	26,040		$	235,518

(a) Included in other assets and liabilities is restricted cash, interest rate and foreign currency derivatives, swaptions and deferred compensation assets.

(b) Recorded in "Other noncurrent assets" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets

Beginning and ending balances for the Company's fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs

	2011								2010
(in thousands)	Interest rate derivatives and swaptions			Convertible preferred securities		Commodity derivatives, net			Interest rate derivatives			Convertible preferred securities		Commodity derivatives, net
Asset (liability) at December 31,	$	(2,156	)	$	15,790	$	12,406		$	(1,763	)	$	—	$	1,948
Investment in debt securities		—			—		—			—			13,100		—
Gains (losses) included in earnings		(560	)		—		(9,109	)		(132	)		—		(1,519	)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		(62	)		—		—			(297	)		—		—
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities included in other comprehensive income		—			4,570		—			—			2,690		—
New contracts entered into		600			—		—			36			—		—
Transfers to level 2		—			—		(1,234	)		—			—		—
Transfers from level 2		—			—		404			—			—		11,977
Asset (liability) at December 31,	$	(2,178	)	$	20,360	$	2,467		$	(2,156	)	$	15,790	$	12,406

Fair value of long-term debt estimated using quoted market prices or discounted future cash flows

(in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
2011:
Fixed rate long-term notes payable	$	179,160	$	186,918
Long-term notes payable, non-recourse		954		966
Debenture bonds		29,483		30,666
	$	209,597	$	218,550
2010:
Fixed rate long-term notes payable	$	196,242	$	199,292
Long-term notes payable, non-recourse		15,991		16,157
Debenture bonds		36,887		39,991
	$	249,120	$	255,440

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Pension Benefits [Member]
Details of the pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at beginning of year, Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses	$ 39,161
Balance at beginning of year, Unamortized Prior Service Costs	0
Amounts arising during the period, Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses	22,691
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost, Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses	(940)
Balance at end of year, Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses	60,912
Balance at end of year, Unamortized Prior Service Costs	0
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Details of the pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Balance at beginning of year, Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses	10,761
Balance at beginning of year, Unamortized Prior Service Costs	(3,070)
Amounts arising during the period, Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses	6,020
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost, Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses	(901)
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost, Unamortized Prior Service Costs	543
Balance at end of year, Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses	15,880
Balance at end of year, Unamortized Prior Service Costs	$ (2,527)

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Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited)

15. Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2011 and 2010:

(in thousands, except for per common share data) Quarter Ended	Sales and merchandising revenues		Gross profit		Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.		Earnings per share- basic		Earnings per share- diluted
2011
March 31	$	1,001,674	$	78,685	$	17,266	$	0.93	$	0.93
June 30		1,338,167		122,772		45,218		2.44		2.42
September 30		938,660		64,964		10,925		0.59		0.59
December 31		1,297,830		86,431		21,697		1.17		1.17
Year	$	4,576,331	$	352,852	$	95,106		5.13		5.09
2010
March 31	$	721,998	$	58,550	$	12,265	$	0.67	$	0.66
June 30		810,999		87,554		25,169		1.37		1.36
September 30		706,825		53,109		1,394		0.08		0.08
December 31		1,153,969		82,466		25,834		1.40		1.39
Year	$	3,393,791	$	281,679	$	64,662		3.51		3.48

Net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. As such, the summation of the quarterly amounts may not equal the total net income per share reported for the year.

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Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Short-term borrowings

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011			2010			2009
Maximum amount borrowed	$	601,500		$	305,000		$	92,700
Weighted average interest rate		2.73	%		3.69	%		2.89	%

Recourse [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011		2010
Note payable, 4.80%, payable at maturity, due 2011	$	—	$	17,000
Note payable, 4.55%, payable at maturity, due 2012		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 5.52 %, payable at maturity, due 2013		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 6.10%, payable at maturity, due 2014		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 6.12%, payable at maturity, due 2015		61,500		61,500
Note payable, 6.78%, payable at maturity due 2018		41,500		41,500
Note payable, variable rate (2.82% at December 31, 2010), payable $110 monthly plus interest, due 2012 (a)		—		10,031
Note payable, variable rate (1.65% at December 31, 2011), payable in increasing amounts ($875 annually at December 31, 2011) plus interest, due 2023 (a)		13,715		14,590
Note payable, variable rate (1.09% at December 31, 2011), payable $58 monthly plus interest, due 2016 (a)		10,150		10,850
Note payable, 8.5%, payable $15 monthly, due 2016		1,160		1,242
Industrial development revenue bonds:
Variable rate (2.76% at December 31, 2011), due 2017 (a)		8,881		9,000
Variable rate (2.19% at December 31, 2011), due 2019 (a)		4,650		4,650
Variable rate (2.25% at December 31, 2011), due 2025 (a)		3,100		3,100
Variable rate (1.87% at December 31, 2011), due 2036 (a)		21,000		—
Debenture bonds, 4.00% to 6.5%, due 2011 through 2021		29,483		36,887
Other notes payable and bonds		—		8
		270,139		285,358
Less: current maturities		32,051		21,683
	$	238,088	$	263,675

(a) Debt is collateralized by first mortgages on certain facilities and related equipment with a book value of $24.5 million

Nonrecourse [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term debt

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011		2010
Note payable, 5.96%, payable $218 monthly plus interest, due 2013	$	—	$	14,550
Note payable, 6.37%, payable $24 monthly, due 2014		954		1,405
Note payable, 7.06%, payable $2 monthly, due 2011		—		36
		954		15,991
Less: current maturities		157		2,841
	$	797	$	13,150

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Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Components of income before income taxes
U.S income	$ 146,420	$ 106,184	$ 64,359
Foreign	1,458	(2,041)	(2,863)
Income before income taxes	$ 147,878	$ 104,143	$ 61,496

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Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

17. Subsequent Events

On January 31, 2012, the Company announced the purchase of 100% of the stock of New Eezy Gro, Inc. for a purchase price of $15.5 million plus working capital in the amount of $1.4 million. New Eezy Gro is a manufacturer and wholesale marketer of specialty agricultural nutrients and industrial products and will become a part of the Company's Plant Nutrient Group. The purchase price allocation will not be available prior to the filing of this Form 10-K.

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Combined benefits expected to be paid for all Company defined benefit plans
Medicare Part D Subsidy, 2012	$ (161)
Medicare Part D Subsidy, 2013	(187)
Medicare Part D Subsidy, 2014	(209)
Medicare Part D Subsidy, 2015	(236)
Medicare Part D Subsidy, 2016	(267)
Medicare Part D Subsidy, 2017-2021	(1,903)
Expected Pension Benefit Payout [Member]
Combined benefits expected to be paid for all Company defined benefit plans
2012	3,784
2013	3,980
2014	4,346
2015	5,036
2016	5,279
2017-2021	31,164
Expected Postretirement Benefit Payout [Member]
Combined benefits expected to be paid for all Company defined benefit plans
2012	1,372
2013	1,455
2014	1,547
2015	1,638
2016	1,723
2017-2021	$ 10,040

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Stock Compensation Plans (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	May 06, 2005	Dec. 31, 2011 Change in plan assets [Member]	May 06, 2005 Prior Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 SOSARs and Stock Options [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock Awards [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2011 Performance Share Units [Member] years	Dec. 31, 2010 Performance Share Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Performance Share Units [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Employee Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	Dec. 31, 2007 Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	Dec. 31, 2006 Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Executive Officer [Member] Performance Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares remained available	396,000						426,000						266,000
SOSARs granted, Shares									47,000	77,000
Maximum term for options granted						10 years
Period for recognition of compensation cost								0.17	2.0	2.0
Total unrecognized compensation cost								$ 0.1	$ 1.3	$ 2.9
Number of shares issued									46,862								77,025
Term of granting options to directors and management personnel														5 years	5 years	5 years
General vesting period of options granted									3 years					3 years	after three years	after three years
Percentage of maximum amount available for issuance										40.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Term of Treasury issues													1 year
Stock Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized to grant under LT Plan					400,000
Number of additional shares available under LT Plan				500,000
Compensation expense recognized	$ 4.1	$ 2.6	$ 2.7

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Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income tax on unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) and prior service costs	$ 10,293,000
Income tax on cash flow hedge activity	21,000	112,000	134,000
Treasury shares purchased			20
Stock option exercises and other shares issued to employees and directors, shares		157	171
Dividends declared, per common share	$ 0.4810	$ 0.3575	$ 0.3475
Additional Paid-in Capital
Stock option exercises and other shares issued to employees and directors, shares	150	157	171
Income tax on stock option exercise and other shares issued to employees and director	1,197,000	1,076,000	826,000
Treasury Shares
Treasury shares purchased	85		20
Stock option exercises and other shares issued to employees and directors, shares	150	157	171
Income tax on stock option exercise and other shares issued to employees and director	1,197,000	1,076,000	826,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Income tax on unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) and prior service costs	10,293,000	3,116,000	2,431,000
Income tax on estimated fair value of investment in debt securities	1,710,000	1,004,000
Income tax on cash flow hedge activity	$ 21,000	$ 112,000	$ 134,000
Retained Earnings
Dividends declared, per common share	$ 0.4810	$ 0.3575	$ 0.3475

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,390	$ 29,219
Restricted cash	18,651	12,134
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,799 in 2011; $5,684 in 2010	167,640	152,227
Inventories	760,459	647,189
Commodity derivative assets - current	83,950	246,475
Deferred income taxes	21,483	16,813
Other current assets	34,649	34,501
Total current assets	1,107,222	1,138,558
Other assets:
Commodity derivative assets - noncurrent	2,289	18,113
Other assets, net	53,327	47,855
Equity method investments	199,061	175,349
Total other assets	254,677	241,317
Railcar assets leased to others, net	197,137	168,483
Property, plant and equipment, net	175,087	151,032
Total assets	1,734,123	1,699,390
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under short-term line of credit	71,500	241,100
Accounts payable for grain	391,905	274,596
Other accounts payable	142,762	111,501
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue	79,557	78,550
Commodity derivative liabilities - current	15,874	57,621
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	60,445	48,851
Current maturities of long-term debt	32,208	24,524
Total current liabilities	794,251	836,743
Other long-term liabilities	43,014	25,183
Commodity derivative liabilities - noncurrent	1,519	3,279
Employee benefit plan obligations	52,972	30,152
Long-term debt, less current maturities	238,885	276,825
Deferred income taxes	64,640	62,649
Total liabilities	1,195,281	1,234,831
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares, without par value, 42,000 shares authorized; 19,198 shares issued	96	96
Preferred shares, without par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued
Additional paid-in capital	179,463	177,875
Treasury shares, at cost (697 in 2011; 762 in 2010)	(14,997)	(14,058)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(43,090)	(28,799)
Retained earnings	402,523	316,317
Total shareholders' equity of The Andersons, Inc.	523,995	451,431
Noncontrolling interest	14,847	13,128
Total equity	538,842	464,559
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,734,123	$ 1,699,390

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Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

10. Debt

Borrowing Arrangements

The Company maintains a borrowing arrangement with a syndicate of banks, which was amended on December 7, 2011, and provides the Company with $735 million ("Line A") in short-term lines of credit and $115 million ("Line B") in long-term lines of credit. It also provides the Company with $90 million in letters of credit. Any amounts outstanding on letters of credit will reduce the amount available on the lines of credit. The Company had standby letters of credit outstanding of $35.1 million at December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, $71.5 million in borrowings was outstanding on Line A and no borrowings were outstanding on Line B. Borrowings under the line of credit bear interest at variable interest rates, which are based off LIBOR plus an applicable spread. The maturity date for Line A is December 2014 and September 2015 for Line B. Draw downs that are less than 90 days are recorded net in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The long-term portion of the syndicate line can be drawn on and the resulting debt considered long-term when used for long-term purposes such as replacing long-term debt that is maturing, funding the purchase of long-term assets, or increasing permanent working capital when needed. The expectation at the time of drawing is that it will be kept open until more permanent replacement debt is secured, until other long-term assets are sold, or earnings are generated to pay it down.

The Company drew $20.0 million on the long-term syndicate line at the end of the first quarter, and again in the second quarter of 2011 as a partial replacement for $25.0 million in long-term private placement debt that was becoming a current maturity and another $17.0 million that was maturing. In the second half of the year, a combination of reduced borrowings due to a drop in commodity prices, increasing earnings and working capital, and lower capital spending than originally planned resulted in pay down of a significant amount of long-term debt. Total payments of long-term debt are $104.0 million year-to-date.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had a total of $743.4 million available for borrowing under its lines of credit.

The following information relates to short-term borrowings:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011			2010			2009
Maximum amount borrowed	$	601,500		$	305,000		$	92,700
Weighted average interest rate		2.73	%		3.69	%		2.89	%

Long-Term Debt

Recourse Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011		2010
Note payable, 4.80%, payable at maturity, due 2011	$	—	$	17,000
Note payable, 4.55%, payable at maturity, due 2012		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 5.52 %, payable at maturity, due 2013		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 6.10%, payable at maturity, due 2014		25,000		25,000
Note payable, 6.12%, payable at maturity, due 2015		61,500		61,500
Note payable, 6.78%, payable at maturity due 2018		41,500		41,500
Note payable, variable rate (2.82% at December 31, 2010), payable $110 monthly plus interest, due 2012 (a)		—		10,031
Note payable, variable rate (1.65% at December 31, 2011), payable in increasing amounts ($875 annually at December 31, 2011) plus interest, due 2023 (a)		13,715		14,590
Note payable, variable rate (1.09% at December 31, 2011), payable $58 monthly plus interest, due 2016 (a)		10,150		10,850
Note payable, 8.5%, payable $15 monthly, due 2016		1,160		1,242
Industrial development revenue bonds:
Variable rate (2.76% at December 31, 2011), due 2017 (a)		8,881		9,000
Variable rate (2.19% at December 31, 2011), due 2019 (a)		4,650		4,650
Variable rate (2.25% at December 31, 2011), due 2025 (a)		3,100		3,100
Variable rate (1.87% at December 31, 2011), due 2036 (a)		21,000		—
Debenture bonds, 4.00% to 6.5%, due 2011 through 2021		29,483		36,887
Other notes payable and bonds		—		8
		270,139		285,358
Less: current maturities		32,051		21,683
	$	238,088	$	263,675

(a) Debt is collateralized by first mortgages on certain facilities and related equipment or other assets with a book value of $41.6 million

The Company called certain issues of debenture bonds earning a rate of interest of 6% or higher during the fourth quarter of 2011. The total amount called was $18.3 million. At December 31, 2011, the Company had $8.9 million of five-year term debenture bonds bearing interest at 3.0% and $2.7 million of ten-year term debenture bonds bearing interest at 4.25% available for sale under an existing registration statement.

The Company's short-term and long-term borrowing agreements include both financial and non-financial covenants that, among other things, require the Company at a minimum to maintain:

• tangible net worth of not less than $300 million

• current ratio net of hedged inventory of not less than 1.25 to 1

• debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 70%

• asset coverage ratio of not more than 70%

• interest coverage ratio of not less than 2.75 to 1

The Company was in compliance with all covenants at and during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

The aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows: 2012 — $32.1 million; 2013 — $27.2 million; 2014 — $29.6 million; 2015 — $70.0 million; 2016 — $16.5 million; and $94.8 million thereafter.

Non-Recourse Debt

The Company's non-recourse long-term debt consists of the following:

	December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages)	2011		2010
Note payable, 5.96%, payable $218 monthly plus interest, due 2013	$	—	$	14,550
Note payable, 6.37%, payable $24 monthly, due 2014		954		1,405
Note payable, 7.06%, payable $2 monthly, due 2011		—		36
		954		15,991
Less: current maturities		157		2,841
	$	797	$	13,150

In 2005, The Andersons Rail Operating I ("TARO I"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $41 million in non-recourse long-term debt for the purpose of purchasing 2,293 railcars and related leases from the Company. The balance outstanding on the TARO I non-recourse long-term debt at December 31, 2010 was $14.6 million. The full amount of the note was paid off prior to December 31, 2011.

The aggregate annual maturities of non-recourse, long-term debt are as follows: 2012 — $0.2 million; 2013 — $0.2 million; 2014 — $0.6 million and $0.0 million thereafter.

Interest paid (including interest on short-term lines of credit) amounted to $25.2 million, $20.0 million and $20.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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Stock Compensation Plans (Details) (Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010 years	Dec. 31, 2009 years
Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights [Member]
Weighted-average fair values and assumptions for options granted
Risk free interest rate	0.00%	1.96%	1.89%
Dividend yield	0.00%	1.10%	3.18%
Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common shares	0.00%	0.56%	0.52%
Expected life for the options (in years)	0.00	4.10	4.10

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating leases future minimum rentals and service income
Future Rental and Service Income - Operating Leases, 2012	$ 53,848
Future Rental and Service Income - Operating Leases, 2013	39,435
Future Rental and Service Income - Operating Leases, 2014	26,676
Future Rental and Service Income - Operating Leases, 2015	19,756
Future Rental and Service Income - Operating Leases, 2016	14,704
Future Rental and Service Income - Operating Leases, Future years	22,923
Future Rental and Service Income - Operating Leases, Total	177,342
Future Minimum Rental Payments, 2012	12,575
Future Minimum Rental Payments, 2013	9,014
Future Minimum Rental Payments, 2014	6,572
Future Minimum Rental Payments, 2015	6,396
Future Minimum Rental Payments, 2016	6,174
Future Minimum Rental Payments, Future years	10,230
Future Minimum Rental Payments, Total	$ 50,961

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Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended								12 Months Ended								12 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 07, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 Recourse [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Recourse [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Nonrecourse [Member]	Dec. 31, 2005 Nonrecourse [Member] Andersons Rail Operating I [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Nonrecourse [Member] Andersons Rail Operating I [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, 4.80%, payable at maturity, due 2011 [ Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, 4.55%, payable at maturity, due 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, 5.52 %, payable at maturity, due 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, 6.10%, payable at maturity, due 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, 6.12%, payable at maturity, due 2015 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, 6.78%, payable at maturity due 2018 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, variable rate (2.82% at December 31, 2010), payable $110 monthly plus interest, due 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, variable rate (1.69% at December 31, 2011), payable in increasing amounts ($875 annually at December 31, 2011) plus interest, due 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, variable rate (1.09% at December 31, 2011), payable $58 monthly plus interest, due 2016 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note payable, 8.5%, payable $15 monthly, due 2016 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable rate (1.87% at December 31, 2011), due 2036 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable rate (2.19% at December 31, 2011), due 2019 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable rate (2.25% at December 31, 2011), due 2025 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable rate (2.76% at December 31, 2011), due 2017 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Debenture bonds, 4.00% to 6.5%, due 2011 through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note Payable, 5.96%, payable $218 monthly plus interest, due 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note Payable, 6.37%, payable $24 monthly, due 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Note Payable, 7.06%, payable $2 monthly, due 2011 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Five year term debenture bonds [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Recourse [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Ten year term debenture bonds [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Recourse [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Short-term [Member]	Dec. 07, 2011 Short-term [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Long-term [Member]	Dec. 07, 2011 Long-term [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility	$ 71,500,000	$ 241,100,000		$ 90,000,000																													$ 735,000,000		$ 115,000,000
Amount outstanding	35,100,000																															71,500,000		0
Maturity of line of credit facility																																December 2014		September 2015
Period of borrowings draw down under line of credit	less than 90 days
Series A due in 2011					17,000,000	20,000,000
Series A-1- Due on 2012					25,000,000
Interest rate of debt instruments							6.00%	6.00%				4.80%	4.55%	5.52%	6.10%	6.12%	6.78%	2.82%	1.65%	1.09%	8.50%	2.76%	2.19%	2.25%	1.87%		5.96%	6.37%	7.06%
Amount called on debenture bonds							18,300,000
Interest rate of debt instruments, Minimum																										4.00
Interest rate of debt instruments, Maximum																										6.5
Repayment of debt, principal																		110,000	875,000	58,000	15,000						218,000	24,000	2,000
Debenture bond bearing interest percentage																														3.00%	4.25%
Debenture bond bearing interest Amount																														8,900,000	2,700,000
Minimum tangible net worth							300,000,000	300,000,000
Current ratio net of hedged inventory minimum								1.25%
Debt to capitalized ratio maximum								70.00%
Asset coverage ratio minimum								70.00%
Interest coverage ratio maximum								2.75%
Aggregate annual maturities of long term debt, 2012							32,100,000	32,100,000	200,000
Aggregate annual maturities of long term debt, 2013							27,200,000	27,200,000	200,000
Aggregate annual maturities of long term debt, 2014							29,600,000	29,600,000	600,000
Aggregate annual maturities of long term debt, 2015							70,000,000	70,000,000	0
Aggregate annual maturities of long term debt, 2016							16,500,000	16,500,000
Aggregate annual maturities of long term debt there after							94,800,000	94,800,000
No of railcars purchased										2,293
Contribution from parent										41,000,000
Balance outstanding related to subsidiaries											14,600,000
Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Total borrowing capacity under lines of credit	743,400,000
Long-term debt, total	104,008,000	36,598,000	52,349,000
Collateralized debt book value	41,600,000
Interest paid	$ 25,200,000	$ 20,000,000	$ 20,000,000

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Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 09, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ANDERSONS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000821026
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 780.6
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18.5

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Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

11. Commitments and Contingencies

Railcar leasing activities:

The Company is a lessor of railcars. The majority of railcars are leased to customers under operating leases that may be either net leases (where the customer pays for all maintenance) or full service leases (where the Company provides maintenance and fleet management services). The Company also provides such services to financial intermediaries to whom it has sold railcars and locomotives in non-recourse lease transactions. Fleet management services generally include maintenance, escrow, tax filings and car tracking services.

Many of the Company's leases provide for renewals. The Company also generally holds purchase options for railcars it has sold and leased-back from a financial intermediary, and railcars sold in non-recourse lease transactions. These purchase options are for stated amounts which are determined at the inception of the lease and are intended to approximate the estimated fair value of the applicable railcars at the date for which such purchase options can be exercised.

Lease income from operating leases (with the Company as lessor) to customers (including month to month and per diem leases) and rental expense for railcar operating leases (with the Company as lessee) were as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Rental and service income – operating leases	$	68,124	$	60,700	$	73,575
Rental expense	$	16,303	$	20,023	$	24,271

Lease income recognized under per diem arrangements (described in Note 1) totaled $2.9 million, $2.6 million and $3.9 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and is included in the amounts above.

Future minimum rentals and service income for all noncancelable railcar operating leases greater than one year are as follows:

(in thousands)	Future Rental and Service Income – Operating Leases		Future Minimum Rental Payments
Year ended December 31,
2012	$	53,848	$	12,575
2013		39,435		9,014
2014		26,676		6,572
2015		19,756		6,396
2016		14,704		6,174
Future years		22,923		10,230
	$	177,342	$	50,961

The Company also arranges non-recourse lease transactions under which it sells railcars or locomotives to financial intermediaries and assigns the related operating lease on a non-recourse basis. The Company generally provides ongoing railcar maintenance and management services for the financial intermediaries, and receives a fee for such services when earned. Management and service fees earned in 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $2.8 million, $2.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

Other leasing activities:

The Company, as a lessee, leases real property, vehicles and other equipment under operating leases. Certain of these agreements contain lease renewal and purchase options. The Company also leases excess property to third parties. Net rental expense under these agreements was $6.3 million, $5.6 million and $5.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Future minimum lease payments (net of sublease income commitments) under agreements in effect at December 31, 2011 are as follows: 2012 — $4.2 million; 2013 — $3.0 million; 2014 — $1.8 million; 2015 — $1.3 million; 2016 — $0.4 million; and $1.4 million thereafter.

In addition to the above, the Company leases its Albion, Michigan and Clymers, Indiana grain elevators under operating leases to two of its ethanol joint ventures. The Albion, Michigan grain elevator lease expires in 2056. The initial term of the Clymers, Indiana grain elevator lease ends in 2014 and provides for 5 renewals of 7.5 years each. Lease income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1.9 million, $1.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Litigation activities:

The Company is party to litigation, or threats thereof, both as defendant and plaintiff with some regularity, although individual cases that are material in size occur infrequently. As a defendant, the Company establishes reserves for claimed amounts that are considered probable, and capable of estimation. If those cases are resolved for lesser amounts, the excess reserves are taken into income and, conversely, if those cases are resolved for larger than the amount the Company has accrued, the Company records a charge to income. The Company believes it is unlikely that the results of its current legal proceedings for which it is the defendant, even if unfavorable, will be material. As a plaintiff, amounts that are collected can also result in sudden, non-recurring income. Litigation results depend upon a variety of factors, including the availability of evidence, the credibility of witnesses, the performance of counsel, the state of the law, and the impressions of judges and jurors, any of which can be critical in importance, yet difficult, if not impossible, to predict. Consequently, cases currently pending, or future matters, may result in unexpected, and non-recurring losses, or income, from time to time. Finally, litigation results are often subject to judicial reconsideration, appeal and further negotiation by the parties, and as a result, the final impact of a particular judicial decision may be unknown for some time, or may result in continued reserves to account for the potential of such post-verdict actions.

The estimated range of loss for all outstanding claims that are considered reasonably possible of occurring is not significant. There are several pending claims for which the question of loss or the range of loss cannot be estimated at this time, among them the investigation of the Maumee River in Toledo Ohio with which we are cooperating.

In 2011, the Company received a trial verdict in the amount of $3.2 million in a civil suit, for which both the Company and the defendant have subsequently filed appeals. No income has been recorded to-date due to uncertainty of the final amount and overall collectability of any amount against the defendant.

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Related Parties (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2006 The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Other [Member]
Income earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
Equity method investment ownership percentage, minimum																		7.00%
Equity method investment ownership percentage, maximum																		(33.00%)
Percentage of company ownership interest				50.00%			50.01%	38.00%			50.00%		50.00%	50.00%	52.00%
Income earned from Company's equity method investees	$ 41,450	$ 26,007	$ 17,463	$ 5,285	$ 3,916	$ 5,735		$ 4,341	$ 5,318	$ 2,965	$ 8,089	$ 1,117	$ 2,936		$ 23,558	$ 15,133	$ 5,781	$ 177	$ 523	$ 46

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Debt (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term debt
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 32,208	$ 24,524
Total long-term debt, less current maturities	238,885	276,825
Nonrecourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	954	15,991
Current maturities of long-term debt	157	2,841
Total long-term debt, less current maturities	797	13,150
Note Payable, 5.96%, payable $218 monthly plus interest, due 2013 [Member] | Nonrecourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	0	14,550
Note Payable, 6.37%, payable $24 monthly, due 2014 [Member] | Nonrecourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	954	1,405
Note Payable, 7.06%, payable $2 monthly, due 2011 [Member] | Nonrecourse [Member]
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt	$ 0	$ 36

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Common shares, par value
Common shares, shares authorized	42,000	42,000
Common shares, shares issued	19,198	19,198
Preferred shares, par value
Preferred shares, shares authorized	1,000	1,000
Preferred shares, shares issued
Treasury shares, at cost	697	762

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Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

5. Earnings per Share

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for common stock and any participating securities according to dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company's nonvested restricted stock are considered participating securities since the share-based awards contain a non-forfeitable right to dividends irrespective of whether the awards ultimately vest.

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2011		2010		2009
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$	95,106	$	64,662	$	38,351
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stock		369		204		122
Earnings available to common shareholders	$	94,737	$	64,458	$	38,229
Earnings per share – basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		18,457		18,356		18,190
Earnings per common share – basic	$	5.13	$	3.51	$	2.10
Earnings per share – diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		18,457		18,356		18,190
Effect of dilutive options		162		151		179
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		18,619		18,507		18,369
Earnings per common share – diluted	$	5.09	$	3.48	$	2.08

There were no antidilutive equity instruments at December 31, 2011, 2010 or 2009.

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Derivatives

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivatives [Abstract]

Derivatives

4. Derivatives

The margin deposit assets and liabilities which were shown net on the face of the balance sheet in previous periods are now included in short-term commodity derivative assets and liabilities, as appropriate. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. The change in presentation had no effect on current or total assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company's operating results are affected by changes to commodity prices. The Grain and Ethanol businesses have established "unhedged" position limits (the amount of a commodity, either owned or contracted for, that does not have an offsetting derivative contract to lock in the price). To reduce the exposure to market price risk on commodities owned and forward grain and ethanol purchase and sale contracts, the Company enters into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts and over the counter forward and option contracts with various counterparties. The exchange traded contracts are primarily via the regulated Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The Company's forward purchase and sales contracts are for physical delivery of the commodity in a future period. Contracts to purchase commodities from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of commodities to processors or other commercial consumers generally do not extend beyond one year.

All of these contracts are considered derivatives. While the Company considers its commodity contracts to be effective economic hedges, the Company does not designate or account for its commodity contracts as hedges as defined under current accounting standards. The Company accounts for its commodity derivatives at estimated fair value, the same method it uses to value its grain inventory. The estimated fair value of the commodity derivative contracts that require the receipt or posting of cash collateral is recorded on a net basis (offset against cash collateral posted or received, also known as margin deposits) within commodity derivative assets or liabilities. Management determines fair value based on exchange-quoted prices and in the case of its forward purchase and sale contracts, estimated fair value is adjusted for differences in local markets and non-performance risk. For contracts for which physical delivery occurs, balance sheet classification is based on estimated delivery date. For futures, options and over-the-counter contracts in which physical delivery is not expected to occur but, rather, the contract is expected to be net settled, the Company classifies these contracts as current or noncurrent assets or liabilities, as appropriate, based on the Company's expectations as to when such contracts will be settled.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses in the value of commodity contracts (whether due to changes in commodity prices, changes in performance or credit risk, or due to sale, maturity or extinguishment of the commodity contract) and grain inventories are included in sales and merchandising revenues.

The following table presents at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, a summary of the estimated fair value of the Company's commodity derivative instruments that require cash collateral and the associated cash posted/received as collateral.

	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
(in thousands)	Net derivative asset position			Net derivative liability position		Net derivative asset position			Net derivative liability position
Collateral paid	$	66,870		$	—	$	166,589		$	—
Collateral received		—			—		—			—
Fair value of derivatives		(20,480	)		—		(146,330	)		—
Balance at end of period	$	46,390		$	—	$	20,259		$	—

Certain contracts allow the Company to post grain inventory as collateral rather than cash. Grain inventory posted as collateral on derivative contracts are recorded in Inventories on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the estimated fair value of such inventory was $1.0 million and $27.3 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following table presents the fair value of the Company's commodity derivatives as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the balance sheet line item in which they are located:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative assets - current	$	37,560		$	226,216
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative assets - noncurrent		2,289			18,113
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative liabilities - current		(15,874	)		(57,621	)
Forward commodity contracts included in Commodity derivative liabilities - noncurrent		(1,519	)		(3,279	)
Regulated futures and options contracts included in Commodity derivatives (a)		(23,367	)		(105,030	)
Over-the-counter contracts included in Commodity derivatives (a)		2,887			(41,300	)
Total estimated fair value of commodity derivatives	$	1,976		$	37,099

(a) The fair value of futures, options and over-the-counter contracts are offset by cash collateral posted or received and included as a net amount in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The gains included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income and the line items in which they are located for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Gains (losses) on commodity derivatives included in sales and merchandising revenues	$	131,209	$	(53,942	)

At December 31, 2011, the Company had the following bushels of grain commodity derivative contracts and gallons of ethanol derivative contracts outstanding (on a gross basis):

Commodity	Number of bushels (in thousands)		Number of tons (in thousands)		Number of gallons (in thousands)
Non-exchange traded:
Corn		200,072
Soybeans		10,568
Wheat		6,593
Oats		11,581
Ethanol						239,240
Other				98
Subtotal		228,814		98		239,240
Exchange traded:
Corn		96,500
Soybeans		16,570
Wheat		46,935
Oats		1,715
Ethanol						29,463
Other						10
Subtotal		161,720				29,473
Total		390,534		98		268,713

Interest Rate Derivatives

The Company periodically enters into interest rate contracts to manage interest rate risk on borrowing or financing activities. One of the Company's long-term interest rate swaps is recorded in other long-term liabilities and is designated as a cash flow hedge; accordingly, changes in the fair value of this instrument are recognized in other comprehensive income. The terms of the swap match the terms of the underlying debt instrument. The deferred derivative gains and losses on the interest rate swap are reclassified into income over the term of the underlying hedged items. For each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company reclassified less than $0.1 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings. The Company expects to reclassify less than $0.1 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings in the next twelve months.

The Company has other interest rate contracts that are not designated as hedges. While the Company considers all of its interest rate derivative positions to be effective economic hedges of specified risks, these interest rate contracts are recorded on the balance sheet in other current assets or liabilities (if short-term in nature) or in other assets or other long-term liabilities (if non-current in nature) and changes in fair value are recognized currently in income as interest expense

The following table presents the open interest rate contracts at December 31, 2011:

Interest Rate Hedging Instrument	Year Entered	Year of Maturity	Initial Notional Amount (in  millions)		Hedged Item	Interest Rate
Short-term
Caps	2011	2012	$	80.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	0.60% to 3.42%
Long-term
Swap	2005	2016	$	4.0	Interest rate component of an operating lease – not accounted for as a hedge	5.23%
Swap	2006	2016	$	14.0	Interest rate component of debt – accounted for as cash flow hedge	5.95%
Cap	2011	2014	$	20.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	1.36%
Cap	2011	2013	$	40.0	Interest rate component of debt – not accounted for as a hedge	1.62% to 1.65%

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had recorded the following amounts for the fair value of the Company's interest rate derivatives:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contracts included in other assets	$	31		$	6
Interest rate contracts included in other long term liabilities		(372	)		(368	)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$	(341	)	$	(362	)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contract included in other long term liabilities	$	(1,856	)	$	(1,768	)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$	(1,856	)	$	(1,768	)

The losses included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income and the line item in which they are located for interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Interest expense	$	(232	)	$	(133	)

The losses included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Equity and the line item in which they are located for interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments are as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(88	)	$	(229	)

Foreign Currency Derivatives

The Company holds a zero cost foreign currency collar to hedge the change in conversion rate between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar for railcar leases in Canada. This zero cost collar, which is being accounted for as a cash flow hedge, has an initial notional amount of $6.8 million and places a floor and ceiling on the Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar exchange rate at $0.9875 and $1.069, respectively. Changes in the fair value of this derivative are included as a component of other comprehensive income or loss. The terms of the collar match the underlying lease agreements and therefore any ineffectiveness is considered immaterial.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had recorded the following amount for the fair value of the Company's foreign currency derivatives:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Foreign currency contract included in other assets	$	—	$	(26	)

The gains (losses) included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Equity and the line item in which they are located for foreign currency derivatives designated as hedging instruments are as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	26	$	(68	)

Swaptions

In 2011, the Company entered into two $10 million swaptions for Rail purchase options on sale leaseback transactions to manage the risk of higher interest rates in the future. The effective dates of the options to enter into a swap are September 28, 2012 and 2013. The swaptions are recorded at fair value and are marked-to-market each reporting period, with the change recorded in income as interest expense.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had recorded the following amount for the fair value of the Company's swaptions:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Swaptions included in other assets	$	19	$	—

The losses included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income and the line item in which they are located for swaptions are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Interest expense	$	(328	)	$	—

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Business Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Business Acquisitions [Abstract]

Business Acquisitions

16. Business Acquisitions

On October 31, 2011, the Company completed the purchase of Immokalee Farmers Supply, Inc., which serves the specialty vegetable producers in Southwest Florida, for a total purchase price of $3.0 million, which includes a $0.6 million payable recorded in other long-term liabilities and is based on future performance of the acquired company.

On May 1, 2010, the Company acquired two grain cleaning and storage facilities from O'Malley Grain, Inc. ("O'Malley") for a purchase price of $7.8 million. O'Malley is a supplier of consistent, high quality food-grade corn to the snack food and tortilla industries with facilities in Nebraska and Illinois.

On December 31, 2010, the Company acquired the assets of B4 Grain, Inc. ("B4"), for a purchase price of $35.1 million, including cash paid through December 31, 2010 of $31.5 million. B4 has three grain elevators located in Nebraska, two of which are owned and have a combined storage capacity of 1.9 million bushels and another that is leased with storage capacity of 1.1 million bushels. B4's focus is on their direct ship program, which complements the Company's existing direct ship program that it is currently expanding.

The goodwill recognized as a result of the O'Malley and B4 acquisitions is $1.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively, and relates to expected synergies from combining operations.

The summarized purchase price allocation for the two 2010 acquisitions is as follows:

	B4			O'Malley			Total
Current assets	$	44,428		$	4,097		$	48,525
Intangible assets		350			1,375			1,725
Goodwill		2,850			1,231			4,081
Property, plant and equipment		1,879			5,959			7,838
Other long-term assets		1,005			111			1,116
Current liabilities		(15,383	)		(4,864	)		(20,247	)
Other long-term liabilities		—			(126	)		(126	)
Total purchase price (a)	$	35,129		$	7,783		$	42,912

(a) Of the $35.1 million purchase price for B4, $0.8 million remained in accounts payable and a $2.8 million earn-out provision remained in other-long term liabilities in the Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2010.

Approximately $1.1 million of the O'Malley intangible assets (which include customer lists and a non-compete agreement) are being amortized over 5 years. The other $0.3 million (which consists of a grower's list) is being amortized over 3 years.

The B4 intangible assets include $0.1 million for a non-compete agreement and $0.3 million for a customer list. The non-compete agreement is being amortized over 5 years and the customer list is being amortized over 3 years. The purchase agreement for B4 includes an earn-out provision. The prior owners of B4 have the ability to receive an additional $3.5 million if certain income levels are achieved over the next five years. The estimated fair value of this contingent liability is $2.8 million and is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the Company's balance sheet. In addition to the $2.8 million of contingent consideration, there is an additional $0.8 million of the initial purchase price that remained unpaid at December 31, 2010. This is recorded in accounts payable in the Company's balance sheet.

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company has goodwill of $12.5 million included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Goodwill includes $5.0 million in the Grain business, $6.8 million in the Plant Nutrient business and $0.7 million in the Turf & Specialty business. The total amount of goodwill in the Plant Nutrient business includes $1.7 million goodwill from the 2011 acquisition discussed in Note 16, Business Acquisitions.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of December 31 or whenever events or circumstances change that would indicate that an impairment of goodwill may be present. There have been no goodwill impairment charges historically. In 2010, the reporting units' fair value significantly exceeded its carrying value. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment analysis. In performing this qualitative assessment of goodwill, management has considered the following relevant events and circumstances:

• Macroeconomic conditions including, but not limited to deterioration in general economic conditions, limitation on accessing capital, or other developments in equity and credit markets;

• Industry and market considerations such as a deterioration in the environment in which an entity operates, an increased competitive environment, a change in the market for an entity's products or services, or a regulatory or political development;

• Cost factors such as increases in commodity prices, raw materials, labor, or other costs that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows;

• Overall financial performance such as negative or declining cash flows or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods;

• Other relevant entity-specific events such as changes in management, key personnel, strategy, or customers and;

• Events affecting a reporting unit such as a change in the composition or carrying amount of its net assets, a more-likely-than-not expectation of selling or disposing all, or a portion, of a reporting unit, the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit, or recognition of a goodwill impairment loss in the financial statements of a subsidiary that is a component of a reporting unit.

There is a certain degree of uncertainty associated with the key assumptions used. Potential events or changes in circumstances that could reasonably be expected to negatively affect the key assumptions include significant volatility in commodity prices or raw material prices and unanticipated changes in the economy or industries within which the businesses operate. When considering all factors in totality, management believes it is more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill exceeds its carrying amount, and as such, no further analysis was required for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment.

The Company's intangible assets are included in other assets and are as follows:

(in thousands)	Group	Original Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
December 31, 2011
Amortized intangible assets
Acquired customer list	Rail	$	3,462	$	3,331	$	131
Acquired customer list	Plant Nutrient		4,096		1,098		2,998
Acquired customer list	Grain		1,250		433		817
Acquired non-compete agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,319		847		472
Acquired non-compete agreement	Grain		175		46		129
Acquired marketing agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,607		825		782
Acquired supply agreement	Plant Nutrient		4,846		1,443		3,403
Acquired grower agreement	Grain		300		175		125
Patents and other	Various		943		474		469
Lease intangible	Rail		2,222		1,433		789
		$	20,220	$	10,105	$	10,115
December 31, 2010
Amortized intangible assets
Acquired customer list	Rail	$	3,462	$	3,299	$	163
Acquired customer list	Plant Nutrient		3,846		670		3,176
Acquired customer list	Grain		1,250		150		1,100
Acquired non-compete agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,250		594		656
Acquired non-compete agreement	Grain		175		11		164
Acquired marketing agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,604		619		985
Acquired supply agreement	Plant Nutrient		4,846		926		3,920
Acquired grower agreement	Grain		300		75		225
Acquired patents and other	Various		943		401		542
Lease intangible	Rail		1,673		633		1,040
		$	19,349	$	7,378	$	11,971

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $2.8 million, $2.4 million and $1.2 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Expected future annual amortization expense is as follows: 2012 — $2.8 million; 2013 — $1.6 million; 2014 — $1.2 million; 2015 — $1.0 million; and 2016 — $0.9 million.

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	$ 183	$ 213
Commodity derivatives, net	68,846	203,688
Convertible preferred securities	20,360	15,790
Other assets and liabilities	22,697	15,827
Total	112,086	235,518
Level 1 [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	183	213
Commodity derivatives, net	43,503	61,559
Convertible preferred securities	0	0
Other assets and liabilities	24,875	17,983
Total	68,561	79,755
Level 2 [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	0	0
Commodity derivatives, net	22,876	129,723
Convertible preferred securities	0	0
Other assets and liabilities	0	0
Total	22,876	129,723
Level 3 [Member]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents	0	0
Commodity derivatives, net	2,467	12,406
Convertible preferred securities	20,360	15,790
Other assets and liabilities	(2,178)	(2,156)
Total	$ 20,649	$ 26,040

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Related Parties

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Related Parties [Abstract]

Related Parties

8. Related Parties

Equity Method Investments

The Company, directly or indirectly, holds investments in companies that are accounted for under the equity method. The Company's equity in these entities is presented at cost plus its accumulated proportional share of income or loss, less any distributions it has received.

In January 2003, the Company became a minority investor in LTG, which focuses on grain merchandising as well as trading related to the energy and biofuels industry. The Company has increased its investment in LTG over time. As a result of share redemptions by LTG, the Company's ownership percentage in LTG increased to 52% during the second quarter of 2010. Even though the Company holds a majority of the outstanding shares, all major operating decisions of LTG are made by LTG's Board of Directors and the Company does not have a majority of the board seats. In addition, based on the terms of the operating agreement between LTG and its owners, the minority shareholders have substantive participating rights that allow them to effectively participate in the decisions made in the ordinary course of business that are significant to LTG. Due to these factors, the Company does not have control over LTG and therefore accounts for this investment under the equity method. The Company sells and purchases both grain and ethanol with LTG in the ordinary course of business on terms similar to sales and purchases with unrelated customers.

In 2005, the Company became a minority investor in The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC ("TAAE"). TAAE is a producer of ethanol and its co-product distillers dried grains ("DDG") at its 55 million gallon-per-year ethanol production facility in Albion, Michigan. The Company operates the facility under a management contract and provides corn origination, ethanol and DDG marketing and risk management services for which it is separately compensated. The Company also leases its Albion, Michigan grain facility to TAAE. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company purchased 59 additional units of TAAE from one of its investors. This purchase gives the Company 5,001 units, or a 50.01% ownership interest. While the Company holds a majority of the outstanding units of TAAE, a super-majority vote is required for all major operating decisions of TAAE based on the terms of the Operating Agreement. The Company has concluded that the super-majority vote requirement gives the minority shareholders substantive participating rights and therefore consolidation for book purposes is not appropriate. The Company accounts for its investment in TAAE under the equity method of accounting.

In 2006, the Company became a minority investor in The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC ("TACE"). TACE is also a producer of ethanol and its co-product DDG at a 110 million gallon-per-year ethanol production facility in Clymers, Indiana. The Company operates the facility under a management contract and provides corn origination, ethanol and DDG marketing and risk management services for which it is separately compensated. The Company also leases its Clymers, Indiana grain facility to TACE.

In 2006, the Company became a 50% investor in The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC ("TAME"). TAME is also a producer of ethanol and its co-product DDG at a 110 million gallon-per-year ethanol production facility in Greenville, Ohio. In January 2007, the Company transferred its 50% share in TAME to The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC ("TAEI"), a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, of which a third party owns 34% of the shares. The Company operates the facility under a management contract and provides corn origination, ethanol and DDG marketing and risk management services for which it is separately compensated. In 2009 TAEI invested an additional $1.1 million in TAME, retaining a 50% ownership interest.

The Company has marketing agreements with the three ethanol LLCs under which the Company purchases and markets the ethanol produced to external customers. As compensation for these marketing services, the Company earns a fee on each gallon of ethanol sold. For two of the LLCs, the Company purchases 100% of the ethanol produced and then sells it to external parties. For the third LLC, the Company buys only a portion of the ethanol produced. The Company acts as the principal in these ethanol sales transactions to external parties as the Company has ultimate responsibility of performance to the external parties. Substantially all of these purchases and subsequent sales are executed through forward contracts on matching terms and, outside of the fee the Company earns for each gallon sold, the Company does not recognize any gross profit on the sales transactions. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol purchased from related parties were $678.8 million, $482.6 million and $402.1 million, respectively. In addition to the ethanol marketing agreements, the Company holds corn origination agreements, under which the Company originates 100% of the corn used in production for each ethanol LLC. For this service, the Company receives a unit based fee. Similar to the ethanol sales described above, the Company acts as a principal in these transactions, and accordingly, records revenues on a gross basis. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, revenues recognized for the sale of corn under these agreements were $706.6 million, $445.6 million and $404.2 million, respectively. As part of the corn origination agreements, the Company also markets the ethanol DDG produced by the entities. For this service the Company receives a unit based fee. The Company does not purchase any of the DDG from the ethanol entities; however, as part of the agreement, the Company guarantees payment by the customer for DDG sales where the Company has identified the buyer. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the three ethanol entities had a combined receivable balance for DDG of $7.8 million and $6.8 million, respectively, of which only $3,000 and $15,000, respectively, was more than thirty days past due. The Company has concluded that the fair value of this guarantee is inconsequential.

From time to time, the Company enters into derivative contracts with certain of its related parties, including the ethanol LLCs and LTG, for the purchase and sale of corn and ethanol, for similar price risk mitigation purposes and on similar terms as the purchase and sale of derivative contracts it enters into with unrelated parties. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of derivative contracts with related parties was a gross asset and liability of $0.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

The following table presents aggregate summarized financial information of LTG, TAAE, TACE and TAME as they qualified as significant subsidiaries in the aggregate. LTG was the only equity method investment that qualified as a significant subsidiary individually for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Sales	$	6,938,345	$	4,707,422	$	3,436,192
Gross profit		168,383		133,653		106,755
Income from continuing operations		90,510		59,046		37,439
Net income		87,673		57,691		37,757
Current assets		707,400		697,371
Non-current assets		336,554		352,441
Current liabilities		514,617		550,463
Non-current liabilities		100,315		115,735
Noncontrolling interest		26,799		31,294

The following table summarizes income earned from the Company's equity method investees by entity:

(in thousands)	% ownership at December  31, 2011 (direct and indirect)	2011		December 31, 2010		2009
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC	50%	$	5,285	$	3,916	$	5,735
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC	38%		4,341		5,318		2,965
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC	50%		8,089		1,117		2,936
Lansing Trade Group, LLC	52% *		23,558		15,133		5,781
Other	7%-33%		177		523		46
Total		$	41,450	$	26,007	$	17,463

* This does not consider restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 2% 

Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates were $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The balance in retained earnings at December 31, 2011 that represents undistributed earnings of the Company's equity method investments is $66.5 million.

The following table presents the Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC	$	32,829	$	31,048
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC		40,001		37,496
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC		43,019		34,929
Lansing Trade Group, LLC		81,209		70,143
Other		2,003		1,733
Total	$	199,061	$	175,349

Investment in Debt Securities

During the second quarter of 2010, the Company paid $13.1 million to acquire 100% of newly issued cumulative convertible preferred shares of Iowa Northern Railway Corporation ("IANR"), which operates a short-line railroad in Iowa. As a result of this investment, the Company has a 49.9% voting interest in IANR, with the remaining 50.1% voting interest held by the common shareholders. The preferred shares purchased by the Company have certain rights associated with them, including voting, dividends, liquidation, redemption and conversion. Dividends accrue to the Company at a rate of 14% annually whether or not declared by IANR and are cumulative in nature. The Company can convert its preferred shares into common shares of IANR at any time, but the shares cannot be redeemed until after five years. This investment is accounted for as "available-for-sale" debt securities in accordance with ASC 320 and is carried at estimated fair value in other noncurrent assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimated fair value of the Company's investment in IANR as of December 31, 2011 was $20.4 million. Dividends received for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $0.9 million.

Based on the Company's assessment, IANR is considered a variable interest entity (VIE). Since the Company does not possess the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, it is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of IANR and therefore does not consolidate IANR. The decisions that most significantly impact the economic performance of IANR are made by IANR's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has five directors; two directors from the Company, two directors from the common shareholders and one independent director who is elected by unanimous decision of the other four directors. The vote of four of the five directors is required for all key decisions.

The Company's current maximum exposure to loss related to IANR is $22.3 million, which represents the Company's investment at fair value plus unpaid accrued dividends to date of $1.9 million. The Company does not have any obligation or commitments to provide additional financial support to IANR.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company will enter into related party transactions with each of the investments described above, along with other related parties. The following table sets forth the related party transactions entered into for the time periods presented:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Sales and revenues	$	864,216	$	531,452	$	474,724
Purchases of product		636,144		454,314		411,423
Lease income (a)		6,128		5,431		5,442
Labor and benefits reimbursement (b)		10,784		10,760		10,195
Other expenses (c)		192		—		—
Accounts receivable at December 31 (d)		14,730		14,991		13,641
Accounts payable at December 31 (e)		24,530		13,930		18,069

(a) Lease income includes the lease of the Company's Albion, Michigan and Clymers, Indiana grain facilities as well as certain railcars to the various LLCs and IANR.

(b) The Company provides all operational labor to the ethanol LLCs and charges them an amount equal to the Company's costs of the related services.

(c) Other expenses include payments to IANR for repair shop rent and use of their railroad reporting mark.

(d) Accounts receivable represents amounts due from related parties for sales of corn, leasing revenue and service fees.

(e) Accounts payable represents amounts due to related parties for purchases of ethanol.

The Company has a processing agreement with Midwest Renewable Energy, LLC ("MRE") through its acquisition of B4 Grain, Inc. which was completed on December 31, 2010. The agreement stipulates that the Company supplies a sufficient quantity of corn to MRE to allow for ethanol processing at full capacity which the Company will then market on their behalf. The Company has evaluated all of the applicable criteria for an entity subject to consolidation under the provisions of ASC 810-10-15 and has concluded that MRE is considered a VIE. However, as the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact MRE's economic performance, and does not have the obligation to absorb the losses or right to receive the benefits of MRE, it is not the primary beneficiary of MRE. Therefore, consolidation is not required under the variable interest model. There is no significant risk of loss to the Company relating to this VIE as the Company does not have any equity at risk or obligation to provide additional financial support to MRE.

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Derivatives (Details 11) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Losses located for swaptions
Interest expense	$ 25,256	$ 19,865	$ 20,688
Swaptions [Member]
Losses located for swaptions
Interest expense	$ (328)	$ 0

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Business Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of preliminary purchase price allocation for acquisitions
Current Assets	$ 48,525
Intangible Assets	1,725
Goodwill	4,081
Property, Plant and Equipment	7,838
Other long-term assets	1,116
Current liabilities	(20,247)
Other long-term liabilities	(126)
Total purchase price	42,912
B4 Grain, Inc [Member]
Summary of preliminary purchase price allocation for acquisitions
Current Assets	44,428
Intangible Assets	350
Goodwill	2,850	2,900
Property, Plant and Equipment	1,879
Other long-term assets	1,005
Current liabilities	(15,383)
Other long-term liabilities	0
Total purchase price	35,129
O Malley Grain Inc [Member]
Summary of preliminary purchase price allocation for acquisitions
Current Assets	4,097
Intangible Assets	1,375
Goodwill	1,231	1,200
Property, Plant and Equipment	5,959
Other long-term assets	111
Current liabilities	(4,864)
Other long-term liabilities	(126)
Total purchase price	$ 7,783

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Employee Benefit Plan Obligations [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plan Obligations

6. Employee Benefit Plan Obligations

The Company provides full-time employees with pension benefits under defined benefit and defined contribution plans. The measurement date for all plans is December 31. The Company's expense for its defined contribution plans amounted to $7.8 million in 2011, $5.3 million in 2010 and $3.3 million in 2009. The Company also provides certain health insurance benefits to employees as well as retirees.

The Company has both funded and unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. The plans provide defined benefits based on years of service and average monthly compensation using a career average formula. Pension benefits for the retail line of business employees were frozen at December 31, 2006. Pension benefits for the non-retail line of business employees were frozen at July 1, 2010.

The Company also has postretirement health care benefit plans covering substantially all of its full time employees hired prior to January 1, 2003. These plans are generally contributory and include a cap on the Company's share for most retirees.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA") was signed into law. One of the provisions of the PPACA eliminates the tax deductibility of retiree health care costs to the extent of federal subsidies received by plan sponsors that provide retiree prescription drug benefits equivalent to Medicare Part D coverage. As a result, the Company was required to make an adjustment to its deferred tax asset associated with its postretirement benefit plan in the amount of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The offset to this adjustment was included in the provision for income taxes on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.

Obligation and Funded Status

Following are the details of the obligation and funded status of the pension and postretirement benefit plans

(in thousands)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
Change in benefit obligation	2011			2010			2011			2010
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	90,603		$	74,875		$	24,593		$	21,294
Service cost		—			1,614			555			465
Interest cost		4,578			4,339			1,285			1,213
Actuarial (gains)/losses		16,363			12,120			6,020			2,383
Participant contributions		—			—			478			444
Retiree drug subsidy received		—			—			202			118
Benefits paid		(1,568	)		(2,345	)		(1,575	)		(1,324	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	109,976		$	90,603		$	31,558		$	24,593

(in thousands)	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
Change in plan assets	2011			2010			2011			2010
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	84,097		$	70,423		$	—		$	—
Actual gains (loss) on plan assets		(91	)		9,852			—			—
Company contributions		5,167			6,167			1,097			880
Participant contributions		—			—			478			444
Benefits paid		(1,568	)		(2,345	)		(1,575	)		(1,324	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	87,605		$	84,097		$	—		$	—
Funded status of plans at end of year	$	(22,371	)	$	(6,506	)	$	(31,558	)	$	(24,593	)

:Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consist of:

	Pension Benefits						Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Accrued expenses	$	(213	)	$	(210	)	$	(1,211	)	$	(1,196	)
Employee benefit plan obligations		(22,158	)		(6,296	)		(30,347	)		(23,397	)
Net amount recognized	$	(22,371	)	$	(6,506	)	$	(31,558	)	$	(24,593	)

Following are the details of the pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2011:

	Pension Benefits					Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses			Unamortized Prior Service Costs		Unamortized Actuarial Net Losses			Unamortized Prior Service Costs
Balance at beginning of year	$	39,161		$	—	$	10,761		$	(3,070	)
Amounts arising during the period		22,691			—		6,020			—
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost		(940	)		—		(901	)		543
Balance at end of year	$	60,912		$	—	$	15,880		$	(2,527	)

The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during the next fiscal year are as follows:

(in thousands)	Pension		Postretirement			Total
Prior service cost	$	—	$	(543	)	$	(543	)
Net actuarial loss		1,799		1,306			3,105

The accumulated benefit obligations related to the Company's defined benefit pension plans are $110.0 million and $90.4 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Amounts applicable to the Company's defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Projected benefit obligation	$	109,976	$	90,603
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	109,976	$	90,357

The combined benefits expected to be paid for all Company defined benefit plans over the next ten years (in thousands) are as follows:

Year	Expected Pension Benefit Payout		Expected Postretirement Benefit Payout		Medicare Part D Subsidy
2012	$	3,784	$	1,372	$	(161	)
2013		3,980		1,455		(187	)
2014		4,346		1,547		(209	)
2015		5,036		1,638		(236	)
2016		5,279		1,723		(267	)
2017-2021		31,164		10,040		(1,903	)

Following are components of the net periodic benefit cost for each year:

	Pension Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Service cost	$	—		$	1,614		$	2,861		$	555		$	465		$	412
Interest cost		4,578			4,339			4,001			1,285			1,213			1,155
Expected return on plan assets		(6,236	)		(5,451	)		(4,356	)		—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost		—			—			(392	)		(543	)		(511	)		(511	)
Recognized net actuarial loss		940			1,817			3,503			901			691			624
Curtailment gain		—			—			(4,132	)		—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(718	)	$	2,319		$	1,485		$	2,198		$	1,858		$	1,680

Following are weighted average assumptions of pension and postretirement benefits for each year:

	Pension Benefits									Postretirement Benefits
	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at Measurement Date
Discount rate (a)		4.30	%		5.20	%		5.70	%		4.30	%		5.30	%		5.80	%
Rate of compensation increases		N/A			3.50	%		3.50	%		—			—			—
Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Years ended December 31
Discount rate (b)		5.20	%		5.70	%		6.10	%		5.30	%		5.80	%		6.10	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.75	%		8.00	%		8.25	%		—			—			—
Rate of compensation increases		3.50	%		3.50	%		4.50	%		—			—			—

(a) In 2011, 2010 and 2009, the calculated discount rate for the unfunded pension plan was different than the defined benefit pension plan. The calculated rate for the supplemental employee retirement plan was 3.20%, 4.20% and 6.00% in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(b) In 2011 and 2010, the calculated discount rate for the unfunded pension plan was different than the defined benefit pension plan. The calculated rate for the supplemental employee retirement plan was 4.20% and 6.00% in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The discount rate is calculated based on projecting future cash flows and aligning each year's cash flows to the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve and then calculating a weighted average discount rate for each plan. The Company has elected to use the nearest tenth of a percent from this calculated rate.

The expected long-term return on plan assets was determined based on the current asset allocation and historical results from plan inception. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on a target allocation of assets, which is based on a goal of earning the highest rate of return while maintaining risk at acceptable levels and is disclosed in the Plan Assets section of this Note. The plan strives to have assets sufficiently diversified so that adverse or unexpected results from one security class will not have an unduly detrimental impact on the entire portfolio.

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates at Beginning of Year

	2011			2010
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year		7.5	%		8.0	%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)		5.0	%		5.0	%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate		2017			2017

The assumed health care cost trend rate has an effect on the amounts reported for postretirement benefits. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:

	One-Percentage-Point
(in thousands)	Increase			Decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost components in 2011	$	(18	)	$	16
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2011		(164	)		140

Plan Assets

The Company's pension plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31 by asset category, are as follows:

Asset Category	2011			2010
Equity securities		57	%		68	%
Fixed income securities		41	%		31	%
Cash and equivalents		2	%		1	%
		100	%		100	%

The plan assets are allocated within the broader asset categories in investments that focus on more specific sectors. Within equity securities, subcategories include large cap growth, large cap value, small cap growth, small cap value, and internationally focused investment funds. These funds are judged in comparison to benchmark indexes that best match their specific category. Within fixed income securities, the funds are invested in a broad cross section of securities to ensure diversification. These include treasury, government agency, corporate, securitization, high yield, global, emerging market and other debt securities.

The investment policy and strategy for the assets of the Company's funded defined benefit plan includes the following objectives:

• ensure superior long-term capital growth and capital preservation;

• reduce the level of the unfunded accrued liability in the plan; and

• offset the impact of inflation.

Risks of investing are managed through asset allocation and diversification. Investments are given extensive due diligence by an impartial third party investment firm. All investments are monitored and re-assessed by the Company's pension committee on a semi-annual basis. Available investment options include U.S. Government and agency bonds and instruments, equity and debt securities of public corporations listed on U.S. stock exchanges, exchange listed U.S. mutual funds and institutional portfolios investing in equity and debt securities of publicly traded domestic or international companies and cash or money market securities. In order to reduce risk and volatility, the Company has placed the following portfolio market value limits on its investments, to which the investments must be rebalanced after each quarterly cash contribution. Note that the single security restriction does not apply to mutual funds or institutional investment portfolios. No securities are purchased on margin, nor are any derivatives used to create leverage. The overall expected long-term rate of return is determined by using long-term historical returns for equity and fixed income securities in proportion to their weight in the investment portfolio.

	Percentage of Total Portfolio Market Value
	Minimum			Maximum			Single Security
Equity based		30	%		70	%		<5	%
Fixed income based		20	%		70	%		<5	%
Cash and equivalents		1	%		5	%		<5	%
Alternative investments		0	%		20	%		<5	%

The following table presents the fair value of the assets (by asset category) in the Company's defined benefit pension plan at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

December 31, 2011

		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000
(in thousands) Assets	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	10,773	$	—	$	—	$	10,773
Money market fund		—		1,659		—		1,659
Equity funds		—		39,573		—		39,573
Fixed income funds		—		35,600		—		35,600
Total	$	10,773	$	76,832	$	—	$	87,605

December 31, 2010

		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000		$00,000
(in thousands) Assets	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mutual funds	$	12,119	$	—	$	—	$	12,119
Money market fund		—		793		—		793
Equity funds		—		45,502		—		45,502
Fixed income funds		—		25,683		—		25,683
Total	$	12,119	$	71,978	$	—	$	84,097

There is no equity or debt of the Company included in the assets of the defined benefit plan.

Cash Flows

The Company expects to make contributions to the defined benefit pension plan of up to $3.0 million in 2012. The Company reserves the right to contribute more or less than this amount. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company contributed $5.0 million to the defined benefit pension plan.

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Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

7. Segment Information

During the first quarter of 2011, management separated the segment previously reported as Grain & Ethanol into two separate reportable segments for external financial reporting. The Company 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.

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. Capital expenditures include additions to property, plant and equipment, software and intangible assets.

		$0,000,000		$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Revenues from external customers
Grain	$	2,849,358	$	1,936,813	$	1,734,574
Ethanol		641,546		468,639		419,404
Plant Nutrient		690,631		619,330		491,293
Rail		107,459		94,816		92,789
Turf & Specialty		129,716		123,549		125,306
Retail		157,621		150,644		161,938
Other		—		—		—
Total	$	4,576,331	$	3,393,791	$	3,025,304

		$0,000,000		$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Inter-segment sales
Grain	$	2	$	3	$	9
Ethanol		—		—		—
Plant Nutrient		16,527		13,517		12,245
Rail		593		637		634
Turf & Specialty		2,062		1,636		1,504
Retail		—		—		—
Other		—		—		—
Total	$	19,184	$	15,793	$	14,392

		$0,000,000			$0,000,000		$0,000,000
	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010		2009
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates
Grain	$	23,748		$	15,648	$	5,816
Ethanol		17,715			10,351		11,636
Plant Nutrient		(13	)		8		8
Rail		—			—		—
Turf & Specialty		—			—		—
Retail		—			—		—
Other		—			—		3
Total	$	41,450		$	26,007	$	17,463

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Other income, net
Grain	$	2,462	$	2,557	$	2,030
Ethanol		159		176		289
Plant Nutrient		704		1,298		1,755
Rail		2,866		4,502		485
Turf & Specialty		880		1,335		1,131
Retail		638		608		683
Other		213		1,176		1,958
Total	$	7,922	$	11,652	$	8,331

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010		2009
Interest expense (income)
Grain	$	13,277		$	6,686	$	8,735
Ethanol		1,048			1,629		628
Plant Nutrient		3,517			3,901		3,933
Rail		5,677			4,928		4,468
Turf & Specialty		1,381			1,604		1,429
Retail		899			1,039		961
Other		(543	)		78		534
Total	$	25,256		$	19,865	$	20,688

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Income (loss) before income taxes
Grain	$	87,288		$	64,374		$	33,777
Ethanol		23,344			17,013			17,577
Plant Nutrient		38,267			30,062			11,294
Rail		9,778			107			(1,034	)
Turf & Specialty		2,000			3,443			4,735
Retail		(1,520	)		(2,534	)		(2,843	)
Other		(12,998	)		(8,541	)		(3,225	)
Noncontrolling interest		1,719			219			1,215
Total	$	147,878		$	104,143		$	61,496

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Identifiable assets
Grain	$	883,395	$	978,273	$	451,056
Ethanol		148,975		121,207		145,985
Plant Nutrient		240,543		208,548		205,968
Rail (b) (c)		246,188		196,149		194,748
Turf & Specialty		69,487		62,643		63,353
Retail		52,018		52,430		45,696
Other		93,517		80,140		177,585
Total	$	1,734,123	$	1,699,390	$	1,284,391

^(a)  Rail acquired 100% of newly issued cumulative convertible preferred shares in the amount of $13.1 million in 2010.

^(b)  Rail also had purchases of railcars in the amount of $64.2 million, $18.4 million and $25.0 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Capital expenditures
Grain	$	24,284	$	10,343	$	6,129
Ethanol		—		—		16
Plant Nutrient		13,296		7,631		6,610
Rail		1,478		927		297
Turf & Specialty		2,089		2,237		1,305
Retail		1,230		8,827		1,157
Other		1,785		932		1,046
Total	$	44,162	$	30,897	$	16,560

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Cash invested in affiliates
Ethanol	$	—	$	395	$	1,100
Plant Nutrient		21		—		—
Other		100		—		100
Total	$	121	$	395	$	1,200

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Acquisition of businesses
Grain	$	—	$	39,293	$	—
Plant Nutrient		2,365		—		30,480
Total	$	2,365	$	39,293	$	30,480

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Depreciation and amortization
Grain	$	9,625	$	7,580	$	5,161
Ethanol		382		371		371
Plant Nutrient		9,913		10,225		8,665
Rail		14,780		15,107		15,967
Turf & Specialty		1,801		2,032		2,314
Retail		2,770		2,400		2,286
Other		1,566		1,198		1,256
Total	$	40,837	$	38,913	$	36,020

Grain sales for export to foreign markets amounted to $164.8 million, $267.3 million and $312.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Revenues from leased railcars in Canada totaled $13.3 million, $9.1 million and $12.4 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The net book value of the leased railcars at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $29.0 million and $22.0 million, respectively. Lease revenue on railcars in Mexico totaled $0.4 million in 2011, $0.3 million in 2010 and $0.3 million in 2009.

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

9. Fair Value Measurements

Generally accepted accounting principles defines fair value as an exit price and also establishes a framework for measuring fair value. An exit price represents the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, a three-tier fair value hierarchy is used, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

• Level 1 inputs: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

• Level 2 inputs: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and

• Level 3 inputs: Unobservable inputs (e.g., a reporting entity's own data).

In many cases, a valuation technique used to measure fair value includes inputs from multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy.

The following table presents the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

(in thousands)	December 31, 2011
Assets (liabilities)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
Cash equivalents	$	183	$	—	$	—		$	183
Commodity derivatives, net		43,503		22,876		2,467			68,846
Convertible preferred securities (b)		—		—		20,360			20,360
Other assets and liabilities (a)		24,875		—		(2,178	)		22,697
Total	$	68,561	$	22,876	$	20,649		$	112,086

(in thousands)	December 31, 2010
Assets (liabilities)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
Cash equivalents	$	213	$	—	$	—		$	213
Commodity derivatives, net		61,559		129,723		12,406			203,688
Convertible preferred securities (b)		—		—		15,790			15,790
Other assets and liabilities (a)		17,983		—		(2,156	)		15,827
Total	$	79,755	$	129,723	$	26,040		$	235,518

(a) Included in other assets and liabilities is restricted cash, interest rate and foreign currency derivatives, swaptions and deferred compensation assets.

(b) Recorded in "Other noncurrent assets" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets

Level 1 commodity derivatives reflect the fair value of the futures and options contracts that the Company holds, net of the cash collateral that the Company has in its margin account.

A reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for the Company's fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs is as follows:

	2011								2010
(in thousands)	Interest rate derivatives and swaptions			Convertible preferred securities		Commodity derivatives, net			Interest rate derivatives			Convertible preferred securities		Commodity derivatives, net
Asset (liability) at December 31,	$	(2,156	)	$	15,790	$	12,406		$	(1,763	)	$	—	$	1,948
Investment in debt securities		—			—		—			—			13,100		—
Gains (losses) included in earnings		(560	)		—		(9,109	)		(132	)		—		(1,519	)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		(62	)		—		—			(297	)		—		—
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities included in other comprehensive income		—			4,570		—			—			2,690		—
New contracts entered into		600			—		—			36			—		—
Transfers to level 2		—			—		(1,234	)		—			—		—
Transfers from level 2		—			—		404			—			—		11,977
Asset (liability) at December 31,	$	(2,178	)	$	20,360	$	2,467		$	(2,156	)	$	15,790	$	12,406

The majority of the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the market approach valuation technique. With the market approach, fair value is derived using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

The Company's convertible preferred securities are measured at fair value using a combination of the income and market approaches. Specifically, the income approach incorporates the use of the Discounted Cash Flow method, whereas the Market Approach incorporates the use of the Guideline Public Company method. Application of the Discounted Cash Flow method requires estimating the annual cash flows that the business enterprise is expected to generate in the future. The assumptions input into this method are estimated annual cash flows for a specified estimation period, the discount rate, and the terminal value at the end of the estimation period. In the Guideline Public Company method, valuation multiples, including total invested capital, are calculated based on financial statements and stock price data from selected guideline publicly traded companies. A comparative analysis is then performed for factors including, but not limited to size, profitability and growth to determine fair value.

The Company's net commodity derivatives primarily consist of futures or options contracts via regulated exchanges and contracts with producers or customers under which the future settlement date and bushels (or gallons in the case of ethanol contracts) of commodities to be delivered (primarily wheat, corn, soybeans and ethanol) are fixed and under which the price may or may not be fixed. Depending on the specifics of the individual contracts, the fair value is derived from the futures or options prices on the CME or the New York Mercantile Exchange for similar commodities and delivery dates as well as observable quotes for local basis adjustments (the difference, which is attributable to local market conditions, between the quoted futures price and the local cash price). Although nonperformance risk, both of the Company and the counterparty, is present in each of these commodity contracts and is a component of the estimated fair values, based on the Company's historical experience with its producers and customers and the Company's knowledge of their businesses, the Company does not view nonperformance risk to be a significant input to fair value for the majority of these commodity contracts. However, in situations where the Company believes that nonperformance risk exists, based on past or present experience with a customer or knowledge of the customer's operations or financial condition, the Company classifies these commodity contracts as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and, accordingly, records estimated fair value adjustments based on internal projections and views of these contracts.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Certain long-term notes payable and the Company's debenture bonds bear fixed rates of interest and terms of up to 10 years. Based upon the Company's credit standing and current interest rates offered by the Company on similar bonds and rates currently available to the Company for long-term borrowings with similar terms and remaining maturities, the Company estimates the fair values of its long-term debt instruments outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, as follows:

(in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
2011:
Fixed rate long-term notes payable	$	179,160	$	186,918
Long-term notes payable, non-recourse		954		966
Debenture bonds		29,483		30,666
	$	209,597	$	218,550
2010:
Fixed rate long-term notes payable	$	196,242	$	199,292
Long-term notes payable, non-recourse		15,991		16,157
Debenture bonds		36,887		39,991
	$	249,120	$	255,440

The fair values of the Company's cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their carrying values as they are close to maturity.

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
Employee benefit plan obligations	$ (52,972)	$ (30,152)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
Accrued expenses	(213)	(210)
Employee benefit plan obligations	(22,158)	(6,296)
Net amount recognized	(22,371)	(6,506)
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
Accrued expenses	(1,211)	(1,196)
Employee benefit plan obligations	(30,347)	(23,397)
Net amount recognized	$ (31,558)	$ (24,593)

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Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest rate derivatives and swaptions Member]
Beginning and ending balances for the Company's fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs
Liability, Beginning Balance	$ (2,156)	$ (1,763)
Losses included in earnings	(560)	(132)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(62)	(297)
New contracts entered into	600	36
Transfers to level 2
Liability, Ending Balance	(2,178)	(2,156)
Convertible preferred securities [Member]
Beginning and ending balances for the Company's fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs
Asset, Beginning Balance	15,790	0
Investment in debt securities		13,100
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities included in other comprehensive income	4,570	2,690
Transfers to level 2
Asset, Ending Balance	20,360	15,790
Commodity derivatives, net [Member]
Beginning and ending balances for the Company's fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs
Asset, Beginning Balance	12,406	1,948
Losses included in earnings	(9,109)	(1,519)
Transfers to level 2	(1,234)
Transfers from level 2	404	11,977
Asset, Ending Balance	$ 2,467	$ 12,406

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost
Prior service cost	$ (543)
Net actuarial loss	3,105
Pension Benefits [Member]
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost
Net actuarial loss	1,799
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost
Prior service cost	(543)
Net actuarial loss	$ 1,306

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Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	$ 1,299,000	$ 1,207,000
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Income taxes paid	48,900,000	24,800,000
Income tax refunds			24,200,000
Deferred tax asset related to U.S. foreign tax credit	2,000,000
Foreign tax credit valuation allowance, Amount	0	0
Tax credit carryforwards		800,000
Amount from exercise of awards	0	200,000
Valuation allowance amount	0	0
Tax benefits realized from exercise of awards	307,000	876,000	566,000
Interest and penalties expense	100,000	100,000
Interest and penalties accrued	200,000	300,000
State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards with expiration date	13,900,000
Deferred tax asset with respect to net operating loss carryforwards	600,000
Operating loss carryforwards		600,000
Operating loss carryforwards valuation allowance	0	0
Canadian [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	2,900,000
Deferred tax assets	700,000
Deferred tax asset with respect to Canadian net operating loss carryforwards		600,000
Operating loss carryforwards valuation allowance	$ 0	$ 0

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 84,097
Company contributions	5,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	87,605
Pension Benefits [Member]
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	90,603	74,875
Service cost		1,614	2,861
Interest cost	4,578	4,339	4,001
Actuarial (gains)/losses	16,363	12,120
Benefits paid	(1,568)	(2,345)
Benefit obligation at end of year	109,976	90,603	74,875
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	84,097	70,423
Actual gains (loss) on plan assets	(91)	9,852
Company contributions	5,167	6,167
Benefits paid	(1,568)	(2,345)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	87,605	84,097	70,423
Funded status of plans at end of year	(22,371)	(6,506)
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	24,593	21,294
Service cost	555	465	412
Interest cost	1,285	1,213	1,155
Actuarial (gains)/losses	6,020	2,383
Participant contributions	478	444
Retiree drug subsidy received	202	118
Benefits paid	(1,575)	(1,324)
Benefit obligation at end of year	31,558	24,593	21,294
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Company contributions	1,097	880
Participant contributions	478	444
Benefits paid	(1,575)	(1,324)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	0
Funded status of plans at end of year	$ (31,558)	$ (24,593)

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Lease income and rental expense from operating leases
Rental and service income-operating leases	$ 68,124	$ 60,700	$ 73,575
Rental expense	$ 16,303	$ 20,023	$ 24,271

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Related Parties (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Related Parties (Tables) [Abstract]

Aggregate summarized financial information

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Sales	$	6,938,345	$	4,707,422	$	3,436,192
Gross profit		168,383		133,653		106,755
Income from continuing operations		90,510		59,046		37,439
Net income		87,673		57,691		37,757
Current assets		707,400		697,371
Non-current assets		336,554		352,441
Current liabilities		514,617		550,463
Non-current liabilities		100,315		115,735
Noncontrolling interest		26,799		31,294

Income earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity

(in thousands)	% ownership at December  31, 2011 (direct and indirect)	2011		December 31, 2010		2009
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC	50%	$	5,285	$	3,916	$	5,735
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC	38%		4,341		5,318		2,965
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC	50%		8,089		1,117		2,936
Lansing Trade Group, LLC	52% *		23,558		15,133		5,781
Other	7%-33%		177		523		46
Total		$	41,450	$	26,007	$	17,463

* This does not consider restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 2%

Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC	$	32,829	$	31,048
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC		40,001		37,496
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC		43,019		34,929
Lansing Trade Group, LLC		81,209		70,143
Other		2,003		1,733
Total	$	199,061	$	175,349

Related party transactions executed

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010		2009
Sales and revenues	$	864,216	$	531,452	$	474,724
Purchases of product		636,144		454,314		411,423
Lease income (a)		6,128		5,431		5,442
Labor and benefits reimbursement (b)		10,784		10,760		10,195
Other expenses (c)		192		—		—
Accounts receivable at December 31 (d)		14,730		14,991		13,641
Accounts payable at December 31 (e)		24,530		13,930		18,069

(a) Lease income includes the lease of the Company's Albion, Michigan and Clymers, Indiana grain facilities as well as certain railcars to the various LLCs and IANR.

(b) The Company provides all operational labor to the ethanol LLCs, and charges them an amount equal to the Company's costs of the related services.

(c) Other expenses include payments to IANR for repair shop rent and use of their railroad reporting mark.

(d) Accounts receivable represents amounts due from related parties for sales of corn, leasing revenue and service fees.

(e) Accounts payable represents amounts due to related parties for purchases of ethanol.

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Derivatives (Details 2) (Sales [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Sales [Member]
Company's Consolidated Statement of Income gains and location of line items
Gains (losses) on commodity derivatives included in sales and merchandising revenues	$ 131,209	$ (53,942)

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Stock Compensation Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock Compensation Plans [Abstract]

Stock Compensation Plans

14. Stock Compensation Plans

The Company's 2005 Long-Term Performance Compensation Plan, dated May 6, 2005 (the "LT Plan"), authorizes the Board of Directors to grant options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares and share awards to employees and outside directors for up to 400,000 of the Company's common shares plus 426,000 common shares that remained available under a prior plan. In 2008, shareholders approved an additional 500,000 of the Company's common shares to be available under the LT Plan. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 396,000 shares remain available for grant under the LT Plan. Options granted have a maximum term of 10 years.

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards are based on the grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. Total compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income for all stock compensation programs was $4.1 million, $2.6 million and $2.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Stock Only Stock Appreciation Rights ("SOSARs") and Stock Options

Beginning in 2006, the Company discontinued granting options to directors and management and instead began granting SOSARs. SOSARs granted to directors and management personnel under the LT Plan beginning in 2008 have a term of five-years and have three year graded vesting. The SOSARs granted in 2006 and 2007 have a term of five years and vest after three years. SOSARs granted under the LT Plan are structured as fixed grants with the exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying stock on the date of the grant. The related compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period.

Beginning in 2011, the Company replaced the SOSAR equity awards with full value Restricted Stock Awards ("RSAs"). No SOSAR equity awards were granted in 2011.

The fair value for SOSARs granted in previous years was estimated at the date of grant, using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions listed below. Volatility was estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company's common shares over the past five years. The average expected life was based on the contractual term of the award and expected employee exercise and post-vesting employment termination trends. The risk-free rate is based on U.S. Treasury issues with a term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. Forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant based on historical experience.

	2011		2010			2009
Risk free interest rate		—		1.96	%		1.89	%
Dividend yield		—		1.10	%		3.18	%
Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common shares		—		.560			.520
Expected life for the options (in years)		—		4.10			4.10

A reconciliation of the number of SOSARs and stock options outstanding and exercisable under the Long-Term Performance Compensation Plan as of December 31, 2011, and changes during the period then ended is as follows:

		$000,00			$000,00		$000,00		$000,00
	Shares (000)'s			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000)
Options & SOSARs outstanding at January 1, 2011		851		$	33.38
SOSARs granted		—			—
Options exercised		(329	)		35.66
Options & SOSARs cancelled / forfeited		(19	)		41.65
Options and SOSARs outstanding at December 31, 2011		503		$	31.56		1.81	$	6,380
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2011		501		$	31.58		1.80	$	6,352
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		363		$	34.57		1.41	$	3,597

	2011		2010		2009
Total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended December 31 (000's)	$	3,817	$	2,724	$	2,127
Total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31 (000's)	$	816	$	3,084	$	4,145
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year ended December 31			$	13.75	$	3.80

As of December 31, 2011, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options and SOSARs granted under the LT Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over the next 0.17 years.

Restricted Stock Awards

The LT Plan permits awards of restricted stock. These shares carry voting and dividend rights; however, sale of the shares is restricted prior to vesting. Restricted shares have a three year vesting period. Total restricted stock expense is equal to the market value of the Company's common shares on the date of the award and is recognized over the service period. In 2011, there were 46,862 shares issued to members of management and directors.

A summary of the status of the Company's nonvested restricted shares as of December 31, 2011, and changes during the period then ended, is presented below:

Nonvested Shares	Shares (000)'s			Weighted-Average Grant-Date  Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2011		64		$	26.52
Granted		47			47.80
Vested		(17	)		45.49
Forfeited		(1	)		40.81
Nonvested at December 31, 2011		93		$	33.54

	2011		2010		2009
Total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31 (000's)	$	1,367	$	566	$	109
Weighted average fair value of restricted shares granted during the year ended December 31	$	47.80	$	32.75	$	11.02

As of December 31, 2011, there was $1.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted shares granted under the LT Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over the next 2.0 years.

Performance Share Units ("PSUs")

The LT Plan also allows for the award of PSUs. Each PSU gives the participant the right to receive common shares dependent on the achievement of specified performance results over a three calendar year performance period. At the end of the performance period, the number of shares of stock issued will be determined by adjusting the award upward or downward from a target award. Fair value of PSUs issued is based on the market value of the Company's common shares on the date of the award. The related compensation expense is recognized over the performance period when achievement of the award is probable and is adjusted for changes in the number of shares expected to be issued if changes in performance are expected. In 2011 there were 77,025 PSUs issued to members of management. Currently, the Company is accounting for the awards granted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 at 40%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, of the maximum amount available for issuance.

PSUs Activity

A summary of the status of the Company's PSUs as of December 31, 2011, and changes during the period then ended, is presented below:

Nonvested Shares	Shares (000)'s			Weighted-Average Grant- Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2011		124		$	26.90
Granted		77			47.80
Vested		—			—
Forfeited		(36	)		44.97
Nonvested at December 31, 2011		165		$	32.73

	2011		2010		2009
Weighted average fair value of PSUs granted during the year ended December 31	$	47.80	$	32.69	$	10.81

As of December 31, 2011, there was $2.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested PSUs granted under the LT Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over the next 2.0 years.

Employee Share Purchase Plan (the "ESP Plan")

The Company's 2004 ESP Plan allows employees to purchase common shares through payroll withholdings. The Company has approximately 266,000 common shares remaining available for issuance to and purchase by employees under this plan. The ESP Plan also contains an option component. The purchase price per share under the ESP Plan is the lower of the market price at the beginning or end of the year. The Company records a liability for withholdings not yet applied towards the purchase of common stock.

The fair value of the option component of the ESP Plan is estimated at the date of grant under the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions for the appropriate year. Expected volatility was estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company's common shares over the past year. The average expected life was based on the contractual term of the plan. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury issues with a one year term. Forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant based on historical experience.

	2011			2010			2009
Employee Share Purchase Plan
Risk free interest rate		0.27	%		0.47	%		0.37	%
Dividend yield		1.21	%		1.10	%		2.06	%
Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common shares		.340			.544			.673
Expected life for the options (in years)		1.00			1.00			1.00

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) [Abstract]

Basis of Consolidation

Basis of Consolidation

These Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Andersons, Inc. and its wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Investments in unconsolidated entities in which the Company has significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods indicated, have been made.

Certain balance sheet items have been reclassified from their prior presentation to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications are not considered material and had no effect on the statement of income, statement of equity, current assets, current liabilities or operating cash flows as previously reported.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. The carrying values of these assets approximate their fair values.

A significant portion of restricted cash is held in escrow for certain of the Company's industrial development revenue bonds described in Note 10.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and may bear interest if past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed quarterly. The allowance is based both on specific identification of potentially uncollectible accounts and the application of a consistent policy to estimate the allowance necessary for the remaining accounts receivable. For those customers that are thought to be at higher risk, the Company makes assumptions as to collectability based on past history and facts about the current situation. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it becomes more certain that the receivable will not be recovered.

Commodity Derivatives and Inventories

 Commodity Derivatives and Inventories

The Company's operating results can be affected by changes to commodity prices. The Grain and Ethanol businesses have established "unhedged" position limits (the amount of a commodity, either owned or contracted for, that does not have an offsetting derivative contract to mitigate the price risk associated with those contracts and inventory). To reduce the exposure to market price risk on commodities owned and forward grain and ethanol purchase and sale contracts, the Company enters into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts and over-the-counter forward and option contracts with various counterparties. The exchange traded contracts are primarily via the regulated Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the "CME"). The forward purchase and sale contracts are for physical delivery of the commodity in a future period. Contracts to purchase commodities from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of commodities to processors or other commercial consumers generally do not extend beyond one year.

The Company accounts for its commodity derivatives at fair value, the same method it uses to value grain inventory. The estimated fair value of the commodity derivative contracts that require the receipt or posting of cash collateral is recorded on a net basis (offset against cash collateral posted or received, also known as margin deposits) within commodity derivative assets or liabilities. Management determines fair value based on exchange-quoted prices and in the case of its forward purchase and sale contracts, estimated fair value is adjusted for differences in local markets and non-performance risk. While the Company considers its commodity contracts to be effective economic hedges, the Company does not designate or account for its commodity contracts as hedges. Realized and unrealized gains and losses in the value of commodity contracts (whether due to changes in commodity prices, changes in performance or credit risk, or due to sale, maturity or extinguishment of the commodity contract) and grain inventories are included in sales and merchandising revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Additional information about the fair value of the Company's commodity derivatives is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the average cost method. Additional information about inventories is presented in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Derivatives - Master Netting Arrangements

Derivatives – Master Netting Arrangements

Generally accepted accounting principles permit a party to a master netting arrangement to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments against the right to reclaim cash collateral or obligation to return cash collateral under the same master netting arrangement. The Company has master netting arrangements for its exchange traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter contracts. When the Company enters into a futures, options or an over-the-counter contract, an initial margin deposit may be required by the counterparty. The amount of the margin deposit varies by commodity. If the market price of a future, option or an over-the-counter contract moves in a direction that is adverse to the Company's position, an additional margin deposit, called a maintenance margin, is required. The Company nets, by counterparty, its futures and over-the-counter positions against the cash collateral provided or received. The margin deposit assets and liabilities are included in short-term commodity derivative assets or liabilities, as appropriate, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additional information about the Company's master netting arrangements is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives - Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Contracts

Derivatives – Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Contracts

The Company periodically enters into interest rate contracts to manage interest rate risk on borrowing or financing activities. The Company has a long-term interest rate swap recorded in other long-term liabilities and a foreign currency collar recorded in other assets and has designated them as cash flow hedges; accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income. The Company has other interest rate contracts that are not designated as hedges. While the Company considers all of its derivative positions to be effective economic hedges of specified risks, these interest rate contracts for which hedge accounting is not applied are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in either other current assets or liabilities (if short-term in nature) or in other assets or other long-term liabilities (if non-current in nature), and changes in fair value are recognized in income as interest expense. Upon termination of a derivative instrument or a change in the hedged item, any remaining fair value recorded on the balance sheet is recorded as interest expense consistent with the cash flows associated with the underlying hedged item. Information regarding the nature and terms of the Company's interest rate derivatives is presented in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Marketing Agreement

Marketing Agreement

The Company has a marketing agreement that covers certain of its grain facilities, some of which are leased from Cargill, Incorporated ("Cargill"). Under the five-year amended and restated agreement (ending in May 2013), the Company sells grain from these facilities to Cargill at market prices. Income earned from operating the facilities (including buying, storing and selling grain and providing grain marketing services to its producer customers) over a specified threshold is shared equally with Cargill. Measurement of this threshold is made on a cumulative basis and cash is paid to Cargill at the end of the contract. The Company recognizes its pro rata share of income every month and accrues for any payment owed to Cargill. The payable balance was $33.2 million and $16.7 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Railcars

Railcars

The Company's Rail Group purchases, leases, markets and manages railcars for third parties and for internal use. Railcars to which the Company holds title are shown on the balance sheet in one of two categories other current assets (for railcars that are available for sale) or railcar assets leased to others. Railcars leased to others, both on short and long-term leases, are classified as long-term assets and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

Railcars have statutory lives of either 40 or 50 years, measured from the date built. At the time of purchase, the remaining statutory life is used in determining useful lives which are depreciated on a straight-line basis. Additional information regarding railcar assets leased to others is presented in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, while betterments that extend useful lives are capitalized. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets, principally by the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are generally as follows: land improvements – 16 years; leasehold improvements – the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement, ranging from 3 to 20 years; buildings and storage facilities – 20 to 30 years; machinery and equipment – 3 to 20 years; and software – 3 to 10 years. The cost of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the accumulated depreciation thereon are removed from the accounts, with any gain or loss realized upon sale or disposal credited or charged to operations. Additional information regarding the Company's property, plant and equipment is presented in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Debt Issue Costs

Deferred Debt Issue Costs

Costs associated with the issuance of debt are capitalized. These costs are amortized using an interest-method equivalent over the earlier of the stated term of the debt or the period from the issue date through the first early payoff date without penalty, or the expected payoff if the loan does not contain a prepayment penalty. Capitalized costs associated with the borrowing arrangement with a syndication of banks are amortized over the term of the agreement.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are recorded at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization of intangible assets is provided over their estimated useful lives (generally 5 to 10 years) on the straight-line method. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment tests or more often when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may be impaired. A goodwill impairment loss is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. Additional information about the Company's goodwill and intangible assets is presented in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets, including intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to the undiscounted future net cash flows the Company expects to generate with the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the Company recognizes impairment expense for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

Accounts Payable for Grain

Accounts Payable for Grain

Accounts payable for grain includes certain amounts related to grain purchases for which, even though the Company has taken ownership and possession of the grain, the final purchase price has not been established (delayed price contracts). Amounts recorded for such delayed price contracts are determined on the basis of grain market prices at the balance sheet date in a similar manner for which grain inventory is valued and equated to $71.1 million and $37.8 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards is based on the estimated grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, adjusted for revisions to performance expectations. Additional information about the Company's stock compensation plans is presented in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Compensation Liability

Deferred Compensation Liability

Included in accrued expenses are $6.2 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of deferred compensation for certain employees who, due to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, may not take full advantage of the Company's qualified defined contribution plan. Assets funding this plan are recorded at fair value and are equal to the value of this liability. This plan has no impact on results of operations as the changes in the fair value of the assets are offset on a one-for-one basis, by the change in the recorded amount of the deferred compensation liability.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Sales of grain and ethanol are primarily recognized at the time of shipment, which is when title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. Direct ship grain sales (where the Company never takes physical possession of the grain) are recognized when the grain arrives at the customer's facility. Revenues from other grain and ethanol merchandising activities are recognized as services are provided; gains and losses on the market value of grain inventory as well as commodity derivatives are recognized into revenue on a daily basis when these positions are marked-to-market. Sales of other products are recognized at the time title and risk of loss transfers to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment or, in the case of the retail store sales, when the customer takes possession of the goods. Revenues for all other services are recognized as the service is provided.

Certain of the Company's operations provide for customer billings, deposits or prepayments for product that is stored at the Company's facilities. The sales and gross profit related to these transactions are not recognized until the product is shipped in accordance with the previously stated revenue recognition policy and these amounts are classified as a current liability titled "Customer prepayments and deferred revenue."

Rental revenues on operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Sales to financial intermediaries of owned railcars which are subject to an operating lease (with the Company being the lessor in such operating leases prior to the sale, referred to as a "non-recourse transaction") are recognized as revenue on the date of sale if the Company does not maintain substantial risk of ownership in the sold railcars. Revenue related to railcar servicing and maintenance contracts is recognized over the term of the lease or service contract.

Sales returns and allowances are provided for at the time sales are recorded. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales. Sales taxes and motor fuel taxes on ethanol sales are presented on a net basis and are excluded from revenues. In all cases, revenues are recognized only if collectability is reasonably assured at the time the revenue is recorded.

Rail Lease Accounting

Rail Lease Accounting

In addition to the sale of railcars that the Company makes to financial intermediaries on a non-recourse basis and records as revenue as discussed above, the Company also acts as the lessor and / or the lessee in various leasing arrangements as described below.

The Company's Rail Group leases railcars and locomotives to customers, manages railcars for third parties and leases railcars for internal use. The Company acts as the lessor in various operating leases of railcars that are owned by the Company, or leased by the Company from financial intermediaries and, in turn, leased by the Company to end-users of the railcars. The leases from financial intermediaries are generally structured as sale-leaseback transactions, with the leaseback by the Company being treated as an operating lease.

Certain of the Company's leases include monthly lease fees that are contingent upon some measure of usage ("per diem" leases). This monthly usage is tracked, billed and collected by third party service providers and funds are generally remitted to the Company along with usage data three months after they are earned. Typically, the lease term related to per-diem leases is one year or less. The Company records lease revenue for these per diem arrangements based on recent historical usage patterns and records a true-up adjustment when the actual data is received. Such true-up adjustments were not significant for any period presented.

The Company expenses operating lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additional information about railcar leasing activities is presented in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes

 Income Taxes

Income tax expense for each period includes current tax expense plus deferred expense, which is related to the change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws governing periods in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates the realizability of deferred tax assets and provides a valuation allowance for amounts that management does not believe are more likely than not to be recoverable, as applicable.

The annual effective tax rate is determined by income tax expense from continuing operations, described above, as a percentage of pretax book income. Differences in the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate may be due to permanent items, tax credits, foreign tax rates and state tax rates in jurisdictions in which the Company operates, or changes in valuation allowances.

The Company records reserves for uncertain tax positions when, despite the belief that tax return positions are fully supportable, it is anticipated that certain tax return positions are likely to be challenged and that the Company may not prevail. These reserves are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit or the lapse of statutes of limitations.

Additional information about the Company's income taxes is presented in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company provides all full-time, non-retail employees hired before July 1, 2010 with pension benefits and full-time employees hired before January 1, 2003 with postretirement health care benefits. In order to measure the expense and funded status of these employee benefit plans, management makes several estimates and assumptions, including rates of return on assets set aside to fund these plans, rates of compensation increases, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates and anticipated future healthcare cost trends. These estimates and assumptions are based on the Company's historical experience combined with management's knowledge and understanding of current facts and circumstances. The selection of the discount rate is based on an index given projected plan payouts.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The balance in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2011 and 2010 consists of the following:

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service costs	$	(46,482	)	$	(29,362	)
Cash flow hedges		(1,154	)		(1,122	)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities		4,546			1,685
	$	(43,090	)	$	(28,799	)

Research and Development

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The Company's research and development program is mainly involved with the development of improved products and processes, primarily for the Turf & Specialty operating segment. The Company expended approximately $0.8 million, $1.8 million and $1.4 million on research and development activities during 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In 2008, the Company, along with several partners, was awarded a $5 million grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. The grant is for the development and commercialization of advanced granules and other emerging technologies to provide solutions for the economic health and environmental concerns of today's agricultural industry. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company received $0.3 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, as part of this grant.

Advertising

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense of $4.0 million, $4.1 million and $4.0 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, is included in operating, administrative and general expenses.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") updated Accounting Standards Code ("ASC") Topic 820, to clarify requirements on fair value measurements and related disclosures. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The additional requirements in this update will be included in the note on fair value measurements upon adoption in the first quarter of 2012. The new standard will have no impact on financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2011-05"). The amendments in ASU 2011-05 eliminate the option to report other comprehensive income in the statement of equity and require entities to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance will change financial statement presentation and require expanded disclosures in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements but will not impact financial results.

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment ("ASU 2011-08"). ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify the testing of goodwill for impairment by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, although early adoption is permitted. The Company implemented the requirements of ASU 2011-08 for the 2011 annual goodwill impairment analysis that was completed in the fourth quarter. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the analysis performed.

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Topic 210). The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The disclosures required by the amendments are required to be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of this amended guidance will require expanded disclosure in the notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements but will not impact financial results.

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	$ 20,220	$ 19,349
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	10,105	7,378
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	10,115	11,971
Rail [Member] | Customer lists [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	3,462	3,462
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	3,331	3,299
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	131	163
Rail [Member] | Lease intangible [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	2,222	1,673
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,433	633
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	789	1,040
Plant Nutrient [Member] | Customer lists [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	4,096	3,846
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,098	670
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	2,998	3,176
Plant Nutrient [Member] | Non-compete agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	1,319	1,250
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	847	594
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	472	656
Plant Nutrient [Member] | Acquired marketing agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	1,607	1,604
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	825	619
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	782	985
Plant Nutrient [Member] | Acquired supply agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	4,846	4,846
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,443	926
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	3,403	3,920
Grain [Member] | Customer lists [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	1,250	1,250
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	433	150
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	817	1,100
Grain [Member] | Non-compete agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	175	175
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	46	11
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	129	164
Grain [Member] | Acquired grower agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	300	300
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	175	75
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	125	225
Various [Member] | Acquired Patents and other [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	943	943
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	474	401
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 469	$ 542

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Derivatives (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Estimated fair value of Company's commodity derivative instruments for cash collateral and associated cash as collateral
Net derivative asset position, Collateral paid	$ 66,870	$ 166,589
Net derivative asset position, Collateral received	0	0
Net derivative asset position, Fair value of derivatives	(20,480)	(146,330)
Net derivative asset position, net	46,390	20,259
Net derivative liability position, Collateral paid	0	0
Net derivative liability position, Collateral received	0	0
Net derivative liability position, Fair value of derivatives	0	0
Net derivative liability position, net	$ 0	$ 0

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Stock Compensation Plans (Details 2) (Restricted Stock Awards [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Summary of nonvested restricted shares
Nonvested Shares at January 1, 2011	64
Nonvested Shares, Granted	47
Nonvested Shares, Vested	(17)
Nonvested Shares, Forfeited	(1)
Nonvested Shares at December 31, 2011	93	64
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value at January 1, 2011	$ 26.52
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 47.80	$ 32.75	$ 11.02
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Vested	$ 45.49
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$ 40.81
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value at December 31, 2011	$ 33.54	$ 26.52
Total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31	$ 1,367	$ 566	$ 109

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Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Consolidated Financial Information Unaudited (Tables) [Abstract]

Unaudited quarterly results of operations

(in thousands, except for per common share data) Quarter Ended	Sales and merchandising revenues		Gross profit		Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.		Earnings per share- basic		Earnings per share- diluted
2011
March 31	$	1,001,674	$	78,685	$	17,266	$	0.93	$	0.93
June 30		1,338,167		122,772		45,218		2.44		2.42
September 30		938,660		64,964		10,925		0.59		0.59
December 31		1,297,830		86,431		21,697		1.17		1.17
Year	$	4,576,331	$	352,852	$	95,106		5.13		5.09
2010
March 31	$	721,998	$	58,550	$	12,265	$	0.67	$	0.66
June 30		810,999		87,554		25,169		1.37		1.36
September 30		706,825		53,109		1,394		0.08		0.08
December 31		1,153,969		82,466		25,834		1.40		1.39
Year	$	3,393,791	$	281,679	$	64,662		3.51		3.48

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Stock Compensation Plans (Details 4) (Employee Stock [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010 years	Dec. 31, 2009 years
Employee Stock [Member]
Fair value of the option component of the ESP Plan
Risk free interest rate	0.27%	0.47%	0.37%
Dividend yield	1.21%	1.10%	2.06%
Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common shares	0.34%	0.544%	0.673%
Expected life for the options (in years)	1.00	1.00	1.00

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net income	$ 96,825	$ 64,881	$ 39,566
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	40,837	38,913	36,020
Bad debt expense (recovery)	187	(8,716)	4,973
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions received	(23,591)	(17,594)	(15,105)
Gains on sales of railcars and related leases	(8,417)	(7,771)	(1,758)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement	(307)	(876)	(566)
Deferred income taxes	5,473	12,205	16,430
Gain from pension plan curtailment			(4,132)
Stock based compensation expense	4,071	2,589	2,747
Lower of cost or market inventory and contract adjustment	3,142		2,944
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	1,704	1,682	304
Other	254	215	186
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(15,708)	(848)	(15,259)
Inventories	(114,427)	(214,171)	32,227
Commodity derivatives	134,309	(158,183)	2,211
Other assets	(1,104)	(3,970)	61,938
Accounts payable for grain	117,309	20,703	18,089
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses	49,708	31,656	(574)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	290,265	(239,285)	180,241
Investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(2,365)	(39,293)	(30,480)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(44,162)	(30,897)	(16,560)
Purchases of railcars	(64,161)	(18,354)	(24,965)
Investment in convertible preferred securities		(13,100)
Proceeds from sale of railcars	30,398	20,102	8,453
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other	931	1,942	540
Change in restricted cash	(6,517)	(9,010)	803
Investment in affiliates	(121)	(395)	(1,200)
Net cash used in investing activities	(85,997)	(89,005)	(63,409)
Financing activities
Net change in short-term borrowings	(169,600)	241,100
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	73,752	18,986	9,523
Payments of long-term debt	(104,008)	(36,598)	(52,349)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(3,170)	(7,508)	(4,500)
Purchase of treasury stock	(3,040)		(229)
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares to employees and directors	815	1,305	750
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement	307	876	566
Dividends paid	(8,153)	(6,581)	(6,346)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(213,097)	211,580	(52,585)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(8,829)	(116,710)	64,247
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	29,219	145,929	81,682
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 20,390	$ 29,219	$ 145,929

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Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Short-term borrowings
Maximum amount borrowed	$ 601,500	$ 305,000	$ 92,700
Weighted average interest rate	2.73%	3.69%	2.89%

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Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

3. Property, Plant and Equipment

The components of property, plant and equipment are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Land	$	17,655	$	15,424
Land improvements and leasehold improvements		47,958		45,080
Buildings and storage facilities		150,461		141,349
Machinery and equipment		191,833		181,650
Software		10,861		10,306
Construction in progress		13,006		2,572
		431,774		396,381
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		256,687		245,349
	$	175,087	$	151,032

Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment amounted to $20.4 million, $18.7 million and $17.4 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Railcar assets leased to others

The components of railcar assets leased to others are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010
Railcar assets leased to others	$	272,883	$	234,667
Less: accumulated depreciation		75,746		66,184
	$	197,137	$	168,483

Depreciation expense on railcar assets leased to others amounted to $13.8 million, $14.0 million and $14.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, a group of railcars were found to have major defects and were written down to scrap value which resulted in a $1.2 million loss. There were no significant impairment charges incurred in 2011.

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Derivatives (Details 9) (Foreign Exchange Contract [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Foreign currency derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 26	$ (68)

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Related Parties (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Related party transactions entered into for the time periods presented
Sales and revenues	$ 864,216	$ 531,452	$ 474,724
Purchases of product	636,144	454,314	411,423
Lease income	6,128	5,431	5,442
Labor and benefits reimbursement	10,784	10,760	10,195
Other expenses	192
Accounts receivable at December 31	14,730	14,991	13,641
Accounts payable at December 31	$ 24,530	$ 13,930	$ 18,069

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Stock Compensation Plans (Details 3) (Performance Share Units [Member], USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Performance Share Units [Member]
Summary of nonvested performance share units
Nonvested Shares at January 1, 2011	124
Nonvested Shares, Granted	77
Nonvested Shares, Forfeited	(36)
Nonvested Shares at December 31, 2011	165	124
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value at January 1, 2011	$ 26.90
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted	$ 47.80	$ 32.69	$ 10.81
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$ 44.97
Nonvested Shares, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value at December 31, 2011	$ 32.73	$ 26.90

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Components of the net periodic benefit cost
Gain from pension plan curtailment			$ (4,132)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Components of the net periodic benefit cost
Service cost		1,614	2,861
Interest cost	4,578	4,339	4,001
Expected return on plan assets	(6,236)	(5,451)	(4,356)
Amortization of prior service cost			(392)
Recognized net actuarial loss	940	1,817	3,503
Gain from pension plan curtailment			(4,132)
Net periodic benefit cost	(718)	2,319	1,485
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Components of the net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	555	465	412
Interest cost	1,285	1,213	1,155
Amortization of prior service cost	(543)	(511)	(511)
Recognized net actuarial loss	901	691	624
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 2,198	$ 1,858	$ 1,680

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) [Abstract]

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service costs	$	(46,482	)	$	(29,362	)
Cash flow hedges		(1,154	)		(1,122	)
Increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities		4,546			1,685
	$	(43,090	)	$	(28,799	)

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Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (Details 11)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Percentage of Total Portfolio Market Value
Equity Securities, Single Securities	5.00%
Equity Securities, Maximum	70.00%
Equity Securities, Minimum	30.00%
Fixed income based, single security	5.00%
Fixed income based, Maximum	70.00%
Fixed income based, Minimum	20.00%
Cash and equivalents, Single securities	5.00%
Cash and equivalents, Maximum	5.00%
Cash and equivalents, Minimum	1.00%
Alternative Investments, Single securities	5.00%
Alternative Investments, Maximum	20.00%
Alternative Investments, Minimum	0.00%

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Table)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables) [Abstract]

Intangible assets included in other assets

(in thousands)	Group	Original Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
December 31, 2011
Amortized intangible assets
Acquired customer list	Rail	$	3,462	$	3,331	$	131
Acquired customer list	Plant Nutrient		4,096		1,098		2,998
Acquired customer list	Grain		1,250		433		817
Acquired non-compete agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,319		847		472
Acquired non-compete agreement	Grain		175		46		129
Acquired marketing agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,607		825		782
Acquired supply agreement	Plant Nutrient		4,846		1,443		3,403
Acquired grower agreement	Grain		300		175		125
Patents and other	Various		943		474		469
Lease intangible	Rail		2,222		1,433		789
		$	20,220	$	10,105	$	10,115
December 31, 2010
Amortized intangible assets
Acquired customer list	Rail	$	3,462	$	3,299	$	163
Acquired customer list	Plant Nutrient		3,846		670		3,176
Acquired customer list	Grain		1,250		150		1,100
Acquired non-compete agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,250		594		656
Acquired non-compete agreement	Grain		175		11		164
Acquired marketing agreement	Plant Nutrient		1,604		619		985
Acquired supply agreement	Plant Nutrient		4,846		926		3,920
Acquired grower agreement	Grain		300		75		225
Acquired patents and other	Various		943		401		542
Lease intangible	Rail		1,673		633		1,040
		$	19,349	$	7,378	$	11,971

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

13. Income Taxes

Income tax provision applicable to continuing operations consists of the following:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Current:
Federal	$	39,015		$	22,288		$	4,848
State and local		5,603			3,613			828
Foreign		962			1,156			(176	)
	$	45,580		$	27,057		$	5,500
Deferred:
Federal	$	5,281		$	13,558		$	15,638
State and local		553			595			1,833
Foreign		(361	)		(1,948	)		(1,041	)
	$	5,473		$	12,205		$	16,430
Total:
Federal	$	44,296		$	35,846		$	20,486
State and local		6,156			4,208			2,661
Foreign		601			(792	)		(1,217	)
	$	51,053		$	39,262		$	21,930

Income before income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following:

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2011		2010			2009
U.S. income	$	146,420	$	106,184		$	64,359
Foreign		1,458		(2,041	)		(2,863	)
	$	147,878	$	104,143		$	61,496

A reconciliation from the statutory U.S. federal tax rate to the effective tax rate follows:

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Statutory U.S. federal tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:
Effect of qualified domestic production deduction		(1.6	)		(1.1	)		(0.4	)
Effect of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act		—			1.4			—
State and local income taxes, net of related federal taxes		2.7			2.5			2.8
Other, net		(1.6	)		(0.1	)		(1.7	)
Effective tax rate		34.5	%		37.7	%		35.7	%

Income taxes paid in 2011 were $48.9 million. Income taxes paid in 2010 were $24.8 million. Income tax refunds of $24.2 million were received in 2009.

Significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:

	December 31,
(in thousands)	2011			2010
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment and railcar assets leased to others	$	(72,997	)	$	(64,392	)
Prepaid employee benefits		(15,419	)		(12,724	)
Investments		(23,262	)		(20,242	)
Other		(3,205	)		(3,877	)
		(114,883	)		(101,235	)
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits		42,482			32,463
Accounts and notes receivable		1,909			2,212
Inventory		6,326			7,056
Deferred expenses		16,022			10,036
Net operating loss carryforwards		1,299			1,207
Other		3,688			2,425
Total deferred tax assets		71,726			55,399
Valuation allowance
		71,726			55,399
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(43,157	)	$	(45,836	)

On December 31, 2011 the Company had $13.9 million in state net operating loss carryforwards that expire from 2017 to 2023. A deferred tax asset of $0.6 million has been recorded with respect to state net operating loss carryforwards. No valuation allowance has been established because based on all available evidence, the Company concluded it is more likely than not that it will realize the deferred tax asset. On December 31, 2010 the Company had recorded a $0.6 million deferred tax asset and no valuation allowance with respect to state net operating loss carryforwards.

On December 31, 2011, the Company had $2.9 million in cumulative Canadian net operating losses that expire from 2029 to 2031. A deferred tax asset of $0.7 million has been recorded with respect to Canadian net operating loss carryforwards. No valuation allowance has been established because based on all available evidence, the Company concluded it is more likely than not that it will realize the deferred tax asset. On December 31, 2010 the Company had recorded a deferred tax asset, and no valuation allowance, of $0.6 million with respect to Canadian net operating loss carryforwards.

On December 31, 2011, the Company had recorded a $2.0 million deferred tax asset related to U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards that expire from 2020 through 2022. No valuation allowance has been established because based on all available evidence, the Company concluded it is more likely than not that it will realize the deferred tax asset. On December 31, 2010, the Company had $0.8 million in U.S. foreign credit carryforwards that expire in 2020 and 2021 and no valuation allowance with respect to the foreign credit carryforwards.

The Company accounts for utilization of windfall tax benefits based on tax law ordering and considered only the direct effects of stock-based compensation for purposes of measuring the windfall at settlement of an award. During 2011, there was no cash resulting from the exercise of awards and the Company realized no tax benefit from the exercise of awards. For 2010, the amount of cash resulting from the exercise of awards was $0.2 million and the tax benefit the Company realized from the exercise of awards was $0.8 million.

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S., various foreign jurisdictions and various state and local jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to examinations by U.S. tax authorities for years before 2007 and is no longer subject to examinations by foreign jurisdictions for years before 2006. The Company is no longer subject to examination by state tax authorities in most states for tax years before 2008.

A reconciliation of the January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	727
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		28
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years		(25	)
Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities		(153	)
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(259	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		318
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		20
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		474
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(198	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		614
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		43
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations		(22	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	635

The unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011 are associated with positions taken on state income tax returns, and would decrease the Company's effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not anticipate any significant changes during 2012 in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company has elected to classify interest and penalties as interest expense and penalty expense, respectively, rather than as income tax expense. The Company has $0.2 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2011. The net interest and penalties expense for 2011 is $0.1 million benefit, due to the reduction in uncertain tax positions and associated release of previously recorded interest and penalties. The Company had $0.3 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2010. The net interest and penalties expense for 2010 was $0.1 million.

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Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties
Balance at beginning of year	$ 614	$ 318	$ 727
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		20	28
Additions (Reductions) based on tax positions related to prior years	43	474	(25)
Reductions for settlements with taxing authorities			(153)
Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations	(22)	(198)	(259)
Balance at ending of year	$ 635	$ 614	$ 318