Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies.

Commitments

The Company has grain supply agreements to purchase its corn requirements through a single supplier for its Indiana and Atchison facilities. These grain supply agreements expire December 31, 2014.  At September 30, 2014, the Company had commitments to purchase corn to be used in operations throughDecember 2015 totaling$27,506.

The Company has commitments to purchase natural gas at fixed prices and various dates through June 2015.  The commitment for these contracts at September 30, 2014 totaled $9,422.

The Company entered into a supply contract for flour for use in the production of protein and starch ingredients.  The initial term of the agreement, as amended, expires October 23, 2015.  At September 30, 2014, the Company had purchase commitments aggregating $5,305 through December 2014.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had commitments of approximately $1,273 to acquire capital assets.

Contingencies

During fiscal 2013, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release (the "Settlement Agreement") with Cloud L. Cray, Jr., Karen Seaberg and Thomas M. Cray (collectively, the "Cray Group"), Timothy W. Newkirk, the Company's former President and CEO, and all other members of the Board of Directors then serving. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Company agreed to reimburse the members of the Cray Group for all reasonable legal fees and out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the matters related to the proxy contest, up to an aggregate maximum cap of $1,775. The Cray Group submitted reimbursement requests for $1,764, which the Company fully accrued at December 31, 2013. Such costs were included in the caption Accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company paid $1,764 to the Cray Group on March 25, 2014, during the year to date period ended September 30, 2014, leaving no remaining payable.

There are various legal proceedings involving the Company and its subsidiaries. Management believes that the aggregate liabilities, if any, arising from such actions would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or overall trends in results of operations of the Company.