10-Q 1 a10q022807.txt 10-Q UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended February 28, 2007 OR ( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _____to ______ Commission File Number: 000-21788 Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter: DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY State of Incorporation: Delaware I.R.S. Employer Identification Number: 62-1040440 Address of Principal Executive Offices (including zip code): One Cotton Row, Scott, Mississippi 38772 Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (662) 742-4000 Indicate by check mark whether 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 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 ( ) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ( ) NO (x) Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value, 36,996,130 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2007. DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES INDEX Page No. PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets - February 28, 2007, August 31, 2006, and February 28, 2006 3 Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months Ended February 28, 2007 and February 28, 2006 4 Consolidated Statements of Operations - Six Months Ended February 28, 2007 and February 28, 2006 5 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months Ended February 28, 2007 and February 28, 2006 6 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 17 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 22 Item 4. Controls and Procedures 22 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings 22 Item 1A. Risk Factors 23 Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 25 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 25 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 26 Item 5. Other Information 26 Item 6. Exhibits 26 Signatures 27
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) February 28, August 31, February 28, 2007 2006 2006 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,453 $ 69,691 $ 13,420 Marketable securities - 27,600 - Receivables, net 62,406 270,354 138,193 Income taxes receivable 6,078 - - Inventories 73,183 31,600 69,389 Prepaid expenses 1,126 2,173 1,657 Deferred income taxes 9,495 7,849 6,047 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Total current assets 173,741 409,267 228,706 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 60,585 61,066 61,507 EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS OF BUSINESSES ACQUIRED 4,183 4,183 4,183 INTANGIBLES, NET 8,368 8,276 8,459 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 21,527 22,383 11,238 OTHER ASSETS 1,029 1,079 1,214 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 269,433 $ 506,254 $ 315,307 ================== ================= ================= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES : Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt $ 3,256 $ 6,428 $ 8,448 Accounts payable 20,244 28,866 21,776 Accrued expenses 71,557 275,643 120,814 Income taxes payable - 14,179 8,872 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Total current liabilities 95,057 325,116 159,910 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- LONG-TERM DEBT - 1,455 3,471 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES 6,622 5,027 5,577 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10 ) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized; Series A Junior Participating Preferred, par value $0.10 per share; 501,989 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding; - - - Series M Convertible Non-Voting Preferred, par value $0.l0 per share; 1,066,667 shares authorized, issued and outstanding 107 107 107 Common stock, par value $0.10 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 42,615,436, 42,053,167 and 40,965,695 shares issued; 36,977,072, 36,415,567 and 35,495,589 shares outstanding 4,262 4,205 4,097 Capital in excess of par value 129,166 112,099 83,989 Retained earnings 172,647 197,750 193,933 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,381) (2,489) (3,440) Treasury stock, at cost; 5,638,364, 5,637,600 and 5,470,106 shares (137,047) (137,016) (132,337) ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 167,754 174,656 146,349 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 269,433 $ 506,254 $ 315,307 ================== ================= =================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 ----------------- ------------------ NET SALES AND LICENSING FEES $ 45,009 $ 114,977 COST OF SALES 31,327 74,145 ----------------- ------------------ GROSS PROFIT 13,682 40,832 ----------------- ------------------ OPERATING EXPENSES: Research and development 6,206 6,145 Selling 3,426 3,910 General and administrative 5,724 7,225 ----------------- ------------------ Total operating expenses 15,356 17,280 ----------------- ------------------ OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (1,674) 23,552 INTEREST INCOME, NET 462 177 OTHER EXPENSE, NET (2,399) (730) EQUITY IN NET LOSS OF AFFILIATE (417) (780) MINORITY INTEREST IN (EARNINGS) LOSS OF SUBSIDIARIES (390) 131 ----------------- ------------------ (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (4,418) 22,350 INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) 2,348 (7,680) ----------------- ------------------ NET (LOSS) INCOME (2,070) 14,670 DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK (182) (160) ----------------- ------------------ NET (LOSS) INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES $ (2,252) $ 14,510 ================= ================== BASIC (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE $ (0.06) $ 0.41 ================= ================== NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN BASIC (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS 36,604 35,688 ================= ================== DILUTED (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE $ (0.06) $ 0.40 ================= ================== NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN DILUTED (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS 36,604 36,914 ================= ================== DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.17 $ 0.15 ================= ================== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED (in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 ----------------- ------------------ NET SALES AND LICENSING FEES $ 57,893 $ 124,803 COST OF SALES 40,062 80,809 ----------------- ------------------ GROSS PROFIT 17,831 43,994 ----------------- ------------------ OPERATING EXPENSES: Research and development 12,364 11,786 Selling 7,191 7,316 General and administrative 11,778 13,452 ----------------- ------------------ Total operating expenses 31,333 32,554 ----------------- ------------------ OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME (13,502) 11,440 INTEREST INCOME, NET 2,032 1,205 OTHER EXPENSE, NET (6,818) (1,933) EQUITY IN NET LOSS OF AFFILIATE (958) (1,594) MINORITY INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (2,062) (701) ----------------- ------------------ (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (21,308) 8,417 INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE) 9,053 (3,192) ----------------- ------------------ NET (LOSS) INCOME (12,255) 5,225 DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK (363) (320) ----------------- ------------------ NET (LOSS) INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES $ (12,618) $ 4,905 ================= ================== BASIC (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE $ (0.35) $ 0.14 ================= ================== NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN BASIC (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS 36,527 35,882 ================= ================== DILUTED (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE $ (0.35) $ 0.14 ================= ================== NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN DILUTED (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE CALCULATIONS 36,527 37,145 ================= ================== DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.34 $ 0.30 ================= ==================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED (in thousands) (Unaudited) February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 ------------------ ----------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net (loss) income $ (12,255) $ 5,225 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 4,832 4,358 (Gain) loss on sale of assets (87) 59 Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements (3,682) - Equity in net loss of affiliate 958 1,594 Foreign exchange loss 9 33 Accretion of debt discount 72 227 Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries 2,062 701 Stock-based compensation expense 1,271 1,641 Change in deferred income taxes (782) (229) Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables 209,454 90,695 Inventories (42,560) (42,340) Prepaid expenses 1,048 226 Intangibles and other assets (298) (52) Accounts payable (8,801) 3,374 Accrued expenses (203,945) (101,331) Income taxes receivable / payable (20,241) (4,070) ------------------ ----------------- Net cash used in operating activities (72,945) (39,889) ------------------ ----------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Sales of marketable securities 27,600 - Purchases of property and equipment (3,721) (5,336) Sales of investments and property 162 23 Acquisition of business - (2,620) Investment in affiliate (1,140) (1,525) ------------------ ----------------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 22,901 (9,458) ------------------ ----------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Payments of short-term debt (4,707) (5,925) Proceeds from short-term debt - 266 Dividends paid (12,849) (11,034) Payments to acquire treasury stock - (15,083) Minority interest in dividends paid by subsidiaries (467) - Cash settlement of employee stock awards (31) - Proceeds from exercise of stock options 15,854 712 Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements 3,682 - ------------------ ----------------- Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities 1,482 (31,064) ------------------ ----------------- EFFECTS OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES 324 756 NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (48,238) (79,655) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, August 31 69,691 93,075 ------------------ ----------------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, February 28 $ 21,453 $ 13,420 ================== ================= SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid during the six months for: Income taxes $ 8,272 $ 6,859
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been included. The business of Delta and Pine Land Company and its subsidiaries ("D&PL" or the "Company") is seasonal in nature; thus, the results of operations for the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. D&PL's investment in its 50%-owned affiliate DeltaMax Cotton, LLC ("DeltaMax") is accounted for using the equity method. For further information, reference should be made to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in D&PL's Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2006. Merger with Monsanto Company On August 14, 2006, D&PL entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Monsanto and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Monsanto Sub, Inc., pursuant to which Monsanto Sub, Inc. will be merged with and into D&PL and D&PL will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monsanto. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, upon consummation of the merger, each outstanding share of D&PL common and preferred stock (except shares held by D&PL or by Monsanto and its subsidiaries) will be converted into a right to receive $42.00 per share in cash, without interest, provided that stockholders who so elect have the right to seek payment of the appraised value of their shares under Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Merger Agreement was approved by D&PL's stockholders on December 21, 2006 at the special shareholders meeting. The closing of the merger is subject to the expiration of the waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "H-S-R Act"). Appropriate filings and submissions have been made under the H-S-R Act and the transaction is under review by the federal and state authorities, including the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, D&PL agreed that, until the merger is consummated or the Merger Agreement is earlier terminated (except as otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of the Merger Agreement), it will, and it will cause its subsidiaries to, (i) carry on its business in the ordinary course, (ii) use reasonable best efforts to preserve intact its current business organization and goodwill, (iii) keep available the services of its current officers and employees, and (iv) preserve its relationships with suppliers, distributors, customers and others. The Company incurred approximately $2.4 million and $6.8 million of expenses related to the merger in the three and six months ended February 28, 2007, including legal and advisory fees and other incremental costs directly associated with the merger. These expenses are reported as a component of Other Expense, Net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Immaterial Correction of Prior Period Financial Statements Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's 2007 first quarter consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded a correction to such previously-issued financial statements relating to a misstatement of a marketing accrual. The correction of approximately $1.3 million ($800,000 after taxes) was not material to the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations for the previous quarter ended November 30, 2006. This does not impact the year-to-date reported results. Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards SFAS 158 - Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits, an Amendment of FASB Statements 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). This statement, issued by the FASB in September 2006, requires an employer with a defined benefit pension plan to (1) recognize the funded status of the benefit plan in its statement of financial position, (2) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to FASB Statement No. 87 or FASB Statement No. 106, (3) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer's fiscal year-end statement of financial position, and (4) disclose in the notes to the financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. Adoption of SFAS No. 158 is required by the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. Therefore, the Company will adopt this standard by August 31, 2007. The Company is presently evaluating the impact that adopting SFAS 158 will have on its financial position and results of operations. FIN 48 - Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. In July 2006, FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"), was issued. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". FIN 48 requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is "more-likely-than-not" to be sustained based solely on the technical merits as of the reporting date. FIN 48 also requires additional disclosures of unrecognized tax benefits, including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Therefore, the Company expects to implement FIN 48 beginning on September 1, 2007. The Company is presently evaluating the impact that adopting FIN 48 will have on its financial position and results of operations. SAB 108 - Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. In September 2006, staff from the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 108, which addresses how the effects of prior-year uncorrected misstatements should be considered when quantifying misstatements in current-year financial statements. SAB 108 requires companies to quantify misstatements using both the balance sheet and income statement approaches and to evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying an error that is material in light of relevant quantitative and qualitative factors. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending on or after November 15, 2006. The Company is evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on its financial position and results of operations. 2. COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME Total comprehensive (loss) income for the three and six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, was (in thousands): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended --------------------------------- -------------------------------------- February 28, February 28, February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 2007 2006 --------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------------- Net (loss) income $ (2,070) $ 14,670 $ (12,255) $ 5,225 Other comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation gains 531 500 726 949 Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on hedging instruments (89) 120 382 (84) Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income (235) (215) (471) (328) --------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------------- Other comprehensive income, net of tax 207 405 637 537 --------------- ---------------- ----------------- ------------------- Total comprehensive (loss) income $ (1,863) $ 15,075 $ (11,618) $ 5,762 =============== ================ ================= ===================
3. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES D&PL is in a single line of business and operates in two business segments, domestic and international. D&PL's reportable segments offer similar products; however, the business units are managed separately due to the geographic dispersion of their operations. D&PL breeds, produces, conditions and markets proprietary varieties of cotton and soybean planting seed in the United States. The international segment offers cottonseed in several foreign countries through both export sales and in-country operations. D&PL develops its proprietary seed products through research and development efforts in the United States and certain foreign countries. D&PL's chief operating decision maker utilizes revenue information in assessing performance and making overall operating decisions and resource allocations. Profit and loss information is reported by segment to the chief operating decision maker and D&PL's Board of Directors. The accounting policies of the segments are substantially the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in D&PL's Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K filed for the year ended August 31, 2006. Information about D&PL's segments for the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- February 28, February 28, February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 2007 2006 ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Net sales and licensing fees (by segment) Domestic $ 37,416 $ 109,212 $ 36,261 $ 109,610 International 7,593 5,765 21,632 15,193 ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ $ 45,009 $ 114,977 $ 57,893 $ 124,803 ================= ================= ================== ================== Net sales and licensing fees Cottonseed $ 39,455 $ 110,033 $ 52,928 $ 119,102 Soybean seed 4,983 4,400 5,000 4,378 Other 571 544 (35) 1,323 ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ $ 45,009 $ 114,977 $ 57,893 $ 124,803 ================= ================= ================== ================== Operating (loss) income Domestic $ (640) $ 25,099 $ (14,910) $ 12,109 International (1,034) (1,547) 1,408 (669) ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ $ (1,674) $ 23,552 $ (13,502) $ 11,440 ================= ================= ================== ==================
4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS Share-Based Payments. Effective September 1, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R utilizing the modified prospective approach. Under the modified prospective approach, SFAS No. 123R applies to new awards and to awards that were outstanding on September 1, 2005 and are subsequently modified or cancelled. Additionally, compensation cost for the portion of awards for which the requisite service had not been rendered as of September 1, 2005 will be recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost previously calculated for pro forma disclosure purposes under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." The Company charged to income $594,000 and $1,271,000 of compensation expense for stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units in the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2007, versus $830,000 and $1,641,000 in the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2006. Options. The Company recognized gross compensation cost associated with all of its outstanding stock option awards of $258,000 prior to a tax benefit of $137,000 in the second quarter of 2007, versus $414,000, prior to a tax benefit of $147,000, in the prior year period. At February 28, 2007, there was approximately $1.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards, net of an anticipated tax benefit of $456,000 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of two years, which represents the remaining employees' service periods. There were approximately 2.3 million stock options available for grant at February 28, 2007. The following table represents stock option activity for the quarter ended February 28, 2007: Number of Intrinsic Shares Price Range Value -------------- -------------------------- -------------- Outstanding at November 30, 2006 2,662,458 $ 16.91 $47.31 Exercised (501,496) 16.91 37.44 -------------- ------------ ---------- Outstanding at February 28, 2007 2,160,962 $ 16.91 $47.31 $ 36,657,000 ============== ============ ========== ============== Exercisable at February 28, 2007 1,913,497 $ 16.91 $47.31 $ 32,258,000 ============== ============ ========== ==============
The following table summarizes certain information about outstanding and exercisable stock options at February 28, 2007: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable ----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- Weighted Average Remaining Weighted Weighted Contractual Life Average Average Exercise Price Range in Years Exercise Exercise Number Price Number Price --------------------- ------------- ------------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- $16.91 - $19.99 917,978 4.0 $ 19.01 837,770 $ 19.01 $20.00 - $29.99 1,011,154 5.0 $ 26.69 843,897 $ 26.99 $30.00 - $39.99 229,830 4.5 $ 31.63 229,830 $ 31.63 $40.00 - $47.31 2,000 1.2 $ 47.31 2,000 $ 47.31 ------------- -------------- 2,160,962 4.5 $ 23.97 1,913,497 $ 24.08 ============= ==============
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. In the second quarter of 2007, 60 restricted stock units were granted to directors as dividends on previously issued restricted stock units, with related compensation cost of approximately $2,000. Compensation cost was determined based on the market price of the Company's common stock at the time of award and took into consideration dividend restrictions and expected forfeitures. Compensation cost will be recognized as expense ratably over the three-year vesting period. For the three months ended February 28, 2007, the Company recognized gross compensation cost associated with all of its restricted stock and restricted stock units awards of approximately $336,000, prior to a tax benefit of $181,000, versus $416,000, prior to a tax benefit of $148,000, in the prior year period. At February 28, 2007, there was $1.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units which is expected to be recognized, net of an anticipated tax benefit of $646,000, over a weighted-average period of two years. There were approximately 1.9 million shares available for grants of restricted stock and restricted stock units at February 28, 2007. The following represents restricted stock and restricted stock units activity for the quarter ended February 28, 2007: Restricted Stock Restricted Stock Units ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- Weighted Avg. Weighted Avg. Number of Grant Date Fair Number of Shares Grant Date Fair Shares Value Value -------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------ Non-vested at November 30, 2006 95,019 $25.09 14,862 $26.37 Granted - - 60 40.52 Vested (3,040) 22.35 - - -------------- ------------------ Non-vested at February 28, 2007 91,979 $25.18 14,922 $26.43 ============== ==================
5. INVENTORIES Inventories consisted of the following as of (in thousands): February 28, August 31, February 28, 2007 2006 2006 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Finished goods $ 46,088 $ 22,102 $ 45,722 Raw materials 33,874 17,353 32,684 Growing crops 990 1,844 1,147 Supplies 1,421 805 1,192 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- 82,373 42,104 80,745 Less reserves (9,190) (10,504) (11,356) ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- $ 73,183 $ 31,600 $ 69,389 ================== ================= =================
Finished goods and raw material inventory are valued at the lower of average cost or market. Growing crops are recorded at cost. Elements of cost in inventories include raw materials, direct production costs, manufacturing overhead and immaterial general and administrative expenses. Inventory reserves relate to estimated damaged, obsolete and excess inventory. The provision recorded for damaged, obsolete and excess inventory for the quarters ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $794,000 and $2,680,000, respectively. The provision recorded for damaged, obsolete and excess inventory for the six-months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $1,151,000 and $3,422,000, respectively. See Note 9 for a description of hedging activities related to inventory. 6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of (in thousands): February 28, August 31, February 28, 2007 2006 2006 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Land and improvements $ 6,535 $ 6,501 $ 6,470 Buildings and improvements 45,659 45,282 45,107 Machinery and equipment 69,049 67,635 65,222 Germplasm 7,500 7,500 7,500 Breeder and foundation seed 2,000 2,000 2,000 Construction in progress 5,021 2,974 2,996 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- 135,764 131,892 129,295 Less accumulated depreciation (75,179) (70,826) (67,788) ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- $ 60,585 $ 61,066 $ 61,507 ================== ================= =================
Depreciation expense during the quarters ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Depreciation expense during the six-month periods ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $4.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. 7. INTANGIBLES The components of identifiable intangible assets were as follows as of (in thousands): February 28, 2007 August 31, 2006 February 28, 2006 ------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------- Gross Gross Gross Carrying Accumulated Carrying Accumulated Carrying Accumulated Amount Amortization Amount Amortization Amount Amortization ----------- --------------- -------------- ---------------- ------------ ---------------- Trademarks $ 3,182 $ (1,076) $ 3,182 $ (1,037) $ 3,182 $ (997) Commercialization agreements 400 (163) 400 (149) 400 (135) Licenses 3,604 (650) 3,388 (417) 3,507 (247) Patents 2,432 (166) 2,202 (145) 1,954 (170) Other 2,202 (1,397) 2,146 (1,294) 2,132 (1,167) ----------- --------------- -------------- ---------------- ------------- --------------- $ 11,820 $ (3,452) $ 11,318 $ (3,042) $ 11,175 $ (2,716) =========== =============== ============== ================ ============= ===============
Amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets during the quarters ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $224,000 and $90,000, respectively. Amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets during the six-month periods ended February 28, 2007 and February 28, 2006 was approximately $392,000 and $210,000, respectively. Identifiable intangible asset amortization expense is estimated to be $200,000 for the remainder of 2007 and $400,000 in each of the fiscal years from 2008 to 2012. 8. INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE D&PL owns a 50% interest in DeltaMax Cotton, LLC, a limited liability company jointly owned with Verdia, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont. Established in May 2002, the DeltaMax joint venture was formed to create, develop and commercialize herbicide tolerant and insect resistant traits for the cottonseed market. D&PL has licensed from DeltaMax the developed traits for commercialization in both the U.S. and other cotton-producing countries in the world. For the quarters ended February 28, 2007 and February 28, 2006, D&PL's equity in the net loss of DeltaMax was approximately $417,000 and $780,000, respectively. For the six-month periods ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, D&PL's equity in the net loss of DeltaMax was approximately $958,000 and $1,594,000, respectively. 9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes the following pre-tax amounts related to the Company's soybean hedging program for the six-month periods ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands): 2007 2006 ------------------- ------------------- Deferred net (loss) gain, as of August 31 $ (136) $ 224 Net gains (losses) on hedging instruments arising during the six months 416 (53) Reclassification adjustment of gains on hedging instruments to earnings (34) (31) ------------------- ------------------- Net change in accumulated other comprehensive loss 382 (84) ------------------- ------------------- Deferred net gain on derivative instruments included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at February 28 $ 246 $ 140 =================== ===================
The deferred net gain of $246,000 included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at February 28, 2007 consists of $151,000 of net realized gains, and $95,000 of net unrealized gains. The deferred net gain will be recognized in earnings within the next twelve to eighteen months; however, the actual amount that will be charged to earnings may vary as a result of changes in market conditions. For the six-month periods ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, D&PL recorded no gains or losses in earnings as a result of hedge ineffectiveness or discontinuance of cash flow hedges related to soybeans. 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Merger with Monsanto The August 14, 2006 Merger Agreement signed by D&PL and Monsanto contains various provisions related to the possible termination of the Merger Agreement if certain events occur or do not occur, as the case may be. Depending upon the termination event, one of the following may occur: (i) Monsanto may be required to pay D&PL a termination payment of $600 million; (ii) the royalty paid to Monsanto under certain licenses with D&PL may be reduced; or (iii) D&PL may be required to pay Monsanto a termination payment of $15 million. The termination events also impact various dispute and litigation issues pending between D&PL and Monsanto, which are described more fully below in this footnote. Product Liability Claims D&PL is named as a defendant in various lawsuits that allege, among other things, that certain of D&PL's products (including those containing Monsanto's technology) did not perform as the farmer had anticipated or expected. In some of these cases, Monsanto and/or the dealer or distributor who sold the seed are also named as defendants. In all cases where the seed sold contained either or both of Monsanto's Bollgard(R) and/or Roundup Ready(R) gene technologies, and where the farmer alleged a failure of one or more of those technologies, D&PL has tendered the defense of the case to Monsanto and requested indemnity. Pursuant to the terms of the February 2, 1996 Bollgard Gene License and Seed Services Agreement (the "Bollgard Agreement") and the February 2, 1996 Roundup Ready Gene License and Seed Services Agreement (the "Roundup Ready Agreement") (both as amended December 1999, January 2000, March 2003, and August 2006 and the Roundup Ready Agreement as additionally amended July 1996), D&PL has a right to be contractually indemnified by Monsanto against all claims arising out of the failure of Monsanto's gene technology. Pharmacia remains liable for Monsanto's performance under these indemnity agreements. Some of the product liability lawsuits contain varietal claims which are aimed solely at D&PL. D&PL does not have a right to indemnification from Monsanto for any claims involving varietal characteristics separate from or in addition to the failure of the Monsanto technology. D&PL believes that the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated financial statements. D&PL intends to vigorously defend itself in these matters. Other Legal Matters On December 9, 2003, Bayer BioScience N.V. and Bayer CropScience GmbH (collectively "Bayer") filed a suit in the Federal Court of Australia alleging that the importing, exporting, selling and other alleged uses by Deltapine Australia Pty Ltd., D&PL's wholly-owned Australian subsidiary ("Deltapine Australia"), of Bollgard II(R) cottonseed infringes Bayer's Australian patent that claims an alleged invention entitled "Prevention of Bt Resistance Development." The suit seeks an injunction, damages and other relief against Deltapine Australia. Deltapine Australia disputes the validity, infringement and enforceability of Bayer's patent. On April 16, 2004, Deltapine Australia responded to the suit, denying infringement and asserting affirmative defenses and cross claims. The suit is in pretrial proceedings. Due to the status of this matter, management is unable to determine the impact of this matter on the consolidated financial statements. On February 17, 2006, D&PL initiated a dispute resolution proceeding under the 1996 Option Agreement and the 2002 Bollgard Gene License on the issue of whether Monsanto's implementation of a farmer licensing system for the Bollgard gene technology in Brazil violates D&PL's and its local affiliates' rights to an exclusive license to develop, produce and sell Bollgard planting seed in Brazil. On March 27, 2006, D&PL submitted this issue to arbitration before the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"). As part of this arbitration, D&PL sought to enjoin Monsanto's implementation of its farmer licensing system and is seeking damages incurred by D&PL and its affiliates. In July 2006, the Arbitration Panel conducted a preliminary hearing. The Panel denied a preliminary injunction without prejudice to granting a permanent injunction upon final hearing. On August 14, 2006, Monsanto and D&PL entered into a settlement agreement under which further proceedings in this arbitration are stayed pending the proposed merger between Monsanto and D&PL and/or a mutually agreed resolution of this dispute, provided that net technology fees collected under the farmer licensing system during the period of stay will be divided between Monsanto and its affiliates and D&PL and its affiliates in a ratio of 56%/44%. MDM Sementes de Algodao Limitada, D&PL's affiliate in Brazil, sold cotton seed containing Bollgard gene technology in Brazil in the 2007 sales season. On June 16, 2006, D&PL submitted to arbitration before the AAA issues involving D&PL's rights to exclusive rights to Bollgard technology in two additional Ex-United States countries. Pursuant to settlement agreements entered into on August 14, 2006, the arbitration with respect to the exclusive licenses in the two Ex-United States countries and a dispute resolution proceeding involving the confidentiality provisions of the Bollgard and Roundup Ready Licenses were stayed pending the merger between Monsanto and D&PL. On February 5, 2007, pursuant to agreements with Monsanto, D&PL submitted to dispute resolution an issue involving incentive payments to dealers and distributors for sublicensing to farmers the right to use Bollgard technology. This dispute resolution proceeding is currently stayed by mutual agreement of D&PL and Monsanto. On February 23, 2007, a former employee of D&PL in Brazil filed a claim under the Brazilian Labor Code seeking payment of wages, overtime pay, fines and contributions to a severance guarantee fund. The total amount of this claim is 1,028,712.88 Reals (equivalent to approximately US$496,000 at current exchange rates). D&PL believes that this claim is without merit and this former employee is not entitled to any additional compensation. D&PL has asserted its defenses in the appropriate tribunal. D&PL believes that the resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated financial statements. As previously disclosed, the Company has investigated the circumstances relating to certain payments made by certain employees and third-party contractors of the foreign branch of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company believes that payments totaling approximately $42,000 were made to low-level local officials between 2000 and 2006. Some of these payments were not recorded in the subsidiary's books and records. The Company first learned of such payments in 2004 and took corrective actions to assure that the payments complied with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"). Further issues arose with regard to such payments in the course of due diligence in connection with the Merger with Monsanto. As previously disclosed, the Company voluntarily notified the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning these matters. The Company has also conducted a broader review of its compliance with FCPA requirements and has identified other potential compliance issues. While the amounts of these other payments were accurately recorded in the books and records of Company affiliates and were not quantitatively material, some of these payments were not accurately described in the books and records of Company affiliates, and as a result, the Company might be subject to liability under the FCPA. The Company is also reviewing the extent to which these payments were permissible facilitating payments or were impermissible payments for which the Company might be subject to liability under the FCPA. The Company has voluntarily notified the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning these matters. However, there can be no assurance as to what action, if any, either of these authorities might take with regard to these matters. Due to the status of this matter, management is unable to determine the impact of this matter on the consolidated financial statements. D&PL vs. Monsanto Company and Pharmacia Corporation On December 20, 1999, Monsanto withdrew its pre-merger notification filed pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 ("H-S-R Act") effectively terminating Monsanto's efforts to gain government approval of the merger of Monsanto with D&PL under the May 8, 1998 Merger Agreement (the "1998 Merger Agreement"). On December 30, 1999, D&PL filed suit in the First Judicial District of Bolivar County, Mississippi, seeking, among other things, the payment of the $81 million termination fee due pursuant to the 1998 Merger Agreement, compensatory damages and punitive damages. On January 2, 2000, D&PL and Monsanto reached an agreement whereby D&PL would withdraw the suit, without prejudice, for the purpose of negotiating a settlement of D&PL's claims, and Monsanto would immediately pay the $81 million. On January 3, 2000, Monsanto paid to D&PL the termination fee of $81 million as required by the 1998 Merger Agreement. On January 18, 2000, after unsuccessful negotiations, D&PL re-filed its suit, (the "1998 Merger Litigation"). D&PL seeks in excess of $1 billion in compensatory and $1 billion in punitive damages for breach of the 1998 Merger Agreement. On September 12, 2003, Monsanto amended its answer to include four counterclaims against D&PL. Monsanto is seeking an unspecified amount of damages for its counterclaims, including the $81 million paid by Monsanto to D&PL as a termination fee and related expenses. D&PL answered the counterclaims, denying all liability. On December 21, 2004, Monsanto filed a motion to amend its answer to withdraw two of its four counterclaims. On February 17, 2005, D&PL filed a motion with the trial court to amend its complaint to add a claim against Monsanto for fraudulently inducing D&PL to extend the deadline to complete the merger with Monsanto. The Mississippi Supreme Court has stayed the proceedings in this case pending the resolution of two interlocutory appeals filed by D&PL. Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger between Monsanto, Monsanto Sub, Inc. and D&PL, entered into on August 14, 2006 (the "2006 Merger Agreement"), Monsanto and D&PL have agreed to take steps necessary to stay the 1998 Merger Litigation for a period of up to twelve months. On August 27, 2006, the Mississippi Supreme Court entered an Order staying proceedings in the 1998 Merger Litigation through February 27, 2007. On March 5, 2007, the Mississippi Supreme Court extended the stay until September 4, 2007. The 2006 Merger Agreement provides the 1998 Merger Litigation will be dismissed with prejudice upon certain circumstances including (1) completion of the merger, (2) the merger is not completed by the Outside Date (as defined in the 2006 Merger Agreement) and certain regulatory approvals have not been obtained, or the completion of the merger is prevented by a law or order related to anti-trust or competition law, (3) Monsanto breaches any covenant or agreement in the 2006 Merger Agreement in a material respect and fails to cure upon notice, or (4) D&PL breaches the covenants and agreements in the 2006 Merger Agreement in a material respect and fails to cure upon notice. (In the circumstances described in items (2) and (3), Monsanto is required to pay D&PL $600 million in cash.) In the following circumstances, the stay of the 1998 Merger Litigation will terminate and the parties may then pursue any and all rights in that litigation: (1) D&PL breaches its representations or warranties under the 2006 Merger Agreement and fails to cure upon notice, (2) the merger has not been completed by the Outside Date and there has been a material adverse change with respect to D&PL, or (3) the 2006 Merger Agreement is terminated by agreement of D&PL and Monsanto or for any reason other than as specified above. 11. EARNINGS PER SHARE For the quarter and six months ended February 28, 2007, common share equivalents were not included in D&PL's calculation of diluted loss per share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive since D&PL reported a net loss for each of the aforementioned periods. As a result, basic and diluted losses per share are the same in the quarter and six month periods ended February 28, 2007. For D&PL, items that are considered in the determination of common share equivalents include the Series M Convertible Non-Voting Preferred shares, stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. At February 28, 2007, the total of those items was approximately 3.3 million. The computation of common share equivalents is dependent on the weighted-average market value of D&PL common stock during the period under consideration, among other things. Therefore, only a portion of these items would be considered common share equivalents for purposes of the diluted earnings per share calculation. Approximately 1,682,000 outstanding stock options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended February 28, 2006, and approximately 1,640,000 outstanding stock options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the six months ended February 28, 2006, because the exercise price exceeded the average market price of D&PL's common stock for each respective reporting date. These excluded options expire at various dates from 2007 to 2015. The table below reconciles the basic and diluted per share computations: (in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Three Months Six Months Six Months Ended Ended Ended Ended February 28, February 28, February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 2007 2006 ----------------- ----------------- ---------------- ------------------ (Loss)Income: Net (loss)income $ (2,070) $ 14,670 $ (12,255) $ 5,225 Less: Preferred stock dividends (182) (160) (363) (320) ----------------- ----------------- ---------------- ------------------ Net (loss)income for basic EPS $ (2,252) $ 14,510 $ (12,618) $ 4,905 Effect of dilutive securities: Convertible preferred stock dividends 182 160 363 320 ----------------- ----------------- ---------------- ------------------ Net (loss)income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions - for diluted EPS $ (2,070) $ 14,670 $ (12,255) $ 5,225 ================= ================= ================ ================== Shares: Basic EPS shares 36,604 35,688 36,527 35,882 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase stock - 117 - 160 Restricted stock and restricted stock units - 42 - 36 Convertible preferred stock - 1,067 - 1,067 ----------------- ----------------- ---------------- ------------------ Diluted EPS shares 36,604 36,914 36,527 37,145 ================= ================= ================ ================== Per Share Amounts: Basic $ (0.06) $ 0.41 $ (0.35) $ 0.14 ==================================== ================ ================== Diluted $ (0.06) $ 0.40 $ (0.35) $ 0.14 ================= ================= ================ ==================
12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Substantially all full-time employees are covered by a noncontributory defined benefit plan (the "Plan"). Benefits are paid to employees, or their beneficiaries, upon retirement, death or disability based on their final average compensation over the highest consecutive five years. D&PL's funding policy is to make contributions to the Plan that are at least equal to the minimum amounts required to be funded in accordance with the provisions of ERISA. Effective January 1992, D&PL adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP"), which will pay supplemental pension benefits to certain employees whose benefits from the Plan were decreased as a result of certain changes made to the Plan. The benefits from the SERP will be paid in addition to any benefits the participants may receive under the Plan and will be paid from Company assets, not Plan assets. For further information about D&PL's employee benefit plans, reference should be made to Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements contained in D&PL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2006. The components of net periodic pension expense for D&PL's Plan and SERP follow as of (in thousands): Pension SERP Three Months Ended Three Months Ended --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ February 28, February 28, February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 2007 2006 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ --------------- Service cost $ 235 $ 273 $ - $ - Interest cost 328 287 8 8 Expected return on assets (372) (295) (5) (6) Amortization of prior service cost - 4 - - Recognized net actuarial loss (gain) 117 180 (12) 14 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ --------------- Net periodic pension expense $ 308 $ 449 $ (9) $ 16 ================== ================== ================== =============== Pension SERP Six Months Ended Six Months Ended --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ February 28, February 28, February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 2007 2006 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ --------------- Service cost $ 470 $ 546 $ - $ - Interest cost 656 575 16 16 Expected return on assets (744) (590) (10) (12) Amortization of prior service cost - 7 - - Recognized net actuarial loss (gain) 234 360 (24) 28 ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ --------------- Net periodic pension expense $ 616 $ 898 $ (18) $ 32 ================== ================== ================== ===============
The amount of the minimum pension liability that is recorded as a component of Accrued Expenses at February 28, 2007 was $4.4 million. As of February 28, 2007, D&PL had not made any contributions to the Plan. As of February 28, 2007, no contributions have been made to the SERP. D&PL presently does not anticipate contributing any amounts to the SERP in 2007. 13. CREDIT FACILITY The Company and certain of its subsidiaries maintain an unsecured $75 million credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Bank of America, N.A. (the "Bank"). The Credit Agreement provides for unsecured revolving loans up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding of $75 million, plus Letters of Credit which were outstanding prior to the execution of the Credit Agreement in the amount of approximately $2 million. Of the total commitment, $50 million represents a seasonal commitment available from October to July of each year. The Credit Agreement is set to expire on July 31, 2007, at which time all outstanding amounts under the Credit Agreement will be due and payable, subject to the Company's right to request an additional one-year extension and the Bank's acceptance of that request. Presently, the Company has begun negotiations with the bank to extend the Credit Agreement. In general, borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate calculated according to a Eurodollar rate, plus 0.55%. The Eurodollar rate is generally the 30-day, 60-day or 90-day LIBOR rate. The Company is also required to pay an annual fee of 0.125% of the daily-unused portion of the Credit Agreement. The primary financial covenant requires the Company's funded indebtedness under the Credit Agreement to not exceed 50% of certain current and long-term assets, defined in the Credit Agreement and determined as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. During the quarter and six months ended February 28, 2007, the Company did not borrow against the credit facility. As of February 28, 2007, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, other than existing letters of credits as discussed above. 14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS During the six months ended February 28, 2007, DeltaMax paid Temasek Life Science Laboratory ("TLL") approximately $421,000 for research activities TLL conducted for DeltaMax. TLL is a related party of Temasek Capital and Temasek Holdings. Dr. Chua, a member of the board of directors of D&PL, was the Chief Scientific Advisor of Temasek Capital from April 2001 to March 2003 and was appointed to be Corporate Advisor to Temasek Holdings in April 2003 through March 2006, and has advised TLL since April 2004. Dr. Chua was appointed to the Board of Directors of TLL effective March 15, 2007. Dr. Chua has been a paid consultant to Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a DuPont subsidiary, for several years and continues in this capacity. In July 2004, DuPont acquired Verdia, Inc., which owns 50% of DeltaMax. For further information about DeltaMax, reference should be made to Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements contained in D&PL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2006. Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations OVERVIEW/OUTLOOK Research and seed development remains the foundation of our company. During 2006, our cottonseed varieties were planted on approximately 51% of all the cotton acreage in the U.S. Our farmer customers continue to enjoy the benefits of high yielding germplasm which incorporates Monsanto's first and second generation insect resistance and herbicide tolerance traits. During 2007, we expect to offer as many as nine varieties containing the second generation Monsanto insect resistant (Bollgard II(R), or "BG II") and herbicide tolerance traits (Roundup Ready Flex(R), or "RRF") and expect to have enough seed to plant three million acres containing these traits. Four of these varieties are single-gene RRF and five varieties contain both the RRF gene technology and BG II. Additionally, we continue to dedicate resources to the development of the traits we have licensed from Syngenta and DuPont, which, with respect to Syngenta, is expected to be launched later this decade, and for DuPont, 2011 and beyond. Internationally, we began sales of transgenic cotton varieties in Brazil during the first quarter of 2007 as well as the introduction of hybrids at our joint ventures in China. We began selling Bollgard cotton hybrids in India in 2006 and, subject to regulatory approvals, we expect to sell BG II hybrids in India beginning in 2008. Expected 2007 U.S. cotton acreage has been affected by the sharp increase in corn commodity prices. USDA planting intentions issued on March 30, 2007 indicated that 2007 cotton acreage could be as low as 12.1 million acres, representing a 21% decline from 2006 planted acreage. This decline impacted our 2007 second quarter results as decreased sales volumes resulted in a second quarter loss. We believe that this decline in volumes is attributable in part to timing as farmers have pushed back their planting decisions to later in the Spring than in previous years. However, based on the anticipated decline in cotton acreage, we have revised 2007 earnings guidance which is discussed below. International results for the second quarter and year-to-date period were better than last year due to higher sales volumes and the introduction of transgenic cotton varieties in Brazil. Results were also impacted by $2.4 million and $6.8 million of expenses associated with the pending merger with Monsanto for the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2007. Monsanto Merger Appropriate filings and submissions have been made under the H-S-R Act in connection with our pending merger with Monsanto, and the transaction is under review by the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice ("USDOJ"). We are committed to cooperate with the antitrust authorities to allow a thorough review within the allotted time frame. The Company and Monsanto have complied with the request for additional information from the USDOJ and have agreed to extend the waiting period with the USDOJ. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the initial period established for satisfaction of the merger closing conditions was February 14, 2007; however, there is an automatic extension period of six months provided for in the Merger Agreement, if necessary, to complete the antitrust review. This extension period has been effected in order to allow the authorities to complete their review. 2007 Earnings Guidance We expect domestic sales of cottonseed to decline in 2007 from 2006 due to a reduction of planted cotton acreage due to increased corn plantings. However, we are unable to develop and do not have a precise estimate of what cotton plantings will ultimately be due to farmer uncertainty, current commodity prices and weather conditions. We expect International sales to moderately improve over 2006 due to the introduction of transgenic cotton varieties in Brazil and sales of cotton hybrids in China. Assuming that planted cotton acreage declines to 12.1 million acres as forecasted by the USDA in its March 31 Planting Intentions Report, which represents a 21% reduction from the 15.3 million acres planted in 2006, our earnings for the fiscal year 2007 may range from $.53 to $.63 per diluted share, after special charges of $.26 per diluted share related to the proposed merger with Monsanto. This revised range compares to our earlier forecast of $1.10 to $1.20 per share after special charges of $.26 per share related to the merger. The Company's updated earnings guidance is based on decreased cotton acreage as well as assumptions regarding maintenance of our market share and product/sales mix target being met. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Due to the seasonal nature of our business, we typically incur losses in our first and fourth quarters because the majority of our domestic sales are made in our second and third quarters. However, due to lower domestic cottonseed shipments in the second quarter of the current fiscal year, we are reporting a loss for this quarter also. Sales in the first and fourth quarters are generally limited to those made to export markets and those made by our non-U.S. joint ventures and subsidiaries located primarily in the Southern hemisphere. The following sets forth selected operating data of D&PL (in thousands): For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended -------------------------------------- --------------------------------- February 28, February 28, February 28, February 28, 2007 2006 2007 2006 ------------------ ----------------- ---------------- ------------- Operating results- Net sales and licensing fees $ 45,009 $ 114,977 $ 57,893 $ 124,803 Gross profit 13,682 40,832 17,831 43,994 Operating expenses 15,356 17,280 31,333 32,554 Operating (loss) income (1,674) 23,552 (13,502) 11,440 (Loss) income before income taxes (4,418) 22,350 (21,308) 8,417 Net (loss) income applicable to common shares (2,252) 14,510 (12,618) 4,905 The following sets forth selected balance sheet data of D&PL at the following dates (in thousands):
February 28, February 28, 2007 August 31, 2006 2006 ------------------ ----------------- ----------------- Balance sheet summary- Current assets $ 173,741 $ 409,267 $ 228,706 Current liabilities 95,057 325,116 159,910 Working capital 78,684 84,151 68,796 Property, plant and equipment, net 60,585 61,066 61,507 Total assets 269,433 506,254 315,307 Outstanding borrowings 3,256 7,883 11,919 Stockholders' equity 167,754 174,656 146,349
Three months ended February 28, 2007, compared to three months ended February 28, 2006: For the quarter ended February 28, 2007, we reported a net loss of $2.1 million compared to net income of $14.7 million in the prior year quarter. The loss for the quarter was due to low domestic cottonseed shipments, partially offset by an increase in revenues from our international business and lower operating expenses. Net sales and licensing fees decreased approximately $70.0 million to $45.0 million and gross profit decreased approximately $27.2 million to $13.7 million. The revenue decrease was primarily attributable to lower domestic cottonseed shipments due to customer indecision regarding planting decisions. Higher commodity prices for corn have caused an increase in acres planted to corn, which is negatively impacting our cottonseed shipments. This decrease was partially offset by higher revenues from our international business compared to last year's quarter, as Brazil continues to benefit from the introduction in the current year of transgenic cottonseed varieties. Operating expenses decreased approximately $1.9 million to $15.4 million in the second quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to lower advertising expenses and lower legal fees related to the various arbitration issues with Monsanto which have been stayed or dismissed due to our pending merger with Monsanto. We reported net other expense of approximately $2.4 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2007, compared to $730,000 for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $1.7 million is primarily attributed to $2.4 million in expenses associated with our proposed merger with Monsanto offset by a reduction in legal fees from the litigation with Pharmacia/Monsanto. Six months ended February 28, 2007, compared to six months ended February 28, 2006: For the six months ended February 28, 2007, we reported a net loss of $12.3 million compared to net income of $5.2 million in the prior year period. This loss is also due to the domestic factors discussed above, offset by improved results in our international business and lower operating expenses. Net sales and licensing fees decreased approximately $66.9 million to $57.9 million and gross profit decreased approximately $26.2 million to $17.8 million. The revenue decrease was primarily attributable to lower domestic cottonseed shipments as discussed above. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenues from our international business, primarily in South America, offset somewhat by a decrease in revenues from Australia, South Africa, Turkey, Greece and Spain. The increase in South America is primarily due to the introduction of transgenic cotton varieties in Brazil in the current year and an increase in cotton acreage in Brazil. Sales in Australia have been impacted by reduced cotton acreage due to the continued severe drought conditions. In South Africa, revenue decreased as a result of lower cotton acreage due to competition from corn production. Sales in Turkey, Greece and Spain were lower due to a shift in sales there to later in the year and difficulty due to exportation of seed from Turkey to Greece and Spain. Operating expenses decreased approximately $1.2 million to $31.3 million in the first quarter of 2007. This decrease was primarily due to lower advertising expenses and lower legal fees related to various Monsanto arbitration issues as discussed above, offset by an increase in research and development in our international division. We reported net other expense of approximately $6.8 million for the six months ended February 28, 2007, compared to $1.9 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $4.9 million is primarily attributed to $6.8 million in expenses associated with our proposed merger with Monsanto offset by a reduction in legal fees associated with the Pharmacia/Monsanto litigation. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS We do not currently utilize off-balance sheet arrangements. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS As of February 28, 2007, we owed approximately $2.9 million for a portion of our raw materials that had been received from the 2006 production season. This amount represents the amount due on seed production delivered that had not yet been paid. It does not include other amounts that may become due from contingencies contained in seed production contracts. The amount owed of $2.9 million is included in Current Liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet at February 28, 2007. APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to adopt accounting policies and make significant judgments and estimates to develop amounts reflected and disclosed in the financial statements. In many cases, there are alternative policies or estimation techniques that could be used. We maintain a thorough process to review the application of our accounting policies and to evaluate the appropriateness of the many estimates that are required to prepare our financial statements. However, even under optimal circumstances, estimates routinely require adjustment based on changing circumstances and the receipt of new or better information. Information regarding our "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" can be found in our Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2006. The four critical accounting policies that we believe are either the most judgmental, or involve the selection or application of alternative accounting policies, and are material to our financial statements are those relating to revenue recognition, including accounting for various incentive programs (crop loss and replant programs), provision for damaged, obsolete and excess inventory, deferred income taxes and contingent liabilities. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and with our independent registered public accounting firm. RECENTLY ISSUED FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS SFAS 158 - Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits, an Amendment of FASB Statements 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). This statement, issued by the FASB in September 2006, requires an employer with a defined benefit pension plan to (1) recognize the funded status of the benefit plan in its statement of financial position, (2) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to FASB Statement No. 87 or FASB Statement No. 106, (3) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer's fiscal year-end statement of financial position, and (4) disclose in the notes to the financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. Adoption of SFAS No. 158 is required by the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. Therefore, we will adopt this standard by August 31, 2007. We are presently evaluating the impact that adopting SFAS 158 will have on our financial position and results of operations. FIN 48 - Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. In July 2006, FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"), was issued. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". FIN 48 requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is "more-likely-than-not" to be sustained based solely on the technical merits as of the reporting date. FIN 48 also requires additional disclosures of unrecognized tax benefits, including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Therefore, we expect to implement FIN 48 beginning on September 1, 2007. We are presently evaluating the impact that adopting FIN 48 will have on our financial position and results of operations. SAB 108 - Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements. In September 2006, staff from the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 108, which addresses how the effects of prior-year uncorrected misstatements should be considered when quantifying misstatements in current-year financial statements. SAB 108 requires companies to quantify misstatements using both the balance sheet and income statement approaches and to evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying an error that is material in light of relevant quantitative and qualitative factors. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending on or after November 15, 2006. We are evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on our financial position and results of operations. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES In the United States, we purchase seed from contract growers in our first and second quarters. Seed conditioning, treating and packaging commence late in our first quarter and continue through our third quarter. Seasonal cash needs normally begin to increase in our first quarter and cash needs peak in our third quarter. Cash is generated and loan repayments, if applicable, normally begin in the middle of our third quarter and are typically completed by our first quarter of the following year. In some cases, we offer customers financial incentives to make early payments. To the extent we attract early payments from customers, bank borrowings, if any, are reduced. In the United States, we record revenue and accounts receivable for technology licensing fees on transgenic seed sales upon shipment, usually in our second and third fiscal quarters. Receivables from seed sales generally become due in May and June. The licensing fees are due in September, at which time we receive payment. We then pay Monsanto its royalty for the Bollgard, Bollgard II, Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready Flex licensing fees, which is recorded as a component of cost of sales. As a result of the timing of these events, licensing fees receivable and royalties' payable peak at our fiscal year end, August 31. The seasonal nature of our business significantly impacts cash flow and working capital requirements. Historically, we have maintained credit facilities and used early payments by customers and cash from operations to fund working capital needs. In the past, we have borrowed on a short-term basis to meet seasonal working capital needs. From 2002 through 2005, we used cash generated from operations and other available cash to meet working capital needs. Since 2006, we have utilized our credit facility to fund working capital needs, in addition to early payments from customers and cash from operations. We continue to evaluate potential uses of our cash for purposes other than for working capital needs. Other potential uses of our cash in the future may be the acquisition of, or funding of, alternative technologies (such as, or in addition to, DeltaMax and Syngenta) that could be used to enhance our product portfolio and ultimately our long-term earnings potential and/or an investment in new markets outside the United States such as India. The Merger Agreement restricts us from authorizing, recommending or proposing, or entering into an agreement in principle or an agreement with respect to any merger, consolidation or business combination (other than the Monsanto merger) or any acquisition or disposition of any assets, except that in the case of the acquisition or disposition of assets, the Merger Agreement does not prevent us and our subsidiaries from: o acquiring or disposing of assets outside of the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice so long as the aggregate amount of those assets to be acquired or disposed of are less than $10 million; or o acquiring or disposing of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. However, the Merger Agreement does prohibit us, without Monsanto's prior written consent, from purchasing, redeeming, or otherwise acquiring our outstanding shares. We maintain an unsecured $75 million credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Bank of America, N.A. (the "Bank"). The Credit Agreement provides for unsecured revolving loans up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding of $75 million, plus Letters of Credit which were outstanding prior to the execution of the Credit Agreement in the amount of approximately $2 million. Of the total commitment, $50 million represents a seasonal commitment available from October to July of each year. The Credit Agreement is set to expire on July 31, 2007, at which time all outstanding amounts under the Credit Agreement will be due and payable, subject to the Company's right to request an additional one-year extension and the Bank's acceptance of that request. Presently, the Company has begun negotiations with the bank to extend the Credit Agreement. Additionally, at the option of the Bank the Credit Agreement can be terminated upon a change in control as defined in the Credit Agreement. In general, borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate calculated according to a Eurodollar rate, plus 0.55%. The Eurodollar rate is generally the 30-day, 60-day or 90-day LIBOR rate. We are also required to pay unused fees of 0.125% annually calculated on the daily-unused portion of the Credit Agreement. The primary financial covenant requires the Company's funded indebtedness under the Credit Agreement to not exceed 50% of certain current and long-term assets, defined in the Credit Agreement and determined as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. During the quarter ended February 28, 2007, the Company did not borrow under the Credit Agreement. As of February 28, 2007, there were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, other than the existing Letters of Credit as discussed above. Capital expenditures were $3.7 million and $5.3 million in the six months ended February 28, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We anticipate that capital expenditures will approximate $8.0 million to $10.0 million in 2007. For the six months ended February 28, 2007, aggregate dividends of $12.8 million have been paid on common and preferred shares. The Board of Directors anticipates that quarterly dividends of $0.17 per share will continue to be paid in the future; however, the Board of Directors reviews this policy quarterly. Based on a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share in 2007, aggregate preferred and common stock dividends should approximate $25.8 million in 2007. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement executed with Monsanto, our Board of Directors is precluded from increasing the quarterly dividend rate above $0.17 per share. CASH USED FOR SHARE REPURCHASES Pursuant to the Merger Agreement executed with Monsanto, we are precluded from future repurchases or issuances of our own shares except our Board of Directors has authorized the issuance of approximately 155,000 shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units to our directors, officers and key employees in accordance with the provisions of the 2005 Omnibus Stock Plan. These shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units, if issued, will vest over a three year period. However, at the effective time of the merger, those shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units will become immediately vested and will be converted into the right to receive $42.00 per share in cash without interest and less any applicable withholding tax. If the merger does not close, these instruments will vest 40% on the first anniversary of their issuance, 30% on the second anniversary of their issuance and the remaining 30% on the third anniversary of their issuance. From September 1, 2006 through February 28, 2007, 684 shares of restricted D&PL common stock held by employees were tendered to the Company on the day the restrictions lapsed (approximate value of $31,000). The employees received cash in lieu of shares net of applicable income taxes related to the exercise of the employee's stock award. Pursuant to our stock option and award plans and our stock repurchase plan, the surrender of these shares is treated as an open market repurchase for purposes of determining the amount that may be repurchased under the June 2005 repurchase authorization. Under that plan, we have remaining authorization of approximately $27.4 million subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement noted above. Cash provided from operations, cash on hand, early payments from customers and borrowings under the credit facility should be sufficient to meet our 2007 working capital needs. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE Additional information (including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and statements of beneficial ownership) is available free of charge at our website at www.deltaandpine.com under Media & News, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with or furnish such material to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk We have exposure relative to fluctuations in the price of soybean raw material inventory, foreign currency fluctuations and interest rate changes. For more information about market risk and how we manage specific risk exposures, see Notes 1 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2006. Also see Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further details about our exposure to market risk. The fair value of derivative commodity instruments outstanding as of February 28, 2007, was $117,000. A 10% adverse change in the underlying commodity prices upon which these contracts are based would result in a $109,000 loss in future earnings (not including the gain on the underlying commodities). Our earnings are also affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies as a result of transactions in foreign markets. We conduct non-U.S. operations through subsidiaries and joint ventures in, primarily, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, South Africa and Turkey. At February 28, 2007, the result of a uniform 10% change in the value of the dollar relative to the currencies in which our transactions are denominated would not cause a material impact on net earnings. For the three months ended February 28, 2007, a 10% adverse change in the interest rate that we earned on our cash that we invested would not have resulted in a material change to our net interest income or cash flow. Item 4. Controls and Procedures (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. D&PL's chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of D&PL's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of February 28, 2007. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that D&PL's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to D&PL and D&PL's consolidated subsidiaries is made known to such officers by others within these entities in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. (b) Changes in Internal Controls. There have not been any changes in D&PL's internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, D&PL's internal control over financial reporting. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings A complete discussion of all known pending litigation in which D&PL is named as a defendant and a description of other legal matters can be found in Part I, Item 3, of D&PL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2006. The following discussion only relates to changes in the status of items reported in that Annual Report on Form 10-K, or new items that have come to the Company's attention since that time. Regarding two lawsuits filed in the Circuit Court of Holmes County, Mississippi, motions are now pending in the August 19, 2002 case identical to those filed o March 14, 2002. The court entered an order on January 26th, 2007 severing the claims of the plaintiffs and directing that the non-Holmes County plaintiffs to re-file in an appropriate venue. Three plaintiffs remain with cases pending in Holmes County. None of the severed plaintiffs have yet re-filed. Neither of these lawsuits alleges that the Monsanto gene technology failed, and accordingly, it does not appear that D&PL has a claim for indemnity or defense under the terms of any of the gene licenses with Monsanto. Regarding the December 2002 declaratory judgment suit filed by D&PL against Nationwide Agribusiness and other insurance companies in the Circuit Court of Holmes County, Mississippi, and removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, in which summary judgment was subsequently entered against D&PL and D&PL appealed to the U.S. Court of appeals for the Fifth Circuit, all appellate briefs have now been submitted and the Fifth Circuit has set the case for oral argument for Wednesday May 2, 2007. Regarding the civil action filed in October 2002 in a Turkish court by Ozbugday Tarim Isletmeleri ve Tohumculuk A.S. ("OTIT"), a former distributor, seeking an injunction against D&PL's affiliate's continued sale of Sure Grow varieties in Turkey, on or about November 30, 2006, The High Court of Appeals revoked a prior decision and returned the case to the lower court for further consideration of whether Turk Deltapine should be required to post security before the case can be decided on merits. Regarding the lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Hinds County, Mississippi, by Product Services Company and Ted Dickerson, the request by International Paper, co-defendant, for a change in venue to another Mississippi county was denied on November 15, 2006. The case is now in pre-trial discovery. On February 5, 2007, pursuant to agreements with Monsanto, D&PL submitted to dispute resolution an issue involving incentive payments to dealers and distributors for sublicensing to farmers the right to use Bollgard technology. This dispute resolution proceeding is currently stayed by mutual agreement of D&PL and Monsanto. On February 23, 2007, a former employee of D&PL in Brazil filed a claim under the Brazilian Labor Code seeking payment of wages, overtime pay, fines and contributions to a severance guarantee fund. The total amount of this claim is 1,028,712.88 Reals (equivalent to approximately US$496,000 at current exchange rates). D&PL believes that this claim is without merit and this former employee is not entitled to any additional compensation. D&PL has asserted its defenses in the appropriate tribunal. D&PL believes that the resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated financial statements. As previously disclosed, the Company has investigated the circumstances relating to certain payments made by certain employees and third-party contractors of the foreign branch of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company believes that payments totaling approximately $42,000 were made to low-level local officials between 2000 and 2006. Some of these payments were not recorded in the subsidiary's books and records. The Company first learned of such payments in 2004 and took corrective actions to assure that the payments complied with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"). Further issues arose with regard to such payments in the course of due diligence in connection with the Merger with Monsanto. As previously disclosed, the Company voluntarily notified the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning these matters. The Company has also conducted a broader review of its compliance with FCPA requirements and has identified other potential compliance issues. While the amounts of these other payments were accurately recorded in the books and records of Company affiliates and were not quantitatively material, some of these payments were not accurately described in the books and records of Company affiliates, and as a result, the Company might be subject to liability under the FCPA. The Company is also reviewing the extent to which these payments were permissible facilitating payments or were impermissible payments for which the Company might be subject to liability under the FCPA. The Company has voluntairly notified the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning these matters. However, there can be no assurance as to what action, if any, either of these authorities might take with regard to these matters. Due to the status of this matter, management is unable to determine the impact of this matter on the financial statements. The Company does not believe that these circumstances will have any effect on the consummation of the Merger. Item 1A. Risk Factors Various statements included herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "believe," "is or remains optimistic," "currently envisions" and similar words or phrases and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance (including when earnings estimates are discussed), existing products, technical developments, new products, new technologies, research and development activities, and similar matters. These forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of, among others, changes in the competitive marketplace, including the introduction of new products or pricing changes by our competitors, changes in the economy and other similar events. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking information contained herein will in fact transpire. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of our business include those noted elsewhere herein and the following: Merger with Monsanto Our contemplated Merger with Monsanto is subject to approval by government agencies. The inability to complete this merger may have a material effect on D&PL. However, such effect cannot be known at this time. Demand for and supply of planting seed Demand for our seed will be affected by government programs and policies and by weather in all countries where we sell products and operate. Demand for seed is also influenced by commodity prices, the cost of other crop inputs, and the demand for a crop's end-uses such as textiles, animal feed, cottonseed oil, food and raw materials for industrial use. Weather impacts crop yields, commodity prices and the planting decisions that farmers make regarding both original planting commitments and, when necessary, replanting levels. These factors all also influence the cost and availability of seed for subsequent seasons. Competition The planting seed market is highly competitive, and our products face competition from a number of seed companies, diversified crop protection product companies, agricultural biotechnology companies, governmental agencies and academic and scientific institutions. In addition, several of our distributors/customers have also entered the cotton planting seed business. These competitors launched in 2006 varieties containing the Bollgard II and Roundup Ready Flex technologies at the same time we launched those technologies in our varieties. A number of crop protection product and biotechnology companies have seed production and/or distribution capabilities to ensure market access for new seed products and new technologies that may compete with the Bollgard, Bollgard II, Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready Flex gene technologies of Monsanto, our principal licensor of such technology. Our seed products and technologies contained therein may encounter substantial competition from technological advances by others or products from new market entrants. Many of our competitors are, or are affiliated with, large diversified companies that have substantially greater resources than we have. Litigation and other legal matters We have initiated arbitration proceedings with Monsanto, the principal licensor of our cotton technologies, concerning our rights to exclusive licenses to Monsanto's insect resistance technology in Brazil, Egypt and Burkina Faso. Each of these arbitration proceedings are currently stayed pending the approval and completion of the Merger between us and Monsanto. If this Merger should not be completed, the stay of these arbitration proceedings would be lifted. The result of these arbitrations, if adversely determined to us, could materially affect our future operations in these three countries. All other arbitration proceedings with Monsanto, including the arbitration in which Monsanto sought to terminate licenses between our companies, have been dismissed with prejudice, barring revival of the claims asserted in those proceedings. In the litigation with Monsanto arising from Monsanto's failure to consummate the 1998 Merger Agreement (the "1998 Merger Litigation") D&PL seeks in excess of $1 billion in compensatory and $1 billion in punitive damages. In its counterclaims Monsanto seeks an unspecified amount of damages including recovery of $81 million paid to D&PL as a termination fee and related expenses. The 1998 Merger Litigation has been stayed until September 4, 2007. The 1998 Merger Litigation will be terminated with respect to our claims against Monsanto and Monsanto's counterclaims against us upon completion of the merger between our Company and Monsanto pursuant to the 2006 Merger Agreement or upon termination by us or by Monsanto of the 2006 Merger Agreement without completion of the merger where (1) the merger is not completed by the Outside Date (as defined in the 2006 Merger Agreement) and certain regulatory approvals have not been obtained, or the completion of the merger is prevented by a law or order related to anti-trust or competition law, (2) Monsanto breaches any covenant or agreement in the 2006 Merger Agreement in a material respect and fails to cure within twenty days after we inform them in writing of the breach or (3) D&PL breaches the covenants and agreements in the 2006 Merger Agreement in a material respect and fails to cure within twenty days after Monsanto informs us in writing of the breach. (In the circumstances described in items (1) and (2), Monsanto is required to pay our Company $600 million in cash.) On the other hand, (1) if we breach our representations and warranties in the 2006 Merger Agreement in a material respect and fail to cure within twenty days after Monsanto informs us in writing of the breach and thereafter Monsanto terminates, (2) if the merger has not been completed by the Outside Date and a material adverse change in our Company has occurred as of the effective date of termination or (3) if the 2006 Merger Agreement is terminated by agreement of D&PL and Monsanto or for any reason other than those specified above, the stay of the 1998 Merger Litigation will be lifted and we or Monsanto would be permitted to pursue any and all rights and remedies with respect to this litigation. Under these circumstances, the results of this litigation (and the process of litigating) may materially affect the results of our business. (See Part I, Item 3, of D&PL's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2006.) New technologies There is no assurance that new technologies such as the DeltaMax, DuPont and Syngenta technologies will result in commercially viable products or that such technologies will be developed in the time frame or for the amounts estimated to complete development. Also, there is no assurance that regulatory approval will be obtained for the products. Governmental policies The production, distribution or sale of crop seed in or to foreign markets may be subject to special risks, including fluctuations in foreign currency, exchange rate controls, expropriation, nationalization and other agricultural, economic, tax and regulatory policies of foreign governments and shipping disruptions. Particular policies which may affect our domestic and international operations include the use of and the acceptance of products that were produced from plants that have been genetically modified, the testing, quarantine and other restrictions relating to the import and export of plants and seed products, and the availability (or lack thereof) of proprietary protection for plant products. The absence or lack of enforcement of intellectual property laws may lead to counterfeit and farmer-saved seed which negatively impacts our sales. In addition, United States government policies, particularly those affecting foreign trade and investment, may impact our international operations. Regulatory matters The publicity related to genetically modified organisms ("GMOs") or products made from plants that contain GMOs may have an effect on our sales in the future. In 2006, approximately 96% of our cottonseed that was sold in the United States contained one or more of Monsanto's Bollgard, Bollgard II, Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready Flex gene technologies, and 96% of our soybean seed sales contained the Roundup Ready gene technology. Although many farmers have rapidly adopted these technologies, the concern of some customers and governmental entities over finished products that contain GMOs could impact demand for crops (and ultimately seed) raised from seed containing such traits. In addition, regulatory approvals for Monsanto's Bollgard and Bollgard II technologies expired in 2006. On July 7, 2006, Monsanto announced that the United States Environmental Protection Agency had extended the registration of the Bollgard technology through the 2009 growing season. Also, Bollgard II was recently granted a non-expiring re-registration by the EPA. Monsanto is responsible for obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals for the technologies we license from them. International operating risks Due to the varying levels of agricultural and social development of the international markets in which we operate and because of factors within the particular international markets we target, international profitability and growth may be less stable and predictable than domestic profitability and growth. Furthermore, actions taken by the United States government, including that taken by the United States military, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and conflicts between major cotton producing nations, may serve to further complicate our ability to execute our long range ex-United States business plans because those plans include future expansion into Uzbekistan, Pakistan and India. World health concerns about infectious diseases also affect the conduct of our international business. Government supports and trade agreements Our farmer customers in many markets, including the United States, benefit from government support programs. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 covers the 2007 cotton planting season but future United States farm programs are uncertain. Various other countries, including Brazil, have challenged, and may continue to challenge, the appropriateness of United States farm programs through the World Trade Organization ("WTO") or other forums. In particular, the WTO has ruled in Brazil's favor in its challenge that certain United States programs violate the provisions of the WTO. While some programs have been changed as a result of the ruling, it is not clear if, when, or to what extent, the United States will make further modifications. However, in the event changes are made, they may negatively impact United States farmers which could result in a decline in planted cotton acreage. Also, in WTO discussions in Hong Kong in late December 2005, United States negotiators agreed to eliminate cotton export subsidies in 2006 (the "Step 2" program was eliminated on August 1, 2006) and to eliminate all agricultural export subsidies by 2013. United States farm programs and WTO rulings impacting such programs may materially affect the results of our business. In addition, the United States Congress, in an attempt to reduce the United States government's budget deficit, may also revise farm programs and/or its agricultural policy. Other Overall profitability will depend on the factors noted above, as well as worldwide commodity prices, our ability to successfully open new international markets, the technology partners' ability to obtain timely government approval (and maintain such approval) for existing and for additional biotechnology products on which they and we are working, the terms of such government approvals, our technology partners' ability to successfully defend challenges to proprietary technologies licensed to us and our ability to produce sufficient commercial quantities of high quality planting seed of these products. Any delay in or inability to successfully complete these projects may affect future profitability. In addition, earnings forecasts do not consider the impact of potential transactions, their related accounting and other factors, that may be under consideration by the Company, but have not yet been completed or their effect determined at the date of a particular filing. Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds The disclosure required under this Part II, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is contained in Part I, Item 2 hereof under the heading "Cash Used for Share Repurchases" and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities None Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Delta and Pine Land Company was held on February 19, 2007. The following matters were brought to a vote with the noted results: Item For Against Abstain Non-Voted 1. Re-election of Class II Director Joseph M. Murphy 28,663,616 0 2,153,135 5,832,010 2. Re-election of Class II Director Rudi E. Scheidt 28,663,616 0 2,153,235 5,832,010 3. Ratify appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2007 30,647,266 165,198 34,287 5,802,010 Jon E. M. Jacoby, F. Murray Robinson, Nam-Hai Chua, W. Thomas Jagodinski and Stanley P. Roth continued as directors following the annual Meeting. A special meeting of the Shareholders of Delta and Pine land Company was held on December 21, 2006. The following matter was brought to a vote with the noted results: 1. Ratify the proposed merger between Monsanto and Delta and Pine Land Company 29,544,549 108,791 8,944 6,789,092 2. Approve Adjournment 26,662,242 2,990,064 9,978 6,789,092
Item 5. Other Information None Item 6. Exhibits. Exhibits. 31.01 Certification Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by the Principal Executive Officer. 31.02 Certification Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by the Principal Financial and Accounting Officer. 32.01 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by the Principal Executive Officer. 32.02 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by the Principal Financial and Accounting Officer. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY Date: April 9, 2007 /s/ W. Thomas Jagodinski ------------------------- W. Thomas Jagodinski President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) Date: April 9, 2007 /s/ Kenneth M. Avery -------------------- Kenneth M. Avery Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)