10-Q/A 1 minndak064528_10qa.htm FOR 10-Q/A FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MAY 31, 2006 Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative Form 10-Q/A for the Quarter Ended May 31, 2006
 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 


FORM 10-QA


 

x    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: May 31, 2006

 

OR

 

o    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 AND 15(d) OF THE

SECURITES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file: No. 33-94644

 


MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE

(Exact named of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

North Dakota

23-7222188

(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)

( I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

7525 Red River Road
Wahpeton, North Dakota

58075

(Address of principal
executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(701) 642-8411

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES

x

 

NO

o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES

o

 

NO

x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES

o

 

NO

x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class of Common Stock

 

Outstanding at
June 26, 2006

$250 Par Value

 

475

 

Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative (“The Company”) has previously registered securities for offer and sale pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). As a result of that previous registration under the Securities Act, under Sections 15(d) and 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company is obligated to file quarterly reports on form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K and supplemental reports on Form 8-K. However, the Company has not registered any of its securities under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. The Company is exempt from any obligation to register its securities under the Exchange Act due to the provisions of Section 12(g)(2)(E), which exempts from Exchange Act registration any security of an issuer, such as the Company, which is a “cooperative association” as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1929. As a result, those provisions of the Exchange Act, which are applicable only to securities registered under Section 12 of that act, do not apply to shares issued by the Company. The provisions, which do not apply to the Company’s shares, include the regulation of proxies under Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the reporting and other obligations of directors, officers and principal stockholders under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.


 
 



MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

(In Thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

May 31, 2006
(Unaudited)

 

Aug 31, 2005
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

291

 

$

651

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts

 

 

10,553

 

 

9,405

 

Growers

 

 

4,681

 

 

4,103

 

Other

 

 

24

 

 

37

 

 

 

 

15,258

 

 

13,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refined sugar, thick juice, pulp and molasses to be sold on a pooled basis

 

 

59,327

 

 

19,730

 

Nonmember refined sugar

 

 

540

 

 

201

 

Yeast

 

 

116

 

 

115

 

Materials and supplies

 

 

6,214

 

 

7,038

 

Other Inventory

 

 

(448

)

 

 

 

 

 

65,749

 

 

27,084

 

Deferred charges

 

 

787

 

 

1,445

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

446

 

 

397

 

Other

 

 

857

 

 

1,236

 

Current deferred income tax asset

 

 

541

 

 

541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

83,930

 

 

44,899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and land improvements

 

 

23,939

 

 

22,959

 

Buildings

 

 

37,455

 

 

37,264

 

Factory equipment

 

 

132,646

 

 

130,803

 

Other equipment

 

 

4,088

 

 

3,574

 

Construction in progress

 

 

2,130

 

 

2,316

 

 

 

 

200,258

 

 

196,917

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

(102,548

)

 

(97,088

)

 

 

 

97,711

 

 

99,828

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments restricted for bonds payable

 

 

 

 

1,492

 

Investment in stock of other corporations, unconsolidated marketing subsidiaries and other cooperatives

 

 

10,848

 

 

11,039

 

Other

 

 

2,038

 

 

1,739

 

 

 

 

12,886

 

 

14,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

194,527

 

$

158,996

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

May 31, 2006
(Unaudited)

 

Aug 31, 2005
(Audited)

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ INVESTMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term notes payable

 

$

29,555

 

$

9,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

3,324

 

 

3,600

 

Current portion of bonds payable

 

 

1,665

 

 

1,725

 

 

 

 

4,989

 

 

5,325

 

Accounts payable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade

 

 

1,921

 

 

2,220

 

Growers

 

 

14,286

 

 

9,966

 

 

 

 

16,207

 

 

12,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances (from) to affiliates

 

 

(134

)

 

1,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

2,389

 

 

3,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

53,006

 

 

32,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT PORTION

 

 

20,776

 

 

19,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BONDS PAYABLE

 

 

17,415

 

 

19,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG TERM DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

 

 

1,300

 

 

1,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER

 

 

1,108

 

 

672

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITTMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

93,605

 

 

73,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINORITY INTEREST IN EQUITY OF SUBSIDIARY

 

 

 

 

2,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERS' INVESTMENT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A - 100,000 shares authorized, $105 par value; 72,200 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

7,581

 

 

7,581

 

Class B - 100,000 shares authorized, $75 par value; 72,200 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

5,415

 

 

5,415

 

Class C - 100,000 shares authorized, $76 par value; 72,200 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

5,487

 

 

5,487

 

 

 

 

18,483

 

 

18,483

 

Common stock, 600 shares authorized, $250 par value; issued and outstanding, 475 shares at May 31, 2006 and 477 shares at August 31, 2005

 

 

119

 

 

119

 

Paid in capital in excess of par value

 

 

32,094

 

 

32,094

 

Unit retention capital

 

 

1,380

 

 

1,380

 

Qualified allocated patronage

 

 

723

 

 

723

 

Nonqualified allocated patronage

 

 

40,036

 

 

23,695

 

Retained earnings

 

 

8,087

 

 

6,916

 

 

 

 

100,922

 

 

83,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

194,527

 

$

158,996

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 


MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
May 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
May 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

REVENUE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From sales of sugar, thick juice, co-products, and yeast, net of discounts and changes in finished goods inventory at NRV

 

$

44,104

 

$

45,129

 

$

164,240

 

$

178,421

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

971

 

 

1,248

 

 

1,070

 

 

1,327

 

 

 

 

45,075

 

 

46,377

 

 

165,310

 

 

179,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production costs of sugar, thick juice, co-products, and yeast sold

 

 

18,336

 

 

12,341

 

 

52,579

 

 

46,685

 

Sales and distribution costs

 

 

5,476

 

 

8,183

 

 

20,807

 

 

28,078

 

General and administrative

 

 

1,579

 

 

1,719

 

 

4,706

 

 

5,011

 

Interest

 

 

1,165

 

 

895

 

 

2,827

 

 

2,484

 

Loss on disposition of property and equipment

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,571

 

 

23,139

 

 

80,959

 

 

82,258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET PROCEEDS RESULTING FROM MEMBER AND NON-MEMBER BUSINESS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST

 

$

18,504

 

$

23,239

 

$

84,351

 

 

97,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINORITY INTEREST IN INCOME OF SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

(13

)

 

(100

)

 

(97

)

 

(167

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET PROCEEDS RESULTING FROM MEMBER AND NON-MEMBER BUSINESS

 

$

18,491

 

$

23,139

 

$

84,254

 

$

97,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTION OF NET PROCEEDS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credited to member’s investment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from non-member business

 

$

832

 

$

291

 

$

1,171

 

$

696

 

Patronage income

 

 

2,319

 

 

563

 

 

16,341

 

 

12,585

 

Net income credited to member’s investment

 

 

3,151

 

 

855

 

 

17,512

 

 

13,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments to members for sugarbeets, net of unit retention capital

 

 

15,340

 

 

22,285

 

 

66,743

 

 

84,042

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET PROCEEDS RESULTING FROM MEMBER AND NON-MEMBER BUSINESS

 

$

18,491

 

$

23,139

 

$

84,254

 

$

97,323

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
May 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income allocated to members' investment

 

$

17,512

 

$

13,448

 

Add (deduct) noncash items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

5,899

 

 

5,776

 

Equipment disposals - loss

 

 

40

 

 

 

Net income allocated from unconsolidated marketing subsidiaries

 

 

(7

)

 

(2

)

Noncash portion of patronage capital credits

 

 

(90

)

 

(961

)

Minority interest in equity of subsidiaries

 

 

97

 

 

167

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and advances

 

 

(3,416

)

 

1,608

 

Inventory and prepaid expenses

 

 

(38,335

)

 

(35,303

)

Deferred charges and other assets

 

 

1,089

 

 

913

 

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities

 

 

3,550

 

 

2,077

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(13,660

)

 

(12,275

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment

 

 

3

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(3,569

)

 

(2,148

)

Acquisition of Minn Dak Yeast minority interest

 

 

(2,765

)

 

 

Net proceeds from patronage refunds and equity revolvements

 

 

209

 

 

217

 

Issuance of notes receivable

 

 

(12

)

 

(128

)

Restricted bond fund investment

 

 

1,492

 

 

(44

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(4,642

)

 

(2,103

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from issuance of short-term debt

 

 

19,755

 

 

19,140

 

Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

Payment of long-term debt

 

 

(4,275

)

 

(4,560

)

Payment of financing fees

 

 

(289

)

 

(313

)

Payment of unit retains and allocated patronage

 

 

 

 

(10

)

Dividends paid to minority shareholder

 

 

(250

)

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

17,941

 

 

14,257

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

 

 

(360

)

 

(122

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR

 

 

651

 

 

270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH, END OF QUARTER

 

$

291

 

$

149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash payments for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

2,552

 

$

2,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes, net of refunds

 

$

292

 

$

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of Minority interest of subsidiary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New working capital

 

$

1,012

 

$

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

1,008

 

 

 

Land and buildings

 

 

277

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

77

 

 

 

Customer relations

 

 

514

 

 

 

Non-compete agreement

 

 

62

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

110

 

 

 

Long term liabilities

 

 

(295

)

 

 

 

 

$

2,765

 

$

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.




MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company and that of its subsidiary company Minn Dak Yeast Company (“Minn Dak Yeast) for the three-month and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2006 and 2005 are unaudited and reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and operating results for the interim period. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, contained in the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders previously submitted in the Company’s Annual 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2005. The results of operations for the nine months ended May 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending August 31, 2006.

 

2.

Inventories of refined sugar, thick juice, pulp and molasses to be sold on a pooled basis are valued at net realizable value, while third-party purchased refined sugar to be sold on a pooled basis is valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventory of yeast is valued at the lower of average cost or market. Materials and supplies are valued at most recent purchase that approximates cost. During the periods when sugarbeets are purchased from growers, but not yet converted into bin sugar or thick juice, that inventory is valued at grower payment cost. In valuing inventories at net realizable value, the Company, in effect sells the remaining inventory to the subsequent periods sugar and co-product pool. Pooled product inventories will normally increase to a peak valuation at the end of a campaign and decrease to a low point of valuation at or near fiscal year end.

 

3.

In September 2005, the company declared a revolvement of the remaining 92% of the unit retains and allocated patronage for the 1995 crop totaling $2,533,591 and approximately 45% of the 1996 crop unit retains and allocated patronage totaling $2,008,115 effective August 31, 2005. These amounts were accrued as of August 31, 2005 and paid to the stockholders on September 30, 2005.

 

4.

In October 2005, the company allocated to members $5,191,808 of patronage from the 2004 crop in the form of non-qualified allocated patronage credits.

 

5.

As of May 31, 2006, the Company had $86.8 million of seasonal credit capacity, with $29.6 million being utilized for a remaining seasonal credit capacity of $57.2 million. As of August 31, 2005, the Company had $45.0 million of seasonal credit capacity, with $9.8 million being utilized, for a remaining seasonal credit capacity of $35.2 million. The increase in seasonal debt from August 31, 2005 to May 31, 2006 is due to normal seasonal operations. The amortization schedule for the long-term debt was lengthened, which changed repayments to the Bank from $4.8 million per year to $3.3 million per year.

 

6.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued an amendment to Financial Accounting Standards No. 132, Employer’s Disclosure about Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits. Such amendment requires additional disclosures to interim and annual financial statements, which are effective for the interim period ending May 31, 2006, but does not change the recognition requirements related to pensions and post-retirement benefits.

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost for the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2006

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

000’s

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Service Cost

 

$

644

 

$

608

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

Interest Cost

 

 

1,051

 

 

987

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(933

)

 

(823

)

 

0

 

 

0

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

65

 

 

66

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Amortization of transition cost

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Amortization of net (gain) loss

 

 

163

 

 

163

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

990

 

$

1,001

 

$

0

 

$

0

 





As of the nine months ended May 31, 2006, the Company has made $1.12 million of contributions vs. $1.21 million through the nine months ended May 31, 2005. The Company does not anticipate making any additional contributions to fund its pension plan in FY 2006. Contributions in FY 2005 totaled $1.21 million.

 

7.

The FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB 43, Chapter 4” in November 2004. SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) so as to require such costs to be treated as current period charges. Further, this statement requires that the allocation of fixed overhead costs to inventoriable production costs be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions of this Statement are effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company adopted SFAS No. 151 in the quarter ended October 31, 2005. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. However, future changes in the Company’s production or logistics could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements as a result of SFAS No. 151.

 

8.

On 5-1-06 the Company acquired the 20% minority interest in Minn Dak Yeast Company (“Minn Dak Yeast”) from Sensient Technologies Corp. (“Sensient”) so that the Company now owns 100% of Minn Dak Yeast. Sensient wanted to divest itself from the yeast industry and would have been contractually able to require the Company to acquire the 100% ownership position on July 1, 2007. The Company had received an unsolicited offer by National Yeast, LLC to perform the marketing function for Minn Dak Yeast in the event Sensient would terminate its marketing agreement with Minn Dak Yeast. The Company and Sensient took into account other offers made to Sensient and from Sensient to other companies, and the Company’s right of first refusal, should another company have accepted Sensient’s offer to sell. Because Minn Dak Yeast was already 80% owned by the Company, 100% of its business activity has already been reflected in the Company’s operating statements and balance sheets since the inception of Minn Dak Yeast. The acquisition costs for the remaining 20% of Minn Dak Yeast, including purchase price, legal fees and appraisal fees, was $2.8 million dollars.

 

 

4-30-06
Book

4-30-06
Appraised

FAS 141
Adjustments

FAS 141
Balance Sheet

Net Working Capital

$

5,059

$

5,059

$

0

$

5,059

Land, Buildings, Machinery and Equipment

$

4,968

$

6,424

$

291

$

5,259

Other Assets

$

775

$

385

$

(78)

$

697

Identified Intangible Assets

$

0

$

2,880

$

576

$

576

Goodwill

$

0

$

2,880

$

110

$

110

Total Assets

$

10,802

$

15,298

$

899

$

11,701

Long Term Tax Liability

$

1,473

$

1,473

$

0

$

1,473

Equity

$

9,329

$

13,825

$

899

$

10,228

Total Liability and Equity

$

10,802

$

15,298

$

899

$

11,701

 

Acquisition of Minority interest of subsidiary:

 

 

 

 

New working capital

 

$

1,012

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

1,008

 

Land and buildings

 

 

277

 

Other assets

 

 

77

 

Customer relations

 

 

514

 

Non-compete agreement

 

 

62

 

Goodwill

 

 

110

 

Long term liabilities

 

 

(295

)

 

 

$

2,765

 

 

There are no contingent provisions nor Research and Development assets purchased or written off in the purchase agreement between the Company and Sensient. The purchase price has been finalized on this transaction.




MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2006 AND MAY 31, 2005

 

The following discussion and analysis relates to the financial condition and results of operations of Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative (“the Company”) for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2006 (the third quarter of the Company’s 2005-2006 fiscal year). The Company’s fiscal year runs from September 1 to August 31.

 

Any statements regarding future market prices, anticipated costs, agricultural results, operating results and other statements that are not historical facts contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. The words “expect”, “project”, “estimate”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “could”, “may”, “predict” and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, market factors, the effect of weather and economic conditions, farm and trade policy, the available supply of sugar, available quantity and quality of sugarbeets and other factors detailed elsewhere in this and other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.

 

During the review of the 2nd quarter 10-q for FY2006, it was discovered the finished goods inventory was not properly reconciled prior to the filing of the 10-q, and it was corrected and controls put in place to prevent future errors. Management also reviewed closely how it was valuing finished goods inventory and thick juice inventory. It was determined that thick juice inventory should be recorded at NRV, and not cost for the interim financial statements in order to be consistent with accounting principles that would be applied at fiscal year end if any thick juice were present. It was also determined the NRV for products should take into account year to date activity and the most current estimate to arrive at a calculated NRV for any inventory to be valued at NRV. This statement has been amended and adjusted to account for these changes in control. This statement reflects these changes in controls.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The accompanying discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, future events are subject to change and the best estimates and judgments may require adjustment. For a complete description of the Company’s significant accounting policies, please see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2005. Our critical accounting policies are those that have meaningful impact on the reporting of our financial condition and results, and that require significant management judgment and estimates. These policies include our accounting for (a) inventory valuation, and (b) income taxes.

 

Inventory Valuation

 

Inventories of refined sugar, thick juice, pulp and molasses to be sold on a pooled basis are valued at net realizable value, while third-party purchased refined sugar to be sold on a pooled basis is valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventory of yeast is valued at the lower of average cost or market. Materials and supplies are valued at most recent purchase that approximates cost. During the periods when sugarbeets are purchased from growers, but not yet converted into bin sugar or thick juice, that inventory is valued at grower payment cost. In valuing inventories at net realizable value, the Company, in effect sells the remaining inventory to the subsequent periods sugar and co-product pool. Pooled product inventories will normally increase to a peak valuation at the end of a campaign and decrease to a low point of valuation at or near fiscal year end.




Income Taxes

 

The Company is a nonexempt cooperative as described under Section 1381(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Accordingly, net margins from business done with member patrons, which are allocated and paid as prescribed in Section 1392 of the Code, will be taxable to the members and not to the Company. To the extent that net margins are not allocated and paid as stated above or arise from business done with non-members, the Company shall have taxable income subject to corporate income taxes.

 

Goodwill

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” the Company does not amortize goodwill. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill be evaluated for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. The Company will use a discounted cash flow analysis in evaluating goodwill for impairment in fiscal year 2006. The Company believes that no impairment charge is necessary.

 

Asset Impairment

 

We are required to evaluate our long-lived assets, including goodwill, for impairment and write down the value of any assets if they are determined to be impaired. Evaluating the impairment of long-lived assets involves management judgment in estimating the fair values and future cash flows related to these assets. Future events could cause management to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that the value of certain long-lived assets is impaired.

 

RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS

Comparison of the three months ended May 31, 2006 and May 31, 2005

Revenue and inventory changes for the three months ended May 31, 2006 increased $1.2 million from the 2005 period. Revenue from the sale of finished goods decreased $8.0 million and the change in the value of inventories increased $9.8 million.

 

Revenue from the sales of sugar decreased $8.0 million, or 18.7% reflecting a 30.2% decrease in volume and an 11.5% increase in the sales price for sugar. The decrease in volume is primarily the result of a smaller crop. Sugar prices have been substantially higher on a spot market basis vs. prior years due primarily to crop damage to the United States cane sugar industry from the 2005 hurricane season, and a strengthening of consumption in the U.S.

 

Revenue from dried pulp sales decreased $0.1 million or 3.2%, reflecting a 7.2% decrease in sales volume and a 4.0% increase in the average gross selling price. Dried pulp volume decreased due to reduced sales to Asia and Europe, partially offset by an increase in domestic sales for the three months ended May 31, 2006 versus 2005. The average price increase is due to the continued relative strength of the European Euro and the Japanese Yen against the U.S. dollar at the time the sales were contracted.

 

Revenue from molasses sales decreased $0.5 million or 31.1%, reflecting a 45.0% decrease in sales volume and a 13.9% increase in the average gross selling price. Beet molasses prices increased in the second and third quarters due to continued reduced beet and cane molasses supplies worldwide. The tightening supply situation has resulted in higher prices in the market. Beet molasses sales volume decreased as a result of reduced usage by fermentation customers.

 

Revenues from pressed pulp and tailing sales were basically unchanged. Although we experienced a 13.4% decrease in sales volume, it was offset by a 13.4% increase in sales price. The reduced sales volume is primarily due to the pulp steam dryer operating on a consistent basis in 2006 resulting in no excess pressed pulp to be marketed. Continued consistent operation of the pulp steam dryer is expected to result in little future pressed pulp sales for the Company.




Revenues from yeast sales increased $0.6 million or 33.4%, reflecting a 6.9% increase in sales volume and a 26.5% increase in the average selling price. The average selling price for the first two months of the quarter were based upon a formula between Minn Dak Yeast and its marketing and equity partner, Sensient Technologies Corp., whereby average selling prices to customers along with average costs of production are taken into account in establishing the price Sensient pays Minn Dak Yeast for product. During the final month of this quarter, the Company owned 100% of Minn Dak Yeast and the formula involving Sensient was terminated. During the last month of this quarter and for the future, Minn Dak Yeast will record all sales at the customer sales amount and record all its marketing costs as part of the operating statement. Also, marketplace prices are somewhat higher, a reflection of much higher factory input and freight costs experienced by yeast suppliers, necessitating some pass-through of these costs to customers.

 

The other contributing factor to the change in revenues results from the increase in finished goods inventories. The increase in the value of finished goods inventories for the three months ended May 31, 2006 amounted to $5.4 million or $9.8 million more than the increase in the value of finished goods inventories for the three months ended May 31, 2005. The primary cause of change in finished goods inventories is volume related. The change in inventories was primarily due to a reduced volume of sales. In the consolidated Statement of Operations, Expenses section, production costs of sugar, thick juice, co-products and yeast totaled $18.3 million, $6.0 million or 48.8% more than the prior year. The increase is mainly attributable to the purchase and delivery cost of sugarbeets purchased from another sugarbeet cooperative, and higher energy costs resulting from price increases and higher operations and maintenance costs associated with the crop quality, when comparing the three-month period ending May 31, 2006 to the three-month period ending May 31, 2005. Marketing costs totaled $5.5 million, $2.7 million or 33.0% less than the prior year. The marketing costs were lower, as a result of a decrease in the cost of purchased sugar of approximately $2.5 million, due to less activity as it relates to the purchase of additional sugar sales allocations, and due to the smaller 2005-crop size.

 

In the section Distribution of Net Proceeds, payments to members for sugarbeets, net of unit retention capital, totaled $15.3 million, a decreased of $6.9 million or 31.2%. For fiscal year 2006 the Company is projecting a payment to growers for sugarbeets totaling $66.1 million, which is $16.5 million or 20.0% less than the prior fiscal year. The decrease in payments to members is due to: (1) the result of a 21.2% decrease in tons of beets delivered by members versus the prior year, (2) 1.3% projected decrease in sugar per ton of the beets delivered versus the prior year, and (3) offset somewhat by a 9.1% projected increase in sales prices for sugar sold. The payment is based upon (i) an average delivered sugar content of 16.29%, (ii) a total sugarbeet crop to process of 1.8 million tons and (iii) the Company’s projected selling price for its sugar, which is currently estimated to be higher than the previous year.

 

On May 1, 2006, the Company acquired the minority interest in Minn Dak Yeast. As required by accounting pronouncements, the assets of Minn Dak Yeast were appraised by an outside appraisal firm resulting in the recording of $0.7 million of intangibles and goodwill and $0.2 million of FAS 141 asset mark-up. In addition, Minn Dak Yeast was given title to assets held by the minority shareholder at no cost, which had a fair market value of $0.6 million, which was recorded as other income.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has taken the necessary steps to treat Minn Dak Yeast income as patronage vs. the prior treatment as non-patronage.

Comparison of the nine months ended May 31, 2006 and May 31, 2005

Revenue and inventory changes for the nine months ended May 31, 2006 decreased $14.2 million from the 2005 period, a decrease of 7.9% Revenue from the sale of finished goods decreased $18.8 million and the change in the value of inventories increased 4.6 million.

 

Revenue from the sales of sugar decreased $19.2 million, or 15.6% reflecting a 22.4% decrease in volume and a 6.8% increase in the sales price for sugar. The decrease in volume is primarily the result of a smaller crop. Sugar prices have been substantially higher on a spot market basis vs. prior years due primarily to crop damage to the United States cane sugar industry from the 2005 hurricane season, and a strengthening of consumption in the U.S.

 

Revenue from dried pulp sales increased $0.1 million or 1.6%, reflecting a 3.3% decrease in sales volume and a 4.9% increase in the average gross selling price. Prices increased due to the continued relative strength of both the European Euro and the Japanese Yen against the U.S. dollar at the time sales were contracted, and a lower ocean freight rate market, making dried pulp more attractive in the overseas markets.




Revenue from molasses sales decreased $0.9 million or 16.9%, reflecting a 30.5% decrease in sales volume and a 13.6% increase in the average gross selling price. Beet molasses prices increased in the second and third quarters due to continued reduced beet and cane molasses supplies worldwide. The tightening supply situation has resulted in higher prices in the market. Volume decreased significantly versus the prior year due to low carryover inventories and a late start up for new crop production. These factors combined to limit the amount of molasses available to ship during the period.

 

Revenues from pressed pulp and tailing sales decreased $0.1 million, reflecting a 36.3% decrease in sales volume. The reduced sales volume is primarily due to the pulp steam dryer operating on an even more consistent basis in 2006 vs. 2005, resulting in no excess pressed pulp to be marketed. Continued consistent operation of the pulp steam dryer is expected to result in little future pressed pulp sales for the Company.

 

Revenues from yeast sales increased $1.3 million or 23.4%, reflecting an 8.8% increase in sales volume and a 14.6% increase in the average selling price. The average selling price is based upon a formula between Minn Dak Yeast and Sensient Technologies Corp., its marketing and equity partner, whereby average selling prices to customers along with average costs of production are taken into account in establishing the price Sensient pays Minn Dak Yeast for product for the first eight months of the fiscal year. During the final month of this report, the Company owned 100% of Minn Dak Yeast and the formula involving Sensient was terminated. During the last month of this report and for the future, Minn Dak Yeast will record all sales at the customer sales amount and record all marketing costs as part of its operating statements. Also, marketplace prices are somewhat higher, a reflection of much higher factory input and freight costs experienced by yeast suppliers, necessitating some pass-through of these costs to customers.

 

The other contributing factor to the change in revenues results from the increase in finished goods inventories. The increase in the value of finished goods inventories for the nine months ended May 31, 2006 amounted to $39.6 million or $4.6 million more than the increase in the value of finished goods inventories for the nine months ended May 31, 2005. The primary cause of change in finished goods inventories is reduced production volume offset by a greater reduction in sales volume.

 

In the consolidated Statement of Operations, Expenses section, production costs of sugar, co-products and yeast totaled $52.6 million, $5.9 million or 12.6% more than the prior year. The increase is mainly attributable to the purchase and delivery cost of sugarbeets purchased from another sugarbeet cooperative, higher energy costs resulting from price increases and higher operations and maintenance costs associated with the crop quality when comparing the nine month period ending May 31, 2006 to the nine month period ending May 31, 2005. Marketing costs totaled $20.8 million, $7.3 million or 25.9% less than the prior year. The marketing costs were lower, as a result of a decrease in the cost of purchased sugar of approximately $2.5 million, due to less activity as it relates to the purchase of additional sugar sales allocations, and due to the smaller 2005-crop size.

 

In the section Distribution of Net Proceeds, payments to members for sugarbeets, net of unit retention capital, totaled $66.7 million, a decreased of $17.3 million or 20.6%. For fiscal year 2006 the Company is projecting a payment to growers for sugarbeets totaling $66.1 million, which is $16.5 million or 20.0% less than the prior fiscal year. The decrease in payments to members is due to: (1) the result of a 21.2% decrease in tons of beets delivered by members versus the prior year, (2) 1.3% projected decrease in sugar per ton of the beets delivered versus the prior year, and (3) offset somewhat by a 9.1% projected increase in sales prices for sugar sold. The payment is based upon (i) an average delivered sugar content of 16.29%, (ii) a total sugarbeet crop to process of 1.8 million tons and (iii) the Company’s projected selling price for its sugar, which is currently estimated to be higher than the previous year.

 

On May 1, 2006, the Company acquired the minority interest in Minn Dak Yeast. As required by accounting pronouncements, the assets of Minn Dak Yeast were appraised by an outside appraisal firm resulting in the recording of $0.7 million of intangibles and goodwill and $0.2 million of FAS 141 asset mark-up. In addition, Minn Dak Yeast was given title to assets held by the minority shareholder at no cost, which had a fair market value of $0.6 million, which was recorded as other income.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has taken the necessary steps to treat Minn Dak Yeast income as patronage vs. the prior treatment as non-patronage effective 9-1-06.




ESTIMATED FISCAL YEAR 2006 INFORMATION

 

The agreements between the Company and its members regarding the delivery of sugarbeets to the Company require payment for members’ sugarbeets in several installments throughout the year. As only the final payment is made after the close of the fiscal year, the first payments to members for their sugarbeets are based upon the Company’s then-current estimates of the financial results to be obtained from processing the crop and the sale of finished products. This discussion contains a summary of the Company’s current estimates of the financial results to be obtained from the Company’s processing of the 2005 sugar beet crop. Given the nature of the estimates required in connection with the payments to members for their sugarbeets, this discussion includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based largely upon the Company’s expectations and estimates of future events; as a result, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Some of those estimates, such as the selling price for the Company’s products and the quantity of sugar produced from the sugar beet crop are beyond the Company’s control. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein.

 

The Company’s members harvested 1.8 million tons of sugarbeets from the 2005 crop, the smallest harvested crop since the completion of the Company’s expansion in 1998. Sugar content of the 2005 crop at harvest was 7% below the average of the five most recent years and lower than any individual year during that period. The Company is projecting the sugar production from the 2005 crop at the lowest levels since the completion of the expansion in 1998. Unusually high levels of rainfall from May through July of the 2005 growing season caused significant tonnage and quality reductions. Because of the below average yields from the 2005 crop, the Company purchased approximately 156,000 tons of sugarbeets from a neighboring sugarbeet cooperative that had experienced a record harvest, and was interested in reducing its processing season risks associated with the large crop. The purchase of additional tons of sugarbeets had a positive financial impact to the operations of the Company. This forward-looking material is based upon the Company’s results of the processing of the 2005 sugar beet crop and the expected revenues and expenditures for the remainder of fiscal year 2006. Results from operations could differ materially from the Company’s current estimate as a result of various estimates, such as the cost to the Company of its inter-campaign maintenance and the final net selling prices for its finished goods.

 

After the conclusion of the sugar production cycle of the Company’s fiscal year, actual production of sugar and co-products did not meet forecasted numbers as adjusted for additional purchased beets due to adverse weather conditions for long-term storage of sugarbeets. That, in turn, resulted in lower quality beets to process, lower slice rate and higher pile shrink (fewer tons to process). Offsetting the reduced production numbers were higher prices for sugar and co-products. The Company’s initial beet payment estimate totaled $36.00 per ton or $.13050932 per pound of sugar harvested. As of June 27, 2006 the beet payment to growers for the 2005 crop sugarbeets was increased to $36.50 per ton or $.13232064 per pound of sugar harvested, with the final beet payment to be determined in October of 2006.

 

The Company was adversely impacted by unseasonably warm weather in January 2006 and by a shortage of beet re-haul drivers in October and November of 2005, both contributing to a reduced storage quality condition and less sugar being extracted from the sugarbeets. The Company has taken action to correct the shortage of beet re-haul drivers for future crops.

 

The spot price for sugar has reached levels not seen for over 20 years during the 2005-crop marketing year. The Company’s marketing subsidiary, United Sugars, has a marketing strategy; which includes a certain portion of each crop being sold in advance of the production of sugar. Because a large portion of the 2005-crop sugar was contracted prior to the rise in sugar prices, the Company did not gain the full benefit of the sugar price increases for the 2005-crop. However, marketing activity for the 2006-crop sugar has been positively impacted by the current market conditions.

 

The 2002 Farm Bill contains marketing allocations for sugar that could potentially restrict the company’s ability to market all the sugar it produces. The Company believes it has obtained the allocations necessary for the marketing of its entire 2005 crop. However, there are no assurances that the Company will be able to secure enough marketing allocations for crop years 2006 and 2007 (the crop years covered by the current Farm Bill) to market all of the production from the those crops. For each crop year left under the Farm Bill, the Company’s Board of Directors and Management team will be assessing the level of anticipated allocations that the Company will be receiving from the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). Based upon that estimated level of assessment, the measurement of the risk involved in trying to secure additional allocation from other sugar processors, if needed, and the value of selling non-allocation sugar into other markets, will ultimately determine the level of planted acreage that the Company decides upon.




ESTIMATED FISCAL YEAR 2007 INFORMATION

 

The Board of Directors announced earlier in the current year that the 2006-crop planted acreage would be increased to an estimated 117,000 acres vs. the 108,300 acres authorized for the 2005-crop.

 

Planting of the 2006-crop was approximately 72% completed in the month of April with the majority of the balance being planted within the first two weeks of May. Only a limited number of acres were damaged to the extent they required replanting.

 

Growing conditions for the 2006-crop are currently rated at average to above average. The current plan is to have harvest begin the last week of August 2006 and factory slicing operations to begin September 1, 2006 vs. the harvest start of October 1, 2005 for the 2005-crop.

 

If harvest begins in August, the business activity associated with the 2006-crop will be deferred into the 2007 fiscal year to maintain consistent pool accounting on a crop year basis.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Federal programs, regulations and trade agreements

 

Provisions of the current Farm Bill and existing trade agreements between the United States (“U.S.”) and various foreign countries regulate domestic and imported sugar sales in the U.S. Currently, imports provide, on average, about 20% of the total domestic consumption of sugar in the U.S., and it is the opinion of the Company and the sugar industry as a whole that any significant increase in the amount of imported sugar to the U.S. marketplace will result in serious adverse sugar pricing consequences. The United States government is pursuing an aggressive agenda on international trade. It is seeking to negotiate new free trade agreements with a number of countries and regions that are major producers of sugar. The Company believes these agreements, if they are realized, could negatively impact the Company’s profitability. The primary agreements under consideration, to the Company’s knowledge, are the Free Trade Area of the Americas, the Andean Free Trade Agreement, the Thailand Free Trade Agreement, the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement and the South African Customs Union Free Trade Agreement. Many of the countries included in these agreements are major sugar producers and exporters. If increases in guaranteed access or reductions in sugar tariffs are included in these agreements, excess sugar from these regions could enter the U.S. market and put pressure on domestic sugar prices.

 

The Company and the U.S. sugar industry recognize the potential negative impact that would result if these agreements are entered into by the United States and are taking steps to actively oppose any agreement that calls for unneeded additional sugar access to domestic market place. The Company and the sugar industry intend to continue to focus significant attention on trade issues in the future.

 

The current Farm Bill provides price support provisions for sugar. However, if that price support program, including the Tariff Rate Quota system for imported sugar, were eliminated in its entirety, or if the protection the United States’ price support program provides from foreign competitors were materially reduced, the Company could be materially and adversely affected. In such a situation, if the Company were not able to adopt strategies that would allow it to compete effectively in a greatly changed domestic market for sugar, the adverse affects could impact the Company’s continued viability and the desirability of grower sugarbeets for delivery to the Company.

 

Audit Committee, Sarbanes Oxley regulations

 

The Company’s Audit Committee and management are working toward meeting all required SEC documentation, certification and best business practices as required in recently passed federal legislation (the Sarbanes Oxley law). As the SEC adopts new rules and proposes future rules, the Company is positioning itself to continue being in compliance. The Company’s Audit Committee and management have been seeking guidance from the SEC and experts in the appropriate areas as needed.




The Company considers its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer to be its disclosure committee, responsible to the Audit Committee for presenting material facts relative to the financial statements and how they are to be disclosed in the SEC filings prior to those filings.

 

The Company has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiary).

 

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation. During the quarter ended 5-31-06, there was a change in internal controls for interim financial reporting.

 

EXTERNAL RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT THE COMPANY

 

 

Regulatory: The Company’s ability to become more efficient through growth can be adversely affected by the amount of product it is allowed to market in the United States.

 

Imports and Quota Circumvention: To the extent that sugar imports and quota circumvention cause the supply to increase in the United States, available markets and pricing could be adversely affected. See management discussion on Government Programs and Regulations.

 

Weather: Weather conditions affect the Company’s operations. Weather impacts the size and quality of the crop, which impacts the Company’s ability to lessen per unit fixed costs. Weather impacts the storage conditions, which in turn, may cause a decreased sugar yield from sugarbeets as a result of poor storage conditions.

 

Raw Material Costs: The costs of raw materials may adversely impact the final net return to the growers.

 

There have been no material changes to what the Company views as its external risk factors.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Because the Company operates as a cooperative, payment for member-delivered sugarbeets, the principal raw material used in producing the sugar and agri-products it sells, are subordinated to all member business expenses. In addition, actual cash payments to members are spread over a period of approximately one year following delivery of sugarbeet crops to the Company and are net of unit retains and patronage allocated to them, all three of which remain available to meet the Company’s capital requirements. This member financing arrangement may result in an additional source of liquidity and reduced outside financing requirements in comparison to a similar business operated on a non-cooperative basis. However, because sugar is sold throughout the year (while sugarbeets are processed primarily between September and April) and because substantial amounts of equipment are required for its operations, the Company has utilized substantial outside financing on both a seasonal and long-term basis to fund such operations. The financing has been provided by Co-Bank (the “Bank”). The Company has a short-term line of credit with the Bank for calendar years 2006 and 2007 of $45.0 million. The seasonal line of credit is scheduled for renewal in May 2007.

 

On May 30th, 2006, the Company renewed, through May 31, 2007, the seasonal and term-debt lines of credit with the Bank. Changes to the loan agreements covering these lines of credit included the following:

 

$3.0 million of additional long-term debt was added to the loan agreement to fund investments of the Company;

 

The working capital covenant in the loan agreement was eliminated and replaced by a current ratio covenant;

 

The amortization schedule for the long-term debt was lengthened, which changed repayments to the Bank from $4.8 million per year to $3.3 million per year.




The loan agreements between the Bank and the Company obligate the company to maintain the following financial covenants, and in accordance with GAAP:

Maintain a current ratio of no less than 1.10 for the first quarter of a fiscal year and 1.15 for all other quarter and fiscal year ends;

Maintain a long-term debt and capitalized leases to equity ratio of not greater than .8:1;

Maintain available cash flow to current long-term debt ratio as defined in the agreement of not less than 1.25:1.

 

As of May 31, 2006 the Company was in compliance with its loan agreement covenants with the Bank.

 

Working Capital as of May 31, 2006 totals $30.9 million compared to $12.4 million at August 31, 2005, an increase of $18.5 million for the period. Increased working capital is a result of normal financing, operational and capital expenditure activities of the Company. The Company’s normal working capital position pattern is to increase during the first, second and third quarters of its fiscal year and decline during the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter decline is normally attributed to inter-campaign maintenance costs, a higher level of capital spending during the non-operating period, and the recording of shareholder equity revolvements.        

 

The targeted working capital for August 31, 2006 is approximately $10.4 million dollars and, in the Company’s opinion, will be attained. The Company funds its capital expenditure and debt retirement needs primarily from operating activities. The Company has approximately 7-years of Co-Bank long-term debt remaining and it has two tax exempt bond issues, one with $5.9 million remaining and one with $13.3 million remaining. During the year ended August 31, 2005, the Company began reclassifying certain of the bonds from long-term to short-term liabilities to reflect the bond amortization schedule.

 

The primary factor for the changes in the Company’s financial condition for the nine months ended May 31, 2006 was due to the seasonal needs of the 2005/2006 sugarbeet-processing season. The cash used to provide for operations of $13.7 million and investing activities of $4.6 million was funded through financing activities of $17.9 million. The net cash provided through financing activities of $17.9 million was primarily provided through proceeds from the issuance of short-term debt of $19.8 million and long-term debt of $3.0 million; offset by payment of long-term debt of $4.3 million.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less
Than 1
Year

 

1 – 3
Years

 

4 –5
Years

 

After 5
Years

Long-Term Debt

 

$

24.1

MM

 

$

3.3

MM

 

$

10.0

MM

 

$

5.0

MM

 

$

5.8

MM

Bonds Payable

 

$

19.1

MM

 

$

1.7

MM

 

$

6.0

MM

 

$

3.2

MM

 

$

8.2

MM

Operating Leases

 

$

1.8

MM

 

$

.9

MM

 

$

.8

MM

 

$

.1

MM

 

 

0

 

Unconditional Purchase Obligations

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Other Long-Term Obligations

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

 

$

45.0

MM

 

$

5.9

MM

 

$

16.8

MM

 

$

8.3

MM

 

$

14.0

MM

 

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended May 31, 2006 totaled $3.6 million. Capital expenditures for fiscal year 2006, net of restricted bond related investments, are currently estimated at $4.1 million, which is less than the amount spent on average in the prior four years.




PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

None

 

Item 2.

Changes in Securities

None

 

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

None

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

 

Item 5.

Other Information

None

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

a)

Exhibits

Item #31.1

Section 302 Certification of the President & Chief Executive Officer

 

Item #31.2

Section 302 Certification of the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

Item #31.3

Section 302 Certification of the Controller & Chief Accounting Officer

 

Item #32.1

Section 906 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

b)

Reports on Form 8-K

 

May 3, 2006:

The Company announced yesterday that it has purchased all outstanding minority shares of the stock of its majority owned yeast company, Minn-Dak Yeast Company (“Minn Dak Yeast”), from Sensient Technologies Corporation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Minn Dak Yeast currently markets high quality fresh yeast to the baking industry under the Dakota brand name. Prior to the purchase of the Sensient owned shares, the Company owned 80% of the Minn Dak Yeast outstanding shares. In addition to being a 20% owner of Minn Dak Yeast, Sensient Sales and Service had overall responsibility for sales and marketing operations of Minn Dak Yeast products.

 

Also announced was the formation of a long-term business alliance with National Yeast LLC to manage and provide all commercial and technical support to Minn Dak Yeast. National Yeast was recently organized by 2 long-time yeast and food industry executives, Ric Mercuri and Scott Miller.

 

May 30, 2006:

 

On May 30th, the Company renewed, through May 31, 2007, the seasonal and term debt lines of credit with its primary lender Co-Bank (“the Bank”). Changes to the loan agreements covering these lines of credit include the following:

 

 

$3.0 million of additional long-term debt was added to the loan agreement.

 

The working capital covenant in the loan agreement was eliminated and replaced by a current ratio covenant.

 

The amortization schedule for the long-term debt was lengthened, which changed repayments to the Bank from $4.8 million per year to $3.3 million per year.

 

The current loan agreements with the Bank were due to expire on May 31, 2006.




 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

MINN-DAK FARMERS COOPERATIVE

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

Date:

November 27, 2006

 

/s/ DAVID H. ROCHE

 

 

 

David H. Roche
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Date:

November 27, 2006

 

/s/ STEVEN M. CASPERS

 

 

 

Steven M. Caspers
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer