Back to GetFilings.com
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
-----------------
FORM 10-K
-----------------
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000 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: 333-17865
-----------------
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MINNESOTA 41-0251095
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
5500 CENEX DRIVE (651) 451-5151
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 55077 (Registrant's Telephone number,
(Address of principal executive office) including area code)
-----------------
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: NONE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE
-----------------
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES __X__ NO _____
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K: Not applicable
State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates
of the registrant: The registrant has no voting stock outstanding.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: The registrant has
no common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
================================================================================
INDEX
PAGE
NO.
----
PART I.
Item 1. Business
The Company ..................................................... 1
Energy .......................................................... 2
Agronomy ........................................................ 3
Grain Marketing and Farm Marketing & Supply ..................... 4
Processed Grain and Consumer Products ........................... 9
Other ........................................................... 16
Membership in the Company and Authorized Capital ................ 17
Equity Participation Units ...................................... 22
Cautionary Statement ............................................ 26
Item 2. Properties ...................................................... 26
Item 3. Legal Proceedings ............................................... 28
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . ........... 28
PART II.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters ....................................................... 29
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Consolidated Company ............................................ 29
Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit ........... 30
Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit ............................. 31
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operation
Consolidated Company ............................................ 32
Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit . ......... 40
Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit ............................. 44
Item 7(a). Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk ...... 48
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ..................... 48
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure ...................................... 49
PART III.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Board of Directors .............................................. 49
Executive Officers .............................................. 53
Item 11. Executive Compensation .......................................... 56
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management .. 62
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions .................. 63
PART IV.
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statements and Reports Filed on Form 8-K .... 63
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ................................................... 66
SIGNATURES ................................................................. 67
PART I.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
THE COMPANY
Pursuant to a Plan of Combination dated May 29, 1998 (the Plan of
Combination), CENEX, Inc. (Cenex) and Harvest States Cooperatives combined
through merger on June 1, 1998 (the Combination) with Harvest States
Cooperatives the surviving corporation. In accordance with the Plan of
Combination, the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of Harvest States
Cooperatives were restated and the name was changed to Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives (Cenex Harvest States or the Company).
As a result of the Combination, each holder of common stock of Cenex became
a member of Cenex Harvest States, to the extent eligible for membership, and all
equity interests of Cenex were determined and exchanged for equal equity
interests in Cenex Harvest States at its stated dollar amount on a
dollar-for-dollar basis as more thoroughly set forth in the Plan of Combination,
a copy of which was filed as part of the Company's Form 8-K dated June 10, 1998.
Subsequent to the Combination, the Company changed its fiscal year end to August
31, and filed a Form 10-Q Transition Report under Rule 15d- 10(c) for the
three-month period ended August 31, 1998.
The merger constituted a tax-free reorganization and has been accounted for
as a pooling of interests. The Company's consolidated financial statements
reflect the financial position and results of operations of the combined
companies as if the merger had occurred on June 1, 1996. The consolidated
statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended May 31, 1998,
reflects the results of operations and cash flows of Harvest States Cooperatives
for the year then ended combined with the results of operations and cash flows
of Cenex for the year ended September 30, 1997. The consolidated balance sheet
information in the selected financial data as of May 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
reflect the financial position of Harvest States Cooperatives on those dates
combined with the financial position of Cenex as of September 30, 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively. The consolidated results of operations of Cenex for the
eight months ended May 31, 1998, have been excluded from the reported results of
operations and, therefore, have been recorded as an adjustment to the Company's
equities and cash flows in the consolidated statements of equities and
comprehensive income and cash flows during the three months ended August 31,
1998.
The Company is an agricultural cooperative organized for the mutual benefit
of its members. Members of the Company are located throughout the United States.
In addition to grain marketing, wheat milling and oilseed processing and
refining, the Company provides its patrons with energy and agronomy products and
other farm supplies. The Company also offers a variety of agricultural services
to its members. Sales are both domestic and international.
The Company has authorized three classes of membership: Individual Members
(Individual Members), Cooperative Association Members (Cooperative Association
Members) and Defined Members (Defined Members). Individual Members are producers
of agricultural products who have done business with the Company during its last
fiscal year and have consented to take patronage into account as contemplated by
Section 1388 of the Internal Revenue Code. In the patronage consent filed with
the Company, the producer agrees to include both the cash and noncash portion of
any patronage refund in taxable income for federal income tax purposes.
Cooperative Association Members are associations of producers of agricultural
products complying with certain federal requirements which have conducted a
minimum amount of business with the Company as prescribed by the Board of
Directors during its fiscal year and have consented to take patronage into
account for tax purposes. Defined Members are persons otherwise eligible for
membership who hold Equity Participation Units.
Individual Members, Defined Members and Cooperative Association Members who
sell grain to the Company, and Individual Members, Defined Members and
Cooperative Association Members and consenting patrons who purchase goods and
services from the Company are entitled to receive patronage refunds from the
Company, which are declared on an annual basis. The Company may elect to add to
the Unallocated Capital Reserve an amount not to exceed 10% of the distributable
net income
1
from patronage income, and may also elect to allocate non-member-sourced income
to its Members and Non-Member Consenting Patrons in proportion to patronage.
The Board of Directors created the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined
Business Unit for the purpose of purchasing soybeans and crude soybean oil and
the processing and sale thereof into meal, flour, oil and various byproducts,
effective at the close of business on May 31, 1997, to carry on the operations
of the Processing and Refining Division. On that date there was allocated to the
Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit the assets and
liabilities, including commitments, contingencies and obligations, appropriately
belonging to the Division.
The Board of Directors created the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit for
the purpose of purchasing wheat (including durum) and the processing and sale
thereof into flour and various byproducts, effective at the close of business on
May 31, 1997, to carry on the operations of the Milling Division. On that date
there was allocated to the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit the assets and
liabilities, including commitments, contingencies and obligations, appropriately
belonging to the Division.
The Company's businesses are organized into four segments. The segments
include Energy, Agronomy, Grain Marketing and Farm Marketing & Supply and
Processed Grain and Consumer Products. The segment information for the Company
is provided in Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements on pages F-21
and F-22.
ENERGY
The energy operations of the Company include a 48,000 barrel per day
refinery in Laurel, Montana, which is wholly owned by the Company, and a 74.5%
ownership interest in a 75,500 barrel per day refinery in McPherson, Kansas. The
Company is not in the oil exploration business but rather purchases crude oil
from both domestic and foreign sources.
The Laurel, Montana refinery processes primarily medium, high sulfur
Canadian crude oil and produces approximately 44% gasoline, 32% diesel and other
distillates and 24% asphalt and other residual products. Refined fuels are
shipped west on the Yellowstone Pipeline to Montana terminals and to Spokane and
Moses Lake, Washington; south on common carrier pipelines to Wyoming terminals
and Denver, Colorado, and east on the Company's wholly owned pipeline to
Glendive, Montana as well as to Minot and Fargo, North Dakota. Crude oil is
delivered to Laurel on the wholly owned Front Range Pipeline and other
pipelines.
The McPherson refinery operated by National Cooperative Refinery
Association (NCRA), of which the Company owns 74.5%, receives its supply of
crude oil via the Jayhawk pipeline, which is wholly owned by NCRA, and through
the common carrier pipelines of Osage and Kaw. NCRA holds ownership interests of
35% and 33%, respectively, in these two pipelines. Approximately 95% of the
crude oil processed is domestic from Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and 5% is
foreign crude. The McPherson refinery produces approximately 57% gasoline, 34%
distillates and 9% propane and other products. Refined fuels are shipped via
NCRA's proprietary products pipeline to its terminal in Council Bluffs, Iowa and
to other markets via Kaneb and Williams common carrier pipelines. Approximately
9% of refined products are loaded to transport trucks at the refinery.
Effective September 1, 1999, NCRA and Farmland Industries, Inc. (Farmland)
formed a limited liability company, Cooperative Refining, LLC (CRLLC), to
operate jointly the refining, pipeline and terminal assets of Farmland and NCRA.
This includes NCRA's 75,500 barrel per day McPherson, Kansas refinery and
Farmland's 95,000 barrel per day Coffeyville, Kansas refinery. NCRA has a
57.565% interest in the LLC and Farmland has a 42.435% interest. The refining,
pipeline and terminal assets are owned by NCRA and Farmland, but are operated by
the LLC with the expenses of operation being reimbursed by the LLC to both
members. Effective August 30, 2000, NCRA gave notice of its intent to dissolve
CRLLC, in accordance with the provisions of the agreements, effective no later
than September 1, 2001.
The production from the Laurel refinery and from NCRA is marketed by
Country Energy, LLC, a petroleum marketing joint venture with Farmland and sold
to the Company's member cooperatives,
2
where the product is sold to farmers, ranchers and the general public. In
addition to distilled fuels, the Company also wholesales other auto and farm
machinery products such as lube oil, grease, batteries and tires, as well as
providing propane for heating fuel and grain drying.
The Company also operates 37 convenience stores where it retails its own
brand of refined fuels along with typical convenience products.
Upon the purchase of crude oil, the Company has risks of carrying the
inventory, including price changes and performance risk (including delivery,
quality, quantity and shipment period). To reduce the price change risk
associated with holding fixed price positions, the Company generally takes
opposite and offsetting positions by entering into a commodity futures contract
on a regulated mercantile exchange. While hedging activities reduce the risk of
loss from changing market values of crude oil and distilled products, such
activities also limit the gain potential which otherwise could result from
changes in market prices.
Because most of the Company's energy product market is located in rural
areas, sales activity tends to follow the planting and harvest cycles. More fuel
efficient equipment, reduced crop tillage, depressed prices for crops, warm
winter weather, and government programs which encourage idle acres, all have the
effect of reducing demand for the Company's energy products. In addition,
private energy companies compete with the Company.
Currently, energy operations has 1,047 full time employees. Of these
employees, 790 are employed by the Company, and 257 are employed by Country
Energy, LLC.
AGRONOMY
Effective January 1, 2000, the Company, Farmland Industries, Inc.
(Farmland) and Land O'Lakes, Inc. (Land O'Lakes) created Agriliance, LLC
(Agriliance), a distributor of crop nutrients, crop protections products and
other agronomy inputs and services. At formation, Agriliance managed the
agronomy marketing operations of the Company, Farmland and Land O'Lakes, with
the Company exchanging the right to use its agronomy operations for 26.455% of
the results of the jointly managed operations.
In March 2000, the Company sold 1.455% of its economic interest in
Agriliance, resulting in a gain of approximately $7.4 million. In July 2000, the
Company exchanged its ownership in the Cenex/Land O' Lakes Agronomy Company and
in Agro Distribution, LLC with a total investment of $64.7 million at July 31,
2000 for a 25% equity interest in Agriliance. Agriliance is also owned by
Farmland (25%) and Land O' Lakes (50%). The interests of the Company and
Farmland are held through equal ownership in United Country Brands, LLC, a joint
venture holding company whose sole operations consist of the ownership of a 50%
interest in Agriliance. Equity in the joint venture was recorded at historical
carrying value of its ownership in Cenex/Land O'Lakes Agronomy Company and Agro
Distribution, LLC and no gain or loss was recorded on the exchange.
In July 2000, Agriliance secured its own financing, which is without
recourse to the Company. Agriliance then purchased the net working capital
related to agronomy operations from each of its member owners, consisting
primarily of trade accounts receivable and inventories, net of accounts
payables.
The Company retained its ownership in CF Industries, Inc. (CF Industries),
an interregional cooperative involved in the manufacture of crop nutrient
products, and its interest in an agronomy distribution business in Canada. With
continued ownership, the Company will still be entitled to receive patronage
dividends paid by CF Industries.
Many of the risk factors related to the energy operations also apply to
Agriliance's operations. Spring and fall weather conditions, depressed grain
prices, idle acreage and genetic engineering of crops which are more insect and
disease resistant all effect the demand for agronomy products. Competition is
also intense. Supply and price of fertilizer ingredients fluctuates widely,
which exposes Agriliance to risk on any fixed price commitment.
3
In addition, increased domestic and foreign production of fertilizer expands
supply and tends to depress the profitability of CF Industries, and reduces the
patronage paid by CF Industries to the Company.
The agronomy business is seasonal with profits and sales coinciding with
the planting and input seasons.
GRAIN MARKETING AND FARM MARKETING & SUPPLY
GRAIN MERCHANDISING
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Grain and oilseed merchandising involves the sale and distribution of grain
and oilseeds from producer to processor, to be processed for human and animal
consumption and other uses. These commodities are produced and consumed
throughout the world. Increased worldwide demand is generated through population
growth and, for certain regions, increased per capita food consumption supported
by growing affluence. Demand for these commodities is satisfied by worldwide
production, which is in part determined by prevailing prices.
A significant portion of high production grains (wheat, corn and soybeans)
grown domestically have been exported. United States production competes with
production in numerous other countries to supply the worldwide demand for these
grains. The ability of producers in particular countries to compete on a
worldwide basis may be enhanced by governmental support and protection.
Imports of grains into the United States consist mainly of wheat, oats and
barley. The amounts imported have not had a material effect on grain
merchandising.
In the United States, grain merchandising involves the purchase of grain,
sale for export or further domestic use and storage and transportation to export
facilities or to users.
Grain merchandising may be adversely affected by supply and demand
relationships, both domestic and international. Supply is affected by weather
conditions, disease, insect damage, acreage planted, government regulation and
policies and commodity price levels. The business is also affected by
transportation conditions, including rail, vessel, barge and truck. Demand may
be affected by foreign governments and their programs, relationships of foreign
countries with the United States, the affluence of foreign countries, acts of
war, currency exchange fluctuations and substitution of commodities. Demand may
also be affected by changes in eating habits, by population growth and increased
or decreased per capita consumption of some products.
The Freedom to Farm Act of 1996, enacted in April 1996, has had a profound
effect on the production patterns within the United States. The flexibility of
the program allows producers to grow crops, which provide the highest gross
financial return. Although the Unites States has experienced prices below the
cost of production, there has still been full production on Non-CRP (crop
reduction program) land as a result of the Commodity Loan Program and also Loan
Deficiency Payments (LDP).
INTRODUCTION
The Company buys grain through its Grain Marketing Division from
Cooperative Association Members (typically a cooperative organization of local
producers), directly from Individual Members (to a limited extent) and from
third parties (such as grain dealers, non-Member producers, marketing
associations or marketing pools, elevators and other grain merchandising
companies) and through its Agri-Service Centers, which are country elevators
owned by the Company. Grain purchased by Agri-Service Centers is usually sold to
the Grain Marketing Division for resale. A small portion of grain is handled on
a consignment basis.
Grain is sold by the Company for future delivery at a specified location.
Grain sold by a producer is typically trucked to a local elevator for sale. From
local elevators, grain may be transported in a variety of ways to the purchaser.
The Company arranges transportation to delivery locations using truck, rail and
barge transportation. Grain intended for export may be shipped by rail to an
export terminal or to a barge loading facility to be shipped by barge to an
export terminal, where it is loaded on an ocean-going vessel. Grain intended for
domestic use may be shipped by truck or rail to various locations throughout the
United States. Because of its facilities, the Company has significant capacity
to sell grain for export.
4
PURCHASES. The number of bushels of grain purchased from Individual Members
and Cooperative Association Members, the total grain purchased and the
percentage relationship for the periods indicated are set forth below:
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
-------------------------- AUGUST 31, -----------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ------------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
(BUSHELS IN THOUSANDS)
Member purchases ......... 866,619 785,999 172,180 720,421 757,705 959,167
Total purchases .......... 1,246,208 1,169,393 244,978 1,145,852 1,280,557 1,692,439
Percentage ............... 69.5% 67.2% 70.3% 62.9% 59.2% 56.7%
Substantially all of the grain purchased by the Company is grown in the
Midwest, Great Plains and Pacific Northwest. The Company also purchases grain
produced in other parts of the United States and other countries.
GRAINS HANDLED. The primary grains merchandised by the Company are wheat,
corn and soybeans. The Company also merchandises barley, milo, sunflowers and
oats as well as smaller quantities of canola, flax, rye, millet and others.
The number of bushels of grain purchased by the Company for the periods
indicated is set forth below:
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
--------------------------- AUGUST 31, -----------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
(BUSHELS IN THOUSANDS)
Wheat .............. 444,800 412,967 100,941 416,067 478,979 505,607
Corn ............... 434,542 406,616 86,911 347,494 425,851 777,631
Soybeans ........... 264,809 230,239 36,220 229,558 219,687 234,930
Barley ............. 43,499 54,548 13,180 66,085 61,839 75,226
Milo ............... 38,886 40,826 4,426 37,816 51,723 48,200
Sunflowers ......... 6,775 7,814 549 28,789 14,603 25,953
Oats ............... 4,061 6,354 1,246 9,008 22,487 20,008
All other .......... 8,836 10,029 1,505 11,035 5,388 4,884
--------- --------- ------- --------- --------- ---------
1,246,208 1,169,393 244,978 1,145,852 1,280,557 1,692,439
========= ========= ======= ========= ========= =========
Sales of grain by the Company for the periods indicated are set forth
below:
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
----------------------------- AUGUST 31, --------------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------- ------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Wheat ............. $ 1,051.2 $ 1,169.8 $ 373.1 $ 1,794.4 $ 2,490.3 $ 2,631.2
Corn .............. 1,013.1 896.6 215.0 989.8 1,558.4 2,518.9
Soybeans .......... 1,152.7 1,010.0 162.8 1,432.0 1,421.9 1,431.5
All other ......... 408.0 232.9 59.8 413.4 565.9 545.6
---------- ---------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total ............. $ 3,625.0 $ 3,309.3 $ 810.7 $ 4,629.6 $ 6,036.5 $ 7,127.2
========== ========== ======== ========== ========== ==========
MERCHANDISING
The Company buys and sells grain through offices of its Grain Marketing
Division located in Portland, Oregon; Lincoln, Nebraska; Kansas City, Kansas;
St. Paul, Minnesota; Winona, Minnesota; Davenport, Iowa; and at its Agri-Service
Centers.
Grain purchased through Agri-Service Centers is purchased on a cash and
futures basis. Grain purchased through the Grain Marketing Division is usually
purchased for future delivery.
Grain is sold for future delivery at a specified location, with the Company
usually responsible for arranging necessary transportation to that location.
Purchasers include millers, malters, exporters and
5
foreign buyers as well as the soybean, wheat and feed operations of the Company.
The Company is not dependent on any one customer. The Company has supply
relationships calling for delivery of grain at prevailing market prices. Grain
users store varying amounts of grain for their own use.
The Company's ability to arrange transportation is a significant part of
the service it offers to its customers. The Company's loading capabilities onto
unit trains, ocean going vessels and barges is a component of the selling price
of grain handled by the Company. Rail transportation is through independent
railroads, although approximately 20% of rail movement for Grain Merchandising
for the year ended August 31, 2000 was carried out through leased railcars
(either directly or by use of pools in which such leased railcars participate).
The use of "shuttle equipment" is reducing the need for leased cars, which the
Company is in the process of reducing its fleet. Vessel and truck transportation
is carried out exclusively by third parties. Barge transportation is carried out
by third parties, but the Company is a party to long-term freight agreements for
approximately 20% of current needs.
Virtually all grain sold domestically is sold by employees while
approximately half of grain exported is sold by brokers or agents and the
balance by employees. The Company has a small ownership position in Intrade, a
company that owns part of a Germany-based marketing organization involved in
trading grain and feedstuffs in Germany and international markets. The Company
also has relationships with agents, brokers and marketing companies in other
countries to assist it in export sales. During the past year, the Company has
placed an employee in Europe to contact milling customers in order to expand its
wheat trade, and will continue to maintain that presence.
COMPETITION
The Company competes for both the purchase and sale of grain. Competition
is intense and margins are low. Some of the Company's competitors are integrated
food producers, which may also be customers. Many competitors have substantially
greater financial resources than the Company.
In the purchase of grain from producers, location of a delivery facility is
a prime consideration but producers are willing to truck grain for sale over
increasingly longer distances. Grain prices are affected by reported trading
prices on national markets, shipping costs and storage capabilities. Price is
affected by the capabilities of the facility. For example, if it is cheaper to
deliver to a customer by unit train than by truck, a facility with unit train
capability provides a price advantage. The Company believes that its
relationship with Individual Members serviced by local Agri-Service Centers and
with Cooperative Association Members gives it a broad origination capability.
The Company competes in the sale of grain based on price and its ability to
provide quantity and quality of grains required and its ability to deliver.
Location of facilities is a major factor in ability to compete. Major grain
merchandising companies in addition to the Company include;
Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), Cargill, ConAgra, Bunge and Louis Dreyfus, each of
which handles grain volumes of more than one billion bushels annually. The
Company estimates it would be among the smaller merchandisers among these six.
The Company also competes with numerous other grain merchandisers with annual
volumes of less than one billion bushels.
Since the Company's facilities are located primarily in the Midwest, Great
Plains and Pacific Northwest, with a terminal in the Gulf, the Company primarily
competes with the companies whose facilities are in these areas. The Company's
export facilities in three major locations allow it to ship throughout the
world.
GRAIN HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION
The Company owns export terminals, river terminals and other elevators
involved in the handling of grain. All such facilities can receive inbound truck
and rail. Export facilities on river systems can receive grain by barge. In
addition, the Company owns 192 Farm Marketing and Supply Agri-Service Centers,
which are country elevators, and which receive grain from producers.
The Company operates river terminals at Kansas City, Missouri (two), St.
Paul, Savage and Winona, Minnesota, and Davenport, Iowa (two), which are used to
load grain onto barges for shipment to both domestic and export customers via
the Mississippi River system, on trucks for domestic markets and on rail for
both domestic and export markets.
6
The Company's export terminal at Superior, Wisconsin provides access to the
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, and the Company's export terminal at Myrtle
Grove, Louisiana, serves the Gulf market. An export terminal at Kalama,
Washington, leased by the Company, and an export terminal at Vancouver,
Washington, owned by a joint venture partner, serve the Pacific market. A
partnership between the Company and Cargill operates an export terminal at
Tacoma, Washington, for feed grain and oilseed shipments to Pacific Rim
customers.
The Company entered into a joint venture with United Grain, located in
Portland, Oregon, forming a grain marketing company called United Harvest, LLC.
United Harvest, LLC is a joint venture 50% owned by each company, and began
operation in December 1998. United Harvest, LLC operates the Kalama, Washington
terminal elevator owned by the Company, and the Vancouver, Washington terminal
of United Grain as well as markets the grain for each of the parent companies in
the western United States, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and
Montana. The Company has interests in three river terminals located on the Snake
River which are being utilized by United Harvest, LLC. These terminals include
the Lewis and Clark Terminal Association's facility located at Lewiston, Idaho,
Central Ferry Terminal Association's facility located at Central Ferry,
Washington and Co-Grain Elevator Company's facilities located at Upper
Monumental and Burbank, Washington. Much of the grain from these terminals is
loaded onto barges for shipment to Pacific Northwest export terminals.
The grain marketing operation leases a fleet of covered hopper cars and
enters into various contracts for covered grain barges. In addition, at various
times the Company may charter vessels.
PRICE RISK AND HEDGING
Upon purchase, the Company has risks of carrying grain, including price
changes and performance risks (including delivery, quality, quantity and
shipment period), depending upon the type of purchase contract entered into.
These contracts include flat price, basis fixed, delayed price, deferred
payment, hedge to arrive and futures fixed. The Company is exposed to risk of
loss in the market value of positions held, consisting of grain inventory and
purchase contracts at a fixed or partially fixed price, in the event market
prices decrease. The Company is also exposed to risk of loss on its fixed price
or partially fixed price sales contracts in the event market prices increase.
To reduce the price change risks associated with holding fixed price
positions, the Company generally takes opposite and offsetting positions by
entering into grain commodity futures contracts (either a straight futures
contract or an options futures contract) on regulated commodity futures
exchanges. Most of the grain volume handled by the Company can be hedged. Some
grains cannot be hedged because there are no futures for certain commodities.
For those commodities, risk is managed through the use of forward sales and
different pricing arrangements and to some extent cross-commodity futures
hedging. While hedging activities reduce the risk of loss from changing market
values of grain, such activities also limit the gain potential which otherwise
could result from changes in market prices of grain. The Company's policy is to
generally maintain hedged positions in grain, which is hedgeable, but the
Company can be long or short at any time. The Grain Marketing Division's
profitability is primarily derived from margins on grain merchandised and
revenues generated from other merchandising activities with its customers, not
from hedging transactions. Hedging arrangements do not protect against
nonperformance of a contract.
When a futures contract is entered into, an initial margin deposit must be
sent to the applicable exchange. The amount of the deposit is set by the
exchange and varies by commodity. If the market price of a short futures
contract increases, then an additional margin deposit (maintenance margin) would
be required. Similarly, if the price of a long futures contract decreases, a
maintenance margin deposit would be required to be sent to the applicable
exchange. Subsequent price changes could require additional maintenance margins
or could result in the return of maintenance margins.
At any one time the grain marketing operation inventory and purchase
contracts for delivery to the Company may be substantial. The Grain Marketing
Group has a risk management policy and procedures that include net position
limits. It is defined by commodity and includes both trader and management
limits. This policy and computerized procedure triggers a review by management
of the grain marketing operation when any trader is outside of position limits
and also triggers review by management of the Company if the grain marketing
operation is outside of its position limits. The position limits are
7
reviewed at least annually with management of the Company. The Company monitors
current market conditions and may expand or reduce the purchasing program in
response to changes in those conditions. In addition, certain purchase and sale
contracts are subject to credit approvals and appropriate terms and conditions.
SEASONALITY
Harvest for most crops occurs in the summer and fall, and the Company
purchases more grain during that period. Because of the Company's geographic
location and the fact that it is further from its export facilities, grain tends
to be sold later than in other parts of the country. Because many producers have
significant on-farm storage capacity and because of the Company's own storage
capacity, grain is bought and moved throughout the year.
WORKING CAPITAL
Due to the amount of grain purchased and held in inventory, the Company has
significant working capital needs at various times of the year. The amount of
borrowings for this purpose and the interest rate charged on such borrowings
directly affect the profitability of the grain merchandising operations.
EMPLOYEES
As of August 31, 2000, the Grain Marketing Division had 434 employees, of
which 72 were traders, 210 production staff, 12 management and 140 support
staff. See "Farm Marketing and Supply" with respect to employment by
Agri-Service Centers. Of these employees, 164 at seven locations are subject to
collective bargaining agreements expiring at various times through 2001.
FARM MARKETING AND SUPPLY
The Farm Marketing and Supply Division owns and operates three types of
business units: Agri-Service Centers, Feed Manufacturing and Fin Ag, Inc. As of
September 1, 2000, the Farm Marketing and Supply Division and Services Group
have been renamed to Country Operations.
AGRI SERVICE CENTERS Agri Service Centers provide farm supplies and
services to producers for their production systems. Farm supplies include plant
food, feed, seed, energy products and crop protection products. Services include
grain and seed marketing and other related services in production agriculture.
There are 334 locations in the states of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Not all
locations provide every product and service. Locations are grouped into 67
operating units, of which 20 are regionalizations. These regionalizations have
their own producer board of directors and participate in separate patronage
pools.
Agri Service Centers purchase grain and seed from member and non-member
producers and other elevators and grain dealers. Eighty-six locations have the
capability of loading unit trains. Most of the grain purchased is sold through
the Company's Grain Marketing Division, local feed usage or local processing
operations.
The farm supplies sold at these locations are purchased through
cooperatives in the respective areas whenever possible. The Agri Service Centers
sell agronomy products through 133 locations. Feed products are sold through 143
locations and energy products through 81 locations.
Competitors for the purchase of grain include other elevators and large
grain marketing companies. Competitors for farm supply include a variety of
cooperatives, privately held and large national companies. The Company competes
on the basis of services and patronage.
On August 31, 2000, the group had 2,036 full time and 813
seasonal/temporary employees. Statistics for the periods indicated are as
follows:
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
------------------------ AUGUST 31, ------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Number of centers ......... 334 317 245 239 253 249
Number of operating
units .................... 67 65 70 73 71 74
8
FIN-AG, INC. Fin-Ag, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It provides seasonal cattle feeding and
swine financing loans, facility financing loans and crop production loans for
producers. It also provides consulting services to member cooperatives. Its
competitors are other financial institutions. Most whole loans are sold to
National Bank for Cooperatives (CoBank), on which the Company bears a 15%
residual exposure. The Company's exposure at August 31, 2000, was approximately
$1.0 million. Under the Company's borrowing arrangements, the maximum amount of
the loans outstanding at any one time may not exceed $75.0 million. On August
31, 2000, the total number of full time employees was 17.
FEED MANUFACTURING The Company manufactures and sells feed products,
ingredients, supplements and animal health products. In addition, it provides
livestock production services and custom rations. The Company owns nine feed
plants, three retail operations and has joint venture agreements with three
additional plants.
On June 1, 1998, the Company formed an equally owned limited liability
company with Land O'Lakes, Inc. called Land O'Lakes/Harvest States Feed, LLC.
The Company included eight plants and three retail operations in the states of
Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana with Land O'Lakes
plants in Beatrice and Norfold, Nebraska and Dawson and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
to form the LLC. A four-person board, two from Cenex Harvest States and two from
Land O'Lakes, govern the joint venture. The administrative office and general
manager of the joint venture is located at the Sioux Falls, South Dakota
location.
The Company is involved in joint ventures of plants in Owatonna, Minnesota
and Tillamook and Hermiston, Oregon.
On August 31, 2000 the feed manufacturing group had 249 full time and 7
part time employees in all operations. All but four employees are leased to Land
O'Lakes/Harvest States Feed, LLC.
Feed tons for the periods indicated are as follows:
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
------------------------ AUGUST 31, ------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- -------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Manufactured feed
(tons) ............ 523,864 591,510 133,381 377,000 326,000 351,000
These numbers include the total tons of the joint ventures and LLC's.
As of September 1, 2000, the Company has entered into a letter of intent to
dissolve Land O'Lakes/Harvest States Feed, LLC. The Company will assume the
operations at Great Falls and Hardin, Montana, Dickinson, Minot and Edgeley,
North Dakota, Gettysburg, South Dakota and Norfolk, Albion and Bloomfield,
Nebraska. Land O'Lakes will assume the operations of the four plants they
contributed to the LLC and will also purchase the Company's plants at Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, Willmar, Minnesota and the Company's interest in a pet food
joint venture in Owatonna, Minnesota.
The Company has entered into an agreement effective September 1, 2000, with
Land O'Lakes Farmland Feed, LLC to distribute wholesale feed in the trade
territories around the Company's plants in North Dakota, South Dakota and
Montana.
PROCESSED GRAIN AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
The soybean crushing industry converts soybeans into meal used for feeding
animals, soyflour used for specialty food and other purposes and crude soybean
oil. The vegetable oil refining industry refines the crude oil for use in
processed foods, such as margarine, salad dressings and baked goods, and to a
more limited extent industrial uses. Soybean production is concentrated in the
central United States, Brazil, China and Argentina. Crushing plants are
generally located close to adequate sources of soybeans and strong demand for
meal. Refineries are generally located next to the crushing plants. Oil is
shipped throughout the United States and for export.
9
Per capita domestic consumption of soybean oil has increased sizably in
recent years (up 24% over 5 years). Exports of soybean oil are variable but
generally a minor portion of total production. In recent years, exports have
varied widely, which dramatically influenced margins in both crushing and
refining.
Usage of meal is contingent on the amount of livestock being raised, which
has increased in recent years. While per capita domestic consumption of meat has
been stable in recent years, demand for meal has increased due to an increase in
the domestic consumption of pork and poultry and an increase in meat exports.
Soybean meal provides a ready source of protein with a 44% or higher protein
content, compared to corn at 9%, wheat at 9.5% and barley at 11.5%.
Major industry competitors of the Company include ADM, Cargill, Ag
Processing, Inc. (AGP), Central Soya and Bunge. Competition is driven by price,
transportation costs, service and product quality. The industry is highly
competitive. These and other competitors are acquiring other processors,
expanding capacity of existing plants or building new plants, domestically or
internationally. Unless exports increase or existing facilities are closed, this
extra capacity is likely to put additional pressure on prices and challenge
margins. Several competitors operate over various market segments and may be
suppliers to or customers of other competitors.
Historically, in the Company's trade area there has been an adequate supply
of soybeans, even in years when there has been a substantial amount of soybeans
exported. While the price of soybeans has fluctuated substantially, the prices
of meal and oil will generally track with the soybeans, although not necessarily
on a one for one basis, therefore margins can be variable.
EQUITY PARTICIPATION UNITS
At its integrated crushing and refining facility in Mankato, Minnesota, the
Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit processes soybeans into
soybean meal, soyflour and crude soybean oil. The crude soybean oil, with
additional purchased crude oil, is refined.
At August 31, 2000 Equity Participation Units in the Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit represented the right to deliver 1,045,500
bushels of soybeans, approximately 3% of the processing capacity of the Defined
Business Unit.
PRICE RISK AND HEDGING
To reduce the price change risks associated with holding fixed price
commodity positions, the Company generally takes opposite and offsetting
positions by entering into commodity futures contracts (either a straight
futures contract or an options futures contract) on regulated commodity futures
exchanges. While hedging activities reduce the risk of loss from changing market
values of oilseeds, such activities also limit the gain potential which
otherwise could result from changes in market prices of oilseeds. The Company's
policy is to generally maintain hedged positions within limits, but the Company
can be long or short at any time. The Defined Business Unit's profitability is
primarily derived from margins on oilseeds processed, not from hedging
transactions. Management does not anticipate that its hedging activity will have
a significant impact on future operating results or liquidity. Hedging
arrangements do not protect against nonperformance of a cash contract.
At any one time, the Defined Business Unit's inventory and purchase
contracts for delivery to the Defined Business Unit may be substantial. The
Defined Business Unit has a risk management policy and procedures that include
net position limits. It is defined by commodity and includes both trader and
management limits. This policy and computerized procedure triggers a review by
management of the Defined Business Unit when any trader is outside of position
limits and also triggers review by management of the Company if the Defined
Business Unit is outside of its position limits. The position limits are
reviewed at least annually with management of the Company. The Defined Business
Unit monitors current market conditions and may expand or reduce the purchasing
program in response to changes in those conditions. In addition, certain
purchase and sale contracts are subject to credit approvals and appropriate
terms and conditions.
SUPPLY
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit purchases
virtually all of the soybeans processed by it from Members. Because the Oilseed
Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit has not had long-term contracts
with customers, it does not obligate itself to purchase soybeans based on
10
orders received from customers but instead on its contemplation of future
production. The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit does not
hold significant inventories of raw beans; capacity for raw bean storage is
approximately three to four weeks of production. At any one time, inventories of
beans and contracts for future delivery represent two to ten weeks of
requirements. Inventories of raw beans and contracted purchases for future
delivery are substantially hedged.
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit also purchases
crude soybean oil for processing at its refinery. Approximately 40% of the crude
oil refined is produced by the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business
Unit, and the balance is purchased. Major suppliers have been AGP and South
Dakota Soybean Processors. The refining facility has storage capacity for
approximately 10 days' supply of crude oil, so it depends on a steady supply of
crude oil to supplement its own output of crude oil to maintain constant
production. It typically commits for several months' supply, to be priced prior
to delivery.
As with other agricultural commodities, the availability and price of
soybeans fluctuate with forces of supply and demand. The Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit has never experienced an inability to source
soybeans.
CUSTOMERS
REFINED OILS. The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit
sells refined oil throughout most of the United States, although it concentrates
on customers located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota,
northern Iowa and northern Illinois, which have lower freight costs and are
therefore slightly more profitable. Customers in these states accounted for more
than 50% of refined oil sales in the year ended August 31, 2000. The Company
estimates that of oil sold, 25% is used for margarine, 15% to 20% for salad
dressing and smaller percentages for snack foods, baked goods, imitation cheese
goods, processed potato goods and others. Approximately 5% of oil sales are for
industrial use. During the year ended August 31, 2000, the Oilseed Processing
and Refining Defined Business Unit had over 100 customers, the largest of which
was Ventura Foods, LLC and its predecessor operations described in the next
paragraph. Sales of refined oil are made by Defined Business Unit employees and
to a lesser extent by brokers.
The Company has a long-term supply agreement with Ventura Foods, LLC
(Ventura Foods) which commenced January 1, 1997 and will continue for 15 years
or longer if the Company continues to hold at least a 25.5% interest in Ventura
Foods. As of August 31, 2000, the Company holds a 50% interest in Ventura Foods.
The Company has agreed to supply and Ventura Foods has agreed to purchase a
minimum quantity of soybean salad oil, hydrogenated soybean oil and other edible
oils that the Company may refine during the term of the agreement. The Company
has the option to sell to Ventura Foods, and Ventura Foods has agreed to
purchase from the Company, during each calendar year at least 430,000,000 pounds
of products or 50% of its requirements if greater, but not more than 100% of its
requirements. The price for the products sold to Ventura Foods is a formula
adjusted annually to be competitive with alternative sources.
SOYBEAN MEAL. Soybean meal sold by the Oilseed Processing and Refining
Defined Business Unit is used for feeding livestock. During the year ended
August 31, 2000, the Defined Business Unit sold meal to over 500 customers,
primarily feed lots and feed mills. During the year ended August 31, 2000, seven
customers accounted for approximately 51% of meal sold, and three customers,
which would be difficult to replace, accounted for approximately 37% of meal
sold. For the year ended August 31, 2000, 68% of meal was sold in Minnesota, 26%
in Wisconsin, 4% in Canada and the balance in Iowa, North Dakota and South
Dakota. These sales could be adversely affected by a decline in the livestock or
turkey industries in these areas. Substantially all meal sales are made directly
by employees of the Defined Business Unit.
SOYFLOUR. Soyflour is used in the baking industry, as milk replacers in
animal feed and in industrial applications. Sales of soyflour have not been
significant relative to sales of meal.
COMPETITION
The Company believes that the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined
Business Unit has 6% to 8% of the domestic refined soybean oil market and less
than 3% of the domestic soybean crushing capacity.
11
PROCESSING
Soybeans arriving by truck or rail are sampled, weighed, dumped and
unloaded into bean storage. When brought out of storage, beans are cleaned,
dehulled, cracked and conditioned and are compressed into flakes. Oil is removed
from the flakes through a solvent process. Flakes are then further processed
into soyflour or soymeal. Soymeal can be made into animal feed at various
protein levels.
Crude oil is filtered to remove remaining meal particles and centrifuged to
separate out trace constituents. The oil can be sold as an industrial product
used in plastics, inks and paints. Further processing prepares the oil for food
use, by bleaching with a special clay to remove trace metals, chlorophyll and
other impurities to make salad oil. By adding hydrogen under pressure to
bleached oil, the Company makes partially hydrogenated soybean oil that may be
used in products such as shortenings or margarines. To remove unwanted odors,
flavors and mild color constituents, bleached or hydrogenated oil is heated
under vacuum. The result is a product that is flavorless, odorless, tasteless
and virtually clear.
While the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit runs at
between 80% to 100% of capacity throughout the year, volume is typically higher
at harvest time since soybean supplies are more abundant in the fall. Producer
and cooperative elevator storage capabilities allow suppliers to sell for
delivery throughout the year.
FACILITIES
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit currently has one
facility located in Mankato, Minnesota, comprised of a crushing plant, a
refinery, a soyflour plant and self contained utilities. A quality control lab
with technically sophisticated equipment assures high quality standards.
In July 1998, the Company announced its site selection for the construction
of a new soybean processing and refining plant in southwestern Minnesota. The
facility, to be constructed near the city of Fairmont, Minnesota, is expected to
cost between $60 and $90 million. The precise configuration and size of the
crushing plant and oil refinery has yet to be determined.
EMPLOYEES
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit currently employs
200 employees, 35 in the office in administration, sales and support service and
165 in the plant. Certain production workers are subject to collective
bargaining agreements with the American Federation of Grain Millers (133
employees) expiring in 2002 and the Pipefitters' Union (2 employees) expiring in
2000.
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
The Company's Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit mills durum wheat into
flour and semolina and mills spring and winter (hard) wheats into bread flour.
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit is the largest miller of durum wheat in
the United States. The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit had historically
concentrated on durum wheat milling at its Rush City and Huron facilities. With
the opening of its Kenosha mill in late 1995, which can produce durum and bakery
flours, its Houston facility, which began production in June 1997, Mount Pocono
facility, which began production in January 1999 and its Fairmount, North Dakota
facility purchased in April 2000, the Defined Business Unit has broadened its
markets and significantly increased its capacity.
SEMOLINA AND DURUM FLOUR. Durum wheat millers process durum wheat into
semolina and durum flours. Semolina and high grade durum flours are the chief
ingredients in pasta; low-grade durum flour is used for pet food. Durum is grown
in arid regions of the United States, such as North Dakota and certain areas of
the Southwest, as well as in other countries. Most of the quality durum is grown
in the Midwest, particularly North Dakota. Durum milling plants are generally
located in proximity to customers; wheat is shipped to the mill for milling.
Sale of semolina and durum flour is entirely dependent on pasta production.
Per capita consumption of pasta has declined slightly in the past two years.
Pasta in its many forms is sold at retail, for restaurants and institutional use
and for use in other processed food products.
12
Major competitors of the Company in the industry include Italgrani, Miller
Milling Company and Minot Milling. Competition is driven by price, service and
product quality. Some competitors have developed long-term relationships with
customers by locating plants adjacent to pasta manufacturing plants.
BAKERY FLOUR. Bakery flour milled from spring and hard winter wheat is used
in breads, cookies, pizza crusts, tortillas and other products. The baking
industry is highly fragmented, but is consolidating with the three largest
bakeries, Interstate, Earthgrains and Flowers Bakeries now comprising nearly 20%
of the bakery business.
Demand for bakery flour had been increasing until 1998. Total production
and per capita consumption decreased 2.0% from December 31, 1998 to December 31,
1999. While there was a decline in consumption, 1999 was still the largest
production year recorded. Dietary guidelines established by the United States
Department of Agriculture emphasize cereal grains in the food pyramid. The
Company believes that demand for bakery flour will increase based on population
growth. Imports and exports of bakery flour do not significantly affect the
domestic business.
EQUITY PARTICIPATION UNITS
At August 31, 2000, Equity Participation Units in the Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit represented the right to deliver 4,623,000 bushels of wheat,
approximately 8% of the processing capacity of the Defined Business Unit.
PRICE RISK AND HEDGING
To reduce the price change risks associated with holding fixed price
commodity positions, the Company generally takes opposite and offsetting
positions by entering into commodity futures contracts (either a straight
futures contract or an options futures contract) on regulated commodity futures
exchanges. While hedging activities reduce the risk of loss from changing market
values of grain, such activities also limit the gain potential which otherwise
could result from changes in market prices of grain. The Defined Business Unit's
policy is to generally maintain hedged positions in grain that is hedgeable, but
the Company can be long or short at any time. The Defined Business Unit's
profitability is primarily derived from margins on grain processed, not from
hedging transactions. Management does not anticipate that its hedging activity
will have a significant impact on future operating results or liquidity. Hedging
arrangements do not protect against nonperformance of a contract.
At any one time the Defined Business Unit's inventory and purchase
contracts for delivery to the Defined Business Unit may be substantial. The
Defined Business Unit has a risk management policy and procedures that include
net position limits. It is defined by commodity and includes both trader and
management limits. This policy triggers a review by management of the Defined
Business Unit when any trader is outside of position limits and also triggers
review by management of the Company if the Defined Business Unit is outside of
its position limits. The position limits are reviewed at least annually with
management of the Company. The Defined Business Unit monitors current market
conditions and may expand or reduce the purchasing program in response to
changes in those conditions. In addition, certain purchase and sale contracts
are subject to credit approvals and appropriate terms and conditions.
SUPPLY
Most of the durum, spring and winter wheats processed by the Wheat Milling
Defined Business Unit are purchased from Members. Some grain is purchased from
Canada and a small percentage is purchased from the Southwest.
Semolina and durum flour sales are hedged to a significant extent by buying
durum at the time of pricing the semolina or flour. To minimize the price
volatility for winter and spring wheats, the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit
usually hedges by purchasing wheat futures at the time of pricing the flour.
The availability, price and quality of durum and spring and winter wheat
affect the operations and profitability of the Wheat Milling Defined Business
Unit. The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit has never experienced a supply
shortage of durum, but shortages have affected prices.
13
CUSTOMERS
SEMOLINA & DURUM FLOUR. The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit sells
semolina and durum flour to ten major customers and approximately 50 smaller
customers, which are large and mid-size pasta manufacturers in the United
States. The customer base is broad and diverse with no single customer being
more than 15% of the total durum milling demand. The Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit would be adversely affected by a decline in pasta production in
the United States.
In 1999, American Italian Pasta Company (AIPC) began operation of a new
pasta plant adjacent to the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's mill in
Kenosha, Wisconsin. AIPC is this country's largest pasta manufacturer. Direct
pipelines from the mill to the pasta plant has reduced costs to transfer
product, create efficiencies for both companies, as well as provide a dedicated
customer/supplier relationship. Production startup for the AIPC plant began in
July 1999.
Most of the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's products are marketed by
employees of the Defined Business Unit. The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit
uses outside agents and distributors for the balance of its production.
BREAD FLOUR. The baking industry is composed of many companies. No one
customer buys more than 14% of the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's bread
flour production. The Company believes because of the large number of potential
customers and the fact that the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit is not
dependent on any customer, it would not have substantial difficulty in replacing
an existing customer.
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's first hard wheat milling unit
(Kenosha) began production in late 1995. In October 1996, the Wheat Milling
Defined Business Unit expanded hard wheat capacity with the addition of a swing
mill at Kenosha capable of milling either durum or hard wheat flour. A plant in
Houston, which began production in June 1997, added additional hard wheat
capacity. The Company believes that there is a substantial customer base
available in the Houston area, as well as export markets. The mill serves a
sizeable population base and there are no other milling facilities within the
area. In January 1999, the Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania mill began production
supplying flour to major bakery customers in the Northeast, and in April 2000,
the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit purchased a hard wheat mill in
Fairmount, North Dakota.
COMPETITION
DURUM MILLING. The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's largest
competitors in durum milling are Italgrani and Miller Milling Company.
Dakota Growers has expanded its Carrington, North Dakota, milling facility
and its pasta production capacity and has added additional milling capacity to
supply its New Hope, Minnesota plant. Philadelphia Macaroni has completed a
semolina mill in Minot, North Dakota. Miller Milling has expanded its
Winchester, Virginia, semolina mill. Barilla, an Italian pasta manufacturer and
durum miller, is operating an integrated mill and pasta plant in Ames, Iowa. In
the past, it has exported significant volumes of pasta from Italy into the U.S.
and will now compete with domestic manufacturers in the dry retail pasta market.
BREAD FLOUR. Competitors include ConAgra, ADM, Cargill, and Cereal Foods.
All of these competitors have multiple milling facilities with larger bakery
flour production capacity than the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit. Capacity
for hard wheat milling has been expanding faster than consumption. This
additional capacity has put pressure on margins.
PROCESSING
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit mills wheat into flour using
standard industry processes. More recently manufactured equipment has reduced
the labor component of wheat milling. The Company believes that its facilities
are, on average, newer than its competitors. Operations are somewhat seasonal in
anticipation of reduced demand for pasta in summer months.
14
FACILITIES
With the addition of 8,000 hundred-weights (cwts) of hardwheat milling
capacity at Fairmount, North Dakota in April 2000, the Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit has six milling facilities in operation. Each facility includes a
milling plant as well as an elevator to store grain. Information on the six
mills, follows:
LOCATION GRAIN MILLED CAPACITY BUSHEL EQUIVALENT
- -------- ----------------------- --------------- -----------------
Rush City, MN Primarily durum 10,000 cwts/day 23,500 bu/day
Huron, OH Durum 9,500 cwts/day 22,800 bu/day
Spring and winter wheat 5,000 cwts/day 11,000 bu/day
Kenosha, WI Durum 11,000 cwts/day 26,400 bu/day
Spring and winter wheat 10,000 cwts/day 22,000 bu/day
Houston, TX Spring and winter wheat 13,000 cwts/day 28,600 bu/day
Mount Pocono, PA Durum 4,000 cwts/day 9,600 bu/day
Spring and winter wheat 14,000 cwts/day 30,800 bu/day
Fairmount, ND Spring wheat 8,000 cwts/day 18,260 bu/day
--------------- -----------------
Total 84,500 cwts/day 192,960 bu/day
=============== =================
At Huron, the land and buildings are leased from ConAgra. The Rush City,
Kenosha, Mount Pocono and Fairmount facilities are owned entirely by the
Company. At Houston, the milling plant is constructed on property leased from
the Port of Houston on a long-term basis and the elevator is owned by the Port
of Houston, but is subject to a put through agreement with the Company.
Approximately 90% of the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's current
milling capacity uses equipment that is less than 10 years old. This newer
equipment generates cost advantages in labor, energy, improved yields and better
and more consistent products. In the last few years, some competitors have
closed less efficient mills in less strategic locations. For the year ended
August 31, 2000, the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit facilities ran at 83%
of capacity based upon a year of 312 operating days being 100%, compared to 70%
in 1999. This increase in run time was due to the full year operation of Mount
Pocono.
EMPLOYEES
As of August 31, 2000 the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit employed the
following full time equivalents: production and plant management (178) and
headquarters (22). Of these, 25 production workers at the Rush City, Minnesota
mill are subject to a collective bargaining agreement with the American
Federation of Grain Millers expiring in 2001.
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
The Consumer Products Group primarily includes the Company's interest in
Ventura Foods and the wholly-owned subsidiary, Sparta Foods, Inc. (Sparta
Foods).
VENTURA FOODS
On August 30, 1996, the Company and Wilsey Foods, Inc. combined the assets
and certain liabilities of the Company's Holsum Foods Consumer Products
Packaging Division with the assets and liabilities of Wilsey Foods, Inc. to form
Ventura Foods. In addition, a joint venture owned by Wilsey Foods, Inc. and the
Company that operated a manufacturing facility in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania was
merged into Ventura Foods. Upon formation of Ventura Foods, the Company owned
40% and Wilsey Foods owned 60% of the equity and rights to distribution of
profits. During the year ended August 31, 2000, the Company purchased an
additional 10% interest in Ventura Foods for approximately $25.6 million, and
now holds a 50% interest in the equity and rights to distribution of profits.
The Company's total net investment in Ventura Foods, accounted for under the
equity method, is $87.3 million as of August 31, 2000. Ventura Foods is governed
by a committee, and each of the Company and Wilsey Foods appoints half the
committee members. The Company and Wilsey Foods must each retain at least a
25.5% interest in Ventura Foods. Ventura Foods will be dissolved if it has
cumulative losses in excess of $25.0 million or is unable to discharge its
liabilities as they become due.
15
Ventura Foods is in the business of manufacturing and/or packaging and
selling food products, including salad dressings, mayonnaise, margarine, salad
oils, jams, jellies, olives, syrups, soup bases and sauces. Its customers are
national. Sales by the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit to
Ventura Foods and its predecessors in interest (Holsum and Wilsey) are shown
below:
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
------------------------ AUGUST 31, ------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- -------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Sales ................... $ 59,369 $ 93,565 $ 22,685 $ 101,440 $ 110,679 $ 124,299
Percentage of total
refinery sales ......... 27% 35% 34% 38% 45% 45%
SPARTA FOODS
On June 1, 2000, the Company purchased Sparta Foods, a manufacturer and
distributor of tortillas and tortilla chips, for approximately $16.7 million.
Sparta Foods sells branded retail products in supermarkets and general
merchandise retail stores located primarily in the Midwestern and Southwestern
United States, as well as food service products to food distributors, who in
turn, distribute their products to restaurants and retail stores throughout the
United States.
Sparta Foods leases manufacturing facilities located in New Brighton,
Minnesota and Phoenix, Arizona.
On August 31, 2000 Sparta Foods had 267 full time employees, of which 163
were employed in Minnesota and 104 were employed in Arizona.
The tortilla and tortilla chip industry in the United States is comprised
of a large number of small regional producers and a few dominant producers.
Sparta Foods has approximately a 65% share and 20% share of the retail tortilla
market in the Minneapolis/St. Paul and Phoenix metropolitan areas, respectively.
Primary competitors are Resers Foods and Azteca Foods in the Minneapolis/St.
Paul market, and Mission Foods in the Phoenix market. Sparta Foods has less than
a 1% share of the national tortilla chip market.
OTHER
SERVICES
The Company's Country Services Division provides certain services to
Individual Members and Cooperative Association Members. As of September 1, 2000,
the Farm Marketing & Supply Division and the Services Group have been renamed to
Country Operations.
COUNTRY HEDGING, INC.
Country Hedging, Inc. offers full service commodity futures and options
brokerage. For the year ended August 31, 2000, 54% of revenues were from
Cooperative Association Members, 31% from Individual Members and 15% from
others. This separate subsidiary of the Company is a registered futures
commission merchant and a clearing member of both the Minneapolis Grain Exchange
and the Kansas City Board of Trade. On August 31, 2000, it had 38 employees
operating primarily out of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Competitors include international brokerage firms, national brokerage
firms, regional brokerage firms (both co-op and non-co-op) as well as local
introducing brokers. Competition is driven by price and service.
AG STATES AGENCY, LLC
Ag States Agency, LLC, 93% owned by the Company, is an independent
insurance agency which sells insurance primarily to local cooperatives,
including group benefits, property and casualty, and bonding programs. For the
year ended August 31, 2000, substantially all of its revenues were from local
cooperatives. Ag States Agency, LLC competes with other insurance agencies.
16
On January 1, 1998, Ag States Agency, LLC acquired 50% ownership in Ag
States Benefits, LLC. Ag States Benefits, LLC is an independent insurance agency
which sells primarily group benefit policies such as health, life, dental, long
term care and disability insurance to primarily local cooperative employees and
members of local cooperatives.
FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The Financial Services Department provides business planning consulting and
financing to Cooperative Association Members. It offers open account financing,
involving the discretionary extension of credit, and term and seasonal loans.
Most of the term and seasonal loans are participated up to 90% by CoBank.
Participation by CoBank is subject to credit approval on a loan-by-loan basis by
CoBank, subject to an overall limit of participation of $150,000,000. In
addition to financing, the open account between the Company and an Affiliated
Association is used as a clearing account for settlement of grain purchases and
as a cash management tool. Open account financing has been provided to more than
200 Cooperative Association Members in the past year.
During the year ended August 31, 2000, average aggregate loan balances
outstanding were $45,446,115 (of which CoBank's participation was $21,989,577)
and the highest aggregate loan balance outstanding at any one time was
$64,533,713 (of which CoBank's participation was $32,784,725). The Company's
borrowing arrangements limit loan balances outstanding to not more than
$150,000,000 at any one time.
Pursuant to its agreement with CoBank, the Company has additional credit
risk on CoBank participations up to 10% of total loan commitments.
Fin-Ag, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company provides certain
types of financing to members. See "Farm Marketing and Supply".
AFFILIATED ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
The Affiliated Accounting Department offers computerized country elevator
accounting systems and a full complement of accounting support systems for local
cooperatives, including tax and patronage allocation services, dividend ledger
services and payroll services. For the year ended August 31, 2000, substantially
all of its revenues were from local cooperatives. This department was sold to
Agris Corp in March of 2000.
FIELD SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The Field Services Department acts as a liaison between cooperative
association members and the Company, providing consulting services in marketing,
management, operations, accounting, tax, finance and government regulations.
MEMBER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
The Member Relations Department conducts cooperative education programs for
cooperative association members and assists in planning meetings and organizing
visits to Company facilities.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMPANY AND AUTHORIZED CAPITAL
INTRODUCTION
The Company is an agricultural membership cooperative organized to do
business with members and non-members. Net savings from member patronage of the
Company shall be distributed to members on the basis of patronage, except that
the Board of Directors may elect to add to the Unallocated Capital Reserve an
amount not to exceed 10% of the distributable net income from patronage
business. These net savings, when distributed, are referred to as "patronage
dividends," regardless of whether distributed in cash or Patron Equities. The
Company may obligate itself to do business with a non-member on a patronage
basis. The determination of net savings may be made by allocation units which
may be functional, divisional, departmental, geographic, or otherwise as
determined by the Board of Directors, provided that each Defined Business Unit
shall be accounted for as a separate allocation unit. Patronage refunds shall be
distributed in cash, allocated patronage equities, revolving fund
17
certificates, securities of this cooperative, other securities, or any
combination thereof designated by the Board of Directors. Any noncash
allocations are redeemable only at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The net earnings (after provision for income taxes) of the Company, as
reported in its financial statements for the year, less patronage dividends paid
with respect to the fiscal year may be distributed in the discretion of the
Board of Directors to member patrons and to non-member "consenting patrons"
(defined as cooperative associations meeting all requirements for membership in
this Association other than transacting the minimum amount of business) on the
basis of their patronage. Distributions may be in cash, property, Non-Patronage
Equity Certificates or any combination thereof designated by the Board of
Directors. The current redemption policy is to redeem to estates for
Non-Patronage Equity Certificates.
In making any such non-member/non-patronage distributions, the Board of
Directors may use any method of allocating the earnings on the basis of
patronage to member patrons and Non-Member Consenting Patrons as shall be
reasonable and equitable in the judgment of the Board of Directors.
GOVERNANCE
The business and affairs of the Company are managed by a Board of Directors
of not less than 17 persons, elected by the members at the Company's annual
meeting. The Board currently is comprised of 17 directors. Various rights and
obligations of members are contained in its Articles of Incorporation and
By-Laws (together, the "governing documents"), each of which was amended and
restated in June, 1998. The governing documents may only be amended upon
approval of a majority of the votes cast at an annual or special meeting of the
members, except for the higher vote described under " -- Certain Antitakeover
Effects."
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Company is restricted to associations of producers of
agricultural products which are organized and operating so as to adhere to the
provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Act and the Capper-Volstead Act, as
amended, and to certain producers of agricultural products. The Board of
Directors may establish a minimum amount of business that cooperative
associations must transact with or through the Company to be eligible for
membership, and also may adopt such additional conditions, qualifications,
methods of acceptance, duties, rights and privileges of membership in this
Company as it may from time to time deem advisable.
Under the Company's governing documents, the Company has several classes of
membership and has authority to issue a variety of debt and equity instruments
to members. As a membership cooperative, the Company does not issue capital
stock. Under the Minnesota Cooperative Law, under which the Company is
organized, a cooperative may be organized on a membership basis or a capital
stock basis. A cooperative is organized on a capital stock basis if holding
shares of common stock entitles the holder to vote. Membership is transferable
only with the consent and approval of the Board of Directors. The Company may
issue equity or debt securities, on a patronage basis or otherwise, but unless
authorized in, or by the Board of Directors pursuant to, the Company's By-Laws,
such securities shall not entitle the holders thereof to any voting, membership
or other rights to participate in the affairs of the Company and are not
transferable without the prior consent of the Board of Directors.
The Company's governing documents establish three classes of membership:
Individual Members are individuals or entities actually engaged in the
production of agricultural products. Such Individual Members include both
natural persons as well as any legal entity owned or controlled by
individual farmers or their families, such as joint ventures, corporations,
partnerships, limited liability companies and other entities.
Cooperative Associations are associations of agricultural producers.
Cooperative Associations must be cooperatives or other associations of
agricultural producers organized and operating under the provisions of the
Agricultural Marketing Act and the Capper-Volstead Act.
Defined Members are either persons actually engaged in the production
of agricultural products or associations of producers of agricultural
products that are holders of Equity Participation Units. See " -- Defined
Members" below.
18
Membership in the Company will be terminated by the Board of Directors if a
member has become ineligible for membership (for example, by the cessation of
agricultural production activities). The Board of Directors has the discretion
to terminate membership for a variety of reasons, including repeated violations
of the Company's By-Laws, failure to patronize the Company for a period of 12
consecutive months and breach of any contract with the Company. In addition, any
member's membership in the Company is terminated when that member either dies or
is legally dissolved. Upon termination of membership, a former member loses any
and all voting rights in the Company. A former member has no right to require
immediate repayment of patronage.
VOTING RIGHTS
Cooperative Association Members are entitled to: (i) one vote for each
producer of agricultural products registered and accepted as a member of such
cooperative association who patronized the Cooperative Association within the
preceding year; (ii) one vote for each $10,000 or major fraction thereof, of the
average annual business transacted with the Company during the past three fiscal
years; and (iii) one vote for each $1,000, or major fraction thereof, of equity
issued by the Company as patronage refunds and standing on the books of the
Company in the name of the Cooperative Association Member.
Individual Members and Defined Members are entitled to one vote. Individual
Members and Defined Members may directly cast their votes on matters presented
to the members of the Company only if, for Defined Members, they have provided
notice of such intention to the Company, and, for Individual Members, if they
have obtained a certificate signed by a manager of the Company facility
patronized by such Individual Member. Any such certificate or notice must be
provided to the Company at least 10 days before the meeting at which the voting
rights are to be exercised.
Individual Members and Defined Members may exercise their voting power
through the designation of a "Patrons' Association." A Patrons' Association is
an association of the Individual Members and Defined Members associated with a
grain elevator, feed mill, seed plant or any other Company facility, except
supply and marketing locations brought to the Company by Cenex, as designated
and recognized by the Board of Directors. The Individual Members and Defined
Members that are identified with a particular Patrons' Association may, at an
annual meeting of the Patrons' Association, elect delegates and alternates for
the Patrons' Association on the basis of one vote per member. Patrons'
Associations are entitled to: (i) one vote for each Individual Member and
Defined Member grouped in such Patrons' Association (minus one vote for each
Individual Member or Defined Member in such Patrons' Association who chooses to
cast a vote personally); (ii) one vote for each $10,000 or major fraction
thereof, of the average annual business transacted with the Company by the
Individual Members and Defined Members grouped into such Patrons' Associations,
during the past three fiscal years; and (iii) one vote for each $1,000,or major
fraction thereof, of equity issued by this cooperative as a patronage refund and
standing on the books of this Company in the name of the Individual Members and
Defined Members grouped in such Patrons' Associations, calculated on an
aggregate basis.
Members may cast their votes, if the Board of Directors so elects, by mail
voting in certain situations. At least 50 members of the Company represented in
person, by delegates or by mail votes constitutes a quorum for business at any
meeting, unless the Company has fewer than 500 members, in which case a quorum
is comprised of 10% of the total number of members.
DEFINED MEMBERS
Each Defined Member is affiliated with a "Defined Business Unit" and holds
Equity Participation Units in that Defined Business Unit. Holders of Equity
Participation Units have delivery rights and obligations for farm products
pursuant to a member marketing agreement between such Defined Member and the
Company.
Each Defined Business Unit is represented by a Defined Member Board,
comprised of between five and ten individuals. The members of a Defined Member
Board must be either Defined Members or representatives of Defined Members and
in good standing and in full compliance with all delivery obligations with
respect to the applicable Defined Business Unit; provided, however, no employee
of the Company may serve as a member of the Defined Member Board. The initial
Defined Member Board of each Defined Business Unit was elected by the Company's
Board of Directors in June, 1997. Eight
19
individuals were appointed to serve on the Wheat Milling Defined Member Board, a
Chairman plus one member from District 1, three members from District 2, one
from District 3, one from District 4 and one from District 5. Six individuals
were appointed to serve on the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Member
Board, a Chairman plus three members from District 1, one member from District 2
and one member from District 3. In November 1997 the Defined Member Boards of
each Defined Business Unit were elected by the Defined Members associated with
the particular Defined Business Unit on a one Defined Member/one vote basis. The
Defined Member Boards adopted a Nominating and Election Procedure that was sent
to each Defined Member. In subsequent years, Defined Members will elect members
of the Defined Member Boards as their terms expire. In December 1998, Districts
were renamed "Regions" and the Region boundaries were changed. As a result, the
Wheat Milling Defined Member Board is comprised of a Chairman plus one Member
from Region 1, one member from Region 2, three from Region 3, one from Region 4,
and one from Region 6. The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Member Board
is comprised of a Chairman plus three members from Region 1, one member from
Region 3 and one from Region 4. The Chairperson is selected by and from the
Company's Board of Directors. Individuals serving on a Defined Member Board
serve staggered three-year terms. Each Defined Member Board shall meet at least
quarterly and shall be charged with reflecting Defined Member concerns and
providing a direct communication mechanism to the Company's Board of Directors.
While the Board of Directors has no present intention of doing so, the
Company is authorized to retain a portion of the payments otherwise due to
Defined Members for purchases of products from them. Such retention is referred
to as a "unit retain." Unit retains would only be established by the Board of
Directors to provide a source of cash for its immediate needs and would be
limited to a small percentage of the payments due for purchase of products
pursuant to the Agreement. The imposition of unit retains would adversely affect
a member's cash income and cash position. The Company has the option to treat
any such unit retains as taxable to the Company or to treat the unit retains as
nontaxable by declaring the unit retains as "qualified." Qualified unit retains
are taxable to the Defined Member in the tax year when the Defined Member
receives notification that a unit retain has been established. When a qualified
unit retain is reimbursed or redeemed, the Defined Member reports no additional
income. Unit retains may be called for payout at the lesser of their stated or
book value at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company intends to
establish a redemption schedule if it authorizes unit retains.
DEBT AND EQUITY INSTRUMENTS
The Company is authorized to issue a variety of debt and equity instruments
to its current members, patrons and to persons who are neither members nor
patrons. The Company's outstanding capital is represented by Capital Equity
Certificates, non-patronage equity certificates, Equity Participation Units and
certain capital reserves.
The Company's By-Laws provide the following securities may be issued to
current or former members or patrons:
EQUITY PARTICIPATION UNITS. Equity Participation Units may be held
only by Defined Members and have no voting rights. Defined Members have
voting rights to elect a Defined Member Board.
CAPITAL EQUITY CERTIFICATES. Capital Equity Certificates may be issued
by the Company in partial or complete distribution of patronage refunds.
Capital Equity Certificates do not bear any interest or carry any
dividends. They do not have a specified maturity date unless established by
the Company's Board of Directors.
CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS. The Board of Directors may issue
Certificates of Indebtedness from time to time. Such Certificates will
carry such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors establishes in
its discretion. The Board may also establish the conditions upon which such
Certificates of Indebtedness may be called for payment by the Company.
NON-PATRONAGE EQUITY CERTIFICATES. The Board of Directors may issue
Non-Patronage Equity Certificates. Such certificates will not have a
maturity date and will not bear interest or annual dividends. They will be
issued and distributed only to member patrons and to Non-Member Consenting
Patrons as part of a non-member/non-patronage distribution. (Non-Member
Consenting
20
Patrons include Cooperative Association Members that meet all of the
requirements of membership as a Cooperative Association Member except that
they do not transact at least the minimum volume of business with the
Company during the preceding fiscal year.)
PREFERRED CAPITAL CERTIFICATES. The Board of Directors may establish
and designate the designation, preferences and relative rights of one or
more series of Preferred Capital Certificates. Preferred Capital
Certificates will not carry any voting rights.
OTHER. The Board of Directors may issue other debt or equity
instruments. The By-Laws contain no restrictions on the issuance or the
terms of such other debt or equity instruments.
Voting rights arise by virtue of membership in the Company, not because of
holding any instrument. The Board of Directors may issue "Preferred Equities"
and other debt or equity instruments to individuals who are not members or
patrons of the Company. The Board of Directors has the discretion to establish
and designate one or more series of Preferred Equities and to fix the relative
rights, preferences and privileges of such Preferred Equities. Any Preferred
Equities will not carry voting rights. No such Preferred Equities are presently
outstanding, and the Board of Directors has no present plan or intent to issue
Preferred Equities. However, if it were to do so, it could establish rights,
preferences and privileges relative to the holders of the Units and other
securities of the Company. Such preferences could include provisions for
priority in payment. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of
Preferred Capital Certificates pertaining to a particular Defined Business Unit.
If such Certificates were issued, they could have a preference in payment over
patronage refunds of a particular Business Unit.
TRANSFER OF PATRONS' EQUITIES. Debt or equity instruments held by the
Company's members and patrons, including Equity Participation Units, Capital
Equity Certificates, Certificates of Indebtedness, Non-Patronage Equity
Certificates and Preferred Capital Certificates, may be transferred only with
the consent and approval of the Company's Board of Directors. The Company may
require the execution of appropriate transfer documentation, as well as
representations and warranties from the proposed transferee indicating that he
or she is eligible to be the holder of the instrument proposed to be
transferred.
Beginning June 1, 1998, inactive direct members and patrons and active
direct members and patrons age 61 and older on that date were eligible for
patronage certificate redemption at age 72 or death. For active direct members
and patrons who were age 60 or younger on June 1, 1998, and Cooperative
Association Members, equities will be redeemed annually based on a prorata
formula where the numerator is dollars available for such purpose as determined
by the Board of Directors, and the denominator is the sum of the patronage
certificates held by such eligible members and patrons. There can be no
assurance that the Company's Board of Directors will not elect to modify its
policy regarding the redemption of equities. The Board is under no restriction
in modifying such policy, other than legal agreements to which the Company may
be a party from time to time. Members are not required to approve a change in
such policy. The Board of Directors will establish a redemption policy for
Patrons' Equities arising from the Defined Business Units.
DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION
In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up this
cooperative, whether voluntary or involuntary, all debts and liabilities of this
cooperative shall be paid first according to their respective priorities. As
more particularly provided in the By-Laws, the remaining assets shall then be
paid to the holders of equity capital to the extent of their interests therein
and any excess shall be paid to the patrons of this cooperative on the basis of
their past patronage. The By-Laws provide more particularly for the allocation
among the members and nonmember patrons of this cooperative of the consideration
received in any merger or consolidation to which this cooperative is a party.
CERTAIN ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS
The governing documents may be amended upon the approval of a majority of
the votes cast at an annual or special meeting. However, in the event that the
Board of Directors declares, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of
Directors present and voting, that the amendment involves or is related to a
hostile takeover, the proposed amendment must be adopted by the approval of 80%
of the total voting power of the members of the Company. It is within the sole
determination of the Board of
21
Directors to declare that a transaction involves a "hostile takeover," which
term is not further defined in the Minnesota cooperative law or the governing
documents.
TAX TREATMENT
Subchapter T of the Internal Revenue Code sets forth rules for the tax
treatment of cooperatives and applies to both cooperatives exempt from taxation
under Section 521 of the Internal Revenue Code and to nonexempt corporations
operating on a cooperative basis. The Company is a nonexempt cooperative.
As a cooperative, the Company is not taxed on amounts withheld from its
members in the form of qualified unit retains or patronage dividends, or in the
amount distributed in the form of patronage payments. Consequently, such amounts
are taxed only at the patron level. However, the amounts of any non-qualified
unit retains or patronage dividends are taxable to the Company when allocated.
Upon redemption of any such non-qualified unit retains or patronage dividends,
the amount is deductible to the Company and taxable at the member level.
Income derived by the Company from non-patronage sources is not entitled to
the "single tax" benefit of Subchapter T and is taxed to the Company at
corporate income tax rates.
EQUITY PARTICIPATION UNITS
Equity Participation Units (Units) may be held only by Defined Members.
Defined Members are either persons actually engaged in the production of
agricultural products or associations of producers of agricultural products.
Each Defined Member is affiliated with a Defined Business Unit and holds Equity
Participation Units in that Defined Business Unit. Holders of Equity
Participation Units have delivery rights and obligations for farm products
pursuant to the Agreements between such Defined Members and the Company.
Each Defined Business Unit and the respective Equity Participation Units
were created by resolutions (the Resolutions) of the Board of Directors, acting
pursuant to the governing documents, on January 11, 1997. The terms of the Units
are governed by the governing documents and the Resolutions. The Resolutions may
be amended by the Board of Directors, except in certain respects, without a vote
of holders of the Units. Holders of the Units have the rights and remedies
provided by the Minnesota Cooperative Law.
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
Holders of Equity Participation Units in the Wheat Milling Defined Business
Unit have a right to participate in the patronage sourced income from the
operations of the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit. Prior to the sale of any
Unit to any person, such person entered into an Agreement that gave the right
and obligation to such person to deliver the number of bushels of wheat equal to
the number of Units purchased by such Member.
Patronage sourced income from the operations of the Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit is allocated by the Company as patronage refunds based on the
total amount of wheat processed. As between the holders of Equity Participation
Units, patronage sourced income will be allocated to each Defined Member
proportionate to the wheat delivered pursuant to the Agreement.
While Defined Members are entitled to the allocation of patronage refunds
originating from the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit, they may also receive,
upon allocation by the Board of Directors, nonpatronage income from operations
of the Company, including operations of the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit
generating nonpatronage income.
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
Holders of Equity Participation Units in the Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit have a right to participate in the patronage
sourced income from the operations of the Oilseed Processing and Refining
Defined Business Unit. Prior to the sale of any Unit to any person, such person
entered into an Agreement that gave the right and obligation to such person to
deliver the number of bushels of soybeans equal to the number of Units purchased
by such Member.
22
Patronage sourced income from the operations of the Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit, excluding patronage sourced income from the
refining of crude oil purchased from others and excluding patronage sourced
income from Ventura Foods, will be allocated by the Company as patronage refunds
based on the total amount of soybeans processed, giving effect to Units held and
Units deemed to be held by the Company. As between the holders of Equity
Participation Units, patronage sourced income will be allocated to each Defined
Member proportionate to the soybeans delivered pursuant to the Agreement.
While Defined Members are entitled to the allocation of patronage refunds
originating from the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit, they
may also receive, upon allocation by the Board of Directors, nonpatronage income
from operations of the Company, including operations of the Oilseed Processing
and Refining Defined Business Unit generating nonpatronage income.
ALLOCATIONS RELATING TO DEFINED BUSINESS UNITS
Revenues from the sale of products of a Defined Business Unit shall be
credited to the Defined Business Unit, and all direct expenses incurred by a
Defined Business Unit shall be charged against the Defined Business Unit.
Corporate, general and administrative expenses of the Company shall be allocated
to each Defined Business Unit in a reasonable manner based on the utilization by
such Defined Business Unit. Intracompany accounts have been established for the
advancements to, and the loan of funds by, each Defined Business Unit, with
interest thereon imputed at prevailing rates. Income taxes shall be allocated to
each Defined Business Unit as if it were a separate taxpayer. Each Defined
Business Unit shall perform and be responsible for commitments, contingencies
and obligations allocated to such Defined Business Unit.
Patronage sourced income from the operations of a Defined Business Unit
(except as set forth above with respect to the Oilseed Processing and Refining
Defined Business Unit) will be allocated by the Company as patronage refunds
based on the total amount of grain processed, giving effect to Units held and
Units deemed to be held by the Company. As between holders of the Units,
patronage sourced income will be allocated to each Defined Member proportionate
to the number of bushels of grain delivered pursuant to the Agreement. Defined
Members may also receive, upon allocation by the Board of Directors,
nonpatronage income from operations of the Company, including operations of a
Defined Business Unit generating nonpatronage income.
With respect to each year, the total net income from a Defined Business
Unit will be withdrawn by the Company from the Defined Business Unit, except to
the extent that patronage dividends are not paid in cash and are retained in the
Defined Business Unit as equity. The Company will be responsible for the
allocation of net income arising from operations of a Defined Business Unit
between Defined Members of any one or more Defined Business Units and the
remainder of the Company's operations.
Upon the acquisition by the Company from a third party of any assets
(whether by means of an acquisition of assets or stock, merger, consolidation or
otherwise) reasonably related to a Defined Business Unit, such assets and
related liabilities, including commitments, contingencies and obligations, shall
be allocated to that Defined Business Unit and the aggregate cost or fair market
value of such assets and liabilities shall be paid by the Defined Business Unit.
Such allocation and determination of fair market value may be made by the Board
of Directors taking into account such matters as it and its advisers, if any,
deem relevant, and any such allocation and determination of fair market value
shall be final and binding for all purposes whatsoever.
Upon any sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition by the Company of
any or all assets of a Defined Business Unit (whether by means of a disposition
of assets, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise), all proceeds
(including non-cash consideration received) or the fair market value from such
disposition shall be allocated to the Defined Business Unit. If an asset is
allocated to more than one Defined Business Unit, the proceeds or the fair
market value of the disposition shall be allocated among all Defined Business
Units, based upon their respective interests in such assets. Such allocation and
determination of fair market value shall be made by the Board of Directors
taking into account such matters as the Board of Directors and its advisers, if
any, deem relevant, and any such allocation and determination of fair market
value shall be final and binding for all purposes whatsoever.
23
The Board of Directors may from time to time reallocate any asset from one
Defined Business Unit to the Company or any other Defined Business Unit of the
Company at fair market value. Such determination of fair market value shall be
made by the Board of Directors taking into account such matters as the Board of
Directors and its advisers, if any, deem relevant, and any such allocation and
determination of fair market value shall be final and binding for all purposes
whatsoever.
The Company shall not enter into any agreement by which the net patronage
sourced earnings of a Defined Business Unit shall be allocated to any person
except to a person who owns or is deemed to own Units proportionate to the
patronage being so allocated.
ADDITIONAL EQUITY PARTICIPATION UNITS; SALE
The Board of Directors from time to time may authorize the sale by the
Company of Units deemed owned by the Company for the account of the Company
provided that sales shall be at a price determined by the Board of Directors
taking into account such matters as the Board of Directors and its financial
advisers, if any, deem relevant.
The Board of Directors may authorize the creation, issuance and sale of
additional Equity Participation Units from time to time on such terms and for
such consideration as it shall deem appropriate. Any proceeds from the sale of
such additional Equity Participation Units shall be allocated to the applicable
Defined Business Unit.
There are no limitations on the issuance or sale of additional Units in the
governing documents or in any loan agreements or other agreements or instruments
to which the Company is a party.
Holders of Units shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for or
purchase additional Units or any other securities issued by a Defined Business
Unit or the Company. The Company intends to provide an opportunity for existing
holders to subscribe for additional Equity Participation Units.
The Company may, if authorized by the Board of Directors, purchase Units at
such price as it shall determine from time to time for its own account, or for
the account of a Defined Business Unit.
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE
In connection with the merger, consolidation, liquidation or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety or upon the sale
of all or substantially all of the assets of a Defined Business Unit, all, but
not less than all, Units of such Defined Business Unit shall be redeemed by the
Company at their original purchase price, provided that the Preferred Capital
Certificates or unit retains of such Defined Business Unit not previously paid
are also redeemed in connection therewith; that such payments include any
prorata profit (or loss) associated with disposition of the assets of the
Defined Business Unit as though the assets, subject to the liabilities, of the
Defined Business Unit had been sold in connection with such event at their fair
market value; and that provision is made for the allocations of patronage
sourced income arising prior to such transaction. Any determination of fair
market value shall be made by the Board of Directors taking into account such
matters as the Board of Directors and its advisers, if any, deem relevant. A
sale of more than 75% of the assets or earning power will be deemed "all or
substantially all" of the assets of the Company or a Defined Business Unit.
OPERATIONS
The operations of a Defined Business Unit shall be carried out by the
Company through the Board of Directors, officers and management of the Company.
The capital assets of a Defined Business Unit may be disposed of in the ordinary
course of business and the disposition of any substantial portion of the assets
of a Defined Business Unit as an entirety may be authorized by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors may determine to sell the assets and
operations of a Defined Business Unit or to abandon or shut down the operations
of a Defined Business Unit. Abandonment or shutting down the operations of a
Defined Business Unit (other than on a temporary basis) will be considered sale
of all of the assets of the Defined Business Unit and will have the effect
described under " -- Merger, Consolidation or Sale."
AMENDMENT OF BOARD RESOLUTIONS
The resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors establishing the Wheat
Milling Defined Business Unit and the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined
Business Unit may be amended from time to
24
time by the Board of Directors of the Company, except for those matters
described under "Allocations Relating to Business Units" and "Merger,
Consolidation or Sale," which may be amended only with the approval of a
majority of Defined Members owning Units not held or deemed held by the Company.
MEMBER MARKETING AGREEMENT
A Defined Member is obligated to deliver during each delivery year one
bushel of wheat or soybeans which is of merchantable quality, according to
industry standards, to the Company for each applicable Unit held, subject to
adjustment as described below, at delivery points designated by the Company.
Wheat or soybeans that do not meet applicable standards may either be rejected
or accepted with such discounts as may be established by the Company or agents.
Deliveries may be made at any time during the Processing Year. Certain
Cooperative Association Members have contracted with the Company to act as an
agent for handling required deliveries (and will receive funds for that
service). In addition, the Company has designated most of its owned and operated
elevators as delivery points (approximately 135). The Board of Directors may
establish annual "tolerance ranges" allowing a Defined Member the option to
deliver more or less wheat or soybeans in any given year. Upon transfer of
Units, the remaining obligations under the Agreement must also be assumed by the
transferee of the Units. The Agreement may be terminated by an Individual Member
effective on August 31 of any year upon written notice of termination. In
addition, the Agreement may be terminated following a breach of the Agreement by
either party, upon thirty days' written notice from the party not in breach. The
Agreement may be terminated by the Company upon sale, liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the applicable Defined Business Unit in accordance with the
Company's By-Laws.
The Company is obligated to take and pay for deliveries in accordance with
the Agreement. The price to be paid is based on the prevailing price at the
point of delivery agreed to between the Defined Member and the Company or its
agent at the time of sale. The final settlement price must be established prior
to the end of the processing year. In case of fire, explosions, interruption of
power, strikes or other labor disturbances, lack of transportation facilities,
shortage of labor or supplies, floods, action of the elements, riot,
interference of civil or military authorities, enactment of legislation or any
unavoidable casualty or cause beyond the control of the Company affecting the
conduct of the Company's business to the extent of preventing or unreasonably
restricting the receiving, handling, production, marketing or other operations,
the Company shall be excused from performance during the period that the
Company's business or operations are so affected. The Member shall not be liable
for failure or delay in performance of the Agreement to the extent such failure
or delay is caused by a crop failure due to an Act of God, such as drought or
flood.
The Company will pay to each Defined Member an annual patronage refund
equal to the portion arising from the net savings of the applicable Defined
Business Unit attributable to such Defined Member's patronage of the Defined
Business Unit.
Each Agreement is subject to amendment upon the approval of the Company and
the majority vote of the voting power of the applicable Defined Business Unit.
As a result, in the event that Members holding the majority of the voting power
of the applicable Defined Business Unit approve an amendment to the Agreement
which has been approved by the Company, those Defined Members who voted against
or oppose the amendment will be bound to performance of the Agreement as
amended.
Upon the termination of the operations of a Defined Business Unit, the
Marketing Agreement will automatically terminate.
The Company is authorized to retain a portion of the payments otherwise due
to Defined Members for purchases of products from them. Such retention is
referred to as a "unit retain." The Company has the option to treat any such
unit retains as taxable to the Company or to treat the unit retains as
nontaxable by declaring the unit retains as "qualified." Qualified unit retains
are taxable to the Defined Member in the tax year when the Defined Member
receives notification that a unit retain has been established. When a qualified
unit retain is reimbursed or redeemed, the Defined Member reports no additional
income. Unit retains may be called for payout at the lesser of their stated or
book value at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
25
TAXATION
Patronage dividends arising under the Agreements with respect to the Units
will have the same tax treatment as patronage currently payable to members.
TRANSFER OF EQUITY PARTICIPATION UNITS
Upon any transfer of Units, the transferee will be required to certify as
to eligibility and then current anticipated annual production and to sign an
Agreement. In approving any transfer, the Board of Directors will require that
such certificate show that the number of Units transferred does not exceed
anticipated annual production, that any transferee does not own more than 1% of
the outstanding capacity of any one Defined Business Unit and that the Units
held by each transferor retaining units and transferee represent at least 3,000
bushels of wheat or 1,500 bushels of soybeans.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
The information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
August 31, 2000, includes forward-looking statements with respect to the
Company. Risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially
from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. These risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to: supply and demand forces, price
risks, business competition and competitive trends, taxation of cooperatives and
dependence on certain customers. The risks and uncertainties are further
described in Exhibit 99.1, and other risks or uncertainties may be described
from time to time in the Company's future filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company owns or leases energy, grain handling and processing, and
agronomy related facilities throughout the United States. Below is a summary of
these locations.
ENERGY
Facilities include the following, all of which are owned except where
indicated as leased:
Refinery Laurel, Montana
Propane Plants 27 locations in Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, North
Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Wisconsin,
and Wyoming
Propane Terminals 3 locations in Minnesota, North Dakota and
Wisconsin
Transportation Terminals/ 10 locations in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana,
Repair Facilities North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington
and Wisconsin, 2 of which are leased
Petroleum & Asphalt 11 locations in Kansas, Montana, North Dakota,
Terminals/Storage Washington Facilities and Wisconsin
Pump Stations 10 locations in Montana and North Dakota
Pipelines
Cenex Pipeline, LLC Laurel, Montana to Fargo, North Dakota
Front Range Pipeline, LLC Canadian Border to Laurel, Montana
Convenience Stores/Gas Stations 37 locations in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana,
South Dakota and Wyoming
Lube Plants/Warehouses 2 locations in Minnesota and Ohio
The Company has a 74.5% interest in the following facilities of NCRA:
Refinery McPherson, Kansas
Petroleum Terminals/Storage 2 locations in Iowa and Kansas
Pipeline McPherson, Kansas to Council Bluffs, Iowa
Jayhawk Pipeline Throughout Kansas, with branches in Oklahoma
and Texas
Jayhawk Stations 40 locations located in Kansas and Oklahoma
26
GRAIN MERCHANDISING
The Company owns or leases grain terminals at the following locations:
Davenport, Iowa I(1)
Davenport, Iowa II(2)
Kalama, Washington(2)
Kansas City, Missouri I(2)
Kansas City, Missouri II(2)
Kennewick, Washington(1)
Myrtle Grove, Louisiana(1)
Petersburg, North Dakota(2)
St. Paul, Minnesota(2)
Savage, Minnesota(1)
Spokane, Washington(1)
Superior, Wisconsin(1)
Winona, Minnesota(1)
- ------------------
(1) Owned
(2) Leased
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit owns one facility
in Mankato, Minnesota, comprised of a crushing plant, a refinery, a soyflour
plant and a quality control laboratory.
WHEAT MILLING
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit owns or leases flour milling
facilities at the following locations:
Rush City, Minnesota(1)
Huron, Ohio(2)
Kenosha, Wisconsin(1)
Houston, Texas(1)
Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania(1)
Fairmount, North Dakota(1)
- ------------------
(1) Owned
(2) Owned equipment, leased land and facilities
SPARTA FOODS
Sparta Foods leases manufacturing facilities located in New Brighton,
Minnesota and Phoenix, Arizona.
AGRI SERVICES CENTERS
The Company owns 317 Agri Service Centers (of which some of the facilities
are on leased land) located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Montana, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Iowa and Colorado.
27
FEED
The Company owns the following feed manufacturing facilities:
Dickinson, North Dakota
Edgeley, North Dakota
Gettysburg, South Dakota
Great Falls, Montana
Hardin, Montana
Minot, North Dakota
Norfolk, Nebraska
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Snohomish, Washington
Willmar, Minnesota
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is a party to various lawsuits and administrative proceedings
incidental to its business. It is impossible at this time, to estimate what the
ultimate legal and financial liability of the Company will be; nevertheless,
management believes, based on the information available to date and the
resolution of prior proceedings, that the ultimate liability of all litigation
and proceedings will not have a material impact on the financial statements of
the Company taken as a whole.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
28
PART II.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
No equity securities were sold by the Registrant during the year ended
August 31, 2000 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
CONSOLIDATED COMPANY
The selected financial information below has been derived from the
Company's consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated below. The
selected consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with
the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included
elsewhere in this filing.
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
------------------------ AUGUST 31, -----------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ------------------- ---------- ---------- -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Income Statement Data:
Revenues:
Grain and oilseed .............. $3,624,984 $3,309,310 $ 810,723 $4,629,553 $6,036,503 $ 7,127,223
Energy ......................... 2,903,878 1,345,772 343,747 1,858,069 1,676,842 1,402,314
Agronomy ....................... 768,449 593,927 91,231 696,441 683,429 560,032
Feed and farm supplies ......... 585,145 547,732 126,907 546,063 531,177 451,882
Processed grain and
oilseed ....................... 553,349 531,877 145,645 615,049 730,101 819,864
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
8,435,805 6,328,618 1,518,253 8,345,175 9,658,052 10,361,315
Patronage dividends ............ 5,494 5,876 5,111 70,387 71,070 47,170
Other revenues ................. 130,122 100,031 19,271 98,520 85,390 81,980
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
8,571,421 6,434,525 1,542,635 8,514,082 9,814,512 10,490,465
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Cost and expenses:
Cost of goods sold ............. 8,237,995 6,140,580 1,473,243 8,149,605 9,475,682 10,185,544
Marketing, general, and
administrative ................ 160,046 148,510 34,998 126,061 126,297 130,274
Interest ....................... 57,566 42,438 12,311 34,620 33,368 46,450
Minority interests ............. 24,546 10,017 3,252 6,880 7,984 (147)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
8,480,153 6,341,545 1,523,804 8,317,166 9,643,331 10,362,121
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Income before income taxes ....... 91,268 92,980 18,831 196,916 171,181 128,344
Income taxes ..................... 3,880 6,980 2,895 19,615 19,280 13,139
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Net income ....................... $ 87,388 $ 86,000 $ 15,936 $ 177,301 $ 151,901 $ 115,205
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ===========
Balance Sheet Data (at end
of period):
Working capital ................ $ 214,223 $ 219,045 $ 284,452 $ 235,721 $ 219,395 $ 220,581
Net property, plant and
equipment ..................... 1,034,768 968,333 915,770 868,073 798,757 713,643
Total assets ................... 3,172,680 2,787,664 2,469,103 2,436,515 2,422,564 2,484,006
Long-term debt, including
current maturities ............ 510,500 482,666 456,840 378,408 335,737 315,985
Total equities ................. 1,164,426 1,117,636 1,065,877 1,029,973 944,798 849,702
29
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
The selected financial information presented below has been derived from
the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit's financial statements
for the periods indicated below. The selected financial information should be
read in conjunction with the Defined Business Unit's financial statements and
notes thereto included elsewhere in this filing.
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
------------------------- AUGUST 31, ----------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
Income Statement Data:
Revenues:
Processed oilseed sales ........ $ 325,219 $ 358,042 $ 98,919 $ 410,386 $ 441,738 $ 399,271
Other revenues and (costs) ..... 160 30 1,115 1,746 (1,660) 1,436
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
325,379 358,072 100,034 412,132 440,078 400,707
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold ............. 300,225 338,386 95,304 379,272 405,791 371,425
Marketing, general and
administrative ................ 5,131 5,095 1,257 4,730 4,342 4,545
Interest ....................... 18 557 251 380 322 151
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
305,374 344,038 96,812 384,382 410,455 376,121
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes ....... 20,005 14,034 3,222 27,750 29,623 24,586
Income taxes ..................... 1,330 800 525 1,825 2,100 1,600
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income ....................... $ 18,675 $ 13,234 $ 2,697 $ 25,925 $ 27,523 $ 22,986
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Operating Data:
Quantities processed
Soybeans (bu.) ................. 39,405 36,759 9,467 32,626 32,232 30,466
Crude oil (lb.) ................ 1,058,739 1,024,900 226,024 953,359 960,407 920,492
Production:
Meal (tons) .................... 904 841 217 754 742 728
Flour (tons) ................... 39 33 10 32 36 40
Refined oil (lbs.) ............. 1,055,535 996,176 219,918 948,797 957,398 858,240
Balance Sheet Data (at end
of period):
Working capital ................ $ 24,583 $ 22,193 $ 22,881 $ 23,111 $ 20,306 $ 28,620
Net property, plant and
equipment ..................... 40,270 39,001 35,596 34,953 33,085 24,771
Total assets ................... 95,748 80,735 82,868 91,482 92,416 74,113
Total equity ................... 64,853 61,194 58,477 58,064 53,391 53,391
Other Data(1):
Pretax income .................. $ 20,005 $ 14,034 $ 3,222 $ 27,750 $ 29,623 $ 24,586
Earnings from purchased
oil ........................... (5,103) (2,907) (58) (3,265) (7,015) (3,558)
Non-patronage joint
venture income ................ (153) (976) (738) (615) (1,354)
Book to tax differences ........ 147 13 (121) (384) 2,210 (71)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Tax basis soybean income ......... $ 14,896 $ 11,140 $ 2,067 $ 23,363 $ 24,203 $ 19,603
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Bushels processed .............. 39,405 36,759 9,467 32,626 32,232 30,466
Income per bushel .............. $ 0.38 $ 0.30 $ 0.22 $ 0.72 $ 0.75 $ 0.64
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2000
---------------
Equity Participation Units delivered (bushels) ......... 1,046
Patronage rate ......................................... $ 0.38
-------
Income to holders ...................................... $ 395
=======
- ------------------
(1) Because patronage dividends attributable to the Units are allocated based
on the number of bushels of soybeans delivered, information on earnings per
bushel is believed by the Company to be the most relevant indicator of
performance of the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit.
30
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
The selected financial information presented below has been derived from
the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's financial statements for the periods
indicated below. The selected financial information should be read in
conjunction with the Defined Business Unit's financial statements and notes
thereto included elsewhere in this filing.
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
----------------------- AUGUST 31, ------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ------------------ --------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
Income Statement Data:
Revenues:
Processed grain sales .......... $ 219,333 $ 174,133 $ 46,914 $ 205,282 $ 199,079 $ 173,316
Other revenues ................. 1,820
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
219,333 174,133 46,914 207,102 199,079 173,316
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Cost and expenses:
Cost of goods sold ............. 206,710 170,510 43,733 189,614 181,566 161,293
Marketing, general and
administrative ................ 13,146 10,610 2,071 8,072 6,749 4,472
Interest ....................... 6,876 5,184 843 3,122 5,230 4,458
Other .......................... 170 826 162 2,000
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
226,902 187,130 46,647 200,970 195,545 170,223
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(Loss) income before income
taxes ........................... (7,569) (12,997) 267 6,132 3,534 3,093
Income taxes (benefit) ........... (965) (1,125) 25 475 300 200
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net (loss) income ................ $ (6,604) $ (11,872) $ 242 $ 5,657 $ 3,234 $ 2,893
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Operating Data:
Wheat used (bu.) durum ......... 12,683 15,863 4,453 19,307 21,372 19,376
Spring ......................... 19,296 11,144 2,251 8,891 6,732 3,013
Winter ......................... 12,636 9,368 1,453 3,165
Shipments (cwt):
Semolina/flour ................. 6,313 9,258 2,351 10,505 11,168 10,085
Baking flour ................... 14,170 7,671 1,389 4,270 2,599 634
Balance Sheet Data (at end
of period):
Working capital ................ $ (30,672) $ (25,112) $ (1,361) $ 12,787 $ (1,939) $ 3,338
Net property and
equipment ..................... 128,151 110,547 97,428 85,627 69,130 59,233
Total assets ................... 189,856 165,471 162,461 146,311 120,918 125,322
Long-term debt, including
current maturities ............ 47,510 38,515 48,520 51,209 61,214 54,000
Total equity ................... 65,727 66,340 68,033 67,958 27,797 27,797
Other Data(1):
Pretax (loss) income ........... $ (7,569) $ (12,997) $ 267 $ 6,132 $ 3,534 $ 3,093
Book to tax differences ........ 1,646 2,249 103 690 2,376 (85)
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Tax basis (loss) income .......... $ (5,923) $ (10,748) $ 370 $ 6,822 $ 5,910 $ 3,008
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Bushels milled ................... 44,615 36,375 8,156 31,363 28,104 22,390
(Loss) income per bushel ......... $ (0.13) $ (0.30) $ 0.05 $ 0.22 $ 0.21 $ 0.13
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2000
---------------
Equity Participation Units (bushels) .......................... 4,623
Patronage rate ................................................ $ (0.13)
-------
Loss to holders to be carried forward against future income ... $ (614)
=======
- ------------------
(1) Because patronage dividends attributable to the Units are allocated based
on the number of bushels of wheat committed for delivery, information on
earnings per bushel is believed by the Company to be the most relevant
indicator of performance of the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit.
31
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
CONSOLIDATED COMPANY
Pursuant to a Plan of Combination dated May 29, 1998 (the Plan of
Combination), CENEX, Inc. (Cenex) and Harvest States Cooperatives combined
through merger on June 1, 1998 (the Combination) and Harvest States Cooperatives
became the surviving corporation. In accordance with the Plan of Combination,
the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of Harvest States Cooperatives were
restated and the name was changed to Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives (Cenex
Harvest States or the Company). The combination constituted a tax-free
reorganization and has been accounted for as a pooling of interests.
Prior to the Combination, Cenex's year end was September 30 and Harvest
States Cooperatives' year end was May 31. Subsequent to the Combination, the
Company changed its fiscal year end to August 31. The following management
discussion and analysis includes the consolidated statements of operations and
cash flows for the year ended May 31, 1998, which reflect the results of
operations and cash flows of Harvest States Cooperatives for the year then ended
combined with the results of operations and cash flows of Cenex for the year
ended September 30, 1997. The consolidated results of operations of Cenex for
the eight months ended May 31, 1998 have been excluded from the reported results
of operations and, therefore, have been recorded as an adjustment to the
Company's equities and cash flows in the consolidated statements of equities and
comprehensive income and cash flows during the three months ended August 31,
1998.
On September 1, 1999, National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) and
Farmland Industries, Inc. (Farmland) formed Cooperative Refining, LLC (CRLLC),
which was established to operate and manage the refineries and related pipelines
and terminals of NCRA and Farmland. NCRA and Farmland contributed inventories of
$73.8 million and $54.4 million, respectively, in exchange for their ownership
interests. Effective August 30, 2000, NCRA gave notice of its intent to
terminate and dissolve CRLLC, in accordance with the provisions of the
agreements, effective no later than September 1, 2001.
Effective January 1, 2000, Cenex Harvest States, Farmland and Land O'Lakes
created Agriliance, LLC (Agriliance), a distributor of crop nutrients, crop
protections products and other agronomy inputs and services. At formation,
Agriliance managed the agronomy marketing operations of Cenex Harvest States,
Farmland and Land O'Lakes, with the Company exchanging the right to use its
agronomy operations for 26.455% of the results of the jointly managed
operations. In March 2000, the Company sold 1.455% of its economic interest in
Agriliance, resulting in a gain of approximately $7.4 million. In July 2000, the
Company exchanged its ownership in the Cenex/Land O' Lakes Agronomy Company and
in Agro Distribution, LLC with a total investment of $64.7 million at July 31,
2000 for a 25% equity interest in Agriliance. Agriliance is also owned by
Farmland (25%) and Land O' Lakes (50%). The interests of the Company and
Farmland are held through equal ownership in United Country Brands, LLC (United
Country Brands), a joint venture holding company whose sole operations consist
of the ownership of a 50% interest in Agriliance. Equity in the joint venture
was recorded at historical carrying value of its ownership in Cenex/Land O'Lakes
Agronomy Company and Agro Distribution, LLC and no gain or loss was recorded on
the exchange. In July 2000, Agriliance secured its own financing, which is
without recourse to the Company. Agriliance then purchased the net working
capital related to agronomy operations from each of its member owners,
consisting primarily of trade accounts receivable and inventories, net of
accounts payables.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000 AND 1999
The Company's consolidated net income of $87.4 million for the year ended
August 31, 2000 represents a $1.4 million (2%) increase compared to the year
ended August 31, 1999. This increase in profitability was primarily attributable
to the Company's consumer products packaging joint venture and
32
processed grain and agronomy operations. These increases were partially offset
by decreases in the energy and grain marketing operations, primarily
attributable to lower energy and grain margins.
Consolidated net sales of $8.4 billion for the year ended August 31, 2000
represents a $2.1 billion (33%) increase compared to the year ended August 31,
1999.
Grain and oilseed sales of $3.6 billion for the year ended August 31, 2000
represents a $315.7 million (10%) increase compared to the year ended August 31,
1999. This increase was primarily due to an increase in grain volumes of
approximately 6% and an increase of $0.09 per bushel in the average sales price
of all grain and oilseed marketed by the Company compared to the prior year.
Energy sales of $2.9 billion increased $1.6 billion (116%) for the year
ended August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August 31, 1999. This increase
was primarily attributable to the formation of a refinery joint venture whereby
the Company, through its 75% ownership in NCRA, which in turn owns 58% of the
refining joint venture CRLLC, consolidates the sales of CRLLC. In addition, the
average sales price of refined fuels and propane increased $0.30 and $0.15 per
gallon, respectively, which were partially offset by a 2% and 11% decrease in
volume, respectively.
Agronomy sales of $768.4 million increased $174.5 million (29%) for the
year ended August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August 31, 1999. Crop
protection sales increased 25% in 2000 compared to 1999 primarily due to
increased volumes from new acquisitions. In addition, a crop nutrients volume
increase of 41% was partially offset by a decrease in the average selling price
of $14.88 per ton compared to the prior year. Effective January 1, 2000, the
Company exchanged its agronomy operations for a 25% equity ownership in
Agriliance, (owned indirectly through United Country Brands). As of July 31,
2000, the Company recorded results of its 25% ownership in Agriliance on the
equity method.
Feed and farm supply sales of $585.1 million increased $37.4 million (7%)
for the year ended August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August 31, 1999.
The growth in sales was primarily attributable to increased volumes from new
acquisitions and market share growth and price increases primarily in agronomy
and energy products.
Processed grain and oilseed sales of $553.3 million increased $21.5 million
(4%) for the year ended August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August 31,
1999. This increase was primarily attributable to 21% growth in sales volume and
a price increase of $0.21 per hundredweight in milled wheat products. These
increases were partially offset by a decrease in oilseed sales. A reduction in
the sales price for refined oilseed of approximately $0.06 per pound was
partially offset by an increase of approximately $17 per ton for processed
soybean products, an 8% increase in sales volume for processed products, and a
4% increase in sales volume for refined oilseed during the year ended August 31,
2000 compared to the prior year.
Other revenues of $130.1 million increased $30.1 million (30%) for the year
ended August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August 31, 1999. The Company's
share of income from joint ventures in its consumer products packaging and grain
marketing joint ventures increased by $12.2 million and $1.3 million,
respectively, during the year ended August 31, 2000 compared to the prior year.
Service and other revenues increased $12.2 million, primarily at the Company's
farm marketing and supply facilities, compared to the prior year. In addition,
in March 2000, the Company recorded a gain of $7.4 million from Land O'Lakes,
Inc. (Land O'Lakes) for the sale of 1.455% of the Company's economic interest in
Agriliance, LLC. These increases were partially offset by losses of $3.0 million
from agronomy joint ventures compared to the prior year.
Cost of goods sold of approximately $8.2 billion increased $2.1 billion
(34%) during the year ended August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August
31, 1999. The increase was primarily attributable to the impact of the
consolidation of CRLLC, which was discussed in the sales section of this
analysis, as well as an increase in the purchase price of energy crude oil.
During the year ended August 31, 2000, the average cost of refined fuels and
propane increased by $0.31 and $0.15 per gallon, respectively. Also, during the
year ended August 31, 2000, agronomy cost of goods increased by 29% compared to
1999, primarily due to increased volume from new acquisitions. The cost of all
grains and oilseed procured by the Company through its grain marketing and
country elevator operations increased by 9%, primarily
33
due to a 6% increase in volume, which was partially offset by a decrease in the
cost of grain of $0.09 per bushel compared to year ended 1999. Processed grain
and oilseed operations experienced a slight increase in cost of goods compared
to the year ended 1999. An increase in wheat milling and processed oilseed
expenses, primarily due to volumes processed, was partially offset by a reduced
average cost of processed oilseed, compared to the year ended 1999.
Marketing, general and administrative expenses of $160.0 million for the
year ended August 31, 2000 increased by $11.5 million (8%) compared to the year
ended 1999. This increase was primarily related to additional locations and
expansion of many of the Company's business segments, which was partially offset
by expense synergies realized during 2000.
Interest expense of $57.6 million for the year ended August 31, 2000
increased by $15.1 million (36%) compared to the year ended 1999. During 2000,
the average seasonal borrowings increased primarily as a result of higher
working capital needs and long-term borrowings, which reflected financial
activities related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.
Minority interests of $24.5 million for the year ended August 31, 2000
increased by $14.5 million (145%) compared to the year ended 1999. Substantially
all minority interests were related to NCRA. This net change in minority
interests during the current year was reflective of more profitable operations
within the Company's majority owned subsidiaries compared to the same period of
a year ago.
Income tax expense of $3.9 million and $7.0 million for the years ended
August 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively, resulted in effective tax rates of 4.3%
and 7.5%. The decreased 2000 effective tax rate was reflective of nonpatronage
losses in agronomy operations.
COMPARISON OF THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1999 WITH THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31,
1998
The Company's consolidated net income of $86.0 million for the year ended
August 31, 1999 represents a $91.3 million (51%) decrease from the year ended
May 31, 1998. This decrease was partially attributable to the absence of crop
nutrients patronage refund of which approximately $57.4 million was received
from the Company's primary supplier of crop nutrients during the year ended May
31, 1998. In addition, depressed gross margins in the Company's food processing
and energy operations also contributed to the decrease in net income.
Consolidated net sales of $6.3 billion for the year ended August 31, 1999
decreased approximately $2.0 billion (24%) compared to the year ended May 31,
1998.
Grain and oilseed sales of $3.3 billion decreased $1.3 billion (29%) during
the year ended August 31, 1999 when compared to the year ended May 31, 1998.
Although grain volumes declined 22.2 million bushels, the primary cause for the
decreased sales was a decline in the average sales price of all grain and
oilseeds marketed by the Company of $1.15 per bushel.
Energy sales of $1.3 billion decreased $0.5 billion (28%) during the year
ended August 31, 1999 compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. Refined fuels
sales volumes decreased slightly in 1999 compared to 1998, and contributing to
the overall energy sales decline was the refined fuels reduced average sales
price of $0.18 per gallon.
Agronomy sales of $593.9 million decreased $102.5 million (15%) during the
year ended August 31, 1999 as compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. Crop
nutrient sales volumes decreased slightly in 1999 compared to 1998, and
contributing to the overall agronomy sales decline was crop nutrients reduced
average sales price of $36 per ton.
Feed and farm supplies sales of $547.7 million during the year ended August
31, 1999 were essentially unchanged in total when compared to the year ended May
31, 1998. Although there was a decrease in sales related to agronomy products
due to decreased volume and price, this was offset by an increase in sales for
feed, seed and energy products.
Processed grain and oilseed sales of $531.9 million decreased $83.2 million
(14%) during the year ended August 31, 1999 compared to the year ended May 31,
1998. This decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in sales price for
processed soybean products, primarily soymeal, of
34
approximately $76 per ton, in addition to a reduction of the average sales price
of $2.89 per hundredweight for milled wheat products partially offset by a 3.1
million hundredweight volume increase.
Patronage dividends received of $5.9 million decreased $64.5 million (92%)
during the year ended August 31, 1999 compared to the year ended May 31, 1998.
During the year ended May 31, 1998, a patronage dividend in the amount of $57.4
million was received from the Company's primary crop nutrient supplier. During
the year ended August 31, 1999, the Company did not receive a patronage dividend
from this supplier.
Other revenues of $100.0 million for the year ended August 31, 1999 were
essentially unchanged from the year ended May 31, 1998. The most significant
change within other revenues was from the Company's share of income from joint
ventures. Income from the Company's food packaging joint venture, grain
marketing joint ventures and the newly formed agronomy joint ventures increased
by $5.1 million and $2.3 million, and decreased by $4.3 million, respectively
for the year ended August 31, 1999 as compared to the year ended May 31, 1998.
This net increase in joint ventures income was offset by a decline in other
miscellaneous revenues.
Cost of goods sold of $6.1 billion decreased $2.0 billion (25%) during the
year ended August 31, 1999 compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. During the
year ended August 31, 1999, the average cost per bushel of all grains and
oilseed procured by the Company through its grain marketing and country elevator
system decreased $1.15 per bushel and the average cost of refined fuels
decreased $0.17 per gallon as compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. Also
during the year ended August 31, 1999 crop nutrient volumes decreased 103,000
tons as compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. In the Company's food
processing operations, the average cost per bushel of wheat and soybeans
declined $1.45 and $1.94 per bushel, respectively.
Marketing, general and administrative expenses of $148.5 million for the
year ended August 31, 1999 increased $22.4 million (18%) compared to the year
ended May 31, 1998. This increase was primarily related to additional locations
and expansion of many of the Company's business segments.
Interest expense of $42.4 million for the year ended August 31, 1999
increased $7.8 million (23%) compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. The
average seasonal borrowings during 1999 increased primarily as a result of
higher working capital needs and long-term borrowings, which reflected finance
activities related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.
Minority interests in operations of $10.0 million for the year ended August
31, 1999 increased $3.1 million (46%) compared to the year ended May 31, 1998.
Substantially all of the minority interest was in NCRA. The Company owns
approximately 75% of NCRA. This net change in minority interests during the
current year was reflective of more profitable operations within the Company's
majority owned subsidiaries.
Income tax expense of $7.0 million and $19.6 million for the years ended
August 31, 1999 and May 31, 1998 resulted in effective tax rates of 7.5% and
10.0%, respectively. The reduced effective tax rate for the year ended August
31, 1999 was primarily reflective of reduced nonpatronage earnings as a
percentage of total pretax earnings.
COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 WITH THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED AUGUST 31, 1997
The Company's consolidated net income for the three months ended August 31,
1998 and 1997 was $15.9 million and $35.2 million, respectively, which
represents a $19.3 million (55%) decrease. Relatively low commodity prices had a
direct impact on volume at the Company's country elevator and grain exporting
facilities and influenced demand for crop protection and plant food products.
With reduced volumes in most of the Company's business operations, gross margins
were eroded considerably by fixed costs.
Consolidated net sales of $1.5 billion decreased $0.3 billion (18%) during
the three-month period ended August 31, 1998 compared to the same period in
1997. Grain volume of approximately 230.0 million bushels during the three
months ended August 31, 1998 declined 27.0 million bushels
35
compared to the same period in 1997. In addition to decreased volumes, the
average sales price for all grains and oilseeds marketed by the Company declined
by $0.41 per bushel. Total grain and oilseed sales decreased $219.3 million
(21%) as a result of these two factors.
While the gallon sales of refined fuels increased slightly during the
three-month period ended August 31, 1998 compared with the same period in 1997,
a reduced average sales price of $0.18 per gallon resulted in a decline in sales
of $71.2 million (17%) for energy products during the 1998 period compared with
1997.
Agronomy sales declined $47.4 million (34%) during the three months ended
August 31, 1998 compared to the same period in 1997, resulting in a 12% decrease
in crop nutrient volumes, and 10% decrease in the average per ton sales price of
such products.
Feed and farm supplies sales remained essentially unchanged between the two
periods, although sales during the 1998 period represented a decline in sales
relationship to actual retail capacity due to the addition of several retail
locations since the end of the 1997 period.
Processed grain and oilseed sales increased $14.9 million (11%) during the
three months ended August 31, 1998 compared to the same period in 1997. This
change was primarily attributable to increased volume within the Company's
Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit, where soymeal sales
volume increased from approximately 105,000 tons during the three months ended
August 31, 1997, to approximately 215,000 tons during the same period in 1998.
During the three months ended August 31, 1997, the oilseed crushing plant was
closed for 41 days to allow for the installation of equipment. During the 1998
period, this crushing plant operated at its normal capacity.
Patronage dividends decreased $2.3 million (31%) during the three months
ended August 31, 1998 compared to the same period in 1997 resulting from higher
patronage earnings distributed by cooperative customers and suppliers in 1997.
Other revenue of $19.3 million decreased $0.2 million (1%) for the three
months ended August 31, 1998 compared to the same period in 1997. Earnings from
the Company's nonconsolidated consumer products packaging joint venture
decreased approximately $1.1 million for the three months ended August 31, 1998
compared to the same period in 1997. Earnings from the Company's share of a
grain exporting joint venture declined approximately $0.9 million during the
1998 period compared to 1997. In addition, the Company experienced a decline in
service income at its export terminals due to reduced bushel volume activity at
these locations. These reductions in other revenues were partially offset by a
$2.9 million increase in interest income. Due to of the relatively low cost of
grain during the period ended August 31, 1998, the Company did not have any
short term borrowing requirements. In addition, the Company's refinancing
program in anticipation of long term capital requirements, completed in June of
1998, produced temporary cash available for short term investments.
Cost of goods sold of $1.5 billion decreased $0.3 billion (17%) during the
three months ended August 31, 1998 compared to the same period in 1997. Reduced
volumes and raw material costs in most of the Company's business activities, as
discussed in the sales section of this analysis, produced most of this reduction
in costs. Although the commodity and other raw material costs which are a
component of costs of goods sold changed in relative proportion to sales
dollars, fixed operating costs remain constant regardless of volume and price
activity. This factor contributed to an erosion in total gross margin of
approximately $28.0 million (46%) during the three months ended August 31, 1998
compared with the same period in 1997.
Marketing, general and administrative expenses of $35.0 million for the
three months ended August 31, 1998 increased $5.4 million (18%) compared to the
same three months ended in 1997. Costs related to the relocation of staff and
consolidation of the business units, and a warranty claim for the re-roofing of
a building which had been part of the Company's capital contribution to the
consumer products packaging joint venture comprised the majority of this
increase.
Interest expense of $12.3 million for the three months ended August 31,
1998 represents an increase of $4.1 million (50%) compared to the same period in
1997. Long-term borrowings to finance the acquisition of property, plant and
equipment generated most of this additional expense. Long-term debt
36
proceeds not yet expended for fixed assets generated interest income as
discussed in the other revenue discussion above, and should be considered as an
offset to a portion of the increase in interest expense.
Minority interests in operations for the three-month periods ended August
31, 1998 and 1997 was $3.3 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Substantially
all of the minority interest was in NCRA.
Income tax expense of $2.9 million and $8.9 million for the three-month
periods ended August 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, resulted in effective tax
rates of 15.4% and 20.1%. The effective tax rate changes from period to period
based upon the portion of nonpatronage business activity compared to total
business activity during each period.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS
Operating activities of the Company provided net cash of $128.4 million
during the year ended August 31, 2000. Net income of $87.4 million and net
noncash income and expenses of $80.1 million were partially offset by increased
working capital requirements of approximately $39.1 million.
Operating activities for the year ended August 31, 1999 used net cash of
approximately $21.8 million. Net income of $86.0 million and net noncash income
and expenses of $27.2 million were offset by increased working capital
requirements of approximately $135.0 million.
Operating activities for the three months ended August 31, 1998 provided
net cash of $123.9 million. Net income of $15.9 million and net noncash income
and expenses of $35.3 million and decreased working capital requirements of
approximately $72.7 million, provided this net cash from operations.
Operating activities for the year ended May 31, 1998 provided net cash of
approximately $229.6 million. Net income of $177.3 million, net noncash income
and expenses of $8.3 million and decreased working capital requirements of
approximately $44.0 million, provided this net cash from operations.
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
For the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, and May 31, 1998, the net
cash flows used in the Company's investing activities totaled approximately
$184.9 million, $170.8 million and $106.8 million, respectively.
The acquisition of property, plant and equipment comprised the primary use
of cash totaling $153.8 million, $124.5 million and $145.2 million for the years
ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, and May 31, 1998, respectively. For the year
ended August 31, 2001 the Company expects to spend approximately $104.3 million
for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.
Investments for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, and May 31, 1998
totaled $35.3 million, $63.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
Investments during the year ended August 31, 2000 included the purchase of
an additional 10% interest in Ventura Foods, LLC, the Company's consumer
products and packaging joint venture, for approximately $25.6 million. The
Company now has a 50% interest in that joint venture.
On June 30, 1999, Agro Distribution, LLC and Agronomy Company of Canada,
Ltd. (the Entities), both companies owned 50/50 by the Company and Land O'Lakes,
purchased approximately 310 agronomy facilities from Terra International, Inc.,
at a price of approximately $350.0 million. In conjunction with this purchase
transaction, the Company invested $51.5 million in the Entities. Financing
arrangements of the Entities, to be managed by the Cenex/Land O'Lakes Agronomy
Company (of which Cenex Harvest States owned 50%), were without recourse to the
Company.
Acquisitions of intangibles of $26.5 million for the year ended August 31,
2000 resulted primarily from the purchase of Sparta Foods, Inc. and the
wholesale propane marketing business of Williams Energy Marketing and Trading
Company.
Distributions to minority owners for the year ended August 31, 2000 and
1999, and May 31, 1998 were $21.1 million, $2.3 million and $1.9 million,
respectively, and were primarily related to NCRA. For the year ended August 31,
2000, NCRA's distributions also included the distributions made by CRLLC.
37
Partially offsetting cash outlays in investing activities were proceeds
from the disposition of property, plant and equipment of approximately $7.7
million, $6.8 million and $21.9 million for the years ended August 31, 2000 and
1999, and May 31, 1998, respectively. Also partially offsetting cash usage were
distributions received from joint ventures and investments totaling $43.9
million, $11.2 million and $29.9 million for the years ended August 31, 2000 and
1999, and May 31, 1998, respectively.
Investing activities of the Company used net cash of $43.7 million during
the three-month period ended August 31, 1998. Expenditures for the acquisition
of property, plant and equipment of $41.2 million were the major uses of cash
during the period.
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
The Company finances its working capital needs through short-term lines of
credit with a syndication of banks. In June 1998, the Company established a
364-day credit facility of $400.0 million committed. In May 2000, the Company
renewed and expanded this facility to $500.0 million committed. In addition to
these lines of credit, the Company has a 364-day credit facility dedicated to
NCRA, with a syndication of banks in the amount of $50.0 million, all of which
was committed. On August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, the Company had total
short-term indebtedness outstanding on these various facilities and other
short-term notes payable totaling $217.9 million, $197.0 million and $0.5
million, respectively.
In June 1998, the Company established a five-year revolving credit facility
with a syndication of banks, with $200.0 million committed. On August 31, 2000
the Company had an outstanding balance of $45.0 million categorized as long-term
debt. This outstanding balance was drawn during the third quarter of the year
ended August 31, 2000 to finance the purchase of an additional 10% interest in
Ventura Foods, LLC, as previously discussed, and other capital expenditures.
The Company has financed its long-term capital needs in the past, primarily
for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, with long-term agreements
through the banks for cooperatives. In June 1998, the Company repaid certain of
its existing debt and established a new long-term credit agreement, through the
banks for cooperatives, in which the term balance outstanding as of May 31, 1998
was repaid and partially refinanced through the new agreement. This facility
committed $200.0 million of long-term borrowing capacity to the Company, with
repayments through the fiscal year 2009. The commitment expired on May 31, 1999.
The amount outstanding on this credit facility was $157.4 million, $164.0
million and $134.0 million on August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Repayments of approximately $6.6 million were made on this facility during the
year ended August 31, 2000.
Also in June 1998, the Company issued a private placement with several
insurance companies for long-term debt in the amount of $225.0 million, with
repayments beginning in the year 2008 and ending in the year 2013.
During the year ended August 31, 1999, the Company, through NCRA, borrowed
an additional $10.0 million with equal annual repayments through the year 2009.
On August 31, 2000, the Company had total long-term debt outstanding of
$510.5 million, of which approximately $259.7 million was bank financing, $225.0
was private placement proceeds and $25.8 million was industrial development
revenue bonds, capitalized leases and other notes and contracts payable.
During the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, and May 31, 1998, the
Company borrowed on a long-term basis $49.9 million, $40.0 million and $83.9
million, respectively, and during the same periods repaid long-term debt of
$22.5 million, $14.6 million and $42.2 million, respectively. During the
three-month period ended August 31, 1998 the Company borrowed on a long-term
basis $359.1 million and repaid long-term debt of $317.2 million.
In accordance with the By-Laws and by action of the Board of Directors,
annual net earnings from patronage sources are distributed to consenting patrons
following the close of each fiscal year and are based on amounts reportable for
federal income tax purposes as adjusted in accordance with the By-Laws. The
patronage earnings from the fiscal year ended August 31,1999 were distributed
during the second quarter of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000. The cash
portion of this distribution, deemed by the Board of Directors to be 75% for
Equity Participation Units and 30% for other patronage earnings,
38
was approximately $17.9 million. During the years ended August 31, 1999 and May
31, 1998 the Company paid out cash patronage of approximately $43.8 million and
$35.9 million, respectively, which represented 80% cash patronage for Equity
Participation Units and 30% cash patronage for other patronage earnings in both
years.
Cash patronage for the year ended August 31, 2000, deemed by the Board of
Directors to be 75% for Equity Participation Units and 30% for other patronage
earnings, to be distributed in fiscal year 2001, is expected to be approximately
$26.2 million and is classified as a current liability on the August 31, 2000
balance sheet.
For the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999 and May 31, 1998, the Company
redeemed patronage related equities in accordance with authorization from the
Board of Directors in the amounts of approximately $28.7 million, $23.8 million
and $36.9 million, respectively. During the three-month period ended August 31,
1998, the Company redeemed patronage related equities of approximately $4.4
million.
The current equity redemption policy, as authorized by the Board of
Directors, allows for the redemption of capital equity certificates held by
inactive direct members and patrons and active direct members and patrons at age
72 or death who were of age 61 or older on June 1, 1998. For active direct
members and patrons who were of age 60 or younger on June 1, 1998, and member
cooperatives, equities will be redeemed annually based on a prorata formula
where the numerator is dollars available for such purpose as determined by the
Board of Directors, and the denominator is the sum of the patronage certificates
held by such eligible members and patrons. Such redemptions related to the year
ended August 31, 2000, to be distributed in fiscal year 2001, are expected to be
approximately $17.5 million and are classified as a current liability on the
August 31, 2000 balance sheet.
During the year ended May 31, 1997, the Company offered securities in the
form of Equity Participation Units (EPUs) in its Wheat Milling and Oilseed
Processing and Refining Defined Business Units. These EPUs give the holder the
right and obligation to deliver to the Company a stated number of bushels in
return for a prorata share of the undiluted grain based patronage earnings of
these respective Defined Business Units. The offering resulted in the issuance
of such equity with a stated value of $13,870,000 and generated additional
capital and cash of $10,837,000, after issuance cost and conversion privileges.
Conversion privileges allowed a member to elect to use outstanding patrons'
equities for the payment of up to one-sixth the purchase price of the EPUs.
Holders of the EPUs will not be entitled to payment of dividends by virtue
of holding such units. However, holders of the units will be entitled to receive
patronage refunds attributable to the patronage sourced income from operations
of the applicable Defined Business Unit on the basis of wheat or soybeans
delivered pursuant to the Member Marketing Agreement. The Board of Directors'
goal is to distribute patronage refunds attributable to the EPUs in the form of
75% cash and 25% capital equity certificates, and to retire those capital equity
certificates on a revolving basis seven years after declaration. However, the
decision as to the percentage of cash patronage will be made each fiscal year by
the Board of Directors and will depend upon the cash and capital needs of the
respective Defined Business Units and is subject to the discretion of the Board
of Directors. The redemption policy will also be subject to change at the
discretion of the Board of Directors.
EFFECT OF INFLATION AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The Company believes that inflation and foreign currency fluctuations have
not had a significant effect on its operations.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 133, a standard related to the accounting for derivative transactions and
hedging activities. In June 1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137 which defers the
effective date of SFAS No. 133 to all fiscal quarters of all fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2000. This statement has been adopted effective
September 1, 2000, but is not expected to materially impact the Company's
financial statements.
39
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
Pursuant to a Plan of Combination dated May 29, 1998 (the Plan of
Combination), CENEX, Inc. (Cenex) and Harvest States Cooperatives combined
through merger on June 1, 1998 (the Combination) and Harvest States Cooperatives
became the surviving corporation. In accordance with the Plan of Combination,
the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of Harvest States Cooperatives were
restated and the name was changed to Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives (Cenex
Harvest States or the Company).
Subsequent to the Combination, the Company changed its fiscal year end to
August 31. The management discussion and analysis of the Oilseed Processing &
Refining Defined Business Unit which follows, compares the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2000 with the year ended August 31, 1999, as well the year ended
August 31, 1999 with the year ended May 31, 1998. In addition, the three-month
transition period ended August 31, 1998 is compared with the unaudited
three-month period ended August 31, 1997.
See the Management Discussion and Analysis for the Company in regard to new
accounting pronouncements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Certain operating information pertaining to the Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit is set forth below, as a percentage of sales,
except processing margins.
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
----------------------- AUGUST 31, ------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross margin
percentage ................ 7.69% 5.49% 3.65% 7.58% 7.76% 7.33%
Marketing, general and
administrative ............ 1.58% 1.42% 1.27% 1.15% .98% 1.14%
Interest ................... 0.01% 0.16% 0.25% 0.09% 0.07% 0.04%
Processing margins
Crushing/bu ............... $ .21 $ .18 $ .14 $ .57 $ .59 $ .60
Refining/lb ............... $.0155 $.0127 $.0099 $.0133 $.0173 $.0154
Because of the volatility of commodity prices, the Company believes that
processing margins are a better measure of the Defined Business Unit's
performance than gross margin percentages.
COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000 AND 1999
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit's net income of
$18.7 million for the year ended August 31, 2000 represents a $5.4 million
increase (41%) compared to the year ended August 31, 1999. This improvement in
net income for the year ended August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August
31, 1999 was a result of an increase in gross margin for refined oil of
approximately 3 tenths of a cent per pound, an increase in refined oil volume of
approximately 4%, and an increase in processed soybean product volume of
approximately 8%, which was partially offset by higher plant expense.
Net sales of $325.2 million for the year ended August 31, 2000 decreased by
$32.8 million (9%) compared to the year ended August 31, 1999. A reduction in
the sales price for refined oil of approximately $0.06 per pound was partially
offset by an increase of approximately $17 per ton for processed soybean
products, an 8% increase in sales volume for processed products, and a 4%
increase in sales volume for refined oil during the year ended August 31, 2000
compared to the prior year.
Other revenues increased approximately $0.1 million during the year ended
August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August 31, 1999. During the year
ended August 31, 2000, the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit
received approximately $0.2 million from an oilseed joint venture partially
offset by a net loss on disposal of property plant and equipment. During the
year ended August 31, 1999, the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business
recorded a net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment of
approximately $0.2 million, and did not receive any joint venture income during
that period.
40
Cost of goods sold of $300.2 million for the year ended August 31, 2000
decreased $38.2 million (11%) compared to the year ended August 31, 1999.
Reduced cost for crude soybean oil averaging $0.08 per pound, and reduced cost
for cost for soybeans $0.17 per bushel, during the year ended August 31, 2000
compared to the year ended August 31, 1999, were partially offset by a 7%
increase in crush volume (approximately 2.6 million bushels) and a 2% increase
in refining volume (approximately 10.7 million pounds).
Marketing, general and administrative expenses of $5.1 million for the year
ended August 31, 2000 were essentially unchanged compared to the year ended
August 31, 1999.
Interest expense for the year ended August 31, 2000 was minimal, compared
with approximately $0.6 million for the year ended August 31, 1999. This
favorable variance is primarily attributable to the lower price of raw material
and finished products, which resulted in reduced borrowings on average
outstanding daily balances.
Income tax expense of $1.3 million and $0.8 million for the years ended
August 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively, resulted in effective tax rates of 6.6%
and 5.7%, respectively. The effective tax rate changes from period to period
based upon the portion of nonpatronage business activity compared to total
business activity during each period.
COMPARISON OF THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1999 WITH THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31,
1998
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit's net income of
$13.2 million for the year ended August 31, 1999 represents a $12.7 million
decrease (49%) compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. This decrease is
primarily attributable to reduced gross margins for soymeal and other processed
soybean products. The average gross margin for such products declined
approximately $15.60 per ton during the year ended August 31, 1999, compared to
the gross margin per ton generated on those products during the year ended May
31, 1998.
Net sales of $358.0 million for the year ended August 31, 1999 decreased by
$52.3 million (13%) compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. A reduction in the
sales price for processed soybean products, primarily soymeal, of approximately
$76.00 per ton and a decline of about $0.02 a pound for refined oil, partially
offset by an 11% increase in sales volume for processed soybean products and a
7% increase in refined oil volume produced this change in sales dollars.
Other revenues decreased approximately $1.7 million during the year ended
August 31, 1999 compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. For the year ended May
31, 1998, the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit received
approximately $0.7 million from an oilseed joint venture, and also recognized
net gains on the sale of property, plant and equipment totaling approximately
$0.7 million. During the year ended August 31, 1999, the Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit recorded a net loss on the disposal of property,
plant and equipment of approximately $0.2 million, and did not receive any joint
venture income during the period.
Cost of goods sold of $338.4 million for the year ended August 31, 1999
decreased $40.9 million (11%) compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. Reduced
cost for soybeans averaging $1.94 per bushel and reduced cost for crude soybean
oil averaging $0.012 per pound during the year ended August 31, 1999, compared
to the year ended May 31, 1998, were partially offset by a 13% increase in crush
volume (4.1 million bushels) and a 7% increase in refining volume (71.5 million
pounds).
Marketing, general and administrative expenses of $5.1 million for the year
ended August 31, 1999 increased approximately $0.4 million (8%) compared to the
year ended May 31, 1998. Essentially all of this increase relates to wages and
employee benefits.
Interest expense for the year ended August 31, 1999 was $0.6 million,
compared with approximately $0.4 million for the year ended May 31, 1998. This
change is primarily attributable to capital expenditures made during and
subsequent to the 1998 period.
Income tax expense of $0.8 million and $1.8 million for the years ended
August 31, 1999 and May 31, 1998 respectively, resulted in effective tax rates
of 5.7% and 6.6%, respectively. The effective tax rate changes from period to
period based upon the portion of nonpatronage business activity compared to
total business activity during each period.
41
COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 AND 1997
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit's net income of
$2.7 million for the three months ended August 31, 1998 represents a $0.5
million decrease (15%) compared to the same period in 1997. This decrease is
primarily attributable to lower gross margins for refined oil. The average gross
margin per pound on refined oil generated by the Oilseed Processing and Refining
Defined Business Unit during the three months ended August 31, 1998 declined 33%
compared to the margin for the same three-month period in 1997. The impact of
the reduction in profitability was partially offset by increased sales volume of
soymeal, at an average gross margin 40% higher per ton than that of the 1997
period.
Net sales of $98.9 million for the three-month period ended August 31, 1998
increased by $12.6 million (15%) compared to the same period in 1997. During the
three months ended August 31, 1997, the crushing portion of the plant was shut
down for 41 days to allow for the installation of new equipment. As a result,
soymeal and soyflour sales activity was reduced to approximately 110,000 tons
during the 1997 three-month period, compared with almost 230,000 tons during the
1998 three-month period. While increased processing volume increased sales
dollars, a significant decline of approximately $110 a ton in the sales price
partially offset the volume variance. Together, these factors increased sales
approximately $6.0 million. For the refined oil portion of the business, volumes
were approximately the same in each of the three-month periods, while an
increase in the per pound price of refined soybean oil increased sales
approximately $6.6 million.
Other revenues of $1.1 million during the three months ended August 31,
1998 decreased approximately $0.1 million (7%) compared to the same period in
1997. During the 1997 period, the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined
Business Unit recognized gains on disposal of replaced equipment of
approximately $0.5 million. Also included in other revenues for both of the
three-month periods is income from an oilseed joint venture. Income from this
source during the 1998 period exceeded that recognized in the 1997 period by
approximately $0.3 million.
Cost of goods sold of $95.3 million for the three months ended August 31,
1998 increased $12.8 million (16%) compared to the same period ended in 1997.
This change is primarily attributable to the increase in soymeal volume
discussed above in the sales analysis, partially offset by a decline of
approximately $2 per bushel in cost of soybeans.
Marketing, general and administrative expenses of $1.3 million for the
three months ended August 31, 1998 were essentially unchanged from the same
period in 1997.
Interest expense for the three months ended August 31, 1998 was $0.3
million, compared with $0.01 million of a year ago. This increase is primarily
attributable to increased average inventory levels during the 1998 three-month
period. During the 1997 period, soybean and processed product inventories were
minimal during the shutdown period discussed above, as were receivables related
to the sale of processed soybean products.
Income tax expense of $0.5 million and $0.7 million for the three months
ended August 31, 1998 and 1997 respectively, resulted in effective tax rates of
16.3% and 17.6%, respectively. The effective tax rate changes from period to
period based upon the portion of nonpatronage business activity compared to
total business activity during each period.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit's cash
requirements result from capital improvements and a need to finance inventories
and receivables based on raw material costs and levels. These cash needs are
expected to be fulfilled by the Company.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS
Operating activities for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, and May
31, 1998, provided net cash of $12.6 million, $22.0 million, and $27.2 million,
respectively. For the year ended August 31, 2000, net income of $18.7 million,
noncash revenues and expenses of approximately $2.6 million were partially
offset by an increase in working capital requirements of approximately $8.7
million. For the year ended August 31, 1999, net income of $13.2 million,
noncash revenues and expenses of approximately
42
$2.5 million, and decreased working requirements of approximately $6.3 million
provided this net cash from operating activities. For the year ended May 31,
1998, net income of $25.9 million and noncash revenues and expenses of
approximately $1.4 million were partially offset by increased working capital
requirements of approximately $0.1 million.
Operating activities for the three-month periods ended August 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively, provided net cash of $11.3 million and $21.2 million due to
net income of $2.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively, noncash revenues and
expenses of $0.6 million in 1998 and decreased working capital requirements of
approximately $8.0 million and $18.0 million during the periods ended in 1998
and 1997, respectively.
CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit used net cash of
approximately $3.9 million and $5.9 million during the years ended August 31,
2000 and 1999, respectively, primarily for the acquisition of property, plant
and equipment. During the year ended May 31, 1998, the Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit received cash of approximately $10.7 million from
the sale of soybean processing equipment and entered into a leaseback
transaction for that equipment. During that same period, the Oilseed Processing
and Refining Defined Business Unit expended approximately $14.0 million for the
purchase of property, plant and equipment. For the year ended August 31, 2001,
the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit expects to spend
approximately $7.0 million for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit used net cash of
approximately $1.2 million and $8.2 million during the three-month periods ended
August 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, for the purchase of property, plant and
equipment. During the three-month period ended August 31, 1997, the Oilseed
Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit received cash of approximately
$10.3 million for the sale of soybean processing equipment, which was
subsequently leased back from the purchaser. This transaction, as well as the
capital expenditures for this three-month period of $8.2 million, are included
in the activity for the year ended May 31, 1998.
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit's financing
activities are coordinated through the Company's cash management department.
Cash from all of the Company's operations is deposited with the Company's cash
management department and disbursements are made centrally. As a result, the
Defined Business Unit has a zero cash position. Financing is available from the
Company to the extent of the Company's working capital position and corporate
loan agreements with various banks, and the cash requirements of all other
Company operations.
Working capital requirements for a Defined Business Unit of the Company are
reviewed on a periodic basis, and could potentially be restricted based upon
management's evaluation of the prevailing business conditions and availability
of funds.
With respect to earnings for the year ended August 31, 2000, total income
from the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit will be withdrawn
by the Company from the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit
except to the extent that patronage dividends are not paid in cash and are
instead retained in the Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit as
equity. Such dividends retained as equity from the Equity Participation Unit
share of earnings, which equals 25% of the total patronage refund to such
patron's share of earnings, totaled approximately $0.1 million and will be
matched with equity on behalf of the Company's open membership in proportion to
non-Equity Participation Unit bushels processed totaling approximately $3.6
million.
The Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit had debt
outstanding to the Company of $15.9 million on August 31, 2000 compared with
$9.5 million on August 31, 1999. On August 31, 1998, the Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit had debt outstanding to the Company of $15.1
million. These interest-bearing balances reflect working capital and fixed asset
financing requirements at the end of the respective years.
43
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
Pursuant to a Plan of Combination dated May 29, 1998 (the Plan of
Combination), CENEX, Inc. (Cenex) and Harvest States Cooperatives combined
through merger on June 1, 1998 (the Combination) and Harvest States Cooperatives
became the surviving corporation. In accordance with the Plan of Combination,
the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of Harvest States Cooperatives were
restated and the name was changed to Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives (Cenex
Harvest States or the Company).
Subsequent to the Combination, the Company changed its fiscal year end to
August 31. The management discussion and analysis of the Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit which follows, compares the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000 with
the year ended August 31, 1999, as well the year ended August 31, 1999 with the
year ended May 31, 1998. In addition, the three-month transition period ended
August 31, 1998 is compared with the unaudited three-month period ended August
31, 1997.
See the Management Discussion and Analysis for the Company in regard to new
accounting pronouncements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Certain operating information pertaining to the Defined Business Unit is
set forth below, as a percentage of sales, except for margins per hundred weight
(Margins/cwt).
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, THREE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED MAY 31,
----------------------- AUGUST 31, ------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross margin
percentage ............. 5.76% 2.08% 6.78% 7.63% 8.80% 6.94%
Marketing, general and
administrative ......... 5.99% 6.09% 4.41% 3.93% 3.39% 2.58%
Interest ................ 3.13% 2.98% 1.80% 1.52% 2.63% 2.57%
Margins/cwt ............. $ .62 $ .21 $ .85 $1.06 $1.27 $1.12
Because of the volatility of commodity prices, the Company believes that
margins per hundred weight (manufacturing margins) are a better measure of the
Defined Business Unit's performance than gross margin percentages.
COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000 AND 1999
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit incurred a net loss of
approximately $6.6 million for the year ended August 31, 2000 compared to a net
loss of approximately $11.9 million for the year ended August 31, 1999, an
improvement of approximately $5.3 million (44%). This improvement in operating
results is primarily attributable to a $0.41 per hundred weight increase in the
average gross margin for primary product and a 21% increase in volume.
Net sales of $219.3 million for the year ended August 31, 2000 increased
approximately $45.2 million (26%) compared to the year ended August 31, 1999.
This increase is primarily attributable to a 21% increase in volume, resulting
from the operation of the Mount Pocono mill for a full fiscal year compared to a
partial year of operations during fiscal 1999, and the acquisition of the
Fairmount, North Dakota mill in April of 2000. In addition to the volume
increase, the average sales price per hundred weight increased $0.21 per hundred
weight during the year ended August 31, 2000 compared to the year ended August
31, 1999.
Cost of goods sold of $206.7 million for the year ended August 31, 2000
increased approximately $36.2 million (21%) compared to the year ended August
31, 1999. An increase in bushel volume of approximately 8.2 million bushels,
purchased at an average price of $0.03 cents per bushel more than the 1999
price, produced an increase of $34.8 million in the raw material component of
cost of goods sold. Milling expense, related to this additional volume,
increased approximately $1.4 million during the year ended August 31, 2000
compared to the same period ended in 1999.
44
Marketing, general and administrative expenses of $13.1 million for the
year ended August 31, 2000 increased approximately $2.5 million (24%) compared
to the year ended August 31, 1999. This increase is primarily attributable to
activities of the Mount Pocono mill, which operated on a limited basis during
the 1999 period.
Interest expense of $6.9 million for the year ended August 31, 2000
increased $1.7 million (33%) compared to the year ended August 31, 1999. Most of
this increase is attributable to the capitalized costs for the Mount Pocono mill
(total cost of approximately $35.5 million) and the Fairmount mill (total cost
of approximately $19.9 million). Interest costs related to the construction of
the Mount Pocono mill were capitalized throughout construction until the mill
was operational in January, 1999. The Fairmount mill (an established mill) was
purchased in April, 2000.
An income tax benefit of $1.0 million for the year ended August 31, 2000 is
based upon an effective tax rate of 12.8 % applied to the pretax loss of
approximately $7.6 million. For the year ended August 31, 1999, an income tax
benefit of $1.1 million was based upon an effective tax rate 8.7% applied
against a pretax loss of approximately $13.0 million. The effective tax rate
varies from period to period based upon the percentage of nonpatronage business
activity to total business activity.
COMPARISON OF THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 1999 WITH THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31,
1998
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit incurred a net loss of $11.9
million for the year ended August 31, 1999 compared to net income of $5.7
million for the year ended May 31, 1998, for a decrease of $17.5 million.
Approximately $9.4 million of this decrease was created by a reduction in
production at the Huron mill, where the conversion of a semolina line to hard
wheat bakery flour reduced volume 30% compared to the year ended May 31, 1998,
with essentially the same fixed costs applied against lower volumes. The Huron
conversion was operational in February 1999, and the Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit is currently attempting to grow its share of the bakery flour
market from this mill's production. A general deterioration in gross margins of
approximately $0.66 per hundred weight for all products, along with increased
marketing, general and administrative and interest expenses of $4.6 million
created most of the balance of the decline in income.
Net sales of $174.1 million for the year ended August 31, 1999 decreased
approximately $31.1 million (15%) compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. A
reduction in the average sales price of $2.89 per hundred weight, partially
offset by a 3.1 million hundred weight volume increase produced this decline in
sales revenue. Increased volume at the Houston mill of 1.5 million hundred
weight, increased volume at the Rush City mill of 0.7 million hundred weight,
and additional production of 2.9 million hundred weight at the Mount Pocono mill
which commenced operations during the 1999 fiscal year offset a significant
decline in volume of 1.7 million hundred weight at the Huron mill.
Cost of goods sold of $170.5 million for the year ended August 31, 1999,
decreased $19.1 million (10%) compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. This
decrease was created primarily by a $1.45 per bushel decline in the cost of raw
material during the year ended August 31, 1999, compared to the year ended May
31, 1998. This price variance was partially offset by an increase in volume of
approximately 5.0 million bushels, and by a $5.8 million increase in plant
expense, primarily attributable to the Mount Pocono mill which commenced
operations in January 1999, the Houston mill which was operating in a startup
phase during much of the 1998 period and Rush City, where 1999 volume exceeded
1998 volume by 29%.
Marketing, general and administrative expenses were $10.6 million for the
year ended August 31, 1999, and increased approximately $2.5 million (31%)
compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. Approximately $1.5 million of this
increase is attributable to a provision for uncollectable accounts receivable.
The balance of this increase is primarily attributable to expenses incurred at
the Mount Pocono mill, which commenced operations during the 1999 fiscal year.
Interest expense of $5.2 million for the year ended August 31, 1999
increased $2.1 million (66%) compared to the year ended May 31, 1998. During the
year ended May 31, 1998, the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit received credit
for cooperative bank patronage refunds received by the Company attributable to
the Wheat Milling Defined Business unit's borrowings totaling approximately $0.7
million. The comparable amount received during the year ended August 31, 1999
was less than $0.1 million. On
45
June 1, 1997 the Company contributed $38.8 million of additional capital to the
Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit for the purpose of constructing the Mount
Pocono mill. Throughout the construction phase of this project, the unexpended
balance of this cash contribution reduced borrowing requirements to finance
inventories and receivables, and consequently, reduced interest expense. As cash
has been expended for Mount Pocono construction, additional borrowings have been
required to finance working capital. The balance of the increase in interest
expense during the year ended August 31, 1999 compared to the year ended May 31,
1998 is primarily attributable to this activity.
Other expenses of $0.8 million and $0.2 million for the years ended August
31, 1999 and May 31, 1998, respectively, primarily represent the recognition of
losses on certain equipment, either disposed of or obsolete for the Wheat
Milling Defined Business Unit's purposes and therefore available for sale.
An income tax benefit of $1.1 million for the year ended August 31, 1999 is
based upon an effective tax rate of 8.7% applied to the pretax loss of $13.0
million. For the year ended May 31, 1998, income tax expense of $0.5 million
resulted in an effective tax rate of 7.7%. The effective tax rate changes from
period to period based upon the portion of nonpatronage business activity
compared to total business activity during each period.
COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 AND 1997
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's net income of $0.2 million for
the three-month period ended August 31, 1998 decreased $1.0 million (81%)
compared to the same period in 1997. Commencing in June 1998 and continuing
throughout the period, the Defined Business Unit began conversion of a semolina
line at the Huron mill to hard wheat bakery flour. This disruption of production
resulted in a 35% decline in volume, compared to the same period in 1997. While
fixed costs at the facility remained relatively constant with the prior period,
revenues net of raw material costs declined significantly. This situation caused
operating earnings to decline approximately $1.4 million. This decline in profit
contribution from the Huron mill was partially offset by increased volume from
the other mills.
Net sales for the three months ended August 31, 1998 of $46.9 million
increased $2.5 million (6%) compared to the same period in 1997. Increased sales
volume for all products of approximately 600,000 hundred weight, offset by a
$0.76 per hundred weight average reduction in sales price produced this increase
in sales dollars. The increased sales volume was primarily through the Houston
and Rush City mills, offset by a decline in production at the Huron mill. The
Houston mill was in its early startup phase during the 1997 three-month period,
while the Rush City mill was not operating in June and early July of 1997 due to
a shortage of business. The Huron mill operated at approximately 65% of its
normal volume during the three months ended August 31, 1998, as one of the
semolina milling lines at that facility was in the process of being converted to
hard wheat bakery flour milling capacity.
Cost of goods sold of $43.7 million for the three months ended August 31,
1998, increased $3.2 million (8%) compared to the same period in 1997. The raw
material component of cost of goods sold increased $3.0 million for the 1998
period compared with 1997. Increased volume contributed $5.4 million to this
increase, partially offset by $2.4 million in lower per bushel costs. Mill
expenses were essentially the same between the two periods.
Marketing, general and administrative expenses were $2.1 million during the
three months ended August 31, 1998, an increase of $0.4 million (26%) compared
to 1997. This increase was primarily attributable to additional staffing and
system expansion costs related to the Houston mill and in anticipation of future
volumes from the Mount Pocono mill.
During the three months ended August 31, 1998, the Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit incurred interest expense of $0.8 million. During the same period
of 1997, the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit generated interest income of
approximately $0.3 million on its working capital account with the Company,
which is attributable to the capital contribution of $38.8 million made by the
Company on June 1, 1997 for the purpose of constructing the Mount Pocono mill.
During the three months ended August 31, 1997, the Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit incurred interest expense on its long-term debt of $1.1 million,
for a net interest expense during the period of approximately $0.8 million.
While the working capital credit balance which generated the prior year's
interest income was depleted as
46
construction costs for Mount Pocono mill were paid, resulting interest costs
have been capitalized as part of the new mill fixed asset. Consequently, net
interest expense for the two periods was essentially unchanged.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's cash requirements result from
capital improvements and a need to finance inventories and receivables based on
raw material costs and levels. These cash needs are expected to be fulfilled by
the Company.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS
Operating activities for the year ended August 31, 2000 used net cash of
approximately $10.0 million. The net loss of $6.6 million and increased working
capital requirements of approximately $10.9 million were partially offset by
noncash expenses of approximately $7.5 million.
Operating activities for the years ended August 31, 1999 and May 31, 1998
provided net cash of approximately $2.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
For the year ended August 31, 1999, the net loss of $11.9 million was offset by
noncash expenses of approximately $6.7 million and decreased working capital
requirements of approximately $8.1 million. For the year ended May 31, 1998, net
income of $5.7 million and noncash expenses of approximately $4.9 million were
partially offset by increased working capital requirements of approximately $9.1
million.
Operating activities for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and 1997
used net cash of $0.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively. For the
three-month period ended in 1998, net income of $0.3 million and noncash
expenses of $1.3 million were offset by increased working capital requirements
of approximately $2.5 million. For the same period ended in 1997, net income of
$1.3 million and non cash expenses of $1.2 million were offset by increased
working capital requirements of approximately $3.8 million.
CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash flows expended for the acquisition of property, plant, and equipment
during the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, and May 31, 1998, totaled
approximately $24.1 million, $18.7 million and $20.3 million, respectively. For
the year ended August 31, 2001 the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit expects
to spend approximately $6.8 million for the acquisition of property, plant and
equipment.
During the three-month periods ended August 31, 1998 and 1997, the Wheat
Milling Defined Business Unit expended approximately $12.8 million and $2.3
million, respectively, for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit's financing activities are
coordinated through the Company's cash management department. Cash from all of
the Company's operations is deposited with the Company's cash management
department and disbursements are made centrally. As a result, the Defined
Business Unit has a zero cash position. Financing is available from the Company
to the extent of the Company's working capital position and corporate loan
agreements with various banks, and the cash requirements of all other Company
operations.
Working capital requirements for a Defined Business Unit of the Company are
reviewed on a periodic basis, and could potentially be restricted based upon
management's evaluation of the prevailing business conditions and the
availability of funds.
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit had short-term debt outstanding and
payable to the Company of $68.0 million on August 31, 2000, compared with $48.9
million on August 31, 1999, and $33.2 million on August 31, 1998. Increased
working capital requirements during the year ended August 31, 2000 required
additional borrowing from the Company. The increase from 1998 to 1999 is
primarily due to payments for the Mount Pocono mill capital expenditures, for
which the Company had contributed $38.8 million of capital on June 1, 1997.
47
The Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit had long-term debt outstanding to
the Company of $47.5 million, $38.5 million, and $48.5 million on August 31,
2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. This debt, net of subsequent repayments, was
incurred for the acquisition, expansion and construction of certain mills within
the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit. During the year ended August 31, 2000,
the Defined Business Unit borrowed $19.0 million from the Company, due in April,
2003, for the purchase of the Fairmount, North Dakota mill. During the same
period, the Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit made repayments of long-term
debt totaling approximately $10.0 million.
With respect to the net operating loss of the current period, the Company's
Board of Directors has resolved that the portion of this loss attributable to
the Equity Participation Units be carried forward, as authorized in the
Company's By-Laws, against future earnings attributable to the Equity
Participation Units. The loss carryforward attributable to the Equity
Participation Units from operations for the year ended August 31, 2000 is
approximately $0.6 million. Cumulative loss carryforward attributable to the
Equity Participation Units at August 31, 2000 is approximately $2.3 million.
ITEM 7(a). QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company, as part of its trading activity, utilizes futures and option
contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk. The
Company is exposed to risk of loss in the market value of inventories and fixed
or partially fixed purchase and sale contracts. So as to reduce that risk, the
Company generally takes opposite and offsetting positions using future contracts
or options.
Certain commodities cannot be hedged with future or option contracts
because such contracts are not offered for these commodities by regulated
commodity exchanges. Inventories and purchase contracts for those commodities
are hedged with forward sales contracts to the extent practical so as to arrive
at a net commodity position within the formal position limits set by the Company
and deemed prudent for each of those commodities. Commodities for which future
contracts and options are available are also typically hedged first in this
manner, with futures and options used to hedge within position limits that
portion not covered by forward contracts.
Unrealized gains and losses on futures contracts and options used to hedge
grain and oilseed inventories and fixed priced contracts are recognized for
financial reporting, and the inventories and fixed priced contracts are marked
to market so that gains or losses on the derivative contracts are offset by
gains or losses on inventories and fixed priced contracts during the same
accounting period.
Unrealized gains and losses on futures contracts and options used to hedge
energy inventories and fixed priced contracts are deferred until such future
contracts and options are closed. The inventories hedged with these derivatives
are valued at lower of cost or market. Open hedge positions and deferred gains
and losses for futures and option contracts were not significant as of August
31, 2000, and a change in market price producing additional gain or loss on
these derivative contracts would be offset partially or entirely with an
offsetting gain or loss on inventories and fixed priced contracts.
The Company manages interest expense using a mix of fixed and floating rate
debt. These debt instruments are carried at amounts approximating estimated fair
value. Short term debt used to finance inventories and receivables is
represented by notes payable within thirty days or less so that the blended
interest rate to the Company for all such notes approximates current market
rates. Long-term debt used to finance non-current assets carries various fixed
interest rates and is payable at various dates so as to minimize the effect of
market interest rate changes. The effective interest rate to the Company on
fixed rate debt outstanding on August 31, 2000 was approximately 7.3%; a 10%
adverse change in market rates would not materially effect the Company's results
of operations, financial position or liquidity.
The Company conducts essentially all of its business in U.S. dollars and
has no risk regarding foreign currency fluctuations on August 31, 2000. Foreign
currency fluctuations do, however, impact the ability of foreign buyers to
purchase U.S. agricultural products and the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural
products compared to the same products offered by alternative sources of world
supply.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements listed in 14(a)(1) follow the signatures.
Registrant is not required to provide the supplementary financial information
required by Item 302. Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are
not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements
or notes thereto.
48
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The table below lists the directors of the Company as of August 31, 2000.
The Board of Directors was decreased from 27 to 17 at the December 1999 Annual
Meeting.
DIRECTOR
NAME AND ADDRESS AGE DISTRICT SINCE
---------------- --- -------- -----
Bruce Anderson 48 3 1995
13500 42nd St NE
Glenburn, ND 58740-9564
Robert Bass 46 5 1994
S 2276 Highway K
Reedsburg, WI 53959
Steven Burnet 60 6 1983
94699 Monkland Lane
Moro, OR 97039-9705
Curt Eischens 48 1 1990
RR 1 Box 59
Minneota, MN 56264
Robert Elliott 50 8 1996
324 Hillcrest
Alliance, NE 69301
Robert Grabarski 51 5 1999
1770 Highway 21
Arkdale, WI 54613
Jerry Hasnedl 54 1 1995
RR 1, Box 39
St. Hilaire, MN 56754
Glen Keppy 53 7 1999
21316 - 155th Avenue
Davenport, IA 52804
James Kile 52 6 1992
508 W Bell Lane
St. John, WA 99171
Gerald Kuster 65 3 1979
780 First Ave. N.E.
Reynolds, ND 58275-9742
Leonard Larsen 64 3 1993
5128-11th Ave. N.
Granville, ND 58741-9595
Richard Owen 46 2 1999
PO Box 129
Geraldine, MT 59446
49
DIRECTOR
NAME AND ADDRESS AGE DISTRICT SINCE
---------------- --- -------- -----
Duane Stenzel 54 1 1993
RR 2, Box 173
Wells, MN 56097
Michael Toelle 38 1 1992
RR 1 Box 190
Browns Valley, MN 56219
Richard Traphagen 55 4 1983
39555 124th Street
Columbia, SD 57433
Merlin Van Walleghen 64 4 1993
24106-408th Avenue
Letcher, SD 57359-6021
Elroy Webster 67 1 1982
Route 2 Box 123
Nicollet, MN 56074
BRUCE ANDERSON was elected to the board in 1995. He has held positions with
North Dakota Farmers Union, Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Co. and has served a
four-year term in the North Dakota House of Representatives. He is a member of
the North Dakota Agricultural Products Utilization Commission. Bruce and his
wife raise small grains on their farm near Glenburn, North Dakota.
ROBERT BASS, elected to the board in 1994, operates a 500-acre dairy and
feed grain farm with his brother near Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Bob currently serves
as president of the board of Co-op Country Partners in Baraboo, Wisconsin, an
affiliate with 1998-99 sales of $43 million. He holds a B.S. degree from the
University of Wisconsin in agricultural education and is a former vo-ag teacher.
STEVEN BURNET has been a board member since 1983 and has served as past
Chairman of Harvest States Cooperatives. He is a member of the Oregon Wheat
Growers League and the Oregon Cattlemen's Association. Steve is a past president
of Mid-Columbia Grain Growers and past vice president of North Pacific Grain
Growers. He serves as a director on the Agricultural Co-op Council of Oregon and
is a former board member of the Oregon State University Alumni Association.
Steve and his wife grow dryland wheat and barley, and support a cow/calf and
yearling operation with irrigated hay and pasture.
CURT EISCHENS was elected to the board in 1990. He has been a director for
Farmers Co-op Association in Canby for nine years, eight as chairman. He is
director of the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives, and a member of the
Minnesota Soybean Association and Minnesota Farmers Union. Curt and his wife
operate a corn and soybean farm near Canby, Minnesota.
ROBERT ELLIOTT, elected to the board in 1996, is the first director for the
region consisting of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Texas. He and his
wife operate a 5,000-acre farm near Alliance, Nebraska. Bob is president of the
Hemingford Scholarship Foundation. He is past president of the Nebraska Wheat
Growers Association and served on the boards of Western Cooperative Alliance
(Westco) and New Alliance Bean & Grain Company.
ROBERT GRABARSKI was elected to the board in 1999. He has a long history of
cooperative leadership, including 25 years on the Farmers Union Co-op Services,
Adams, Wisconsin, board of directors. For the last 13 years, he has served as
chairman of this local cooperative's board. Grabarski has also served on the
Alto Co-op Creamery Board, Waupun, Wisconsin, for the past seven years, and
currently holds the first vice chair position. He is active in a wide range of
civic organizations, including serving on the fire department in the Adams
Volunteer Fire District, as well as volunteer auctioneering for local charitable
organizations. He and his wife operate a 1,200-acre farm and milk a 65-head herd
of registered Holstein dairy cattle.
JERRY HASNEDL was elected to the board in 1995. He is a member and past
director of Northwest Grain, a Cenex Harvest States regionalization; a member
of Farmers Union Oil Co. in Thief River Falls;
50
Garden Valley Telephone Co-op in Erskine; Red Lake Electric Co-op in Red Lake
Falls; Minnesota Wheat Growers; and Minnesota Barley Growers. He is currently
serving on the interim board for Minnesota Marketplace. He and his wife raise
wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, sunflowers and alfalfa on their northern
Minnesota farm.
GLEN KEPPY was elected to the board in 1999. Active in a wide range of
agricultural and civic organizations, Keppy has served on the boards of the Iowa
and National Pork Producer Associations. He is a three-time Master Soybean
Grower contest winner and the recipient of the Iowa Farm Bureau's distinguished
service award. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a
degree in technical agriculture, Mr. Keppy was drafted by the Pittsburgh
Steelers and also played for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. He and his
wife operate a third-generation family farm consisting of a farrow-to-finish hog
operation and 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, oats and alfalfa hay.
JAMES KILE, the first graduate of Young Producer Institute to join the
board, was elected in 1992. He served 18 years, 10 as chairman, on the board of
his local St. John Grange Supply, and represents Cenex Harvest States on the
Washington State Council of Farmer Cooperatives and is a member of Grange and
Washington Association of Wheat Growers. He and his wife operate a 1,300-acre
dryland wheat, barley and pea operation near St. John, Washington.
GERALD KUSTER was elected to the board in 1979 and was past chairman.
Kuster's more than three decades of involvement in co-ops include serving as a
member and president of the board of Agri-City Cooperative Service in Grand
Forks, and vice president of the Burdick Center for Cooperatives, North Dakota
State University. He is a member of the Americus Township board and a deacon on
the Trinity Free Lutheran Church board. He and his wife operate a 4,000-acre
farm with their son.
LEONARD LARSEN has been a board member since 1993. He is a member of the
Farmers Union Oil Companies in Minot and Velva, Cenex Harvest States Sunprairie
Grain, and Dakota Growers Pasta Company. Starting as a board member of the
Simcoe Elevator in 1970, Leonard served through the unification with the Minot
Farmers Union Elevator, where he was a board member for 11 years and chairman
for six. He has served on the Hendrickson Township board, the First Lutheran
Church council, and the Granville Economic Development Corporation. He is a
member of the North Dakota Farmers Union and a 34-year member of the American
Legion. He and his wife and a son, farm a grain, sunflower, canola and flax
operation.
RICHARD OWEN was elected to the board in 1999. His involvement in
agriculture and civic organizations, includes serving as secretary of the
Central Montana Co-op, Geraldine, Mont., since 1994. Owen has served as
president of the Equity Co-op Association, Geraldine, Mont., and vice chair of
the Montana International Agricultural Exchange Association. He is a graduate of
Montana State University, Bozeman, and has served on the university's board of
directors. Richard and his wife operate a 2,200-acre dryland wheat, barley and
safflower operation.
DUANE STENZEL was elected to the board in 1993 and currently serves as
chairman of the Oilseed Processing & Refining defined member board. He is a
member of Watonwan Farm Service; Wells Farmers Elevator, where he served as
board president and secretary. He raises 665 acres of soybeans, sweet corn and
corn on his farm in south central Minnesota.
MICHAEL TOELLE was elected to the board in 1992. He has been serving on the
board of Country Partners Cooperative of Browns Valley for 11 years and as
chairman for the past 7 years. He also is actively involved in National FFA
Organization, Ag Council of America, Minnesota Wheat Growers, Minnesota Corn
Growers and Minnesota Soybean Growers associations. He currently serves as
chairman of the Finance & Investment Committee for the Cenex Harvest States
Foundation. He and his wife operate a grain, hog and beef farm with his brother
and parents near Browns Valley.
RICHARD TRAPHAGEN was elected to the board in 1983 and currently serves as
the second vice chairman of the Cenex Harvest States board. He is past chairman
of the board of Centrol, Inc., of South Dakota and of the board of the Farmers
Union Cooperative Association of Brown County in Columbia, South Dakota. He has
served on a number of other boards. Richard and his wife operate a 1,600-acre
corn, soybean and wheat farm.
51
MERLIN VAN WALLEGHEN has been a board member since 1993. He is a former
director of Farmers Co-op Elevator Association of Mitchell, Letcher and
Alexandria, serving as board president for 10 years. Merlin also served nine
years on the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives board of directors, seven
as president. A former FmHA committee member, he is currently chairman of the
Sanborn County Development board and also a member of Heartland Consumer Power
District board. He and his wife and a son, operate a grain farm producing corn
and soybeans.
ELROY WEBSTER was elected to the board in 1982 and became its chairman in
1988. His leadership record includes service as a director for the Minnesota
Association of Cooperatives, Western Co-op Transport Association and Agland
Cooperative. Webster is past chairman of the Agricultural Council of America and
is chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Cenex Harvest States Foundation. He
also works with Southwest State University as an advisor for its Cooperative
Studies program. He is an active farmer with a corn and soybean operation near
Nicollet, Minnesota.
At the December 1999 annual meeting, the Board decreased from 27 to 17,
consisting of five directors from Region 1 (comprised of the state of
Minnesota), one director from Region 2 (comprised of the states of Montana and
Wyoming), three directors from Region 3 (comprised of the state of North
Dakota), two directors from Region 4 (comprised of the state of South Dakota),
two directors from Region 5 (comprised of the states of Wisconsin, Michigan and
Illinois), two directors from Region 6 (comprised of the states of Alaska,
Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Utah), one director from
Region 7 (comprised of the states of Iowa and Missouri) and one director from
Region 8 (comprised of the states of Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and
Texas. (In addition to the states referenced above, the Board of Directors has
temporarily assigned the states of Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio to
Region 5, the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi to
Region 7 and the state of New Mexico to Region 8.) Downsizing was achieved by
early retirement. Twelve directors accepted an early retirement option that was
effective December 1999. The plan developed by the Board for staggered terms
designated terms for each director based upon their last election date. The plan
calls for the election in 2000 of directors in each of the following Regions:
Region 1 (Minnesota) (two seats) Incumbent Duane Stenzel
Incumbent Elroy Webster
Region 3 (North Dakota) Incumbent Leonard Larsen
Region 4 (South Dakota) Incumbent Merlin Van Walleghen
Region 6 (Alaska, Arizona, California, Incumbent Jim Kile
Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah)
Region 8 (Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Incumbent Robert Elliott
Oklahoma, Texas)
All these elections will be for three-year terms and are open to any
eligible candidate. To be eligible, a candidate must meet the following
qualifications:
* At the time of the election, the individual must be less than the age
of 68.
* The individual must be a member of this cooperative or a member of a
Cooperative Association Member.
* The individual must reside in the Region from which he or she is to be
elected.
* The individual must be an active farmer or rancher. "Active farmer or
rancher" means an individual whose primary occupation is that of a
farmer or rancher.
* The definition of "farmer or rancher" shall not include anyone who is
a full-time employee of this cooperative, or of a Cooperative
Association Member.
* The individual must currently be serving or shall have served at least
one full term as a director of a Cooperative Association Member of
this cooperative.
52
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below lists the executive officers and other senior officers of
the Company as of August 31, 2000, none of whom holds any equity in the Company.
Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors.
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- ----------------------------------------------------
John D. Johnson 52 President and Chief Executive Officer
Noel K. Estenson 61 Consultant
Michael H. Bergeland 56 Executive Vice President -- Corporate
Patrick Kluempke 52 Executive Vice President -- Corporate Planning
Tom Larson 52 Executive Vice President -- Public Affairs
Mark Palmquist 43 Executive Vice President/COO -- Grains & Foods
John Schmitz 50 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Leon E. Westbrock 53 Executive Vice President/COO -- Energy & Crop Inputs
Other senior officers:
David Kastelic 45 Senior Vice President & General Counsel
David Swenson 45 Senior Vice President -- Country Operations Group
James D. Tibbetts 50 Senior Vice President -- Grains & Foods
JOHN D. JOHNSON was born in Rhame, North Dakota, and grew up in Spearfish,
South Dakota. He earned a degree in business administration and a minor in
economics from Black Hills State University. In 1976, he joined Harvest States
Cooperatives as a feed consultant in the GTA Feeds Division, later becoming
regional sales manager, Director of Sales and Marketing and then General Manager
of GTA Feeds. In 1992, he was elected Group Vice President of Farm Marketing and
Supply for Harvest States Cooperatives and was selected President and CEO in
January 1995. Mr. Johnson became President and General Manager of Cenex Harvest
States upon its creation June 1, 1998 and was named President and Chief
Executive Officer on June 1, 2000. Mr. Johnson serves on Ventura Foods and NCRA
boards of directors.
NOEL K. ESTENSON started his career at Cenex in 1963. He was appointed
President and CEO in 1987. On June 1, 1998, Cenex, Inc. and Harvest States
Cooperatives merged to form Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives and Mr. Estenson
was named Chief Executive Officer of the Company. On June 1, 2000, Mr. Estenson
resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer so that a new Chief
Executive Officer could be named, and agreed to continue his employment in a
consulting capacity to the new Chief Executive Officer for the period from June
1 through his retirement date of December 31, 2000. He graduated from North
Dakota State University with a degree in agricultural economics.
MICHAEL H. BERGELAND is Executive Vice President Corporate and special
advisor to the leadership team. Mr. Bergeland is a native Minnesotan, and the
son of a cooperative elevator manager. He attended Moorhead State College before
joining Harvest States Cooperatives in 1967. He has held various positions in
the Grain Marketing Division, which included grain merchandising at the GTA
marketing offices of Montevideo, Minnesota; Great Falls, Montana; and Portland
Oregon. He returned to the St. Paul office in 1978 as a senior corn
merchandiser. In 1982, Mr. Bergeland was named Director of Line Elevator
Operations, In May of 1987, he was named Senior Vice President and Director of
Country Services. In January 1995, he was appointed Group Vice President of
Grain and Agri Services and in 1999 he was appointed to his current position.
PATRICK KLUEMPKE, Executive Vice President of Corporate Planning, was
raised on a family dairy farm in central Minnesota, and received a Bachelor of
Science degree in Finance and Accounting from St. Cloud University and the
University of Minnesota. Mr. Kluempke served in the United States Army in South
Vietnam and South Korea, as Aide to General J. Guthrie. He began his
agribusiness career in grain procurement and merchandising at General Mills and
later with Louis Dreyfus Corporation in export marketing. Mr. Kluempke joined
the predecessor to Cenex Harvest States when G.T.A. was being merged with North
Pacific Grain Growers, in 1983, to form Harvest States Cooperatives and has
held various positions in the commodity marketing division and at the corporate
level. Mr. Kluempke serves on the board of Ventura Foods, a joint venture
company between Cenex Harvest States and Mitsui & Company, Japan.
53
TOM LARSON is Executive Vice President, Public Affairs at Cenex Harvest
States. After growing up on a 480-acre crop and hog farm near Slayton,
Minnesota, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Education from South
Dakota State University. After working as a vo-ag teacher, he took an agronomy
sales position with Cenex and later managed the local cooperative at Hoffman,
Minnesota, for two years. Mr. Larson returned to the regional cooperative in
1978 and held positions in marketing and planning. He moved to Agronomy in 1987
and became director of Agronomy Services for Cenex/Land O'Lakes Agronomy Company
in 1988. He was later named Vice President of Agronomy Services until 1996 when
he became Vice President of Cenex Supply and Marketing which included overseeing
the operation of more than two dozen Cenex-owned agricultural supply outlets.
Mr. Larson was named to his current position -- Executive Vice President, Public
Affairs -- in January 1999. He oversees the public affairs area of the Company,
which includes communications, corporate giving, meetings and travel and
governmental affairs, including the Washington, D.C. office. He is active in the
FFA organization and is a recipient of its Honorary American Degree.
MARK PALMQUIST is the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of
Grains & Foods. He is responsible for all related areas of grains including
country operations, terminal operations, exports, logistics, transportation and
grain marketing joint ventures. He is also responsible for the operations of
wheat milling, oilseed processing and refining, and food manufacturing and
packaging. Mr. Palmquist has worked for Cenex Harvest States for 20 years.
Starting as a grain buyer and moving into merchandising, he has traded many
different commodities including corn, soybeans and spring wheat. In 1990, he
assumed the role of Vice President and director of Grain Marketing and then in
1993, was promoted to Senior Vice President. Mr. Palmquist attended Gustavus
Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, graduating in 1979. He also attended
the Master of Business Administration program at the University of Minnesota.
JOHN SCHMITZ is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company. Mr. Schmitz joined Harvest States Cooperatives in 1974 as Corporate
Accountant and has held a number of accounting and finance positions within the
Company, including divisional controller positions in Country Services, Farm
Marketing & Supply and Grain Marketing. In 1986, he was named Vice President and
controller of Harvest States, and had served in that position up to the time of
the merger with Cenex when he became Vice President, Finance, of Cenex Harvest
States. In May 1999, Mr. Schmitz became Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. Mr. Schmitz earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting
from St. Cloud State University, and is a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, the Minnesota Society of CPA's and the National
Society of Accountants for Cooperatives.
LEON E. WESTBROCK is the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating
Officer of Energy and Crop Inputs for the Company. He joined the cooperative
system in 1976 and managed three local cooperatives before joining the regional
system. At the regional level, Mr. Westbrock served in the Merchandising
Department at Cenex, and then later as Manager of the Lubricants Department and
as Director of Retailing. Since January 1, 1987, he served as Vice President
and Executive Vice president in the Petroleum Division of the Company. On
January 1, 2000 he was named President of Country Energy, LLC, an energy sales,
distribution and marketing alliance between Cenex Harvest States and Farmland
Industries. On March 1, 2000 Mr. Westbrock was appointed to his current
position. He serves as Chairman of Cooperative Refining, LLC and NCRA. He also
serves as Vice Chairman of Universal Cooperatives, Inc. and is a member of the
Agriliance Board. Mr. Westbrock received a Bachelor's Degree from St. Cloud
State University and served a tour in the U.S. Army.
OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS:
DAVID KASTELIC, Senior Vice President & General Counsel is a graduate of
St. John's University and received his law degree from the University of
Minnesota in 1980. After admittance to the Minnesota Bar Association in 1980,
Mr. Kastelic practiced as an attorney with the law firm of Moore, Costello &
Hart. In 1993, he joined the Legal Department of Harvest States and served as
Assistant General Counsel of the Company from 1998 until he was appointed to his
current position in 2000.
DAVID R. SWENSON, Senior Vice President of the Country Operations Group,
is responsible for all aspects of Farm Marketing and Supply which includes Agri
Service Centers, Regionalizations, Feed
54
Operations, Farm Supply, Fin-Ag and all Cenex Supply and Marketing locations.
Also included in this group is Harvest States Field Reps, Financial Services,
Transportation, Ag States Agency and Country Hedging, Inc. He graduated from the
University of Minnesota with an agriculture business administration degree and
began his career with the St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives. He then joined the
Company in 1979 as the director of Financial and Field Services. He has also had
the following responsibilities: Vice President, director of Line Operations
1986-1990, Senior Vice President, director of Country and Ag Marketing Services
1991-1992, Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning and Business Development
1992-1993, and Senior Vice President, Country and Marketing Services 1993-1994.
In 1995, Mr. Swenson was appointed to Senior Vice President, Farm Marketing &
Supply and is also an active member on various boards in the Ag Industry.
JAMES D. TIBBETTS, Senior Vice President -- Grains & Foods, manages the
Company's food manufacturing businesses, including the tortilla and chip
business under the Sparta Foods name, the Ventura Foods partnership and the
Rocky Mountain Milling (organic flour) business relationship. He also identifies
further food processing and packaging opportunities that help the Company
deliver value to consumers. Mr. Tibbetts joined Harvest States Cooperatives in
November 1995. During the first year, he managed the Holsum Foods Division. This
food manufacturing operation was merged with the food manufacturing operations
of Mitsui of Japan to form Ventura Foods, LLC., a major packager of
agricultural-based vegetable oil products in August, 1996. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Tibbetts was a Senior Vice President for Farm Credit Leasing in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen,
S.D., with a degree in Business Administration.
As of June 1, 1998, Noel Estenson, who was the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Cenex, became the Chief Executive Officer of Cenex Harvest
States to serve through no later than December 31, 2000. John D. Johnson, who
was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Harvest States
Cooperatives, became the President and General Manager of Cenex Harvest States,
reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. On June 1, 2000, Mr. Estenson resigned
from his position as Chief Executive Officer so that a new Chief Executive
Officer could be named, and agreed to continue his employment in a consulting
capacity to the new Chief Executive Officer for the period from June 1 through
his retirement date of December 31, 2000. As contemplated at the time of the
merger of Cenex, Inc. and Harvest States Cooperatives, Mr. Johnson assumed the
position of Chief Executive Officer of Cenex Harvest States upon Mr. Estenson's
resignation from that position on June 1, 2000.
55
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION. The following table sets forth the cash and noncash
compensation earned by the Chief Executive Officer and each of the executive
officers of the Company whose total salary and bonus or similar incentive
payment earned during the year ended August 31, 2000, exceeded $100,000 (the
Named Executive Officers):
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------
NAME AND OTHER ANNUAL ALL OTHER LTIP
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ENDED SALARY(1) BONUS(1) COMPENSATION(2) COMPENSATION(3) PAYOUTS(1)
- ------------------ ---------- ---------- -------- --------------- --------------- ------------
John D. Johnson 8/31/00 $ 600,000 $540,000 $14,672 $12,720 $ 719,280
President and Chief Executive 8/31/99 583,347 235,971 8,622 13,468
Officer 5/31/98 550,000 350,000 6,699 11,600
Noel K. Estenson 8/31/00 1,856,267(4) 344,679 20,000 6,869 2,282,541
Consultant 8/31/99 543,333 355,680 20,000 12,719
5/31/98 480,000 352,800 6,836 8,850
Michael H. Bergeland 8/31/00 300,000 235,125 10,829 8,585 470,250
Executive Vice President -- 8/31/99 273,765 227,100 7,172 16,757
Corporate 5/31/98 233,100 140,000 6,099 10,352
Patrick Kluempke 8/31/00 176,500 68,664 8,194 7,068 92,995
Executive Vice President -- 8/31/99 157,530 50,681 10,253 11,809
Corporate Planning 5/31/98 140,100 84,000 11,260 5,506
Tom Larson 8/31/00 182,768 71,665 6,240 7,160 97,060
Executive Vice President -- 8/31/99 166,710 50,681 520 12,757
Public Affairs 5/31/98 113,325 59,800 1,482
Mark Palmquist 8/31/00 262,932 235,168 2,620 7,068 184,273
Executive Vice President/COO 8/31/99 201,255 85,965 9,460 10,144
-- Grains & Foods 5/31/98 181,455 93,000 9,662 5,382
John Schmitz 8/31/00 210,583 100,377 82 8,566 135,947
Executive Vice President and 8/31/99 149,475 67,095 7,526 10,145
Chief Financial Officer 5/31/98 112,285 69,000 8,899 5,234
Leon E. Westbrock 8/31/00 323,750 86,745 4,808 184,273
Executive Vice President/COO 8/31/99 313,269 125,972 723 11,066
-- Energy & Crop Inputs 5/31/98 252,500 181,688 3,662 8,850
- ------------------
(1) Amounts shown include amounts deferred at the employee's election under the
Company's Deferred Compensation Program and amounts waived in exchange for
share options.
(2) Amounts shown include personal use of a Company vehicle.
(3) Other compensation includes the Company's matching contributions under the
Company's 401(k) Plan and the portion of group term life insurance premiums
paid by the Company.
(4) Amount includes separation pay.
On June 1, 1999 the Company entered into an employment agreement with Noel
K. Estenson, the former CEO. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Estenson
will be employed from June 1, 1999 through December 31, 2000. The agreement
provides a base salary of $520,000 per year with increases annually of not less
than 4%. In addition, Mr. Estenson would be entitled to receive annual variable
and long-term incentive compensation based on projected earnings in the
long-range business plan in effect on January 1, 1998. The employment agreement
also includes covenants by Mr. Estenson not to compete with the Company for a
period of two years after his employment ends. Mr. Estenson resigned his
position of Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2000. The Company provided
Mr. Estenson separation pay of $660,000 pursuant to the agreement and appointed
him special consultant to Mr. Johnson, who in turn was appointed to the position
of President and Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2000. Mr. Estenson's
appointment will terminate effective December 31, 2000 at which time he will
retire.
56
On September 1, 2000, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
John D. Johnson, the President and CEO. The employment agreement provides for a
rolling three-year period of employment commencing on September 1, 2000 at an
initial base salary of at least $787,500, subject to annual review. Mr.
Johnson's employment may be terminated at any time by either party, subject to
the rights and obligations set forth in the employment agreement. The Company is
obligated to pay Mr. Johnson a severance allowance of 2.99 times his base salary
and target bonus in the event Mr. Johnson's employment is terminated for any
reason other than for cause (as such term is defined in the employment
agreement), death, disability or voluntary termination. The employment agreement
includes a provision to pay Mr. Johnson a severance allowance of 2.99 times his
base salary and target bonus in the event of the consolidation of the Company's
business with the business of any other entity, if Johnson is not offered the
position of Chief Executive Officer of the combined entity. The contract
provides for a gross-up for any possible excise tax. Mr. Johnson has also agreed
to a non-compete clause of two years, in the event of his termination.
The Company has also entered into an employment agreement with Michael
Bergeland, an Executive Vice President dated May 1, 1999. This agreement is for
a term beginning on the effective date and continuing through August 31, 2001.
Base salary has been set at $300,000, subject to annual review, and the maximum
annual bonus under the variable pay plan. At expiration of the agreement, Mr.
Bergeland will be given five years credit on his non-qualified retirement plan.
Mr. Bergeland has agreed to a three-year non-compete clause.
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARIZES CERTAIN BENEFITS IN EFFECT AS OF AUGUST 31, 2000
TO THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Each Named Executive Officer is eligible to participate in the Management
Compensation Incentive Program (the "Incentive Program") for the year ending
August 31, 2000. The Incentive Program is based on Company, group or division
performance and individual performance. These amounts will be paid after August
31, 2000. The target incentive is 50% of base compensation.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Each Named Executive Officer is eligible to participate in the Long-Term
Incentive Plan. The plan consists of a three-year performance period. The most
recent plan was terminated after two years and replaced by a new three-year
plan. Plan awards were prorated on a two-year basis and paid out to participants
at the end of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000. Award opportunities are
expressed as a percentage of a participating employee's position mid-point.
Company performance must meet a minimum level of pre-tax earnings per unit of
sales and net income levels before any grants are made from this plan. Awards
from the plan are grants to the Company's share option plan.
57
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS -- AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
MATURATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION AWARD OF AWARD THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
- --------------------------- --------- ---------- --------- --------- ----------
John D. Johnson $ 719,280 1999-2000 $120,000 $ 719,280 $1,080,000
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Noel K. Estenson 2,282,541 1996-2000 270,400 1,350,648 2,367,064
Consultant
Michael H. Bergeland 470,250 1999-2000 47,025 315,068 470,250
Executive Vice President --
Corporate
Patrick Kluempke 92,995 1999-2000 30,885 206,930 308,850
Executive Vice President --
Corporate Planning
Tom Larson 97,060 1999-2000 32,235 215,975 322,350
Executive Vice President --
Public Affairs
Mark Palmquist 184,273 1999-2000 61,200 410,040 612,000
Executive Vice President/COO --
Grains & Foods
John Schmitz 135,947 1999-2000 45,150 302,505 451,500
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Leon E. Westbrock 184,273 1999-2000 61,200 410,040 612,000
Executive Vice President/COO --
Energy & Crop Inputs
RETIREMENT PLAN
Each of the Named Executive Officers is entitled to receive benefits under
the Company's Cash Balance Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan"). An
employee's benefit under the Retirement Plan depends on credits to the
employee's account, which are based on the employee's total salary each year the
employee works for the Company, the length of service with the Company and the
rate of interest credited to the employee's account balance each year. Credits
are made to the employee's account from Pay Credits, Special Career Credits and
Investment Credits.
The amount of Pay Credits added to an employee's account each year is a
percentage of the employee's gross salary, including overtime pay, commissions,
severance pay, bonuses, any compensation reduction pursuant to the 401(k) Plan
and any pretax contribution to any of the Company's welfare benefit plans, paid
vacations, paid leaves of absence and pay received if away from work due to a
sickness or injury. The Pay Credits percentage received is determined on a
yearly basis, based on the years of Benefit Service completed as of January 1 of
each year. An employee receives one year of Benefit Service for every calendar
year of employment in which the employee completed at least 1,000 hours of
service.
Effective January 1, 2000, Pay Credits are earned according to the
following schedule:
PAY BELOW SOCIAL SECURITY PAY ABOVE SOCIAL SECURITY
YEARS OF BENEFIT SERVICE TAXABLE WAGE BASE TAXABLE WAGE BASE
------------------------ ------------------------- -------------------------
1 to 3 years .............. 3% 6%
4 to 7 years .............. 4% 8%
8 to 11 years ............. 5% 10%
12 to 15 years ............ 6% 12%
16 years and more ......... 7% 14%
58
Special Career Credits were designed to supplement the benefits of
mid-career employees affected by the change from the former plan to the current
Retirement Plan. Employees qualify for Special Career Credits only if they were
employed by the Company and met certain age and service requirements (as defined
by the Retirement Plan) on January 1, 1988. The following table shows the
credits for those who qualify:
TOTAL OF AGE AND BENEFIT
SERVICE ON JANUARY 1, 1988 SPECIAL CAREER CREDITS
-------------------------- ----------------------
50 to 54 ...................................... 1% of total salary
55 to 59 ...................................... 2% of total salary
60 to 64 ...................................... 3% of total salary
65 to 69 ...................................... 4% of total salary
70 or more .................................... 5% of total salary
Special Career Credits continue at the percentage rate determined from the
employee's status on January 1, 1988, for as long as the employee is with the
Company.
The Company credits an employee's account at the end of the year with an
Investment Credit based on the balance at the beginning of the year. The
Investment Credit is based on the average return for one-year U.S. Treasury
Bills for the preceding 12-month period. The maximum Investment Credit will not
exceed 12% for any year.
As of December 31, 1999, the dollar value of the account and years of
service for each of the Named Executive Officers was:
DOLLAR VALUE YEARS OF SERVICE
------------ ----------------
John D. Johnson ...................... $245,532 23
Noel K. Estenson ..................... 909,874 37
Michael H. Bergeland ................. 499,210 32
Patrick Kluempke ..................... 169,388 17
Tom Larson ........................... 242,692 23
Mark Palmquist ....................... 181,704 20
John Schmitz ......................... 216,620 25
Leon E. Westbrock .................... 308,289 19
Mr. Estenson, Mr. Westbrock and Mr. Bergeland could be eligible for a
retirement benefit, under a grandfather provision of a prior provision of the
plan, or a predecessor plan, instead of the above amount. Such amount would be
affected by age at retirement and salary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Effective April 1, 1994, the Company established a deferred compensation
plan (the Deferred Compensation Plan). Participants in the Deferred Compensation
Plan are select management or highly compensated employees of the Company who
have been designated as eligible by the President of the Company to participate
in such plan. Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, a participant may elect to
have an amount of deferred compensation credited to the participant's account
for the applicable Plan Year (as defined in the Deferred Compensation Plan). The
compensation actually earned during the Plan Year by a participant who elects
deferred compensation is reduced by the percentage or amount so elected. A
participant may elect to contribute no more than 30% of each payment of base
compensation, provided that the percentage selected is expected to result in
annual contributions totaling at least $1,000. Also, the participant may elect
to contribute either a percentage or a specific dollar amount of any bonus or
similar incentive payment that may become payable during the Plan Year, provided
the contribution will not be less than the smaller of $1,000 or 100% of the
bonus payable. The deferred compensation credited under the Deferred
Compensation Plan is allocated to the account of the participant as of the date
that the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the Participant in cash.
Income is credited to each account each Plan Year at an annual rate equal to 1%
over the five-year U.S. Treasury Bond rate as of October 1 of the year preceding
the Plan Year, as adjusted as appropriate to reflect contributions to and
distributions from the account during the Plan Year.
59
A participant's credits to his or her account are unsecured obligations of
the Company to pay the participant the actual amount of the credits upon
distribution pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan. Each participant or
beneficiary is only a general creditor of the Company with respect to his or her
account. Accounts are maintained for recordkeeping purposes only. Obligations of
the Company to pay benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan may be
satisfied by distributions from a grantor trust created by the Company in its
sole discretion for such purpose. The Company has not created any such trust.
Amounts credited to a participant's account are distributed on a
predetermined date, such as the date of retirement or the date the participant
attains a particular age, in either a lump sum or in installments pursuant to
the participant's prior irrevocable election. The Deferred Compensation Plan
also provides for distribution upon the participant's death or disability, for
unforeseeable emergencies and upon termination of the plan.
The President of the Company may at any time amend the Plan in whole or in
part for any reason. No amendment may decrease the benefits under the Plan which
have accrued prior to the date of such amendment, but any amendment may modify
the interest rate to be used for future deferrals and for the balance in each
account on the date the amendment was adopted. The Company, by action of the
President, may at any time terminate the Plan.
In October 1997, the Company adopted a share option plan, which allows
executive officers to waive bonuses and up to 30 percent of salary in exchange
for options to purchase at a discount, shares of selected mutual funds. The
Company has filed a Form S-8, dated December 12, 1997 on this program. This plan
allows officers to buy investments at a specific price. Some options have
vesting schedules.
401(k) PLAN
Each Named Executive Officer is eligible to participate in the Cenex
Harvest States Savings Plan (the 401(k) Plan). All benefit-eligible employees of
the Company are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Effective January 1,
1999 participants may contribute between 1% and 16% (not to exceed 6% in the
case of "highly compensated" employees) of their pay on a pre-tax basis. Each of
the Named Executive Officers is a "highly compensated" employee. The Company
matches 50% of the first 6% of pay contributed each year. The Company's Board of
Directors may elect to reduce or eliminate matching contributions for any year
or any portion thereof. Participants are 100% vested in their own contributions
and in any Company matching contribution made on the participant's behalf.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN
Each of the Named Executive Officers may participate in the Company's
Deferred Compensation Supplemental Retirement Plan (the Supplemental Plan).
Participants in the Supplemental Plan are select management or highly
compensated employees of the Company who have been designated as eligible by the
President of the Company to participate in such plan. Compensation deferred
under the Deferred Compensation Plan or waived under the Share Option Plan, is
not eligible for Pay Credits or Special Career Credits under the Cash Balance
Retirement Plan or matching contributions under the 401(k) Plan. The
Supplemental Plan is intended to replace the benefits lost under those plans due
to Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) which
cannot be considered for purposes of benefits due to Section 401(a)(17) of the
Code under the qualified plans that the Company offers. The Supplemental Plan is
not funded or qualified for special tax treatment under the Code.
60
As of December 31, 1999, the dollar value of the account of each of the
Named Executive Officers was approximately:
John D. Johnson ......................................... $1,484,132
Noel K. Estenson ........................................ 3,792,590
Michael H. Bergeland .................................... 914,535
Patrick Kluempke ........................................ 190,681
Tom Larson .............................................. 40,236
Mark Palmquist .......................................... 197,999
John Schmitz ............................................ 132,599
Leon E. Westbrock ....................................... 574,155
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
The Board of Directors met monthly during the year ended August 31, 2000.
Through August 31, 2000 the Company provided its directors with compensation of
$42,000, paid in twelve monthly payments, with the Chairman of the Board
receiving an additional annual compensation of $12,000, paid in twelve monthly
payments. The directors receive a per diem of $300 plus actual expenses and
travel allowance for each day spent on Company meetings (other than regular
Board meetings and the Annual Meeting), life insurance and health and dental
insurance. The directors have a retirement benefit of $125 per month per year of
service, with a maximum benefit of $1,875 per month, for life with a guarantee
of 120 months (paid to beneficiary in the event of death). This benefit
commences at age 60 or retirement, whichever is later. This retirement benefit
may be converted to a lump sum. The retired directors may also continue health
benefits until eligible for Medicare and thereafter pay at their own expense for
a Medicare supplemental policy.
Twelve directors who elected to take the early retirement option effective
December, 1999 are receiving $4,000 per month for 24 months, or the equivalent
lump sum using the GATT rate as the discount rate.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board appoints ad hoc committees from time to time to review certain
matters and make reports and recommendations to the full Board of Directors for
action. The entire Board of Directors determines the salaries and incentive
compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer using industry and
compensation studies. The Board of Directors has a standing committee to review
the results and scope of the annual audit and other services provided by the
Company's independent auditors, and another standing committee to review equity
redemption policy and its application to situations believed by the equity
holder or patron's equity department to be unusual.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
As noted above, the Company's Board of Directors did not have a
Compensation Committee. The entire Board of Directors determined the
compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and the terms of the
employment agreement with the President and Chief Executive Officer. The
President and Chief Executive Officer determined the compensation for all other
executive officers.
61
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
Beneficial ownership of equity securities as of August 31, 2000, is shown
below:
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL
TITLE OF CLASS NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) OWNERSHIP % OF CLASS
- -------------- --------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
Wheat Milling Equity
Participation Units: Directors:
Bruce Anderson ...................... --
Robert Bass ......................... --
Steven Burnet ....................... 30,000 units *
Curt Eischens ....................... --
Robert Elliott ...................... --
Robert Grabarski .................... --
Jerry Hasnedl ....................... 10,000 units *
Glen Keppy .......................... --
James Kile .......................... --
Gerald Kuster ....................... 22,000 units *
Leonard Larsen ...................... 9,000 units *
Richard Owen ........................ --
Duane Stenzel ....................... --
Michael Toelle ...................... --
Richard Traphagen ................... --
Merlin Van Walleghen ................ --
Elroy Webster ....................... --
Executive Officers(2) ................. --
Directors and executive officers as a ------------ ----
group .............................. 71,000 units 1.54%
============ ====
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF
BENEFICIAL
TITLE OF CLASS NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) OWNERSHIP % OF CLASS
- -------------- --------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
Oilseed Processing
and Refining Equity
Participation Units: Directors:
Bruce Anderson ...................... --
Robert Bass ......................... --
Steven Burnet ....................... --
Curt Eischens ....................... --
Robert Elliott ...................... --
Robert Grabarski .................... --
Jerry Hasnedl ....................... 1,500 units *
Glen Keppy .......................... --
James Kile .......................... --
Gerald Kuster ....................... 5,000 units *
Leonard Larsen ...................... --
Richard Owen ........................ --
Duane Stenzel ....................... 2,500 units *
Michael Toelle ...................... --
Richard Traphagen ...................
Merlin Van Walleghen ................ 6,000 units *
Elroy Webster ....................... --
Executive Officers(2) ................. --
Directors and executive officers as a ------------- ----
group .............................. 15,000 units 1.44%
============== ====
- ------------------
(1) Includes units held by spouse.
(2) No director listed above has the right or option to acquire beneficial
ownership in additional securities other than by purchase on the open
market from current holders of such securities. Executive officers, as
non-producers, are ineligible to hold these securities.
* Less than 1%.
62
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Because directors must be active patrons of the Company or an Affiliated
Association, transactions between the Company and directors are customary and
expected. Transactions include the sale of commodities to the Company and the
purchase of products and services from the Company. During the period indicated,
the value of those transactions between a particular director (and members of
such directors' immediate family, which includes such director's spouse;
parents; children; siblings; mothers and fathers-in-law; sons and
daughters-in-law; and brothers and sisters-in-law) and the Company that exceeded
$60,000 are shown below.
YEAR ENDED
NAME AUGUST 31, 2000
---- ---------------
Jerry Hasnedl ....................................... $316,732
Gerald Kuster ....................................... 252,869
Merlin Van Walleghen ................................ 140,886
PART IV.
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS FILED ON FORM 8-K
(a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statements and the Reports of Independent
Accountants are filed as part of this Form 10-K.
PAGE NO.
--------
I. CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 ........................... F-1
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, the
three months ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended May 31, 1998 ........................ F-2
Consolidated Statements of Equities and Comprehensive Income for the years ended
August 31, 2000 and 1999, the three months ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended
May 31, 1998 .............................................................................. F-3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, the
three months ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended May 31, 1998 ........................ F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ................................................. F-6
Report of Independent Accountants .......................................................... F-26
II. OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 . ...................................... F-27
Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, the three months
ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended May 31, 1998 ..................................... F-28
Statements of Defined Business Unit Equity and Comprehensive Income for the years ended
August 31, 2000 and 1999, the three months ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended
May 31, 1998 .............................................................................. F-29
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, the three months
ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended May 31, 1998 ..................................... F-30
Notes to Financial Statements .............................................................. F-31
Report of Independent Accountants .......................................................... F-38
Independent Auditors' Report ............................................................... F-39
III. WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 . ...................................... F-40
Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, the three months
Ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended May 31, 1998 ..................................... F-41
Statements of Defined Business Unit Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years
ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, the three months ended August 31, 1998 and the year
ended May 31, 1998 ........................................................................ F-42
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, the three months
ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended May 31, 1998 ..................................... F-43
Notes to Financial Statements .............................................................. F-44
Report of Independent Accountants .......................................................... F-51
Independent Auditors' Report ............................................................... F-52
- ------------------
*Audited financial statements for the Company's significant subsidiary, Ventura
Foods, LLC, as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 and for the years ended December
31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, will be filed by an amendment to this Form 10-K.
63
(a)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable
or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes
thereto.
(a)(3) EXHIBITS
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company. (1)
3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company. (1)
4.1 Resolutions of the Board of Directors creating the Equity Participation
Units (Oilseed Processing and Refining). (2)
4.2 Resolutions of the Board of Directors creating the Equity Participation
Units (Wheat Milling). (2)
10.1 Lease Agreement between Peavey Company and Amber Milling Company, a
division of Harvest States Cooperatives, effective as of August 31,
1994. (*) (2)
10.2 Lease between the Port of Kalama and North Pacific Grain Growers, Inc.,
dated November 22, 1960. (2)
10.3 Limited Liability Company Agreement for the Wilsey-Holsum Foods, LLC
dated July 24, 1996. (2)
10.4 Long Term Supply Agreement between Wilsey-Holsum Foods, LLC and Harvest
States Cooperatives dated August 30, 1996. (*) (2)
10.5 Partnership Agreement between Continental Grain Company and Harvest
States Cooperatives dated September 23, 1992. (2)
10.5A Amendment No. 1 to Partnership Agreement between Continental Grain and
Harvest States Cooperatives effective June 1, 1997. (3)
10.5B Tacoma Export Marketing Company Amended and Restated Partnership
Agreement Between Cargill, Incorporated and Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives dated as of July 12, 1999. (7)
10.6 Cenex Harvest States Supplemental Savings Plan. (11)
10.7 Cenex Harvest States Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. (11)
10.8 Cenex Harvest States Senior Management Compensation Plan. (11)
10.9 Cenex Harvest States Executive Long-Term Variable Compensation Plan.
(11)
10.10 Cenex Harvest States Share Option Plan. (11)
10.11 Lease Agreement between the Port of Houston Authority of Harris County,
Texas and Harvest States Cooperatives, dated October 3, 1995. (2)
10.12 Lease Agreement between Lackawanna County Railroad Authority and Amber
Milling Company, a division of Harvest States Cooperatives dated June
1, 1997. (3)
10.13 Limited Liability Company Agreement of Country Energy, LLC dated June
29, 1998 between Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives and Farmland
Industries, Inc. (4)
10.14 Addendum to Limited Liability Company Agreement of Country Energy, LLC
dated July 23, 1998 by Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives and Farmland
Industries, Inc. (4)
10.15 $225,000,000 Note Agreement (Private Placement Agreement) dated as of
June 19, 1998 among Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives and each of the
Purchases of the Notes. (4)
64
10.16 $400 Million 364-day and $200 Million 5-Year Revolving Loan Credit
Agreement dated as of June 1, 1998 among Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives, CoBank, ACB, St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives, et al.,
including Exhibit 2.4 (form of 364-Day Facility Note) and Exhibit 3.4
(form of 5-Year Note). (4)
10.16A First Amendment to Credit Agreement (Revolving Loan), effective as of
May 31, 1999 among Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives, CoBank, ACB,
NationsBank, N.A. and St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives. (6)
10.16B Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (Revolving Loan) dated May 23,
2000 by and among Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives, CoBank, ACB, Bank
of America, Sun Trust Bank and the Syndication Parties. (10)
10.17 $200 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of June 1, 1998 among
Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives, CoBank, ACB, and St. Paul Bank for
Cooperatives, including Exhibit 2.4 (form of $200 Million Promissory
Note). (4)
10.17A First Amendment to Credit Agreement (Term Loan), effective as of May
31, 1999 among Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives, CoBank, ACB, and St.
Paul Bank for Cooperatives. (6)
10.17B Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (Term Loan) dated May 23, 2000 by
and among Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives, CoBank, ACB, St. Paul Bank
for Cooperatives and the Syndication Parties. (10)
10.18 Limited Liability Agreement of United Harvest, LLC dated November 9,
1998 between United Grain Corporation and Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives. (5)
10.19 Cooperative Refining, LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement dated
September 1, 1999. (7)
10.20 Employment Agreement between Michael Bergeland and Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives dated May 1, 1999. (7)
10.21 $50 Million 364-Day Revolving Loan Credit Agreement dated as of
December 21, 1999 among National Cooperative Refinery Association,
CoBank, ACB, Mercantile Bank and Bank of America, N.A. (8)
10.22 Joint Venture Agreement for Agriliance LLC, dated as of January 1, 2000
among Farmland Industries, Inc., Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives,
United Country Brands, LLC and Land O' Lakes, Inc. (9)
10.23 Employment Agreement dated as of January 14, 2000 between Noel K.
Estenson and Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives. (9)
10.24 Employment Agreement dated September 1, 2000 by and between John D.
Johnson and Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives. (11)
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant. (11)
23.1 Consent of Independent Accountants. (11)
23.2 Independent Auditors' Consent. (11)
24.1 Power of Attorney. (11)
99.1 Cautionary Statement. (11)
99.2 Independent Auditor's Report. (11)
27.1 Financial Data Schedule. (11)
- ------------------
(*) Pursuant to Rule 406 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
confidential portions of Exhibits 10.1 and 10.4 have been deleted and filed
separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a
request for confidential treatment.
65
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-K filed June 10, 1998.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (File No. 333-17865), effective February 14, 1997.
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended May
31, 1997, filed August 26, 1997.
(4) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q Transition Report for
the period June 1, 1998 to August 31, 1998, filed October 14, 1998.
(5) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended November 30, 1998, filed January 13, 1999.
(6) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended May 31, 1999, filed July 13, 1999.
(7) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
August 31, 1999, filed November 22, 1999.
(8) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended November 30, 1999, filed January 12, 2000.
(9) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended February 29, 2000 filed April 11, 2000.
(10) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended May 31, 2000, filed July 10, 2000.
(11) Filed herewith.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K have been filed by the Registrant during the fourth
quarter of the year ended August 31, 2000.
(c) EXHIBITS
The exhibits shown in Item 14(a)(3) above are being filed herewith.
(d) SCHEDULES
None.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
As a cooperative, the Company does not utilize proxy statements.
66
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on
November 22, 2000.
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES
By: /s/ John D. Johnson
-------------------------------------
John D. Johnson
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities indicated on November 22, 2000:
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/s/ John D. Johnson President and Chief Executive Officer
- ------------------------- (principal executive officer)
John D. Johnson
/s/ John Schmitz Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- ------------------------- (principal financial officer)
John Schmitz
/s/ Jodell Heller Vice President and Controller
- ------------------------- (principal accounting officer)
Jodell Heller
Steven Burnet* Chairman of the Board of Directors
Bruce Anderson* Director
Robert Bass* Director
Curt Eischens* Director
Robert Elliott* Director
Robert Grabarski* Director
Jerry Hasnedl* Director
Glen Keppy* Director
James Kile* Director
Gerald Kuster* Director
Leonard Larsen* Director
Richard Owen* Director
Duane Stenzel* Director
Michael Toelle* Director
Richard Traphagen* Director
Merlin Van Walleghen* Director
Elroy Webster* Director
* By: /s/ JOHN D. JOHNSON
-----------------------
John D. Johnson
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
67
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents .................................. $ 56,393 $ 75,667 $ 120,008
Receivables ................................................ 834,743 606,641 471,516
Inventories ................................................ 602,385 549,703 479,734
Other current assets ....................................... 37,777 39,414 37,707
---------- ---------- ----------
Total current assets ..................................... 1,531,298 1,271,425 1,108,965
Investments ................................................. 451,211 427,896 347,334
Property, plant and equipment ............................... 1,034,768 968,333 915,770
Other ....................................................... 155,403 120,010 97,034
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS ............................................. $3,172,680 $2,787,664 $2,469,103
========== ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Notes payable .............................................. $ 217,926 $ 196,986 $ 475
Current portion of long-term debt .......................... 30,173 21,562 13,855
Patrons' credit balances ................................... 36,779 44,970 41,324
Patrons' advance payments .................................. 131,935 127,755 148,021
Checks and drafts outstanding .............................. 84,086 48,605 54,742
Accounts payable ........................................... 624,772 449,774 383,161
Accrued expenses ........................................... 147,710 119,728 119,373
Patronage dividends and equity retirements payable ......... 43,694 43,000 63,562
---------- ---------- ----------
Total current liabilities ................................ 1,317,075 1,052,380 824,513
Long-term debt .............................................. 480,327 461,104 442,985
Other liabilities ........................................... 84,929 88,173 75,801
Minority interests in subsidiaries .......................... 125,923 68,371 59,927
Commitments and contingencies
Equities .................................................... 1,164,426 1,117,636 1,065,877
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES ........................... $3,172,680 $2,787,664 $2,469,103
========== ========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-1
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
REVENUES:
Grain and oilseed ............................. $3,624,984 $3,309,310 $ 810,723 $4,629,553
Energy ........................................ 2,903,878 1,345,772 343,747 1,858,069
Agronomy ...................................... 768,449 593,927 91,231 696,441
Feed and farm supplies ........................ 585,145 547,732 126,907 546,063
Processed grain and oilseed ................... 553,349 531,877 145,645 615,049
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
8,435,805 6,328,618 1,518,253 8,345,175
Patronage dividends ........................... 5,494 5,876 5,111 70,387
Other revenues ................................ 130,122 100,031 19,271 98,520
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
8,571,421 6,434,525 1,542,635 8,514,082
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
COST AND EXPENSES:
Cost of goods sold ............................ 8,237,995 6,140,580 1,473,243 8,149,605
Marketing, general and administrative ......... 160,046 148,510 34,998 126,061
Interest ...................................... 57,566 42,438 12,311 34,620
Minority interests ............................ 24,546 10,017 3,252 6,880
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
8,480,153 6,341,545 1,523,804 8,317,166
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ..................... 91,268 92,980 18,831 196,916
INCOME TAXES ................................... 3,880 6,980 2,895 19,615
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
NET INCOME ..................................... $ 87,388 $ 86,000 $ 15,936 $ 177,301
========== ========== ========== ==========
DISTRIBUTION OF NET INCOME:
Patronage refunds ............................. $ 87,400 $ 57,500 $ 32,650 $ 144,578
Nonpatronage refunds .......................... 8,609
Deferred patronage ............................ (24,900) 21,773 (24,134) (2,482)
Unallocated capital reserve ................... 24,888 6,727 7,420 26,596
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income .................................. $ 87,388 $ 86,000 $ 15,936 $ 177,301
========== ========== ========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-2
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITIES AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000 AND 1999, FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
AUGUST 31, 1998
AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1998
OILSEED
CAPITAL NONPATRONAGE WHEAT PROCESSING
EQUITY EQUITY COMMON PREFERRED MILLING & REFINING
CERTIFICATES CERTIFICATES STOCK STOCK EPUs EPUs
------------ ------------ ------ --------- ------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCES, JUNE 1, 1997 .................................... $ 267,384 $15,144 $ 20 $ 469,201 $9,574 $4,296
Patronage determination ..................................
Patronage distribution ................................... 31,258 6,863 52,831
Equity retirement determination .......................... 27,453
Equities retired ......................................... (9,542) (520) (27,362)
Equities issued .......................................... 10,561
Other, net ............................................... 128 (178) (3,451) (96) (96)
Comprehensive income:
Net income .............................................. 8,609
Other comprehensive loss ................................
Total comprehensive income ...............................
Cash patronage and equity retirement provisions .......... (13,329) (31,273)
--------- ------- ------ --------- ------ ------
BALANCES, MAY 31, 1998 .................................... 286,460 29,918 20 487,399 9,478 4,200
Results of operations of Cenex, Inc.
for the eight months ended May 31, 1998 ................. (21) (36) 52,639
Exchange of equities to effect pooling ................... 540,058 (20) (540,038)
Included with May 31, 1998 equity retirements payable .... 4,429
Equities retired ......................................... (4,429) (13)
Equities issued .......................................... 911
Other, net ............................................... (64) (6) (6)
Comprehensive income:
Net income ..............................................
Other comprehensive loss ................................
Total comprehensive income ...............................
Cash patronage and equity retirement provisions .......... 1,832
--------- ------- ------ --------- ------ ------
BALANCES, AUGUST 31, 1998 ................................. 829,240 29,805 -- -- 9,472 4,194
Patronage and equity retirement determination ............ 19,412
Patronage distribution ................................... 99,052 (612)
Equities retired ......................................... (23,700) (97)
Equities issued .......................................... 14,714
Other, net ............................................... (674) (311) (214) (6)
Comprehensive income:
Net income ..............................................
Other comprehensive loss ................................
Total comprehensive income ...............................
Cash patronage and equity retirement provisions .......... (25,750)
--------- ------- ------ --------- ------ ------
BALANCES, AUGUST 31, 1999 ................................. 912,294 28,785 -- -- 9,258 4,188
Patronage and equity retirement determination ............ 25,750
Patronage distribution ................................... 41,182
Equities retired ......................................... (28,615) (82)
Equities issued .......................................... 7,921
Other, net ............................................... (178) (194) (12) (6)
Comprehensive income:
Net income ..............................................
Other comprehensive loss ................................
Total comprehensive income ...............................
Cash patronage and equity retirement provisions .......... (17,474)
--------- ------- ------ --------- ------ ------
BALANCES, AUGUST 31, 2000 ................................. $ 940,880 $28,509 $ -- $ -- $9,246 $4,182
========= ======= ====== ========= ====== ======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-3
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITIES AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000 AND 1999, FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
AUGUST 31, 1998
AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1998
UNALLOCATED ACCUMULATED OTHER ALLOCATED
PATRONAGE DEFERRED CAPITAL COMPREHENSIVE CAPITAL TOTAL
REFUNDS PATRONAGE RESERVE INCOME (LOSS) RESERVE EQUITIES
- --------- --------- ----------- ----------------- ----------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
$ 83,420 $ (71,725) $158,003 $ 1,281 $8,200 $ 944,798
36,061 (309) 35,752
(119,481) (7,511) (36,040)
27,453
(37,424)
10,561
299 (6) (3,400)
144,578 (2,482) 26,596 177,301
(86) (86)
----------
177,215
----------
(44,340) (88,942)
- --------- --------- -------- -------- ------ ----------
100,238 (74,207) 177,078 1,195 8,194 1,029,973
(23,310) (13,086) 13,401 29,587
--
4,429
(4,442)
911
(1,177) (2) (1,255)
32,650 (24,134) 7,420 15,936
(1,294) (1,294)
----------
14,642
----------
(9,800) (7,968)
- --------- --------- -------- -------- ------ ----------
99,778 (111,427) 196,722 (99) 8,192 1,065,877
44,150 63,562
(143,928) 1,738 (43,750)
(23,797)
14,714
350 (44) (899)
57,500 21,773 6,727 86,000
(1,071) (1,071)
----------
84,929
----------
(17,250) (43,000)
- --------- --------- -------- -------- ------ ----------
40,250 (89,654) 205,537 (1,170) 8,148 1,117,636
17,250 43,000
(57,500) (1,588) (17,906)
(28,697)
7,921
453 (28) 35
87,400 (24,900) 24,888 87,388
(1,257) (1,257)
----------
86,131
----------
(26,220) (43,694)
- --------- --------- -------- -------- ------ ----------
$ 61,180 $(114,554) $229,290 $ (2,427) $8,120 $1,164,426
========= ========= ======== ======== ====== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-4
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income ..................................................... $ 87,388 $ 86,000 $ 15,936 $ 177,301
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization ................................. 92,699 81,246 20,570 69,877
Noncash net (income) loss from joint ventures ................. (28,325) (22,363) 9,142 (8,381)
Minority interests ............................................ 24,546 10,017 3,252 6,880
Adjustment of inventories to market value ..................... (35,346) 12,108 10,153
Noncash portion of patronage dividends received ............... (6,825) (4,847) (9,305) (61,732)
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment .......... 1,167 (1,706) (458) (7,487)
Other, net .................................................... (3,130) 196 (978)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables .................................................. (229,067) (133,641) 92,897 63,221
Inventories .................................................. 1,717 (34,623) 31,178 25,753
Other current assets and other assets ........................ (7,508) (29,483) (3,441) 2,929
Patrons' credit balances ..................................... (8,191) 3,646 (1,552) 10,594
Patrons' advance payments .................................... 4,180 (20,266) 39,533 (45,531)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ........................ 202,980 66,968 (89,932) (18,215)
Other liabilities ............................................ (3,244) 12,383 3,968 5,196
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities ......... 128,387 (21,819) 123,896 229,580
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment ................... (153,796) (124,471) (41,152) (145,231)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment 7,655 6,785 824 21,877
Investments .................................................... (35,297) (63,324) (37) (3,125)
Investments redeemed ........................................... 43,888 11,241 391 29,933
Changes in notes receivable .................................... 600 334 792 (5,036)
Acquisition of intangibles ..................................... (26,513)
Distribution to minority owners ................................ (21,089) (2,255) (2,809) (1,892)
Other investing activities, net ................................ (339) 926 (1,671) (3,330)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash used in investing activities ....................... (184,891) (170,764) (43,662) (106,804)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Changes in notes payable ....................................... 20,940 196,511 (53,025) (88,901)
Long-term debt borrowings ...................................... 49,914 40,000 359,078 83,916
Principal payments on long-term debt ........................... (22,502) (14,585) (317,228) (42,171)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding ....................... 35,481 (6,137) (28,141) (7,548)
Retirements of equity .......................................... (28,697) (23,797) (4,442) (36,880)
Cash patronage dividends paid .................................. (17,906) (43,750) (35,898)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ......... 37,230 148,242 (43,758) (127,482)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
NET CASH FLOWS OF CENEX, INC. FROM
OCTOBER 1, 1997 THROUGH MAY 31, 1998 .......................... 14,734
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS .............................................. (19,274) (44,341) 51,210 (4,706)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING
OF PERIOD ..................................................... 75,667 120,008 68,798 73,504
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END
OF PERIOD ...................................................... $ 56,393 $ 75,667 $ 120,008 $ 68,798
========== ========== ========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-5
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION -- Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives (Cenex Harvest States or
the Company) is an agricultural cooperative organized for the mutual benefit of
its members. Members of the cooperative are located throughout the United
States. In addition to grain marketing, wheat milling and oilseed processing and
refining, the Company provides its patrons with energy and agronomy products and
other farm supplies. Sales are both domestic and international.
In accordance with the By-Laws and by action of the Board of Directors,
annual net savings from patronage sources is distributed to consenting patrons
following the close of each year, and is based on amounts reportable for federal
income tax purposes as determined by the cooperative and further adjusted in
accordance with the By-Laws. The By-Laws provide that an amount of up to 10% of
the distributable annual net savings from patronage sources be added to the
unallocated reserve as determined by the Board of Directors.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION -- Pursuant to a Plan of Combination dated May 29,
1998 (the Plan of Combination), CENEX, Inc. (Cenex) and Harvest States
Cooperatives combined through merger on June 1, 1998 (the Combination), with
Harvest States Cooperatives the surviving corporation. In accordance with the
Plan of Combination, the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of Harvest States
Cooperatives were restated and the name was changed to Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives.
As a result of the Combination, each holder of common stock of Cenex became
a member of Cenex Harvest States, to the extent eligible for membership, and all
equity interests of Cenex were determined and exchanged for equal equity
interests in Cenex Harvest States at its stated dollar amount on a
dollar-for-dollar basis, as more thoroughly set forth in the Plan of
Combination. Prior to the Combination, Cenex's year end was September 30 and
Harvest States Cooperatives' year end was May 31. Subsequent to the Combination,
the Company changed its fiscal year end to August 31.
The merger constituted a tax-free reorganization and has been accounted for
as a pooling of interests. The Company's consolidated financial statements
reflect the financial position and results of operations of the combined
companies as if the merger had occurred on June 1, 1996. The consolidated
statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended May 31, 1998,
reflects the results of operations and cash flows of Harvest States Cooperatives
for the year then ended combined with the results of operations and cash flows
of Cenex for the year ended September 30, 1997. The consolidated results of
operations of Cenex for the eight months ended May 31, 1998, have been excluded
from the reported results of operations and, therefore, have been recorded as an
adjustment to the Company's equities and cash flows in the consolidated
statements of equities and comprehensive income and cash flows during the three
months ended August 31, 1998.
All significant transactions between Harvest States Cooperatives and Cenex
prior to the Combination have been eliminated. Certain amounts previously
reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
CONSOLIDATION -- The consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of Cenex Harvest States and all of its wholly-owned and majority-owned
subsidiaries, including National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) and its
wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. The effects of al significant
intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
On September 1, 1999, NCRA and Farmland Industries, Inc. (Farmland) formed
Cooperative Refining, LLC (CRLLC), which was established to operate and manage
the refineries and related pipelines and terminals of NCRA and Farmland. NCRA
and Farmland contributed inventories of $73.8 million and $54.4 million,
respectively, in exchange for their ownership interests. Effective August 30,
2000, NCRA gave notice of its intent to terminate and dissolve CRLLC, in
accordance with the provisions of the agreements, effective no later than
September 1, 2001.
During 2000, the Company entered into a series of transactions the result
of which was the exchange of its agronomy operations, consisting primarily of
its interests in and ownership of the
F-6
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Cenex/Land O'Lakes Agronomy Company and Agro Distribution, LLC and related
entities for a 25% equity ownership interest in Agriliance, LLC (Agriliance).
Agriliance was created to be a distributor of crop nutrients, crop protection
products and other agronomy inputs and services formerly owned by the Company,
Land O'Lakes, Inc. (Land O'Lakes) and Farmland.
During 2000, the Company had various immaterial acquisitions, which have
been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Operating results of
the acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements since the
respective acquisition dates. The respective purchase prices were allocated to
the assets and liabilities based upon the estimated fair values. The excess
purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired has
been reported as identifiable intangible assets and goodwill.
CASH EQUIVALENTS -- Cash equivalents include short-term highly liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less at date of
acquisition.
INVENTORIES AND HEDGING -- Grain, processed grain, oilseed and processed
oilseed are stated at market values including appropriate adjustments for open
purchases, sales and futures contracts. All other inventories are stated at the
lower of cost or market. The cost of certain energy inventories (wholesale
refined products, crude oil and asphalt) is determined on the last-in, first-out
(LIFO) method; all other energy inventories are valued on the first-in,
first-out (FIFO) and average cost methods.
The Company enters into exchange-traded commodity futures and options
contracts to hedge its exposure to price fluctuations on energy, grain and
oilseed transactions to the extent considered practicable for minimizing risk
from market price fluctuations. Futures contracts used for hedging are purchased
and sold through regulated commodity exchanges. Inventories, however, may not be
completely hedged, due in part to the absence of satisfactory hedging facilities
for certain commodities and geographical areas and in part to the Company's
assessment of its exposure from expected price fluctuations. Noncommodity
exchange purchase and sale contracts may expose the Company to risk in the event
that a counterparty to a transaction is unable to fulfill its contractual
obligation. The Company manages its risk by entering into purchase contracts
with preapproved producers and establishing appropriate limits for individual
suppliers. Sales contracts are entered into with organizations of acceptable
creditworthiness, as internally evaluated.
Commodity trading in futures and options contracts is a natural extension
of cash market trading. The commodity futures and options markets have
underlying principles of increased liquidity and longer trading periods than the
cash market, and hedging is one method of reducing exposure to price
fluctuations. The Company's use of futures and options contracts reduces the
effects of price volatility, thereby protecting against adverse short-term price
movements while somewhat limiting the benefits of short-term price movements.
Gains and losses on futures transactions related to energy inventories are
credited or charged to cost of goods sold. Energy related gains and losses on
hedge contracts not yet closed are accounted for as unrealized gains or losses
and, accordingly, are deferred in the consolidated balance sheet. All other
futures transactions are marked to market. Open hedge positions and deferred
gains and losses for futures and options contracts were not significant as of
August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, a standard related
to the accounting for derivative transactions and hedging activities. In June
1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137, which defers the effective date of SFAS No.
133 to all fiscal quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000.
This statement will be adopted effective September 1, 2000, but is not expected
to materially impact the Company's financial statements.
F-7
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
INVESTMENTS -- Investments in cooperatives are stated at cost, plus
patronage dividends received in the form of capital stock and other equities.
Patronage dividends are recorded at the time qualified written notices of
allocation are received. Joint ventures and other investments in which the
Company has significant ownership and influence, but not control, are included
in the consolidated financial statements under the equity method of accounting.
Investments in other debt and equity securities are considered available for
sale and are stated at market value, with unrealized amounts included in
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND OTHER LONG-LIVED ASSETS -- Property,
plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line
method by charges to operations at rates based upon the expected useful lives of
individual or groups of assets. Leasehold rights and other intangible assets are
amortized using the straight-line method over three to 50 years, primarily 15 to
20 years. The cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of
assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the related accounts and
resulting gains or losses are reflected in operations. Expenditures for
maintenance and repairs and minor renewals are expensed while costs of major
renewals and betterments are capitalized.
The Company periodically reviews property, plant and equipment and other
long-lived assets in order to assess recoverability based on projected income
and related cash flows on an undiscounted basis. Should the sum of the related,
expected future net cash flows be less than the carrying value, an impairment
loss would be recognized. An impairment loss would be measured by the amount by
which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
The Company's current policy for planned major maintenance activities is to
accrue for those estimated costs, which primarily consist of direct maintenance
expenses. The planned major maintenance activities are primarily related to the
Company's energy refinery operations.
REVENUE RECOGNITION -- Grain and oilseed sales are recorded at time of
settlement. All other sales are recognized upon shipment to customers.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPENDITURES -- Liabilities related to remediation of
contaminated properties are recognized when the related costs are considered
probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of these costs are based on
current available facts, existing technology, undiscounted site-specific costs
and currently enacted laws and regulations. In reporting environmental
liabilities, no offset is made for potential recoveries. All liabilities are
monitored and adjusted as new facts or changes in law or technology occur.
Environmental expenditures are capitalized when such costs provide future
economic benefits.
INCOME TAXES -- The Company is a nonexempt agricultural cooperative and
files a consolidated federal income tax return with its 80% or more owned
subsidiaries. The Company is subject to tax on net income from nonpatronage
sources and undistributed patronage-sourced income. Deferred income taxes
reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and
liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts
recognized for tax purposes, at each year end, based on enacted tax laws and
statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are
expected to affect taxable income.
USE OF ESTIMATES -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
F-8
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
2. RECEIVABLES
Receivables as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Trade ....................................... $834,349 $595,403 $474,454
Other ....................................... 23,643 34,493 20,377
-------- -------- --------
857,992 629,896 494,831
Less allowances for doubtful accounts ....... 23,249 23,255 23,315
-------- -------- --------
$834,743 $606,641 $471,516
======== ======== ========
All export sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. Export sales for the
years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998
and for the year ended May 31, 1998 are as follows:
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR FOR THE THREE FOR THE YEAR
ENDED ENDED MONTHS ENDED ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Africa .............. $ 191 $ 158 $ 94 $ 280
Asia ................ 552 310 149 1,217
Europe .............. 304 358 79 404
North America ....... 324 198 104 331
South America ....... 119 122 10 268
------ ------ ---- ------
$1,490 $1,146 $436 $2,500
====== ====== ==== ======
3. INVENTORIES
Inventories as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Energy ............................... $286,276 $209,661 $170,544
Grain and oilseed .................... 215,570 202,166 153,384
Agronomy ............................. 69,050 67,760
Processed grain and oilseed .......... 32,993 14,342 37,464
Feed and farm supplies ............... 63,909 50,908 47,842
Other ................................ 3,637 3,576 2,740
-------- -------- --------
$602,385 $549,703 $479,734
======== ======== ========
As of August 31, 2000, the Company valued approximately 40% of inventories,
primarily related to energy, using the lower of cost, determined on the LIFO
method, or market (29% and 22% as of August 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively). As
of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, reserves amounting to no dollars, $20.4
million and $61.7 million, respectively, have been established to reduce energy
inventories to estimated market value. If the FIFO method of accounting for
inventories had been used, inventories would have been higher than the reported
amount by $86.3 million and $5.3 million at August 31, 2000
F-9
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
3. INVENTORIES (CONTINUED)
and August 31, 1999, respectively. In fiscal 2000, the liquidation of certain
LIFO layers decreased cost of goods sold by $4.3 million. The inventories in
these LIFO layers were acquired in prior years at lower costs.
4. INVESTMENTS
Investments as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Cooperatives:
CF Industries, Inc. ............................. $152,996 $152,996 $152,996
National Bank for Cooperatives (CoBank) ......... 32,817 33,942 37,630
Ag Processing, Inc. ............................. 23,036 23,252 19,438
Land O'Lakes, Inc. .............................. 21,967 19,256 15,489
Joint Ventures:
Ventura Foods, LLC .............................. 87,315 55,562 41,666
Cenex/Land O'Lakes Agronomy Company ............. 36,933 34,068
Agro Distribution, LLC .......................... 45,741
United Country Brands, LLC ...................... 70,099
Tacoma Export Marketing Company ................. 9,378 8,821 6,849
Other ............................................ 53,603 51,393 39,198
-------- -------- --------
$451,211 $427,896 $347,334
======== ======== ========
In March 2000, the Company purchased an additional 10% interest in Ventura
Foods, LLC, its consumer products and packaging joint venture for approximately
$25.6 million. The Company now has a 50% interest in this joint venture.
The following provides summarized financial information for Ventura Foods,
LLC as of and for the periods indicated below.
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Current assets .................................. $133,112 $141,763 $125,898
Non-current assets .............................. 222,334 220,037 176,573
Current liabilities ............................. 107,570 149,238 150,167
Non-current liabilities ......................... 117,822 97,232 73,689
FOR THE 12 FOR THE 12 FOR THE THREE FOR THE 12
MONTHS ENDED MONTHS ENDED MONTHS ENDED MONTHS ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Net sales ............... $873,922 $881,016 $208,242 $780,501
Gross profit ............ 143,394 107,326 17,830 83,019
Net income .............. 55,115 30,475 2,245 17,797
F-10
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
4. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
Effective January 1, 2000, Cenex Harvest States, Farmland and Land O'Lakes
created Agriliance, a distributor of crop nutrients, crop protections products
and other agronomy inputs and services. At formation, Agriliance managed the
agronomy marketing operations of Cenex Harvest States, Farmland and Land
O'Lakes, with the Company exchanging the right to use its agronomy operations
for 26.455% of the results of the jointly managed operations.
In March 2000, the Company sold 1.455% of its economic interest in
Agriliance, resulting in a gain of approximately $7.4 million. In July 2000, the
Company exchanged its ownership in the Cenex/Land O'Lakes Agronomy Company and
in Agro Distribution, LLC with a total investment of $64.7 million at July 31,
2000 for a 25% equity interest in Agriliance. Agriliance is also owned by
Farmland (25%) and Land O'Lakes (50%). The interests of the Company and Farmland
are held through equal ownership in United Country Brands, LLC, a joint venture
holding company whose sole operations consist of the ownership of a 50% interest
in Agriliance. Equity in the joint venture was recorded at historical carrying
value of its ownership in Cenex/Land O'Lakes Agronomy Company and Agro
Distribution, LLC and no gain or loss was recorded on the exchange.
In July 2000, Agriliance secured its own financing, which is without
recourse to the Company. Agriliance then purchased the net working capital
related to agronomy operations from each of its member owners, consisting
primarily of trade accounts receivable and inventories, net of accounts payable.
The Company retained its ownership in CF Industries, Inc. an interregional
cooperative involved in the manufacture of crop nutrient products, and its
interest in an Agronomy distribution business in Canada.
As of August 31, 2000, Agriliance reported current assets, non-current
assets, current liabilities and non-current liabilities of $1.3 billion, $203.0
million, $1.2 billion and $160.9 million, respectively. Net sales, gross profits
and net income for the one month period were not material.
Effective July 1, 1999, St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives (St. Paul Bank)
merged with CoBank and, as a result, the existing investment in St. Paul Bank
was transferred to CoBank. The Company's investment in St. Paul Bank as of
August 31, 1998 has been included with CoBank.
SFAS No. 107 requires disclosure of the fair value of all financial
instruments to which the Company is a party. All financial instruments are
carried at amounts that approximate estimated fair value, except for investments
in cooperatives, for which there are no quoted market prices and, as such, it is
not practicable to estimate their fair value.
Various agreements with other owners of investee companies and a
majority-owned subsidiary set out parameters whereby Cenex Harvest States may
buy and sell additional interests in those companies, upon the occurrence of
certain events, at fair values determinable as set forth in the specific
agreements.
F-11
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Major classes of property, plant and equipment as of August 31, 2000, 1999
and 1998 are as follows:
ESTIMATED
USEFUL LIFE AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
IN YEARS 2000 1999 1998
----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Energy refineries ............................. 3-40 $ 682,823 $ 660,424 $ 633,149
Distribution and general ...................... 3-40 323,361 298,931 283,773
Grain terminals and country elevators ......... 3-50 304,451 272,311 243,005
Energy pipelines and terminals ................ 3-40 241,687 220,367 211,781
Grain processing plants ....................... 3-40 230,756 208,210 164,026
Feed plants ................................... 3-40 26,630 27,216 27,081
Construction in progress ...................... 79,163 64,508 77,548
---------- --------- ---------
1,888,871 1,751,967 1,640,363
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization ................................. 854,103 783,634 724,593
---------- --------- ---------
$1,034,768 $ 968,333 $ 915,770
========== ========= =========
6. OTHER ASSETS
Other assets as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998
------------ ------------ -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of
$16,753, $15,348, and $20,886, respectively ............... $ 44,904 $ 21,539 $22,888
Prepaid pension cost and other benefit plan assets ......... 92,767 78,668 52,825
Notes receivable ........................................... 5,201 4,547 6,172
Other assets ............................................... 12,531 15,256 15,149
-------- -------- -------
$155,403 $120,010 $97,034
======== ======== =======
F-12
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
7. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Notes payable and long-term debt as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
consisted of the following:
INTEREST RATES
AT AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 2000 1999 1998
-------------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Notes payable(a),(f) ................... 7.00% to 8.42% $217,926 $196,986 $ 475
======== ======== ========
Long-term debt:
Revolving term loans from
cooperative banks, payable in
installments through 2009, when the
balance is due(b),(c),(f) ............ 6.48% to 14.32% $259,657 $227,211 $192,005
Private placement, payable in equal
installments beginning in 2008
through 2013(d),(f) .................. 6.81% 225,000 225,000 225,000
Industrial Revenue Bonds, payable in
installments through 2010(e) ......... 5.23% to 9.26% 18,535 27,045 36,155
Other notes and contracts ............. 4.00% to 12.00% 7,308 3,410 3,680
-------- -------- --------
Total long-term debt ................... 510,500 482,666 456,840
Less current portion .................. 30,173 21,562 13,855
-------- -------- --------
Long-term portion ...................... $480,327 $461,104 $442,985
======== ======== ========
- ------------------
(a) The Company finances its working capital needs through short-term lines of
credit with a syndication of banks. In June 1998, the Company established a
364-day credit facility of $400.0 million, and in May 2000, the Company
renewed and expanded this credit facility to $500.0 million, all of which
is committed, and of which $185.7 million was outstanding on August 31,
2000. In addition to this short-term line of credit, the Company has a
364-day credit facility dedicated to NCRA with a syndication of banks in
the amount of $50.0 million, all of which is committed, with $31.0 million
outstanding on August 31, 2000. Other miscellaneous notes payable totaled
$1.2 million at August 31, 2000.
(b) In June 1998, the Company established a $200.0 million five-year revolving
credit facility with a syndication of banks. On August 31, 2000, the
Company had an outstanding balance of $45.0 million.
(c) In June 1998, the Company repaid certain of its existing debt and
established a new long-term credit agreement under which the term loan
balance outstanding as of May 31, 1998 was repaid and partially refinanced
through the new agreement. This long-term agreement committed $200.0
million of long-term borrowing capacity to the Company through May 31,
1999, of which $164.0 million was drawn before the expiration date of that
commitment. On August 31, 2000, $157.4 million was outstanding. NCRA term
loans are collateralized by NCRA's investment in CoBank.
(d) In June 1998, as a part of the refinancing program for the merged
operations, the Company entered into a private placement with several
insurance companies for long-term debt in the amount of $225.0 million.
(e) Industrial Revenue Bonds are collateralized by property, plant and
equipment, primarily energy refinery equipment, with a cost of
approximately $155.7 million, $155.9 million and $156.1 million, less
accumulated depreciation of approximately $103.6 million, $97.5 million and
$91.3 million as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
(f) Restrictive covenants under various agreements have requirements for
maintenance of minimum working capital levels and other financial ratios.
F-13
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
7. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)
Based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues, the fair
value of long-term debt approximates book value as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and
1998.
For the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended
August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998, the Company capitalized
interest of $2.7 million, $1.7 million, $0.4 million and $1.8 million,
respectively.
The aggregate amount of long-term debt payable as of August 31, 2000 is as
follows (dollars in thousands):
2001 ....................................................... $ 30,173
2002 ....................................................... 18,057
2003 ....................................................... 59,405
2004 ....................................................... 15,674
2005 ....................................................... 22,814
Thereafter ................................................. 364,377
--------
$510,500
========
8. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes for the years ended August 31, 2000 and
1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31,
1998 is as follows:
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Current .......... $4,347 $5,783 $ 5,189 $17,886
Deferred ......... (467) 1,197 (2,294) 1,729
------ ------ ------- -------
Income taxes ..... $3,880 $6,980 $ 2,895 $19,615
====== ====== ======= =======
F-14
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
8. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and
1998 are as follows:
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses and valuation reserves .................... $10,970 $10,741 $10,017
Postretirement health care and pension liabilities ......... 3,282 3,665 3,137
Alternative minimum tax credit and patronage loss
carryforward .............................................. 4,842 883 920
Other ...................................................... 5,718 5,880 6,340
------- ------- -------
Total deferred tax assets ................................. 24,812 21,169 20,414
------- ------- -------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment .............................. 3,345 3,185 3,169
Equity method investments .................................. 11,405 8,513 6,279
Other ...................................................... 3,289 3,165 3,505
------- ------- -------
Total deferred tax liabilities ............................ 18,039 14,863 12,953
------- ------- -------
Net deferred tax assets ..................................... $ 6,773 $ 6,306 $ 7,461
======= ======= =======
As of August 31, 2000, net deferred tax assets of approximately $2.7
million and $4.1 million are included in other current assets and other assets,
respectively ($1.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively, as of August 31,
1999, and $3.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively, as of August 31, 1998).
The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the
effective rate for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three
months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998 is as follows:
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Statutory federal income tax rate .......... 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State and local income taxes, net of
federal income tax benefit ................ 3.9 3.9 4.1 4.2
Patronage earnings ......................... (37.3) (24.1) (67.4) (29.1)
Tax effect of changes in deferred
patronage ................................. 4.4 (6.8) 51.3 0.5
Rate changes on deferred tax assets and
liabilities ............................... (2.5) 0.5 (11.2)
Other ...................................... 0.8 (1.0) 3.6 (0.6)
----- ----- ----- -----
Effective tax rate ......................... 4.3% 7.5% 15.4% 10.0%
===== ===== ===== =====
F-15
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
8. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The principal differences between financial statement income and taxable
income for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended
August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998 are as follows:
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Income before income taxes ................ $ 91,268 $ 92,980 $ 18,831 $ 196,916
Financial reporting/tax differences:
Environmental reserves ................... (728) 1,343 (563) 1,916
Oil and gas activities, net .............. 2,600 18,005 8,448 (405)
Energy inventory market reserves ......... (19) (48,445) 7,150 (9,279)
Other, net ............................... 3,255 9,258 12,310 2,488
Patronage refund provisions .............. (87,400) (57,500) (32,650) (144,578)
--------- --------- --------- ----------
Taxable income ............................ $ 8,976 $ 15,641 $ 13,526 $ 47,058
========= ========= ========= ==========
9. EQUITIES
PATRON'S EQUITY -- In accordance with the By-Laws and by action of the
Board of Directors, annual net savings from patronage sources is distributed to
consenting patrons following the close of each year, and is based on amounts
reportable for federal income tax purposes as adjusted in accordance with the
By-Laws. The cash portion of this distribution is determined annually by the
Board of Directors, with the balance issued in the form of capital equity
certificates.
Annual net savings from sources other than patronage may be added to the
unallocated capital reserve or, upon action by the Board of Directors, allocated
to members in the form of nonpatronage equity certificates.
Inactive direct members and patrons and active direct members and patrons
age 61 and older on June 1, 1998 are eligible for redemption of their capital
equity certificates at age 72 or death. For other active direct members and
patrons and member cooperatives, equities will be redeemed annually as
determined by the Board of Directors.
In September 2000, the Board of Directors approved a resolution to compute
patronage distributions based on audited earnings for financial statement
purposes. If the resolution is ratified by the members at its December 2000
annual meeting, patronage distributions will be based on financial statement
earnings beginning in fiscal year 2001.
On May 31, 1997, the Company completed an offering for the sale of equity
participation units (EPUs) in its Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit and its
Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit to qualified subscribers.
Qualified subscribers are identified as Defined Members or representatives of
Defined Members which are persons or associations of producers actually engaged
in the production of agricultural products. Subscribers were allowed to purchase
a portion of their EPUs by exchanging existing patronage certificates. The
purchasers of EPUs have the right and obligation to deliver annually the number
of bushels of wheat or soybeans equal to the number of units held. Unit holders
participate in the net patronage-sourced income from operations of the
applicable Defined Business Unit as patronage refunds. Retirements of patrons'
equities attributable to EPUs is at the discretion of the Board of Directors,
and it is the Board's goal to retire such equity on a revolving basis seven
years after declaration.
F-16
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
9. EQUITIES (CONTINUED)
CENEX EQUITY PRIOR TO JUNE 1, 1998 -- In accordance with the Cenex By-Laws
and by action of the Cenex Board of Directors, annual net savings from patronage
sources was distributed to consenting patrons following the close of each year,
and was based on amounts reportable for federal income tax purposes as adjusted
in accordance with the Cenex By-Laws. A minimum of 20% of the patronage refund
was paid in cash with the balance distributed in the form of preferred stock.
The Cenex By-Laws required that annual net savings from sources other than
patronage be added to the unallocated capital reserve. The Cenex By-Laws also
provided that an amount equal to 10% of the distributable annual net savings
from patronage sources be added to the unallocated capital reserve, until the
total unallocated capital reserve reached 25% of total equities.
The authorized preferred stock consisted of 30,000,000 shares at a par
value of $25 each. The preferred stock was nonvoting and was not subject to the
payment of dividends. The Articles of Incorporation provided that the preferred
stock may be retired at par value at any time and in any order as determined by
the Cenex Board of Directors.
The authorized common stock consisted of 5,000 shares at a par value of $25
each. Common stock was not subject to the payment of dividends. Voting rights
were limited to holders of common stock, with cooperative associates entitled to
one vote for each of their registered producer members, plus one additional vote
for each $1,000, or major fraction thereof, of preferred stock or equity issued
as patronage.
The following is a summary of share activity for common and preferred stock
of Cenex for the eight months ended May 31, 1998 and for the year ended
September 30, 1997:
COMMON PREFERRED
------ ----------
Shares outstanding, October 1, 1996 ........... 827 20,051,324
Patronage distribution ........................ 2,115,756
Equities retired, net ......................... (13) (1,059,461)
Other ......................................... (107,515)
--- ----------
Shares outstanding, September 30, 1997 ........ 814 21,000,104
Patronage distribution ........................ 2,578,292
Equities retired, net ......................... (31) (1,254,979)
Other ......................................... (201,856)
--- ----------
Shares outstanding, May 31, 1998 .............. 783 22,121,561
=== ==========
HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES EQUITY PRIOR TO JUNE 1, 1998 -- In accordance
with the Harvest States Cooperatives By-Laws and by action of the Harvest States
Cooperatives Board of Directors, annual net earnings from patronage sources were
distributed to consenting patrons following the close of each year and were
based on amounts reportable for federal income tax purposes as adjusted in
accordance with the Harvest States Cooperatives By-Laws. The cash portion of the
distribution was determined annually by the Harvest States Cooperatives Board of
Directors, with the balance issued in the form of capital equity certificates.
Annual net earnings from sources other than patronage were added to the
unallocated capital reserve or, upon action by the Harvest States Cooperatives
Board of Directors, allocated to members in the form of nonpatronage
certificates.
The Harvest States Cooperatives Board of Directors authorized the
redemption of capital equity certificates held by patrons who were 72 years of
age and those held by estates of deceased patrons. The Harvest States
Cooperatives Board of Directors also authorized the redemption of nonpatronage
certificates held by estates of deceased patrons.
F-17
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
9. EQUITIES (CONTINUED)
DEFERRED PATRONAGE -- The Company follows the practice of accounting for
deferred patronage charges and credits in a separate equity account instead of
including such amounts in the unallocated capital reserve. Deferred patronage
results from the fact that patronage distributions are primarily determined on
the basis of taxable income rather than net income as reported in the
consolidated financial statements. Deferred patronage consists of items which
have been included in the computation of net income for financial statement
purposes, but not for income tax or patronage purposes. As these items reverse,
patronage refunds and deferred patronage are affected.
10. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Effective June 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 132, a standard on
disclosure requirements related to pension and other postretirement benefits.
PENSION BENEFITS OTHER BENEFITS
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998 2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at
beginning of period .......... $ 266,651 $ 265,045 $ 245,444 $ 28,543 $ 23,474 $ 22,210
Service cost .................. 8,777 8,733 5,212 657 1,421 387
Interest cost ................. 18,058 17,817 11,771 1,470 1,769 956
Plan participants'
contributions ................ 131
Plan amendments ............... 251 10,673 772 (7,679) (630)
Actuarial (gain) loss ......... (13,616) (8,322) 6,021 226 3,993 517
Assumption change ............. (6,103) 5,348 (146) 326
Settlements ................... 275 674
Benefits paid ................. (22,062) (21,467) (10,197) (1,778) (1,338) (1,053)
--------- --------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Benefit obligation at end
of period .................... $ 258,059 $ 266,651 $ 265,045 $ 21,439 $ 28,543 $ 23,474
========= ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at
beginning of period .......... $ 259,360 $ 241,949 $ 252,659 $ $ $
Actual return (loss) on
plan assets .................. 22,240 35,622 (6,263)
Company contributions ......... 7,358 3,256 5,750 1,778 1,338 922
Other ......................... 131
Benefits paid ................. (22,062) (21,467) (10,197) (1,778) (1,338) (1,053)
--------- --------- --------- -------- -------- --------
Fair value of plan assets at
end of period ................ $ 266,896 $ 259,360 $ 241,949 $ -- $ -- $ --
========= ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
F-18
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
10. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
PENSION BENEFITS OTHER BENEFITS
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998 2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Funded status ...................... $ 8,837 $ (7,291) $ (23,096) $ (21,439) $ (28,543) $ (23,474)
Employer contributions after
measurement date .................. 4,586 5,331 2,618 200 97
Unrecognized actuarial loss
(gain) .......................... 11,976 27,869 59,511 (9,046) (2,341) (6,372)
Unrecognized transition
(asset) obligation .............. (1,570) (2,690) (3,938) 12,069 13,004 13,941
Unrecognized prior service
cost ............................ 10,821 10,386 524 (660) (592) 3
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Prepaid benefit cost
(accrued) ....................... $ 34,650 $ 33,605 $ 33,001 $ (16,458) $ (18,272) $ (15,805)
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Amounts recognized on balance
sheets consist of:
Prepaid benefit cost ............. $ 43,516 $ 42,099 $ 41,554 $ $ $
Accrued benefit liability ........ (12,253) (13,158) (9,396) (16,458) (18,272) (15,805)
Intangible asset ................. 2,148 3,272 350
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss .............. 1,239 1,392 493
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net amounts recognized ........... $ 34,650 $ 33,605 $ 33,001 $ (16,458) $ (18,272) $ (15,805)
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
For measurement purposes, a 7.5% annual rate of increase in the per capita
cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for the year ended August 31,
2000. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 6.0% for 2003 and remain at
that level thereafter.
F-19
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
10. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
PENSION BENEFITS OTHER BENEFITS
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998 2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Components of net periodic
benefit cost:
Service cost ............... $ 8,777 $ 8,733 $ 5,212 $ 7,046 $ 657 $1,421 $ 387 $ 727
Interest cost .............. 18,058 17,817 11,771 16,275 1,470 1,769 956 1,525
Expected return on assets (20,485) (26,552) (14,809) (18,199)
Prior service cost
amortization .............. 1,182 812 214 189 (77) (38) (1) 1
Actuarial (gain) loss
amortization .............. (530) 8,145 671 1,307 (604) (82) (268) (354)
Transition amount
amortization .............. (1,120) (1,248) (1,143) (2,506) 936 936 503 937
Special termination
benefits .................. 674
Other ...................... 275
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------ ------ ------ ------
Net periodic benefit cost .. $ 5,882 $ 7,982 $ 2,590 $ 4,112 $2,382 $4,006 $1,577 $2,836
========== ========== ========== ========== ====== ====== ======= ======
Weighted-average
assumptions:
Discount rate .............. 7.50% 7.30% 6.83% 7.25% 7.50% 7.30% 6.85% 7.42%
Expected return on plan
assets .................... 9.00% 8.50% 8.63% 8.40% N/A N/A N/A N/A
Rate of compensation
increase .................. 5.00% 5.00% 5.02% 5.08% 5.00% 5.00% 4.90% 5.13%
The aggregate projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation
and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit
obligations in excess of plan assets were as follows as of August 31, 2000, 1999
and 1998:
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31,
2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Projected benefit obligation ...................................... $23,864 $25,264 $22,268
Accumulated benefit obligation .................................... 19,978 19,746 17,002
Fair value of plan assets ......................................... 8,602 8,092 7,604
The Company provides defined life insurance and health care benefits for
certain retired employees. The plan is contributory based on years of service
and family status, with retiree contributions adjusted annually.
The Company has other contributory defined contribution plans covering
substantially all employees. Total contributions by the Company to these plans
were approximately $4.6 million, $4.5 million, $1.1 million and $4.2 million,
for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August
31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998, respectively.
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the
amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage point change in the
assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
1% POINT 1% POINT
INCREASE DECREASE
---------- -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Effect on total of service and interest
cost components .................................................................. $ 177 $ (150)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation ....................................... 1,350 (1,170)
F-20
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
11. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company's businesses are organized, managed and internally reported as
four segments. These segments, which are based on products and services, include
agronomy, energy, grain marketing and farm marketing & supply and processed
grain and consumer products. Due to cost allocations and intersegment activity,
management does not represent that these segments, if operated independently,
would report the income before income taxes and other financial information
presented.
Segment information for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the
three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998 is as
follows:
PROCESSED
GRAIN MARKETING GRAIN AND
AND FARM CONSUMER
AGRONOMY ENERGY MARKETING & SUPPLY PRODUCTS OTHER TOTAL
-------- ---------- ------------------ --------- -------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
For the year ended August 31,
2000:
Net sales ....................... $768,449 $2,903,878 $4,210,129 $553,349 $ $8,435,805
Patronage dividends ............. 224 311 4,544 100 315 5,494
Other revenues .................. 80 3,649 83,172 24,357 18,864 130,122
-------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
768,753 2,907,838 4,297,845 577,806 19,179 8,571,421
Cost of goods sold .............. 723,133 2,805,954 4,196,139 512,769 8,237,995
Marketing, general and
administrative ................. 20,832 44,350 54,494 23,571 16,799 160,046
Interest ........................ (3,512) 27,926 21,879 9,851 1,422 57,566
Minority interests .............. 24,443 (14) 117 24,546
-------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Income before income taxes ...... $ 28,300 $ 5,165 $ 25,347 $ 31,615 $ 841 $ 91,268
======== ========== ========== ======== ======== ==========
Total identifiable assets at
August 31, 2000 ................ $228,277 $1,379,019 $ 926,992 $391,286 $247,106 $3,172,680
======== ========== ========== ======== ======== ==========
For the year ended August 31,
1999:
Net sales ....................... $593,927 $1,345,772 $3,857,042 $531,877 $ $6,328,618
Patronage dividends ............. 184 (1,236) 7,109 (492) 311 5,876
Other revenues .................. (4,313) 924 72,506 12,197 18,717 100,031
-------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
589,798 1,345,460 3,936,657 543,582 19,028 6,434,525
Cost of goods sold .............. 558,536 1,228,472 3,844,974 508,598 6,140,580
Marketing, general and
administrative ................. 16,605 47,536 48,965 17,854 17,550 148,510
Interest ........................ 1,413 16,584 18,378 6,561 (498) 42,438
Minority interests .............. 9,889 128 10,017
-------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Income before income taxes ...... $ 13,244 $ 42,979 $ 24,340 $ 10,569 $ 1,848 $ 92,980
======== ========== ========== ======== ======== ==========
Total identifiable assets at
August 31, 1999 ................ $361,381 $1,112,127 $ 780,973 $293,499 $239,684 $2,787,664
======== ========== ========== ======== ======== ==========
F-21
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
11. SEGMENT REPORTING (CONTINUED)
PROCESSED
GRAIN MARKETING GRAIN AND
AND FARM CONSUMER
AGRONOMY ENERGY MARKETING & SUPPLY PRODUCTS OTHER TOTAL
-------- ---------- ------------------ --------- -------- ----------
For the three months ended
August 31, 1998:
Net sales ............................. $ 91,231 $ 343,747 $ 937,630 $145,645 $ $1,518,253
Patronage dividends ................... 51 4,913 147 5,111
Other revenues ........................ 25 12,651 1,888 4,707 19,271
-------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
91,231 343,823 955,194 147,533 4,854 1,542,635
Cost of goods sold .................... 86,377 306,768 941,380 138,718 1,473,243
Marketing, general and
administrative ....................... 3,813 12,340 10,633 3,937 4,275 34,998
Interest .............................. 78 4,389 6,193 1,208 443 12,311
Minority interests .................... 3,260 (72) 64 3,252
-------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Income (loss) before income taxes ..... $ 963 $ 17,066 $ (2,940) $ 3,670 $ 72 $ 18,831
======== ========== ========== ======== ======== ==========
Total identifiable assets at
August 31, 1998 ...................... $314,469 $ 943,004 $ 693,567 $296,340 $221,723 $2,469,103
======== ========== ========== ======== ======== ==========
For the year ended May 31, 1998:
Net sales ............................. $696,441 $1,858,069 $5,175,616 $615,049 $ $8,345,175
Patronage dividends ................... 57,552 1,276 11,136 423 70,387
Other revenues ........................ 434 71,767 10,284 16,035 98,520
-------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
753,993 1,859,779 5,258,519 625,333 16,458 8,514,082
Cost of goods sold .................... 662,238 1,739,809 5,179,290 568,268 8,149,605
Marketing, general and
administrative ....................... 14,637 42,637 39,265 13,830 15,692 126,061
Interest .............................. 43 15,163 15,741 4,143 (470) 34,620
Minority interests .................... 6,749 131 6,880
-------- ---------- ---------- -------- -------- ----------
Income before income taxes ............ $ 77,075 $ 55,421 $ 24,223 $ 39,092 $ 1,105 $ 196,916
======== ========== ========== ======== ======== ==========
Assets included in Other primarily consist of intercompany transactions and
corporate facilities.
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
ENVIRONMENTAL -- The Company is required to comply with various
environmental laws and regulations incident to its normal business operations.
In order to meet its compliance requirements, the Company establishes reserves
for the future costs of remediation of identified issues, which are included in
cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations. Additional
costs for matters which may be identified in the future cannot be presently
determined; while the resolution of any such matters may have an impact on the
Company's consolidated financial results for a particular reporting period,
management believes any such matters will not have a material adverse effect on
the consolidated financial position of the Company.
OTHER LITIGATION AND CLAIMS -- The Company is involved as a defendant in
various lawsuits, claims and disputes which are in the normal course of the
Company's business. The resolution of any such matters may have an impact on the
Company's consolidated financial results for a particular reporting period;
however, management believes any resulting liability will not have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company.
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE -- Certain income tax returns have been reviewed
by the Internal Revenue Service and various state tax authorities. In connection
with these reviews, certain adjustments have been proposed which, if upheld,
could result in additional tax liability to the Company. While the outcome of
F-22
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
any proposed adjustments may have an impact on the Company's consolidated
financial results for a particular reporting period, management believes that
any tax assessment which may result from these adjustments will not have a
material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company.
GRAIN STORAGE -- As of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, the Company stored
grain and processed grain products for third parties totaling $127.0 million,
$99.4 million and $111.5 million, respectively. Such stored commodities and
products are not the property of the Company and therefore are not included in
the Company's inventories.
GUARANTEES -- The Company is a guarantor for lines of credit for related
companies totaling up to $35.0 million, of which $4.9 million was outstanding as
of August 31, 2000. All outstanding loans with respective creditors are current
as of August 31, 2000.
LEASE COMMITMENTS -- The Company leases approximately 2,900 rail cars with
remaining lease terms of one to 10 years. In addition, the Company has
commitments under other operating leases for various refinery, manufacturing and
transportation equipment, vehicles and office space. Some leases include
purchase options at not less than fair market value at the end of the leases.
Total rental expense for all operating leases, net of rail car mileage
credits received from the railroad and sublease income was approximately $38.0
million, $29.8 million, $8.6 million and $30.5 million for the years ended
August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the
year ended May 31, 1998, respectively. Mileage credits and sublease income were
approximately $8.7 million, $12.8 million, $4.7 million and $14.2 million for
the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31,
1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998, respectively.
Minimum future lease payments required under noncancellable operating
leases as of August 31, 2000 are as follows:
EQUIPMENT
RAIL CARS VEHICLES AND OTHER TOTAL
--------- -------- --------- -----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
2001 ........................................ $14,248 $ 7,785 $11,954 $ 33,987
2002 ........................................ 10,968 5,589 11,400 27,957
2003 ........................................ 7,149 3,652 9,671 20,472
2004 ........................................ 3,353 2,450 8,154 13,957
2005 ........................................ 1,879 1,708 1,939 5,526
Thereafter .................................. 6,433 3,935 4,616 14,984
------- ------- ------- --------
Total minimum future lease payments ......... $44,030 $25,119 $47,734 $116,883
======= ======= ======= ========
F-23
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
13. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW AND OTHER INFORMATION
Additional information concerning supplemental disclosures of cash flow
activities for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months
ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998 is as follows:
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Net cash paid during the period for:
Interest .................................. $57,062 $42,765 $10,851 $36,632
Income taxes .............................. 3,785 8,161 8,248 21,409
Other significant noncash transactions:
Contribution of inventories from minority
interest ................................. 54,399
Capital equity certificates issued in
exchange for elevator properties ......... 7,921 14,714 911 10,561
Summarized financial information of Cenex for the period October 1, 1997
through May 31, 1998 is as follows (dollars in thousands):
Net sales ................................................................................ $1,798,219
Net income ............................................................................... 62,776
Cash flow from:
Operating activities .................................................................... $ 83,118
Investing activities .................................................................... (49,666)
Financing activities .................................................................... (18,718)
----------
Net cash flow ............................................................................ $ 14,734
==========
F-24
CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
14. UNAUDITED INTERIM INFORMATION
As discussed in Note 1, effective June 1, 1998, subsequent to the merger,
the Company changed its fiscal year end to August 31. Therefore, the transition
period for the three months ended August 31, 1998 has been included in the
financial statements. Comparable information for the three months ended August
31, 1997 is as follows (unaudited):
UNAUDITED
----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues:
Grain and oilseed .............................. $1,030,047
Energy ......................................... 414,948
Agronomy ....................................... 138,673
Feed and farm supplies ......................... 126,568
Processed grain and oilseed .................... 130,770
----------
$1,841,006
----------
Cost of goods sold .............................. $1,780,171
Income taxes .................................... 8,865
Net income ...................................... 35,211
Net cash provided by operating activities ....... 126,038
Net cash used in investing activities ........... (24,507)
Net cash used in financing activities ........... (130,251)
F-25
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Members and Patrons of
Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives:
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements
of operations, equities and comprehensive income and cash flows present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives and subsidiaries as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended August 31,
2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended
May 31, 1998, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. The consolidated statements of
operations, equities and comprehensive income and cash flows for the year ended
May 31, 1998, give retroactive effect to the merger of Harvest States
Cooperatives and CENEX, Inc. on June 1, 1998, in a transaction accounted for as
a pooling of interests, as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements. We did not audit the financial statements of Harvest States
Cooperatives, which statements reflect approximately 29% of total net income for
the year ended May 31, 1998. Those statements were audited by other auditors
whose report thereon has been furnished to us, and our opinion expressed herein,
insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Harvest States Cooperatives,
is based solely on the report of the other auditors. We conducted our audits of
these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in
the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits and the report of other auditors provide a reasonable basis for the
opinion expressed above.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 20, 2000
F-26
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
BALANCE SHEETS
AUGUST 31,
---------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Receivables ...................................... $30,011 $24,650 $28,703
Inventories ...................................... 25,449 17,084 18,569
Other current assets ............................. 18
------- ------- -------
Total current assets ............................. 55,478 41,734 47,272
Property, plant and equipment ..................... 40,270 39,001 35,596
------- ------- -------
TOTAL ASSETS ..................................... $95,748 $80,735 $82,868
======= ======= =======
LIABILITIES AND DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Due to Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives ......... $15,891 $ 9,546 $15,071
Accounts payable ................................. 9,028 5,768 7,547
Accrued expenses ................................. 5,976 4,227 1,773
------- ------- -------
Total liabilities ............................... 30,895 19,541 24,391
Commitments and contingencies
Defined Business Unit equity ...................... 64,853 61,194 58,477
------- ------- -------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND DEFINED BUSINESS
UNIT EQUITY ..................................... $95,748 $80,735 $82,868
======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-27
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FOR THE THREE FOR THE
AUGUST 31, MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
---------------------- AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
-------- -------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
REVENUES:
Processed oilseed sales ....................... $325,219 $358,042 $ 98,919 $410,386
Other revenues ................................ 160 30 1,115 1,746
-------- -------- -------- --------
325,379 358,072 100,034 412,132
-------- -------- -------- --------
COST AND EXPENSES:
Cost of goods sold ............................ 300,225 338,386 95,304 379,272
Marketing, general and administrative ......... 5,131 5,095 1,257 4,730
Interest ...................................... 18 557 251 380
-------- -------- -------- --------
305,374 344,038 96,812 384,382
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ..................... 20,005 14,034 3,222 27,750
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES ..................... 1,330 800 525 1,825
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME ..................................... $ 18,675 $ 13,234 $ 2,697 $ 25,925
======== ======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-28
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
STATEMENTS OF DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000 AND 1999, FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE, JUNE 1, 1997 ........................................... $ 53,391
Net and comprehensive income ................................... 25,925
Defined Business Unit equity distributed to the Company ........ (21,252)
---------
BALANCE, MAY 31, 1998 ........................................... 58,064
Net and comprehensive income ................................... 2,697
Defined Business Unit equity distributed to the Company ........ (2,284)
---------
BALANCE, AUGUST 31, 1998 ........................................ 58,477
Net and comprehensive income ................................... 13,234
Defined Business Unit equity distributed to the Company ........ (10,517)
---------
BALANCE, AUGUST 31, 1999 ........................................ 61,194
Net and comprehensive income ................................... 18,675
Defined Business Unit equity distributed to the Company ........ (15,016)
---------
BALANCE, AUGUST 31, 2000 ........................................ $ 64,853
=========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-29
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FOR THE THREE FOR THE
AUGUST 31, MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
--------------------------- AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
------------ ------------ ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
Net income ....................................... $ 18,675 $ 13,234 $ 2,697 $ 25,925
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation ................................... 2,609 2,330 551 2,021
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and
equipment ..................................... 35 204 (658)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables .................................... (5,361) 4,053 3,882 1,584
Inventories .................................... (8,365) 1,485 5,190 (908)
Other current assets ........................... (18) 185 2,125
Accounts payable and accrued expenses .......... 5,009 675 (1,207) (2,913)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 12,584 21,981 11,298 27,176
--------- --------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (3,936) (5,939) (1,195) (13,953)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant
and equipment ................................... 23 10,723
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities ......... (3,913) (5,939) (1,195) (3,230)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
Changes in due to Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives .................................... 6,345 (5,525) (7,819) (2,694)
Defined Business Unit equity distributed to
the Company ..................................... (15,016) (10,517) (2,284) (21,252)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities ......... (8,671) (16,042) (10,103) (23,946)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH ........................ -- -- -- --
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD ........................ -- -- -- --
--------- --------- --------- ---------
CASH AT END OF PERIOD .............................. $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
========= ========= ========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-30
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS -- Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives'
Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit (the Defined Business
Unit) is a Defined Business Unit of Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives (the
Company) and is not organized as a separate legal entity. The purpose of the
Defined Business Unit is to carry on the operations of the Oilseed Processing
and Refining Division. The assets and liabilities of the Defined Business Unit
continue to be 100% owned by the Company. The Defined Business Unit operates a
single soybean crushing and oil refining plant in Mankato, Minnesota and serves
customers throughout the United States of America.
Effective June 1, 1998, Harvest States Cooperatives merged with CENEX, Inc.
to form Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives. As a result of the merger, the
Defined Business Unit became a Defined Business Unit of Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives at that date.
CASH MANAGEMENT -- The Defined Business Unit draws all of its cash
requirements from and deposits all cash generated with the Company's centralized
cash management system.
INVENTORIES AND HEDGING -- Oilseed and processed oilseed products are
stated at market, including adjustments for open purchase, sales and futures
contracts and deferral of profit on processed oilseed products.
The Defined Business Unit follows the general policy of hedging its oilseed
inventories and unfilled orders for oilseed products to the extent considered
practicable to minimize risk from market price fluctuations. Futures contracts
used for hedging are purchased and sold through regulated commodity exchanges.
Inventories, purchase commitments and sales commitments, however, may not be
completely hedged due, in part, to the absence of satisfactory hedging
facilities for certain commodities and geographical areas and, in part, to the
Defined Business Unit's assessment of its exposure from expected price
fluctuations. Noncommodity exchange purchase and sale contracts may expose the
Defined Business Unit to risk in the event that a counterparty to a transaction
is unable to fulfill its contractual obligation. The Defined Business Unit
manages its risk by entering into purchase contracts with preapproved producers
and companies and by establishing appropriate limits for individual suppliers.
Sales contracts are entered into with organizations of applicable
creditworthiness, as internally evaluated.
In June 1998, Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, a standard related to the
accounting for derivative transactions and hedging activities. In June 1999, the
FASB issued SFAS No. 137 which defers the effective date of SFAS No. 133 to all
fiscal quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. This
statement will be adopted effective September 1, 2000, but is not expected to
materially impact the Company's financial statements.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- Property, plant and equipment are stated
at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The cost and
related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are
removed from the related accounts and resulting gains or losses are reflected in
operations. Expenditures which substantially increase value or extend useful
lives are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged
against income as incurred.
Management periodically reviews the carrying value of property, plant and
equipment for potential impairment by comparing its carrying value to the
estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of
these assets. Should the sum of the related, expected future net cash flows be
less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would be recognized. An
impairment loss would be measured by the amount by which the carrying value of
the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
F-31
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AND PER POUND AMOUNTS) (CONTINUED)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
INCOME TAXES -- Net income generated on oilseed purchased by the Defined
Business Unit from nonmembers is characterized as nonpatronage income and is,
therefore, taxable. Net income generated on oilseed purchased from the Company
and holders of Equity Participation Units (EPUs) is considered to be patronage
to the extent of the Company's patronage purchase percentage of that particular
commodity; the other portion of such income is considered nonpatronage and is,
therefore, taxable.
Results of operations of the Defined Business Unit are included in the
consolidated federal income tax return of the Company. The Company's policy
provides for the payment of taxes as calculated on an individual company basis
for each of its defined business units and divisions, accordingly, the Defined
Business Unit has recorded tax expense as though on a stand alone basis.
In September 2000, the Board of Directors approved a resolution to compute
patronage distributions based on audited earnings for financial statement
purposes. If the resolution is ratified by the Company's members at its December
2000 annual meeting, patronage distributions will be based on financial
statement earnings beginning in fiscal year 2001.
REVENUE RECOGNITION -- Sales of processed oilseeds are recognized upon
shipment to customers, primarily with FOB shipping point terms.
USE OF ESTIMATES -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
2. RECEIVABLES
Receivables at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
Trade ....................................... $30,406 $25,045 $29,098
Less allowance for doubtful accounts ........ 395 395 395
------- ------- -------
$30,011 $24,650 $28,703
======= ======= =======
Sales to one customer accounted for 17% and 25% of total sales for the
years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. Sales to two customers
accounted for 25% and 10% of total sales for the three months ended August 31,
1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998, respectively.
3. INVENTORIES
Inventories at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
Processed oilseed products .................. $22,075 $11,918 $17,857
Oilseed ..................................... 3,374 5,166 712
------- ------- -------
$25,449 $17,084 $18,569
======= ======= =======
F-32
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AND PER POUND AMOUNTS) (CONTINUED)
4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Major classes of property, plant and equipment at August 31, 2000, 1999 and
1998 are as follows:
ESTIMATED
USEFUL LIFE
IN YEARS 2000 1999 1998
----------- ------- ------- -------
Land ........................................... $ 2,072 $ 2,096 $ 763
Elevators, crushing plant and refinery ......... 15 to 20 23,970 23,270 22,103
Machinery and equipment ........................ 5 to 18 60,434 56,266 51,565
Furniture and fixtures ......................... 3 to 12 473 424 379
Other .......................................... 5 to 12 71 71 103
Construction in progress ....................... 2,719 3,741 5,626
------- ------- -------
89,739 85,868 80,539
Less accumulated depreciation .................. 49,469 46,867 44,943
------- ------- -------
$40,270 $39,001 $35,596
======= ======= =======
5. DUE TO CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES
The Defined Business Unit satisfies its working capital needs through
borrowings, both long-and short-term, from the Company to the extent the
Company's borrowing capacity permits. Amounts outstanding under this arrangement
at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 totaled $15,891, $9,546 and $15,071,
respectively.
The Company charges the Defined Business Unit interest on its daily average
of short-term borrowings at a rate that approximates the weighted average
interest rate on short-term borrowings of the Company. The weighted average
borrowing rate of the Company's short-term borrowings was 6.7% for the year
ended August 31, 2000 and 5.8% for the year ended August 31, 1999, for the three
months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998. Amounts due
from the Company receive interest in the same manner at the same rate.
Long-term borrowings, if needed, could be obtained at the Company's
long-term borrowing rate. No long-term borrowings were outstanding at August 31,
2000, 1999 or 1998.
6. DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT EQUITY
On May 31, 1997, the Company completed an offering for the sale of Equity
Participation Units (EPUs) in its Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined
Business Unit to qualified subscribers. Qualified subscribers are identified as
Defined Members or representatives of Defined Members which are persons or
associations of producers engaged in the production of agricultural products.
The purchasers of EPUs have the right and obligation to deliver annually the
number of bushels of soybeans equal to the number of units held. Unit holders
participate in the net patronage sourced income from operations of the Oilseed
Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit as patronage refunds distributed
by the Company. EPUs represent an ownership interest in the Company, not the
Defined Business Unit.
7. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company has noncontributory defined benefit retirement plans covering
substantially all salaried and full-time hourly employees, including those
employees of the Defined Business Unit. The retirement plan benefits for
salaried employees are based on years of service and the participants' total
compensation. Benefits for hourly employees are based on various monthly amounts
for each year of credited service. The plans are funded by annual contributions
to tax-exempt trusts in accordance with federal laws and regulations. Plan
assets consist principally of corporate obligations, U.S. government
F-33
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AND PER POUND AMOUNTS) (CONTINUED)
7. RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
bonds, money market funds and immediate participation guarantee contracts.
Pension costs charged to the Defined Business Unit for the years ended August
31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year
ended May 31, 1998, were approximately $281, $538, $135 and $120, respectively.
The Defined Business Unit's portion of the actuarial present value of
accumulated benefit obligations and net pension assets available for benefits
has not been determined. Selected information at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
for the Company's plan is as follows:
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- -------
Projected benefit obligation for service rendered to date ......... $190,709 $196,034 $92,854
Plan assets at fair value ......................................... 187,413 175,376 84,961
The determination of the actuarial present value of the projected benefit
obligation was based on a weighted average discount rate of 7.5% at August 31,
2000 (7.0% at August 31, 1999 and 1998) and a rate of increase in future
compensation of 5% for all periods. The expected long-term rate of return on
plan assets was 9.0% for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, and 8.5% for
the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998.
8. POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL AND OTHER BENEFITS
The Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees of
the Defined Business Unit. Employees become eligible for these benefits if they
meet minimum age and service requirements and are eligible for retirement
benefits. The accrued postretirement medical and other benefits costs of the
Company that are not funded were as follows at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998:
2000 1999 1998
-------- --------- --------
Total postretirement benefit obligation ......................... $ 15,700 $ 23,290 $ 10,408
Unrecognized transition obligation .............................. (9,425) (10,158) (7,835)
Unrecognized net gains .......................................... 6,708 2,026 1,864
-------- --------- --------
Accrued postretirement medical and other benefit costs .......... $ 12,983 $ 15,158 $ 4,437
======== ========= ========
The net periodic costs charged to the Defined Business Unit for the years
ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and
for the year ended May 31, 1998 were approximately $382, $258, $87 and $246,
respectively.
The calculations assumed a discount rate of 7.5% at August 31, 2000 (7.0%
at August 31, 1999 and 1998, and 7.75% at May 31, 1998) and a health care cost
trend rate of 7.5% for the year ending August 31, 2000, declining to 6.0% for
2003 and remaining at that level thereafter.
F-34
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AND PER POUND AMOUNTS) (CONTINUED)
9. INCOME TAXES
A reconciliation of the statutory federal tax rate to the effective rate
for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August
31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998 is as follows:
FOR THE
FOR THE FOR THE THREE MONTHS FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Statutory federal income tax rate .......... 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State and local income taxes, net of federal
income tax benefit ........................ 4.1 4.1 4.1 5.0
Patronage earnings ......................... (32.5) (33.4) (23.2) (32.7)
Other, net ................................. .4 (.7)
----- ----- ----- -----
Effective rate ............................. 6.6% 5.7% 16.3% 6.6%
===== ===== ===== =====
The Defined Business Unit has no significant deferred income tax assets or
liabilities.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Noncancellable operating leases for approximately 361 rail cars with
remaining lease terms of one to fifteen years are used by the Defined Business
Unit. In September 1997, the Defined Business Unit (the Lessee) entered into a
sales leaseback agreement. After 111 months, the Lessee has the option to: (i)
purchase the equipment at fair market value; (ii) continue the lease; or (iii)
return the equipment to the Lessor and pay a maximum termination fee of $719
contingent upon the Lessor's inability to recover the full value of the
equipment, as determined from the casualty loss value schedule in the lease
agreement. After 120 months, the Lessee has the option to: (i) purchase the
equipment at fair market value, limited to 10% of the net equipment cost at
lease inception; (ii) renew the lease for a period of 36 months; or (iii) return
the equipment to the Lessor.
Total rent expense for all operating leases, net of rail car mileage
credits received from the railroad, was $3,848, $3,326, $933 and $2,717 for the
years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31,
1998, and for the year ended May 31, 1998, respectively.
Minimum future rental payments due under noncancellable operating leases at
August 31, 2000 are as follows:
2001 ....................................................................................... $ 3,092
2002 ....................................................................................... 2,806
2003 ....................................................................................... 2,670
2004 ....................................................................................... 2,365
2005 ....................................................................................... 2,226
2006 and thereafter ........................................................................ 9,772
-------
$22,931
=======
There are various lawsuits and administrative proceedings incidental to the
business of the Defined Business Unit. It is impossible, at this time, to
estimate what the ultimate legal and financial liability of the Defined Business
Unit will be; nevertheless, management believes, based on the information
available to date and the resolution of prior proceedings, that the ultimate
liability of all litigation and proceedings will not have a material impact on
the financial statements of the Defined Business Unit taken as a whole.
F-35
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AND PER POUND AMOUNTS) (CONTINUED)
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
At August 31, 2000, the operations of the Defined Business Unit had
outstanding oilseed purchase contracts of 526,759 bushels at prices ranging from
$4.51 per bushel to $5.62 per bushel, and outstanding oil purchase contracts of
139,314,691 pounds at prices ranging from $0.12 per pound to $0.21 per pound. In
addition, the operations of the Defined Business Unit had outstanding priced
sales contracts totaling approximately $51,146.
In connection with the Defined Business Unit's proposed construction of a
crushing plant in Fairmont, Minnesota, the City of Fairmont paid $897 to the
Defined Business Unit during fiscal 1999. The Defined Business Unit will have to
repay this amount to the City of Fairmont in the event it does not meet
specified construction target dates. Therefore, this payment has been included
in accrued expenses on the balance sheet at August 31, 2000 and 1999.
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Revenues for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months
ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998 include $59,833,
$94,072, $22,908 and $101,440, respectively, to related parties, primarily the
Company.
The Defined Business Unit purchases a portion of its soybeans from the
Company. Included in cost of goods sold for the years ended August 31, 2000 and
1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31,
1998 were $14,849, $18,180, $5,110 and $19,875, respectively, of these
purchases.
Additionally, the Company performs various direct management services and
incurs certain costs for its Defined Business Units and divisions. Such costs,
including data processing, office services and insurance, are charged directly
to the Defined Business Units and divisions. Indirect expenses, such as
publications, board expense, executive management, legal, finance and human
resources, are allocated to the Defined Business Units and divisions based on
approximate usage. Costs allocated to the Defined Business Unit for the years
ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and
for the year ended May 31, 1998 were $900, $900, $225 and $900, respectively.
12. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Additional information concerning supplemental disclosures of cash flow
activities are as follows for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the
three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998:
FOR THE
FOR THE FOR THE THREE MONTHS FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Net cash paid to the Company during the
period for:
Interest ............................. $ 18 $557 $251 $380
Income taxes ......................... 1,330 800 525 790
13. UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
As discussed in Note 1, effective June 1, 1998, Harvest States Cooperatives
merged with CENEX, Inc. to form Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives. Prior to the
merger, Harvest States Cooperatives' and the Defined Business Unit's year end
was May 31 and CENEX, Inc.'s year end was September 30. Subsequent to the
merger, the Company and the Defined Business Unit changed its fiscal year end to
F-36
OILSEED PROCESSING AND REFINING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AND PER POUND AMOUNTS) (CONTINUED)
13. UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
August 31. Therefore, the transition period for the three months ended August
31, 1998 has been included in the financial statements. Comparable information
for the three months ended August 31, 1997 is as follows:
UNAUDITED
---------
Processed oilseed sales ............................ $ 86,349
Cost of goods sold ................................. 62,481
Provision for income taxes ......................... 675
Net income ......................................... 3,160
Net cash provided by operating activities .......... $ 21,200
Net cash used in investing activities .............. (7,771)
Net cash used in financing activities .............. (13,429)
---------
Net cash flows .................................... $ --
=========
F-37
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of
Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives:
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements
of operations, Defined Business Unit equity and comprehensive income and cash
flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Oilseed Processing and Refining Defined Business Unit (a Defined Business Unit
of Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives) as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, and
the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended August 31,
2000 and 1999, and for the three months ended August 31, 1998, in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Defined Business Unit's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial
statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 20, 2000
F-38
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Board of Directors
Harvest States Cooperatives
Saint Paul, Minnesota
We have audited the statements of operations, defined business unit equity
and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of the Oilseed Processing and
Refining Defined Business Unit (the Defined Business Unit), formerly known as
Honeymead Products Company, a defined business unit of Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives, for the year ended May 31, 1998. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Defined Business Unit's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the results of operations and the cash flows of the Defined Business
Unit for the year ended May 31, 1998, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Minneapolis, MN
July 24, 1998
F-39
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
BALANCE SHEETS
AUGUST 31,
----------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Receivables ...................................... $ 33,737 $ 30,960 $ 35,228
Inventories ...................................... 19,537 14,339 18,895
Other current assets ............................. 83 210 429
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets ........................... 53,357 45,509 54,552
Property, plant and equipment ..................... 128,151 110,547 97,428
Intangible assets ................................. 8,348 9,415 10,481
-------- -------- --------
TOTAL ASSETS ................................... $189,856 $165,471 $162,461
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Due to Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives ......... $ 67,956 $ 48,938 $ 33,238
Accounts payable ................................. 5,201 7,238 11,003
Accrued expenses ................................. 3,462 4,440 1,667
Current portion of long-term debt ................ 7,410 10,005 10,005
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities ...................... 84,029 70,621 55,913
Long-term debt, net of current portion ............ 40,100 28,510 38,515
Commitments and contingencies
Defined Business Unit equity ...................... 65,727 66,340 68,033
-------- -------- --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND DEFINED BUSINESS
UNIT EQUITY ................................... $189,856 $165,471 $162,461
======== ======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-40
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FOR THE THREE FOR THE
AUGUST 31, MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
--------------------------- AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
----------- ------------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
REVENUES:
Processed grain sales ......................... $219,333 $ 174,133 $46,914 $205,282
Other revenues ................................ 1,820
-------- --------- ------- --------
219,333 174,133 46,914 207,102
-------- --------- ------- --------
COST AND EXPENSES:
Cost of goods sold ............................ 206,710 170,510 43,733 189,614
Marketing, general and administrative ......... 13,146 10,610 2,071 8,072
Interest ...................................... 6,876 5,184 843 3,122
Other ......................................... 170 826 162
-------- --------- ------- --------
226,902 187,130 46,647 200,970
-------- --------- ------- --------
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES .............. (7,569) (12,997) 267 6,132
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (965) (1,125) 25 475
-------- --------- ------- --------
NET (LOSS) INCOME ........................... $ (6,604) $ (11,872) $ 242 $ 5,657
======== ========= ======= ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-41
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
STATEMENTS OF DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2000 AND 1999, FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE, JUNE 1, 1997 ........................................... $ 27,797
Capital contributed from Harvest States Cooperatives ........... 38,800
Net and comprehensive income ................................... 5,657
Defined Business Unit equity distributed to the Company ........ (4,296)
---------
BALANCE, MAY 31, 1998 ........................................... 67,958
Net and comprehensive income ................................... 242
Defined Business Unit equity distributed to the Company ........ (167)
---------
BALANCE, AUGUST 31, 1998 ........................................ 68,033
Net and comprehensive loss ..................................... (11,872)
Defined Business Unit equity loss allocated to the Company ..... 10,179
---------
BALANCE, AUGUST 31, 1999 ........................................ 66,340
Net and comprehensive loss ..................................... (6,604)
Defined Business Unit equity loss allocated to the Company ..... 5,991
---------
BALANCE, AUGUST 31, 2000 ........................................ $ 65,727
=========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-42
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED FOR THE THREE FOR THE
AUGUST 31, MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
---------------------------- AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
----------- ----------- ------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income .............................. $ (6,604) $ (11,872) $ 242 $ 5,657
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to
net cash (used in) provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization ................ 7,309 5,928 1,257 4,717
Loss on disposal of property, plant and
equipment ................................... 171 757 162
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables ................................. (2,777) 4,268 530 (8,897)
Inventories ................................. (5,198) 4,556 (5,109) (1,513)
Other current assets ........................ 127 219 (37) 448
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ....... (3,015) (992) 2,265 911
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities ..................... (9,987) 2,864 (852) 1,485
--------- --------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (24,118) (18,738) (12,791) (20,310)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and
equipment ..................................... 101
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities ..... (24,017) (18,738) (12,791) (20,310)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
Changes in due to Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives .................................. 19,018 15,700 16,499 (5,674)
Long-term debt borrowings ...................... 19,000
Principal payments on long-term debt ........... (10,005) (10,005) (2,689) (10,005)
Capital contributed from Harvest States
Cooperatives .................................. 38,800
Defined Business Unit equity allocated to the
Company ....................................... 5,991 10,179 (167) (4,296)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing
activities ............................... 34,004 15,874 13,643 18,825
--------- --------- --------- ---------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH ...................... -- -- -- --
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD ...................... -- -- -- --
--------- --------- --------- ---------
CASH AT END OF PERIOD ............................ $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
========= ========= ========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
F-43
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS -- Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives'
Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit (the Defined Business Unit) is a defined
business unit of Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives (the Company) and is not
organized as a separate legal entity. The purpose of the Defined Business Unit
is to carry on the operations of the Wheat Milling Division. The assets and
liabilities of the Defined Business Unit continue to be 100% owned by the
Company. The Defined Business Unit operates commercial bakery and semolina flour
milling facilities in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania; Rush City, Minnesota; Huron,
Ohio; Fairmount, North Dakota; Kenosha, Wisconsin; and Houston, Texas. These
mills produce semolina and durum flour, which are the primary ingredients in
pasta products and wheat flour in the bakery industry. The Defined Business Unit
serves customers throughout the United States.
Effective June 1, 1998, Harvest States Cooperatives merged with CENEX, Inc.
to form Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives. As a result of the merger, the
Defined Business Unit became a defined business unit of Cenex Harvest States
Cooperatives at that date.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current
year's presentation.
CASH MANAGEMENT -- The Defined Business Unit draws all of its cash
requirements from and deposits all cash generated with the Company's centralized
cash management system.
INVENTORIES AND HEDGING -- Grain and processed grain products are stated at
market, including adjustments for open purchase, sales and futures contracts and
deferral of normal profit on processed grain products.
The Defined Business Unit follows the general policy of hedging its grain
inventories and unfilled orders for grain products to the extent considered
practicable to minimize risk from market price fluctuations. Futures contracts
used for hedging are purchased and sold through regulated commodity exchanges.
Inventories, purchase commitments and sales commitments, however, may not be
completely hedged due, in part, to the absence of satisfactory hedging
facilities for certain commodities and geographical areas and, in part, to the
Defined Business Unit's assessment of its exposure from expected price
fluctuations. Noncommodity exchange purchase and sale contracts may expose the
Defined Business Unit to risk in the event that a counterparty to a transaction
is unable to fulfill its contractual obligation. The Defined Business Unit
manages its risk by entering into purchase contracts with preapproved producers
and companies and by establishing appropriate limits for individual suppliers.
Sales contracts are entered into with organizations of acceptable
creditworthiness, as internally evaluated.
In June 1998, Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, a standard related to the
accounting for derivative transactions and hedging activities. In June 1999, the
FASB issued SFAS No. 137 which defers the effective date of SFAS No. 133 to all
fiscal quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. This
statement will be adopted effective September 1, 2000, but is not expected to
materially impact the Company's financial statements.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- Property, plant and equipment are stated
at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The cost and
related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are
removed from the related accounts and resulting gains or losses are reflected in
operations. Expenditures which substantially increase value or extend useful
lives are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged
against income as incurred.
Management periodically reviews the carrying value of property, plant and
equipment, and other long-lived assets, for potential impairment by comparing
their carrying value to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to
result from the use of these assets. Should the sum of the related, expected
F-44
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
future net cash flows be less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would
be recognized. An impairment loss would be measured by the amount by which the
carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS -- Intangible assets, consisting primarily of goodwill
and leasehold rights, are amortized using the straight-line method over 15 to 18
years.
INCOME TAXES -- Net income generated on grain purchased by the Defined
Business Unit from nonmembers is characterized as nonpatronage income and is,
therefore, taxable. Net income generated on grain purchased from the Company and
holders of Equity Participation Units (EPUs) are considered to be patronage to
the extent of the Company's patronage purchase percentage of that particular
commodity; the other portion of such income is considered nonpatronage and is,
therefore, taxable.
Results of operations of the Defined Business Unit are included in the
consolidated federal income tax return of the Company. The Company's policy
provides for the payment of taxes as calculated on an individual company basis
for each of its defined business units and divisions, accordingly, the Defined
Business Unit has recorded tax (benefit) expense as though on a stand alone
basis.
In September 2000, the Board of Directors approved a resolution to compute
patronage distributions based on audited earnings for financial statement
purposes. If the resolution is ratified by the Company's members at its December
2000 annual meeting, patronage distributions will be based on financial
statement earnings beginning in fiscal year 2001.
REVENUE RECOGNITION -- Sales of processed grains are recognized upon
shipment to customers.
USE OF ESTIMATES -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
2. RECEIVABLES
Receivables at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
Trade ......................................... $34,576 $32,274 $34,825
Other ......................................... 810 454 1,074
------- ------- -------
35,386 32,728 35,899
Less allowance for doubtful accounts .......... 1,649 1,768 671
------- ------- -------
$33,737 $30,960 $35,228
======= ======= =======
Sales to two customers accounted for 23% of total sales for both the three
months ended August 31, 1998 and the year ended May 31, 1998, respectively.
F-45
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
3. INVENTORIES
Inventories at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
Grain .................................................... $ 9,610 $11,915 $17,003
Processed grain products ................................. 9,288 1,815 1,270
Other .................................................... 639 609 622
------- ------- -------
$19,537 $14,339 $18,895
======= ======= =======
4. LONG-LIVED ASSETS
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- Major classes of property, plant and
equipment at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
ESTIMATED
USEFUL LIFE
IN YEARS 2000 1999 1998
----------- -------- -------- --------
Land .................................. $ 1,808 $ 1,694 $ 398
Grain processing plants ............... 15 to 45 66,941 56,586 37,378
Machinery and equipment ............... 5 to 20 78,841 67,897 49,743
Construction in progress .............. 7,162 9,319 32,299
-------- -------- --------
154,752 135,496 119,818
Less accumulated depreciation ......... 26,601 24,949 22,390
-------- -------- --------
$128,151 $110,547 $ 97,428
======== ======== ========
During the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, the three months ended
August 31, 1998 and the year ended May 31, 1998, the Defined Business Unit
capitalized interest of $0, $797, $337 and $339, respectively.
In April 2000, the Defined Business Unit completed the purchase of a mill
and related equipment in Fairmount, North Dakota for $19,900.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS -- Intangible assets at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
are as follows:
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
Goodwill, less accumulated amortization of $2,510, $2,103 and
$1,697, respectively........................................... $3,590 $3,997 $ 4,403
Leasehold rights and other intangibles, less accumulated
amortization of $7,156, $6,496 and $5,836, respectively......... 4,758 5,418 6,078
------ ------ -------
$8,348 $9,415 $10,481
====== ====== =======
5. BORROWINGS
DUE TO CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES -- The Defined Business Unit
satisfies its working capital needs through borrowings, both long-and
short-term, from the Company to the extent the Company's borrowing capacity
permits. Amounts outstanding under this arrangement at August 31, 2000, 1999 and
1998 totaled $67,956, $48,938 and $33,238, respectively.
The Company charges the Defined Business Unit interest on its daily average
of short-term borrowings at a rate that approximates the weighted average
interest rate on short-term borrowings of the Company. The weighted average
borrowing rate of the Company's short-term borrowings was 6.7%,
F-46
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
5. BORROWINGS (CONTINUED)
for the year ended August 31, 2000 and 5.8% for the year ended August 31, 1999,
for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998.
Amounts due from the Company receive interest in the same manner at the same
rate.
LONG-TERM DEBT -- Long-term debt consisted of the following at August 31,
2000, 1999 and 1998:
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives, with fixed and variable
interest rates from 6.41% to 8.75%, due in installments
through 2005 ............................................. $46,410 $37,165 $46,920
Industrial Development and Public Grain Elevator
Revenue Bonds, payable through July 2004, with an
interest rate of 7.4% .................................... 1,100 1,350 1,600
------- ------- -------
47,510 38,515 48,520
Less current portion ..................................... 7,410 10,005 10,005
------- ------- -------
Long-term portion ........................................ $40,100 $28,510 $38,515
======= ======= =======
The principal maturities of long-term debt outstanding at August 31, 2000
are as follows:
2001 .............................................................................. $ 7,410
2002 .............................................................................. 7,125
2003 .............................................................................. 26,125
2004 .............................................................................. 6,850
-------
$47,510
=======
6. DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT EQUITY
On May 31, 1997, the Company completed an offering for the sale of Equity
Participation Units (EPUs) in its Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit to
qualified subscribers. Qualified subscribers are identified as Defined Members
or representatives of Defined Members which have been defined as persons or
associations of producers actually engaged in the production of agricultural
products. The purchasers of EPUs have the right and obligation to deliver
annually the number of bushels of wheat equal to the number of units held. Unit
holders participate in the net patronage sourced income from operations of the
Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit as patronage refunds distributed by the
Company. EPUs represent an ownership interest in the Company, not the Defined
Business Unit.
7. RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company has noncontributory defined benefit retirement plans covering
substantially all salaried and full-time hourly employees, including those
employees of the Defined Business Unit. The retirement plan benefits for
salaried employees are based on years of service and the participants' total
compensation. Benefits for hourly employees are based on various monthly amounts
for each year of credited service. The plans are funded by annual contributions
to tax-exempt trusts in accordance with federal laws and regulations. Plan
assets consist principally of corporate obligations, U.S. government bonds,
money market funds and immediate participation guarantee contracts. Pension
costs charged to the Defined Business Unit for the years ended August 31, 2000
and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May
31, 1998 were approximately $193, $247, $88 and $127, respectively.
The Defined Business Unit's portion of the actuarial present value of
accumulated benefit obligations and net pension assets available for benefits
has not been determined.
F-47
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
7. RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED)
Selected information at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 is as follows:
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- -------
Projected benefit obligation for service rendered to date .......... $190,709 $196,034 $92,854
Plan assets at fair value .......................................... 187,413 175,376 84,961
The determination of the actuarial present value of the projected benefit
obligation was based on a weighted average discount rate of 7.5% at August 31,
2000 (7.0% at August 31, 1999 and 1998) and a rate of increase in future
compensation of 5% for all periods. The expected long-term rate of return on
plan assets was 9.0% for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, and 8.5% for
the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998.
8. POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL AND OTHER BENEFITS
The Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees of
the Defined Business Unit. Employees become eligible for these benefits if they
meet minimum age and service requirements and are eligible for retirement
benefits. The accrued postretirement medical and other benefits costs of the
Company that are not funded were as follows at August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998:
2000 1999 1998
-------- --------- --------
Total postretirement benefit obligation ......................... $ 15,700 $ 23,290 $ 10,408
Unrecognized transition obligation .............................. (9,425) (10,158) (7,835)
Unrecognized net gains and other ................................ 6,708 2,026 1,864
-------- --------- --------
Accrued postretirement medical and other benefit costs .......... $ 12,983 $ 15,158 $ 4,437
======== ========= ========
The net periodic costs charged to the Defined Business Unit for the years
ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and
for the year ended May 31, 1998 were approximately $51, $78, $18 and $72,
respectively.
The calculations assumed a discount rate of 7.5% at August 31, 2000 (7.0%
at August 31, 1999 and 1998, and 7.75% at May 31, 1998) and a health care cost
trend rate of 7.5% for the year ended August 31, 2000, declining to 6.0% for
2003 and remaining at that level thereafter.
9. INCOME TAXES
A reconciliation of the statutory federal tax rate to the effective rate
for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August
31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998 is as follows:
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Statutory federal income tax rate ......... 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State and local income taxes, net of
federal income tax benefit ................ 4.1 4.1 4.1 5.0
Patronage earnings ........................ (26.3) (30.4) (30.8) (36.5)
Other, net ................................ 1.1 4.2
----- ----- ----- -----
Effective rate ............................ 12.8% 8.7% 9.4% 7.7%
===== ===== ===== =====
The Defined Business Unit has no significant deferred income tax assets or
liabilities.
F-48
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Noncancellable operating leases for approximately 301 rail cars with
remaining lease terms of one to ten years are used by the Defined Business Unit.
In addition, leases for a milling facility, grain elevator, certain vehicles and
various manufacturing equipment are used by the Defined Business Unit.
Total rent expense for all operating leases, net of rail car mileage
credits received from the railroad, was $4,312, $2,261, $576 and $2,108 for the
years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998
and for the year ended May 31, 1998, respectively. Mileage credits were $58,
$226, $22 and $215 for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three
months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31, 1998, respectively.
Minimum future rental payments due under these noncancellable operating
leases at August 31, 2000 are as follows:
2001 ......................................................... $2,078
2002 ......................................................... 1,535
2003 ......................................................... 265
2004 ......................................................... 39
2005 ......................................................... 37
2006 and thereafter .......................................... 3
------
$3,957
======
There are various lawsuits and administrative proceedings incidental to the
business of the Defined Business Unit. It is impossible, at this time, to
estimate what the ultimate legal and financial liability of the Defined Business
Unit will be; nevertheless, management believes, based on the information
available to date and the resolution of prior proceedings, that the ultimate
liability of all litigation and proceedings will not have a material impact on
the financial statements of the Defined Business Unit taken as a whole.
At August 31, 2000, the operations of the Defined Business Unit had
outstanding grain purchase contracts of 10,718,600 bushels at prices for durum
ranging from $3.90 per bushel to $4.90 per bushel and prices for spring wheat
ranging from $2.71 per bushel to $4.19 per bushel and prices for winter wheat
ranging from $2.66 per bushel to $3.69 per bushel. In addition, the operations
of the Defined Business Unit had outstanding sales contracts of both semolina
and commercial baking flour totaling approximately $69,539.
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Defined Business Unit purchases all of its durum and wheat from the
Company. Included in cost of goods sold for the years ended August 31, 2000 and
1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and for the year ended May 31,
1998 were $141,512, $115,571, $30,895 and $141,454, respectively, of these
purchases.
Additionally, the Company performs various direct management services and
incurs certain costs for its Defined Business Units and divisions. Such costs,
including data processing, office services and insurance, are charged directly
to the Defined Business Units and divisions. Indirect expenses, such as
publications, board expense, executive management, legal, finance and human
resources, are allocated to the Defined Business Units and divisions based on
approximate usage. Costs allocated to the Defined Business Unit for the years
ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the three months ended August 31, 1998 and
for the year ended May 31, 1998 were $1,394, $1,020, $255 and $1,020,
respectively.
On June 1, 1997, the Company contributed $38,800 in equity to the Defined
Business Unit for the purpose of constructing a mill at Mount Pocono,
Pennsylvania.
F-49
WHEAT MILLING DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT
(A DEFINED BUSINESS UNIT OF CENEX HARVEST STATES COOPERATIVES)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER BUSHEL AMOUNTS)
12. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Additional information concerning supplemental disclosures of cash flow
activities are as follows for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999, for the
three months ended August 31, 1998, and for the year ended May 31, 1998:
FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE THREE FOR THE
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, MAY 31,
2000 1999 1998 1998
---------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Net cash paid to (received from) the
Company during the period for:
Interest .......................... $6,876 $ 5,184 $843 $3,122
Income taxes ...................... (965) (1,125) 25 475
13. UNAUDITED INTERIM INFORMATION
As discussed in Note 1, effective June 1, 1998, Harvest States Cooperatives
merged with CENEX, Inc. to form Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives. Prior to the
merger, Harvest States Cooperatives' and the Defined Business Unit's year end
was May 31 and CENEX, Inc.'s year end was September 30. Subsequent to the
merger, the Company and the Defined Business Unit changed its fiscal year end to
August 31. Therefore, the transition period for the three months ended August
31, 1998 has been included in the financial statements. Comparable information
for the three months ended August 31, 1997 is as follows:
UNAUDITED
---------
Processed grain sales ............................................................ $ 44,420
Cost of goods sold ............................................................... 40,570
Provision for income taxes ....................................................... 125
Net income ....................................................................... 1,291
Net cash used in operating activities ............................................ $ (1,275)
Net cash used in investing activities ............................................ (2,293)
Net cash provided by financing activities ........................................ 3,568
--------
Net cash flows ................................................................... $ --
========
F-50
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of
Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives:
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements
of operations, Defined Business Unit equity and comprehensive income (loss) and
cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Wheat Milling Defined Business Unit (a Defined Business Unit of Cenex Harvest
States Cooperatives) as of August 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the years ended August 31, 2000 and 1999 and
for the three months ended August 31, 1998, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Defined Business Unit's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance
with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America,
which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 20, 2000
F-51
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Board of Directors
Harvest States Cooperatives
Saint Paul, Minnesota
We have audited the statements of operations, defined business unit equity
and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of the Wheat Milling Defined
Business Unit (the Defined Business Unit), formerly known as Amber Milling
Company, a defined business unit of Cenex Harvest States Cooperatives, for the
year ended May 31, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Defined Business Unit's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the results of operations and the cash flows of the Defined Business
Unit for the year ended May 31, 1998, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Minneapolis, MN
July 24, 1998
F-52