Edgar Filing: SANDERSON FARMS INC

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Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

FORM 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

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

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2013

¨	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 1-14977

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Mississippi		64-0615843
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

127 Flynt Road, Laurel, Mississippi		39443
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(601) 649-4030

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS

DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ¨ No ¨

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common Stock, $1 Par Value Per Share: 23,013,651 shares outstanding as of August 19, 2013.

INDEX

SANDERSON FARMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	3
	Condensed consolidated balance sheets—July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012	3
	Condensed consolidated statements of operations—Three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012	4
	Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows—Nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012	5

	Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements—July 31, 2013	6

	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	9

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	10

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	17

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	19

PART II	OTHER INFORMATION	19

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	19

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	20

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	21

Item 6.	Exhibits	22

SIGNATURES		23

Ex-15
Ex-31.1
Ex-31.2
Ex-32.1
Ex-32.2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SANDERSON FARMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


	July 31, 2013			October 31, 2012
	(Unaudited)			(Note 1)
	(In thousands)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	62,878		$	27,802
Accounts receivable, net		118,744			98,022
Inventories		241,343			235,912
Refundable income taxes		0			4,467
Deferred income taxes		0			3,945
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		32,665			27,639

Total current assets		455,630			397,787
Property, plant and equipment		1,020,243			985,198
Less accumulated depreciation		(531,006	)		(489,885	)

		489,237			495,313
Other assets		2,958			3,353

Total assets	$	947,825		$	896,453

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	86,743		$	82,755
Accrued expenses		51,519			42,082
Accrued income taxes		28,898			0
Current maturities of long-term debt		10,757			10,757
Deferred income taxes		125			0

Total current liabilities		178,042			135,594
Long-term debt, less current maturities		77,149			150,212
Claims payable		10,300			4,000
Deferred income taxes		53,926			56,572
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred Stock:
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $100 par value: authorized 500,000 shares, none issued
Par value to be determined by the Board of Directors: authorized 4,500,000 shares; none issued
Common Stock, $1 par value: authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding shares—23,013,651 and 22,968,832 at July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012, respectively		23,014			22,969
Paid-in capital		139,960			135,283
Retained earnings		465,434			391,823

Total stockholders’ equity		628,408			550,075

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	947,825		$	896,453

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

SANDERSON FARMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	July 31,						July 31,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)						(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	738,964		$	624,854		$	1,955,919		$	1,737,726
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales		605,018			555,240			1,752,118			1,600,145
Selling, general and administrative		29,505			20,704			69,902			56,772

		634,523			575,944			1,822,020			1,656,917

OPERATING INCOME		104,441			48,910			133,899			80,809
Other income (expense):
Interest income		5			3			12			9
Interest expense		(1,365	)		(1,999	)		(4,977	)		(7,387	)
Other		(17	)		5			34			(560	)

		(1,377	)		(1,991	)		(4,931	)		(7,938	)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		103,064			46,919			128,968			72,871
Income tax expense		35,145			18,198			43,621			28,274

NET INCOME	$	67,919		$	28,721			85,347		$	44,597

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	2.95		$	1.25		$	3.71		$	1.94

Diluted	$	2.95		$	1.25		$	3.71		$	1.94

Dividends per share	$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.51		$	0.51

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

SANDERSON FARMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)


	Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Operating activities
Net income	$	85,347		$	44,597
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		46,187			44,771
Non-cash stock compensation		5,707			3,560
Live inventory adjustment		0			(9,000	)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		104			37
Deferred income taxes		1,424			8,867
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		(20,826	)		5,706
Refundable income taxes		4,467			88,512
Inventories		(5,431	)		(12,602	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(5,183	)		(3,461	)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		44,712			18,475

Total adjustments		71,161			144,865

Net cash provided by operating activities		156,508			189,462
Investing activities
Capital expenditures		(39,728	)		(38,124	)
Net proceeds from sale of property and equipment		169			40

Net cash used in investing activities		(39,559	)		(38,084	)
Financing activities
Principal payments on long-term debt		(10,563	)		(10,532	)
Borrowings from revolving line of credit		15,000			30,000
Payments on revolving line of credit		(77,500	)		(147,701	)
Proceeds from issuance of restricted stock under stock compensation plans		625			560
Payments from issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans		(1,756	)		(1,056	)
Tax benefit on exercised stock options and vesting of restricted stock grants		145			705
Dividends paid		(7,824	)		(7,808	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(81,873	)		(135,832	)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents		35,076			15,546
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		27,802			11,075

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	62,878		$	26,621

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activity:
Dividends payable	$	(3,912	)	$	(3,906	)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

SANDERSON FARMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

July 31, 2013

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending October 31, 2013.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at October 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, reference is made to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2012.

NOTE 2—INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:


	July 31, 2013		October 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
Live poultry-broilers and breeders	$	159,252	$	147,102
Feed, eggs and other		37,672		39,343
Processed poultry		31,437		32,196
Prepared chicken		4,505		9,894
Packaging materials		8,477		7,377

	$	241,343	$	235,912

NOTE 3—STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

Refer to Note 9 of the Company’s October 31, 2012 audited financial statements for further information on our employee benefit plans and stock based compensation plans. Total stock based compensation expense during the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 was $5,707,000 and $3,560,000, respectively, and is detailed below.

During the nine months ended July 31, 2013, participants in the Company’s Management Share Purchase Plan elected to receive a total of 11,342 shares of restricted stock at an average price of $55.14 per share instead of a specified percentage of their cash compensation and the Company issued 2,761 matching restricted shares. During the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded compensation cost, included in the total stock based compensation expense above, of $149,000 and $150,000, respectively, related to the Management Share Purchase Plan.

On November 1, 2012, the Company entered into performance share agreements that grant certain officers and key employees the right to receive a target number of 98,950 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to the Company’s achievement of certain performance measures. The Company also has performance share agreements in place with certain officers and key employees that were entered into during fiscal 2012. The aggregate target number of shares specified in performance share agreements outstanding as of July 31, 2013 totaled 184,613. During the first nine months of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded compensation cost related to performance shares, included in the total stock based compensation expense above, of $2,200,000. During fiscal 2012, the Company recorded no compensation cost related to outstanding performance share agreements, as achievement of the applicable performance based criteria was not deemed probable at that time.

On November 1, 2012, the Company granted 55,700 shares of restricted stock to certain officers and key management employees. The restricted stock had a grant date fair value of $46.61 per share and will vest on November 1, 2016. On February 14, 2013, the Company granted an aggregate of 23,000 shares of restricted stock to all of its non-employee directors. The restricted stock had a grant date fair value of $53.06 per share and vests one, two or three years from the date of grant. The Company has unvested restricted stock grants outstanding that were granted during prior fiscal years to its officers, key employees and outside directors. The aggregate number of shares outstanding at July 31, 2013 related to all unvested restricted stock grants totaled 568,625. During the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded compensation cost, included in the total stock based compensation expense above, of $3,358,000 and $3,410,000, respectively, related to restricted stock grants.

NOTE 4—EARNINGS PER SHARE

Certain share-based payment awards entitling holders to receive non-forfeitable dividends before vesting are considered participating securities and thus are included in the calculation of basic earnings per share, to the extent they are dilutive. These awards are included in the calculation of basic earnings per share under the two-class method. The two-class method allocates earnings for the period between common shareholders and other security holders. The participating awards receiving dividends are allocated the same amount of income as if they were vested shares.

The following table presents earnings per share calculated in accordance with requirements of ASC 260.


	For the three months ended
	July 31, 2013			July 31, 2012
	(in thousands except per share amounts)
Net Income	$	67,919		$	28,721
Distributed and undistributed (earnings) to unvested restricted stock		(1,873	)		(851	)

Distributed and undistributed earnings to common shareholders—Basic	$	66,046		$	27,870
Weighted average shares outstanding—Basic		22,380			22,291
Weighted average shares outstanding—Diluted		22,380			22,291
Earnings per common share—Basic	$	2.95		$	1.25
Earnings per common share—Diluted	$	2.95		$	1.25


	For the nine months ended
	July 31, 2013			July 31, 2012
	(in thousands except per share amounts)
Net Income	$	85,347		$	44,597
Distributed and undistributed (earnings) to unvested restricted stock		(2,445	)	$	(1,341	)

Distributed and undistributed earnings to common shareholders—Basic	$	82,902		$	43,256
Weighted average shares outstanding—Basic		22,356			22,273
Weighted average shares outstanding—Diluted		22,356			22,275
Income per common share—Basic	$	3.71		$	1.94
Income per common share—Diluted	$	3.71		$	1.94

NOTE 5—NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS”. The amendments in this update generally represent clarifications of Topic 820, but also include some instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value measurements has changed. This update results in common principles and requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and was adopted in the three month period ending January 31, 2013. This update did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 6—FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amounts for cash and short-term cash investments approximate their fair values. Fair values for debt are based on quoted market prices or published forward interest rate curves. The fair value and carrying value of the Company’s borrowings under its credit facilities, long-term debt and capital lease obligations were as follows (in millions):


	July 31, 2013				October 31, 2012
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Total Debt (in millions)	$	90	$	88	$	163	$	161

NOTE 7—OTHER MATTERS

As reported in Item 3 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012, two of our former employees filed a complaint on February 16, 2012, alleging violations of the federal and State of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) Acts against us and seven of our current and former employees in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The plaintiffs contend in their complaint that the Company conspired to knowingly hire undocumented immigrants at the Moultrie plant to “save Sanderson millions of dollars in labor costs because illegal aliens will work for extremely low wages”. The action is brought as a class action lawsuit on behalf of all legally authorized hourly employees that worked at the Moultrie plant in the four years before the filing of the case. The plaintiffs are suing for money damages, injunctive relief and revocation of our license to conduct business in the State of Georgia.

On September 13, 2012, the Court entered an Order granting a motion to dismiss the Complaint, but provided the plaintiffs an opportunity to file an Amended Complaint on one of the alleged violations. After an Amended Complaint was filed by the plaintiffs on October 5, 2012, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint on October 29, 2012. On February 5, 2013, the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss and entered an Order dismissing the Amended Complaint with prejudice. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on February 8, 2013. The Brief for Plaintiffs-Appellants was filed on March 19, 2013, and the Brief for Defendants-Appellees was filed on April 22, 2013. The Plaintiffs-Appellants’ Reply Brief was filed May 6, 2013. No party requested oral argument, but on July 17, 2013, the Company received notice that the matter has been tentatively set for oral argument during the week of November 18, 2013. This matter is pending.

The Company is involved in various other claims and litigation incidental to its business. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be determined with certainty, management, upon the advice of counsel, is of the opinion that the final outcome should not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.

The Company recognizes the costs of legal defense for the legal proceedings to which it is a party in the periods incurred. After a considerable analysis of each case, the Company determines the amount of reserves required, if any. At this time, the Company has not accrued any reserve for any of these matters. Future reserves may be required if losses are deemed reasonably estimable and probable due to changes in the Company’s assumptions, the effectiveness of legal strategies, or other factors beyond the Company’s control. Future results of operations may be materially affected by the creation of reserves or by accruals of losses to reflect any adverse determinations in these legal proceedings.

NOTE 8—CREDIT AGREEMENT

The Company has a $500.0 million revolving credit facility. The facility limits capital expenditures to $55.0 million for each of fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015, plus, for each year, up to $10.0 million permitted to be spent in the preceding fiscal year but not actually spent therein. The capital expenditure limitation for fiscal 2013, with the permitted carry over, is $65.0 million. The credit facility also permits the Company to spend up to $125.0 million each in capital expenditures on the construction of two new poultry complexes, which expenditures are in addition to the annual limits. Under the facility, the Company may not exceed a maximum debt to total capitalization ratio of 55% from the date of the agreement through October 30, 2014, and 50% thereafter. The Company has a one-time right, at any time during the life of the agreement, to increase the maximum debt to total capitalization ratio then in effect by 5% in connection with the construction of either of two new poultry complexes at locations to be determined by the Company, but within the United States, for the four fiscal quarters beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter during which the Company gives written notice of its intent to exercise this right. The Company has not exercised this right. The facility also sets a minimum net worth requirement that at July 31, 2013, was $451.3 million. The credit is unsecured and, unless extended, will expire on February 23, 2016. As of July 31, 2013, the Company had borrowed $47.5 million under the revolving credit facility, and had $11.0 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of August 19, 2013, the Company had borrowed $10.0 million under the revolving credit facility, leaving $479.0 million available under the facility.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Sanderson Farms, Inc. and subsidiaries as of July 31, 2013, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended July 31, 2013 and 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Sanderson Farms, Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended not presented herein, and in our report dated December 18, 2012, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Sanderson Farms, Inc. as of October 31, 2012, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New Orleans, Louisiana

August 27, 2013

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

The following Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended October 31, 2012.

This Quarterly Report, and other periodic reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and other written or oral statements made by it or on its behalf, may include forward-looking statements, which are based on a number of assumptions about future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs and estimates expressed in such statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the following:

(1) Changes in the market price for the Company’s finished products and feed grains, both of which may fluctuate substantially and exhibit cyclical characteristics typically associated with commodity markets.

(2) Changes in economic and business conditions, monetary and fiscal policies or the amount of growth, stagnation or recession in the global or U.S. economies, any of which may affect the value of inventories, the collectability of accounts receivable or the financial integrity of customers, and the ability of the end user or consumer to afford protein.

(3) Changes in the political or economic climate, trade policies, laws and regulations or the domestic poultry industry of countries to which the Company or other companies in the poultry industry ship product, and other changes that might limit the Company’s or the industry’s access to foreign markets.

(4) Changes in laws, regulations, and other activities in government agencies and similar organizations applicable to the Company and the poultry industry and changes in laws, regulations and other activities in government agencies and similar organizations related to food safety.

(5) Various inventory risks due to changes in market conditions, including, but not limited to, the risk that market values of live and processed poultry inventories might be lower than the cost of such inventories, requiring a downward adjustment to record the value of such inventories at the lower of cost or market as required by generally accepted accounting principles.

(6) Changes in and effects of competition, which is significant in all markets in which the Company competes, and the effectiveness of marketing and advertising programs. The Company competes with regional and national firms, some of which have greater financial and marketing resources than the Company.

(7) Changes in accounting policies and practices adopted voluntarily by the Company or required to be adopted by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

(8) Disease outbreaks affecting the production performance and/or marketability of the Company’s poultry products, or the contamination of its products.

(9) Changes in the availability and cost of labor and growers.

(10) The loss of any of the Company’s major customers.

(11) Inclement weather that could hurt Company flocks or otherwise adversely affect its operations, or changes in global weather patterns that could impact the supply of feed grains.

(12) Failure to respond to changing consumer preferences.

(13) Failure to successfully and efficiently start up and run a new plant or integrate any business the Company might acquire.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Sanderson Farms. Each such statement speaks only as of the day it was made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or to revise any forward-looking statements. The factors described above cannot be controlled by the Company. When used in this report, the words “believes”, “estimates”, “plans”, “expects”, “should”, “outlook”, and “anticipates” and similar expressions as they relate to the Company or its management are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements about management’s beliefs about future earnings, production levels, grain prices, supply and demand factors and other industry conditions.

GENERAL

The Company’s poultry operations are integrated through its control of all functions relative to the production of its chicken products, including hatching egg production, hatching, feed manufacturing, raising chickens to marketable age (“grow out”), processing, and marketing. Consistent with the poultry industry, the Company’s profitability is substantially impacted by the market prices for its finished products and feed grains, both of which may fluctuate substantially and exhibit cyclical characteristics typically associated with commodity markets. Other costs, excluding feed grains, related to the profitability of the Company’s poultry operations, including hatching egg production, hatching, growing, and processing cost, are responsive to efficient cost containment programs and management practices.

The Company’s prepared chicken product line includes approximately 85 institutional and consumer packaged chicken items that it sells nationally, primarily to distributors and food service establishments. A majority of the prepared chicken items are made to the specifications of food service users.

Sanderson Farms began operations at its new feed mill, poultry processing plant and hatchery on separate sites in Kinston and Lenoir County, North Carolina during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. The Kinston facilities comprise a state-of-the-art poultry complex with the capacity, at full production, to process 1,250,000 birds per week for the retail chill pack market. The facility reached near full capacity during March 2012.

On March 29, 2010, the Company announced intentions to construct a potential second new poultry complex in North Carolina, subject to various contingencies including, among others, obtaining an acceptable economic incentive package from the state and local governments. On August 28, 2012, the Company announced the selection of Nash County, North Carolina, as the site of the new complex, subject to various contingencies. On November 13, 2012, the Company announced that Nash County, North Carolina, would not be the site of the new complex due to various timing issues, but that alternative sites were under consideration. On February 14, 2013, the Company announced that sites in and near Palestine, Texas, had been selected for the new complex, subject to various contingencies. Construction of the new complex remains on hold pending improvements in market fundamentals, including the global supply and price of corn and other feed grains, and final approval of our board of directors to move forward with the project. In addition, before the complex can open, we will need to obtain permits, enter into construction contracts, and complete construction.

On February 23, 2011, the Company entered into a new revolving credit facility to, among other things, increase the available credit to $500.0 million from $300.0 million. On October 4, 2012, the Company and the lenders amended the revolving credit facility. The amendment sets the annual capital expenditure limitation at $55.0 million for each of fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015, plus, for each year, up to $10.0 million permitted to be spent in the preceding fiscal year but not actually spent therein. The capital expenditure limitation for fiscal 2013, with the permitted carry over, is $65.0 million. The amendment also permits the Company to spend up to $125.0 million each in capital expenditures on the construction of two new poultry complexes, which expenditures are in addition to the annual limits. Under the facility, the Company may not exceed a maximum debt to total capitalization ratio of 55% from the date of the agreement through October 30, 2014, and 50% thereafter. The Company has a one-time right, at any time during the life of the agreement, to increase the maximum debt to total capitalization ratio then in effect by 5% in connection with the construction of either of two new poultry complexes at locations to be determined by the Company, but within the United States, for the four fiscal quarters beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter during which the Company gives written notice of its intent to exercise this right. The Company has not exercised this right. The amendment also sets a minimum net worth requirement that at July 31, 2013, was $451.3 million. The total committed credit under the amended facility remains at $500.0 million. The credit remains unsecured and, unless extended, will expire on February 23, 2016.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

Overall market prices for poultry products improved during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012. This improvement was offset, in part, by higher grain costs. Demand for fresh chicken in the retail grocery store and export markets has been stable. The Company expects customer traffic through food service establishments to remain under pressure until employment numbers and consumer confidence improve further. However, average market prices for boneless breast meat improved during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012 primarily, we believe, due to the high price of competing proteins, especially beef, and the addition of new chicken menu items at several quick serve restaurant chains and chicken promotions at casual dining establishments.

Beginning in July 2012, the Company experienced historically high prices for both corn and soybean meal due to the impact of drought conditions in the midwestern United States on the quality and quantity of the 2012 corn and soybean crops. Both corn and soybean meal market prices stabilized below the highs they set last August, but remain high relative to historical averages. During the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the average feed cost in broiler flocks processed was 9.6% higher. While the 2013 corn and soybean crops in the United States were planted late as a result of wet weather this past spring, good summer weather has fueled optimism regarding the quantity and quality of this year’s grain crops. As a result, the cash market prices for both corn and soybean meal have moved lower as we head into the harvest season. The Company has priced its needs for both corn and soybean meal through August, but has priced none of its needs past August. Had the Company priced its remaining needs for corn and soybean meal at August 23, 2013 cash market prices, costs of feed grains would be approximately $72.0 million higher during fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012.

In light of challenging market conditions that existed during fiscal 2011 and the beginning of fiscal 2012, the Company reduced production beginning in January 2012 by four percent at all of its facilities except for its new facility in Kinston, North Carolina, which was moving to near full production at the time. The Company announced an additional two percent production cut in August 2012 in light of record high grain costs at the time. In February 2013, the Company announced it would return to full production beginning in June 2013, and the Company is now at full production at all facilities.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net sales for the third quarter ended July 31, 2013 were $739.0 million as compared to $624.9 million for the third quarter ended July 31, 2012, an increase of $114.1 million or 18.3%. Net sales of poultry products for the third quarter ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, were $712.1 million and $601.1 million, respectively, an increase of $111.1 million or 18.5%. The increase in net sales of poultry products resulted from a 15.4% increase in the average sales price of poultry products sold, and a 2.7% increase in the pounds of poultry products sold. During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company sold 770.8 million pounds of poultry products, up from 750.7 million pounds during the third quarter of fiscal 2012. The increased pounds of poultry products sold resulted from a 1.2% increase in the number of head processed, and a 0.9% increase in the average live weight of poultry processed. Overall, market prices for poultry products increased during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the same quarter of fiscal 2012. Urner Barry average market prices increased for boneless breast meat, tenders, and bulk leg quarters during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012 by 32.3%, 13.1%, and 1.5%, respectively, while average market prices for jumbo wings decreased by 19.3% for the same period. The average Georgia Dock whole bird market price for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 also showed improvement and increased by approximately 11.6% over third quarter 2012 levels. Net sales of prepared chicken products for the three months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 were $26.8 million and $23.8 million, respectively, or an increase of 12.9%. This increase resulted from a 4.4% increase in the average sales price of prepared chicken products sold, coupled with an 8.1% increase in the pounds of prepared chicken products sold, from 12.4 million pounds sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2012 to 13.4 million pounds sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2013 were $1,955.9 million as compared to $1,737.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012, an increase of $218.2 million, or 12.6%. Net sales of poultry products for the first nine months of fiscal 2013 and 2012 were $1,884.0 million and $1,670.0 million, respectively, an increase of $214.0 million or 12.8%. The increase in net sales of poultry products resulted from a 10.5% increase in the average sales price of poultry products sold and a 2.1% increase in the pounds of poultry products sold. During the first nine months of fiscal 2013 the Company sold 2,209.4 million pounds of poultry products, up from 2,163.1 million pounds during the first nine months of fiscal 2012. The additional pounds of poultry products sold resulted from a 0.9% increase in the average live weight of poultry processed, partially offset by a 0.3% decrease in the number of head processed. Overall, market prices for poultry products increased during the first nine months of fiscal 2013 as compared to the same period during fiscal 2012. Urner Barry average market prices increased for boneless breast meat and tenders during the first nine months of fiscal 2013 as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2012 by 17.8% and 2.4%, respectively, while the average market prices for bulk leg quarters and jumbo wings decreased by 0.2% and 0.7%, respectively, for the same period. The average Georgia Dock whole bird market price also showed improvement and increased by approximately 10.3%. Net sales of prepared chicken products for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 were $71.9 million and $67.8 million, respectively, or an increase of 6.2%. This increase resulted from a 6.0% increase in the average sales price of prepared chicken products sold, and a 0.2% increase in the pounds of prepared chicken products sold from 35.8 million pounds sold during the first nine months of fiscal 2012 to 35.9 million pounds sold during the first nine months of fiscal 2013.

Cost of sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 was $605.0 million as compared to $555.2 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2012, an increase of $49.8 million or 9.0%. Cost of sales of poultry products sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was $579.4 million and $532.5 million, respectively, an increase of $46.9 million or 8.8%. As illustrated in the table below, the increase in the cost of sales of poultry products sold resulted from a 9.6% increase in the costs of feed in broilers processed, or $0.0355 per pound, and a 2.7% increase in the pounds of poultry products sold.

Poultry Cost of Sales

(In thousands, except percentages and per pound data)


	Third Quarter 2013				Third Quarter 2012				Incr/(Decr)
Description	Dollars		Per lb.		Dollars		Per lb.		Dollars			Per lb.
Beginning Inventory	$	27,083	$	0.4403	$	29,672	$	0.4764	$	(2,589	)	$	(0.0361	)
Feed in broilers processed	$	315,575	$	0.4046	$	281,102	$	0.3691	$	34,473		$	0.0355
All other cost of sales	$	268,173	$	0.3438	$	256,528	$	0.3368	$	11,645		$	0.0070
Less: Ending Inventory	$	31,434	$	0.4569	$	34,790	$	0.4644	$	(3,356	)	$	(0.0075	)

Total poultry cost of sales	$	579,397	$	0.7517	$	532,512	$	0.7094	$	46,885		$	0.0423

Pounds:
Beginning Inventory		61,514				62,283
Poultry processed		779,949				761,647
Poultry Sold		770,776				750,670
Ending Inventory		68,800				74,917

Other costs of sales of poultry products include labor, contract grower pay, packaging, freight and certain fixed costs, among other costs. During the third quarter ended July 31, 2013, other costs of sales of poultry products also include approximately $4.1 million of charges related to the Company’s bonus award program. These non-feed related costs of poultry products sold increased by $0.0070 per pound processed, or 2.1%, during this year’s third fiscal quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. Costs of sales of the Company’s prepared chicken products during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 were $25.6 million as compared to $22.7 million during the same quarter a year ago, an increase of $2.9 million, or 12.7%, primarily attributable to an 8.1% increase in the pounds of prepared chicken sold.

Cost of sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 was $1,752.1 million as compared to $1,609.1 million during the nine months ended July 31, 2012, an increase of $143.0 million, or 8.9%. Cost of sales of poultry products sold for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 were $1,684.2 million and $1,535.4 million, respectively, an increase of $148.7 million, or approximately 9.7%. As illustrated in the table below, the increase in the cost of sales of poultry products sold resulted from a 12.0% increase in the costs of feed in broilers processed, or $0.0446 per pound, and a 2.1% increase in the pounds of poultry products sold.

Poultry Cost of Sales

(In thousands, except percentages and per pound data)


	Nine Months Ended July 31, 2013				Nine Months Ended July 31, 2012				Incr/(Decr)
Description	Dollars		Per lb.		Dollars		Per lb.		Dollars			Per lb.
Beginning Inventory	$	32,196	$	0.5052	$	27,892	$	0.5117	$	4,304		$	(0.0065	)
Feed in broilers processed	$	920,341	$	0.4152	$	808,905	$	0.3706	$	111,436		$	0.0446
All other cost of sales	$	763,062	$	0.3442	$	742,418	$	0.3401	$	20,644		$	0.0041
Less: Ending Inventory	$	31,434	$	0.4569	$	34,790	$	0.4644	$	(3,356	)	$	(0.0075	)

Total poultry cost of sales ⁽¹⁾	$	1,684,165	$	0.7623	$	1,544,425	$	0.7140	$	139,740		$	0.0483

Pounds:
Beginning Inventory		63,729				54,508
Poultry processed		2,216,772				2,182,842
Poultry Sold		2,209,357				2,163,146
Ending Inventory		68,800				74,917

Note (1) – Total poultry cost of sales for the nine months ended July 31, 2012 excludes the impact of the $9.0 million live inventory adjustment recorded at October 31, 2011.

Other costs of sales of poultry products include labor, contract grower pay, packaging, freight and certain fixed costs, among other costs. During the nine months ended July 31, 2013, other costs of sales of poultry products also include approximately $4.1 million of charges related to the Company’s bonus award program. These non-feed related costs of poultry products sold increased $0.0041 per pound processed, or 1.2%, during the first nine months of fiscal 2013 as compared to the same period a year ago. For the nine months ended July 31, 2013, costs of sales of the Company’s prepared chicken products were $68.0 million as compared to $64.7 million during the nine months ended July 31, 2012, an increase of $3.2 million, or 5.0%, primarily attributable to increased costs of raw materials purchased.

The Company recorded the value of live broiler inventories on hand at July 31, 2013 at cost. When market conditions are favorable, the Company values the broiler inventories on hand at cost, and accumulates costs as the birds are grown to a marketable age subsequent to the balance sheet date. In periods where the Company estimates that the cost to grow live birds in inventory to a marketable age, process, and distribute those birds will be higher than the anticipated sales price, the Company will make an adjustment to lower the value of live birds in inventory to the market value. No such charge was required at July 31, 2013 or July 31, 2012.

Selling, general and administrative costs during the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 were $29.5 million and $69.9 million, respectively. The following table includes the components of selling, general and administrative costs for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012.


	Selling, General and Administrative Costs (in thousands)
	Three Months Ended July 31,				Nine Months Ended July 31,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
ESOP expense	$	5,500	$	3,100	$	5,500	$	3,100
Stock compensation expense		3,295		1,277		5,454		3,563
Bonus award program expense		2,255		0		2,255		0
Trainee expense		1,543		1,012		3,860		3,009
Sanderson Farms Championship expense		982		0		1,390		0
Marketing expense		532		580		1,616		1,088
Uncollectible accounts		104		38		104		38
Nash County, North Carolina expense		0		0		1,795		0
All other S,G & A		15,294		14,697		47,928		45,974

Total S,G & A	$	29,505	$	20,704	$	69,902	$	56,772

As illustrated in the table above, the $8.8 million increase in selling, general and administrative costs during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012 resulted from a $2.4 million increase in the accrual related to the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan, $2.2 million in additional stock compensation expense related to performance share agreements, as described in Note 3 – Stock Compensation Plans above, and $2.3 million expensed for the Company’s bonus award program. Contributions in these areas are based on profitability, and accordingly, the accruals recorded for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 were less than those recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Additionally, the Company’s sponsorship of the Sanderson Farms Championship golf tournament held during July resulted in approximately $1.0 million in expenses recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 that were absent during the third quarter of fiscal 2012. During the first nine months of fiscal 2013 as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2012, selling, general and administrative costs increased $13.1 million, reflecting the increased ESOP, bonus, and performance share accruals, the Sanderson Farms Championship golf tournament, the $1.8 million write off of legal and other costs incurred related to the planned expansion in Nash County, North Carolina, higher wages, increased marketing costs, and increases in various other administrative costs. Regarding the planned construction of a new facility in Nash County, North Carolina, the Company previously capitalized approximately $800,000 in various charges. On November 13, 2012, the Company announced that Nash County, North Carolina, would no longer be considered as a potential site for the new facility. Accordingly, the Company expensed the related charges in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Additionally, upon determining that Nash County would no longer be considered as a potential site for the new facility, the Company chose to reimburse Nash County and its related economic development organization approximately $1.0 million in legal fees incurred by those entities during the planning phase of the expansion, and those fees were also expensed in the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

The Company’s operating income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 was $104.4 million and $133.9 million, respectively, as compared to an operating income for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2012 of $48.9 million and $80.8 million. The increase in operating income resulted from the improvement in market prices of poultry and prepared chicken products during the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 as compared to the same period a year ago, as described above, partially offset by higher costs of feed grains.

Interest expense during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2013 was $1.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively, as compared to interest expense of $2.0 million and $7.4 million for the same periods in fiscal 2012. The decrease in interest expense resulted primarily from lower outstanding debt during fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 was 34.1% and 33.8%, respectively, as compared to 38.8% for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2012. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 includes an approximate 0.4% discrete favorable benefit recognized in the period related to legislation enacted during the first quarter. The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal rate due to state income taxes, certain nondeductible expenses for federal income tax purposes and certain state and federal tax credits.

During the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 the Company’s net income was $67.9 million, or $2.95 per share, and $85.3 million, or $3.71 per share, respectively. For the three and nine months ended July 31, 2012 the Company’s net income was $28.7 million, or $1.25 per share, and $44.6 million, or $1.94 per share, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s working capital, calculated by subtracting current liabilities from current assets, at July 31, 2013 was $277.6 million and its current ratio, calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities, was 2.6 to 1. The Company’s working capital and current ratio at October 31, 2012 were $262.2 million and 2.9 to 1. These measures reflect the Company’s ability to meet its short term obligations and are included here as a measure of the Company’s short term market liquidity. The Company’s principal sources of liquidity during fiscal 2013 include cash on hand at October 31, 2012, cash flows from operations, and funds available under the Company’s revolving credit facility with nineteen banks. As described below, the revolving credit facility provides the Company access to a $500.0 million line of credit which, unless extended, will expire on February 23, 2016. As of July 31, 2013, the Company had borrowed $47.5 million and had $11.0 million of outstanding letters of credit under the facility.

The Company’s cash position at July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012 consisted of $62.9 million and $27.8 million, respectively, in cash and short-term cash investments. The Company’s ability to invest cash is limited by covenants in its revolving credit agreement to short term, conservative investments. All of the Company’s cash at July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012 was held in checking accounts and highly liquid, overnight investment accounts maintained at two banks. There were no restrictions on the Company’s access to its cash and cash investments, and such cash and cash investments were available to the Company on demand to fund its operations.

Cash flows provided by operating activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 were $156.5 million and $189.5 million, respectively. During the nine months ended July 31, 2013, as compared to the nine months ended July 31, 2012, cash flows from operating activities decreased by $33.0 million, resulting primarily from the receipt of an $82.7 million federal income tax refund on February 27, 2012, which was absent during the nine months ended July 31, 2013, partially offset by the $28.9 million increase in income tax liability during the nine months ended July 31, 2013.

Cash flows used in investing activities during the first nine months of fiscal 2013 and 2012 were $39.6 million and $38.1 million, respectively. The Company’s capital expenditures during the first nine months of fiscal 2013 were $39.7 million as compared to capital expenditures of $38.1 million during the same period a year ago.

Cash flows used in financing activities during the nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 were $81.9 million and $135.8 million, respectively. During the first nine months of fiscal 2013 the Company reduced net outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility by $62.5 million, and made the second of five $10.0 million annual installments on the Farm Credit services term loan. During the nine months ended July 31, 2012, the Company reduced net outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility by $117.7 million and made the first of five $10.0 million annual installments on the Farm Credit services term loan.

The Company’s capital budget for fiscal 2013 is approximately $54.6 million. The 2013 capital budget will be funded by internally generated working capital, cash flows from operations and, as needed, draws under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The Company had $441.5 million available under the revolving line of credit at July 31, 2013.

The Company has a Form S-3 “shelf” registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register, for possible future sale, shares of the Company’s common and/or preferred stock at an aggregate offering price not to exceed $1.0 billion. The stock may be offered by the Company in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by the board of directors if and when shares are issued.

The Company has a $500.0 million revolving credit facility. The facility limits capital expenditures to $55.0 million for each of fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015, plus, for each year, up to $10.0 million permitted to be spent in the preceding fiscal year but not actually spent therein. The capital expenditure limitation for fiscal 2013, with the permitted carry over, is $65.0 million. The credit facility also permits the Company to spend up to $125.0 million each in capital expenditures on the construction of two new poultry complexes, which expenditures are in addition to the annual limits. Under the facility, the Company may not exceed a maximum debt to total capitalization ratio of 55% from the date of the agreement through October 30, 2014, and 50% thereafter. The Company has a one-time right, at any time during the life of the agreement, to increase the maximum debt to total capitalization ratio then in effect by 5% in connection with the construction of either of two new poultry complexes at locations to be determined by the Company, but within the United States, for the four fiscal quarters beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter during which the Company gives written notice of its intent to exercise this right. The Company has not exercised this right. The facility also sets a minimum net worth requirement that at July 31, 2013 was $451.3 million. The credit is unsecured and, unless extended, will expire on February 23, 2016. As of July 31, 2013, the Company had borrowed $47.5 million under the revolving credit facility, and had $11.0 million of outstanding letters of credit. As of August 19, 2013, the Company had borrowed $10.0 million under the revolving credit facility, leaving $479.0 million available under the facility.

The Company regularly evaluates both internal and external growth opportunities, including acquisition opportunities and the possible construction of new production assets, and conducts due diligence activities in connection with such opportunities. The cost and terms of any financing to be raised in conjunction with any growth opportunity, including the Company’s ability to raise debt or equity capital on terms and at costs satisfactory to the Company, and the effect of such opportunities on the Company’s balance sheet, are critical considerations in any such evaluation.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of 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 these estimates and assumptions, and the differences could be material.

The Company’s Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, as described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements that are filed with the Company’s latest report on Form 10-K, should be read in conjunction with this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Management believes that the critical accounting policies and estimates that are material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are those described below.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to its customers on a short-term basis. Although credit risks associated with our customers are considered minimal, the Company routinely reviews its accounts receivable balances and makes provisions for probable doubtful accounts. In circumstances where management is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company, a specific reserve is recorded to reduce the receivable to the amount expected to be collected. If circumstances change (i.e., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to us), our estimates of the recoverability of amounts due us could be reduced by a material amount, and the allowance for doubtful accounts and related bad debt expense would increase by the same amount.

Inventories

Processed and prepared inventories and inventories of feed, eggs, medication and packaging supplies are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. When market prices for poultry are low and feed grains are high, the Company may be required to write down the carrying values of processed poultry and live inventories to fair market value, which would increase the Company’s costs of sales.

Live poultry inventories of broilers are stated at the lower of cost or market and breeders at cost less accumulated amortization. The cost associated with broiler inventories, consisting principally of chicks, feed, medicine and payments to the growers who raise the chicks for us, are accumulated during the growing period. The cost associated with breeder inventories, consisting principally of breeder chicks, feed, medicine and grower payments are accumulated during the growing period. Capitalized breeder costs are then amortized over nine months using the straight-line method. Mortality of broilers and breeders is charged to cost of sales as incurred. If market prices for chicks, feed, or medicine increase (or decrease) during the period, or if grower payments increase (or decrease), the Company could have an increase (or decrease) in the market value of its inventory as well as an increase (or decrease) in costs of sales. Should the Company decide that the nine month amortization period used to amortize the breeder costs is no longer appropriate as a result of operational changes, a shorter (or longer) amortization period could increase (or decrease) the costs of sales recorded in future periods. High mortality from disease or extreme temperatures would result in abnormal charges to cost of sales to write-down live poultry inventories.

As of July 31, 2013, the Company’s inventory of live broilers was recorded at cost. Any required reserve would be determined by comparing the accumulated cost of live poultry inventories of broilers at July 31, 2013, plus the estimated remaining costs of their grow-out, processing, marketing and sale, to the ultimate expected sales prices of finished products resulting from the processing of such broiler inventories. Had such estimated cost exceeded the estimated sales price, an adjustment to record inventory at market value would have been necessary. If an adjustment were determined to be appropriate, the value of no individual live broiler flock would be reduced by an amount greater than its accumulated cost as of July 31, 2013. The Company used the latest available information in making these estimates, including the expected cost of grain needed to complete the grow-out of live inventories and the expected market prices for the finished products. However, as with any sensitive estimate, there are uncertainties inherent in making forward-looking projections, and the Company’s actual results could vary from those estimated.

Long-Lived Assets

Depreciable long-lived assets are primarily comprised of buildings and machinery and equipment. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, which are 15 to 39 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment. An increase or decrease in the estimated useful lives would result in changes to depreciation expense.

The Company continually evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets for events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. As part of this evaluation, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposal. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset to the estimated fair value of the asset. If the Company’s assumptions with respect to the future expected cash flows associated with the use of long-lived assets currently recorded change, then the Company’s determination that no impairment charges are necessary may change and result in the Company recording an impairment charge in a future period. The Company did not identify any indicators of impairment during the current fiscal period.

Accrued Self Insurance

Insurance expense for workers’ compensation benefits and employee-related health care benefits are estimated using historical experience and actuarial estimates. The Company accrues expenses in its workers’ compensation and employee benefit plans for both known claims as well as claims incurred but not reported. Stop-loss coverage is maintained with third party insurers to limit the Company’s total exposure. Management regularly reviews the assumptions used to recognize periodic expenses. Any resulting adjustments to accrued claims are reflected in current operating results. There are no material adjustments to expenses accrued in prior periods in current period expenses. If historical experience proves not to be a good indicator of future expenses, if management were to use different actuarial assumptions, or if there is a negative trend in the Company’s claims history, there could be a significant increase or decrease in cost of sales depending on whether these expenses increased or decreased, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company determines its effective tax rate by estimating its permanent differences resulting from differing treatment of items for financial and income tax purposes. The Company is periodically audited by taxing authorities and considers any adjustments made as a result of the audits in considering the tax expense. Any audit adjustments affecting permanent differences could have an impact on the Company’s effective tax rate.

Contingencies

New Accounting Pronouncements

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company is a purchaser of certain commodities, primarily corn and soybean meal, for use in manufacturing feed for its chickens. As a result, the Company’s earnings are affected by changes in the price and availability of such feed ingredients. Feed grains are subject to volatile price changes caused by factors described below that include weather, size of harvest, transportation and storage costs and the agricultural policies of the United States and foreign governments. The price fluctuations of feed grains have a direct and material effect on the Company’s profitability.

Generally, the Company commits to purchase feed ingredients for deferred delivery from one month to six months after the time of the commitment. The Company sometimes purchases its feed ingredients for prompt delivery to its feed mills at market prices at the time of such purchases. The grain purchases are made directly with our usual grain suppliers, which are companies in the business of regularly supplying grain to end users, and do not involve options to purchase. Such purchases occur when senior management concludes that market factors indicate that prices at the time the grain is needed are likely to be higher than current prices, or where, based on current and expected market prices for the Company’s poultry products, management believes it can purchase feed ingredients at prices that will allow the Company to earn a reasonable return for its shareholders. Market factors considered by management in determining whether or not and to what extent to commit to buy grain for deferred delivery include:

•

Current market prices;

•

Current and predicted weather patterns in the United States, South America, China and other grain producing areas, as such weather patterns might affect the planting, growing, harvesting and yield of feed grains;

•

The expected size of the harvest of feed grains in the United States and other grain producing areas of the world as reported by governmental and private sources;

•

Current and expected changes to the agricultural policies of the United States and foreign governments;

•

The relative strength of United States currency and expected changes therein as it might impact the ability of foreign countries to buy United States feed grain commodities;

•

The current and expected volumes of export of feed grain commodities as reported by governmental and private sources;

•

The current and expected use of available feed grains for uses other than as livestock feed grains (such as the use of corn for the production of ethanol, which use is impacted by the price of crude oil); and

•

Current and expected market prices for the Company’s poultry products.

The Company purchases physical grain, not financial instruments such as puts, calls or straddles that derive their value from the value of physical grain. Thus, the Company does not use derivative financial instruments as defined in ASC 815, “Accounting for Derivatives for Instruments and Hedging Activities,” or any market risk sensitive instruments of the type contemplated by Item 305 of Regulation S-K. The Company does not enter into any derivative transactions or purchase any grain-related contracts other than the physical grain contracts described above.

Although the Company does not use derivative financial instruments as defined in ASC 815 or purchase market risk sensitive instruments of the type contemplated by Item 305 of Regulation S-K, the commodities that the Company does purchase for physical delivery, primarily corn and soybean meal, are subject to price fluctuations that have a direct and material effect on the Company’s profitability as mentioned above. During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company purchased approximately 23.5 million bushels of corn and approximately 215,000 tons of soybean meal for use in manufacturing feed for its live chickens. Thus, a $1.00 change in the average market price paid per bushel for corn would have impacted the Company’s cash outlays for corn by approximately $23.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Likewise, a $10.00 change in the price paid per ton for soybean meal would impact the Company’s cash outlays by approximately $2.2 million.

Although changes in the market price paid for feed grains impact cash outlays at the time the Company purchases the grain, such changes do not immediately impact cost of sales. The cost of feed grains is recognized in cost of sales, on a first-in-first-out basis, at the same time that the sales of the chickens that consume the feed grains are recognized. Thus, there is a lag between the time cash is paid for feed ingredients and the time the cost of such feed ingredients is reported in cost of goods sold. For example, corn delivered to a feedmill and paid for one week might be used to manufacture feed the following week. However, the chickens that eat that feed might not be processed and sold for another 48-62 days, and only at that time will the costs of the feed consumed by the chicken become included in cost of goods sold.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company’s average feed cost per pound of broilers processed totaled $0.4046 per pound. Feed costs per pound of broilers processed consist primarily of feed grains, but also include other feed ingredients such as vitamins, fat and mineral feed supplements. The average feed cost per pound is influenced not only by the price of feed ingredients, but also by the efficiency with which live chickens convert feed into body weight. Factors such as weather, poultry husbandry, quality of feed ingredients and the quality and health of the bird, among others, affect the quantity of feed necessary to mature chickens to the target live weight and the efficiency of that process. Generally, however, a $1.00 change in the average price paid per bushel of corn fed to a chicken during its life would have impacted average feed cost per pound of broilers processed by $0.0301, based on the quantity of grain used during the third fiscal quarter of 2013. Similarly, a $10.00 change in the average price paid per ton of soybean meal would have influenced the average feed cost per pound of broilers processed by $0.0028 during the third fiscal quarter of 2013.

The following table shows the impact of hypothetical changes in the price of corn and soybean meal on both the Company’s cash flow and cost of goods sold, based on quantities actually purchased in the third fiscal quarter of 2013:

Feed Ingredient

Quantity Purchased
during the Third
Fiscal Quarter of
2013

Hypothetical Price
Change

Impact on Cash
Outlay

Ultimate Impact on
Feed Cost per
Pound of broilers Processed

Corn

23.5 million bushels

1.00 per bushel

23.5 million

0.0301/lb. processed

Soybean meal

215,000 tons

10.00 per ton

2.15 million

0.0028/lb. processed

The Company’s interest expense is sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates in the United States. The Company maintains certain of its debt as fixed rate in nature to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates. The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt approximates the carrying amount at July 31, 2013. Management believes the potential effects of near-term changes in interest rates on the Company’s debt are not material.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Securities Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of July 31, 2013. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On September 13, 2012, the Court entered an Order granting a motion to dismiss the Complaint, but provided the plaintiffs an opportunity to file an Amended Complaint on one of the alleged violations. After an Amended Complaint was filed by the plaintiffs on October 5, 2012, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint on October 29, 2012. On February 5, 2013, the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss and entered an Order dismissing the Amended Complaint with prejudice. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on February 8, 2013. The Brief for Plaintiffs-Appellants was filed on March 19, 2013, and the Brief for Defendants-Appellees was filed on April 22, 2013. The Plaintiffs-Appellants’ Reply Brief was filed May 6, 2013. No party requested oral argument, but on July 17, 2013, the Company received notice that the matter has been tentatively set for oral argument the week of November 18, 2013. This matter is pending.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report, you should carefully consider the risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2012, including under the heading “Item 1A: Risk Factors”, which, along with risks described in this report, are risks we believe could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition and future results. The risk factors below update, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended October 31, 2012. These are not the only risks facing the Company. Other risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and future results. Risks we have identified but currently deem to be immaterial could still materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and future results if our assumptions with respect to such risks prove incorrect or if circumstances change.

The removal of federal meat and poultry inspectors from our plants due to federal government budget constraints, or any other reason, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

The Poultry Products Inspection Act prohibits the production, processing or interstate distribution of poultry meat without federal inspection. To implement this law, the United States Department of Agriculture (or USDA) stations inspectors at our poultry processing plants to observe our operations.

The Budget Control Act of 2011 mandates mandatory cuts in the budgets of many governmental agencies in the United States. Such cuts, commonly referred to as “sequestration,” took effect on March 1, 2013.

In a letter dated February 12, 2013, Thomas J. Vilsack, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, indicated that while furloughing food safety inspectors is the “last option” the USDA would implement to achieve necessary sequestration cuts, such action may be necessary in order to comply with the mandates of the Budget Control Act of 2011. Because applicable law would prohibit us from operating our poultry processing plants without the presence of federal inspectors, we would have to shut down our processing plants and our live chickens would continue to mature, possibly reaching weights that exceed the market standards demanded by our customers. In addition, live chickens would likely experience significantly higher mortality due to the higher live weights. Our inability to process chickens at our poultry processing plants for an extended period of time would materially disrupt our operations and our ability to deliver our product.

In a continuing resolution providing funding for various governmental agencies adopted by the United States Congress and signed by the President in March, funding for meat inspectors for the balance of the United States government’s current fiscal year ending in September 30, 2013 was provided at levels believed to be adequate to allow uninterrupted operations through that date. However, if funding for the USDA inspection program is not extended past that date, we could experience the material adverse effects described above.

Outbreaks of avian disease, such as avian influenza, or the perception that outbreaks may occur, can significantly restrict our ability to conduct our operations and can significantly affect demand for our products.

This discussion supplements the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended October 31, 2012, and should be read in conjunction with the risks associated with an outbreak of avian disease described therein.

During the past few months, a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, known as H7N3, has affected live poultry in several states in central Mexico. The Company has no operations in Mexico and our live chickens have not been affected by this outbreak. However, in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus, the Mexican government and poultry industry reportedly culled approximately 27.5 million birds and undertook an extensive vaccination program in the affected areas of the country. This has reduced the supply of available poultry in Mexico, and has increased demand in Mexico for poultry produced in the United States, including our products.

During the first calendar quarter of 2013, there was also substantial publicity regarding a low pathogenic strain of avian influenza, known as H7N9, which has affected eastern and northern China. It is widely believed that H7N9 circulates in wild birds and may have been transmitted to domestic poultry in live bird markets in and around Shanghai and Beijing. It is also believed that the virus has passed from live birds to humans as humans came into contact with live birds that were infected with the disease. Through May 15, 2013, the virus is believed to have sickened at least 130 people and caused at least 33 deaths. There have been no reported incidents of the virus since May. No human to human transmission of the disease has been proven, and there is no evidence to suggest that the consumption of properly prepared and cooked poultry could transmit the virus to humans. However, fear associated with this outbreak dampened demand for poultry, including our products, in the affected areas of China. A recurrence of this outbreak, or others similar to it, could have a material negative effect on world demand for poultry, including demand for our products.

During our fiscal year ended October 31, 2012, the Company shipped approximately 60 million pounds of poultry products to China, consisting primarily of chicken paws and wing tips. During the first nine months of fiscal 2013, the Company shipped 57.5 million pounds of poultry products to China.

Although neither H7N3 nor H7N9 has been identified in the United States, and even if the viruses do not spread to the United States, the publicity accompanying the outbreaks in other countries could materially adversely affect demand for our products internationally or domestically. If the viruses were to spread to the United States, such an event could significantly affect our ability to conduct our operations and demand for our products, in each case having a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and earnings.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the company repurchased shares of its common stock as follows:


Period	(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased¹		(b) Average Price Paid per Share		(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs²		(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs³
May 1, 2013—May 31, 2013		—	$	—		—		1,000,000
June 1, 2013—June 30, 2013		1,204	$	66.42		1,204		1,000,000
July 1, 2013—July 31, 2013		—	$	—		—		1,000,000
Total		1,204	$	66.42		1,204		1,000,000

¹	All purchases were made pursuant to the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan under which participants may satisfy tax withholding obligations incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock by requesting the Company to withhold shares with a value equal to the amount of the withholding obligation.

On February 16, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which the Company may purchase up to 1 million shares of its common stock in open market transactions or negotiated purchases, subject to market conditions, share price and other considerations. The authorization will expire on February 16, 2014. Unlike the Company’s previous share repurchase programs, the Company’s repurchase of vested restricted stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations of its Stock Incentive Plan participants will not be made under the 2012 general repurchase plan.

³	Does not include vested restricted shares that may yet be repurchased under the Stock Incentive Plan as described in Note 1.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this report.

Exhibit 3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant dated October 19, 1978. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on January 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

Exhibit 3.2 Articles of Amendment, dated March 23, 1987, to the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on January 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

Exhibit 3.3 Articles of Amendment, dated April 21, 1989, to the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on January 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

Exhibit 3.4 Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant dated April 21, 1989. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on January 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

Exhibit 3.5 Article of Amendment, dated February 20, 1992, to the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on January 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

Exhibit 3.6 Article of Amendment, dated February 27, 1997, to the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on January 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

Exhibit 3.7 Bylaws of the Registrant, amended and restated as of April 23, 2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 filed with the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K on April 28, 2009.)

Exhibit 15* Accountants’ Letter re: Unaudited Financial Information.

Exhibit 31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

Exhibit 31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

Exhibit 32.1** Section 1350 Certification.

Exhibit 32.2** Section 1350 Certification.

Exhibit 101.INS XBRL Instance Document

Exhibit 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

Exhibit 101.CAL XBRLTaxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

Exhibit 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

Exhibit 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

Exhibit 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

*	Filed herewith.

**	Furnished herewith.

SIGNATURES

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


	SANDERSON FARMS, INC. (Registrant)

Date: August 27, 2013	By:	/s/ D. Michael Cockrell
		Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 27, 2013	By:	/s/ Tim Rigney
		Secretary, Corporate Controller and
		Chief Accounting Officer

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit

3.1		Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant dated October 19, 1978. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

3.2		Articles of Amendment, dated March 23, 1987, to the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

3.3		Articles of Amendment, dated April 21, 1989, to the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

3.4		Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant dated April 21, 1989. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

3.5		Article of Amendment, dated February 20, 1992, to the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

3.6		Article of Amendment, dated February 27, 1997, to the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)

3.7		Bylaws of the Registrant amended and restated as of April 23, 2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 filed with the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K on April 28, 2009.)

15*		Accountants’ Letter re: Unaudited Financial Information.

31.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer

32.1**		Section 1350 Certification.

32.2**		Section 1350 Certification.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

*	Filed herewith.

**	Furnished herewith.