Annual report pursuant to section 13 and 15(d)

Property, Buildings and Equipment, Net

v2.4.0.8
Property, Buildings and Equipment, Net
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Buildings and Equipment, Net [Abstract]  
Property, Buildings and Equipment, Net

Note 7. Property, Buildings and Equipment, Net

 

Property, buildings and equipment, net consist of the following at September 30, 2013 and 2012:

(in thousands) September 30,
  2013   2012
       
Breeding herd $ 12,234     $ 10,062  
Buildings   11,587       10,975  
Citrus trees   34,188       33,164  
Sugarcane   16,199       12,617  
Equipment and other facilities   47,278       42,043  
               
Total depreciable properties   121,486       108,861  
Less accumulated depreciation and depletion   (71,857 )     (65,220 )
               
Net depreciable properties   49,629       43,641  
Land and land improvements   81,442       79,193  
               
Net property, buildings and equipment $ 131,071     $ 122,834  

 

Due to the continued pressure on market prices of real estate in Florida, the Company evaluated several of its properties for impairment at September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011. In conducting its evaluation, the Company reviewed the estimated non-discounted cash flows from each of the properties or obtained independent third party appraisals from a qualified real estate appraiser.

 

Lee County, Florida Properties

 

The Company's management committed to a plan to sell the Lee County Properties and actively locate a buyer, thereby meeting the criteria for assets held for sale. The Company's plan to sell the Lee County Properties triggered the impairment evaluation. The fair value was determined based upon a Level 2 input in accordance with the fair value three-tier hierarchy, specifically on a negotiated sales price with a third party. The Company recorded an impairment of $1,918,000 on the property as the carrying value exceeded the market value, and the impairment charge is included in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

 

The sale was finalized in separate closings on July 25, 2012 and October 3, 2012. The two parcels which closed on October 3, 2012 are included in assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2012 totaling $2,475,000. The Company received a deposit for the parcels of $2,500,000 which is included in restricted cash and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2012.

 

Polk County, Florida Properties

 

The sales contracts for two parcels of land in Polk County, Florida closed during June 2012. The sale of the Polk County parcels totaled $10,122,000. The Company received cash of $9,768,000, of which $8,747,000 was held in an escrow account by a third party in accordance with an assignment agreement while potential like kind exchange transactions were considered which would qualify for tax-deferral treatment in accordance with Internal Revenue Code §1031. No properties were identified for a like kind exchange, and the funds were remitted to the Company on July 31, 2012. The sale of the two parcels resulted in pre-tax gains totaling $9,113,000 which is included in the gain on sale of real estate in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for fiscal year 2012.

 

The first parcel of land totaled 3,630 acres. The sales price was $9,077,000 or $2,500 per acre. The sales contract closed on June 14, 2012, with the deed and possession delivered to Ben Hill Griffin III Family Limited Partnership, LLLP. We received $8,747,000 in cash for the sale.

 

The second parcel of land totaled 380 acres for which we received $1,020,000 in cash. The sales price was $1,045,000 or $2,750 per acre. The sales contract closed on June 20, 2012, with deed and possession delivered to Ben Hill Griffin Inc. See Note 13. Related Party Transactions.

 

Alachua County Property

 

In June 2013, the Company purchased 396 acres in Alachua County, Florida for $1,175,000. The Company intends to build a citrus tree nursery on the property and utilize the trees produced in its own operations and to sell excess trees to citrus growers in the state of Florida.

 

Sale of Easement

 

In July, 2013, the Company closed a warranty easement deed with the United States Department of Agriculture, through its administering agency, The Natural Resources Conservation Service, granting a conservation easement on approximately 11,600 acres located in Hendry County, FL (the "Property") for $20,678,000. The easement agreement states the Property will be enrolled in perpetuity in the Wetlands Reserve Program designed to restore, protect and enhance the values of the wetlands and for the conservation of natural resources. The Company will retain title to the Property and the right to various recreational uses including hunting, fishing and leasing of such rights. Additionally, the Company reserves the right to subsurface resources including oil, gas, minerals and geothermal resources underlying the easement area and the right to water uses and water rights identified as reserved to us. As a result of the transaction, the Company recorded a gain of $20,343,000 in its Statement of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.