UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(x) Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2001 or
( ) Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition period from _______________ to
___________________
Commission File Number: 000-21788
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter:
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY
State of Incorporation: Delaware
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number: 62-1040440
Address of Principal Executive Offices (including zip code)
One Cotton Row, Scott, Mississippi 38772
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(662) 742-4500
Indicate by check mark whether Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES (x) NO ( )
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, $0.10 Par Value - 38,538,994 shares outstanding as of May 31,
2001.
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets - May 31, 2000,
August 31, 2000, and May 31, 2001 3
Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months
Ended May 31, 2000 and May 31, 2001 4
Consolidated Statements of Income - Nine Months
Ended May 31, 2000 and May 31, 2001 5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months
Ended May 31, 2000 and May 31, 2001 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 13
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 16
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 18
Item 5. Business 18
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 24
Signatures 25
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
May 31, August 31, May 31,
2000 2000 2001
----------------- ------------- ----------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 61,845 $ 87,467 $ 75,434
Receivables, net 260,376 181,305 267,794
Inventories 47,276 35,278 39,468
Prepaid expenses 1,666 2,231 2,320
Deferred income taxes 13,070 7,420 7,420
----------------- ------------- ----------------
Total current assets 384,233 313,701 392,436
PROPERTY, PLANT and EQUIPMENT, net 64,001 65,044 64,928
EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS OF
BUSINESS ACQUIRED, net 4,559 4,514 4,220
INTANGIBLES, net 4,296 4,250 4,275
OTHER ASSETS 2,961 2,625 2,303
----------------- ------------- ----------------
$ 460,050 $ 390,134 $ 468,162
================= ============= ================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Notes payable $ 1,001 $ 2,000 $ 2,570
Accounts payable 15,370 23,441 9,473
Accrued expenses 213,054 164,702 216,054
Income taxes payable 51,067 25,172 23,906
----------------- ------------- ----------------
Total current liabilities 280,492 215,315 252,003
----------------- ------------- ----------------
LONG-TERM DEBT, less current maturities 189 2,482 3,208
----------------- ------------- ----------------
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 5,774 4,975 4,975
----------------- ------------- ----------------
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES 8,620 7,734 8,504
----------------- ------------- ----------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized:
Series A Junior Participating Preferred, par value $0.10 per share;
456,989 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding - - -
Series M Convertible Non-Voting Preferred, par value $0.10 per
share; 1,066,667 shares authorized; issued and outstanding 107 107 107
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share; 100,000,000 shares
authorized;
38,919,467; 38,945,725 and 39,106,960 shares issued; 3,891 3,895 3,911
38,351,501; 38,377,759 and 38,538,994 shares outstanding
Capital in excess of par value 44,609 45,096 48,130
Retained earnings 129,415 123,552 161,089
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,171) (3,146) (3,889)
Treasury stock at cost, 567,966; 567,966 and 567,966 shares (9,876) (9,876) (9,876)
----------------- ------------- ----------------
Total stockholders' equity 164,975 159,628 199,472
----------------- ------------- ----------------
$ 460,050 $ 390,134 $ 468,162
================= ============= ================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
May 31, May 31,
2000 2001
-------------- --------------
NET SALES AND LICENSING FEES $ 177,365 $ 139,331
COST OF SALES 112,175 90,735
-------------- --------------
GROSS PROFIT 65,190 48,596
-------------- --------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development 4,435 5,081
Selling 4,022 3,082
General and administrative 3,700 3,524
-------------- --------------
12,157 11,687
-------------- --------------
Special charges and unusual income item (820) -
-------------- --------------
OPERATING INCOME 52,213 36,909
-------------- --------------
INTEREST EXPENSE, net (77) (63)
OTHER EXPENSE, net (489) (230)
MINORITY INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (141) (345)
-------------- --------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 51,506 36,271
INCOME TAX PROVISION 16,618 13,343
-------------- --------------
NET INCOME 34,888 22,928
DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK (32) (43)
-------------- --------------
NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES $ 34,856 $ 22,885
============== ==============
BASIC NET INCOME PER SHARE $ 0.91 $ 0.59
============== ==============
NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN BASIC EARNINGS
PER SHARE CALCULATIONS 38,319 38,963
============== ==============
DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE $ 0.88 $ 0.56
============== ==============
NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN DILUTED EARNINGS
PER SHARE CALCULATIONS 39,845 40,667
============== ==============
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.03 $ 0.04
============== ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
May 31, May 31,
2000 2001
--------------- ---------------
NET SALES AND LICENSING FEES $ 286,116 $ 299,179
COST OF SALES 189,585 196,505
--------------- ---------------
GROSS PROFIT 96,531 102,674
--------------- ---------------
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development 13,816 14,213
Selling 10,855 9,571
General and administrative 9,769 11,497
--------------- ---------------
34,440 35,281
--------------- ---------------
Special charges and unusual income item 73,407 -
--------------- ---------------
OPERATING INCOME 135,498 67,393
--------------- ---------------
INTEREST (EXPENSE) INCOME net (265) 2,473
OTHER EXPENSE, net (411) (2,535)
MINORITY INTEREST IN LOSS (EARNINGS) OF SUBSIDIARIES 18 (1,364)
--------------- ---------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF
ACCOUNTING CHANGE 134,840 65,967
INCOME TAX PROVISION 47,868 24,078
--------------- ---------------
NET INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF
ACCOUNTING CHANGE 86,972 41,889
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING FOR
STARTUP COSTS, NET (2,965) -
--------------- ---------------
NET INCOME 84,007 41,889
DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK (96) (117)
--------------- ---------------
NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES $ 83,911 41,772
=============== ===============
BASIC NET INCOME PER SHARE $ 2.25 $ 1.09
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE (0.08) -
--------------- ---------------
NET INCOME $ 2.17 $ 1.09
=============== ===============
NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN BASIC EARNINGS
PER SHARE CALCULATIONS 38,541 38,308
=============== ===============
DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE $ 2.16 $ 1.04
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE (0.07) -
--------------- ---------------
NET INCOME $ 2.09 $ 1.04
=============== ===============
NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN DILUTED EARNINGS
PER SHARE CALCULATIONS 40,157 40,038
=============== ===============
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.09 $ 0.11
=============== ===============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
May 31, May 31,
2000 2001
---------------- ----------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 84,007 $ 41,889
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 4,551 5,428
Gain on sale of equipment - (22)
Minority interest in net (loss) income of subsidiaries (18) 1,364
Noncash changes in other comprehensive income - (36)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Receivables (112,450) (86,489)
Inventories 451 (4,190)
Prepaid expenses (193) (89)
Accounts payable (4,620) (13,968)
Accrued expenses 69,993 51,352
Deferred income taxes (204) -
Income taxes payable 42,985 (1,035)
Intangibles and other assets 1,134 483
---------------- ----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 85,636 (5,313)
---------------- ----------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment (3,287) (5,220)
Sale of investment property - 38
---------------- ----------------
Net cash used in investing activities (3,287) (5,182)
---------------- ----------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments of short-term debt (3,156) (785)
Payments of long-term debt (65,028) (18,715)
Dividends paid (3,562) (4,352)
Proceeds from long-term debt 48,217 19,441
Proceeds from short-term debt 338 1,355
Minority interest portion of investment in subsidiaries 250 -
Minority interest in dividends paid by subsidiaries (241) (594)
Payments to acquire treasury stock (7,703) -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 3,455 2,819
---------------- ----------------
Net cash used in financing activities (27,430) (831)
---------------- ----------------
EFFECTS OF FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION LOSSES (626) (707)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 54,293 (12,033)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, as of August 31 7,552 87,467
---------------- ----------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, as of May 31 $ 61,845 $ 75,434
================ ================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the nine months for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest $ 1,100 $ 400
Income taxes $ 1,000 $ 24,100
Noncash financing activities:
Tax benefit of stock option exercises $ 1,600 $ 200
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except percentages and share amounts)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
---------------------
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
(GAAP) for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for
the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been
included. Due to the seasonal nature of Delta and Pine Land Company and
subsidiaries' (the "Company") business, the results of operations for the three
and nine month periods ended May 31, 2000 and May 31, 2001 or for any quarterly
period, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full year. For further information reference should be made to the consolidated
financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual
Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000.
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current
year presentation.
2. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS
-------------------------
Total comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2000 and
May 31, 2001, was (in thousands):
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
May 31, May 31, May 31, May 31,
2000 2001 2000 2001
------------ ----------- ------------ -------------
Net income $ 34,888 $ 22,928 $84,007 $41,889
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation gains/(losses) 779 (528) (626) (707)
Unrealized gain/(losses) on
hedging instruments - 346 - (36)
Income tax (expense) benefit
related to other comprehensive income (252) 67 222 271
------------ ----------- ------------ -------------
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 527 (115) (404) (472)
------------ ----------- ------------ -------------
Total comprehensive income $35,415 $ 22,813 $83,603 $41,417
============ =========== ============ =============
3. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
-------------------
The Company is in a single line of business and operates in two business
segments, domestic and international. The Company's reportable segments offer
similar products; however, the business units are managed separately due to the
geographic dispersion of their operations. D&PL breeds, produces, conditions,
and markets proprietary varieties of cotton and soybean planting seed in the
United States. The international segment offers cottonseed in several foreign
countries through both export sales and in-country operations. The Company
develops its proprietary seed products through research and development efforts
in the United States and certain foreign countries.
The Company's chief operating decision maker utilizes revenue information in
assessing performance and making overall operating decisions and resource
allocations. Profit and loss information is reported by segment to the chief
operating decision maker and the Company's Board of Directors. The accounting
policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of
significant accounting policies in the Company's Form 10-K filed for the year
ended August 31, 2000 with significant changes described in Note 1 to the
financial statements.
Information about the Company's segments for the three and nine months ended May
31, 2000 and May 31, 2001 is as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
------------------ -----------------
May 31, May 31, May 31, May 31,
2000 2001 2000 2001
-------------- ------------- --------------- -----------------
Net sales
Domestic $ 169,157 $ 129,365 $ 259,082 $ 257,743
International 8,208 9,966 27,034 41,436
-------------- -------------- --------------- -----------------
$ 177,365 $ 139,331 $ 286,116 $ 299,179
============== ============== =============== =================
Operating income
Domestic $ 51,287 $ 34,754 $ 129,907 $ 56,146
International 926 2,155 5,591 11,247
-------------- -------------- --------------- -----------------
$ 52,213 $ 36,909 $ 135,498 $ 67,393
============== ============== =============== =================
Material Changes in Assets:
Inventories increased approximately $4,190 to $39,468 at May 31, 2001 from
$35,278 at August 31, 2000. This increase reflects increased bulk and bag
inventory levels of cotton seed deemed necessary to fulfill anticipated
sales due to early season acreage estimates that ranged as high as 17.0
million cotton acres.
4. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
--------------------------------
SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,"
establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments,
including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for
hedging activities. D&PL adopted SFAS 133 effective September 1, 2000. The
adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on D&PL's results of
operations, financial position or cash flows.
Effective September 1, 1999, the Company adopted the reporting requirements of
SOP 98-5 which resulted in a write-off, net of tax, of approximately $2,965
($0.08 per share). To apply the new method retroactively, an adjustment of
$2,965 (after income tax benefits of $1,817) is included in income for the first
fiscal quarter of 2000.
In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, Revenue
Recognition in Financial Statements ("SAB 101"). SAB 101 provides guidance on
the recognition, presentation and disclosure of revenue in financial statements
filed with the SEC. In June 2000, the SEC issued an amendment to SAB 101 which
allows registrants to wait until the fourth quarter of their first fiscal year
beginning after December 15, 1999 to implement SAB 101. Therefore, D&PL must
adopt the requirements of SAB 101 effective no later than June 1, 2001.
Management does not believe that the adoption of SAB 101 will not have a
material impact on the Company's annual financial statements.
5. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
May 31, August 31, May 31,
2000 2000 2001
---------------- ------------------ --------------------
Finished goods $ 39,104 $ 28,649 $ 34,417
Raw materials 17,786 11,327 13,913
Growing crops 766 1,744 779
Supplies and other 637 1,165 1,615
---------------- ------------------ --------------------
58,293 42,885 50,724
Less reserves (11,017) (7,607) (11,256)
---------------- ------------------ --------------------
$ 47,276 $ 35,278 $ 39,468
================ ================== ====================
Substantially all finished goods and raw material inventory is valued at the
lower of average cost or market. Growing crops are recorded at cost. See
footnote 7 for description of hedging activities.
6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
-----------------------------
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
May 31, August 31, May 31,
2000 2000 2001
----------------- ------------------ -----------------
Land and improvements $ 4,091 $ 4,046 $ 4,414
Buildings and improvements 37,365 37,759 40,839
Machinery and equipment 46,589 46,239 50,795
Germplasm 7,500 7,500 7,500
Breeder and foundation seed 2,000 2,000 2,000
Construction in progress 2,489 4,444 1,263
----------------- ------------------ -----------------
100,034 101,988 106,811
Less accumulated depreciation (36,033) (36,944) (41,883)
----------------- ------------------ -----------------
$ 64,001 $ 65,044 $ 64,928
================= ================== =================
7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
--------------------------------
The Company uses various financial instruments that are considered derivatives
to mitigate its risk to variability in cash flows related to soybean purchases
and to effectively fix the cost of a significant portion of its soybean raw
material inventory. The terms of the hedging derivatives used by the Company are
negotiated to approximate the terms of the forecasted transaction; therefore,
the Company expects the instruments used in hedging transactions to be highly
effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. Realized and
unrealized hedging gains and losses are recorded as a component of other
comprehensive income and are reclassified into earnings in the period in which
the forecasted transaction effects earnings (i.e. is sold or disposed) and
generally occurs during the Company's second and third fiscal quarters. The
Company does not speculate in derivatives.
The Company's hedging strategy is to offset the gains or losses on derivative
instruments gains or losses on the underlying purchased commodity. The Company
uses futures contracts, options and spreads to hedge its exposure to the
variability in the price of its purchased soybeans. Quantities hedged that do
not exceed the forecasted transactions are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
However, to the extent that the quantities hedged exceed the forecasted
transactions, the Company accounts for these derivative instruments as fair
value hedges. The Company does not enter into any derivative instruments that
extend into the future for more than one fiscal year. For the three and nine
months ended May 31, 2001, the Company recorded no gains or losses in earnings
as a result of hedge ineffectiveness or discontinuance of cash flow hedges.
During the three months ended May 31, 2001, $366 of expense that previously had
been deferred to other comprehensive income was reclassified from equity to
earnings. The Company recorded an additional loss on hedging instruments of $297
in the third quarter ended May 31, 2001. These charges are reflected as a
component of cost of sales. The Company will not record additional gains or
losses in its fourth fiscal quarter related to hedging activities as all
remaining open contracts relate to forecasted transactions for the next fiscal
year. If the value of the underlying commodity does not change from the quarter
ended May 31, 2001, the unrealized loss reflected as a component of accumulated
other comprehensive loss would be reclassified into earnings within the next
fiscal year. The actual amount that will be reclassified in earnings may vary
from this amount as a result of changes in market conditions.
8. CONTINGENCIES
-------------
The Company is named as a defendant in various lawsuits that allege, among other
things, that certain of the Company's products (including Monsanto's technology)
did not perform as the farmer had anticipated or expected. In many of these
suits, Monsanto and, in some cases, the distributor/dealer who sold the seed
were also named. In all cases where the seed sold contained either or both of
Monsanto's Bollgard and Roundup Ready gene technologies, D&PL tendered the
defense of these cases to Monsanto and requested indemnity. Pursuant to the
terms of the February 6, 1996 Bollgard Gene License and Seed Services Agreement
(the "Bollgard Agreement") and the February 6, 1996 Roundup Ready Gene License
and Seed Services Agreement (the "Roundup Ready Agreement") (both as amended
December 8, 1999) D&PL has a right to be contractually indemnified by Monsanto
against all claims arising out of the failure of Monsanto's gene technology.
Some of the product liability lawsuits contain varietal claims which are aimed
solely at the Company. D&PL does not have a right to indemnification from
Monsanto, however, for any claims involving varietal characteristics separate
from or in addition to the failure of the Monsanto gene technology. The Company
believes that the resolution of these matters will not have a material impact on
its consolidated financial statements. The Company intends to vigorously defend
itself in these matters.
See Part II, Item I for a discussion of each case.
In October 1996, Mycogen Plant Science, Inc. and Agrigenetics, Inc.
(collectively "Mycogen") filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Delaware
naming D&PL, Monsanto and DeKalb Genetics as defendants alleging that two of
Mycogen's patents have been infringed by the defendants by making, selling, and
licensing seed that contains the Bollgard gene. The suit, which went to trial in
January 1998, sought injunctions against alleged infringement, compensatory
damages, treble damages and attorney's fees and court costs. A jury found in
favor of D&PL and Monsanto on issues of infringement holding Mycogen's patents
invalid. Mycogen subsequently re-filed a motion for a new trial and for a
judgment in favor of Mycogen as a matter of law. The trial court has ruled in
these motions holding for Mycogen on certain issues but sustaining the jury
verdict in favor of D&PL and Monsanto. Mycogen then appealed. On March 14, 2001,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court's
judgment for D&PL and Monsanto. Mycogen did not file a petition for certiorari
in the United States Supreme Court and the time for such a petition has now
expired. The judgment in this litigation in favor of D&PL and Monsanto is now
final. Pursuant to the terms of the Bollgard Agreement, Monsanto was required to
defend D&PL against patent infringement claims and to indemnify D&PL against
damages, if any, had been awarded.
In December 1999, Mycogen filed a suit in the Federal Court of Australia
alleging that Monsanto Australia Ltd., Monsanto's wholly-owned Australian
subsidiary, and Deltapine Australia Pty. Ltd., D&PL's wholly-owned Australian
subsidiary, have been infringing two of Mycogen's Australian patents by making,
selling, and licensing cotton planting seed expressing insect resistance. The
suit seeks injunction against continued sale of seed containing Monsanto's
Ingard(R) gene and recovery of an unspecified amount of damages. The litigation
is currently in discovery. Consistent with its commitments, Monsanto has agreed
to defend D&PL in this suit and to indemnify D&PL against damages, if any are
awarded. Monsanto is providing separate defense counsel for D&PL. D&PL is
assisting Monsanto to the extent reasonably necessary.
A corporation owned by the son of the Company's former Guatemalan distributor
sued in 1989 asserting that the Company violated an agreement with it by
granting to another entity an exclusive license in certain areas of Central
America and southern Mexico. The suit seeks damages of 5,300,000 Guatemalan
quetzales (approximately $681,000 at current exchange rates) and an injunction
preventing the Company from distributing seed through any other licensee in that
region. The Guatemalan court, where this action is proceeding, has twice
declined to approve the injunction sought. Management believes that the
resolution of the matter will not have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated financial statements. The Company continues to offer seed for sale
in Guatemala.
In November 1999, Bios Agrosystems S.A. ("Bios"), a former distributor of
SureGrow brand cottonseed in Greece, brought suit in the U.S. District Court in
Delaware against D&PL International Technology, D&PL's subsidiary, to enjoin the
termination of its distributorship which was to become effective at the end of
November 1999. The suit demanded a declaratory judgment that the termination is
not effective and compensatory and punitive damages for wrongful termination.
Bios also filed a request for arbitration and a parallel suit seeking injunctive
relief in a Greek court. In January 2000, the U. S. District Court denied the
request for an injunction to prevent termination of Bios' distributorship and
subsequently enjoined Bios from proceeding with parallel litigation in the Greek
courts. Bios filed an interlocutory appeal to the District Court's Order on
injunctive relief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
In March 2001, Bios dismissed its interlocutory appeal. The case remains pending
in District Court. Bios has not indicated whether or not it will continue to
seek to arbitrate its claims. D&PL believes this litigation will be resolved
without material effect on D&PL's consolidated financial condition and without
interference with the distribution of SureGrow brand cottonseed in Greece.
On July 18, 1996, the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division
("USDOJ"), served a Civil Investigative Demand (the "1996 CID") on D&PL seeking
information and documents in connection with its investigation of the
acquisition by D&PL of the stock of Arizona Processing, Inc., Ellis Brothers
Seed, Inc. and Mississippi Seed, Inc. (which own the outstanding common stock of
Sure Grow Seed, Inc.). The CID states that the USDOJ is investigating whether
these transactions may have violated the provisions of Section 7 of the Clayton
Act, 15 USC ss.18. D&PL has responded to the CID, employees were examined in
1997 by the USDOJ, and D&PL is committed to full cooperation with the USDOJ.
D&PL believes that it has demonstrated to the USDOJ that this acquisition did
not constitute a violation of the Clayton Act or any other anti-trust law.
On August 9, 1999, D&PL and Monsanto received Civil Investigative Demands (the
"1999 CID") from the USDOJ, seeking to determine whether there had been any
inappropriate exchanges of information between Monsanto and D&PL or if any
acquisitions are likely to have substantially lessened competition in the sale
or development of cottonseed or cottonseed genetic traits. In September 1999,
D&PL complied with the USDOJ's request for information and documents in the 1999
CID. The USDOJ has taken no further action directed toward D&PL in connection
with the 1999 CID.
D&PL expects that both the 1996 CID and the 1999 CID will be closed, with
respect to D&PL, with no material effect to the Company's consolidated financial
condition or results of operations.
9. EARNINGS PER SHARE
------------------
Dilutive common share equivalents consist of both the Company's series M
Convertible Non-Voting Preferred shares and the outstanding options to purchase
the Company's common stock that have been issued under the 1993 Stock Option
Plan and the 1995 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Approximately 1,532,000 and 809,000
outstanding stock options were not included in the computation of diluted
earnings per share for the three months ended May 31, 2000 and 2001,
respectively, and approximately 1,484,000 and 809,000 outstanding stock options
were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine
months ended May 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively, because the effect of their
exercise was not dilutive based on the average market price of the Company's
common stock for each respective reporting period. These options expire at
various dates from 2006 to 2011.
For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended
-------------------------- -------------------------
May 31, May 31, May 31, May 31,
2000 2001 2000 2001
------------- ------------- --------------- --------------
Basic Earnings per Share -
Net income per share before cumulative effect
of accounting change $ 0.91 $ 0.59 $ 2.25 $ 1.09
Cumulative effect of accounting change - - (0.08) -
-------------- ------------- --------------- --------------
Net income $ 0.91 $ 0.59 $ 2.17 $ 1.09
============== ============= =============== ==============
Number of shares used in per share calculations 38,319 38,963 38,541 38,308
============== ============= =============== ==============
Diluted Earnings per Share -
Net income per share before cumulative effect
of accounting change $ 0.88 $ 0.56 $ 2.16 $ 1.04
Cumulative effect of accounting change - - (0.07) -
-------------- ------------- --------------- --------------
Net income $ 0.88 $ 0.56 $ 2.09 $ 1.04
============== ============= =============== ==============
Number of shares used in per share calculations 39,845 40,667 40,157 40,038
============== ============= =============== ==============
Dividends per common share $ 0.03 $ 0.04 $ 0.09 $ 0.11
============== ============= =============== ==============
The table below reconciles the basic and diluted per share computations for
income before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle:
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended
-------------------------- -------------------------
May 31, May 31, May 31, May 31,
2000 2001 2000(1) 2001
------------- ------------- --------------- --------------
Income:
Net income before cumulative effect of
accounting change $ 34,888 $ 22,928 $ 86,972 $ 41,889
Less: Preferred stock dividends (32) (43) (96) (117)
------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
Basic EPS:
Net income before cumulative effect of
accounting change 34,856 22,885 86,876 41,772
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible preferred stock dividends 32 43 96 117
------------- ------------- -------------- --------------
Diluted EPS:
Net income before cumulative effect of
accounting change available to
common stockholders plus assumed
conversions $ 34,888 $ 22,928 $ 86,972 $ 41,889
Shares:
Basic EPS Shares 38,319 38,963 38,541 38,308
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Options to purchase stock 459 637 549 663
Convertible preferred stock 1,067 1,067 1,067 1,067
-------------- ------------- --------------- --------------
Diluted EPS Shares 39,845 40,667 40,157 40,038
============== ============= =============== ==============
Per Share Amounts:
Basic $ 0.91 $ 0.59 $ 2.25 $ 1.09
============== ============= =============== ==============
Diluted $ 0.88 $ 0.56 $ 2.16 $ 1.04
============== ============= =============== ==============
(1) Net income includes $81 million before related expense and taxes received
from Monsanto as part of the merger termination.
PART I.
Item 2. Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results
Of Operations
Overview
--------
Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's business, D&PL typically incurs
losses in its first and fourth fiscal quarters since the majority of the
Company's domestic sales are made in its second and third quarters. Sales in the
first and fourth quarters are generally limited to those made to smaller export
markets and those made by the Company's non-U.S. joint ventures and subsidiaries
located primarily in the Southern hemisphere.
Revenues from domestic seed sales are generally recognized when seed is shipped.
Revenues from Bollgard and Roundup Ready licensing fees are calculated based on
the number of acres expected to be planted with such seed and are recognized
when the seed is shipped. The licensing fees charged to farmers is based on
pre-established planting rates for eight regions and the estimated number of
seed contained in each bag which may vary by variety, location grown, and other
factors. Revenue is recognized based on the established technology fee per unit
shipped to each geographic region net of expected crop destruct and replant
estimates. International export revenues are recognized upon the later of when
seed is shipped or the date letters of credit are confirmed. Generally,
international export sales are not subject to return. All other international
revenues from the sale of planting seed, less estimated reserves for returns,
are recognized when the seed is shipped.
All of the Company's domestic seed products (including Bollgard and Roundup
Ready technologies) are subject to return or credit, which vary from year to
year. The annual level of returns and, ultimately, net sales are influenced by
various factors, principally commodity prices and weather conditions occurring
in the spring planting season during the Company's third and fourth quarters.
The Company provides for estimated returns as sales occur. To the extent actual
returns differ from estimates, adjustments to the Company's operating results
are recorded when such differences become known, typically in the Company's
fourth quarter. All significant returns occur or are accounted for by fiscal
year end.
Net income for the quarter ended May 31, 2001 of $22.9 million was less than the
net income of $34.9 million reported in the comparable prior year quarter. Net
income in 2001 was favorably affected by 1) a price increase in the domestic
cotton programs 2) increased sales by the Company's ex-U.S. subsidiaries and
joint ventures and 3) an increase in interest income and adversely effected by
reserves recorded for replant /crop loss for cotton and soybean inventory
disposal that was necessitated by lower than expected sales of soybeans.
Results of Operations
---------------------
The following sets forth selected operating data of the Company (in thousands):
For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended
-------------------------- -------------------------
May 31, May 31, May 31, May 31,
2000 2001 2000 2001
------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------
Operating results -
Net sales and licensing fees $ 177,365 $ 139,331 $286,116 $ 299,179
Gross profit 65,190 48,596 96,531 102,674
Operating expenses:
Research and development 4,435 5,081 13,816 14,213
Selling 4,022 3,082 10,855 9,571
General and administrative 3,700 3,524 9,769 11,497
Special charges and unusual income item (820) - 73,407 -
Operating income 52,213 36,909 135,498 67,393
Income before income taxes and cumulative
effect of accounting change 51,506 36,271 134,840 65,967
Net income applicable to common shares 34,856 22,885 83,911 41,772
The following sets forth selected balance sheet data of the Company as of the
following periods (in thousands):
May 31, August 31, May 31,
2000 2000 2001
----------------- ----------------- ------------------
Balance sheet summary-
Current assets $ 384,233 $ 313,701 $ 392,436
Current liabilities 280,492 215,315 252,003
Working capital 103,741 98,386 140,433
Property, plant and equipment, net 64,001 65,044 64,928
Total assets 460,050 390,134 468,162
Outstanding borrowings 1,190 4,482 5,778
Stockholders' equity 164,975 159,628 199,472
Three months ended May 31, 2000, compared to three months ended May 31, 2001:
Net sales and licensing fees decreased approximately $38.1 million to $139.3
million from $177.4 million. This decrease is primarily the result of adverse
weather during spring planting that significantly reduced planted cotton acreage
below early season estimates by industry experts which caused a shift of
cottonseed sales into the second quarter and out of the third quarter.
Nine months ended May 31, 2000, compared to nine months ended May 31, 2001:
Net sales and licensing fees increased approximately $13.1 million to $299.2
million from $286.1 million. This increase is primarily the result of a
continued market penetration of the Company's stacked gene products in the
domestic segment and a cotton seed price increase. Additionally, the
International segment experienced increased export sales to Greece, increased
sales at the Company's Australian subsidiary, and continued market penetration
by the Company's joint ventures in China.
The Company reported net interest income of $2.5 million compared to net
interest expense of $0.3 million for the same period of the prior year due to
higher levels of available funds.
The Company reported other expense of approximately $2.5 million for the nine
months ended May 31, 2001 compared to other expense of approximately $0.4
million for the same period of the prior year which is primarily attributable to
additional contingency reserves and related costs and foreign exchange losses.
On May 8, 1998, the Company entered into a merger agreement with Monsanto
Company ("Monsanto"), pursuant to which the Company would be merged with and
into Monsanto. On December 20, 1999, Monsanto withdrew its pre-merger
notification filed pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act
of 1976 ("HSR Act") effectively terminating Monsanto's efforts to gain
government approval of the merger. On December 30, 1999, the Company filed suit
(the "December 30 suit") in the First Judicial District of Bolivar County,
Mississippi, seeking, among other things, the payment of the $81 million
termination fee due pursuant to the merger agreement, compensatory damages of $1
billion and punitive damages in an amount to be proved at trial for Monsanto's
breach of contract. On January 2, 2000, the Company and Monsanto reached an
agreement whereby the Company would withdraw the December 30 suit, and Monsanto
would immediately pay the $81 million. The parties agreed to negotiate in good
faith over the following two weeks and Monsanto agreed to make members of its
senior management available to conduct such negotiations. It was also agreed
that if no consensual resolution was reached, the lawsuit brought by the Company
would be re-filed. On January 3, 2000, Monsanto paid to the Company a
termination fee of $81 million as required by the merger agreement. On January
18, 2000, the Company re-filed a suit restating essentially all of the
allegations contained in the December 30 suit.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
-------------------------------
The seasonal nature of the Company's business significantly impacts cash flow
and working capital requirements. The Company maintains credit facilities, uses
early payments by customers and uses cash from operations to fund working
capital needs. For more than 18 years D&PL has borrowed on a short-term basis to
meet seasonal working capital needs.
In the United States, D&PL purchases seed from contract growers in its first and
second fiscal quarters. Seed conditioning, treating and packaging commence late
in the first fiscal quarter and continue through the third fiscal quarter.
Seasonal borrowings normally commence in the first fiscal quarter and peak in
the third fiscal quarter. Loan repayments normally begin in the middle of the
third fiscal quarter and are typically completed by the first fiscal quarter of
the following year. D&PL also offers customers financial incentives to make
early payments. To the extent D&PL attracts early payments from customers, bank
borrowings under the credit facility are reduced.
The Company records receivables for licensing fees on Bollgard and Roundup Ready
seed sales as the seed is shipped, usually in the Company's second and third
quarters. The Company has contracted the billing and collection activities for
Bollgard and Roundup Ready licensing fees to Monsanto. In September, the
technology fees are due at which time D&PL receives payment from Monsanto. D&PL
then pays Monsanto its related royalty.
Until April 2001, the Company maintained a syndicated credit facility with its
primary lender and two other financial institutions which provided for aggregate
borrowings of $110 million. This agreement provided a base commitment of $55
million and a seasonal commitment of $55 million. The base commitment was a
long-term loan that may be borrowed upon at any time and was due April 1, 2001.
The seasonal commitment was a working capital loan that may be drawn upon from
September 1 through June 30 of each fiscal year and expired April 1, 2001. In
addition, the lead lender approved a $25.0 million credit line that can be
activated by the Company as needed. Each commitment offered variable and fixed
interest rate options and requires the Company to pay facility or commitment
fees and to comply with certain financial covenants.
The financial covenants under the loan agreements required the Company to: (a)
maintain a ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth at August 31, of
less than or equal to 2.25 to 1 (4.0 to 1.0 at the Company's other quarter ends)
(b) maintain a fixed charge ratio at the end of each quarter greater than or
equal to 2.0 to 1.0 and (c) maintain at all times tangible net worth of not less
than the sum of (i) $40 million plus (ii) 50% of net income (but not losses)
determined on the last day of each fiscal quarter, commencing with August 31,
1998. At May 31, 2001, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
The lead lender and the Company have executed a commitment letter to renew the
existing facility with terms and conditions substantially similar to the newly
expired facility. The lead lender has also provided a bridge facility for $30
million which the Company will utilize until the syndicated facility is
finalized, which is expected to occur by September 1, 2001. Management believes
that the bridge facility, along with cash on hand and cash generated from
operations, will be sufficient to meets its working capital needs until the
renewed facility is executed.
Capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2001 were $1.5 million ($5.2
million for the nine months ended May 31, 2001). The Company anticipates that
domestic capital expenditures will approximate $8.0 million in 2001. Capital
expenditures in 2001 for international ventures are expected to range from $2.0
million to $3.0 million depending on the timing and outcome of such projects.
Capital expenditures will be funded by cash from operations, borrowings or
investments from joint venture partners, as necessary.
The Board of Directors reviews the Company's dividend policy quarterly. In the
third quarter of 2001, The Board of Directors authorized a quarterly dividend of
$0.04 per share paid June 11, 2001 to the shareholders of record on May 31,
2001.
In the second quarter of 2000, the Board of Directors approved a Stock
Repurchase Plan pursuant to which the Company repurchase its outstanding common
stock. The shares repurchased will be used for stock issuances pursuant to the
Company's stock option plans, the expected conversion of the outstanding
convertible Preferred Stock and for other corporate purposes. During the quarter
ended May 31, 2001, no shares were repurchased by D&PL.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company and Monsanto are named as defendants in four pending lawsuits filed
in the State of Texas. Two lawsuits were filed in Lamb County, Texas on April 5,
1999; one lawsuit was filed in Lamb County, Texas on April 14, 1999; and one
lawsuit was filed in Hockley County, Texas, on April 21, 1999. These lawsuits
were removed to the United States District Court, Lubbock Division, but
subsequently were remanded back to the state court where they were filed. In
each case the plaintiff alleges, among other things, that certain cottonseed
acquired from Paymaster did not perform as the farmers had anticipated or as
allegedly represented to them. This litigation is identical to seed arbitration
claims previously filed in the State of Texas, which were concluded in the
Company's favor. The Company and Monsanto have investigated the claims to
determine the cause or causes of the alleged problems and they appear to be
totally caused by environmental factors.
The Company and Monsanto were also named as defendants in two additional
lawsuits filed in the State of Texas. One lawsuit was filed in the 106th
Judicial District Court of Gaines County, Texas, on April 27, 2000, and the
other was filed in the 106th Judicial District Court of Dawson County, Texas, on
April 20, 1999, although D&PL was not served with process until May 23, 2001. In
both cases the plaintiffs allege, among other things, that certain cottonseed
acquired from D&PL that contained the Roundup Ready(R) gene did not perform as
the farmers had anticipated. The Company and Monsanto are investigating the
claims to determine the cause or causes of the alleged problem. Pursuant to the
terms of the Roundup Ready(R) Agreement between D&PL and Monsanto, D&PL has
tendered the defense of this claim to Monsanto and requested indemnity. Pursuant
to the Roundup Ready(R) Agreement, Monsanto is contractually obligated to defend
and indemnify the Company against all claims arising out of the failure of the
Roundup(R) glyphosate tolerance gene. D&PL will not have a right of
indemnification from Monsanto, however, for any claim involving defective
varietal characteristics separate from or in addition to the herbicide tolerance
gene and such claims are contained in this litigation.
The Company and Monsanto are named as defendants, along with local seed or
technology distributors in twenty lawsuits filed in Alabama. Four were filed in
Autauga County, three on March 23, 2000 and one on March 27, 2000; three were
filed in Barbour County, two on October 19, 2000, and one on November 7, 2000;
three were filed in Chilton County on March 22, 2000; one was filed in Dallas
County on March 22, 2000; one was filed in Elmore County on March 22, 2000; one
was filed in Escambia County on April 5, 2000; two were filed in Lowndes County,
one on March 14 and one on March 22, 2000; one was filed in Wilcox County on
March 22, 2000; two were filed in Limestone County, one on April 25, 2001, and
one on May 17, 2001; and two were filed in Lauderdale County, one on April 6,
2001 and one on April 20, 2001. These lawsuits, with the exception of the
Escambia and Barbour County cases, were removed to the United States District
Court for the Middle District of Alabama, but subsequently remanded back to the
state court in which they were filed. In each case the plaintiff alleges, among
other things, that certain cottonseed acquired from D&PL, which contained either
the Roundup Ready(R) gene, the Bollgard(R) gene or both of such genes, did not
perform as the farmers had anticipated or as allegedly represented to them.
These lawsuits also include varietal claims aimed solely at the Company. Twelve
of these lawsuits were earlier filed as seed arbitration claims with the Alabama
Department of Agriculture. Eleven were dismissed for lack of jurisdiction by
that entity, the case in Escambia County was heard and the Company was
exonerated from liability. The Company and Monsanto have investigated the
claims, and are continuing to investigate the claims, to determine the cause or
causes of the alleged problem. Pursuant to the terms of the Roundup Ready(R)
Agreement between D&PL and Monsanto and the Bollgard(R) Gene Licensing Agreement
between D&PL and Monsanto, D&PL has a contractual right to be indemnified
against all claims arising out of the failure of Monsanto's gene technology.
D&PL will not have a right to indemnification, however, from Monsanto for any
claim involving varietal characteristics separate from or in addition to the
failure of the Monsanto technology and such claims are contained in each of
these lawsuits.
The Company and Monsanto and various retail seed suppliers were named in three
pending lawsuits in the State of South Carolina. One lawsuit was filed November
15, 1999, in the Beaufort Division of the United States District Court, District
of South Carolina; the other cases were filed on November 15, 1999, in the Court
of Common Pleas of Hampton County, South Carolina. The two state court lawsuits
were removed to the United States District Court for the District of South
Carolina but were subsequently remanded back to the state court in which they
were filed. In each of these cases the plaintiff alleges, among other things,
that certain seed acquired from D&PL which contained the Roundup Ready(R) gene
and/or the Bollgard(R) gene did not perform as the farmer had anticipated. These
lawsuits also include varietal claims aimed solely at the Company. Of these
cases, the one filed in Hampton County and the other filed in the United States
District Court seek class action treatment for all purchasers of certain D&PL
varieties which contain the Monsanto technology. The Company and Monsanto are
continuing to investigate the claims to determine the cause or causes of the
alleged problem. Pursuant to the terms of the Roundup Ready(R) Agreement between
D&PL and Monsanto and the Bollgard(R) Gene Licensing Agreement between D&PL and
Monsanto, D&PL has a right to be contractually indemnified against all claims
arising out of the failure of Monsanto's gene technology. D&PL will not have a
right to indemnification, however, from Monsanto for any claim involving
varietal characteristics separate from or in addition to the failure of the
Monsanto technology and such claims are contained in each of these lawsuits.
On March 7, 2001, the Company and Monsanto and local distributors were named in
a lawsuit filed in Bladen County, North Carolina. This case was removed to the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This
lawsuit alleges that certain cottonseed varieties containing the Roundup
Ready(R) gene did not perform as promised and that the farmer suffered as a
result of lack of tolerance of his growing crop to applications of Roundup(R).
The Company and Monsanto are investigating this claim to determine the cause or
causes of the alleged problem. Pursuant to the terms of the Roundup Ready(R)
Agreement between D&PL and Monsanto, D&PL has tendered the defense of this claim
to Monsanto and requested indemnity. Pursuant to the Roundup Ready(R) Agreement,
Monsanto is contractually obligated to defend and indemnify the Company against
all claims arising out of the failure of the Roundup Ready(R) gene. D&PL will
not have a right to indemnification from Monsanto, however, for any claim
involving defective varietal characteristics separate from or in addition to the
failure of the herbicide tolerance gene and such claims are contained in this
complaint.
On February 5, 2001, D&PL and Monsanto and a local seed distributor were named
in a lawsuit filed in the Sixth Judicial Court, Parish of East Carroll,
Louisiana. This lawsuit alleges that certain cottonseed varieties sold by D&PL
which contained Monsanto's licensed gene technology suffered from a disease or
malady known as bronze wilt. The Company and Monsanto are presently
investigating this claim to determine the cause or causes of the alleged
problem. The lawsuit does not allege that the Monsanto gene technology failed
and, accordingly, it does not appear that D&PL has a claim for indemnity or
defense under the Roundup Ready(R) Gene Agreement as the claim alleges defective
varietal characteristics only.
On June 7, 2001, the Company was named in a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court
of the County of Crockett, Tennessee. This case was subsequently removed to the
United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Eastern
Division. This lawsuit alleges that a specific cotton variety did not perform as
promised and that the plaintiff farmers suffered lower than expected yields as a
result of the allegedly defective variety. Although this lawsuit involves a
cotton variety which contains the Roundup Ready(R) gene, no claim against
Monsanto was alleged, nor is there an allegation that the Monsanto technology
caused or contributed to plaintiffs' problems, thus, Monsanto is not
contractually obligated to defend or indemnify the Company in this case. The
Company is presently investigating this claim to determine the cause or causes
of the alleged problem.
In October 1996, Mycogen Plant Science, Inc. and Agrigenetics, Inc.
(collectively "Mycogen") filed a lawsuit in United States District Court in
Delaware naming D&PL, Monsanto and DeKalb Genetics as defendants alleging that
two of Mycogen's patents have been infringed by the defendants by making,
selling, and licensing seed that contains the Bollgard gene. The suit, which
went to trial in January 1998, sought injunctions against alleged infringement,
compensatory damages, treble damages and attorney's fees and court costs. A jury
found in favor of D&PL and Monsanto on issues of infringement holding Mycogen's
patents invalid. Mycogen subsequently re-filed a motion for a new trial and for
a judgment in favor of Mycogen as a matter of law. The trial court has ruled in
these motions holding for Mycogen on certain issues but sustaining the jury
verdict in favor of D&PL and Monsanto. Mycogen then appealed. On March 14, 2001,
the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District
Court's judgment for D&PL and Monsanto. Mycogen did not file a petition for
certiorari in the United States Supreme Court and the time for such a petition
has now expired. The judgment in this litigation in favor od D&PL and Monsanto
is now final. Pursuant to the terms of the Bollgard Agreement, Monsanto was
required to defend D&PL against patent infringement claims and to indemnify D&PL
against damages, if any, had been awarded.
In December 1999, Mycogen filed a suit in the Federal Court of Australia
alleging that Monsanto Australia Ltd., Monsanto's wholly-owned Australian
subsidiary, and Deltapine Australia Pty. Ltd., D&PL's wholly-owned Australian
subsidiary, have been infringing two of Mycogen's Australian patents by making,
selling, and licensing cotton planting seed expressing insect resistance. The
suit seeks injunction against continued sale of seed containing Monsanto's
Ingard(R) gene and recovery of an unspecified amount of damages. The litigation
is currently in discovery. Consistent with its commitments, Monsanto has agreed
to defend D&PL in this suit and to indemnify D&PL against damages, if any are
awarded. Monsanto is providing separate defense counsel for D&PL. D&PL is
assisting Monsanto to the extent reasonably necessary.
A corporation owned by the son of the Company's former Guatemalan distributor
sued in 1989 asserting that the Company violated an agreement with it by
granting to another entity an exclusive license in certain areas of Central
America and southern Mexico. The suit seeks damages of 5,300,000 Guatemalan
quetzales (approximately $681,000 at current exchange rates) and an injunction
preventing the Company from distributing seed through any other licensee in that
region. The Guatemalan court, where this action is proceeding, has twice
declined to approve the injunction sought. Management believes that the
resolution of the matter will not have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated financial statements. The Company continues to offer seed for sale
in Guatemala.
In November 1999, Bios Agrosystems S.A. ("Bios"), a former distributor of
SureGrow brand cottonseed in Greece, brought suit in the U.S. District Court in
Delaware against D&PL International Technology, D&PL's subsidiary, to enjoin the
termination of its distributorship which was to become effective at the end of
November 1999. The suit demanded a declaratory judgment that the termination is
not effective and compensatory and punitive damages for wrongful termination.
Bios also filed a request for arbitration and a parallel suit seeking injunctive
relief in a Greek court. In January 2000, the U. S. District Court denied the
request for an injunction to prevent termination of Bios' distributorship and
subsequently enjoined Bios from proceeding with parallel litigation in the Greek
courts. Bios filed an interlocutory appeal to the District Court's Order on
injunctive relief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
In March 2001, Bios dismissed its interlocutory appeal. The case remains pending
in District Court. Bios has not indicated whether or not it will continue to
seek to arbitrate its claims. D&PL believes this litigation will be resolved
without material effect on D&PL's consolidated financial condition and without
interference with the distribution of SureGrow brand cottonseed in Greece.
On July 18, 1996, the United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division
("USDOJ"), served a Civil Investigative Demand (the "1996 CID") on D&PL seeking
information and documents in connection with its investigation of the
acquisition by D&PL of the stock of Arizona Processing, Inc., Ellis Brothers
Seed, Inc. and Mississippi Seed, Inc. (which own the outstanding common stock of
Sure Grow Seed, Inc.). The CID states that the USDOJ is investigating whether
these transactions may have violated the provisions of Section 7 of the Clayton
Act, 15 USC ss.18. D&PL has responded to the CID, employees were examined in
1997 by the USDOJ, and D&PL is committed to full cooperation with the USDOJ.
D&PL believes that it has demonstrated to the USDOJ that this acquisition did
not constitute a violation of the Clayton Act or any other anti-trust law.
On August 9, 1999, D&PL and Monsanto received Civil Investigative Demands from
the USDOJ, seeking to determine whether there had been any inappropriate
exchanges of information between Monsanto and D&PL or if any acquisitions are
likely to have substantially lessened competition in the sale or development of
cottonseed or cottonseed genetic traits. In September 1999, D&PL complied with
the USDOJ's request for information and documents in the 1999 CID. The USDOJ has
taken no further action directed toward D&PL in connection with the 1999 CID.
D&PL expects that both the 1996 CID and the 1999 CID will be closed, with
respect to D&PL, with no material effect to the Company's consolidated financial
condition or results of operations.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Delta and Pine Land Company was held
on June 20, 2001. The following matters were brought to a vote with the noted
results:
Item For Against Abstain Non-Voted
---- --- ------- ------- ---------
1. Re-elect of Class II Director 32,238,202 0 41,605 6,259,187
Joseph M. Murphy
2. Re-elect of Class II Director 32,248,308 0 31,499 6,259,187
Rudi E. Scheidt
Item 5. Business
Domestic
--------
Delta and Pine Land Company, a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries ("D&PL" or
the "Company") is primarily engaged in the breeding, production, conditioning
and marketing of proprietary varieties of cotton planting seed in the United
States and other cotton producing nations. D&PL also breeds, produces,
conditions and distributes soybean planting seed in the United States.
Since 1915, D&PL has bred, produced and/or marketed upland picker varieties of
cotton planting seed for cotton varieties that are grown primarily east of Texas
and in Arizona. The Company has used its extensive classical plant breeding
programs to develop a gene pool necessary for producing cotton varieties with
improved agronomic traits important to farmers, such as crop yield, and to
textile manufacturers, such as enhanced fiber characteristics.
In 1980, D&PL added soybean seed to its product line. In 1996, D&PL commenced
commercial sales in the United States of cotton planting seed containing
Bollgard(R) gene technology licensed from Monsanto which expresses a protein
toxic to certain lepidopteran insects. Since 1997, D&PL has marketed in the U.S.
cotton planting seed that contains a gene that provides tolerance to
glyphosate-based herbicides ("Roundup Ready(R) Cotton"). In 1997, D&PL commenced
commercial sales in the U.S. of soybean planting seed that contains a gene that
provides tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides ("Roundup Ready(R) Soybeans").
In 1998, D&PL commenced sales of cottonseed of varieties containing both the
Bollgard and Roundup Ready gene technologies.
International
-------------
The Company markets its products, primarily cottonseed, internationally. Over a
period of years, the Company has strengthened and expanded its international
staff in order to support its expanding international business, primarily
through joint ventures. In foreign countries, cotton acreage is often planted
with farmer-saved seed which has not been delinted or treated and is of low
overall quality. Management believes that D&PL has an attractive opportunity to
penetrate foreign markets because of its widely adaptable, superior cotton
varieties, technological know-how in producing and conditioning high-quality
seed and brand name recognition. Furthermore, in many countries the Bollgard
gene technology and Roundup Ready gene technology licensed from Monsanto is
effective and could bring value to farmers.
D&PL sells its products in foreign countries through (i) export sales from the
U.S., (ii) direct in-country operations and to a lesser degree (iii)
distributors or licensees. The method varies and evolves, depending upon the
Company's assessment of the potential size and profitability of the market,
governmental policies, currency and credit risks, sophistication of the target
country's agricultural economy, and costs (as compared to risks) of commencing
physical operations in a particular country. Prior to 1999, a majority of the
Company's international sales resulted from exports from the U.S. of the
Company's products rather than direct in-country operations. Since 1999, direct
in-country operations through joint ventures or subsidiaries (primarily
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, and South Africa) have comprised over
one-half of total international sales (which have represented approximately 10%
of consolidated sales). In 2000 and the first three quarters of 2001, the
majority of international sales were comprised of sales in China, Australia,
Greece, and South Africa.
Joint Ventures
--------------
D&M International, LLC, is a venture through which D&PL (the managing member)
and Monsanto plan to introduce, in combination, cotton planting seed in
international markets combining D&PL's acid delinting technology and elite
germplasm and Monsanto's Bollgard and Roundup Ready gene technologies. In
November 1995, D&M International, LLC formed a subsidiary, D&PL China Pte Ltd.
("D&PL China"). In November 1996, D&PL China formed with parties in Hebei
Province, one of the major cotton producing regions in the People's Republic of
China, Hebei Ji Dai Cottonseed Technology Company Ltd. ("Ji Dai"), a joint
venture controlled by D&PL China. In December 1997, Ji Dai completed
construction of a cottonseed conditioning and storage facility in Shijiazhuang,
Hebei, China, under terms of the joint venture agreement, and seed processing
and sales commenced in 1998.
In December 1997, D&M International, LLC, formed a joint venture with Ciagro
S.R.L. ("Ciagro"), a distributor of agricultural inputs in the Argentine cotton
region, for the production and sale of genetically improved cottonseed. CDM
Mandiyu S.R.L., is owned 60% by D&M International, LLC, and 40% by Ciagro. CDM
Mandiyu S.R.L. has been licensed to sell D&PL cotton varieties containing
Monsanto's Bollgard gene technology. Sales of such varieties commenced in 1999.
Future plans include the production and sale of Roundup Ready cottonseed
varieties pending government approval.
In July 1998, D&PL China and the Anhui Provincial Seed Corporation formed a
joint venture, Anhui An Dai Cotton Seed Technology Company, Ltd. ("An Dai")
which is located in Hefei City, Anhui, China. Under the terms of the joint
venture agreement, the newly formed entity will produce, condition and sell acid
delinted D&PL varieties of cottonseed which contain Monsanto's Bollgard gene.
The joint venture received authority to operate from the Chinese government
after the 1999 selling season was completed; therefore, commercial sales of D&PL
cotton varieties containing the Bollgard gene technology began in 2000.
In November 1998, D&M International LLC and Maeda Administracao e Participacoes
Ltda, an affiliate of Agropem - Agro Pecuria Maeda S.A., formed a joint venture
in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new company, MDM Maeda Deltapine Monsanto Algodao
Ltda. ("MDM"), produces, conditions and sells acid-delinted D&PL varieties of
cotton planting seed. In 2000, the Company began selling D&PL conventional
cotton varieties and first year sales accounted for more than 20% of cotton
acreage planted in Brazil. The newly formed company will introduce transgenic
cottonseed varieties containing both Bollgard and Roundup Ready gene
technologies in the Brazilian market as soon as government approvals are
obtained.
Subsidiaries
------------
The Company's operations in Groblersdal, South Africa and Catamarca, Argentina
process foundation seed grown in these countries. The use of Southern Hemisphere
winter nurseries and seed production programs such as these can accelerate the
introduction of new varieties because D&PL can raise at least two crops per year
by taking advantage of the Southern Hemisphere growing season. The Company
maintains a winter nursery in Canas, Costa Rica and has completed construction
of a delinting plant there to process foundation seed for export to the United
States. Multiple winter nursery locations are used to manage seed production
risks.
Deltapine Australia Pty. Ltd., a wholly-owned Australian subsidiary of D&PL,
conducts breeding, production, conditioning and marketing of cotton planting
seed in Australia. Certain varieties developed in Australia are well adapted to
other Southern Hemisphere cotton producing countries and Australian developed
varieties are exported to these areas. The Company sells seed of both
conventional and transgenic varieties in Australia. The Company, through its
Australian operations, is identifying smaller potential export markets for the
Company's products throughout Southeast Asia. The adaptability of the Company's
germplasm must be evaluated in the target markets before such sales can be made.
The recent instability of the economies in some of the countries in this region
will make rapid market development more difficult.
Employees
---------
As of May 31, 2001, the Company employed in the United States a total of 533
full time, non-seasonal, employees plus an estimated 86 employees of ex-US joint
ventures. Due to the nature of the business, the Company utilizes seasonal
employees in its delinting plants and its research and foundation seed programs.
The maximum number of seasonal employees approximates 300 and typically occurs
in October and November of each year. The Company considers its employee
relations to be good.
Acquisitions
------------
In 1996, D&PL acquired Ellis Brothers Seed, Inc., Arizona Processing, Inc. and
Mississippi Seed, Inc., which own the outstanding common stock of Sure Grow
Seed, Inc., (the "Sure Grow Companies") in exchange for stock valued at
approximately $70 million on the day of closing. D&PL exchanged 2.8 million
shares of its common stock (after all stock splits) for all outstanding shares
of the three companies. The merger was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests.
The Company continues to market upland picker cottonseed varieties under the
Sure Grow brand. Additionally, the Sure Grow breeding program has full access to
Monsanto's Bollgard and Roundup Ready gene technologies.
In 1996, the Company acquired Hartz Cotton, Inc. from Monsanto, which included
inventories of cotton planting seed of Hartz upland picker varieties, germplasm,
breeding stocks, trademarks, trade names and other assets, for approximately
$6.0 million. The consideration consisted primarily of 1,066,667 shares (after
all stock splits) of the Company's Series M Convertible Non-Voting Preferred
Stock.
In 1994, D&PL acquired the Paymaster and Lankart cotton planting seed business
("Paymaster"), for approximately $14.0 million. Since the 1940's, the
Paymaster(R) and Lankart(R) upland stripper cottonseed varieties have been
developed for and marketed primarily in the High Plains of Texas and Oklahoma
(the "High Plains"). Although the Paymaster varieties are planted on
approximately 80% of the estimated 4.0 to 5.0 million cotton acres in the High
Plains, only a portion of that seed is actually sold by Paymaster. Farmer-saved
seed accounts for a significant portion of the seed needed to plant the acreage
in this market area. Prior to 1997, the seed needed to plant the remaining
acreage was sold by Paymaster and its 12 sales associates through a certified
seed program. Under this program, Paymaster sold parent seed to its contract
growers who planted, produced and harvested the progeny of the parent seed,
which Paymaster then purchased from the growers. The progeny of the parent seed
was then sold by Paymaster to the sales associates who in turn delinted,
conditioned, bagged and sold it to others as certified seed. The sales
associates paid a royalty to Paymaster on certified seed sales. Beginning in
fiscal 1997, the certified seed program was discontinued and the Company, in
addition to producing parent seed, commenced delinting, conditioning and bagging
finished seed. Unconditioned seed is also supplied by D&PL to two contract
processors who delint, condition and bag seed for a fee. This finished seed is
sold by Paymaster to distributors and dealers.
The Company acquired, in 1994, from the Supima Association of America ("Supima")
certain planting seed inventory, the right to use the Supima(R) trade name and
trademark and the right to distribute Pima extra-long staple (fiber-length)
cotton varieties. D&PL also entered into a research agreement with a third party
to develop Pima varieties that allows D&PL the right of first refusal for any
Pima varieties developed under this program. Pima seed is produced, conditioned
and sold by D&PL to distributors and dealers.
Biotechnology
-------------
Collaborative biotechnology licensing agreements, which were executed with
Monsanto in 1992 and subsequently revised in 1993 and amended and restated in
1996 and further amended in December 1999, provide for the commercialization of
Monsanto's Bollgard ("Bacillus thuringiensis" or "Bt") gene technology in D&PL's
varieties in the United States. The selected Bt is a bacterium found naturally
in soil and produces proteins toxic to certain lepidopteran larvae, the
principal cotton pests in many cotton growing areas. Monsanto created a
transgenic cotton plant by inserting Bt genes into cotton plant tissue. This
transgenic plant tissue is lethal to certain lepidopteran larvae that consume
it. The gene and related technology were patented or licensed from others by
Monsanto and were licensed to D&PL for use under the trade name Bollgard. In
D&PL's primary markets, the cost of insecticides is the largest single
expenditure for many cotton growers. The insect resistant capabilities of
transgenic cotton containing the Bollgard gene may reduce the amount of
insecticide required to be applied by cotton growers using planting seed
containing the Bollgard gene. In October 1995, Monsanto was notified that the
United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") had completed its initial
registration of the Bollgard gene technology, thus clearing the way for
commercial sales of seed containing the Bollgard gene. In 1996, D&PL sold
commercially for the first time two Deltapine varieties, which contained the
Bollgard gene, in accordance with the terms of the Bollgard Gene License and
Seed Services Agreement (the "Bollgard Agreement") between the Company and
Monsanto. This initial EPA registration had been set to expire on January 1,
2001 but has been updated to expire January 1, 2002, at which time the EPA will,
among other things, reevaluate the effectiveness of the insect resistance
management plan and decide whether to convert the registration to a non-expiring
(and/or unconditional) registration.
Pursuant to the terms of the Bollgard Agreement, farmers must buy a limited use
sublicense for the technology from D&M Partners, a partnership of D&PL (90%) and
Monsanto (10%), in order to purchase seed containing the Bollgard gene
technology. The distributor/dealers who coordinate the farmer licensing process
receive a service payment not to exceed 20% of the technology sublicensing fee.
After the dealers and distributors are compensated, D&M Partners pays Monsanto a
royalty equal to 71% of the net sublicense fee (technology sublicensing fees
less distributor/dealer payments) and D&PL retains 29% for its services. The
license agreement continues until the later of the expiration of all patent
rights or October 2008. D&M Partners contracts the billing and collection
activities for Bollgard and Roundup Ready licensing fees to Monsanto.
Pursuant to the Bollgard Agreement, Monsanto must defend and indemnify D&PL
against claims of patent infringement, including all damages awarded or amounts
paid in settlements. Monsanto must also indemnify D&PL against a) costs of
inventory and b) lost profits on inventory which becomes unsaleable because of
patent infringement claims. Monsanto must defend any claims of failure of
performance of a Bollgard gene. Monsanto and D&PL share the cost of any product
performance claims in proportion to each party's share of the royalty. Indemnity
from Monsanto only covers performance claims involving failure of performance of
the Bollgard gene and not claims arising from other causes.
In February 1996, the Company and Monsanto executed the Roundup Ready Gene
License and Seed Services Agreement (the "Roundup Ready Agreement") which
provides for the commercialization of Roundup Ready cottonseed. Pursuant to the
collaborative biotechnology licensing agreements executed in 1996 and amended in
December 1999, D&PL has also developed transgenic cotton varieties that are
tolerant to Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide sold by Monsanto. In 1996,
such Roundup Ready plants were approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the
USDA, and the EPA. The Roundup Ready Agreement grants a license to D&PL and
certain of its affiliates the right in the United States to sell cottonseed of
D&PL's varieties that contain Monsanto's Roundup Ready gene. The Roundup Ready
gene makes cotton plants tolerant to contact with Roundup herbicide. Similar to
the Bollgard Agreement, farmers must execute limited use sublicenses in order to
purchase seed containing the Roundup Ready Gene. The distributors/dealers who
coordinate the farmer licensing process receive a portion of the technology
sublicensing fee. D&PL's portion of the Roundup Ready technology fee varies
depending on the technology fee per acre established by Monsanto. In 1999 and
2000, D&M Partners paid Monsanto approximately 70% of the Roundup Ready
technology fees and D&PL retained the remaining 30%.
Pursuant to the Roundup Ready Agreement, Monsanto must defend and indemnify D&PL
against claims of patent infringement, including all damages awarded or amounts
paid in settlements. Monsanto will also indemnify D&PL against the cost of
inventory that becomes unsaleable because of patent infringement claims, but
Monsanto is not required to indemnify D&PL against lost profits on such
unsaleable seed. In contrast with the Bollgard Gene License where the cost of
gene performance claims will be shared in proportion to the division of
sublicense revenue, Monsanto must defend and must bear the full cost of any
claims of failure of performance of the Roundup Ready Gene. In both agreements,
generally, D&PL is responsible for varietal/seed performance issues, and
Monsanto is responsible for failure of the genes.
In 2000, the Company had for sale 107 varieties as cotton planting seed for
either commercial or experimental purposes. Of those varieties, 16 contain the
Bollgard gene technology, 20 contain the Roundup Ready gene technology, 21
contain both gene technologies, and 50 are conventional varieties.
In 2001, the Company had for sale 95 varieties as cotton planting seed for
either commercial or experimental purposes. Of those varieties, 11 contain the
Bollgard gene technology, 22 contain the Roundup Ready gene technology, 18
contain both gene technologies, and 44 are conventional varieties.
In February 1997, the Company and Monsanto executed the Roundup Ready Soybean
License Agreement (the "Roundup Ready Soybean Agreement") which provides for the
commercialization of Roundup Ready soybean seed and has provisions similar to
the Roundup Ready Agreement for cottonseed. D&PL and Monsanto are currently
renegotiating terms of the sale of Roundup Ready(R) Soybeans for 2001 and future
years.
On July 27, 1999, United States Patent No. 5,929,300 was issued to the United
States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) entitled
POLLEN BASED TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM USING SOLID MEDIA. D&PL has an option to
obtain a license for pollen transformation, subject to certain rights reserved
to the USDA. D&PL and the USDA have executed a commercialization agreement. The
patent covers transformation of plants.
In March 1998, D&PL was granted United States Patent No. 5,723,765, entitled
CONTROL OF PLANT GENE EXPRESSION as well as two subsequently issued patents.
These patents are owned jointly by D&PL and the United States of America, as
represented by the Secretary of Agriculture. The patents broadly cover plants
and seed, both transgenic and conventional, of all species for a system designed
to allow control of progeny seed viability without harming the crop. One
application of the technology could be to control unauthorized planting of seed
of proprietary varieties (sometimes called "brown bagging") by making such
practice non-economic since unauthorized saved seed will not germinate, and
would be useless for planting. The patent has the prospect of opening
significant worldwide seed markets to the sale of transgenic technology in
varietal crops in which crop seed currently is saved and used in subsequent
seasons as planting seed. D&PL has stated it intends that licensing of this
technology will be made widely available to other seed companies.
These patents were developed from a research program conducted pursuant to a
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between D&PL and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service in Lubbock, Texas. The
technologies resulted from basic research and will require further development,
which is already underway, in order to be used in commercial seed. The Company
estimates that it will be several years before these technologies could be
available commercially.
Since 1987, D&PL has conducted research to develop soybean plants that are
tolerant to certain DuPont ALS(R) herbicides. Such plants enable farmers to
apply these herbicides for weed control without significantly affecting the
agronomics of the soybean plants. Since soybean seed containing the ALS
herbicide-tolerant trait was not genetically engineered, sale of this seed does
not require government approval, although the herbicide to which they express
tolerance must be EPA approved.
The Company has license, research and development, confidentiality and material
transfer agreements with providers of technology that the Company is evaluating
for potential commercial applications and/or introduction. The Company also
contracts with third parties to perform research on the Company's behalf for
enabling and other technologies that the Company believes have potential
commercial applications in varietal crops around the world.
Commercial Seed
---------------
Seed of all commercial plant species is either varietal or hybrid. D&PL's cotton
and soybean seed are varietals. Varietal plants can be reproduced from seed
produced by a parent plant, with the offspring exhibiting only minor genetic
variations. The Plant Variety Protection Act of 1970, as amended in 1994, in
essence prohibits, with limited exceptions, purchasers of varieties protected
under the amended Act from selling seed harvested from these varieties without
permission of the plant variety protection certificate owner. Some foreign
countries provide similar legal protection for breeders of crop varieties.
Although cotton is varietal and, therefore, can be grown from seed of parent
plants saved by the growers, most farmers in D&PL's primary domestic markets
purchase seed from commercial sources each season because cottonseed requires
delinting prior to seed treatment with chemicals and in order to be sown by
modern planting equipment. Delinting and conditioning may be done either by a
seed company on its proprietary seed or by independent delinters for farmers.
Modern cotton farmers in upland picker areas generally recognize the greater
assurance of genetic purity, quality and convenience that professionally grown
and conditioned seed offers compared to seed they might save. Additionally,
Federal patent law makes unlawful any unauthorized planting of seed containing
patented genetic technology saved from prior crops.
In connection with its seed operations, the Company farms approximately 2,600
acres in the U.S., primarily for research purposes and for production of cotton
and soybean foundation seed. The Company has annual agreements with various
growers to produce seed for cotton and soybeans. The growers plant parent seed
purchased from the Company and follow quality assurance procedures required for
seed production. If the grower adheres to established Company quality assurance
standards throughout the growing season and if the seed meets Company standards
upon harvest, the Company may be obligated to purchase specified minimum
quantities of seed, usually in its first and second fiscal quarters, at prices
equal to the commodity market price of the seed plus a grower premium. The
Company then conditions the seed for sale.
The majority of the Company's sales are made from early in the second fiscal
quarter through the beginning of the fourth fiscal quarter. Varying climatic
conditions can change the quarter in which seed is delivered, thereby shifting
sales and the Company's earnings between quarters. Thus, seed production,
distribution and sales are seasonal and interim results will not necessarily be
indicative of the Company's results for a fiscal year.
Revenues from domestic seed sales are generally recognized when seed is shipped.
Revenues from Bollgard and Roundup Ready licensing fees are recognized based on
the number of acres expected to be planted with such seed when the seed is
shipped. The licensing fee charged to farmers is based on pre-established
planting rates for eight geographic regions and the estimated number of seed
contained in each bag which may vary by variety, location grown, and other
factors. Revenue is recognized based on the established technology fee per unit
shipped to each geographic region. International export revenues are recognized
upon the later of when seed is shipped or the date letters of credit are
confirmed. Generally, international export sales are not subject to return. All
other international revenues from the sale of planting seed, less estimated
reserves for returns, are recognized when the seed is shipped.
Domestically, the Company promotes its cotton and soybean seed directly to
farmers and sells its seed through distributors and dealers. All of the
Company's domestic seed products (including Bollgard and Roundup Ready
technologies) are subject to return or credit, which vary from year to year. The
annual level of returns and, ultimately, net sales are influenced by various
factors, principally commodity prices and weather conditions occurring in the
spring planting season during the Company's third and fourth quarters. The
Company provides for estimated returns as sales occur. To the extent actual
returns differ from estimates, adjustments to the Company's operating results
are recorded when such differences become known, typically in the Company's
fourth quarter. All significant returns occur or are accounted for by fiscal
year end.
Euro Currency Conversion
------------------------
On January 1, 1999, the euro became the common legal currency of 11 of the 15
member countries of the European Union. On that date, the participating
countries fixed conversion rates between their sovereign currencies ("legacy
currencies") and the euro. On January 4, 1999, the euro began trading on
currency exchanges and became available for non-cash transactions. The legacy
currencies will remain legal tender through December 31, 2001. Beginning January
2, 2002, euro-denominated bills and coins will be introduced, and by July 1,
2002, legacy currencies will no longer be legal tender. To date, D&PL has not
been affected by the euro currency conversion.
Risks and Uncertainties
-----------------------
From time to time, the Company may publish forward-looking statements relating
to such matters as anticipated financial performance, existing products,
technical developments, new products, research and development activities, and
similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a
safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of
the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the
Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from the
anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company's
forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the
operations, performance, development and results of the Company's business
include those noted elsewhere in this Item and filing and the following:
Demand for D&PL's seed will be affected by government programs and policies
and, most importantly, by weather. Demand for seed is also influenced by
commodity prices and the demand for a crop's end-uses such as textiles,
animal feed, food and raw materials for industrial use. These factors,
along with weather, influence the cost and availability of seed for
subsequent seasons. Weather impacts crop yields, commodity prices and the
planting decisions that farmers make regarding both original planting
commitments and, when necessary, replanting levels.
The planting seed market is highly competitive, and D&PL varieties face
competition from a number of seed companies, diversified chemical
companies, agricultural biotechnology companies, governmental agencies and
academic and scientific institutions. A number of chemical and
biotechnology companies have seed production and/or distribution
capabilities to ensure market access for new seed products and new
technologies that may compete with the Bollgard and Roundup Ready gene
technologies. The Company's seed products and technologies contained
therein may encounter substantial competition from technological advances
by others or products from new market entrants. Many of the Company's
competitors are, or are affiliated with, large diversified companies that
have substantially greater resources than the Company.
The production, distribution or sale of crop seed in or to foreign markets
may be subject to special risks, including fluctuations in foreign
currency, exchange rate controls, expropriation, nationalization and other
agricultural, economic, tax and regulatory policies of foreign
governments. Particular policies which may affect the domestic and
international operations of D&PL include the use of and the acceptance of
products that were produced from plants that were genetically modified,
the testing, quarantine and other restrictions relating to the import and
export of plants and seed products and the availability (or lack thereof)
of proprietary protection for plant products. In addition, United States
government policies, particularly those affecting foreign trade and
investment, may impact the Company's international operations.
The recent publicity related to genetically modified organisms ("GMOs") or
products made from plants that contain GMOs may have an effect on the
Company's sales in the future. In 2000, approximately 89% of the Company's
cottonseed that was sold in the United States contained either the
Bollgard, Roundup Ready, or both gene technologies and 80% of the Company's
soybean seed sales contained the Roundup Ready gene technology. Based on
the Company's shipments and return estimates at May 31, 2001, approximately
91% of the Company's cottonseed that was sold in the United States in 2001
contained either the Bollgard, Roundup Ready, or both gene technologies and
87% of the Company's soybean seed sales contained the Roundup Ready gene
technology. Although many farmers have rapidly adopted these technologies,
the alleged concern over finished products that contain GMOs could impact
demand for crops (and ultimately seed) raised from seed containing such
traits.
Due to the varying levels of agricultural and social development of the
international markets in which the Company operates and because of factors
within the particular international markets targeted by the Company,
international profitability and growth may be less stable and predictable
than domestic profitability and growth.
Overall profitability will depend on the factors noted above as well as
weather conditions, government policies in all countries where the Company
sells products and operates, worldwide commodity prices, the Company's
ability to successfully open new international markets, the Company's
ability to successfully continue the development of the High Plains market,
the technology partners' ability to obtain timely government approval (and
maintain such approval) for existing and for additional biotechnology
products on which they and the Company are working and the Company's
ability to produce sufficient commercial quantities of high quality
planting seed of these products. Any delay in or inability to successfully
complete these projects may affect future profitability.
The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance,
development and results of the Company's business include those noted elsewhere
in this Item and in "Risks and Uncertainties" in Item 7 of the Company's Form
10K filed for the year ending August 31, 2000.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Reports on Form 8-K.
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended May 31, 2001.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
DELTA AND PINE LAND COMPANY
Date: July 16, 2001 /s/ F. Murray Robinson
--------------------------------
F. Murray Robinson, Vice
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
Date: July 16, 2001 /s/ W. Thomas Jagodinski
--------------------------------
W. Thomas Jagodinski,
Senior Vice President - Finance
and Treasurer