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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2009.

or

o   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:  0-17196

MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(913) 367-1480

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

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

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

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

Common stock, no par value

16,674,655 shares outstanding

as of December 31, 2009

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INDEX

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements as well as historical information.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding the prospects of our industry and our prospects, plans, financial position and business strategy may constitute forward-looking statements.  In addition, forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as “intend,” “plan”, “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “hopeful,” “should,” “may,” “will”, “could”, “encouraged”, “opportunities”, “potential” and/or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology.  They reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial results and are not guarantees of future performance.  All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others:  (i) our ability to manage our cash flows,  (ii) the ability to start up and effectively operate the Illinois Corn Processing, LLC (“ICP”) joint venture, (iii) our ability to maintain compliance with all applicable loan agreement covenants, (iv) the availability and cost of grain and fluctuations in energy costs, (v) an increase in interest rates,  (vi) disruptions in operations at our Atchison facility, (vii) competitive environment and related market conditions, (viii) our ability to realize operating efficiencies, (ix) the effectiveness of our hedging programs, (x) and actions of governments.    For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

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PART I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

Note 1.  Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of MGP Ingredients, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Company”) reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal adjustments) which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, are necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2009 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in the Company’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Impairment

The Company tests its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or conditions and circumstances indicate a carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  No events or conditions occurred during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2009 that required the Company to perform a test of its long-lived assets for impairment.

During the first two quarters of fiscal 2009, declines in overall equity values, including the common stock value, and changes in the Company’s operations triggered impairment evaluations, which required considerable management judgment.  The testing and analysis as of December 31, 2008 identified certain impaired assets (see Note 10 Fiscal Year 2009 Restructuring Costs and Loss on Impairment of Assets).

Out-of-Period Adjustments

During the second quarter 2010 management performed a detailed analysis of the accounts payable balance.  This analysis indicated certain transactions recorded in the prior fiscal year had been either duplicated or otherwise erroneously recorded.   After analysis, the Company determined certain recorded amounts were not owed and adjusted the accounts payable balance in the second quarter to correct this situation.  The impact of the correcting adjustment increased reported pretax income in the second quarter by approximately $1,351.  Cost of sales was favorably impacted by $733, and the results of joint venture operations was improved by $618.  Management does not believe the impact of this out of period adjustment materially impacts the fair presentation of the Company’s operating results or financial condition for the periods impacted.

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Codification  —  In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a standard that established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “ASC”), which effectively amended the hierarchy of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and established only two levels of GAAP, authoritative and nonauthoritative. All previously existing accounting standard documents were superseded, and the ASC became the single source of authoritative, nongovernmental GAAP, except for rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the ASC became nonauthoritative. The ASC was intended to provide access to the authoritative guidance related to a particular topic in one place. New guidance issued subsequent to June 30, 2009 will be communicated by the FASB through Accounting Standards Updates. The ASC was effective for financial statements for interim or annual reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009.  We adopted and applied the provisions of the ASC for our first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009, and have eliminated references to pre-ASC accounting standards throughout our consolidated financial statements. Our adoption of the ASC did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities  —  In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIE”) in response to concerns about the application of certain key provisions of pre-existing guidance, including those regarding the transparency of the involvement with a VIE. Specifically, this new guidance requires a qualitative approach to identifying a controlling financial interest in a VIE and requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. In addition, this new guidance requires additional disclosures about the involvement with a VIE and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. We plan to adopt the new guidance in fiscal year 2011 and do not expect a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Transfers of Financial Assets  —  In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets which eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity,” changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosures in order to enhance information reported to users of financial statements by providing greater transparency about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and an entity’s continuing involvement in and exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. We plan to adopt the new guidance on July 1, 2010.

Note 2.  Indebtedness.

The Company paid $6,267 to Central Illinois Light Company (“CILCO”) on November 20, 2009.  This payment satisfied all of the Company’s obligations to CILCO under a promissory note dated August 14, 2009.  The Company has secured a release of the related mortgage on the alcohol production facility in Pekin, Illinois held by CILCO.

The Company also paid $2,811 to Exchange National Bank (“Exchange”) on November 20, 2009.  This payment satisfied all of the Company’s obligations to Exchange under a promissory note dated April 15, 2009.  The Company has secured releases of the mortgages held by Exchange on the Pekin plant  and on the Company headquarters leasehold interest.

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On November 20, 2009, the Company’s other lenders holding liens on the Pekin plant property, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and the Cloud L. Cray, Jr. Trust, also released their liens on the Pekin plant property in connection with the consummation of the formation of the joint venture (See Note 3. Formation of Joint Venture).

On December 21, 2009, the Company paid $2,102 to the Cray Trust in full payment of all amounts remaining due on its note to the Cray Trust and obtained the release of the related lien on the Atchison plant.

On December 21, 2009, the Company paid $450 to Union Pacific Corporation (“UPC”) in full payment of its note to UPC.

Note 3.  Formation of Joint Venture.

The Company completed a series of related transactions on November 20, 2009 pursuant to which the Company has contributed its Pekin plant and certain maintenance and repair materials to a newly-formed company, Illinois Corn Processing, LLC (“ICP”), and then sold 50% of the membership interest in ICP to Illinois Corn Processing Holdings, LLC (“ICPH”), an affiliate of SEACOR Energy Inc., for proceeds of $15,000, less closing costs of $1,049.  Another affiliate of SEACOR Energy Inc., will provide funding to ICP through two loans secured by all the assets of ICP, including the Plant, but which are non-recourse to the Company.  ICP will reactivate distillery operations at the Pekin facility.  The Company will market food-grade and industrial-grade alcohol products manufactured by ICP, and SEACOR Energy Inc. will market ethanol products manufactured by ICP. In connection with these transactions, the Company entered into the following agreements:

1)          Contribution Agreement.  The Company and ICP entered into a Contribution Agreement dated November 20, 2009 pursuant to which the Company contributed the Pekin plant to ICP at an agreed value of $30,000, consisting of land and fixed assets valued at $29,063 and materials and supply inventory valued at $937.

2)          LLC Interest Purchase Agreement.  The Company and ICPH entered into an LLC Interest Purchase Agreement dated November 20, 2009 (the “IPA”) pursuant to which ICPH acquired 50% of the membership interest in ICP for a purchase price of $15,000.  The IPA also provides ICPH with the option to purchase up to an additional 20% of the membership interest in ICP at any time between the second and fifth anniversary of the closing date for a fixed price.  The LLC Agreement contains additional buy-sell provisions.

3)          LLC Agreement.  The Company and ICPH entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement dated November 20, 2009 (the “LLC Agreement”).  Pursuant to the LLC Agreement, the Company and ICPH each have 50% of the voting and equity interests in ICP.  Day to day management of ICP is retained by the members.  The LLC Agreement also provides for the creation of an advisory board consisting of three advisors appointed by the Company and three advisors appointed by ICPH.  ICP’s limited liability company agreement gives either member certain rights to shut down the plant if it operates at a loss.  Such rights are conditional in certain instances but absolute if losses exceed $1,500 over any three consecutive quarters or if ICP’s net working capital is less than $2,500.

4)          Marketing Agreements.  The Company and ICP entered into a Marketing Agreement dated November 20, 2009, pursuant to which ICP will manufacture and supply food-grade and industrial-use alcohol products for the Company, and the Company will purchase, market and sell such products.  Pursuant to the Marketing Agreement, the Company will share margin

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realized from the sale of the products under the agreement with ICP.  The Marketing Agreement has an initial term of one year but automatically renews for one year terms thereafter, subject to specified exceptions. SEACOR Energy Inc. has entered into a similar agreement with ICP with respect to the marketing of ethanol.

The LLC Agreement permits the Company to pledge its interest in ICP to secure the Company’s obligations under its credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and the Company has done so as of November 20, 2009.  The Company also agreed  that by February 15, 2010 it would grant to Wells Fargo Bank a mortgage or leasehold mortgage on the Company’s headquarters and technical center in Atchison, Kansas  that previously were mortgaged to Exchange National Bank.

The Company recognized a charge of $3,047 in the second quarter of the current fiscal year related to the completion of these transactions that has been included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income as “Loss on joint venture formation”.  The charge consists of $1,998 to adjust the book value of the Pekin plant balance sheet assets contributed to the joint venture to the implied value and $1,049 for professional fees associated with the transaction.

On December 31, 2009, the Company received consent from Wells Fargo Bank under the Company’s Credit and Security Agreement permitting the Company to make an additional investment of up to $2,500 in Illinois Corn Processing, LLC in order to fund one-half (SEACOR Energy Inc. will contribute the remaining half) of the purchase from a third party of the steam boiler located at the Pekin, Illinois plant now owned by Illinois Corn Processing, LLC.

Subsequent to December 31, 2009, ICP purchased a boiler for approximately $5,000.  The Company and ICPH each contributed $1,000 to acquire this asset and will fund the balance of the purchase price over the next two years.  ICP took steps to begin production at the Pekin facility, which is expected to be fully operational by the end of the third quarter.

The Contribution Agreement and the LLC Interest Purchase Agreement require the Company to indemnify ICP and ICPH from and against any damages or liabilities arising from a breach of the Company’s representations and warranties in the Contribution Agreement and the IPA and also with respect to certain environmental damages or liabilities related to the recommencement of production at the Pekin plant or to operations at the Pekin plant prior to the closing.  The amount of damages, with the exception of taxes and environmental matters, is limited to a maximum of $30 million.

Note 4.  Sale of Facilities.

On August 21, 2009, the Company sold its Kansas City, Kansas, facility for proceeds of $3,585, less closing costs, with potential additional payments over the next three years based on the buyer’s income from sales of the Company’s existing products to the Company’s existing customers during that period.  The sale included all equipment used for the production and packaging of pet-related products, which principally include extruded plant-based resins and finished pet treats. The Company retained ownership of equipment that is used for the production of our Wheatex® textured wheat proteins, which are sold for use in meat extension and vegetarian product applications.  This equipment is located in a separate section of the facility that has been leased to the Company for a period of three years and is operated by a subsidiary of the buyer under a toll manufacturing arrangement.  In connection with the sale of the Kansas City, Kansas facility, liabilities related to these assets held for sale as of June 30, 2009, totaling $2,725 were paid down to zero with the sale proceeds.

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On December 23, 2009, the Company sold certain assets from its flour mill facility in Atchison, Kansas for proceeds of $500.  A gain of $500 was also recorded for this sale.  In addition, the Company  recognized a gain of $200 during the first  quarter of the current fiscal year, for certain other asset sales.  The gains have been included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as “Gain on sale of assets”.

Note 5.  Earnings Per Share.

Basic earnings per share data is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Potentially dilutive instruments are stock options and unvested restricted stock awards.

(1) The stock options and the restricted stock awards were not dilutive due to the loss experienced in this period.

Note 6.  Commitments.

The Company purchases its corn requirements for its Atchison plant through a single elevator company.  If the Company fails to purchase 13 million bushels each 12 months, it must pay the elevator company $0.02 per bushel for each bushel less than 13 million purchased.  The elevator company may terminate if the Company fails to purchase the specified minimums, in which case the Company would be obligated to pay the elevator company $260 plus its costs incurred in contracting for delivery of corn purchased for the Company pursuant to previously issued Company delivery orders.  The Company has complied with its commitment under this agreement.

Note 7.  Derivative Instruments and Fair Value Measurements.

Derivative Instruments.  In connection with the purchase of raw materials, principally corn, flour and natural gas, for anticipated operating requirements, the Company enters into readily marketable exchange-traded derivative instruments in the form of commodity futures and option contracts consistent with its established risk management policies.

Certain commodities the Company uses in its production process are exposed to market price risks due to volatility in the prices for those commodities.  Currently, the Company uses derivative instruments to reduce the risk related to price volatility for corn, flour and natural gas.  The Company manages its exposure through a combination of long-term contracts with suppliers and exchange traded commodity futures and option contracts.  Derivative instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair market value with any changes in fair value being marked to market as a component of cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Since these derivatives

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are not accounted for as hedges, fluctuations in the related commodity prices could have a material impact on earnings in any given period.  The Company recorded a $1 mark to market gain as of December 31, 2009, to costs of goods sold related to corn derivatives.

With the temporary shutdown of the Company’s Pekin plant during fiscal 2009, commitments for the purchase of natural gas through the remainder of the fiscal year under a single contract for this facility were in excess of projected consumption.  Accordingly, the Company settled its commitments for the difference between the prices to which the Company committed to and the market price of natural gas upon settlement.  The Company recorded a charge of $5,447 for unrealized losses as of December 31, 2008, to cost of sales for settlements of contract related to unused gas resulting from the temporary shutdown.

Fair Value Measurements.  The Company applies the provisions of the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC for our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities which the Company has recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis.  The Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures Topic defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This Topic also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted market prices (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

·      Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible by the reporting entity.

·                  Level 2—observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

·                  Level 3—unobservable inputs for an asset or liability. Unobservable inputs should only be used to the extent observable inputs are not available.

The Company enters into commodity derivative contracts through a broker with a diversified group of counterparties.  Under the terms of the Company’s account with its broker, it is required to maintain a cash margin account as collateral to cover any shortfall in the market value of derivatives, which has been accounted for as restricted cash in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

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Note 8.  Operating Segments.

The Company’s operations are classified into three reportable segments:  ingredient solutions, distillery products and other. Ingredient solutions consist of specialty starches and proteins, commodity starch and vital wheat gluten.  Mill by-products, consisting primarily of mill feeds or “midds,” have also been included in this segment but have been discontinued with the shutdown of our wheat flour milling operations at the Atchison, Kansas plant in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.  The distillery products segment consists of food grade alcohol, along with fuel grade alcohol, commonly known as ethanol, and distillers feed, which are co-products of our distillery operations.  The other products segment comprises resins and plant-based polymers and composites manufactured through the further processing of certain of our proteins and starches and wood.  For the quarter and year to date period ended December 31, 2009, revenues from products in the other segment represent less than 2.0 percent of the Company’s consolidated revenues.  As noted in Note 10, during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 the Company closed the flour mill at the Atchison facility and ceased protein and starch production operations at its Pekin, Illinois plant.  Other than the production of fuel alcohol as a by-product of high quality alcohol, the Company ceased production of fuel alcohol in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.  Under a marketing agreement with ICP, ICP will manufacture and supply food-grade and industrial-use alcohol products for us, and we will purchase, market and sell such products. Pursuant to the marketing agreement, we will share margin realized from the sale of the products under the agreement with ICP. SEACOR Energy Inc. has entered into a similar agreement with ICP with respect to the marketing of the ethanol produced at the Pekin plant.

The operating profit for each segment is based on net sales less identifiable operating expenses directly attributable to each segment.  Indirect selling, general and administrative as well as interest expense, investment income and other general miscellaneous expenses have been excluded from segment operations and classified as Corporate, consistent with the measurements used to evaluate segment performance internally.  Receivables, inventories and equipment have been identified with the segments to which they relate.  All other assets are considered as Corporate.

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·                  For purposes of comparative analysis, the impairment of long lived assets, severance and early retirement costs, loss on joint venture formation, gain on sale of assets and other restructuring costs realized during the quarters ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 have been excluded from segments.  Indirect selling, general and administrative, interest expense, investment income and other general miscellaneous expenses are excluded from segment operations and classified as Corporate. Corporate loss was favorably impacted by $1,351 representing reversal of over-accrued payables as discussed in Note 1, Out-of-Period Adjustments.

Note 9. Pension and Post Retirement Benefit Obligations

Post Retirement Benefits.  The Company and its subsidiaries provide certain post-retirement health care and life benefits to all employees.  The liability for such benefits is unfunded.  The Company uses a June 30 measurement date for the plan.

The components of the Net Periodic Benefit Cost for the quarter and year to date periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are as follows:

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The Company previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2009, amounts expected to be paid to plan participants.  There have been no revisions to these estimates and there have been no changes in the estimate of total employer contributions expected to be made for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Total employer contributions for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 were $34.

Pension Benefits.  The Company and its subsidiaries also provide defined retirement benefits to certain employees covered under collective bargaining agreements.  Under the collective bargaining agreements, the Company’s pension funding contributions are a function of the wages paid and are determined as a percentage of wages paid.  The funding is divided between the defined benefit plan and a 401(k) plan.  It has been management’s policy to fund the defined benefit plan in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.  The collective bargaining agreements allow the plan’s trustees to develop changes to the pension plan to allow benefits to match funding, including reductions in benefits.  The Company uses a June 30 measurement date for the plan.

The components of the Net Periodic Benefit Cost for the quarter and year to date periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are as follows:

The Company has made employer contributions of $405 for the year to date period ended December 31, 2009, all of which were in the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Note 10.  Fiscal Year 2009 Restructuring Costs and Loss on Impairment of Assets.

In response to the losses incurred during fiscal 2009, actions were taken in the second quarter in an effort to return the Company to profitability.  These actions included significant changes to operations in the Company’s Atchison and Pekin facilities.  As a result of these actions, restructuring costs and loss on impairment of assets for the quarter and year to date period ending December 31, 2008 were as follows:

On October 20, 2008 the Company announced that it had signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire its flour requirements from a third party, was ceasing operations at its flour mill in Atchison,

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Kansas and was reducing its workforce.  The Company’s decision to close its flour mill was due to the fact that it could no longer produce flour for its own use at costs that were competitive with those of third party producers.  As a result of this action, the Company performed an impairment analysis and recorded a $2,831 non-cash impairment charge in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements related to the flour mill assets.

On November 5, 2008, the Company announced plans to significantly reduce production of commodity wheat proteins and starches by ceasing protein and starch production operations at its Pekin, Illinois plant, effective November 12, 2008.  The majority of the Pekin facility’s protein and starch production consisted of gluten and commodity starches.  As a result of the shutdown, the Company performed an impairment analysis and recorded a $4,960 non-cash impairment charge in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements related to the Pekin protein and starch assets.

As a result of the closure of the Company’s flour mill and the protein and starch operations at its Pekin plant, the Company also incurred $3,288 in severance and early retirement costs.

On January 29, 2009, the Company temporarily shut down its Pekin, Illinois plant.  Management performed an impairment analysis and recorded a $329 non-cash impairment charge in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements related to the write down of equipment used in the production of personal care products.

At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008 the Company concluded that its pet business assets in the other segment and certain of its ingredient solutions segment assets in a mixed use facility in Kansas City, Kansas at which the Company’s pet treat resins are made were impaired.  At that time, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $8,100 in Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  For the period ended December 31, 2008, the Company performed another test for impairment of these assets as result of an appraisal resulting in a further charge of $811.

Other restructuring costs of $5,241 include $2,925 related to lease termination costs which the Company expects to incur as a result of the flour mill closure with respect to 147 rail cars which it formerly used to transport flour and whose leases expire through 2013. The Company has recognized this expense because it no longer utilizes these cars in its business.  Expected payments accrued reflect the net present value of the remaining obligation net of units which are estimated to be returned to the lessor sooner than the lease termination date.  The discount rate used was 7.0 percent and was based on the Company’s borrowing costs at December 31, 2008.  Thirteen of these railcars have been returned to the lessor as of December 31, 2009.  The Company estimates that the remaining railcars will either be returned to the lessor or assigned to other third parties over the course of four years.  Other restructuring costs also include a $2,185 net loss resulting from sales of excess wheat no longer needed for milling operations. The charge is net of approximately $1,109 in realized gains previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Note 11.  Assets Held for Sale.

The Company during fiscal 2008 committed to a plan to sell its mixed use facility in Kansas City, Kansas.  As noted in Note 4 Sale of Facilities, the Company sold this facility on August 21, 2009.

The Company during fiscal 2009 temporarily discontinued distillery operations at its Pekin, Illinois facility.  As noted in Note 3 Formation of Joint Venture, through a series of transactions the Company entered into a joint venture and contributed the facility in Pekin to the newly formed company, ICP.

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Note 12. Investment in joint ventures.

The Company’s joint ventures that are not consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  Under the equity method of accounting, the joint venture company’s accounts are not reflected within the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Income; however the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the joint venture companies are reflected in the caption “Joint venture operations” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  The Company’s carrying value in equity method joint venture companies is reflected in the caption “Investment in Joint Ventures” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s investments accounted for on the equity method of accounting consist of the following: (1) 50% interest in D.M. Ingredients, GmbH, which is engaged in production and tolling of the Wheatex® series of textured wheat proteins made from vital wheat gluten, and (2) 50% interest in ICP, which operates a distillery.  The Company markets food-grade and industrial grade alcohol products manufactured by ICP.

The combined result of operations and financial position of the Company’s equity basis investments are summarized below:

* Note:  Includes ($433) start-up costs of new joint venture and $618 reversal of over-accrued payables out of period, as discussed in Note 1.

Note 13.  Income Taxes

For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, we had an income tax benefit of $4,659 resulting in an effective rate of (3,915.1) percent.  For the quarter ended December 31, 2008, our income tax benefit was $4,911 for an effective rate of 10.3 percent.

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For the year to date period ended December 31, 2009, we had an income tax benefit of $4,569, resulting in an effective rate of (115.9) percent.  For the year to date period ended December 31, 2008, our income tax benefit was $11,173 for an effective rate of 15.7 percent.

For the year to date period ended December 31, 2009, the effective rate differs from our statutory rate primarily due to changes in the federal and state valuation allowance and the benefit of a tax law change occurring during the quarter.  Under the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, which was enacted during the quarter, we became eligible to carry back net operating losses generated in our fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 to our five preceding tax years, instead of the two years allowed under previous tax law.  We filed a claim to carry an additional $12,000 of net operating loss back.  An income tax benefit of approximately $4,700 was recognized during the quarter related to this carryback claim.  The cash refund associated with the carryback claim was received during January 2010.

Our valuation allowance as of December 31, 2009 is approximately $14,825.  Management has determined that a valuation allowance was needed against federal and state deferred tax assets, consisting largely of net operating losses and credit carryforwards that are not more likely than not of being realized.

Since the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, there has been no material change in our uncertain tax positions.

Note 14. Subsequent Events.

Management has performed an evaluation of events that have occurred subsequent to December 31, 2009, and as of February 11, 2010 (the date of filing of this Form 10-Q).  Subsequent events include:

·                  The Company received a tax refund of approximately $4,700.

·                  During January 2010, ICP purchased a boiler for approximately $5,000.  The Company and ICPH each contributed $1,000 to acquire this asset and will fund the balance of the purchase price over the next two years.

·                  During February 2010, the Company received a waiver from Wells Fargo Bank permitting the Company to pay off its loans to GE and Commerce Bank, totaling approximately $3,200

Other than the matters discussed above, there have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in this Form 10-Q or would be required to be recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of or for the quarterly and year to date period ended December 31, 2009.

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ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

Reference is made to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—General, incorporated by reference to Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 for certain general information about our principal products and costs.

Over the past several quarters we have made significant changes to our operations to improve profitability.  We have refocused our business on the production of value-added ingredients and distillery products.  We have realigned our production efforts and reduced excess inventories. With our temporary ceasing of production at our Pekin facility and its subsequent inclusion in a joint venture, we have produced minimal quantities of fuel grade alcohol as a co-product and, with the shutdown of our flour mill in Atchison in October 2008, we no longer sell mill feeds.  Production of distillers feed has also decreased. As a result of these measures, revenues across all segments have declined from historic levels.  However, we have experienced increased profitability during the quarter and year to date period ended December 31, 2009, primarily due to our improved sales mix of value-added products, lower costs of grain and natural gas, and lower costs from restructuring as compared to the prior fiscal year.

The newly formed joint venture company to which we have transferred our Pekin plant will reactivate those distillery operations and we will focus on value-added products.  As previously disclosed, in recent years market economics for ethanol have been volatile, and in the first quarter of last year we temporarily closed our Pekin plant.  After exploring our strategic alternatives with respect to the plant, in November we completed a series of related transactions pursuant to which we contributed our Pekin plant to a newly-formed company, Illinois Corn Processing, LLC (“ICP”), and then sold 50% of the membership interest in ICP to Illinois Corn Processing Holdings LLC,  (“ICPH”), an affiliate of SEACOR Energy Inc. ICP will own and operate the facility.  After production is reactivated at the Pekin plant, we will market food-grade and industrial grade alcohol products manufactured by ICP and SEACOR Energy Inc. will market ethanol products manufactured by ICP.

By entering the joint venture arrangement with ICPH, we have been able to recover a portion of our investment in the Pekin plant and enhance our ability to supply our food grade alcohol customers with quality product. Although we will retain some exposure to the volatility of the ethanol market through our investment in ICP, we will have an opportunity to participate when the economics of that market are good, and we believe that the extent of our exposure to bad markets is significantly less than when we operated Pekin ourselves.  Further, we have the ability, through the termination provisions in the limited liability company agreement, to limit our operating losses by causing ICP to shut down the plant if losses reach specified amounts.

For additional information regarding this transaction, see Note 3 Formation of Joint Venture included in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements of this form 10-Q and incorporated herein by reference.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Reference is made to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies, incorporated by reference to Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, for a discussion of our critical accounting policies and the use of certain judgments and estimates in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INGREDIENT SOLUTIONS SEGMENT

In order to become more efficient and effective and to improve our results, we have refocused our business on the production and sale of value-added products.   We believe the steps we have taken have enabled us to return to profitability and be more competitive, while also allowing us to obtain financing that has enabled us to maintain operations.

By substantially exiting the commodity wheat gluten business and curtailing our commodity starch production, we have significantly reduced sales volumes of our lower margin protein and starch products.  We continue to focus our manufacturing efforts on improving our consistency and capabilities for producing our higher-margin, specialty product lines.  We are using an on-line Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) solution system that was implemented in fiscal 2009 to improve our ability to develop new sales of our product lines.  Our commercialization functions are focused on increasing sales growth of our specialty products to the largest and most innovative producers of consumer packaged goods in the U.S.

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTILLERY PRODUCTS SEGMENT

As previously mentioned in Developments in the Ingredient Solutions Segment, in order to become more efficient and effective and to improve our results, we have refocused our business on the production and marketing of value-added products.  We significantly reduced production of fuel grade alcohol and temporarily shut down our Pekin plant on January 29, 2009.  Consequently, food grade alcohol saw a decline in year to date production volume of 9.8 percent.  However, the idling of Pekin had no effect on our food grade alcohol customers as we are continuing to optimize food grade alcohol production capabilities at Atchison. Historically, we have produced a majority of all of our food grade alcohol at Atchison and a majority of all of our fuel grade alcohol at Pekin.