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 UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

þ

 

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

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2014

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 333-115164

 

U.S. PREMIUM BEEF, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE

20-1576986

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

12200 North Ambassador Drive
Kansas City
, MO 64163
(Address of principal executive offices)

Telephone: (866) 877-2525
(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. Yes þ No o

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes þ No o

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

Large Accelerated Filer o  

Accelerated Filer o  Non-Accelerated Filer þ Small Reporting Company o

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

The registrant’s units are not traded on an exchange or in any public market.  As of April 26, 2014, there were 735,385 Class A units and 755,385 Class B units outstanding.    

 


ii

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Page No.

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited).

1

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

7

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

10

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

11

 

 

 

   Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

11

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

11

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

11

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

11

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information.

11

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits.     

11

 

 

 

 

Signatures.

13

 

 

Unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, the terms “USPB”, “the Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to U.S. Premium Beef, LLC. As used in this report, the terms “NBP” and “National Beef” refer to National Beef Packing Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                               

iii

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

U.S. PREMIUM BEEF, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(thousands of dollars, except unit information)

Assets

March 29, 2014

 

December 28, 2013

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

94,781 

 

$

59,812 

 

Due from affiliates

91 

 

1,488 

 

Other receivables

 

 

Restricted cash

 

36,943 

 

Other current assets

226 

 

385 

 

 

Total current assets

95,098 

 

98,631 

Property, plant, and equipment, at cost

219 

 

250 

 

Less accumulated depreciation

213 

 

244 

 

 

Net property, plant, and equipment

 

Investment in National Beef Packing Company, LLC

151,676 

 

155,928 

Other assets

255 

 

323 

 

 

Total assets

$

247,035 

 

$

254,888 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Capital Shares and Equities

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable - trade

$

122 

 

$

25 

 

Due to affiliates

38 

 

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

3,323 

 

3,898 

 

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

119 

 

105 

 

Patronage notices payable

90 

 

90 

 

Distributions payable

33 

 

223 

 

 

Total current liabilities

3,725 

 

4,349 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

6,249 

 

6,327 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

6,249 

 

6,327 

 

 

Total liabilities

9,974 

 

10,676 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital shares and equities:

 

 

 

 

Members' capital, 735,385 Class A units and 755,385 Class B units

 

 

 

 

 

authorized, issued and outstanding

237,061 

 

244,212 

 

 

Total capital shares and equities

237,061 

 

244,212 

 

 

Total liabilities and capital shares and equities

$

247,035 

 

$

254,888 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

U.S. PREMIUM BEEF, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Statements of Operations

(thousands of dollars, except per unit and per unit data)

 

 

 

 

13 weeks ended

 

13 weeks ended

 

 

 

 

March 29, 2014

 

March 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

984 

 

1,374 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

984 

 

1,376 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

(984)

 

(1,376)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

Interest income

12 

 

10 

 

Interest expense

(13)

 

(19)

 

Equity interest in net loss of National Beef Packing Company, LLC

(4,252)

 

(3,062)

 

Other, net

174 

 

262 

 

 

 

Loss before taxes

(5,064)

 

(4,185)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(5,064)

 

$

(4,185)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per unit:

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A units

$

(0.69)

 

$

(0.57)

 

 

Class B units

$

(6.03)

 

$

(4.98)

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A units

$

(0.69)

 

$

(0.57)

 

 

Class B units

$

(6.03)

 

$

(4.98)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding weighted-average Class A and Class B units:

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A units

735,385 

 

735,385 

 

 

Class B units

755,385 

 

755,385 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A units

735,385 

 

735,385 

 

 

Class B units

755,385 

 

755,385 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

3

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. PREMIUM BEEF, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Statements of Cash Flows

(thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

13 weeks ended

 

13 weeks ended

 

 

 

 

 

March 29, 2014

 

March 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(5,064)

 

$

(4,185)

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

Equity in losses of National Beef Packing Company, LLC

4,252 

 

3,062 

 

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due from affiliates

579 

 

99 

 

 

 

Other receivables

 

47 

 

 

 

Other assets

227 

 

1,319 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

97 

 

100 

 

 

 

Due to affiliates

30 

 

(430)

 

 

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

(653)

 

(3,073)

 

 

 

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

14 

 

(83)

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

(515)

 

(3,142)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Release of escrowed funds related to the 2011 transaction with Leucadia

36,943 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

36,943 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Change in overdraft balances

(190)

 

 

Prior year excess distribution

818 

 

 

Member distributions

(2,087)

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(1,459)

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

34,969 

 

(3,140)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

59,812 

 

62,683 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

$

94,781 

 

$

59,543 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 


 

 

 

 

U.S. PREMIUM BEEF, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(1) Interim Financial Statements

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), for interim financial information; therefore, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included using management’s best estimates and judgments where appropriate.  These estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements.  The estimates and judgments will also affect the reported amounts for certain revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and judgments.  For further information, refer to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013.  The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full fiscal year.

As a result of the transaction with Leucadia National Corporation (Leucadia) on December 30, 2011 in which Leucadia purchased 56.2415% of the membership interests in National Beef Packing Company, LLC (NBP) from the Company, the Company’s financial statements are no longer consolidated with NBP.  USPB’s remaining 15.0729% investment in NBP is accounted for using the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have financial or operational control.

 (2) Members’ Capital

The following table represents a reconciliation of Members’ Capital for the thirteen week period ended March 29, 2014 (thousands of dollars).

  Balance at December 28, 2013 $ 244,212 
  Allocation of net loss for the thirteen week period ended March 29, 2014   (5,064)
  Member distributions   (2,087)
  Balance at march 29, 2014 $ 237,061 

 (3) Loss Attributable to USPB Per Unit

Under the LLC structure, earnings of the Company are to be distributed to unitholders based on their proportionate share of underlying equity, and, as a result, income attributable to USPB per unit (EPU) has been presented in the accompanying Statements of Operations and in the table that follows.

Basic EPU excludes dilution and is computed by first allocating a portion of net income (loss) attributable to USPB to Class A units and the remainder is allocated to Class B units.  For the thirteen week periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013, net loss was allocated 10% to the Class A’s and 90% to the Class B’s.  The net loss allocated to the Class A and Class B units is then divided by the weighted-average number of Class A and Class B units outstanding for the period to determine the basic EPU for each respective class of unit. 

Diluted EPU reflects the potential dilution that could occur if potential Class A unit purchase rights were exercised or contractual appreciation rights were converted into units.   Upon termination of the former CEO’s, Steven Hunt, employment agreement and until eighteen months after the termination of the employment agreement, at the election of Mr. Hunt, or upon mutual agreement of the Board of the Company and Mr. Hunt, Mr. Hunt may purchase up to 20,000 Class A units, or upon agreement of Mr. Hunt and the Board of the Company, Mr. Hunt may convert the contractual unit appreciation rights to up to 20,000 Class A units.  The diluted EPU reflects the circumstances of termination of Mr. Hunt’s employment agreement, and the election of Mr. Hunt or agreement by the Board of the Company and Mr. Hunt for him to purchase or convert contractual rights to the maximum 20,000 Class A units at $55 per unit for the periods as provided in his employment agreement. The diluted loss per Class A unit calculations for the 13 week period ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013 in the following table excludes the effect of the 20,000 Class A unit purchase rights noted above as the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive to the loss per Class A unit calculations.  On April 2, 2014, Mr. Hunt gave notice of his election to receive the appreciation right payment for the 20,000 Class A phantoms provided for in his employment agreement.  On April 10, 2014, Mr. Hunt was paid approximately $2.2 million for the Class A phantom appreciation right payment.

 

 

 

 

5

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Loss Per Unit Calculation

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 weeks ended

 

13 weeks ended

(thousands of dollars, except unit and per unit data)

March 29, 2014

 

March 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per unit

 

 

 

Loss attributable to USPB available to

 

 

 

 

unitholders (numerator)

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

$

(506)

 

$

(419)

 

 

Class B

$

(4,558)

 

$

(3,766)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average outstanding units (denominator)

 

 

 

 

Class A

735,385 

 

735,385 

 

Class B

755,385 

 

755,385 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per unit amount

 

 

 

 

Class A

$

(0.69)

 

$

(0.57)

 

Class B

$

(6.03)

 

$

(4.98)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted loss per unit:

 

 

 

Loss attributable to USPB available to

 

 

 

 

unitholders (numerator)

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

$

(506)

 

$

(419)

 

 

Class B

$

(4,558)

 

$

(3,766)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average outstanding Class A units

735,385 

 

735,385 

Effect of dilutive securities - Class A unit options

 

 

Units (denominator)

735,385 

 

735,385 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average outstanding Class B units

755,385 

 

755,385 

Effect of dilutive securities - Class B unit options

 

 

Units (denominator)

755,385 

 

755,385 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per unit amount

 

 

 

 

Class A

$

(0.69)

 

$

(0.57)

 

Class B

$

(6.03)

 

$

(4.98)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 


 

 

 

(4) Investment in National Beef Packing Company, LLC

As of December 31, 2011, USPB’s investment in NBP is accounted for using the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have financial or operational control.  Below is a summary of the results of operations for NBP for the thirteen week periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013 (thousands of dollars):

 

13 weeks ended

 

13 weeks ended

 

March 29, 2014

 

March 30, 2013

Net sales

 

$

1,885,754 

 

$

1,788,813 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

1,874,963 

 

1,770,844 

 

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

14,018 

 

14,128 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

20,760 

 

21,733 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

1,909,741 

 

1,806,705 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

(23,987)

 

(17,892)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

Interest expense

(3,254)

 

(3,250)

 

 

Other, net

(774)

 

623 

 

 

 

Loss before taxes

(28,012)

 

(20,514)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

(197)

 

(54)

 

 

 

Net loss

(28,209)

 

(20,568)

Less: net loss attributable to Kansas City Steak Company, LLC

 

254 

 

Net loss attributable to NBP

$

(28,209)

 

$

(20,314)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBP's net loss attributable to USPB

$

(4,252)

 

$

(3,062)

 

(5) Restricted Cash

When the transaction with Leucadia closed on December 30, 2011, approximately $36.9 million of the Company’s proceeds were deposited in an escrow account to satisfy potential indemnification claims from Leucadia.  No indemnification claims were received and, as a result, USPB received 40%, or approximately $14.8 million, in January 2013, and the remaining 60% in January 2014.  As of March 29, 2014, the $36.9 million is included in Cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet. 

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains “forward-looking statements,” which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate” and similar expressions.  Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including economic conditions generally and in our principal markets, the availability and prices of live cattle and commodities, food safety issues, livestock disease, including the identification of cattle with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy , product contamination and recall concerns, competitive practices and consolidation in the cattle production and processing industries and among our customers, actions of domestic or foreign governments, hedging risk, changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, trade barriers and exchange controls, consumer demand and preferences, the cost of compliance with environmental and health laws, loss of key customers, loss of key employees, labor relations, and consolidation among our customers.

 

 

7

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the results and events contemplated by the forward-looking information contained in this report will in fact transpire. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors.  Please review Part II. Item 1A, Risk Factors, included in this report, for other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements.

Investment in National Beef Packing Company, LLC

As of December 31, 2011, USPB’s investment in NBP is accounted for using the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have financial or operational control. 

NBP’s profitability is dependent, in large part, on the spread between its cost for live cattle, the primary raw material for its business, and the value received from selling boxed beef and other products.  Because NBP operates in a large and liquid commodity market, it does not have much influence over the price it pays for cattle or the selling price it receives for the products it produces.  NBP’s profitability typically fluctuates seasonally as well as cyclically, with relatively higher margins in the spring and summer months and during times of cattle herd expansion.

The USDA reports market values for cattle, beef, offal and other products produced by ranchers, farmers and beef processors.  Generally, NBP expects its profitability to improve as the ratio of the USDA comprehensive boxed beef cutout (a weekly reported measure of the total value of all USDA inspected beef primal cuts, grind and trim produced from fed cattle) to the USDA 5-area weekly average slaughter cattle price increases and for profitability to decline as the ratio decreases.  The ratio during the first quarter of 2014 was largely unchanged from the comparable 2013 period.

Revenues modestly increased during the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 due primarily to higher selling prices, but fewer cattle processed.  Cost of sales increased during 2014 as compared to the comparable 2013 period, as fed cattle prices continued to rise and reached record high level, due in part to the declining supply of fed cattle available for slaughter.  As a result, gross margins were compressed during this period.

As more fully discussed in the 2013 10-K, during the fourth quarter of 2013, NBP decided to close its beef processing facility located in Brawley, California; the facility is expected to close during the second quarter of 2014.  In addition to the long-lived asset impairment charge that it recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013, NBP expects to incur additional costs relating to the closing of the facility during 2014.  These costs include costs for fulfilling certain contractual obligations, employee separation and retention, systems decommissioning and various other expenses.  NBP currently estimates that these costs could be up to $20.0 million in the aggregate.  Under GAAP, these costs may not be accrued until they are actually incurred.  During the first quarter of 2014, NBP recognized $2.1 million of costs relating to employee separation in connection with closing the Brawley facility. 

During 2013, Walmart discontinued using NBP as a provider of its consumer-ready products.  NBP has two consumer-ready processing facilities, one of which was completely dedicated to Walmart’s business and the other substantially so dedicated.  NBP continues to pursue replacement business for its consumer-ready facilities; however, it may not be able to fully replace the operating cash flow generated by these facilities in the near future, if at all.  If NBP concludes its best course of action is to close one or both consumer-ready facilities, impairment charges may be recorded if the fair value of those facilities on a held for sale basis is less than the book value.

 

 

8

 

 


 

 

 

 

USPB Results of Operations

Thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 compared to thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2013

Net Sales.  There were no Net Sales in the thirteen week periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013.   

Cost of Sales.  There were no Cost of Sales in the thirteen week periods ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013.   

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $1.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 compared to approximately $1.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2013, a decrease of approximately $0.4 million.  The decrease is primarily due to lower bonus and phantom unit plan expenses.

Operating Loss.  Operating loss was approximately $1.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 compared to an operating loss of approximately $1.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2013, a decrease of approximately $0.4 million.   

Equity Interest in Net Loss of National Beef Packing Company, LLC.  Equity in NBP net loss was $4.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 compared to $3.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2013.  The increase in net loss is primarily due to NBP’s severance costs related to the closure of the Brawley Beef plant and lower gross margins.  USPB carries its 15.0729% investment in NBP under the equity method of accounting.

Other, net.  Other income was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013, respectively, a decrease of approximately $0.1 million.  The decrease was primarily due to lower lease income on Company owned cattle delivery rights.

Net Loss.  Net loss for the thirteen-week period ended March 29, 2014 was approximately $5.1 million compared to net loss of approximately $4.2 million for the thirteen-week period ended March 30, 2013, an increased loss of approximately $0.9 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 29, 2014, USPB had net working capital (the excess of current assets over current liabilities) of approximately $91.4 million, which included cash and cash equivalents of $94.8 million and $0.1 million in patronage notices payable.  As of December 28, 2013, we had net working capital of approximately $94.2 million, which included cash and cash equivalents of $59.8 million and restricted cash of $36.9 million, with $0.2 million in distributions payable and $0.1 million in patronage notices payable. 

As of March 29, 2014, we had a $15.0 million revolving term loan with CoBank, all of which was available.  USPB was in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the Master Loan Agreement as of March 29, 2014.

If NBP continues to sustain losses and does not make distributions to the Company, we believe our cash and available borrowings under our Master Loan Agreement will be sufficient to support our cash needs for the foreseeable future.  For a review of our obligations that affect liquidity, please see the “Cash Payment Obligations” table in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2013.

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities in the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 was approximately $0.5 million compared to approximately $3.1 million in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2013.  The $2.6 million change was primarily due to the payment of accrued bonuses in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, which were larger as a result of the bonus payment to the former CEO.

 

 

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Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities in the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 was approximately $36.9 million.  The cash flow in the current period related to the receipt of the monies that were placed in escrow as a result of the 2011 transaction with Leucadia.  There were no cash flows from investing activities in the thirteen week period ended March 30, 2013.  

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $1.5 million in the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 compared to immaterial net cash provided by financing activities in the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2013.  The change was primarily related to distributions to USPB’s unitholders, which was partially offset by the collection of tax year 2012 over-distributions. 

Master Loan Agreement

On July 28, 2011, USPB and CoBank entered into a Master Loan Agreement, Revolving Term Loan Supplement to the Master Loan Agreement, and Pledge Agreement.  These agreements replace the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Security Agreement dated June 22, 2009.

The Master Loan Agreement and the Revolving Term Loan Supplement provide for a $15 million revolving credit commitment.  That commitment carries a term of three years, maturing on June 30, 2014.  The Pledge Agreement provides CoBank with a first-priority security interest in USPB’s membership interests in, and distributions from, NBP.

All of the $15 million revolving credit commitment was available as of March 29, 2014.  Borrowings under the revolving credit commitment bear interest at the base rate or LIBOR rate plus applicable margin.

On December 30, 2011, in connection with the closing of the transaction with Leucadia, the Company and CoBank entered into the Consent and First Amendment to Pledge Agreement and Security Agreement, by which CoBank agreed to (i) consent to the Membership Interest Sale and the PA Distribution, (ii) release its security interest in, and liens on, the Membership Interests being sold pursuant to the Membership Interest Sale, (iii) consent to the National Beef Pledge and (iv) consent to the amendments and restatements of the National Beef Operating Agreement and the PA Newco Operating Agreement. The National Beef Pledge grants National Beef a perfected security interest in and to USPB’s membership interests in, and distributions from, NBP, subject only to the prior first priority security interest held by CoBank.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

The principal market risks affecting USPB’s business are exposure to interest rate risk, to the extent the company has debt outstanding.  As of March 29, 2014, the Company did not have any outstanding debt.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

 

We maintain a system of controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the Consolidated Financial Statements and other disclosures included in this report, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition. We evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them, in a timely manner, to material information required to be included in our periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings.  There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  The design of any system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.

 

 

 

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 have not materially changed.  Please refer to the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 to consider those risk factors.

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

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.        

Item 6. Exhibits.

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).   

   

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

   

32.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

   

32.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

   

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document **

   

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document **

   

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase **

   

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document **

   

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document **

   
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document **

 

**  Furnished herewith.  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive data files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

                                                                                                            

 

  U.S. Premium Beef, LLC
     
     

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Stanley D. Linville

 

 

 

 

 

Stanley D. Linville
Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Scott J. Miller

 

 

 

 

 

Scott J. Miller
 Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

Date: May 9, 2014

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