ALICO, INC. - Quarter Report: 2013 December (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission File Number: 0-261

Alico, Inc.

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 239-226-2000

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. R Yes £ 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 (§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). R Yes £ 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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

There were 7,350,455 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, outstanding as of January 31, 2014.

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

ALICO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

Alico Inc. (“Alico”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is an agribusiness and land management company. The Company owns approximately 130,800 acres of land in six Florida counties (Alachua, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Polk). Our principal lines of business are citrus groves, improved farmland including sugarcane, cattle ranching and conservation, and other operations which includes rock mining.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management were necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim periods or the entire fiscal year.

The Financial Statements have been presented according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Certain information, footnotes and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with those rules and regulations. The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. The Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013.

Principles of Consolidation

The Financial Statements include the accounts of Alico, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Alico Land Development, Inc. (“ALDI”), Alico-Agri, Ltd. (“Alico-Agri”), Alico Plant World, LLC, Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC and Alico Fruit Company, LLC (formerly known as Bowen Brothers Fruit, LLC) (“Alico Fruit”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the fiscal year 2014 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on working capital, net income, stockholders’ equity or cash flows as previously reported.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates based upon future events. The

Company periodically evaluates the estimates. The estimates are based on current and expected economic conditions, historical experience and various other specific assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable.

Seasonality

The Company is primarily engaged in agriculture, which is of a seasonal nature and subject to the influence of natural phenomena and wide price fluctuations. Historically, the second and third quarters of our fiscal year generally produce the majority of our annual revenue and our working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year coinciding with our planting cycles. The results of the reported period herein are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim periods or the entire fiscal year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company does not believe that any recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, or the SEC would have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Note 2. Inventories

A summary of the Company’s inventories is presented below:

Note 3. Property, Buildings and Equipment, Net

Property, buildings and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013:

Assets held for sale

In December 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved listing certain parcels of real estate for sale in Polk county totaling approximately 3,200 acres, including approximately 80 acres of active citrus groves. As a result, the Company reclassified the net book value of the properties to assets held for sale as of December 31, 2013. The estimated fair value of the properties exceeds their net book value and no impairment was recognized as a result of the reclassification.

Note 4. Income taxes

The Company’s effective tax rates were 43.7% and 38.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company applies a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and non-recognition of tax positions. A change in judgment related to prior years’ tax positions is recognized in the quarter of such change. The Company had no reserve for uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense and in income taxes payable.

Note 5. Long-Term Debt

Outstanding debt under the Company’s various loan agreements is presented in the table below:

The Company has a credit facility including a revolving line of credit (“RLOC”) and term loan with Rabo AgriFinance, Inc. (“Rabo”) totaling $95,500,000 at December 31, 2013. The revolving line of credit and term loan are collateralized by 43,991 acres of farmland and 12,280 acres of additional real property containing approximately 8,600 acres of producing citrus groves.

The $60,000,000 RLOC bears interest at a floating rate payable on the first day of each calendar quarter. The RLOC matures on October 1, 2020. At December 31, 2013, there was no outstanding balance on the RLOC. The Company pays an annual commitment fee on the RLOC equal to 0.15% of the difference between the annual average unpaid balance and the $60,000,000 loan commitment. The commitment fee is payable on February 1 of each year. Commitment fees of approximately $83,000 were accrued at December 31, 2013.

The interest rate on the RLOC is based on the one month LIBOR plus a spread. The spread is determined based upon our debt service coverage ratios for the preceding fiscal year and can vary from 225 to 250 basis points. The rate is currently at LIBOR plus 225 basis points. On October 1, 2015, Rabo may adjust the interest rate spread to any percentage above one month LIBOR. Rabo must provide a 30 day notice of the new spreads; at that time, the Company has the right to prepay the outstanding balance.

The term loan requires quarterly payments of interest at a floating rate of one month LIBOR plus 250 basis points. It also requires quarterly principal payments of $500,000 through October 1, 2020 when the remaining principal balance and accrued interest will be due and payable.

At December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2013, Alico was in compliance with all of its covenants under the Rabo loan agreement.

On October 10, 2012, the outstanding mortgage note held by Farm Credit of Florida was paid in full. The payment included $1,794,000 for the principal balance and $66,000 for a prepayment penalty which was included in interest expense on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The mortgage was collateralized by 7,680 acres of real estate used for farm leases, sugarcane and citrus production. The collateral was released upon satisfaction of the mortgage.

Maturities of the Company’s debt were as follows at December 31, 2013:

Interest costs expensed and capitalized to property, buildings and equipment were as follows:

Note 6. Disclosures about reportable segments

The Company manages its land based upon its primary usage and reviews its performance based upon three primary classifications – Citrus Groves, Improved Farmland and Ranch and Conservation.  In addition, it operates an Agricultural Supply Chain Management business that is not tied directly to its land holdings and Other Operations that include leasing mines and oil extraction rights to third parties.  The Company presents its financial results and the related discussions based upon these five segments (Citrus Groves, Improved Farmland, Ranch and Conservation, Agricultural Supply Chain Management and Other Operations).  In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company changed its internal structure to align with the way it manages its business operations. As a result, the Company has realigned its financial reporting segments to match its internal operations.  The Company has reclassified prior years to conform to the fiscal year 2014 presentation.  None of these changes affect the Company’s previously reported consolidated results.  The primary change in previously reported segment results is to reclassify the former Land Leasing and Rentals segment’s revenues and expenses to the related land classifications. A description of the Company’s business segments is as follows:

Intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for by the Company as if the sales or transfers were to third parties at current market prices. Goods and services produced by these segments are sold to wholesalers and processors in the United States which prepare the products for consumption. The Company evaluates the segments performance based on direct margins from operations before general and administrative costs, interest expense and income taxes, not including nonrecurring gains and losses.  

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1, Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation. Total revenues represent sales to unaffiliated customers, as reported in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Information by business segment is as follows:

Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity

Effective November 1, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock through November 2013 for the purpose of funding awards under its 2008 Incentive Equity Plan. In September 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 105,000 shares of the Company’s common stock beginning in November 2013 and continuing through April 2018. The stock repurchases were made on a quarterly basis through open market transactions at times and in such amounts as the Company’s broker determined subject to the provisions of SEC Rule 10b-18. The following table illustrates the Company’s treasury stock transactions for the three months ended December 31, 2013:

Through December 31, 2013, the Company had purchased zero shares and had available to purchase an additional 105,000 in accordance with its September 30, 2013 Board of Directors repurchase authorization.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in general and administrative expenses was $525,000 and $141,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Stock-based compensation is recorded for the Board of Directors fees paid in treasury stock and the Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan restricted common stock awards. The amount for the three months ended December 31, 2013 includes $184,000 related to the acceleration of vesting in accordance with the change in control discussed below.

Long Term Incentive Plan

On May 26, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the Long-Term Incentive Program as part of the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company approved the contingent award of 152,403 shares of common stock to Named Executive Officers (the “NEOs”) of the Company. On May 26, 2011, 58,610 shares were granted to the NEOs other than the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and on April 19, 2012, 93,793 shares were awarded to the CEO under restricted stock award agreements.

All of the shares of restricted stock awarded under the Long-Term Incentive Program vested automatically upon the acquisition by 734 Investors, LLC of a controller interest in the Company. As a result, the Company will be required to issue 152,403 shares of treasury stock in January 2014, before withholdings for income taxes. The Company has recognized $184,000 of stock-based compensation expense related to the acceleration of vesting of these grants during the quarter ended December 31, 2013. In December 2013, the Company determined that it would repurchase half of the gross shares awarded to NEOs other than the CEO totaling 58,610 shares immediately upon their issuance for the purpose of retaining treasury shares for future issuance.

Dilution

For the three months ended December 31, 2013, a weighted average of 67,000 unvested restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive. For the three months ended December 31, 2012 there were no equity instruments outstanding that had a dilutive effect.

Note 8. Contingencies

The Company is also involved from time to time in routine legal matters incidental to its business. When appropriate, the Company establishes estimated accruals for litigation matters which meet the requirements of ASC 450— Contingencies. Based upon available information, the Company believes that the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

Note 9. Related Party Transactions

734 Investors and 734 Agriculture

On November 19, 2013, 734 Agriculture and its affiliates, including 734 Investors, acquired all of the approximately 51% of Alico’s common stock then owned by Atlanticblue. 734 Investors now beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, approximately 51% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock and possesses the voting power to control the election of the Company’s Directors and any other matter requiring the affirmative vote or consent of the Company’s shareholders. 734 Agriculture is the sole managing member of 734 Investors. By virtue of their ownership percentage, 734 Investors and 734 Agriculture are able to elect all of the Directors and, consequently, control Alico. Messrs. Brokaw and Trafelet are the two controlling persons of 734 Agriculture.

Silver Nip

On November 22, 2013, the Company entered into an employee lease agreement with Mr. Wilson and Silver Nip (the “Silver Nip Agreement”). Silver Nip is owned and controlled by Messrs. Brokaw, Trafelet and Wilson.

The Silver Nip Agreement provides, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, for the Company to furnish Mr. Wilson’s services to Silver Nip to perform the functions and services that Mr. Wilson has previously performed for Silver Nip prior to his resignation as CEO of Silver Nip. The Silver Nip Agreement provides that Mr. Wilson will spend a majority of his working time performing functions and services for the Company and that in no event will Mr. Wilson be required to take any action that he or the Company determines could conflict with Mr. Wilson’s exercise of his fiduciary duties under applicable law owed to the Company or could interfere with the performance of his duties as an executive officer of the Company. In exchange for furnishing Mr. Wilson’s services, Silver Nip has agreed to pay to the Company the cash salary that would have been paid to Mr. Wilson pursuant to his previous employment arrangement with Silver Nip, had that arrangement continued to be in force.

The Silver Nip Agreement provides that it continues through December 31, 2013, but if neither the Company nor Silver Nip has provided the other with written notice of an intention to terminate the Silver Nip Agreement at least three business days before December 31, 2013 (or any subsequent renewal period), the Silver Nip Agreement will automatically renew for a one-month period. In addition, Silver Nip may terminate the Silver Nip Agreement at any time upon 10 business days’ prior written notice to the Company. The description of the Silver Nip Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete terms and conditions of the agreement, which is listed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2013. For the three months ended December 31, 2013 the Company received $15,000 under this agreement.

Atlanticblue

Prior to the Share Purchase transaction on November 19, 2013, Atlanticblue owned approximately 51% of Alico’s common stock. By virtue of its ownership percentage, Atlanticblue was able to elect all of the Directors and, consequently, control Alico. JD Alexander resigned March 31, 2012 as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlanticblue and did not stand for re-election as a Director at the June 2012 Atlanticblue shareholders meeting. In February 2010, JD Alexander was appointed Alico’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and he served on Alico’s Board of Directors. Robert J. Viguet, Jr., an Alico Director, did not stand for re-election as a Director of Atlanticblue at its June 2012 shareholders meeting. Dykes Everett was elected to the Alico Board of Directors at Alico’s February 2013 shareholders meeting; he was nominated by Atlanticblue, where he serves as a Director.

Alico Fruit Company (“Alico Fruit”) is currently marketing and/or purchasing citrus fruit from TRI-County Grove, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanticblue. During the three months ended December 31, 2012, Alico Fruit marketed 30,233 boxes of fruit for approximately $251,000. Alico Fruit markets citrus fruit for TRI-County Grove, LLC at the customary terms and rates the Company extends to third parties.

JD Alexander

On November 6, 2013, JD Alexander tendered his resignation as Chief Executive Officer and as an employee of the Company, subject to and effective immediately after the Closing of the Share Purchase transaction on November 19, 2013. Mr. Alexander’s resignation includes a waiver of any rights to any payments under his Change-in-Control Agreement with the Company. At that time, the Company and Mr. Alexander entered into a Consulting and Non-Competition Agreement under which (i) Mr. Alexander will provide consulting services to the Company during the two-year period after the Closing, (ii) Mr. Alexander agreed to be bound by certain non-competition covenants relating to the Company’s citrus operations and non-solicitation and non-interference covenants for a period of two years after the Closing, and (iii) the Company will pay Mr. Alexander for such services and covenants $2 million in twenty-four monthly installments. Mr. Alexander also agreed, in a separate side letter with the Company, not to sell or transfer the shares that will be awarded pursuant to his Restricted Stock Award Agreement (other than to a family trust) for a period of two years after the Closing. Mr. Alexander also executed a general release in favor of the Company.

Other

Mr. Charles Palmer, who served as a member of the Board until his resignation became effective on November 19, 2013, leases approximately 2,300 acres from the Company for a recreational purposes. He pays approximately $33,000 annually at the customary terms and rates the Company extends to third parties.

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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Additional context can also be found in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 9, 2013.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

We provide forward-looking information in this Quarterly Report, particularly in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any statements in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by our management. These assumptions are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those risks factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We manage our land based upon its primary usage and review its performance based upon three primary classifications – Citrus Groves, Improved Farmland and Ranch and Conservation.  In addition, we operate an Agricultural Supply Chain Management business that is not tied directly to our land holdings and Other Operations that include leasing mines and oil extraction rights to third parties.  We present our financial results and the related discussions based upon these five segments (Citrus Groves, Improved Farmland, Ranch and Conservation, Agricultural Supply Chain Management and Other Operations).  In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, we changed our internal operations to align with the way we manage our business operations. As a result, we have realigned our financial reporting segments to match our internal operations.  We have reclassified prior years to conform to the fiscal year 2014 presentation.  None of these changes affect our previously reported consolidated results.  The primary change in previously reported segment results is to reclassify the former Land Leasing and Rentals segment’s revenues and expenses to the related land classifications.

We own approximately 130,800 acres of land in six Florida counties (Alachua, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Polk), and operate five segments.

Segments

We operate five segments related to our various land holdings.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base these estimates on historical experience, available current market information and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Additionally we evaluate the results of these estimates on an on-going basis. Management’s estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

There have been no significant changes during this reporting period to the policies and disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

Recent Events

Recent Change in Control Transaction

On November 19, 2013, 734 Agriculture, LLC (“734 Agriculture”) and its affiliates, including 734 Investors, LLC (“734 Investors”), completed the previously announced purchase from Alico Holding, LLC, a company wholly owned by Atlantic Blue Group, Inc. (“Atlanticblue”), of 3,725,457 shares of our common stock (the “Share Purchase”).

The common stock acquired by 734 Agriculture and its affiliates, including 734 Investors, represents approximately 51% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities. On November 15, 2013, 734 Investors amended and restated its LLC operating agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) to admit new members and to designate 734 Agriculture as the managing member, with authority to administer the affairs of 734 Investors, including the voting and disposition of shares of common stock, subject to certain restrictions set forth therein. As a result, upon the consummation of the Share Purchase, 734 Agriculture and its affiliates, including 734 Investors, acquired the voting power to control the election of the Company’s Directors and any other matter requiring the affirmative vote or consent of the Company’s shareholders.

Appointment of Directors; Resignation of Directors

With the Closing of the Share Purchase, the previously announced election of the following individuals to the Board of Directors became effective: Mr. George R. Brokaw, Member of 734 Agriculture; Remy W. Trafelet, Manager of 734 Agriculture; W. Andrew Krusen, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Dominion Financial Group; Benjamin D. Fishman, Managing Principal of Arlon Group; Henry R. Slack, former Chairman of the Board of Terra Industries, Inc. and Senior Partner of Quarterwatch, LLC; Clayton G. Wilson, former CEO of 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC d/b/a Silver Nip Citrus (“Silver Nip”) and Chairman of the Board of Latt Maxcy Corporation; and R. Greg Eisner, Head of Strategy of Dubin & Company, LLC.

Ramon A. Rodriguez remained on the Board of Directors and continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. In addition, Adam D. Compton, who previously resigned subject to and effective upon the Closing of the Share Purchase, was re-elected to the Board of Directors on November 22, 2013.

Upon the Closing of the Share Purchase, the following individuals ceased to be Directors of the Company pursuant to their previously disclosed resignations: JD Alexander, Dykes Everett, Thomas H. McAuley, Charles L. Palmer, John D. Rood, and Gordon Walker, PhD. Mr. Robert J. Viguet, Jr. resigned from the Board on November 21, 2013.

Appointment of Mr. Wilson as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer

Upon the Closing of the Share Purchase, Mr. Alexander ceased to be the Company’s CEO pursuant to his previously disclosed resignation. On November 22, 2013, the Board appointed Mr. Wilson to serve as the CEO, effective immediately.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a comparison of results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

A discussion of our segment results of operations follows.

Citrus Groves

The table below presents key operating measures for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

We sell our Early and Mid-Season and Valencia oranges to processors that convert the majority of the citrus crop into orange juice. They generally buy their citrus on a pound solids basis, which is the measure of the soluble solids (sugars and acids) contained in one box of fruit. Fresh Fruit is generally sold to packing houses that purchase their citrus on a per box basis. Our Operating Expenses consist primarily of Cost of Sales and Harvesting and Hauling. Cost of Sales represents the cost of maintaining our citrus groves for the preceding calendar year and does not vary in relation to production. Harvesting and Hauling represents the cost of bringing citrus product to processors and varies based upon the number of boxes produced.

The declines for the three months ended December 31, 2013 in boxes harvested, pound solids produced and gross profit are being driven primarily by a delay in the commencement of harvesting versus the same period in 2012 to allow fruit on the tree to mature.

The USDA, in its January 10, 2014 Citrus Forecast, indicated that it currently expects the Florida orange crop to decline by 18,600,000 boxes or approximately 14% versus the prior year. We currently expect our 2013/2014 crop’s decrease to be in-line with the currently estimated statewide decrease.

Agricultural Supply Chain Management

The table below presents key operating measures for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

The declines in Purchase and Resale of Fruit revenue, boxes sold and pound solids sold, as well as the declines in Value Added Services revenue and boxes, are all being driven primarily by statewide delays in commencement in harvest and declines in production as discussed above.

The decline in Alico Fruit Company gross profit relates primarily to the changes in revenue outlined above.

Improved Farmland

The table below presents key operating measures for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

Acres used to produce sugarcane will increase to 16,728 in fiscal year 2014 from 13,272 in fiscal year 2013. The increase in net standard tons sold is primarily related to harvesting approximately 800 more acres in the three months ended December 31, 2013 versus the same period of the prior year, partially offset by an 8.1% decrease in net standard tons per acre. The increase in production is more than offset by the decrease in price per net standard ton that has resulted from changes in market conditions in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 versus the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Our Operating Expenses consist primarily of Cost of Sales and Harvesting and Hauling. Cost of Sales represents the cost of maintaining our sugarcane land for the preceding calendar year and does not vary in relation to production. Harvesting and Hauling represents the cost of bringing sugarcane product to our processor and varies based upon the number of net standard tons produced.

The decrease in gross profit is related primarily to the decrease in revenues discussed above, partially offset by a 5.6% decrease in growing costs per acre and a 13.1% decrease in harvest and hauling costs per net standard ton versus the three months ended December 31, 2012 which relates primarily to the elimination of long-haul charges related to the transportation of sugarcane via truck.

Ranch and Conservation

The table below presents key operating measures for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

Calves are generally sold to market in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Results in each of the first, second and third quarters of the fiscal years are immaterial and generally non-recurring in nature and comparison of results is not meaningful.

Other Operations

The results of the Other Operations segment for the three months ended December 31, 2013 are in-line with the same period of the prior year.

General and Administrative

The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2013 versus the same period of the prior year relates primarily to costs incurred related to the change in control described above in “Recent Events,” which totaled $1,745,000 and included $184,000 for the acceleration of the vesting of the Long-Term Incentive Plan awards and $849,000 for the cost of Director and Officer insurance for the departing Directors.

Other Income (Expense), net

Other Income (Expense), net for the three months ended December 31, 2013 are relatively in-line with the same period of the prior year.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rates were 43.7% and 38.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The change in rates relates primarily to the non-deductible nature of projected political contributions for fiscal year 2014 and limitations on certain deductions related to the vesting of the long-term incentive grants.

Seasonality

Historically, the second and third quarters of our fiscal year generally produce the majority of our annual revenue and our working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year coinciding with our planting cycles. Because of the seasonality of our business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A comparative balance sheet summary is presented in the following table:

We believe that our current cash position, revolving credit facility and the cash we expect to generate from operating activities will provide us with sufficient liquidity to satisfy our working capital requirements and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. We have a $60,000,000 revolving line of credit (“RLOC”) which was available for our general use at December 31, 2013. See Item 1. Financial Statement, Note 5. Long-Term Debt in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to the following factors:

·         Capital expenditures of $6,539,000,

·         Cash used in operations of $4,088,000,

·         Treasury stock purchases of $1,371,000,

·         Dividends paid of $584,000, and

·         Principal payments on debt of $500,000

These decreases in cash and equivalents were partially offset by the return on investment in Magnolia of $1,966,000.

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

The following table details the items contributing to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

The factors contributing to the decrease in net income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2013, versus the same period of the prior year are discussed in “Results of Operations.” Depreciation and Amortization increased versus the three months ended December 31, 2012, due to purchases of depreciable property and equipment during the last twelve months as well as additional capitalized sugarcane planting costs.

Due to the seasonal nature of our business, working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year coinciding with our planting and harvest cycles. Cash flows from operating activities typically improve in our second and third fiscal quarters as we harvest our crops.

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

The following table details the items contributing to Net Cash Used in Investing Activities for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

The decrease in purchases of property and equipment relate primarily to a decrease in the number of cows and bulls purchased to augment our breeding herd, a decrease in purchases of rolling stock, equipment and other assets related to the completion of the sugarcane expansion in fiscal year 2013 and a decrease in the number of acres of sugarcane planted, partially offset by capital expenditures related to the building of our citrus tree nursery in fiscal year 2014.

The increase in the return on investment in Magnolia versus the first three months of fiscal year 2013 relates primarily to the reinstatement of cash distributions by Magnolia after its conversion of a large portion of its tax certificate portfolio to tax deeds.

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

The following table details the items contributing to Net Cash Used in Financing Activities for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

The decrease in principal payments on notes payable for the three months ended December 31, 2013 relates to the payoff of the Farm Credit Mortgage in the first three months of fiscal year 2013 (see “Note 5. Long-Term Debt” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Purchase Commitments

Alico, through its wholly owned subsidiary Alico Fruit, enters into contracts for the purchase of citrus fruit during the normal course of its business. The remaining obligations under these purchase agreements totaled approximately $23,648,000 at December 31, 2013 for delivery in fiscal years 2014 through 2016. All of these obligations are covered by sales agreements. Alico’s management currently believes that all committed purchase volume will be sold at cost or higher.

Contractual Obligations and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes during this reporting period to the disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7 in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no material changes during this reporting period in the disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7A in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation, as required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (“Exchange Act”), was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings.

See Part I, Item I, Financial Statements, Note 4. Income Taxes and Note 9. Contingencies in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in the risk factors set forth in Part 1, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

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

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during the period.

The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 105,000 shares of our common stock from shareholders. Through December 31, 2013, the Company had purchased zero shares and had available to purchase an additional 105,000 in accordance with its Board of Directors repurchase authorization.

(1)     We had various arrangements with UBS Investment Bank (“UBS”) between September 27, 2012 and November 1, 2013 to purchase securities under an authorization in accordance with the timing, price and volume restrictions contained in sections (b)(2)-(4) of Rule 10b-18. During the period from September 27 through November 1, 2013, UBS agreed to purchase securities according to the various authorizations. The limit prices ranged from less than or equal to $31.00 per share to less than or equal to $40.00 per share at various times.

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosure.

None.

ITEM 5. Other Information.

None.

  ITEM 6. Exhibits

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.

Index to Exhibits