ALICO, INC. - Quarter Report: 2015 June (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. ☑ 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). ☑ 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 ☑ No

There were 8,281,352 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, outstanding as of August 3, 2015.

ALICO, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ALICO, INC.

CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

See accompanying notes

ALICO, INC.

CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

See accompanying notes

ALICO, INC.

CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes

ALICO, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business  

Alico, Inc. (“Alico”), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company, we, or our”), is an agribusiness and land management company. The Company owns approximately 121,000 acres of land in twelve Florida counties (Alachua, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Martin, Osceola and Polk) and includes approximately 90,000 acres of mineral rights. In addition to principal lines of business in citrus groves, improved farmland, leasing, cattle ranching and conservation, and related support operations, we also receive royalties from rock mining and oil production.

Common Control Acquisition between the Company and 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC

Effective February 28, 2015, the Company completed the merger (“Merger”) with 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC (“Silver Nip Citrus”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with 734 Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), Silver Nip Citrus and, solely with respect to certain sections thereof, the equity holders of Silver Nip Citrus. The ownership of Silver Nip Citrus was held by 734 Agriculture, 74.89%, Mr. Clay Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, 5% and an entity controlled by Mr. Clay Wilson owned, 20.11%. Silver Nip Citrus entities include 734 Harvest, LLC, 734 Co-op Groves, LLC, 734 LMC Groves, LLC and 734 BLP Groves, LLC.

On November 19, 2013, 734 Agriculture and its affiliates, including 734 Investors, acquired approximately 51% of the Company’s common stock. 734 Agriculture is the sole managing member of 734 Investors. By virtue of their ownership percentage, 734 Agriculture is able to elect all of the Directors and, consequently, control Alico. 

734 Agriculture had control over both Silver Nip Citrus and the Company, and therefore the Merger was treated as a common control acquisition.

At closing of the Merger, Merger Sub merged with and into Silver Nip Citrus, with Silver Nip Citrus and its affiliates surviving the Merger as wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at closing, the Company issued 923,257 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, to the holders of membership interests in Silver Nip Citrus. Silver Nip Citrus’ outstanding net indebtedness at the closing of the Merger was approximately $40,278,000 and other liabilities totaled $6,952,000. The Company acquired assets with a book value of $65,739,000 and total net assets of $18,470,000. The shares of common stock issued were recorded at the carrying amount of the net assets transferred. The holders of membership interests in Silver Nip Citrus will also receive additional Company shares based on the value of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of citrus fruit harvested on Silver Nip Citrus’ real property following the conclusion of the 2014-2015 citrus harvest season.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2015, the Company incurred approximately $894,000 in professional and legal costs in connection with the Merger. These costs are included in corporate, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended June 30, 2015.

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared the accompanying financial statements on a consolidated and combined basis. These accompanying unaudited condensed combined consolidated interim financial statements, which are referred to herein as the “Financial Statements”, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to Article 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for interim financial information. These Financial Statements do not include all of the disclosures required for complete annual financial statements and, accordingly, certain information, footnotes and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, have been condensed or omitted in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. Accordingly, the Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, filed with the SEC on December 12, 2014.

The Financial Statements presented in this Form 10-Q are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, such Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP applicable to interim periods.

Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the current fiscal year ending September 30, 2015. All intercompany transactions and account balances between the consolidated and combined businesses have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the Financial Statements, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses and cash flows during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates based upon future events. The Company evaluates the estimates on an ongoing basis. The estimates are based on current and expected economic conditions, historical experience, the experience and judgment of the Company’s management and various other specific assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable.

As the Company and Silver Nip Citrus were under common control at the time of the Merger, we are required under U.S. GAAP to account for this common control acquisition in a manner similar to the pooling of interest method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, our Condensed Combined Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 reflect Silver Nip Citrus’ historical carryover basis in the assets and liabilities instead of reflecting the fair market value of the assets and liabilities. We have also retrospectively recast our financial statements to combine the operating results of the Company and Silver Nip Citrus from the date common control began, November 19, 2013.

Since Silver Nip Citrus’ fiscal year end is June 30, the Company’s financial condition as of June 30, 2015 includes the financial condition of Silver Nip Citrus as of March 31, 2015, and the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 includes the Silver Nip Citrus results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015. The Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 includes Silver Nip Citrus’ results of operations from November 19, 2013 (the initial date of common control) through March 31, 2014.

Principles of Consolidation

The Financial Statements include the accounts of Alico, Inc. and its subsidiaries, over which the Company exercises control. The Company’s subsidiaries include: Alico Land Development, Inc., Alico-Agri, Ltd., Alico Plant World, LLC, Alico Fruit Company, LLC (formerly “Bowen Brothers Fruit Company, LLC”), Alico Citrus Nursery, LLC, Alico Chemical Sales, LLC, 734 Citrus Holdings LLC and Citree Holdings 1, LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Affiliate

The Financial Statements include all assets and liabilities of the less-than-100%-owned affiliate the Company controls, Citree Holdings I, LLC (“Citree”). Accordingly, the Company has recorded a noncontrolling interest in the equity of such entity. Citree did not have any income or loss for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015.

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for its business acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting as indicated in ASC No. 805, “Business Combinations”, which requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of all assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, and establishes the acquisition date as the fair value measurement point. Accordingly, the Company recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, including contingent assets and liabilities and noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, based on fair value estimates as of the date of acquisition. In accordance with ASC No. 805, the Company recognizes and measures goodwill, if any, as of the acquisition date, as the excess of the fair value of the consideration paid over the fair value of the identified net assets acquired.

When we acquire a business from an entity under common control, whereby the companies are ultimately controlled by the same party or parties both before and after the transaction, it is treated similar to the pooling of interest method of accounting, whereby the assets and liabilities are recorded at the transferring entity’s historical cost instead of reflecting the fair market value of assets and liabilities.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs for Term Debt

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” ("ASU 2015-03"). Upon adoption, ASU 2015-03 will require debt issuance costs associated with outstanding term debt to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction in the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the current presentation of a debt discount. For fees paid to lenders to secure revolving lines of credit, such fees will continue to be presented as a deferred charge (asset) on the balance sheet. Under current guidance prior to ASU 2015-03, all debt issuance costs, for both term debt and revolving lines of credit, are presented in the balance sheet as a deferred charge (asset). ASU 2015-03 is limited to the presentation of debt issuance costs and will not affect the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. Upon adoption, ASU 2015-03 must be applied on a retrospective basis and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Since ASU 2015-03 involves balance sheet presentation only, its adoption will not have any impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. The Company is evaluating a decision to early adopt ASU 2015-03 prior to its mandatory effective date.

Simplified Measurement Date for Defined Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2015-04, “Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets” ("ASU 2015-04"). Upon adoption, ASU 2015-04 will allow employers with fiscal year ends that do not coincide with a calendar month end to make an accounting policy election to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the end of the month closest to their fiscal year ends (i.e., on an alternative measurement date). An employer that makes this election must consistently apply the practical expedient from year to year and to all of its defined benefit plans. ASU 2015-04 will be effective for interim and fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2015; prospective application is required and early adoption is permitted. The Company's fiscal year end is September 30 and the Company has a defined retirement plan. The Company is currently evaluating the policy election that will be allowed upon the adoption of ASU 2015-04.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606), which clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue. The guidance is applicable to all contracts with customers regardless of industry-specific or transaction-specific fact patterns. Further, the guidance requires improved disclosures as well as additional disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, including interim periods within that first fiscal year, and early adoption is now permitted for 2017. Upon becoming effective, the Company will apply the amendments in the updated standard either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying Financial Statements for consistent presentation to the current period. These reclassifications had no impact on working capital, net income, stockholders’ equity or cash flows as previously reported.

Seasonality

The Company is primarily engaged in the production of fruit for sale to citrus markets, 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. The results of the reported periods herein are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim periods or the entire fiscal year.

Note 2. Inventories

Inventories consist of (in thousands):

Note 3. Property, Buildings and Equipment, Net

Property, buildings and equipment, net consist of (in thousands):

Land Sale

Certain Silver Nip Citrus land with a cost of $2,832,159 was classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2014. It was sold during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 resulting in a gain on sale of assets of $2,926,553.

Asset Impairment

The Company recorded an impairment loss of approximately $541,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2015 on property classified as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2014. The Company entered into a sales contract on February 17, 2015, which triggered the impairment of the property based on the negotiated sales price. The property was sold on April 3, 2015 and the Company received approximately $1,509,000 in net sales proceeds.

Note 4. Acquisitions and Dispositions

On December 2, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of certain citrus and related assets of Orange-Co, LP (“Orange-Co”) pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement, which we refer to as the Orange-Co Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2014 and 51% of the ownership interests of Citree. The assets the Company purchased include approximately 20,263 acres of citrus groves in DeSoto and Charlotte Counties, Florida, which comprise one of the largest contiguous citrus grove properties in the state of Florida. Total assets acquired were approximately $277,792,000, net of $2,060,000 in cash acquired and $4,838,000 in fair value attributable to noncontrolling interest, including: (1) $147,500,000 in initial cash consideration funded from the proceeds of the sugarcane disposition and new term loan debt; (2) up to $7,500,000 in additional cash consideration to be released from escrow in equal parts, subject to certain limitations, on December 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016; (3) the refinancing of Orange-Co’s outstanding debt including approximately $92,290,000 in term loan debt and a working capital facility of approximately $27,857,000 and (4) the assumption of certain other liabilities totaling $4,705,000. On December 1, 2014, Alico deposited an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Rabo Agrifinance, Inc., or Rabo, in the aggregate amount of $7,500,000 into an escrow account to fund the additional cash consideration.

The Company acquired Orange-Co to transform our citrus business and meaningfully enhance the Company’s position in the citrus industry. The Company has included the financial results of Orange-Co in the Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. These results include approximately $72,233,000 in revenue and $18,060,000 in gross profit.

This acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company recognized amounts for identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated acquisition date fair values, while transaction and integration costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed, and noncontrolling interests is recognized as goodwill. All goodwill recognized will be deductible for tax purposes. The initial accounting for the business combination is not complete and adjustments to provisional amounts, or recognition of additional assets acquired or liabilities assumed, may occur as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. In the Company’s Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2015, the total assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on preliminary information and were subject to adjustment as new information was obtained. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, an adjustment to the fair value of total assets acquired resulted in an increase of approximately $1,000,000.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2015, the Company incurred approximately $3,239,000 in professional and legal costs in connection with the Orange-Co acquisition. These costs are included in corporate, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended June 30, 2015.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for the acquired net assets and the acquisition accounting for the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as adjusted, in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the acquisition date. These balances are subject to change when final asset valuations are obtained and the potential for liabilities has been further evaluated.

The fair value of the consideration paid for the acquisition of the net assets, as adjusted, was as follows:

The unaudited pro-forma information below for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 gives effect to this acquisition as if the acquisitions had occurred on October 1, 2013. The pro-forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations if the acquisition had been effective as of this date.

Acquisition of Citrus Grove

On September 4, 2014, Silver Nip Citrus and TRB Groves, LLC entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement pursuant to which Silver Nip Citrus purchased all of the assets on a 1,500 acre citrus grove in Charlotte County, FL for a purchase price of approximately $17,624,000. The purchase price was funded from Silver Nip Citrus’ cash and cash equivalents and $11,000,000 in term loans (see “Note 7” to the accompanying Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements). We acquired the citrus acres to increase the size of our citrus groves which we believe strengthens our market position.

The total cost of the acquisition was allocated to the assets acquired based on their estimated respective fair values in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations and was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting.

The results of operations have been included in our combined consolidated statements of operations since September 4, 2014, the date of closing. Pro-forma operating results, as if the Company had completed the acquisition at the beginning of the periods presented, are not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are not presented.

Assets acquired in the acquisition are as follows:

Sugarcane Land

On November 21, 2014, the Company completed the sale of approximately 36,000 acres of land used for sugarcane production and land leasing in Hendry County, Florida to Global Ag Properties, LLC (“Global Ag Properties”) for approximately $97,900,000 in cash. We had previously leased approximately 30,600 of these acres to United States Sugar Corporation (“USSC”) (the “USSC Lease”). The USSC Lease was assigned to Global Ag Properties in conjunction with the land sale.

Net proceeds from the sugarcane land sale of approximately $97,126,000 were deposited with a Qualified Intermediary in anticipation of the Orange-Co asset acquisition in a tax deferred like-kind exchange pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section §1031.

The sales price is subject to post-closing adjustments over a ten (10)-year period. The Company realized a gain of $42,753,000 on the sale. Initially, $29,140,000 of the gain was deferred due to the Company’s continuing involvement in the property pursuant to a post-closing agreement and the potential price adjustments. The deferral represents the Company’s estimate of the maximum exposure to loss as a result of the continuing involvement. A net gain of approximately $13,613,000 was recognized in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended June 30, 2015.

On May 1, 2015, the Company made a payment of $1,347,000 to Global Ag Properties pursuant to the sales contract. USSC’s rent is tied to the market price of sugar, and this payment is required annually in advance, to supplement the rent paid by USSC in the event that the sugar prices are below certain thresholds. This advance payment is included in other current assets at June 30, 2015.

As a result of the disposition of our sugarcane land, we are no longer involved in sugarcane operations, and, as of November 21, 2014, the Improved Farmland segment was no longer material to our business, however, the sugarcane operation has not been classified as a discontinued operation due to the post-closing adjustments, amongst other involvement, as described above.

Note 5. Common Control Acquisition

The Company completed the Merger with Silver Nip Citrus on February 28, 2015 (see “Note 1” to the accompanying Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements). Silver Nip Citrus owns approximately 7,434 acres of land, consisting primarily of citrus groves, in six Florida counties (Polk, Hardee, Osceola, Martin, Highlands and Collier). Substantially all of its revenues derive from citrus operations. As the Company and Silver Nip Citrus were under common control at the time of the Merger, we have combined the operating results of the Company and Silver Nip Citrus from the date common control began.

The Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 include the Silver Nip Citrus results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015. The Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014 include the Silver Nip Citrus results of operations from November 19, 2013 (the initial date of common control) through March 31, 2014.

Separate results for the Company and Silver Nip Citrus for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows :

Note 6. Income Taxes

Income tax expense was approximately $6,227,000 and $791,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company’s effective income tax rates were 44.5% and 43.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Income tax expense was approximately $10,940,000 and $3,236,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company’s effective income tax rates for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were 37.4% and 39.2%, respectively.

During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company revised its effective tax rates to reflect the impact of claiming certain deductions on amended federal and state income tax returns filed in prior fiscal years. Other changes to the effective tax rates relate primarily to the nondeductible nature of projected political contributions and lobbying expenses. In addition, there were limitations on certain deductions related to the vesting of the long-term incentive grants for fiscal year 2014, and non-deductible transaction costs related to the Silver Nip Citrus merger for fiscal year 2015.

The Company applies a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and nonrecognition 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 as of June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense and in income taxes payable.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is currently auditing Alico’s tax returns for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Note 7. Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit

Refinancing on December 3, 2014

The Company refinanced its outstanding debt on December 3, 2014 in connection with the Orange-Co acquisition (see “Note 4” to the accompanying Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements). The debt facilities include $113,125,000 in fixed rate term loans, $56,063,000 in variable rate term loans and a $25,000,000 revolving line of credit (“RLOC”) with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and New England Life Insurance Company (collectively “Met”) and a $70,000,000 working capital line of credit (“WCLC”) with Rabo Agrifinance, Inc. (“Rabo”).

The term loans and RLOC are secured by approximately 38,700 gross acres of citrus groves and 14,000 gross acres of farmland. The WCLC is secured by current assets and certain other personal property owned by the Company.

The term loans are subject to quarterly principal payments of $2,281,250 and mature November 1, 2029. The fixed rate term loans bear interest at 4.15% per annum, and the variable rate term loans bear interest at a rate equal to 90 day LIBOR plus 150 basis points (the “LIBOR spread”). The LIBOR spread is subject to adjustment by the lender on May 1, 2017 and every two years thereafter. Interest on the term loans is payable quarterly.

The Company may prepay up to $8,750,000 of the fixed rate term loan principal annually without penalty, and any such prepayments shall be applied to reduce subsequent mandatory principal payments. The maximum annual prepayment has been made for the current fiscal year. The variable rate term loans may be prepaid without penalty.

The RLOC bears interest at a floating rate equal to 90 day LIBOR plus 150 basis points payable quarterly. The LIBOR spread is subject to adjustment by the lender on May 1, 2017 and every two years thereafter. Outstanding principal, if any, is due at maturity on November 1, 2019. The RLOC is subject to an annual commitment fee of 25 basis points on the unused portion of the line. The RLOC is available for funding general corporate needs.

The WCLC is a revolving credit facility and is available for funding working capital and general corporate needs. The interest rate on the WCLC is based on the one month LIBOR plus a spread. The spread is adjusted quarterly based on our debt service coverage ratio for the preceding quarter and can vary from 175 to 250 basis points. The rate is currently at LIBOR plus 175 basis points. The WCLC facility matures November 1, 2016.

The WCLC is subject to a quarterly commitment fee on the daily unused availability under the line computed as the commitment amount less the aggregate of the outstanding loans and outstanding letters of credit. The commitment fee is adjusted quarterly based on our debt service coverage ratio for the preceding quarter and can vary from 20 to 30 basis points.

The WCLC agreement provides for Rabo to issue up to $20,000,000 in letters of credit on the Company’s behalf. As of June 30, 2015, there was $17,498,500 in outstanding letters of credit which correspondingly reduced our availability under the line of credit.

The Company capitalized approximately $2,834,000 of debt financing costs and recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $585,000. Deferred financing costs are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the applicable term of the loan. The capitalized deferred debt financing costs are included in other assets in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2015. The loss on extinguishment of debt is included in other income (expense), net in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended June 30, 2015.

The facilities above are subject to various covenants including the following financial covenants: (1) minimum debt service coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00, (2) tangible net worth of at least $160,000,000 increased annually by 10% of consolidated net income for the preceding year, (3) minimum current ratio of 1.50 to 1.00, (4) debt to total assets ratio not greater than .625 to 1.00, and, solely in the case of the WCLC, (5) a limit on capital expenditures of $30,000,000 per fiscal year. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of June 30, 2015.

Debt Prior to Refinancing

Prior to the December 3, 2014 refinancing, the Company had a $34,000,000 term loan and a $60,000,000 revolving line of credit (“Old RLOC”) with Rabo.

The term loan required quarterly payments of interest at a floating rate of one month LIBOR plus 225 basis points and quarterly principal payments of $500,000. The term loan was refinanced in connection with the Orange-Co acquisition.

The Old RLOC had an interest rate based on one month LIBOR plus a spread. The spread was determined based upon our debt service coverage ratio for the preceding fiscal year and could vary from 195 to 295 basis points. The rate was LIBOR plus 195 basis points at the date of the refinancing and September 30, 2014. Interest on the Old RLOC was payable quarterly. The Old RLOC was subject to an unused commitment fee of 20 basis points on the annual average unused availability. There was no balance outstanding at the time of the refinancing or September 30, 2014.

Debt financing costs incurred as a result of entry into the Rabo credit facility loan agreement, including appraisal fees, document stamps, legal costs and lender fees of approximately $1,202,000 were capitalized in fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 and were being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan. The unamortized balance of the deferred financing costs at the time of December 3, 2014 refinancing were approximately $697,000 of which approximately $375,000 was written off and expensed as a loss on extinguishment of debt and approximately $301,000 will be amortized over the applicable terms of the new loans.

At September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the financial debt covenants and terms of the Rabo loan agreement.

Silver Nip Citrus Debt

Silver Nip Citrus has various loans payable to Prudential Mortgage Capital Company, LLC (“Prudential”) as described below.

There are two fixed rate term loans with total outstanding balances of $25,930,000 and $27,550,000 at March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively. Principal of $290,000 is payable quarterly. Interest accrues at 5.35% per annum and is also payable quarterly. The Company may prepay up to $5,000,000 of principal without penalty. The loans are secured by real estate in Collier, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Martin, Osceola and Polk Counties, Florida.

In connection with the purchase of 1,500 acres of citrus grove on September 4, 2014 (see “Note 4” to the Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements) Silver Nip Citrus has a fixed rate term loan with Prudential with an outstanding balance of $5,445,000 as of March 31, 2015 that bears interest at the rate of 3.85% per annum. Principal in the amount of $55,000 is payable quarterly together with accrued interest. The loans are secured by real estate in Charlotte County, Florida.

Silver Nip Citrus also has a fixed rate term loan with Prudential with an outstanding balance of $5,445,000 at March 31, 2015 that bears interest at the rate of 3.45% per annum. The rate is subject to adjustment on September 1, 2019 and every five years thereafter until maturity. Principal of $55,000 is payable quarterly together with accrued interest. The loan is secured by real estate in Charlotte County, Florida.

Silver Nip Citrus had a $6,000,000 revolving line of credit with Prudential. Outstanding balances were $3,348,000 and $3,160,000 at March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively. The interest rate on the line is based on the three month LIBOR rate plus 275 basis points. Interest is payable semi-annually with outstanding principal due at maturity.

The Silver Nip Citrus facilities are subject to a financial covenant requiring a current ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00 measured at the end of each fiscal year. The Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the Silver Nip debt at March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

The Silver Nip Citrus facilities are personally guaranteed by George Brokaw, Remy Trafelet and Clayton Wilson.

Modification of Credit Agreements

The Silver Nip Citrus line of credit with Prudential was paid in full and terminated on April 28, 2015. Rabo has agreed, subject to certain conditions, that the Company may loan Silver Nip Citrus up to $7,000,000 on a revolving basis. These advances would be funded from either cash on hand or draws on the Company’s WCLC.

Silver Nip has provided a $7,000,000 limited guaranty and security agreement granting Rabo a security interest in crops, accounts receivable, inventory and certain other assets.

This modification required the amendment of various Prudential and Rabo loan documents and mortgages.

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

Debt Maturities

Maturities of the Company’s outstanding debt as of June 30, 2015 were as follows:

Interest costs expensed and capitalized were as follows:

Note 8. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share for our common stock is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Alico, Inc. common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is similarly calculated, except that the calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed issuance of common shares issuable under equity-based compensation plans in accordance with the treasury stock method, except where the inclusion of such common shares would have an anti-dilutive impact.

For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, basic and diluted earnings per common share were as follows

(in thousands, except per share amounts):

For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015, there were no anti-dilutive equity awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Note 9. Segments

Operating segments are defined in ASC Topic 280 as components of public entities that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses for which separate financial information is available and which is evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision makers (“CODMs”) in deciding how to assess performance and allocate resources. The Company’s CODMs assess performance and allocate resources based on five operating segments: Citrus Groves, Improved Farmland, Ranch and Conservation, Agricultural Supply Chain Management and Other Operations.

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 a citrus nursery and leasing mines and oil extraction rights to third parties.  

Total revenues represent sales to unaffiliated customers, as reported in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Intersegment sales and transfers are accounted 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 who prepare the products for consumption. The Company evaluates the segments’ performance based on direct margins (gross profit) from operations before corporate, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, other income (expense) and income taxes, not including nonrecurring gains and losses.  All intercompany transactions between the segments have been eliminated.

Information by business segment is as follows (in thousands):

Note 10. Stockholders’ Equity

Effective January 27, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Stock Incentive Plan of 2015 (the “2015 Plan”) which provides for up to an additional 1,250,000 shares available for issuance to provide a long-term incentive plan for officers, employees, directors and/or consultants to directly link incentives to stockholder value. The 2015 Plan was approved by stockholders on February 25, 2015.

The adoption of the 2015 Plan superseded the 2013 Incentive Equity Plan (“2013 Plan”), which had been in place since April 2013. In the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company awarded 12,500 restricted shares of the company’s common stock (“Restricted Stock”) to two senior executives, under the 2015 Plan. Total stock compensation expense for the restricted stock was approximately $17,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2015.

The Company also recognizes stock compensation expense for (i) Board of Directors fees (paid in treasury stock) and (ii) the Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (via restricted stock). Stock-based compensation expense for the Board of Director fees and Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan was $176,200 and $585,000 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, and $204,000 and $909,000 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. Stock compensation expense is recognized in corporate, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

In March 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock beginning March 25, 2015 and continuing through March 25, 2016. The stock repurchases were made 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. All repurchases were made by April 30, 2015. The following table illustrates the Company’s treasury stock purchases and issuances for the nine months ended June 30, 2015:

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

On March 11, 2015, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit captioned Shiva Y. Stein v. Alico, Inc., et al., No. 15-CA-000645 (the “Stein lawsuit”), was filed in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial District in and for Lee County, Florida, against Alico, Inc. (“Alico”), its current and certain former directors, 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC d/b/a Silver Nip Citrus (“Silver Nip”), 734 Investors, LLC (“734 Investors”), 734 Agriculture, LLC (“734 Agriculture”) and 734 Sub, LLC (“734 Sub”) in connection with the acquisition of Silver Nip by Alico (the “Acquisition”). The complaint alleges that Alico’s directors at the time of the Acquisition, 734 Investors and 734 Agriculture breached fiduciary duties to Alico stockholders in connection with the Acquisition and that Silver Nip and 734 Sub aided and abetted such breaches. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, monetary and equitable relief, costs, fees (including attorneys’ fees) and expenses.

On May 6, 2015, a putative stockholder class action and derivative lawsuit captioned Ruth S. Dimon Trust v. George R. Brokaw, et al., No. 15-CA-001162 (the “Dimon lawsuit”), was filed in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial District in and for Lee County, Florida, against Alico, its current directors, Silver Nip, 734 Investors and 734 Agriculture in connection with the Acquisition of Silver Nip by Alico. The complaint alleges claims for breach of fiduciary duty, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets and tortious interference with contract against Alico’s directors, unjust enrichment against three of the directors and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty against Silver Nip, 734 investors and 734 Agriculture. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, rescission of the Acquisition, an injunction prohibiting certain payments to Silver Nip shareholders, unspecified damages, disgorgement of profits, costs, fees (including attorneys’ fees) and expenses.

On July 17, 2015, the plaintiffs in the Stein and Dimon lawsuits filed a stipulation and proposed order consolidating their cases for all purposes and seeking the appointment of a lead plaintiff and lead and liaison counsel. The court entered that proposed order on July 21, 2015.

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. There are no current legal proceedings to which we are a party to or which any of our property is subject to that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Note 12. Related Party Transactions

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, represented approximately 51% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities. On November 15, 2013, 734 Investors amended and restated its LLC operating 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. Messrs. Remy W. Trafelet and George R. Brokaw are the two controlling persons of 734 Agriculture.

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

Upon the Closing of the Share Purchase, Mr. JD 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.

Silver Nip Merger Agreement

Effective February 28, 2015, the Company completed the merger (“Merger”) with 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC (“Silver Nip Citrus”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with 734 Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), Silver Nip Citrus and, solely with respect to certain sections thereof, the equity holders of Silver Nip Citrus. The ownership of Silver Nip Citrus was held by 734 Agriculture, 74.89%, Mr. Clay Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, 5% and an entity controlled by Mr. Clay Wilson owned, 20.11%.

734 Agriculture has control over both Silver Nip Citrus and the Company and therefore the Merger was treated as a common control acquisition.

At closing of the Merger, Merger Sub merged with and into Silver Nip Citrus, with Silver Nip Citrus and its affiliates surviving the Merger as wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at closing, the Company issued 923,257 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, to the holders of membership interests in Silver Nip Citrus. Silver Nip Citrus’ outstanding net indebtedness at the closing of the Merger was approximately $40,278,000 and other liabilities totaled $6,952,000. The Company acquired assets at with a book value of $65,739,000 and total net assets of $18,470,000. The shares issued were recorded at the carrying amount of the net assets transferred.

According to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the holders of the membership interests in Silver Nip Citrus will receive additional Company shares based on the value of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of citrus fruit harvested on Silver Nip Citrus’ real property during the 2014-2015 citrus season. Additional consideration due based on sales through May 31, 2015 is approximately 115,783 shares. The computation of additional consideration for the June 2015 harvest proceeds (the final proceeds of the harvest season) is pending receipt of final pricing information from processors, (see “Note 1” to the accompanying Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements).

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. On November 6, 2013, the Company and Mr. Alexander also 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 $2,000,000 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 were 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.

Ken Smith

On March 20, 2015, Ken Smith tendered his resignation as Chief Operating Officer and as an employee of the Company. Mr. Smith’s resignation includes a waiver of any rights to any payments under his Change-in-Control Agreement with the Company. On March 20, 2015, the Company and Mr. Smith also entered into a Consulting and Non-Competition Agreement under which (i) Mr. Smith will provide consulting services to the Company during the three-year period after the resignation date, (ii) Mr. Smith 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 resignation date, and (iii) the Company will pay Mr. Smith up to $1,225,000 for such services and covenants. The Company’s business operations previously managed by Mr. Smith will now be managed by Clay Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Alico. The Company does not expect to appoint an interim or ongoing Chief Operating Officer

W. Mark Humphrey

On June 1, 2015, W. Mark Humphrey tendered his resignation as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and as an employee of the Company. On June 1, 2015, the Company and Mr. Humphrey entered into a Separation and Consulting Agreement under which (i) Mr. Humphrey will provide consulting services to the Company for a one-year period after his resignation, and (ii) Mr. Humphrey will be entitled, subject to his execution, delivery, and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company, to the following benefits: (a) $100,000 in cash in a lump sum, (b) a consulting fee of $350,000 during the period commencing on his resignation date and ending on the first anniversary of his resignation date, subject to his continuing to provide services to the Company. On June 1, 2015, the Company appointed John E. Kiernan to serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Shared Services Agreement

The Company has approved, but not yet executed, a shared services agreement with Trafelet Brokaw & Co., LLC (“TBCO”) whereby the Company will reimburse TBCO for use of office space and various administrative and support services. The annual cost of the office and services is approximately $400,000. The agreement will expire in June 2016.

ITEM 2.

ALICO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Financial Statements and related notes thereto. Additional context can also be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 12, 2014.

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. Factors which may cause future outcomes to differ materially from those foreseen in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: changes in laws, regulation and rules; weather conditions that affect production, transportation, storage, demand, import and export of fresh product and their by-products, increased pressure from disease, insects and other pests; disruption of water supplies or changes in water allocations; pricing and supply of raw materials and products; market responses to industry volume pressures; pricing and supply of energy; changes in interest rates; availability of financing for land development activities and other growth opportunities; one time events; acquisitions and divestitures including our ability to achieve the anticipated results of the Orange-Co acquisition and Silver Nip Citrus merger; seasonality; labor disruptions; inability to pay debt obligations; inability to engage in certain transactions due to restrictive covenants in debt instruments; government restrictions on land use; changes in agricultural land values; changes in dividends; and market and pricing risks due to concentrated ownership of stock. 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, 2014 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Business 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 leases for mining and oil extraction rights to third parties.  We present our financial results and the related discussions based upon these five business segments (Citrus Groves, Improved Farmland, Ranch and Conservation, Agricultural Supply Chain Management and Other Operations). 

In connection with our pursuit of growth opportunities consistent with our mission, we intend to regularly evaluate potential acquisitions and divestitures and other business opportunities, some of which are material in nature.  If appropriate opportunities present themselves, we may engage in selected acquisitions, divestitures and other business growth initiatives or undertakings.  To the extent we engage in such opportunities it could, among other things, change our revenue mix, require us to obtain additional debt or equity financing and have a material impact on our business and financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Business Segments

We own approximately 121,000 acres of land in twelve Florida counties (Alachua, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Martin Osceola and Polk), and approximately 90,000 acres of mineral rights, and operate five business segments.

Recent Events

Silver Nip Merger Agreement

Effective February 28, 2015, the Company completed the merger (“Merger”) with 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC (“Silver Nip Citrus”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with 734 Sub, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), Silver Nip Citrus and, solely with respect to certain sections thereof, the equity holders of Silver Nip Citrus. The ownership of Silver Nip Citrus was held by 734 Agriculture, 74.89%, Mr. Clay Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, 5% and an entity controlled by Mr. Clay Wilson owned, 20.11%.

On November 19, 2013, 734 Agriculture and its affiliates, including 734 Investors, acquired approximately 51% of the Company’s common stock. 734 Agriculture is the sole managing member of 734 Investors. By virtue of their ownership percentage, 734 Agriculture is able to elect all of the Directors and, consequently, control Alico. 

734 Agriculture has control over both Silver Nip Citrus and the Company and therefore the Merger was treated as a common control acquisition.

At closing of the Merger, Merger Sub merged with and into Silver Nip Citrus, with Silver Nip Citrus and its affiliates surviving the Merger as wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at closing, the Company issued 923,257 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, to the holders of membership interests in Silver Nip Citrus. Silver Nip Citrus’ outstanding net indebtedness at the closing of the Merger was approximately $40,278,000 and other liabilities totaled $6,952,000. The Company acquired assets with a book value of $65,739,000 and total net assets of $18,470,000. The common shares issued were recorded at the carrying amount of the net assets transferred. The holders of membership interests in Silver Nip Citrus will also receive additional Company shares based on the value of the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of citrus fruit harvested on Silver Nip Citrus’ real property following the conclusion of the 2014-2015 citrus harvest season.

Water Storage Contract Approval

In December 2012, the South Florida Water Management District (“SFWMD”) issued a solicitation request for projects to be considered for the Northern Everglades Payment for Environmental Services Program. In March 2013, the Company submitted its response proposing a dispersed water management project on a portion of its ranch land.

On December 11, 2014, the SFWMD approved a contract with the Company. The contract term is eleven years and allows up to one year for implementation (design, permitting, construction and construction completion certification) and ten years of operation whereby the Company will provide water retention services. Payment for these services includes an amount not to exceed $4,000,000 of reimbursement for implementation. In addition, it provides for an annual fixed payment of $12,000,000 for operations and maintenance costs as long as the project is in compliance with the contract and subject to annual SFWMD Governing Board (“Board”) approval of funding. The contract specifies that the Board has to approve the payments annually, and there can be no assurance that it will approve the annual fixed payments.

During the 2015 legislative session, the Governor of Florida vetoed the legislatively approved budget for dispersed water management projects. Although SFWMD did not receive the state funds for the project payments for the next fiscal year (October 2015 through September 2016), it has options available to continue with the project.

As discussed above, the Dispersed Water Management Program Northern Everglades Payment for Environmental Services Contract between the Company and SFWMD provides that funding of the contract is subject to the District receiving funds for the project from the Florida Legislature and the District Governing Board budget appropriation.

The District budget process allows for amending the budget at any Governing Board meeting, which could allow for some funding later in the fiscal year. However, if no funds are provided and accommodation is not reached to delay work on the project until funds are available, the District would be within its rights under the contract to terminate.

Orange-Co Acquisition

On December 2, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of certain citrus and related assets of Orange-Co, LP (“Orange-Co”) pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement, which we refer to as the Orange-Co Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2014 and 51% of the ownership interests of Citree Holdings 1, LLC. The assets the Company purchased include approximately 20,263 acres of citrus groves in DeSoto and Charlotte Counties, Florida, which comprise one of the largest contiguous citrus grove properties in the state of Florida. Total assets acquired were approximately $277,792,000, net of $2,060,000 in cash acquired and $4,838,000 in fair value attributable to noncontrolling interest, including: (1) $147,500,000 in initial cash consideration funded from the proceeds of the sugarcane disposition and new term debt; (2) up to $7,500,000 in additional cash consideration to be released from escrow in equal parts, subject to certain limitations, on December 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016; (3) the refinancing of Orange-Co’s outstanding debt including approximately $92,290,000 in term debt and a working capital facility of approximately $27,857,000; and (4) the assumption of certain other liabilities totaling $4,705,000. On December 1, 2014, Alico deposited an irrevocable standby letter of credit issued by Rabo Agrifinance, Inc. (“Rabo”) in the aggregate amount of $7,500,000 into an escrow account to fund the additional cash consideration.

Sugarcane Land Disposition

On November 21, 2014, the Company completed the sale of approximately 36,000 acres of land used for sugarcane production and land leasing in Hendry County, Florida to Global Ag Properties, LLC (“Global Ag Properties”) for $97,913,921 in cash. We had previously leased approximately 30,600 of these acres to United States Sugar Corporation (the “USSC Lease”). The USSC Lease was assigned to Global Ag Properties in conjunction with the land sale.

Net proceeds from the sugarcane land sale of $97,126,000 were deposited with a Qualified Intermediary in anticipation of the Orange-Co asset acquisition in a tax deferred like-kind exchange pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section §1031 (see “Note 4” to the accompanying Condensed Combined Consolidated Financial Statements).

The sales price is subject to post-closing adjustments over a ten (10)-year period. The Company realized a gain of $42,753,000 on the sale. Initially, $29,140,000 of the gain was deferred due to the Company’s continuing involvement in the property pursuant to a post-closing agreement and the potential price adjustments. The deferral represents the Company’s estimate of the maximum exposure to loss as a result of the continuing involvement. A net gain of $13,613,000 was recognized in the Condensed Combined Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the nine months ended June 30, 2015.

On May 1, 2015, the Company made a payment of $1,347,000 to Global Ag Properties pursuant to the sales contract. The USSC Lease is tied to the market price of sugar, and this payment is required annually, in advance, to supplement the rent paid by USSC in the event that the sugar prices are below certain thresholds. This advance payment is included in other current assets at June 30, 2015.

As a result of the disposition of our sugarcane land, we are no longer involved in sugarcane, and, as of November 21, 2014, the Improved Farmland segment was no longer material to our business.

Our sugarcane land was classified as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2014. The sugarcane operation has not been classified as a discontinued operation due to the Company’s continuing involvement pursuant to the post-closing agreement described above.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a comparison of results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014:

A discussion of our segment results of operations follows.

Citrus Groves

The table below presents key operating measures for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014: