Item 1. Business

Limoneira Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1990 as the successor to several businesses with operations in California since 1893.  Our business and operations are described below.  For detailed financial information with respect to our business and our operations, see our consolidated financial statements and the related notes to consolidated financial statements, which are included in this annual report on Form 10-K beginning on page 54.  In addition, general information concerning the Company can be found on our website, the internet address of which is www.limoneira.com.  All of our SEC filings, including but not limited to, the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments thereto, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed or furnished to the SEC.

 

Overview

 

We are an agriculture and real estate development company founded and based in Santa Paula, California, committed to responsibly using and managing our approximately 7,300 acres of land, water resources and other assets to maximize long-term stockholder value.  Our current operations consist of fruit production and marketing, real estate development and capital investment activities.

 

We are one of California’s oldest citrus growers and, according to Sunkist Growers, Inc., which we refer to as Sunkist, we are one of the largest growers of lemons in the United States and, according to the California Avocado Commission, the largest grower of avocados in the United States.  In addition to growing lemons and avocados, we grow oranges and a variety of other specialty citrus and other crops.  We have agricultural plantings throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and Tulare Counties in California, which plantings consist of approximately 1,840 acres of lemons, 1,370 acres of avocados, 1,060 acres of oranges and 400 acres of specialty citrus and other crops.  We also operate our own packinghouse in Santa Paula, California, where we process and pack lemons that we grow as well as lemons grown by others.

 

Our water resources include water rights, usage rights and pumping rights to the water in aquifers under, and canals that run through, the land we own.  Water for our farming operations is sourced from the existing water resources associated with our land, which includes rights to water in the adjudicated Santa Paula Basin (aquifer) and the unadjudicated Fillmore, Santa Barbara and Paso Robles Basins (aquifers).  We also use ground water and water from local water districts in Tulare County, which is in the San Joaquin Valley.

 

For more than 100 years, we have been making strategic investments in California agricultural and development real estate, and more recently, in Arizona real estate.  As of the date of this annual report on Form 10-K, we have seven active real estate development projects in California and one in Arizona.  Our real estate developments range from apartments to luxury, single-family homes and in California include approximately 200 completed units and another approximately 2,000 units in various stages of planning and entitlement.  Our real estate development in Arizona, 6037 East Donna Circle, LLC (“Donna Circle”), consists of one luxury home in Paradise Valley, which is adjacent to Phoenix and Scottsdale. This home is currently being leased.

2010 Highlights

On May 27, 2010, shares of our common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol “LMNR”.

On July 30, 2010, we provided written notice to Sunkist Growers, Inc., which we refer to as Sunkist,  that we were terminating the Sunkist Growers, Inc. Commercial Packinghouse License Agreement dated as of October 1, 2008, which we refer to as the Sunkist License Agreement, effective November 1, 2010.  Under the Sunkist License Agreement, we were was authorized to grade, label, pack, prepare for marketing by Sunkist and ship lemons grown by us as well as other growers.  The Sunkist License Agreement also authorized us to use the SUNKIST® trademark, including any and all variations thereto, in connection with the foregoing.  

Commencing November 1, 2010, we began marketing and selling our lemons directly to our food service, wholesale and retail customers throughout North America, Asia, Australia and certain other countries.

In August 2010, the Company sold the Cactus Wren property for $3,000,000 cash, realizing net cash from escrow of $2,811,000 after selling and other closing costs. A description of the Cactus Wren Project is included below under the heading “Business Segments – Real Estate Development.”

 

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Business Segments

 

We have three business segments: agriculture, rental operations, and real estate development.  The agriculture segment includes our farming and lemon packing operations.  The rental operations segment includes our housing, organic recycling, commercial and leased land operations.  The real estate development segment includes our real estate projects and development.  Financial information and further discussion of these segments, are contained in Note 24 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Agriculture

 

Our agriculture segment includes our operations for farming and lemon packing.  The agriculture segment represented approximately 87%, 89%, and 93% of our fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 consolidated revenues, respectively.

 

Farming

 

We are one of California’s oldest citrus growers and one of the largest growers of lemons and the largest grower of avocados in the United States.  In addition to growing lemons and avocados, we grow oranges and a variety of specialty citrus and other crops.  We have agricultural plantings throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and Tulare Counties in California, which consist of approximately 1,840 acres of lemons, 1,370 acres of avocados, 1,060 acres of oranges and 400 acres of specialty citrus and other crops.  We also operate our own packinghouse in Santa Paula, California, where we process and pack lemons we grow as well as lemons grown by others.

Lemons.  We are one of the largest lemon growers in the United States with approximately 1,840 acres of lemons planted throughout Ventura County, California and Tulare County in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California.  In California, the lemon growing area stretches from the Coachella Valley to Fresno and Monterey Counties, with the majority of the growing areas being located in the coastal areas from Ventura County to Monterey County.  Ventura County is California’s top lemon producing county.  Approximately 87% of our lemons are grown in Ventura County and approximately 13% are grown in Tulare County in Central California’s San Joaquin Valley.

 

There are over fifty varieties of lemons, with the Lisbon, Eureka and Genoa being the predominant varieties marketed on a worldwide basis.  California grown lemons are available 12 months of the year, with peak production periods occurring from January through August.  Approximately 92% of our lemon plantings are of the Lisbon and Eureka varieties and approximately 8% are of other varieties.  The storage life of fresh lemons is limited and generally ranges from one to 18 weeks, depending upon the maturity of the fruit, the growing methods used and the handling conditions in the distribution chain.

 

With an average annual production of approximately 750,000 tons of lemons, California accounts for approximately 87% of the United States lemon crop, with Arizona producing a vast majority of the rest.  Between 50% and 70% percent of the United States lemon crop is utilized in the fresh market, with the remainder going to the processed market for products such as juice, oils and essences.  Most lemons are consumed as either a cooking ingredient, a garnish, or as juice in lemonade or other carbonated beverages or drinks.  Demand for lemons is typically highest in the summer, although California producers through various geographical zones are typically able to harvest lemons year round.

Prior to November 1, 2010, most of our lemons, including our packinghouse branded lemons, such as Santa® and Paula®, were marketed and sold under the Sunkist brand to the food service industry, wholesalers and retail operations throughout North America, Asia and certain other countries primarily through Sunkist Growers, Inc., an agricultural marketing cooperative with which we previously sold our lemons.  As discussed above under the heading “2010 Highlights,” effective November 1, 2010, we terminated the Sunkist License Agreement and began to market and sell our lemons directly to our food service, wholesale and retail customers throughout North America, Asia, Australia and certain other countries. 

Avocados.  We are the largest avocado grower in the United States with approximately 1,370 acres of avocados planted throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.  In California, the growing area stretches from San Diego County to Monterey County, with the majority of the growing areas located approximately 100 miles north and south of Los Angeles County.

 

 

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Over the last 70 years, the avocado has transitioned from a single specialty fruit to an array of 10 varieties ranging from the green-skinned Zutanos to the black-skinned Hass, which is the predominant avocado variety marketed on a worldwide basis.  California grown avocados are available year round, with peak production periods occurring between February and September.  Other avocado varieties have a more limited picking season and typically command a lower price.  Because of superior eating quality, the Hass avocado has contributed greatly to the avocado’s growing popularity through its retail, restaurant and other food service uses.  Approximately 98% of our avocado plantings are of the Hass variety.  The storage life of fresh avocados is limited and generally ranges from one to four weeks, depending upon the maturity of the fruit, the growing methods used and the handling conditions in the distribution chain.

 

We provide all of our avocado production to Calavo Growers, Inc., which we refer to as Calavo, a packing and marketing company listed on NASDAQ under the symbol CVGW.  Calavo’s customers include many of the largest retail and food service companies in the United States and Canada.  Our marketing relationship with Calavo dates back to 2003.  Calavo receives fruit from our orchards at its packinghouse located in Santa Paula.  Calavo’s proximity to our agricultural operations enables us to keep transportation and handling costs to a minimum. Our avocados are packed by Calavo, sold and distributed under its own brands to its customers primarily in the United States and Canada.

 

Primarily due to differing soil conditions, the care of avocado trees is intensive and during our 70-year history of growing avocados, growing techniques have changed dramatically.  The need for more production per acre to compete with foreign sources of supply has required us to take an important lead in the practice of dense planting (typically four times the number of avocado trees per acre versus traditional avocado plantings) and mulching composition to help trees acclimate under conditions that more closely resemble those found in the tropics, a better climate for avocado growth.

Oranges.  While we are primarily known for our high quality lemons, we also grow oranges.  We have approximately 1,060 acres of oranges planted throughout Tulare County in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California.  In California, the growing area stretches from Imperial County to Yolo County.

 

For many decades, the Valencia variety of oranges was grown in Ventura County primarily for export to the Pacific Rim.  Throughout the late 20th century, developing countries began producing the larger, seedless Navel variety of oranges that successfully competed against the smaller Valencia variety of oranges.  California grown Valencia oranges are available from March to October, with peak production periods occurring between June and September.  California grown Navel oranges are available from October to June, with peak production periods occurring between January and April.  Approximately 19% of our orange plantings are of the Valencia variety and approximately 81% are of the Navel variety.

 

Navel oranges comprise most of California’s orange crop, accounting for approximately 75% over the past three growing seasons. Valencia oranges account for a vast majority of the remainder of California’s orange crop.  While California produces approximately 24% of the nation’s oranges, its crop accounts for approximately 80% of those going to the fresh market.  The share of California’s crop going to fresh market, as opposed to the processed market (i.e. juices, oils and essences) varies by season, depending on the quality of the crop.

 

While Sunkist no longer markets and sells our lemons, it will continue to market and sell our oranges under the Sunkist brand to the food service industry, wholesalers and retail operations throughout the world.  As an agricultural cooperative, Sunkist coordinates the sales and marketing of our oranges and orders are processed by a packinghouse for direct shipment to customers.  We typically partner with outside packers to process and ship our oranges.  Approximately 70% of our oranges are sold to retail outlets and approximately 30% are sold to the food service industry.

 

Specialty Citrus and Other Crops.  A few decades ago in response to an ever changing marketplace, we began growing specialty citrus varieties and other crops that we believed would appeal to changing North American and worldwide demand.  As a result, we currently have approximately 400 acres of specialty citrus and other crops planted such as pummelos, Moro blood oranges, Cara Cara oranges, Satsuma mandarins, sweet Meyer lemons, proprietary seedless lemons, pink variegated lemons, Minneola tangelos, pistachios, cherries and Star Ruby grapefruit.

 

Acreage devoted to specialty citrus and other crops in California has been growing significantly over the past few decades, especially with the popularity of the Clementine, a type of mandarin orange.  We grow Satsumas, a type of mandarin orange similar to Clementine oranges.  All of our specialty citrus, other than specialty lemons such as sweet Meyer lemons, pink variegated lemons and proprietary seedless lemons, is marketed and sold under the Sunkist brand by Sunkist and packed and shipped to major retail operations in the United States through arrangements with other packers similar to our oranges.  

 

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We market our other specialty crops, such as pistachios and cherries, independently.  All of our pistachios are harvested and sold to an independent roaster, packager and marketer of nuts.  All of our cherries are harvested and sold to independent packers and shippers.

 

We have agricultural plantings on 13 properties located throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and Tulare Counties in California.  The following is a description of each such property.

 

Limoneira/Olivelands Ranch.  The Limoneira/Olivelands Ranch is the original site of the Company and consists of approximately 1,744 contiguous acres located just west of Santa Paula, California.  The Company’s headquarters, lemon packing operations and storage facilities are located on this property.  There are approximately 1,190 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consist of approximately 540 acres of lemons, 640 acres of avocados and 2 acres of specialty citrus and other crops.  The Company leases approximately 200 acres to third party agricultural tenants who grow a variety of row crops.  The Company also leases to Calavo office space located on this property. 

Orchard Farm Ranch.  The Orchard Farm Ranch consists of approximately 1,120 acres located just west of Santa Paula, California.  There are approximately 810 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consist of approximately 420 acres of lemons, 30 acres of avocados and 7 acres of specialty citrus and other crops planted by the Company and approximately 350 acres leased to third party agricultural tenants who grow a variety of row crops.  The Orchard Farm Ranch is directly adjacent to the Limoneira/Olivelands Ranch, which together comprise nearly 2,900 contiguous acres approximately eight miles from the Pacific Ocean.

 

Teague McKevett Ranch.  The Teague McKevett Ranch consists of approximately 520 acres located just east of Santa Paula, California.  There are approximately 410 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consist of approximately 210 acres of lemons and 181 acres of avocados planted by the Company and approximately 20 acres leased to third party tenants who grow a variety of row crops.  As described below under the heading “Real Estate Development”, the Teague McKevett Ranch comprises all of East Area I.

 

La Cuesta Ranch.  The La Cuesta Ranch consists of approximately 220 acres located between Santa Paula, California and Ojai, California.  The Company has approximately 130 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consist of approximately 90 acres of lemons, 30 acres of avocados and 10 acres of specialty citrus and other crops.

 

San Cayetano Ranch.  The San Cayetano Ranch consists of approximately 90 acres located between Santa Paula, California and Fillmore, California.  The Company has approximately 80 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consist of approximately 10 acres of lemons and 70 acres of avocados.

 

Sawyer Ranch.  The Sawyer Ranch consists of approximately 30 acres located between Santa Paula, California and Fillmore, California.  The Company leases this property and has approximately 30 acres of agricultural plantings consisting of approximately 10 acres of lemons and 20 acres of avocados.

 

La Campana Ranch.  The La Campana Ranch consists of approximately 320 acres located between Santa Paula, California and Fillmore, California.  The Company has approximately 290 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consists of approximately 110 acres of lemons and 180 acres of avocados.

 

Wilson Ranch.  The Wilson Ranch consists of approximately 50 acres located between Santa Paula, California and Fillmore, California.  The Company has approximately 30 acres of avocado plantings on this property.

 

Limco Del Mar Ranch.  The Limco Del Mar Ranch consists of approximately 210 acres located on the east end of Ventura, California.  As described in “Real Estate Development” below, this property is owned by a limited partnership of which the Company is the general partner and owns an interest of 23.4%, which is comprised of a 1.3% general partner interest and a 22.1% limited partner interest.  This property has approximately 190 acres of agricultural plantings consisting of 120 acres of lemons and 70 acres of avocados.  The Company manages the agricultural operations on this property.

 

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Rancho Refugio/Caldwell Ranch.  The Rancho Refugio/Caldwell Ranch consists of approximately 450 acres located north of Santa Barbara on the California Coast.  This property has approximately 210 acres of agricultural plantings consisting of approximately 90 acres of lemons, 120 acres of avocados. The Company leases this property and had an option to purchase the property at any time prior to the expiration of the lease term in early 2012.  In December 2010, the Company exercised the purchase option contained in its lease of the Rancho Refugio/Caldwell Ranch, which allows the Company to acquire the property for a purchase price of approximately $6,500,000.  Concurrently with the exercise of its purchase option, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the property for $10,000,000. The closing of each of the purchase and sale of the property are expected to occur on or about January 31, 2011. The Company estimates the gain on the $10,000,000 property sale will be approximately $1,300,000, net of the $6,500,000 property purchase, $1,500,000 remaining capitalized in leasehold improvements previously incurred on the property and $700,000 of estimated selling costs. The net cash realized from the transaction will be approximately $2,800,000. The Company expects to enter into a lemon packing agreement with the purchaser, for which it will earn certain as yet undetermined fees.  The sale of the property will result in a reduction in lemon and avocado production and related agriculture revenues, agriculture costs and expenses and operating income of approximately $1,300,000, $1,000,000 and $300,000, respectively, off-set by fees from the anticipated lemon packing agreement.

Porterville Ranch.  The Porterville Ranch consists of approximately 670 acres located about 50 miles north of Bakersfield, California.  The Company has approximately 660 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consist of approximately 150 acres of lemons, 380 acres of Navel oranges, 30 acres of Valencia oranges, and 100 acres of specialty citrus and other crops.

 

Jencks Ranch.  The Jencks Ranch consists of approximately 100 acres located about 50 miles north of Bakersfield, California.  This property is adjacent to our Porterville Ranch.  The Company has approximately 60 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consist of approximately 50 acres of Navel oranges and 10 acres of Valencia oranges.

 

Ducor Ranch.  The Ducor Ranch consists of approximately 1,030 acres located about 50 miles north of Bakersfield, California.  The Company has approximately 980 acres of agricultural plantings on this property, which consist of approximately 100 acres of lemons, 430 acres of Navel oranges, 170 acres of Valencia oranges and 280 acres of specialty citrus and other crops.

 

Lemon Packing

 

We are the oldest continuous lemon packing operation in North America.  We pack lemons grown by us as well as lemons grown by others.  Lemons delivered to our packinghouse in Santa Paula are graded, sized, packed, and cooled and ripened for delivery to customers.  Our ability to accurately estimate the size, grade, and timing of the delivery of the annual lemon crop has a substantial impact on both our costs and the sales price we receive for the fruit.

 

A significant portion of the costs related to our lemon packing operation are fixed.  Our strategy for growing the profitability of our lemon packing operations calls for optimizing the percentage of a crop that goes to the fresh market, or fresh utilization, and procuring a larger percentage of the California lemon crop.

 

We invest considerable time and research into refining and improving our lemon operations through innovation and are continuously in search of new techniques to refine how premium lemons are delivered to our consumers.

 

Rental Operations

 

Our rental operations segment includes our housing, organic recycling, commercial and leased land operations.  The rental operations segment represented approximately 7%, 11% and 7% of our fiscal 2010, 2009, and 2008 consolidated revenues, respectively.

 

Housing

 

The Company owns and maintains approximately 193 residential housing units located in Ventura and Tulare Counties that it leases to employees, former employees and non-employees.  We expect to add approximately 74 new units in Santa Paula, California as a result of recently receiving approval from the Ventura County Planning Commission to build new residential housing units.  These properties generate reliable cash flows which we use to partially fund the operating costs of our business and provide affordable housing for many of our employees and the community.

 

Commercial

 

The Company owns several commercial office buildings and a multi-use facility consisting of a retail convenience store, gas station, car wash, and quick-serve restaurant.  As with our housing units, these properties generate reliable cash flows which we use to partially fund the operating costs of our business.

 

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Leased Land

 

As of October 31, 2010, we lease approximately 590 acres of our land to third party agricultural tenants who grow a variety of row crops such as strawberries, raspberries, celery and cabbage.  Our leased land business typically provides us with a profitable method to diversify the use of our land.

 

Organic Recycling

 

With the help of Agromin, a manufacturer of premium soil products and a green waste recycler located in Oxnard, California, we have created and implemented an organic recycling program.  Agromin provides green waste recycling for approximately 19 cities in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.  We worked with Agromin to develop two organic recycling facilities, one on our land in Ventura County and another in Los Angeles County, to receive green materials (lawn clipping, leaves, bark, plant materials) and convert such material into mulch that we spread throughout our agricultural properties to help curb erosion, improve water efficiency, reduce weeds and moderate soil temperatures.  We receive a percentage of the gate fees collected from regional waste haulers and enjoy the benefits of the organic material.

 

Real Estate Development

 

Our real estate development segment includes our real estate development operations.  The real estate development segment represented 6% of our consolidated revenues in fiscal 2010, less than 1% of our consolidated revenues in fiscal 2009 and did not generate any significant revenues during fiscal 2008. 

For more than 100 years, we have been making strategic real estate investments in California agricultural and developable real estate and more recently, in Arizona.  Our current real estate developments include developable land parcels, single- and multi- family affordable housing and a luxury single-family home with nearly 2,000 units in various stages of planning and development.  The following is a summary of each of the strategic agricultural and development real estate investment properties in which we own an interest:

 

East Area I - Santa Paula, California.  Santa Paula East Area I consists of 520 acres that we presently use as agricultural land and is located in Santa Paula approximately ten miles from the City of Ventura and the Pacific Ocean.  This property is also known as our Teague McKevett Ranch.  We believe East Area I is an ideal location for a master planned community of commercial and residential properties designed to satisfy expected demand in a region that we believe will have few other developments in this coming decade.  In 2008, after we completed a process of community planning and environmental review, the citizens of Santa Paula voted to approve the annexation of East Area I into Santa Paula.  This vote was a requirement of the Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources, or SOAR, ordinance that mandates a public vote of the City of Santa Paula for land use conversion.  We are currently in the process of obtaining final documentation to complete the entitlement and have executed a 30-year pre-annexation and development agreement with Santa Paula.  The development agreement with the City of Santa Paula related to East Area I was approved by ordinance No. 1191 on March 17, 2008 (which ordinance became effective by its terms on April 17, 2008) and contemplates a development project consisting of up to 1,500 residential units and an estimated 810,800 square feet of office, retail, light industrial and civic facilities, together with schools, park sites and open spaces.  The final discretionary approval required prior to construction of the project is the annexation of the land into the City of Santa Paula.  The action is taken by the Local Agency Formation Commission, which we refer to as LAFCO, and is due to be considered for approval by this agency during our fiscal year 2011.  The remaining permits are non-discretionary and include a final tract map, complete “Site Civil Construction Drawings” and offsite construction drawings, which we will commence with following the annexation of the land.   We expect to develop this property with financial and development partners, outside consultants and our own internal resources.  If current U.S. economic conditions continue to deteriorate, however, we are prepared to continue using this land for agricultural purposes until attractive development opportunities present themselves.

 

East Area II - Santa Paula, California.  We and our design associates are in the process of formulating plans for East Area II, a parcel of approximately 30 acres adjacent to East Area I, also a part of our Teague McKevett Ranch, that we believe is suited to commercial and/or industrial development along the south side of California Highway 126, a heavily traveled corridor that connects Highway 101 at Ventura on the west with Interstate 5 at Santa Clarita on the east.  When completed, we expect that the development will contribute to the economic vitality of the region and allow residents to work and shop within close proximity to their homes.

 

The successful development of East Area II will be partly dependent on the success of East Area I described above.  We expect that East Area II could accommodate large retailers, a medium or large employer, a complex of mixed business and retail, or some combination of the foregoing.  We are actively cultivating prospects to buy or become future tenants in East Area II and expect that development will closely follow the build-out of East Area I.

 

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Windfall Farms - Creston, California.  Windfall Farms is an approximately 720-acre former thoroughbred breeding farm and equestrian facility located in Creston, California, near Paso Robles.  The property has paved roads, water wells, irrigation, piping, stables, homes, other out-buildings and a race track.  Presently, parcels of at least 40 acres are available for sale.  However, restrictions imposed by the California Land Conservation Act (also known as the Williamson Act) expire at the end of 2012, at which time 76 parcels as large as ten acres can be subdivided and resold, creating small agricultural parcels with home sites.

Santa Maria - Santa Barbara County, California.  In early fiscal 2007, we invested in four entitled development parcels in Santa Barbara County, California, a county that, in our experience, entitles very few parcels.  Located in Santa Maria, each of these parcels offers a residential and/or commercial development opportunity.  A brief description of each parcel is as follows:

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Centennial Square has been approved for 72 condominiums on 5 acres, is close to medical facilities, shopping and transportation, and includes one acre zoned for commercial development.

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The Terraces at Pacific Crest is an approximately eight-acre parcel approved for 112 attached-housing units.

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Sevilla is approved for 69 single-family homes adjacent to shopping, transportation, schools, parks, and medical facilities, with a parcel of approximately three-acres zoned for commercial use.

 

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East Ridge is approved for 120 single family homes on approximately 40 acres.  Approximately 3 acres are zoned for commercial use.  In February 2010, the Company and a developer formed a limited liability corporation for the purpose of developing this property.

 

Donna Circle and Cactus Wren - Paradise Valley, Arizona.  We partnered with an Arizona home developer to construct two luxury homes in Paradise Valley, Arizona.  The first home, which we refer to as Donna Circle, was completed in December 2008 and listed for sale.  In June 2009, we decided not to sell the Donna Circle project and instead executed a two year lease agreement with a third party.  The agreement contains an option to extend the lease an additional year and the third-party may purchase the home during the option period.  The second home, which we refer to as the Cactus Wren, was completed in June 2009 and sold in August 2010 for $3,000,000 cash, resulting in a realization of net cash from escrow of approximately $2,811,000 after selling and other closing costs.   

Limco Del Mar Ranch - Ventura, California.  We believe our Limco Del Mar Ranch, which we currently use for agricultural purposes, has long-term development potential.  The Limco Del Mar Ranch is located on the east end of Ventura with southerly views of the Pacific Ocean.  As described above in “Business Segments - Agriculture - Farming,” this property is owned by a limited partnership of which we are the general partner and own an interest of approximately 23%.  The Company manages the agricultural operations on this property.

Competitive Strengths

Agriculture

 

With agricultural operations dating back to 1893, we are one of California’s oldest citrus growers and one of the largest growers of lemons and the largest grower of avocados in the United States.  Consequently, we have developed a body of experience with many crops, most significantly lemons, avocados and oranges.  The following is a brief list of what we believe are our significant competitive strengths with respect to our agriculture segment.

 

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Our agricultural properties in Ventura County are located near the Pacific ocean, which provides an ideal environment for growing lemons, avocados and other row crops.  Our agricultural properties in Tulare County, which is in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California, are also located in areas that are well-suited for growing citrus crops.

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Historically, a higher percentage of our crops go to the fresh market, which is commonly referred to as fresh utilization, than other growers and packers with which we compete.

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We have contiguous and nearby land resources that permit us to efficiently use our agricultural land and resources.

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In all but one of our properties, we are not dependent on State or Federal water projects to support our agriculture or real estate development operations.

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We own approximately 90% of our agricultural land and take a long view on fruit production practices.

 

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We have a well-trained and retentive labor force with many employees remaining with the Company for more than 30 years.

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Our lemon packing operations allow us to enter into marketing alignments with successful companies in their respective products.

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We have achieved GLOBALGAP Certification by successfully demonstrating our adherence to specific GLOBALGAP standards.  GLOBALGAP is an internationally recognized set of farm standards dedicated to “Good Agricultural Practices” or GAP.  We believe that GLOBALGAP Certification differentiates us from our competitors and serves as reassurance to consumers and retailers that food reaches acceptable levels of safety and quality, and has been produced sustainably, respecting the health, safety and welfare of workers, the environment, and in consideration of animal welfare issues.

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We have made investments in ground-based solar projects that provide us with tangible and intangible non-revenue generating benefits.  The electricity generated by these investments, provides us with a majority of the electricity required to operate our packinghouse and cold storage facilities located in Santa Paula and provides a majority of the electricity required to operate four deep-water well pumps at one of our ranches in Tulare County. Additionally, these investments support our sustainable agricultural practices, reduce our dependence on fossil-based electricity generation and lower our carbon footprint.  Moreover, electricity that we generate and do not use is conveyed seamlessly back to the investor-owned utilities operating in these two markets.  Finally, over time, we expect that our customers and the end consumers of our fruit will value the investments that we have made in renewable energy as a part of our farming and packing operations, which we believe may help us differentiate our products from similar commodities.

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We have made various other investments in water rights, mutual water companies and cooperative memberships.  We own shares in the following mutual water companies: Thermal Belt Mutual Water Co., Farmers Irrigation Co., Canyon Irrigation Co., San Cayetano Mutual Water Co. and the Middle Road Mutual Water Co.  In 2007, we acquired additional water rights in the adjudicated Santa Paula Basin (aquifer).

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Until October 31, 2010, we were a member of the Sunkist cooperative and continue to belong to certain other cooperatives.  We paid Sunkist and continue to pay certain other cooperatives annual assessments into revolving funds based on sales volume or other criteria, with such funds typically being held by the applicable cooperative for a period of five years at which time they are refunded to us. We also pay into revolving funds related to fruit that we have packed by outside packing houses, with such funds typically being refunded after a period of five years.  The aggregate balance of such revolving funds was $462,000 and $514,000 at October 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and the net change in the funds was a net (refund) or contribution of ($52,000), ($61,000) and $40,000 for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Rental Operations

 

With respect to our rental operations segment, we believe our competitive advantages are as follows:

 

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Our housing and land rentals provide a consistent, dependable source of cash flow that helps to counter the volatility typically associated with an agricultural business.

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Our housing rental business allows us to offer a unique benefit to our employees, which in turn helps to provide us with a dependable, long-term employee base.

·

Our organic recycling business provides us with a low cost, environmentally friendly solution to weed and erosion control.

·

Our leased land business allows us to partner with other producers that can serve as a typically profitable alternative to under-producing tree crop acreage.

 

 

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Real Estate Development

 

With respect to our real estate development segment, we believe our competitive advantages are as follows:

 

·

Our real estate development activities are primarily focused in coastal areas north of Los Angeles and south of Santa Barbara, which we believe has a desirable climate for lifestyle families, retirees, and athletic and sports enthusiasts.

·

We have entitlements to build approximately 1,500 residential units in our Santa Paula East Area I development and 373 residential units in our Santa Maria properties.

·

Several of our agricultural and real estate investment properties are unique and carry longer term development potential. These include Limco Del Mar and Windfall Farms, both as discussed above in “Business Segments - Real Estate Development.”

·

Our East Area II property has approximately 30 acres of land commercially zoned, which is adjacent to our East Area I property, and our Santa Maria properties have approximately 10 acres zoned for mixed use retail, commercial and light manufacturing.

 

Business Strategy

 

While each of our business segments has a separate business strategy, we are an agriculture and real estate development company that generates annual cash flows to support investments in agricultural and real estate development activities.  As our agricultural and real estate development investments are monetized we intend to seek to expand our agriculture into new regions and markets and invest in cash producing residential, commercial and industrial real estate assets.

 

The following describes the key elements of our business strategy for each of our agriculture, rental operations and real estate development business segments.

 

Agriculture

 

With respect to our agriculture segment, key elements of our strategy are:

 

·

Expand International Production and Marketing of Lemons.  We estimate that we currently have approximately 5% of the fresh lemon market in the United States and a larger share of the United States lemon export market.  We intend to explore opportunities to expand our international production and marketing of lemons.  We have the ability to supply a wide range of customers and markets and, because we produce high quality lemons, we can export our lemons to international customers, which many of our competitors are unable to supply.

·

Acquire Additional Lemon Producing Properties.  To the extent attractive opportunities arise and our capital availability permits, we intend to consider the acquisition of additional lemon producing properties.  In order to be considered, such properties would need to have certain characteristics to provide acceptable returns, such as an adequate source of water, a warm micro-climate and well-drained soils.  We anticipate that the most attractive opportunities to acquire lemon producing properties will be in the San Joaquin Valley near our existing operations in Tulare County.

·

Increase the Volume of our Lemon Packing Operations.  We regularly monitor our costs for redundancies and opportunities for cost reductions.  In this regard, cost per carton is a function of throughput.  We continually seek to acquire additional lemons from third party growers to pack through our plant. Growers are only added if we determine their fruit is of good quality and can be cost effective for both us and the third party grower.  Of most importance is the overall fresh utilization rate for our fruit, which is directly related to quality.

·

Explore the Construction of a New Lemon Packinghouse.  Over the years, new machinery and equipment along with upgrades have been added to our nearly 80 year old packinghouse and cold storage facilities.  This, along with an aggressive and proactive maintenance program has allowed us to operate an efficient, competitive lemon packing operation.  We are continuing to consider the construction of a new packinghouse that may have the potential to lower our packing costs by reducing labor and handling inputs.

·

Opportunistically Expand our Plantings of Avocados.  We intend to opportunistically expand our plantings of avocados primarily because our profitability and cash flow realized from our avocados frequently offsets occasional losses in other crops we grow and helps to diversify our fruit production base.

 

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·

Maintain and Grow our Relationship with Calavo.  Our alignment with, and ownership stake in, Calavo comprises our current marketing strategy for avocados.  Calavo has expanded its sourcing into other regions of the world, including Mexico, Chile, and Peru, which allows it to supply avocados to its retail and food service customers on a year-round basis.  California avocados occupy a unique market window in the year-round supply chain and Calavo has experienced a general expansion of volume as consumption has grown.  Thus, we intend to continue to have a strong and viable market for our California avocados as well as an equity participation in Calavo’s overall expansion and profitability.

·

Opportunistically Expand Our Plantings of Oranges, Specialty Citrus and Other Crops.  Our plantings of oranges, specialty citrus and other crops have been profitable and have been pursued to diversify our product line.  Agricultural land that we believe is not suitable for lemons is typically planted with other specialty citrus or other crops.  While we intend to expand our orange, specialty citrus and other crops, we expect to do so on an opportunistic basis in locations that we believe offer a record of historical profitability.

Rental Operations

 

With respect to our rental operations segment, key elements of our strategy include the following:

 

·

Secure Additional Rental and Housing Units.  Our housing, commercial and land rental operations provide us with a consistent, dependable source of cash flow that helps to fund our overall activities.  Additionally, we believe our housing rental operation allows us to offer a unique benefit to our employees.  Consequently, we intend to secure additional units through infill projects on existing sites and groupings of units on new sites within our owned acreage.

·

Opportunistically Lease Land to Third-Party Crop Farmers.  We regularly monitor the profitability of our fruit-producing acreage to ensure acceptable per acre returns.  When we determine that leasing the land to third-party row crop farmers would be more profitable than farming the land, we intend to seek to lease such land.

·

Opportunistically Expand our Income-Producing Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Assets.  We intend to redeploy our future financial gains to acquire additional income-producing real estate investments and agricultural properties.

 

Real Estate

 

With respect to our real estate segment, key elements of our strategy include:

 

·

Selectively and Responsibly Develop Our Agricultural Land.  We recognize that long-term strategies are required for successful real estate development activities.  We thus intend to maintain our position as a responsible agricultural land owner and major employer in Ventura County while focusing our real estate development activities on those agricultural land parcels that we believe offer the best opportunities to demonstrate our long-term vision for our community.

·

Opportunistically Increase Our Real Estate Holdings.  We intend to redeploy our future financial gains to acquire additional income-producing real estate investments and agricultural properties.

Customers

 

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, Sunkist marketed and sold nearly all of our lemon production and a majority of our orange production and Calavo marketed and sold through all of our avocado production.  Our lemons are packed in our own packinghouse, our avocados are packed using Calavo and a majority of our oranges are packed using other third-party, Sunkist-affiliated packinghouses.  We directly sell certain of our specialty citrus and other crops, which for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, accounted for less than 1% of our revenues.  Sunkist and Calavo market and sell our fruit to a wide range of retail and food service customers throughout North America, Asia and certain other countries. None of the respective customers of Sunkist or Calavo to our knowledge account for more than 10% of the sales of either organization or the loss of which would have a material adverse effect on us.  Effective November 1, 2010, we terminated the Sunkist License Agreement and now market and sell all of our lemon production directly to food service, wholesale and retail customers throughout North America, Asia, Australia and certain other countries.

 

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Information about Geographic Areas

 

Customers from within the United States, which includes Sunkist and Calavo, comprised 100% of our revenue for fiscal years 2010, 2009, and 2008.  Also, all of our long-lived assets are located within the United States.

Seasonal Nature of Business

 

As with any agriculture enterprise, our agriculture operations are predominantly seasonal in nature.  The harvest and sale of our lemons, avocados, oranges and specialty citrus and other crops occurs in all quarters, but is generally more concentrated during our second and third quarters.  Our lemons are generally grown and marketed throughout the year. Our Navel oranges are primarily sold January through April and our Valencia oranges are primarily sold June through September.  Our avocados are sold generally throughout the year with the peak months being March through July.  Our specialty citrus is sold from November through June and our specialty crops, such as cherries, are sold in May and/or June and our pistachios are sold in September and/or October.

 

Competition

 

The lemon, avocado, orange and specialty citrus and other crop markets are intensely competitive, but no single producer has any significant market power over any market segments, as is consistent with the production of most agricultural commodities. Generally, there are a large number of global producers that sell through joint marketing organizations and cooperatives.  Such fruit is also sold to independent packers, both public and private, who then sell to their own customer base.  Customers are typically large retail chains, food service companies, industrial manufacturers and distributors who sell and deliver to smaller customers in local markets throughout the world.  In the purest sense, our largest competitors are other citrus and avocado producers in California, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Florida, a number of which are members of cooperatives such as Sunkist or have selling relationships with Calavo similar to that of Limoneira.  In another sense, we compete with other fruits and vegetables for the share of consumer expenditures devoted to fresh fruit and vegetables: apples, pears, cherries, melons, pineapples and other tropical fruit. Avocado products compete in the supermarket with hummus products and other dips and salsas.  U.S. producers of tree fruits and nuts generate approximately $18 billion of tree fruits and nuts each year, about 10% of which is exported. For our specific crops, the size of the U.S. market is approximately $300 million for lemons, approximately $300 to $400 million for avocados depending on the year, and approximately $1.5 to $2.0 billion for oranges, both fresh and juice.  Competition in the various markets in which we operate is affected by reliability of supply, product quality, brand recognition and perception, price and the ability to satisfy changing customer preferences through innovative product offerings.

 

The sale and leasing of residential, commercial and industrial real estate is very competitive, with competition coming from numerous and varied sources throughout California.  The degree of competition has increased due to the current economic climate, which has caused an oversupply of comparable real estate available-for-sale or lease due to the decline in demand as a result of the current downturn in the housing market and the credit crisis.  Our greatest direct competition for each of our current real estate development properties in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties as well as Arizona comes from other residential and commercial developments in nearby areas.  Windfall Farms competes generally with the second home and life style real estate market, which includes golf course communities, marinas, destination resorts and other equestrian facilities located in Southern California, and, therefore, its competition ranges over a greater area and range of consumer options.

 

Intellectual Property

Prior to November 1, 2010, most of our lemons were marketed and sold under the Sunkist brand.  Effective November 1, 2010, the Company terminated the Sunkist License Agreement for the sale and marketing of lemons and began marketing and selling lemons directly to its customers.  The Company has numerous trademarks and brands under which it markets and sells its fruits, particularly lemons, domestically and internationally, many of which have been owned for decades.  The Limoneira brands of lemons, including Santa®, Paula® Bridal Veil®, Fountain®, Golden Bowl® and Level®, are examples of such trademarks owned by the Company and registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  Under the Company’s direct lemon sales strategy, trademark rights in our brands is, and will continue to be, more important than in the past when our lemons were marketed and sold under the Sunkist brand.

 

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Employees

 

At October 31, 2010 we had 206 employees, 53 of which were salaried and 153 of which were hourly.  None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.  We believe our relations with our employees are good.

 

Research and Development

 

Our research and development programs concentrate on sustaining the productivity of our agricultural lands, product quality and value-added product development.  Agricultural research is directed toward sustaining and improving product yields and product quality by examining and improving agricultural practices in all phases of production (such as the development of specifically adapted plant varieties, land preparation, fertilization, pest and disease control, post-harvest handling, packing and shipping procedures), and includes on-site technical services and the implementation and monitoring of recommended agricultural practices.  Research efforts are also directed towards integrated pest management.  We conduct agricultural research at field facilities in Santa Paula, California. We also sponsor research related to environmental improvements and the protection of worker and community health.  The aggregate amounts we spent on research and development in each of the last three years have not been material in any of such years.

 

Environmental and Regulatory Matters

 

The California State Department of Food and Agriculture oversees the packing and processing of California lemons and conducts tests for fruit quality and packaging standards.  All of our packages are stamped with the state seal, which qualifies our fruit as meeting standards.  Various states have instituted regulations providing differing levels of oversight with respect to weights and measures, as well as quality standards.

 

In addition, advertising of our products is subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission, and our operations are subject to certain health and safety regulations, including those issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

 

As a result of our agricultural and real estate activities, we are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern the treatment, handling, storage and disposal of materials and waste and the remediation of contaminated properties.

 

We seek to comply at all times with all such laws and regulations and to obtain any necessary permits and licenses, and we are not aware of any instances of material non-compliance.  We believe our facilities and practices are sufficient to maintain compliance with applicable governmental laws, regulations, permits and licenses.  Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that we will be able to comply with any future laws and regulations for necessary permits and licenses.  Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or obtain any necessary permits and licenses could subject us to civil remedies including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions. These remedies can increase costs, decrease revenues and lead to additional charges to earnings, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Capital Structure Changes

 

Effective March 24, 2010, we amended our certificate of incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock and effect a ten-for-one split of our common stock.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk.  There are numerous and varied risks, known and unknown, that may prevent us from achieving our goals.  The risks described below are not the only ones we will face.  If any of the following risks or other risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or future prospects could be materially and adversely affected.  In such event, the trading price of our common stock could decline and investors in our common stock could lose all or part of their investment.

Risks Related to Our Agriculture Business

Adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, crop disease, pests and other natural conditions can impose significant costs and losses on our business.

Fresh produce is vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, including windstorms, floods, drought and temperature extremes, which are quite common but difficult to predict.  Unfavorable growing conditions can reduce both crop size and crop quality.  In extreme cases, entire harvests may be lost in some geographic areas.  These factors can increase costs, decrease revenues and lead to additional charges to earnings, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Citrus and avocado orchards are subject to damage from frost and freezes and this has happened periodically in the recent past.  In some cases, the fruit is simply lost while in the case of extended periods of cold, the trees can also be damaged or killed.

Fresh produce is also vulnerable to crop disease and to pests, e.g. the Mediterranean Fruit Fly and the Asian Citrus Psyillid (“ACP”), which may vary in severity and effect, depending on the stage of production at the time of infection or infestation, the type of treatment applied and climatic conditions.

On December 31, 2010, the California Department of Food and Agriculture expanded its existing quarantine area and related restrictions to include all of Ventura County and a portion of Santa Barbara County due to the discovery of ACP infestation in Ventura County, near the Company’s orchards. ACP quarantines are now in place in Ventura, San Diego, Imperial, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and a portion of Santa Barbara Counties in California.  The quarantine prohibits the movement of nursery stock out of quarantine areas and requires that all citrus fruit be cleaned of leaves and stems prior to movement out of the quarantine area.  87% of the Company’s lemon orchards are located in the quarantine area.

ACP is an aphid –like insect that is a serious pest to all citrus plants because it can transmit the disease, Huanglonbing (“HLB”), when it feeds on the plants’ leaves and trees.  By itself, ACP causes only minor cosmetic damage to citrus trees.  HLB, however, is considered to be the most devastating disease of citrus in the world.  Symptoms of HLB include yellow shoots, leaf mottle, small upright leaves and lopsided fruit with a bitter flavor.  Trees infected with HLB decline in health, produce inedible fruit and eventually die, usually in 3 to 5 years after becoming infected.  There is no cure for the disease and infected trees must be removed and destroyed to prevent further spreading.  Both ACP and HLB are federal action quarantine pests subject to interstate and international quarantine restrictions by the United States Department of Agriculture.  ACP and HLB exist in Florida, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina.  ACP has been detected but not HLB in Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.   ACP and HLB also exist in Mexico and certain other countries.

To date, ACP has not been discovered on the Company’s orchards and HLB has not been detected in trapped ACP or trees in California, but there can be no assurance that HLB will not be detected in the future.   The quarantine and treatment of ACP under current protocols is not expected to have a significant direct financial impact on the Company.  There are a number of registered insecticides known to be effective against ACP.  However, certain markets and customer responses to the discovery of ACP and the related quarantine could result in a significant decline in revenue due to restrictions on where the Company’s lemons can be sold and lower demand for the Company’s lemons.  Additional government regulations and other quarantine requirements or customer handling and inspection requirements could increase agriculture costs to the Company.  The Company’s citrus orchards could be at risk if ACP starts to transmit the HLB disease to the Company’s trees. Agriculture costs could also increase significantly as a result of HLB.  For example, a recent study in Florida indicated the presence of HLB has increased citrus production costs by as much as 40%.  

The costs to control these diseases and other infestations vary depending on the severity of the damage and the extent of the plantings affected.  Moreover, there can be no assurance that available technologies to control such infestations will continue to be effective.  These infestations can increase costs, decrease revenues and lead to additional charges to earnings, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Our business is highly competitive and we cannot assure you that we will maintain our current market share.

Many companies compete in our different businesses.  However, only a few well-established companies operate on an international, national and regional basis with one or several product lines.  We face strong competition from these and other companies in all our product lines.

Important factors with respect to our competitors include the following:

·

Some of our competitors may have greater operating flexibility and, in certain cases, this may permit them to respond better or more quickly to changes in the industry or to introduce new products and packaging more quickly and with greater marketing support.

·

We cannot predict the pricing or promotional actions of our competitors or whether those actions will have a negative effect on us.

There can be no assurance that we will continue to compete effectively with our present and future competitors, and our ability to compete could be materially adversely affected by our debt levels and debt service requirements.

Our strategy of marketing and selling our lemons directly to our food service, wholesale and retail customers may not be successful.

Prior to November 1, 2010, most of our lemons, including our packinghouse branded lemons, such as Santa® and Paula®, were marketed and sold under the Sunkist brand to the food service industry, wholesalers and retail operations throughout North America, Asia and certain other countries primarily through Sunkist, an agricultural marketing cooperative with which we previously sold our lemons.  Effective November 1, 2010, we terminated the Sunkist License Agreement and began to market and sell our lemons directly to our food service, wholesale and retail customers throughout North America, Asia, Australia and certain other countries.  This represents a significant departure from our traditional method of selling our lemons through Sunkist, and there can be no assurance that such strategy will be successful.  If we are not successful in implementing this strategy, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Our earnings are sensitive to fluctuations in market prices and demand for our products.

Excess supplies often cause severe price competition in our industry.  Growing conditions in various parts of the world, particularly weather conditions such as windstorms, floods, droughts and freezes, as well as diseases and pests, are primary factors affecting market prices because of their influence on the supply and quality of product.

Fresh produce is highly perishable and generally must be brought to market and sold soon after harvest.  Some items, such as avocados, oranges and specialty citrus, must be sold more quickly, while other items can be held in cold storage for longer periods of time.  The selling price received for each type of produce depends on all of these factors, including the availability and quality of the produce item in the market, and the availability and quality of competing types of produce.

In addition, general public perceptions regarding the quality, safety or health risks associated with particular food products could reduce demand and prices for some of our products.  To the extent that consumer preferences evolve away from products that we produce for health or other reasons, and we are unable to modify our products or to develop products that satisfy new consumer preferences, there will be a decreased demand for our products.  However, even if market prices are unfavorable, produce items which are ready to be, or have been harvested must be brought to market promptly.  A decrease in the selling price received for our products due to the factors described above could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Our earnings are subject to seasonal variability.

Our earnings may be affected by seasonal factors, including:

·

the seasonality of our supplies and consumer demand;

·

the ability to process products during critical harvest periods; and

·

the timing and effects of ripening and perishability.

Our lemons are generally grown and marketed throughout the year.  Our Navel oranges are sold January through April and our Valencia oranges are sold June through September.  Our avocados are sold generally throughout the year with the peak months being March through July.  Our specialty citrus is sold from November through June, our cherries in the May/June time period and our pistachios in the September/October period.

Currency exchange fluctuation may impact the results of our operations.

We distribute our products both nationally and internationally.  Our international sales are transacted in U.S. dollars.  Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates in both sourcing and selling locations.  In the past, periods of a strong U.S. dollar relative to other currencies has led international customers, particularly in Asia, to find alternative sources of fruit.

Increases in commodity or raw product costs, such as fuel, paper, and plastics, could adversely affect our operating results.

Many factors may affect the cost and supply of fresh produce, including external conditions, commodity market fluctuations, currency fluctuations, changes in governmental laws and regulations, agricultural programs, severe and prolonged weather conditions and natural disasters.  Increased costs for purchased fruit have in the past negatively impacted our operating results, and there can be no assurance that they will not adversely affect our operating results in the future.

The price of various commodities can significantly affect our costs.  Our fuel costs have increased substantially in recent years, and there can be no assurance that there will not be further increases in the future.  In addition, the rising price of oil can have a significant impact on the cost of our herbicides and pesticides.

The cost of paper is also significant to us because some of our products are packed in cardboard boxes for shipment.  If the price of paper increases and we are not able to effectively pass these price increases along to our customers, then our operating income will decrease.  Increased costs for paper have in the past negatively impacted our operating income, and there can be no assurance that these increased costs will not adversely affect our operating results in the future.

The lack of sufficient water would severely impact our ability to produce crops or develop real estate.

The average rainfall in Ventura County is between 14 and 15 inches per year, with most of it falling in fall and winter.  These amounts are substantially below amounts required to grow crops and therefore we are dependent on our rights to pump water from underground aquifers.  Extended periods of drought in California may put additional pressure on the use and availability of water for agricultural uses and in some cases Governmental authorities have diverted water to other uses.  As California has grown, there are increasing and multiple pressures on the use and distribution of water, which many view as a finite resource.  Lack of available potable water can also limit real estate development.

The use of herbicides, pesticides and other potentially hazardous substances in our operations may lead to environmental damage and result in increased costs to us.

We use herbicides, pesticides and other potentially hazardous substances in the operation of our business.  We may have to pay for the costs or damages associated with the improper application, accidental release or the use or misuse of such substances.  Our insurance may not be adequate to cover such costs or damages or may not continue to be available at a price or under terms that are satisfactory to us.  In such cases, payment of such costs or damages could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Global capital and credit market issues affect our liquidity, increase our costs of borrowing and disrupt the operations of our suppliers and customers.

The global capital and credit markets have experienced increased volatility and disruption over the past year, making it more difficult for companies to access those markets.  We depend in part on stable, liquid and well-functioning capital and credit markets to fund our operations.  Although we believe that our operating cash flows and existing credit facilities will permit us to meet our financing needs for the foreseeable future, there can be no assurance that continued or increased volatility and disruption in the capital and credit markets will not impair our liquidity or increase our costs of borrowing.  Our business could also be negatively impacted if our suppliers or customers experience disruptions resulting from tighter capital and credit markets or a slowdown in the general economy.

The current global economic downturn may have other impacts on participants in our industry, which cannot be fully predicted.

The full impact of the current global economic downturn on customers, vendors and other business partners cannot be anticipated.  For example, major customers or vendors may have financial challenges unrelated to us that could result in a decrease in their business with us or, in extreme cases, cause them to file for bankruptcy protection.  Similarly, parties to contracts may be forced to breach their obligations under those contracts.  Although we exercise prudent oversight of the credit ratings and financial strength of our major business partners and seek to diversify our risk to any single business partner, there can be no assurance that there will not be a bank, insurance company, supplier, customer or other financial partner that is unable to meet its contractual commitments to us.  Similarly, stresses and pressures in the industry may result in impacts on our business partners and competitors, which could have wide ranging impacts on the future of the industry.

Terrorism and the uncertainty of war may have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Terrorist attacks, such as the attacks that occurred in New York and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001, the subsequent response by the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations, and other acts of violence or war in the United States or abroad may affect the markets in which we operate and our operations and profitability.  Further terrorist attacks against the United States or operators of United States-owned businesses outside the United States may occur, or hostilities could develop based on the current international situation.  The potential near-term and long-term effect these attacks may have on our business operations, our customers, the markets for our products, the United States economy and the economies of other places we source or sell our products is uncertain.  The consequences of any terrorist attacks, or any armed conflicts, are unpredictable, and we may not be able to foresee events that could have an adverse effect on our markets or our business.

We are subject to the risk of product contamination and product liability claims.

We are subject to transportation risks.

An extended interruption in our ability to ship our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Similarly, any extended disruption in the distribution of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  While we believe we are adequately insured and would attempt to transport our products by alternative means if we were to experience an interruption due to strike, natural disasters or otherwise, we cannot be sure that we would be able to do so or be successful in doing so in a timely and cost-effective manner.

 

 

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Events or rumors relating to the LIMONEIRA, Santa®, Paula®, Bridal Veil®, Fountain®, Golden Bowl® and Level®, brands could significantly impact our business.

Consumer and institutional recognition of the LIMONEIRA, Santa®, Paula®, Bridal Veil®, Fountain®, Golden Bowl® and Level®, trademarks and related brands and the association of these brands with high quality and safe food products are an integral part of our business.  The occurrence of any events or rumors that cause consumers and/or institutions to no longer associate these brands with high quality and safe food products may materially adversely affect the value of the our brand names and demand for our products.

We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect our prospects.

We currently depend heavily on the services of our key management personnel.  The loss of any key personnel could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, or our ability to pursue land development.  Our success will also depend in part on our ability to attract and retain additional qualified management personnel.

Inflation can have a significant adverse effect on our operations.

Inflation can have a major impact on our farming operations.  The farming operations are most affected by escalating costs and unpredictable revenues (due to an oversupply of certain crops) and very high irrigation water costs.  High fixed water costs related to our farm lands will continue to adversely affect earnings.  Prices received for many of our products are dependent upon prevailing market conditions and commodity prices.  Therefore, it is difficult for us to accurately predict revenue, just as we cannot pass on cost increases caused by general inflation, except to the extent reflected in market conditions and commodity prices.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations.

To service our debt, we require a significant amount of cash.  Our ability to generate cash, make scheduled payments or refinance our obligations depends on our successful financial and operating performance.  Our financial and operating performance, cash flow and capital resources depend upon prevailing economic conditions and various financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.  These factors include among others:

·

economic and competitive conditions;

·

changes in laws and regulations;

·

operating difficulties, increased operating costs or pricing pressures we may experience; and

·

delays in implementing any strategic projects.

 

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Restrictive covenants in our debt instruments restrict or prohibit our ability to engage in or enter into a variety of transactions, which could adversely restrict our financial and operating flexibility and subject us to other risks.

Our revolving credit and term loan facilities contain various restrictive covenants that limit our and our subsidiaries’ ability to take certain actions.  In particular, these agreements limit our and our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:

·

incur additional indebtedness;

·

make certain investments or acquisitions;

·

create certain liens on our assets;

·

engage in certain types of transactions with affiliates;

·

merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all our assets; and

·

transfer and sell assets.

Our revolving credit facility with Rabobank N.A. contains a financial covenant that requires us to maintain compliance with a specified debt service coverage ratio on an annual basis.  At October 31, 2009, we were not in compliance with such debt service coverage ratio and we may not be able to comply with such covenant in the future.  This prior noncompliance with the covenant was waived by Rabobank and at October 31, 2010, we were in compliance with such debt service coverage ratio.  Our failure to comply with this covenant in the future may result in the declaration of an event of default under our revolving credit facility with Rabobank.

Any or all of these covenants could have a material adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, merger and acquisition or other corporate opportunities and to fund our operations.  Any future debt could also contain financial and other covenants more restrictive than those imposed under our line of credit and term loan facilities.

A breach of a covenant or other provision in any credit facility governing our current and future indebtedness could result in a default under that facility and, due to cross-default and cross-acceleration provisions, could result in a default under our other credit facilities.  Upon the occurrence of an event of default under any of our credit facilities, the applicable lender(s) could elect to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable and, with respect to our revolving credit facility, terminate all commitments to extend further credit.  If we were unable to repay those amounts, our lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure the indebtedness.  If the lenders under our current or future indebtedness were to accelerate the payment of the indebtedness, we cannot assure you that our assets or cash flow would be sufficient to repay in full our outstanding indebtedness.

Despite our relatively high current indebtedness levels and the restrictive covenants set forth in agreements governing our indebtedness, we may still incur significant additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness. Incurring more indebtedness could increase the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness.

Subject to the restrictions in our credit facilities, we may incur significant additional indebtedness through Limoneira Company or any of its subsidiaries.  If new debt is added to the current debt levels of Limoneira Company or its subsidiaries, the related risks that we now face could increase.

Some of our debt is based on variable rates of interest, which could result in higher interest expenses in the event of an increase in the interest rates.

 

 

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Risks Related to Our Real Estate Development Business

We are involved in a cyclical industry and are affected by changes in general and local economic conditions.

The real estate development industry is cyclical and is significantly affected by changes in general and local economic conditions, including:

·

employment levels; availability of financing;

	·	interest rates; consumer confidence;

	·	demand for the developed product, whether residential or industrial; and

	·	supply of similar product, whether residential or industrial.

 

The process of project development and the commitment of financial and other resources occurs long before a real estate project comes to market.  A real estate project could come to market at a time when the real estate market is depressed.  It is also possible in a rural area like ours that no market for the project will develop as projected.

A prolonged recession in the national economy, or a further downturn in national or regional economic conditions, could continue to adversely impact our real estate development business.

The collapse of the housing market together with the crisis in the credit markets, have resulted in a recession in the national economy.  At such times, potential home buyer and commercial real estate customers often defer or avoid real estate transactions due to the substantial costs involved and uncertainties in the economic environment.  Our future real estate sales, revenues, financial condition and results of operations could suffer as a result.  Our business is especially sensitive to economic conditions in California and Arizona, where our properties are located.

There is no consensus as to when the current recession will end, and California and Arizona, as two of the hardest hit states, could take longer to recover than the rest of the nation.  A prolonged recession will continue to have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Higher interest rates and lack of available financing can have significant impacts on the real estate industry.

Higher interest rates generally impact the real estate industry by making it harder for buyers to qualify for financing, which can lead to a decrease in the demand for residential, commercial or industrial sites.  Any decrease in demand will negatively impact our proposed developments.  Lack of available credit to finance real estate purchases can also negatively impact demand.  Any downturn in the economy or consumer confidence can also be expected to result in reduced housing demand and slower industrial development, which would negatively impact the demand for land we are developing.

We are subject to various land use regulations and require governmental approvals for our developments that could be denied.

The final discretionary approval required prior to construction of East Area I project is the annexation of the land into the City of Santa Paula.  The action is taken by the Local Agency Formation Commission, which we refer to as LAFCO, and is due to be considered for approval through this agency during our fiscal year 2011.  If LAFCO does not approved the annexation, we may not be able to develop East Area I and the approximately $40 million investment we have into the project could be impaired.

 

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Third-party litigation could increase the time and cost of our development efforts.

The land use approval processes we must follow to ultimately develop our projects have become increasingly complex.  Moreover, the statutes, regulations and ordinances governing the approval processes provide third parties the opportunity to challenge the proposed plans and approvals.  As a result, the prospect of third-party challenges to planned real estate developments provides additional uncertainties in real estate development planning and entitlements.  Third-party challenges in the form of litigation would, by their nature, adversely affect the length of time and the cost required to obtain the necessary approvals.  In addition, adverse decisions arising from any litigation would increase the costs and length of time to obtain ultimate approval of a project and could adversely affect the design, scope, plans and profitability of a project.

We are subject to environmental regulations and opposition from environmental groups that could cause delays and increase the costs of our development efforts or preclude such development entirely.

Environmental laws that apply to a given site can vary greatly according to the site’s location and condition, present and former uses of the site, and the presence or absence of sensitive elements like wetlands and endangered species.  Environmental laws and conditions may (i) result in delays, (ii) cause us to incur additional costs for compliance, where a significant amount of our developable land is located, mitigation and processing land use applications, or (iii) preclude development in specific areas.  In addition, in California, third parties have the ability to file litigation challenging the approval of a project, which they usually do by alleging inadequate disclosure and mitigation of the environmental impacts of the project.  While we have worked with representatives of various environmental interests and wildlife agencies to minimize and mitigate the impacts of our planned projects, certain groups opposed to development may oppose our projects vigorously, so litigation challenging their approval could occur.  Recent concerns over the impact of development on water availability and global warming increases the breadth of potential obstacles that our developments face.

Our developable land is concentrated entirely in California.

All of our developable land is in California and our business is especially sensitive to the economic conditions within California.  Any adverse change in the economic climate of California, which is currently in a recession, or our region of that state, and any adverse change in the political or regulatory climate of California, or the counties where our land is located could adversely affect our real estate development activities.  There is no consensus as to when the recession will end or how long it could take to recover from the recession.  Ultimately, our ability to sell or lease lots may decline as a result of weak economic conditions or restrictive regulations.

If the downturn in the real estate industry or the instability of the mortgage industry and commercial real estate financing continues, it could have an adverse effect on our real estate business.

Our residential housing projects are currently in various stages of planning and entitlement, and therefore they have not been impacted by the current downturn in the housing market or the mortgage lending crisis.  However, if the downturn in the housing market or the instability of the mortgage industry continues at the time these projects move into their development and marketing phases, our residential business could be adversely affected.  An excess supply of homes available due to foreclosures or the expectation of deflation in house prices could also have a negative impact on our ability to sell our inventory when it becomes available.

We may encounter other risks that could impact our ability to develop our land.

We may also encounter other difficulties in developing our land, including:

·

natural risks, such as geological and soil problems, earthquakes, fire, heavy rains and flooding, and heavy winds;

·

shortages of qualified trades people;

 

·

reliance on local contractors, who may be inadequately capitalized;

·

shortages of materials; and

·

increases in the cost of certain materials.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

The value of our common stock could be volatile.

The overall market and the price of our common stock may fluctuate greatly and we cannot assure you that you will be able to resell shares at or above market price.  The trading price of our common stock may be significantly affected by various factors, including:

·

quarterly fluctuations in our operating results;

·

changes in investors’ and analysts’ perception of the business risks and conditions of our business;

·

our ability to meet the earnings estimates and other performance expectations of financial analysts or investors;

·

unfavorable commentary or downgrades of our stock by equity research analysts;

·

fluctuations in the stock prices of our peer companies or in stock markets in general; and

·

general economic or political conditions.

Concentrated ownership of our common stock creates a risk of sudden change in our share price.

As of October 31, 2010, directors and members of our executive management team beneficially owned or controlled approximately 12.9% of our common stock.  Investors who purchase our common stock may be subject to certain risks due to the concentrated ownership of our common stock.  The sale by any of our large stockholders of a significant portion of that stockholder’s holdings could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.  In addition, the registration of any significant amount of additional shares of our common stock will have the immediate effect of increasing the public float of our common stock and any such increase may cause the market price of our common stock to decline or fluctuate significantly.

Our charter documents contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change of control.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change in control would be beneficial to stockholders.  These provisions include the following:

	·	division of our board of directors into three classes, with each class serving a staggered three-year term;

	·	removal of directors by stockholders by a supermajority of two-thirds of the outstanding shares;

	·	ability of the board of directors to authorize the issuance of preferred stock in series without stockholder approval; and

	·	prohibitions on our stockholders that prevent them from acting by written consent and limitations on calling special meetings.

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

As a Company with publicly traded securities, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant legal, accounting and other expenses not historically incurred.  In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which we refer to as SOX, as well as rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, and NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC, which we refer to as NASDAQ, require us to adopt corporate governance practices applicable to U.S. public companies.  These rules and regulations may increase our legal and financial compliance costs, which could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

If we do not timely satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of SOX, the trading price of our common stock could be adversely affected.

As a voluntary filer with the SEC, we are currently subject to Section 404 of SOX, as a non-accelerated filer.  SOX requires us to document and test the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with an established internal control framework and to report on our conclusion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  Our annual report for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2011 will include management's first report of internal control over financial reporting which will be required to be audited by an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  Any delays or difficulty in satisfying the requirements of SOX could, among other things, cause investors to lose confidence in, or otherwise be unable to rely on, the accuracy of our reported financial information, which could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

 

 

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Item 2. Properties

Real Estate

 

We own our corporate headquarters in Santa Paula, California.  We own approximately 5,870 acres of land in California with approximately 4,070 acres located in Ventura County and approximately 1,800 acres located in Tulare County, which is in the San Joaquin Valley.  We lease approximately 30 acres of land located in Ventura County and approximately 450 acres of land located in Santa Barbara County.  We also have an interest in a partnership that owns approximately 210 acres of land in Ventura County.  The land used for agricultural plantings consists of approximately 1,840 acres of lemons, approximately 1,370 acres of avocados, approximately 1,060 acres of oranges and approximately 400 acres of specialty citrus and other crops. Our agriculture land holdings are summarized below:

Ranch Name		Acres				Book Value			Acquisition Date		Book Value per Acre
Limoneira/Olivelands Ranch			1,744			$	767,000		1907, 1913, 1920		$	440
Orchard Farm Ranch			1,119			$	3,240,000		1920		$	2,895
La Campana Ranch			324			$	758,000		1964		$	2,340
Teague McKevett Ranch			460			$	8,253,000		1994		$	17,941
Rancho La Cuesta Ranch			222			$	2,899,000		1994		$	13,059
Porterville Ranch			669			$	6,427,000		1997		$	9,607
Ducor Ranch			890			$	6,064,000		1997		$	6,813
Wilson Ranch			52			$	1,100,000		2001		$	21,154
Jencks Ranch			101			$	846,000		2007		$	8,376
Other agriculture land			223			$	296,000		1963, 1998, 2008		$	1,327
			5,804			$	30,650,000

The book value of our agriculture land holdings of $30,650,000 differs from the land balance of $25,014,000 included in property plant and equipment, Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements in section 8 of Form 10K.  The table above presents our current land holdings in agriculture operations, and therefore excludes rental operations land and includes the Teague McKevett Ranch, which is classified as real estate development in the consolidated financial statements because of its planned development as East Area I.

We own our packing facility located in Santa Paula, California, where we process and pack our lemons as well as lemons for other growers.  In 2008, we entered into an operating lease agreement and completed the installation of a 5.5 acre, one-megawatt ground-based photovoltaic solar generator, which provides the majority of the power to operate our packing facility.  In 2009 we completed the installation of a one-megawatt solar array (which we also lease through an operating lease agreement), which provides us with a majority of the electricity required to operate four deep water well pumps at one of our ranches in the San Joaquin Valley.

 

We own 193 residential units that we lease as part of our Rental Operations segment to our employees, former employees and outside tenants and several commercial office buildings and properties that are leased to various tenants.

We own real estate development property in the California counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. These properties are in various stages of development for up to 1,873 residential units and approximately 811,000 square feet of commercial space. Additionally, we developed a luxury home in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

Water Rights

 

Our water resources include water rights, usage rights and pumping rights to the water in aquifers under, and canals that run through, the land we own.  Water for our farming operations is sourced from the existing water resources associated with our land, which includes rights to water in the adjudicated Santa Paula Basin (aquifer) and the unadjudicated Fillmore, Santa Barbara and Paso Robles Basins (aquifers).  We also use ground water and water from local water districts in the San Joaquin Valley.  We believe our water resources are adequate for our current farming operations in our Agriculture segment.

 

 

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Our rights to extract groundwater from the Santa Paula Basin, which we refer to as the Santa Paula Basin, are governed by the Santa Paula Basin Judgment, which we refer to as the Judgment.  The Judgment was entered in 1996 by stipulation among the United Water Conservation District, the City of Ventura, and various members of the Santa Paula Basin Pumpers Association, which we refer to as the Association.  The Association is not-for-profit, mutual benefit corporation, which represents the interests of all overlying landowners with rights to extract groundwater from the Santa Paula Basin and the City of Santa Paula.  We are a member of the Association.  Membership in the Association is governed by the Association's Bylaws.

The Judgment adjudicated and allocated water rights in the Santa Paula Basin among the Association's members and the City of Ventura.  The water rights are established and governed by a seven-year moving average (i.e., production can rise or fall in any particular year so long as the seven year average is not exceeded).   Under California law, the water rights are considered "property."  A perpetual right to water, evidenced by the Judgment, can be exchanged for interests in real property under IRS Code Section 1031 and if condemned by a public agency, just compensation must be paid to the rightful owner.  Our rights under the Judgment are perpetual and considered very firm and reliable which reflects favorably upon their fair market value.

For ease of administration, the Association is appointed by the Judgment as the trustee of its members’ water rights, and is responsible for coordinating and promoting the interests of its members.  The Judgment includes provisions for staged reductions in production rights should shortage conditions develop.  It also allows the adjudicated water rights to be leased or sold among the parties.  The Judgment established a Technical Advisory Committee composed of the United Water Conservation District, the City of Ventura and the Association to assist the Superior Court of the State of California, Ventura County, which we refer to as the Court, with the technical aspects of Santa Paula Basin management.  Finally, the Judgment reserves continuing jurisdiction to the Court to hear motions for enforcement or modification of the Judgment as necessary.

 

We believe water is a natural resource that is critical to economic growth in the Western United States and firm, reliable water rights are essential to the Company’s sustainable business practices.  Consequently, we have long been a private steward and advocate of prudent and efficient water management.  We have made substantial investments in securing water and water rights in quantities that are sufficient to support and, we believe will exceed, our long-term business objectives.  We strive to follow best management practices for the diversion, conveyance, distribution and use of water.  In the future, we intend to continue to provide leadership in the area of, and seek innovation opportunities that promote, increased water use efficiency and the development of new sources of supply for our neighboring communities.

 

We are from time to time involved in legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business.  Other than proceedings incidental to our business, we are not a party to, nor is any of our property the subject of, any material pending legal proceedings and no such proceedings are, to our knowledge, contemplated by governmental authorities

 

Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]

None.

 

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Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market Information

On May 27, 2010, we listed our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market, which we refer to as NASDAQ.  Prior to May 27, 2010, our common stock was traded on the Pink Sheets. Our common stock is currently quoted under the symbol “LMNR”.  On April 7, 2010, we declared a ten-for-one stock split.  All stockholders of record on March 24, 2010 received nine additional shares for each share.  This did not change the proportionate interest that a stockholder maintained in the Company.  All shares and per share amounts set forth in this report have been adjusted for the ten-for-one stock split.  There is no assurance that our common stock will continue to be traded on NASDAQ or that any liquidity exists for our stockholders.

 

 Market Price

The following table shows the high and low per share price quotations of our common stock for the two most recently completed fiscal years as reported on the Pink Sheets market for each quarterly period through May 26, 2010, and the high and low per share price quotations for our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ from May 27, 2010 to October 31, 2010.  The share prices quoted below have been adjusted to reflect the ten-for-one stock split approved by our stockholders on March 23, 2010.   The Pink Sheets quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions.  The Pink Sheets market is extremely limited and the prices quoted by brokers are not a reliable indication of the value of our common stock.  Furthermore, since limited or no public information was available about our business, operating results or financial condition during the time the trades on the Pink Sheets occurred, the trading prices set forth below for the Pink Sheets might not reflect the historical value of our company on a per common share basis, nor be an accurate indication of the prices at which common shares may be traded in the future.  

		High				Low
NASDAQ Global Market
2010
Fourth Quarter Ended October 31, 2010		$	22.14			$	16.05
Third Quarter Ended July 31, 2010		$	29.66			$	15.70
Pink Sheets
2010
Second Quarter Ended April 30, 2010		$	19.50			$	12.50
First Quarter Ended January 31, 2010		$	15.50			$	13.50
2009
Fourth Quarter Ended October 31, 2009		$	16.00			$	12.63
Third Quarter Ended July 31, 2009		$	15.50			$	12.50
Second Quarter Ended April 30, 2009		$	15.00			$	10.20
First Quarter Ended January 31, 2009		$	17.50			$	11.50

 

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Holders

 

On December 31, 2010, there were 337 holders of our common stock.  The number of registered holders includes banks and brokers who act as nominees, each of whom may represent more than one stockholder.

Dividends

 

The following table presents cash dividends per common share declared and paid in the periods shown. The amount of the cash dividend per share has been adjusted to reflect the ten-for-one stock split approved by our stockholders on March 23, 2010.

 

		Dividend
2010
Fourth Quarter Ended October 31, 2010		$	0.0313
Third Quarter Ended July 31, 2010		$	0.0313
Second Quarter Ended April 30, 2010		$	0.0313
First Quarter Ended January 31, 2010		$	0.0313
2009
Fourth Quarter Ended October 31, 2009		$	0.0313
Third Quarter Ended July 31, 2009			-
Second Quarter Ended April 30, 2009			-
First Quarter Ended January 31, 2009		$	0.0313

We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends at a rate similar to the fourth quarter of 2010, to the extent permitted by our business and other factors beyond management’s control.

 

 

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Performance Graph

The line graph above compares the percentage change in cumulative total stockholder return of the Company’s common stock registered under section 12 of the Exchange Act with (i) the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index assuming reinvestment of dividends, and (ii) the cumulative total return, assuming reinvestment of dividends of Dow Jones U.S. Food Producers Index.   The comparison is presented since April 13, 2010, which is the effective date of the Company’s registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

None.

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The following selected financial data are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

		Years Ended October 31,
		2010				2009				2008				2007				2006
Total revenues		$	54,284,000			$	34,838,000			$	53,512,000			$	48,267,000			$	51,619,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	366,000			$	(2,865,000	)		$	3,747,000			$	2,391,000			$	3,791,000
Basic and diluted net (loss) income from continuing operations per share of common stock(a)		$	0.01			$	(0.28	)		$	0.31			$	0.19			$	0.38
Total assets		$	159,691,000			$	141,868,000			$	140,990,000			$	127,341,000			$	86,961,000
Current and long-term debt		$	85,938,000			$	69,716,000			$	65,582,000			$	38,475,000			$	14,515,000
Redeemable preferred stock		$	3,000,000			$	3,000,000			$	3,000,000			$	3,000,000			$	3,000,000
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock(a)		$	0.13			$	0.06			$	0.33			$	0.23			$	0.23

(a)

All shares and per share amounts have been adjusted for the ten-for-one stock split effected in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend distributed on April 7, 2010 to stockholders of record as of May 24, 2010.

As described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, on November 15, 2009, the Company was assigned the 85% interest in Windfall Investors, LLC that it did not previously own.  The transaction was accounted for as a business combination assuming net liabilities of $1,742,000, comprised of $17,699,000 in primarily real estate development assets and $19,441,000 of current liabilities and debt.

 

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with “Selected Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that appear elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those presented under “Risks related to our business” included in Item 1A and elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Overview

Limoneira Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1990 as the successor to several businesses with operations in California since 1893.  We are an agriculture and real estate development company founded and based in Santa Paula, California, committed to responsibly using and managing our approximately 7,300 acres of land, water resources and other assets to maximize long-term stockholder value.  Our current operations consist of fruit production and marketing, real estate development and capital investment activities.

We are one of California’s oldest citrus growers.  According to Sunkist, we are one of the largest growers of lemons in the United States and, according to the California Avocado Commission, the largest grower of avocados in the United States.  In addition to growing lemons and avocados, we grow oranges and a variety of other specialty citrus and other crops.  We have agricultural plantings throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and Tulare Counties in California, which plantings consist of approximately 1,840 acres of lemons, 1,370 acres of avocados, 1,060 acres of oranges and 400 acres of specialty citrus and other crops.  We also operate our own packinghouse in Santa Paula, California, where we process and pack lemons that we grow, as well as lemons grown by others.

Our water resources include water rights, usage rights to the water in aquifers under, and canals that run through, the land we own.  Water for our farming operations is sourced from the existing water resources associated with our land, which includes rights to water in adjudicated Santa Paula Basin (aquifer) and the un-adjudicated Fillmore, Santa Barbara and Paso Robles Basins (aquifers).  We also use ground water and water from local water districts in Tulare County, which is in the San Joaquin Valley.

For more than 100 years, we have been making strategic investments in California agriculture and development real estate, and more recently, in Arizona real estate.  We currently have seven active real estate development projects in California and one in Arizona.  Our real estate developments range from apartments to luxury, single-family homes and, in California, include approximately 200 completed units and another approximately 2,000 units in various stages of planning and retirement.  Our real estate development in Arizona consists of one leased luxury home in Paradise Valley, which is adjacent to Phoenix and Scottsdale.

We have three business segments: agriculture, rental operations and real estate development. Our agriculture segment currently generates the majority of our revenue from its farming and lemon packing operations; our rental operations segment generates revenue from our housing, organic recycling and commercial and leased land operations; and our real estate development segment primarily generates revenues from the sale of real estate development projects.  From a general view, we see the Company as a land and farming company that generates annual cash flows to support its progress into diversified real estate development activities.  As real estate developments are monetized, our agriculture business will then be able to expand more rapidly into new regions and markets.

 

 

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Recent Developments

On May 27, 2010, shares of Limoneira Company’s common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Market, LLC under the ticker symbol “LMNR”.

On July 30, 2010, the Company provided written notice to Sunkist that it was terminating the Sunkist License Agreement effective November 1, 2010.  Under the Sunkist License Agreement, the Company was authorized to grade, label, pack, prepare for marketing by Sunkist and ship lemons grown by the Company as well as other growers.  The Sunkist License Agreement also authorized the Company to use the SUNKIST® trademark, including any and all variations thereto, in connection with the foregoing.  

On November 1, 2010, the Company began marketing and selling its lemons directly to its food service, wholesale and retail customers throughout North America, Asia and certain other countries.

In December 2010, the Company exercised the purchase option contained in its lease of the Rancho Refugio/Caldwell Ranch, which allows the Company to acquire the property for a purchase price of approximately $6,500,000.  Concurrently with the exercise of its purchase option, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the property for $10,000,000. The closing of each of the purchase and sale of the property are expected to occur on or about January 31, 2011. The Company estimates the gain on the $10,000,000 property sale will be approximately $1,300,000, net of the $6,500,000 property purchase, $1,500,000 in leasehold improvements sold with the property and $700,000 of estimated selling costs. The net cash realized from the transaction will be approximately $2,800,000. The Company expects to enter into a lemon packing agreement with the purchaser, for which it will earn certain as yet undetermined fees.  The sale of the property will result in a reduction in lemon and avocado production and related agriculture revenues, agriculture costs and expenses and operating income of approximately $1,300,000, $1,000,000 and $300,000, respectively, off-set by fees from the anticipated lemon packing agreement.

Results of Operations

The following table shows the results of operations for the years ended October 31:

		Years Ended October 31,
		2010				2009				2008
Revenues:
Agriculture		$	47,034,000			$	31,033,000			$	49,794,000
Rental			3,976,000				3,766,000				3,718,000
Real estate development			3,274,000				39,000				-
Total revenues			54,284,000				34,838,000				53,512,000
Costs and expenses:
Agriculture			31,457,000				27,281,000				34,805,000
Rental			2,173,000				2,061,000				2,236,000
Real estate development			4,416,000				318,000				991,000
Impairments of real estate development assets			2,422,000				6,203,000				1,341,000
Selling, general and administrative			10,694,000				6,469,000				8,292,000
(Gain) loss from disposals/sales of assets			(1,000	)			10,000				11,000
Total costs and expenses			51,161,000				42,342,000				47,676,000
Operating income (loss):
Agriculture			15,577,000				3,752,000				14,989,000
Rental			1,803,000				1,705,000				1,482,000
Real estate development			(3,564,000	)			(6,482,000	)			(2,332,000	)
Selling, general and administrative			(10,693,000	)			(6,479,000	)			(8,303,000	)
Operating income (loss)			3,123,000				(7,504,000	)			5,836,000
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense			(1,632,000	)			(692,000	)			(1,419,000	)
Interest expense related to derivative instruments			(1,987,000	)			-				-
Gain on sale of investment in Calavo Growers, Inc.			-				2,729,000				-
Interest income and other			445,000				481,000				1,305,000
Total other (expense) income			(3,174,000	)			2,518,000				(114,000	)
Income tax benefit (provision)			72,000				2,291,000				(2,128,000	)
Equity in earnings (losses) of investments			345,000				(170,000	)			153,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			(43,000	)			(12,000	)			(252,000	)
Net income (loss)		$	323,000			$	(2,877,000	)		$	3,495,000

 

 

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Due to significant depreciable assets associated with the nature of our operations and interest costs associated with our capital structure, management believes that earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and adjusted EBITDA, which excludes impairments on real estate development assets, is an important measure to evaluate the Company’s results of operations between periods on a more comparable basis.  Such measurements are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and should not be construed as an alternative to reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP information provided is unique to the Company and may not be consistent with methodologies used by other companies.  EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are summarized and reconciled to net income (loss) which management considers to be the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as follows:

 

		Years Ended October 31,
		2010				2009				2008
Net income (loss)		$	323,000			$	(2,877,000	)		$	3,495,000
Total interest expense			3,619,000				692,000				1,419,000
Income taxes			(72,000	)			(2,291,000	)			2,128,000
Depreciation and amortization			2,337,000				2,323,000				2,434,000
EBITDA			6,207,000				(2,153,000	)			9,476,000
Impairments of real estate development assets			2,422,000				6,203,000				1,341,000
Adjusted EBITDA		$	8,629,000			$	4,050,000			$	10,817,000

 

Fiscal Year 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year 2009

Revenues

Total revenue for fiscal year 2010 was $54.3 million compared to $34.8 million for fiscal year 2009. The 56% increase of $19.5 million was primarily the result of increased agricultural and real estate revenue, as detailed below:

·

Lemon revenue was $28.2 million for fiscal year 2010 compared to $22.3 million for fiscal year 2009. The 26% increase of $5.9 million was primarily the result of more volume sold at higher lemon prices in the marketplace. Volume and price returned to historical average levels in fiscal year 2010 following the oversupply of the global lemon market experienced in fiscal year 2009. During fiscal years 2010 and 2009, 1.4 million and 1.3 million cartons of lemons were sold at an average price per carton of $18.93 and $15.72, respectively. Lemon prices were low in fiscal year 2009 as compared to fiscal year 2010 primarily due to a significant oversupply of product in 2009 resulting from simultaneous production recoveries in California, Argentina, Chile and Spain after damaging freezes in 2007.

·

Avocado revenue for fiscal year 2010 was $11.5 million compared to $4.0 million in fiscal year 2009. The 188% increase of $7.5 million was primarily due to increased production in fiscal year 2010. The California avocado crop typically experiences alternating years of high and low production due to plant physiology and, as a result, we expect our avocado production to be lower in fiscal year 2011 than in fiscal year 2010. During fiscal years 2010 and 2009, 17.7 million and 2.4 million pounds of avocados were sold at an average price per pound of $0.65 and $1.11, respectively. Fiscal year 2009 revenue included a $1.3 million estimated crop insurance claim settlement.

·

A higher quality crop of Navel oranges in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009 resulted in increased sales at the retail level, which resulted in an 84% increase of $1.6 million in revenue for this crop. During fiscal year 2010, the Company received an average return of $10.40 on 337,000 field boxes versus $9.96 on 194,000 field boxes in fiscal year 2009.

·

Larger volumes and higher sales prices in our specialty crops contributed to a 57% increase of $1.2 million in specialty citrus crop revenues for fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009. As the Company’s specialty citrus orchards mature, their production has increased. Additionally, international embargos drove higher prices in the market place for the Company’s pistachio crop. During fiscal year 2010, 59,000 field boxes of Cara Cara navels were harvested compared to 30,000 field boxes harvested in fiscal year 2009. In fiscal year 2010, 35,000 field boxes of Satsuma mandarins were harvested compared to 15,000 field boxes in fiscal year 2009. Additionally, the Company realized pistachio revenues of $669,000 in fiscal year 2010 compared to $372,000 in fiscal year 2009.

·

Real estate revenue was $3.3 million for fiscal year 2010 compared to $39,000 for fiscal year 2009. The $3.2 million increase was primarily the result of the sale of the Cactus Wren project in Arizona for $3,000,000.

 

 

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Costs and Expenses

Total costs and expenses for fiscal year 2010 were $51.2 million compared to $42.3 million for fiscal year 2009. This 21% increase of $8.9 million was primarily attributable to increases in our agriculture costs, real estate development expenses net of impairment charges, and selling, general and administrative expenses of $4.2 million, $0.3 million and $4.2 million, respectively. Costs associated with our agriculture business include packing costs, harvest costs, growing costs, costs related to the lemons we process and sell for third-party growers, and depreciation expense. These costs are discussed further below:

·

Harvest costs for fiscal year 2010 were $6.5 million compared to $4.6 million for fiscal year 2009. This 41% increase of $1.9 million primarily resulted from 15.3 million more pounds of avocados being harvested during fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009.

·

Costs related to the lemons that we process and sell for third-party growers were $5.2 million for fiscal year 2010 compared to $3.7 million for fiscal year 2009. This 41% increase of $1.5 million was attributable to higher sales prices per carton, which directly correlates to amounts expensed and paid to third party growers in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009. This increase was partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in lemon packing costs.

·

Growing costs for fiscal year 2010 were $10.2 million compared to $9.1 million for fiscal year 2009. This 12% increase of $1.1 million was primarily attributable to higher expenditures for fertilization, water, soil amendments and general tree care during fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009. Due to reduced agriculture revenue in fiscal year 2009, the Company delayed expenditures for certain growing costs until fiscal year 2010.

Real estate development expenses consist of costs incurred for our various real estate projects, impairment charges and depreciation expense.  Real estate development expenses for fiscal year 2010 were $6.8 million compared to $6.5 million for fiscal year 2009. This 5% increase of $0.3 million was primarily attributable to the following:

·

Operating expenses of $1.1 million at our Windfall Investors, LLC (“Windfall Investors”) real estate development project in Creston, California, which was not a part of our operations until fiscal year 2010.

·

Cost of sales of $3.0 million during fiscal year 2010 associated with the sale of the Cactus Wren property.

·

Offsetting the increased costs noted above was a $3.8 million decrease in the impairments of real estate development assets for fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009. As the rate of decline in real estate values slowed, the Company incurred $2.4 million of impairment charges during fiscal year 2010 compared to $6.2 million for fiscal year 2009.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2010 were $10.7 million compared to $6.5 million for fiscal year 2009. This 65% increase of $4.2 million is primarily attributable to the following:

·

Legal and accounting expenses of $1.4 million associated with the filing of our Form 10 and other costs associated with the filing of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K as well as our compliance with other obligations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market.  Incremental costs of being a public company are estimated to be approximately $1.0 million per year going forward.

·

A $1.3 million charge associated with the forgiveness of notes receivable from three of our senior executive officers.  These notes were issued to the officers to allow them to pay the payroll taxes associated with compensation for shares issued to them under our stock grant performance bonus plan.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the outstanding balances of these loans were repaid by the officers by exchanging 6,756 of the shares issued to them valued at $150.98 per shares, which was the current market value on the date they were exchanged (and was prior to our 10-for-1 stock split) and loan forgiveness by the Company totaling $0.7 million.  The loan forgiveness resulted in additional compensation to the officers and the Company paid on their behalf, $0.6 million in payroll taxes associated with this compensation.

·

A $0.6 million expense associated with the first-year vesting of a stock grant to management for fiscal year 2010 performance.

·

Employee incentive expenses of $0.4 million, compared to employee incentive expenses of zero in fiscal year 2009.  Additionally, labor and benefits expenses were $0.4 million higher in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009 due to an increase in salaries and personnel associated with our registration under the Exchange Act and the related periodic reporting and other requirements related thereto.

 

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Other Income/Expense

Other income (expense) for fiscal year 2010 was $3.2 million of expense compared to $2.5 million of income for fiscal year 2009. The $5.7 million increase in expense consists of the following:

·

For fiscal 2010, other expense includes $1.6 million of interest expense, $2.0 million of interest expense related to derivative instruments, $0.1 million of interest income and $0.3 million of other miscellaneous income.

·

For fiscal 2009, other income includes $0.7 million of interest expense, $2.7 million of gain on sale of 335,000 shares of stock in Calavo Growers, Inc., $0.2 million of interest income and $0.3 million of other miscellaneous income.

The $0.9 million increase in interest expense in fiscal 2010 is primarily the result of an average higher debt level during fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009 due to the assumption of an additional $19.3 million in long-term debt in connection with the acquisition of Windfall Investors in November 2009.  Average debt levels in fiscal 2010 were approximately $87.9 million compared to approximately $73.2 million in fiscal 2009, which is an increase of approximately $14.7 million.

The $2.0 million increase in interest expense related to derivative instruments in fiscal year 2010 is the result of recording $1.4 million of adjustments to the underlying fair value liability for our interest rate swap plus $0.6 million of amortization related to fair value adjustments for interest rate swaps previously deferred and recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $72,000 for fiscal year 2010 on pre-tax income from continuing operations of $0.3 million compared to an income tax benefit of $2.3 million for fiscal year 2009 on pre-tax losses from continuing operations of $5.2 million.

Our effective tax rate is 24.5% for fiscal year 2010 compared to an effective rate of 44.3% for fiscal year 2009. The primary reasons for this change in our effective tax rate were decreases in the dividend exclusion and allowable domestic production deduction and decreases in the change in unrecognized tax benefits, net of other nondeductible items in fiscal year 2010 over the fiscal year 2009 amounts.

Fiscal Year 2009 Compared to Fiscal Year 2008

Revenues

Total revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $34.8 million compared to $53.5 million for fiscal year 2008. The 35% decrease of $18.7 million was primarily the result of decreased agricultural revenue, as detailed below:

·

Lemon revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $22.3 million compared to $40.3 million for fiscal year 2008. The 45% decrease of $18.0 million was primarily the result of less volume sold at lower lemon prices in the marketplace. During fiscal years 2009 and 2008, 1.3 million and 1.4 million cartons of lemons were sold at an average price per carton of $15.72 and $27.15, respectively. The global lemon market experienced an over-supply during fiscal year 2009 compared to a weather-related shortage during fiscal year 2008. Prices per carton were $15.72 and $27.15 for fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Lemon prices in fiscal year 2008 were high due to the Company experiencing minimal impact from adverse global climate conditions in fiscal year 2007 that reduced lemon production in California, Argentina, Chile and Spain.  This circumstance enabled the Company to achieve over 70% fresh utilization, compared to a historical average of approximately 65%, at record sales prices for lemons in fiscal year 2008.

·

Avocado revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $4.0 million compared to $3.5 million for fiscal year 2008, resulting in a 14% increase of $0.5 million. We harvested 2.4 million pounds of avocados during fiscal year 2009 compared to 3.7 million pounds during fiscal year 2008. This 1.3 million pound decrease in production was offset by a $1.3 million estimated crop insurance claim settlement recorded in fiscal year 2009 and is attributable to an unseasonable heat event  experienced during the bloom and set cycle of Spring 2008 and the low fiscal year 2008 harvest is due to unseasonably cold weather in fiscal year 2007.

·

Navel orange revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $1.9 million compared to $2.4 million for fiscal year 2008, resulting in a 21% decrease of $0.5 million.

·

Specialty citrus and other crop revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $2.1 million compared to $2.9 million for fiscal year 2008, resulting in a 28% decrease of $0.8 million.

 

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Costs and Expenses

Total costs and expenses for fiscal year 2009 were $42.3 million compared to $47.7 million for fiscal year 2008. This 11% decrease of $5.4 million was primarily attributable to decreases in agriculture costs, increases in real estate development expenses and decreases in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Costs associated with our agriculture business include packing costs, harvest costs, growing costs, costs related to the lemons we process and sell for third-party growers, and depreciation expense. These costs are discussed further below:

·

Costs related to the lemons that we process and sell for third-party growers for fiscal year 2009 were $3.7 million compared to $7.1 million for fiscal year 2008. This 48% decrease of $3.4 million was attributable to less volume sold at lower lemon prices in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008.

·

Growing costs for fiscal year 2009 were $9.1 million compared to $11.7 million for fiscal year 2008. This 22% decrease of $2.6 million was attributable to lower fuel prices and pesticide costs, and the delaying of certain growing costs in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008. Additionally, during fiscal year 2008 we recorded a $1.2 million write-off in connection with the disposal of 133 acres of specialty crop orchards.

·

Harvest costs for fiscal year 2009 were $4.6 million compared to $5.3 million for fiscal year 2008. This 13% decrease of $0.7 million was primarily attributable to a decrease in avocado production from 2.4 million pounds in fiscal year 2009 compared to 3.7 million pounds in fiscal year 2008.

·

Packing costs were $0.7 million lower during fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 as a result of lower volume and lower electricity costs associated with the completion of a one-megawatt solar generator.

Real estate development expenses consist of costs incurred for our various real estate projects, impairment charges and depreciation expense.  During fiscal year 2009, costs associated with our real estate development business were $6.5 million compared to costs of $2.3 million in fiscal year 2008. This $4.2 million increase was primarily attributable to the following:

·

Due to the continued decline in real estate values, impairment charges for fiscal year 2009 were $6.2 million compared to $1.3 million for fiscal year 2008, resulting in a $4.9 million increase.

·

Offsetting the increased impairment charges noted above was a $0.9 million decrease in expenses associated with our East Areas 1 and 2 Project. The majority of the expenses for planning and entitlement related to this project were incurred in fiscal year 2008 and prior years.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2009 were $6.5 million compared to $8.3 million for fiscal year 2008. This 22% decrease of $1.8 million primarily consists of the following:

·

Employee incentive expenses were zero in fiscal year 2009 compared to $1.5 million in fiscal year 2008 due to lower operating performance in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008.

·

Consulting, travel, promotions and other miscellaneous expenses were $0.5 million lower in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 due to austerity measures implemented during fiscal year 2009 as a response to lower agriculture revenues.

·

Partially offsetting these decreases were $0.2 million of higher legal, audit and SEC compliance expenses for fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 associated with the Company’s NASDAQ listing in fiscal year 2010.

 

 

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Other Income/Expense

Other income (expense) for fiscal year 2009 was $2.5 million of income compared to $0.1 million of expense for fiscal year 2008. The $2.6 million increase in income consists of the following:

·

For fiscal year 2009, other income includes $0.7 million of interest expense, $2.7 million of gain on sale of 335,000 shares of stock in Calavo Growers, Inc. for net proceeds of $6.1 million, $0.2 million of interest income and $0.3 million of other miscellaneous income.

·

For fiscal year 2008, other expense includes $1.4 million of interest expense, $0.9 million of interest income and $0.4 million of other miscellaneous income.

Average debt levels in fiscal year 2009 and 2008 were approximately $73.2 million and $44.3 million, respectively.  Interest expense was lower in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 due to lower interest rates and higher debt levels being offset by higher interest capitalization on real estate development projects during fiscal 2009.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2.3 million for fiscal year 2009 on pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $5.2 million compared to an income tax provision of $2.1 million for fiscal year 2008 on pre-tax income from continuing operations of $5.9 million.

Our effective tax rate was 44.3% for fiscal year 2009 compared to an effective rate of 36.1% for fiscal year 2008. The primary reasons for this change in our effective tax rate were a decrease in the allowable domestic production deduction, an increase in the change in unrecognized tax benefits and an increase in other nondeductible items in fiscal year 2009 over the fiscal year 2008 amounts.

Segment Results of Operations

We evaluate the performance of our agriculture business, rental operations and real estate development segments separately to monitor the different factors affecting financial results. Each segment is subject to review and evaluations related to current market conditions, market opportunities and available resources.  The following table shows the segment results of operations for the years ended October 31:

 

		Years Ended October, 31
		2010								2009								2008
		$				%				$				%				$				%
Revenues:
Agriculture		$	47,034,000				87	%		$	31,033,000				89	%		$	49,794,000				93	%
Rental operations			3,976,000				7	%			3,766,000				11	%			3,718,000				7	%
Real estate development			3,274,000				6	%			39,000				0	%			-				0	%
Total revenues			54,284,000				100	%			34,838,000				100	%			53,512,000				100	%
Costs and expenses:
Agriculture			31,457,000				61	%			27,281,000				64	%			34,805,000				73	%
Rental operations			2,173,000				4	%			2,061,000				5	%			2,236,000				5	%
Real estate development			6,838,000				13	%			6,521,000				15	%			2,332,000				5	%
Corporate and other			10,693,000				21	%			6,479,000				15	%			8,303,000				17	%
Total costs and expenses			51,161,000				100	%			42,342,000				100	%			47,676,000				100	%
Operating income (loss):
Agriculture			15,577,000								3,752,000								14,989,000
Rental operations			1,803,000								1,705,000								1,482,000
Real estate development			(3,564,000	)							(6,482,000	)							(2,332,000	)
Corporate and other			(10,693,000	)							(6,479,000	)							(8,303,000	)
Total operating income (loss)		$	3,123,000							$	(7,504,000	)						$	5,836,000

 

 

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Fiscal Year 2010 Compared to Fiscal Year 2009

The following analysis should be read in conjunction with the previous section “Results of Operations”.

Agriculture

For fiscal year 2010 our agriculture segment revenue was $47.0 million compared to $31.0 million for fiscal year 2009. The 52% increase of $16.0 million reflected higher revenue in most varieties of our crops for fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009. The increase in agriculture revenue primarily consists of the following:

·

Lemon revenue for fiscal year 2010 was $5.9 million higher than fiscal year 2009.

·

Avocado revenue for fiscal year 2010 was $7.5 million higher than fiscal year 2009.

·

Navel orange revenue in fiscal year 2010 was $1.6 million higher than in fiscal year 2009.

·

Valencia orange revenue for fiscal year 2010 was $0.5 million compared to $0.7 million in fiscal year 2009.

·

Specialty citrus and other crop revenue for fiscal year 2010 was $1.1 million higher than fiscal year 2009.

Costs associated with our agriculture business include packing costs, harvest costs, growing costs, costs related to the lemons we process and sell for third-party growers, and depreciation expense. For fiscal year 2010, our agriculture costs and expenses were $31.5 million compared to $27.3 million for fiscal year 2009. The 15% decrease of $4.2 million primarily consists of the following:

·

Harvest costs for fiscal year 2010 were $1.9 million higher than fiscal year 2009.

·

Cost related to the lemons we process and sell for third-party growers for fiscal year 2010 were $1.5 million higher than fiscal year 2009.

·

Growing costs for fiscal year 2010 were $1.2 million higher than fiscal year 2009.

·

Partially offsetting these increases was a $0.3 million decrease in packing costs in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009.

·

Depreciation expense was similar year to year at approximately $1.6 million.

Rental Operations

Our rental operations revenue for fiscal year 2010 was $4.0 million compared to $3.8 million in fiscal year 2009 resulting in an increase of $0.2 million. Revenues for all three areas of this segment (residential and commercial rentals, leased land and organic recycling) were similar year to year.

Expenses in our rental operations segment for fiscal year 2010 were $0.1 million higher than fiscal year 2009 due to increased repairs and maintenance costs for our residential rental facilities. Depreciation expense was similar year to year.

Real Estate Development

Our real estate development segment revenue for fiscal year 2010 was $3.2 million higher than fiscal year 2009.

Costs and expenses in our real estate development segment for fiscal year 2010 were $0.3 million higher than fiscal year 2009.

Corporate and Other

Corporate costs and expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses and other costs not allocated to the operating segments. Corporate and other costs for fiscal year 2010 were $4.2 million higher than fiscal year 2009. Depreciation expense was similar year to year.

 

 

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Fiscal Year 2009 Compared Fiscal Year 2008

The following analysis should be read in conjunction with the previous section “Results of Operations”.

Agriculture

For fiscal year 2009 our agriculture segment revenue was $31.0 million compared to $49.8 million for fiscal year 2008. The 38% decrease of $18.8 million primarily reflected lower revenue for lemons in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008:

·

Lemon revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $18.0 million lower than fiscal year 2008.

·

Avocado revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $0.5 million higher than fiscal year 2008.

·

Navel orange revenue was $1.9 million for fiscal year 2009 compared to $2.4 million for fiscal year 2008, resulting in decrease of $0.5 million.

·

Valencia orange revenue did not materially change in fiscal year 2009 from fiscal year 2008.

·

Specialty citrus and other crop revenue was $2.1 million for fiscal year 2009 compared to $2.9 million for fiscal year 2008 resulting in a decrease of $0.8 million.

Costs associated with our agriculture business include packing costs, harvest costs, growing costs, costs related to the lemons we process and sell for third-party growers, and depreciation expense. For fiscal year 2009 our agriculture costs and expenses were $27.3 million compared to $34.8 million for fiscal year 2008. The 22% decrease of $7.5 million primarily consists of the following:

·

Costs related to the lemons we process and sell for third-party growers for fiscal year 2009 were $3.4 million lower than fiscal year 2008.

·

Growing costs for fiscal year 2009 were $2.6 million lower than fiscal year 2008.

·

Harvest costs for fiscal year 2009 were $0.7 million lower than fiscal year 2008.

·

Packing costs for fiscal year 2009 were $8.3 million compared to $9.0 million for fiscal year 2008, resulting in a $0.7 million decrease.

·

Depreciation expense for fiscal year 2009 was $1.6 million compared to $1.7 million for fiscal year 2008, resulting in a $0.1 million decrease.

Rental Operations

Our rental operations revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $3.8 million compared to $3.7 million in fiscal year 2008, resulting in a $0.1 million increase. Revenues for all three areas of this segment (residential and commercial rental operations, leased land and organic recycling) were similar year to year.

Expenses in our rental operations segment for fiscal year 2009 were $0.1 million lower than fiscal year 2008 due to decreased repairs and maintenance costs for our residential facilities. Depreciation expense was similar year to year.

Real Estate Development

Our real estate development segment revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $39,000 higher than fiscal year 2008. The fiscal year 2009 revenue consists of incidental revenue from one of the Arizona Development Projects.

Costs and expenses in the real estate development segment for fiscal year 2009 were $4.2 million higher than fiscal year 2008.

Corporate and Other

Corporate costs and expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses and other costs not allocated to the operating segments. Corporate and other costs for fiscal year 2009 were $1.8 million lower than fiscal year 2009. Depreciation expense was similar year to year.

 

 

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Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table presents the Company’s operating results for each of the eight fiscal quarters in the period ended October 31, 2010. The information for each of these quarters is derived from our unaudited interim financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. In our opinion, all necessary adjustments, which consist only of normal and recurring accruals, have been included to fairly present our unaudited quarterly results. As with any agriculture enterprise, our agriculture operations are highly seasonal in nature.  The harvest and sale of our lemons, avocados, oranges and specialty citrus and other crops occurs in all quarters, but is generally more concentrated during the second and third quarters.

(in thousands, except per common share amounts)		Three Months Ended 2010
Statement of Operations Data:		Oct. 31,				July 31,				Apr. 30,				Jan. 31,
Revenues		$	12,483			$	22,230			$	13,209			$	6,362
Costs and expenses			14,598				13,236				12,184				11,143
Operating income (loss)			(2,115	)			8,994				1,025				(4,781	)
Other income (loss), net			(817	)			(1,396	)			(925	)			(36	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before (provision) benefit for income taxes and equity earnings (loss) of investments			(2,932	)			7,598				100				(4,817	)
Income tax (provision) benefit			1,115				(2,704	)			(48	)			1,709
Equity earnings (loss) of investments			270				27				64				(16	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			(1,547	)			4,921				116				(3,124	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			(25	)			(6	)			(4	)			(8	)
Net Income (loss)			(1,572	)			4,915				112				(3,132	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic		$	(0.14	)		$	0.43			$	0.00			$	(0.28	)
Diluted		$	(0.14	)		$	0.43			$	0.00			$	(0.28	)
Number of  shares used in per common share computations:
Basic			11,194				11,194				11,194				11,246
Diluted			11,194				11,194				11,194				11,246

(in thousands, except per common share amounts)		Three Months Ended 2009
Statement of Operations Data:		Oct. 31,				July 31,				Apr. 30,				Jan. 31,
Revenues		$	9,178			$	12,984			$	7,760			$	4,916
Costs and expenses			13,744				10,498				9,320				8,780
Operating income (loss)			(4,566	)			2,486				(1,560	)			(3,864	)
Other income (loss), net			2,557				(175	)			(24	)			160
Income (loss) from continuing operations before (provision) benefit for income taxes and equity earnings (loss) of investments			(2,009	)			2,311				(1,584	)			(3,704	)
Income tax (provision) benefit			891				(991	)			739				1,652
Equity earnings (loss) of investments			13				(84	)			(75	)			(24	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations			(1,105	)			1,236				(920	)			(2,076	)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			(5	)			(1	)			(5	)			(1	)
Net Income (loss)		$	(1,110	)		$	1,235			$	(925	)		$	(2,077	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic		$	(0.10	)		$	0.10			$	(0.09	)		$	(0.19	)
Diluted		$	(0.10	)		$	0.10			$	(0.09	)		$	(0.19	)
Number of shares used in per common share computations:
Basic			11,263				11,263				11,263				11,195
Diluted			11,263				11,263				11,263				11,234

 

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

The Company’s liquidity and capital position fluctuates during the year depending on seasonal production cycles, weather events, and demand for our products. Typically, our first and last fiscal quarters coincide with the fall and winter months during which we are growing crops that are harvested and sold in the spring and summer, our second and third quarters. To meet working capital demand and investment requirements of our agriculture and real estate development segments and to supplement operating cash flows, we utilize our revolving credit facility to fund agricultural inputs and farm management practices until sufficient returns from crops allow us to repay amounts borrowed. Raw materials needed to propagate the various crops grown by us consist primarily of fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, fuel and water and are readily available from local sources.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities was $7.1 million, ($1.0) million and $6.8 million, respectively.  The increase of $8.1 million in net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 was primarily attributable to higher net income resulting from higher revenue in most varieties of our crops.  The $7.8 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal year 2009 was primarily due to a net loss of $2.9 million in fiscal year 2009 compared to a net income of $3.5 million in fiscal year 2008.  The significant components of the Company’s cash flows provided by operating activities as included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are as follows:

·

Net income (loss) was $0.3 million, ($2.9) million and $3.5 million for fiscal years 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.  The increase of $3.2 million in fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009 was primarily attributable to a $3.7 million decrease in non-cash impairments of real estate development assets.  The decrease of $6.4 million in fiscal year 2009 as compared to fiscal year 2008 was primarily attributable to a $11.2 million decrease in agriculture operating income and a $4.8 million increase in non-cash impairments of real estate development assets.

·

Depreciation and amortization was $2.3 million, $2.3 million and $2.4 million for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.   Depreciation and amortization for each of fiscal years 2010, 2009, and 2008 remained stable primarily because the balance of depreciable assets did not change significantly.

·

Non-cash impairments of real estate development assets resulting from continued weakness in the real estate market was $2.4 million, $6.2 million and  $1.3 million for fiscal years 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.

·

During fiscal 2009, the Company sold 335,000 shares of its investment in Calavo which resulted in a gain of $2.7 million.  No such transaction occurred in fiscal year 2010 or 2008.

·

Non-cash stock compensation expense was $1.2 million, $0.8 million and $0.6 million for fiscal years 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, which is comprised of vesting of a 2008 grant to management under the Company’s stock grant performance bonus program and the directors stock incentive compensation.  The increase in fiscal year 2010 stock compensation expense of $0.4 million compared to fiscal year 2009 is primarily related to the fiscal 2010 incentive stock grant for management for which there was no such grant in fiscal year 2009.

·

Expense related to the forgiveness of notes receivable of $0.7 million is a non-cash charge that occurred in fiscal 2010 in connection with loans issued to three of our senior executive officers to allow them to pay the payroll taxes associated with the compensation shares issued to them under our stock grant performance bonus plan.   There was no such charge in either fiscal 2009 or 2008.

·

Non-cash interest expense on derivative instruments was $2.0 million for fiscal year 2010 and zero for fiscal years 2009 and 2008.  The expense is due to a change in accounting for the Company’s interest rate swap agreements.  In fiscal years 2009 and 2008, the swap agreements qualified for hedge accounting and as such, the changes in the related fair value liability were included in other comprehensive income.  In April 2010, the Company extended the due dates for certain of the swap agreements and combined the swap agreements into one agreement.  This transaction disqualified them for hedge accounting and accordingly, required the change in the related fair value liability to be included in earnings.

 

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·

Accounts and notes receivable provided (used) operating cash flows of $0.9 million, ($1.2) million, and ($0.1) million for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The $2.2 million increase in cash flows in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009 was primarily the result of the change in notes receivable – related parties of $1.5 million. During fiscal year 2010 in relation to officers’ notes receivable, the Company issued $0.2 million of additional notes, $1.0 million was repaid and $0.7 million was forgiven. The $1.1 million decrease in cash flows for fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 was primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable from recording a $1.3 million estimated crop insurance claim settlement in fiscal year 2009.

·

Income taxes receivable balance at October 31, 2010 $1.2 million compared to zero at October 31, 2009, resulting in a corresponding decrease in operating cash flows of ($1.2) million for fiscal year 2010 and an increase in operating cash flows of $1.0 million for fiscal year 2009. The receivable at October 31, 2010 represented the estimated refund due to the Company from the estimated tax payments made during fiscal year 2010. Comparatively, the Company generated a loss in fiscal year 2009 and made no estimated tax payments.

·

Accounts payable and growers payable provided (used) operating cash flows of zero, ($0.7) million and $1.0 million for the fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The $0.7 million increase in cash flows in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009 is primarily due to higher levels of operating expenses in fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009, resulting in corresponding higher levels of payables at fiscal year-end 2010. The $1.7 million decrease in cash flows in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 is primarily due to lower levels of operating expenses in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008, resulting in correspondingly lower levels of payables at fiscal year-end 2009.

·

Accrued liabilities used operating cash flows of $0.1 million, ($1.8) million and ($1.0) million for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The $0.1 million non-cash increase in operating activities from accrued liabilities primarily consists of ($0.2) million related to real estate development costs offset by changes in various accrual balances. The $1.8 million use of cash in fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 is primarily due to accrued incentive compensation of $1.5 at October 31, 2008 and there was no such accrual at October 31, 2009.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

For the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008,  net cash used in investing activities was $2.7 million,  $1.5 million, and $29.1 million, respectively.

Net cash used in investing activities is primarily comprised of capital expenditures and sales of assets. Capital expenditures were $5.5 million for fiscal year 2010 and $7.2 million for fiscal year 2009, comprised of $1.8 million and $2.1 million for property, plant and equipment in fiscal years 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $3.7 million and $5.1 million for real estate development projects in fiscal years 2010 and 2009, respectively.  During fiscal year 2010, the Company sold its Cactus Wren real estate development project for $2.8 million in net proceeds.  During fiscal 2009, the Company sold 335,000 shares of its investment in Calavo for $6.1 million in net proceeds to provide working capital and manage its debt level.  Other investing activities used net cash of $0.4 million more in fiscal year 2009 than fiscal year 2008.

The $27.6 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities for fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 is attributable to $22.0 million less in capital expenditures, which is primarily related to the purchase in fiscal year 2008 of a 63 acre land parcel that is part of the East Area I development project, net proceeds of $6.1 million from the sale of 335,000 shares of our investment in Calavo in fiscal year 2009 and $0.5 million less in equity investment distributions in fiscal year 2009 due to lower agriculture profits on our Limco Del Mar investment. Other investing activities provided net cash of $0.4 million more in fiscal year 2009 than fiscal year 2008.

 

 

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Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, net cash (used in) provided by financial activities was ($4.8) million, $3.0 million, and $22.0 million, respectively.

The $7.8 million decrease in net cash flows from financing activities for fiscal year 2010 compared to fiscal year 2009 is primarily due to net repayments on long-term debt in the amount of $3.1 million in fiscal year 2010 and $4.1 million net borrowings in fiscal year 2009, which is largely the result of an $8.1 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in fiscal year 2010.  In addition, the Company paid common and preferred stock dividends of $1.7 million in fiscal year 2010 compared to $1.0 million paid in fiscal year 2009.  Lower common stock dividends of $0.07 million were paid in fiscal year 2009 ($0.06 per common share) compared to fiscal 2010 ($0.13 per common share) as a result of reduced fiscal year 2009 operating cash flows.  Other financing activities provided net cash of $0.2 million more in fiscal year 2010 than fiscal year 2009.

The $19.0 million decrease in net cash flows from financing activities for fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 is primarily related to net cash provided from net repayments and net borrowings on long-term debt, which was $4.1 million and $27.1 million in fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. The fiscal year 2008 net cash provided from net borrowings of debt includes $22.0 million used to purchase approximately 63 acres of property that is part of our East Area I development project. In addition, the Company paid common and preferred stock dividends of $1.0 million in fiscal year 2009 compared to $3.9 million paid in fiscal year 2008.  Lower common stock dividends of $0.07 million were paid in fiscal year 2009 ($0.06 per average common share) compared to fiscal year 2008 ($0.33 per common share) as a result of reduced fiscal year 2009 operating cash flows. Repurchases of common stock was $1.1 million less in fiscal year 2009 than fiscal year 2008.  Other financing activities used net cash of $0.2 million more in fiscal year 2009 than fiscal year 2008.

Transactions Affecting Liquidity and Capital Resources

We finance our working capital and other liquidity requirements primarily through cash from operations and our revolving credit facility with Rabobank, NA, which we refer to as Rabobank.  In addition, we have three term loans with Farm Credit West, FLCA, and a non-revolving line of credit, which we refer to as the Farm Credit West Line of Credit, with Farm Credit West, PCA, which we refer to with Farm Credit West, FLCA collectively, as Farm Credit West.  Additional information regarding the Rabobank Credit Facility, the Farm Credit West Term Loans and the Farm Credit West Line of Credit can be found in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

We believe that the cash flows from operations and available borrowing capacity from our existing credit facilities will be sufficient to satisfy our capital expenditures, debt service, working capital needs and other contractual obligations for fiscal 2011.  In addition, we have the ability to control the timing of our investing cash flows to the extent necessary based on our liquidity demands.

Rabobank Revolving Credit Facility

As of October 31, 2010, our outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility were $57.0 million and we had $23.0 million of availability.  The Rabobank Credit Facility bears interest at a variable rate equal to the one month London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a spread of 1.50%. The interest rate resets on the first of each month and was 1.76% at October 31, 2010.  We have the ability to prepay any amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility without penalty.

The Company has the option of fixing the interest rate under the Rabobank Credit Facility on any portion of outstanding borrowings using interest rate swaps.  The fixed interest rate is calculated using the two, three or five year LIBOR swap rates plus a spread of 1.50%.  At October 31, 2010, the Company has fixed the interest rate at 5.163 % based on the three year LIBOR swap rate utilizing interest rate swaps on $42 million of the Rabobank Credit Facility.  Additional information regarding the interest rate swaps can be found in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

 

 

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Farm Credit West Term Loans and Non-Revolving Credit Facility

As of October 31, 2010, we had an aggregate of $29.0 million outstanding under the Farm Credit West Term Loans and Farm Credit West Line of Credit. The following provides further discussion on the term loans and non-revolving credit facility:

·

Term Loan Maturing November 2022. As of October 31, 2010, we had $6.7 million outstanding under the Farm Credit West term loan that matures in November 2022.  This term loan bears interest at a variable rate equal to an internally calculated rate based on Farm Credit West’s internal monthly operations and their cost of funds and generally follows the changes in the 90-day treasury rates in increments divisible by 0.25% and is payable in quarterly installments through November 2022.  The interest rate resets monthly and was 3.25% at October 31, 2010.  This term loan is secured by certain of our agricultural properties.

·

Term Loan Maturing May 2032. As of October 31, 2010, we had $0.9 million outstanding under the Farm Credit West term loan that matures in May 2032.  This term loan bears interest at a variable rate equal to an internally calculated rate based on Farm Credit West’s internal monthly operations and their cost of funds and generally follows the changes in the 90-day treasury rates in increments divisible by 0.25% and is payable in monthly installments through 2032.  The interest rate resets monthly and was 3.25% at October 31, 2010.  This term loan is secured by certain of our agricultural properties.

·

Term Loan Maturing October 2035. As of October 31, 2035, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Windfall Investors, had $9.1 million outstanding under the Farm Credit West term loan that matures in October 2035.  The Company guaranteed payment of all indebtedness under this term loan and, in connection with our acquisition of Windfall Investors in November 2009, began to include the results of operations and all of the assets and liabilities of Windfall Investors (including the liabilities under this term loan) in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The interest rate on this term loan is fixed at 6.73% until November 2011, at which time the rate becomes variable at a rate equal to an internally calculated rate based on Farm Credit West’s internal monthly operations and their cost of funds and generally follows the changes in the 90-day treasury rates in increments divisible by 0.25% until the loan matures.  This term loan is secured by the Windfall Farms Property.

·

Non-Revolving Line of Credit Maturing May 2013. As of October 31, 2010, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Windfall Investors, had $12.3 million outstanding under the Farm Credit West Line of Credit that matures May 2013.  In connection with our acquisition of Windfall Investors in November 2009 we began to include the liability associated with a $10.5 million line of credit involving Windfall Investors and Farm Credit West that matured in June 2010.  In May 2010, Windfall Investors refinanced the outstanding line of credit balance of $10.5 million plus accrued interest with a $13 million non-revolving line of credit that matures in May 2013.  The non-revolving line of credit bears interest at a variable rate equal to an internally calculated rate based on Farm Credit West’s internal monthly operations and their cost of funds and generally follows the changes in the 90-day treasury rates in increments divisible by 0.25% with interest payable on a monthly basis and the principal amount due in full in May 2013.  The interest rate resets monthly and was 3.50% at October 31, 2010.  The Company guaranteed the payment of all indebtedness under this term loan.  The non-revolving line of credit is secured by all of Windfall Investor’s owned stock or participation certificates required by Farm Credit West’s bylaws, any funds or accounts of Windfall Investors maintained with Farm Credit West and Farm Credit West’s allocated surplus, and certain of the Company’s agricultural properties.

The Farm Credit West Term Loans and Non-Revolving Credit Facility contain various conditions, covenants and requirements with which the Company and Windfall Investors must comply.  In addition, the Company and Windfall Investors are subject to limitations on, among other things, selling, abandoning or ceasing business operations; merging or consolidating with a third party; disposing of a substantial portion of assets by sale, transfer, gifts or lease except for inventory sales in the ordinary course of business; obtaining credit or loans from other lenders other than trade credit customary in the business; becoming a guarantor or surety on or otherwise liable for the debts or obligations of a third party; and mortgaging, pledging, leasing for over a year, or otherwise making or allowing the filing of a lien on any collateral

 

 

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Interest Rate Swaps

Real Estate Development Activities and Related Capital Resources

As noted above under “Transactions Affecting Liquidity and Capital Resources,” we have the ability to control the timing of our investing cash flows to the extent necessary based upon our liquidity demands.  In order for our real estate development operations to reach their maximum potential benefit to the Company, however, we will need to be successful over time in identifying other third party sources of capital to partner with us to move those development projects forward.  While we are in discussions with several external sources of capital in respect to all of our development projects (other than our Donna Circle project, which is a complete, single family, luxury home in Arizona under an operating lease expiring in 2011), current market conditions for California real estate projects, while improving, continue to be challenging and make it difficult to predict the timing and amounts of future capital that will be required to complete the development of our projects.

Trend Information

Agriculture

The worldwide fresh produce industry has historically enjoyed consistent underlying demand and favorable growth dynamics. In recent years, the market for fresh produce has increased faster than the rate of population growth, supported by ongoing trends including greater consumer demand for healthy, fresh and convenient foods, increased retailer square footage devoted to fresh produce, and greater emphasis on fresh produce as a differentiating factor in attracting customers.  Health-conscious consumers are driving much of the growth in demand for fresh produce. Over the past several decades, the benefits of natural, preservative-free foods have become an increasingly significant element of the public dialogue on health and nutrition. As a result, consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables has markedly increased. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), Americans consumed an additional 37 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables per capita in 2008 than they did in 1988.

The USDA reports that per capita fresh lemon consumption was 3.96 pounds in 2006 and since 2000 has averaged 3.3 pounds per capita versus 2.7 pounds in the 1990s.  The USDA also estimates that U.S. lemon production will be approximately 10% greater in 2011 than in 2010 and, as a result, lemon prices may experience some downward pressure as a result of an increase in supply.  California produces approximately 87% of the U.S. lemon crop with approximately 66% of the crop going to the fresh market, which is significantly more profitable than the processed market.  The amount of production sold in the fresh market is referred to as utilization.  Our utilization has historically been comparable to the California industry average. We expect that our utilization will increase to approximately 75% to 80% due to increased flexibility to sell lemons directly to food service, wholesale and retail customers and increased customer interaction resulting from our direct lemon sales strategy, which became effective November 1, 2010.

Also, according to the USDA, the U.S. per capita consumption of avocados has increased in recent years from 2.3 pounds per capita in 2000 to 3.1 pounds per capita in 2005 and the California Avocado Commission estimates that over 4.0 pounds per capita were consumed in 2010.  A growing Hispanic population, an increasing awareness of healthier foods and the acceptance of monounsaturated fats has helped to spur demand for avocados.  California is the largest U.S. producer of avocados and the 2010 crop of 245,000 tons was the second largest in the last ten years and fourth largest in California avocado production history.  The USDA estimates that U.S. avocado production will be lower in 2011 than 2010.  We expect that, due to the alternate bearing nature of avocado trees where a large crop is typically followed by a smaller crop, our avocado production is likely to be lower in fiscal year 2011 than in fiscal year 2010.  In addition, unfavorable weather conditions in Mexico and Chile may result in lower overall avocado production globally. Consequently, an estimated increase in U.S. consumer demand for avocados coupled with the expecations of lower supply  is expected to result in higher prices for avocados in 2011.

 

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Real Estate Development

According to most accounts, the residential real estate market continues to be weak following the well known economic dramatic downturn in recent years.  Persistent high unemployment is expected to keep home sales at historically low levels in terms of volume and price.  The Company has incurred impairment charges on certain of its real estate development projects over the last three years and future impairment is possible.   Due to these factors, we anticipate maintaining a cautious and patient perspective with respect to our real estate development activities.  However, interest rates are also at historically low levels, which provide a favorable buying opportunity for potential home buyers.   Additionally, we believe that our real estate development properties have certain unique characteristics and are located in desirable locations, in particular East Area I, and as economic or real estate market conditions improve or other factors arise, we will take advantage of such opportunities to develop our properties.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The following table presents the Company’s contractual obligations at October 31, 2010 for which cash flows are fixed and determinable:

		Payments due by Period
Contractual Obligations:		Total				< 1 year				1-3 years				3-5 years				5+ years
Fixed rate debt (principal)		$	51,149,000			$	146,000			$	42,323,000			$	369,000			$	8,311,000
Variable rate debt (principal)			34,789,000				480,000				28,217,000				1,075,000				5,017,000
Operating lease obligations			8,742,000				1,699,000				2,849,000				1,675,000				2,519,000
Total contractual obligations		$	94,680,000			$	2,325,000			$	73,389,000			$	3,119,000			$	15,847,000
Interest payments on fixed and variable rate debt		$	19,468,000			$	3,566,000			$	7,081,000			$	1,226,000			$	7,595,000

We believe that the cash flows from our agriculture and rental operations business segments as well as available borrowing capacity from our existing credit facilities will be sufficient to satisfy our future capital expenditure, debt service, working capital and other contractual obligations for fiscal year 2011. In addition, we have the ability to control the timing of our investing cash flows to the extent necessary based on our liquidity demands.

Fixed Rate and Variable Rate Debt

Details of amounts included in long-term debt can be found above and in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements and included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The table above assumes that long-term debt is held to maturity.

Interest Payments on Fixed and Variable Debt

The above table assumes that our fixed rate and long term debt is held to maturity and the interest rates on our variable rate debt remains unchanged for the remaining life of the debt from those in effect at October 31, 2010.

Preferred Stock Dividends

In 1997, in connection with the acquisition of Ronald Michaelis Ranches, Inc., the Company issued 30,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock at $100 par value (the “Series B Stock”).  The holders of shares of Series B Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at an annual rate of 8.75% of par value. Such dividends are payable quarterly on the first day of January, April, July, and October in each year commencing July 1, 1997 and totaled $0.3 million in fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

 

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Operating Lease Obligations

The Company has numerous operating lease commitments with remaining terms ranging from less than one year to ten years. The Company has installed a one mega-watt photovoltaic solar array on one of its agricultural properties located in Ventura County that produces the majority of the power to run its lemon packinghouse.  The construction of this array was financed by Farm Credit Leasing and the Company has a long-term lease with Farm Credit Leasing for this array.  Annual payments for this lease are $0.5 million, and at the end of ten years the Company has an option to purchase the array for $1.1 million.  The Company entered into a similar transaction with Farm Credit Leasing for a second photovoltaic array at one of its agricultural properties located in the San Joaquin Valley to supply the majority of the power to operate four deep-water well pumps located on Company property.  Annual lease payments for this facility range from $0.3 million to $0.8 million, and at the end of ten years the Company has the option to purchase the array for $1.3 million.  The Company leases pollination equipment under a lease through 2013 with annual payments of $0.1 million.  The Company also leases machinery and equipment for its packing operations and land for its growing operations under leases with annual lease commitments that are individually immaterial.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Limoneira Company

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	56
Consolidated Financial Statements of Limoneira Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 31, 2010 and 2009	57
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008	58
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008	59
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended October 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008	60
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	62

All schedules are omitted for the reason that they are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Limoneira Company