10-Q 1 j0937_10q.htm Prepared by MerrillDirect


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


x  Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the period ended May 31, 2001

Commission file number:  33-83868

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

84-0004720

(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
101 North Third Street
Moorhead, Minnesota  56560

(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Telephone Number (218) 236-4400

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES  x   NO  o

 

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

  Outstanding at
Class of Common Stock

July 11, 2001

$10 Par Value 3,135

 



 

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

       
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
  ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
       
    BALANCE SHEETS  
       
    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  
       
    STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
       
    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
       
  ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
   OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
       
PART II OTHER INFORMATION  
     
  ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS  
       
  ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE
OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
       
  ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K  
       
SIGNATURES  

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)

 

ASSETS
 
  May 31
August 31,
  2001
2000
2000*
Current Assets:      
   Cash and Cash Equivalents $26 $3,231 $70,124
   Accounts Receivable:      
     Trade 67,681 50,760 49,489
     Members 3,230 1,045 1,063
     Other 889 2,938 3,230
   Advances to Related Parties 5,944 4,314 9,219
   Inventories 274,488 276,806 147,935
   Prepaid Expenses 5,522
3,506
4,363
       
Total Current Assets 357,780
342,600
285,423
       
       
       
Property and Equipment:      
   Land 31,179 26,267 27,616
   Buildings and Equipment 831,624 797,047 825,047
   Construction-in-Progress 7,088 18,771 6,676
   Less: Accumulated Depreciation (511,285)
(474,938)
(477,868)
       
Net Property and Equipment 358,606
367,147
381,471
       
Other Assets:      
   Investments in CoBank 15,676 15,135 15,135
   Investments in Marketing Cooperatives 3,352 3,219 3,219
   Investments in ProGold Limited Liability Company 38,559 36,542 36,867
   Investments in Crystech, LLC 1,489 1,494 1,630
   Notes Receivable - Crystech, LLC 13,905 13,905 13,905
   Other Assets 2,029
4,143
2,069
       
Total Other Assets 75,010
74,438
72,825
       
Total Assets $791,396
$784,185
$739,719

* Derived from audited financial statements.

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' INVESTMENTS
 
  May 31
August 31,
2000*

  2001
2000
Current Liabilities:      
   Short-Term Debt $134,264 $127,452 $103,376
   Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt 18,930 18,925 18,925
   Accounts Payable:      
     Trade 5,211 5,853 19,895
     Other 1,865 3,556 6,396
   Advances due to Related Parties 5,786 6,656 8,845
   Accrued Continuing Costs (see note 3) 93,220 58,791 -
   Other Current Liabilities 16,064 18,935 18,984
   Amounts Due Members 52,806
51,635
53,666
       
Total Current Liabilities 328,146 291,803 230,087
       
Long-Term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities 200,306 231,210 230,905
Deferred Income Taxes 1,982 1,900 1,920
Other Liabilities 25,226
31,592
27,477
       
Total Liabilities 555,660
556,505
490,389
       
       
Members' Investments:      
   Preferred Stock 38,275 38,275 38,275
   Common Stock 31 30 30
   Additional Paid-in Capital 137,236 130,969 131,071
   Unit Retains 97,241 97,054 116,216
   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (655) (4,088) (655)
   Retained Earnings/(Deficit) (36,392)
(34,560)
(35,607)
       
Total Members' Investments 235,736
227,680
249,330
       
Total Liabilities and Members' Investments $791,396
$784,185
$739,719

* Derived from audited financial statements.

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY
Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)

 

  For the Nine Months Ended For the Three Months Ended  
  May 31
May 31
  2001
2000
2001
2000
         
Net Revenue $638,444 $564,774 $222,202 $178,967
Cost of Product Sold 64,979
31,131
51,495
51,745
         
Gross Proceeds 573,465 533,643 170,707 127,222
         
Selling, General & Administrative Expenses 128,549 118,928 45,956 36,625
Accrued Continuing Costs (see note 3) 93,220
58,791
28,465
(16,886)
         
Operating Proceeds 351,696
355,924
96,286
107,483
         
Other Income (Expense)        
 Interest Income 2,503 2,036 615 904
 Interest Expense (16,159) (17,018) (5,227) (6,841)
 Other Income (Expense), Net 1,406
627
739
85
Other Income (Expense) (12,250)
(14,355)
(3,873)
(5,852)
         
Proceeds before Income Taxes 339,446 341,569 92,413 101,631
Income Taxes (Provision) (67)
(78)
(28)
(26)
Net Proceeds Resulting from
    Member and Non-Member Business
$339,379
$341,491
$92,385
$101,605
         
         
Distribution of Net Proceeds:        
   Credited/(Charged) to Members' Investments:        
    Non-Member Business Income/(Loss) $(785) $(832) $(87) $92
    Unit Retains Declared to Members - - - -
    Equity Retention Declared to Members -
-
-
-
Net Credit/(Charge) to Members' Investments (785) (832) (87) 92
Payments to/due Members for Sugarbeets,
   Net of Unit Retains Declared
312,833 342,323 92,624 101,513
Payment to/due Members for PIK
   Certificates, Net of Equity Retention Declared

27,331


-

 (152)

-

         
Total $339,379
$341,491
$92,385
$101,605

 

American Crystal Sugar Company
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

 

  For the Nine Months Ended
  May 31
  2001
2000
     
Cash Provided By (Used In) Operations:    
   Net Proceeds Resulting from Member and Non-Member Business $339,379 $341,491
   Payments to Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared (312,833) (342,323)
   Payments to Members for PIK Certificates, Net of Equity
     Rentention Declared
(27,331) -
   Add (Deduct) Non-Cash Items:    
     Depreciation and Amortization 37,960 33,536
     (Income) Loss from Equity Method Investees (1,735) (819)
     (Gain) Loss on the Disposition of Property and Equipment 747 565
     Non-Cash Portion of Patronage Dividend from Banks for
       Cooperatives
(541) 292
    Deferred Gain Recognition (148) (148)
   Changes in Assets and Liabilities:    
     Receivables (18,018) 21,149
     Inventories (231,598) (164,848)
     Prepaid Expenses (1,158) (1,225)
     Advances to Related Parties 216 24,761
     Accounts Payable (19,215) (16,849)
     Accrued Continuing Costs 93,220 58,791
     Other Liabilities (1,573) 2,671
     Amounts Due Members (860)
15,937
   Net Cash (Used In) Operations (143,488)
(27,019)
     
Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities:    
   Purchases of Property and Equipment (15,591) (24,980)
   Proceeds from the Sale of Property and Equipment 6 590
   Investments in Crystech LLC - (47)
   Notes Receivable - Crystech LLC - (2,022)
   Changes in Other Assets (18)
1,970
Net Cash (Used In) Investing Activities (15,603)
(24,489)
     
Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities:    
   Net Proceeds (Payments) on Short-Term Debt, Net 132,396 67,272
   Proceeds from Long-Term Debt 8,415 17,000
   Long-Term Debt Repayment (39,009) (18,915)
   Proceeds from Sale of Stock 6,166 7,021
   Payment of Unit Retains (18,975)
(19,795)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 88,993
52,583
     
Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents (70,098) 1,075
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year 70,124
2,156
     
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $26
$3,231

Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Financing Activities:
   On September 30, 2000, the Company forfeited sugar in satisfaction of the Commodity Credit
   Corporation loans of $105.3 million including accrued interest of $3.8 million.

 

AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2001 AND 2000

 

Note 1:  Basis of Presentation

The unaudited financial statements contained herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles.  However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

The operating results for the nine month period ended May 31, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended August 31, 2001.

The amount paid to growers for sugarbeets (beet payment) depends on the future selling prices of sugar and agri-products as well as processing and other costs to be incurred during the remainder of the fiscal year.  For the purposes of this report, the amount of the beet payment, future revenues and costs have been estimated.  Therefore, adjustments with respect to these estimates may be necessary in the future as additional information becomes available.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's annual report for the year ended August 31, 2000.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the May 31, 2000 financial statements to conform with the May 31, 2001 presentation.

Note 2:  Inventories

             The major components of inventories are as follows (In Thousands):

  05/31/01
05/31/00
8/31/00
Refined Sugar, Pulp, Molasses, Other Agri-Products and Sugar Beet Seed $256,855 $258,062 $126,545
Unprocessed Sugarbeets - - 3,402
Maintenance Parts & Supplies 17,633
18,744
17,988
       
Total Inventories $274,488
$276,806
$147,935

Sugar, pulp, molasses and other agri-products inventories are valued at estimated net realizable value.  Unprocessed sugarbeets are valued at the estimated net beet payment plus estimated unit retains to be withheld.  Maintenance parts & supplies and beet seed inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market.

Note 3:  Accrued Continuing Costs

For interim reporting, the Net Proceeds from Member Business is based on the forecasted beet payment and the percentage of the tons of sugarbeets processed to the total estimated tons of sugarbeets to process for a given crop year.  Accrued continuing costs represent the difference between the Net Proceeds from Member Business as determined above and actual member business crop year revenues realized and expenses incurred through the end of the reporting period.  Accrued continuing costs are reflected in the Financial Statements as a cost on the Statements of Operations and as a current liability on the Balance Sheets.

Note 4:  Members' Investments

  Par Value
Shares
Authorized

Shares Issued
 & Outstanding

Preferred Stock:      
   July 11, 2001 $76.77 600,000 498,570
   May 31, 2001 $76.77 600,000 498,570
   August 31, 2000 $76.77 600,000 498,570
   May 31, 2000 $76.77 600,000 498,570
       
Common Stock:      
   July 11, 2001 $10.00 4,000 3,135
   May 31, 2001 $10.00 4,000 3,135
   August 31, 2000 $10.00 4,000 3,006
   May 31, 2000 $10.00 4,000 2,955

Note 5:  Interest Paid

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized, was $16.1 million and $14.3 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Note 6: Short-Term Debt

As of May 31, 2001, the company had outstanding commercial paper of $134.3 million at an average interest rate of 4.61% and maturity dates between June 1, 2001 and October 25, 2001.

As of May 31, 2000, the company had outstanding non-recourse loans with the CCC totaling $102.5 million, against which 4.5 million hundredweight of sugar was pledged as collateral. The loans had an average interest rate of 7.14% with a maturity date of September 30, 2000. The Company also had outstanding commercial paper, as of May 31, 2000, of $25.0 million at an average interest rate of 6.52% and maturity dates between June 13, 2000 and November 1, 2000.

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition For the Nine months and Three months Ended May 31, 2001 and 2000

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Such forward-looking statements include, among others, those statements including the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “may” and similar expressions.  The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those indicated.  Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, market factors, weather and general economic conditions, farm and trade policy, available quantity and quality of sugarbeets.  For a more complete discussion of “Important Factors”, please refer to the Company’s 2000 Form 10-K.

Comparison of the Nine months Ended May 31, 2001 and 2000

Revenue for the nine months ended May 31, 2001, was $638.4 million, an increase of $73.7 million from 2000.  Revenue from total sugar sales increased 13.2 percent which reflects the proceeds from the forfeiture of sugar to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) this year, an 8.9 percent increase in hundredweight sold, partially offset by an 8.3 percent decrease in the average selling price per hundredweight.  Revenue from pulp sales increased 11.1 percent due to a 2.0 percent increase in the volume of pulp sold and an 8.9 percent increase in the average selling price per ton.  Revenue from molasses sales decreased 43.1 percent due to a 55.9 percent decrease in the volume of molasses sold partially offset by a 28.9 percent increase in the average selling price per ton.  Revenue from the sales of Concentrated Separated By-Product (CSB), a by-product of the molasses desugarization process, increased 60.3 percent due to a 24.3 percent increase in sales volume and a 28.9 percent increase in the average selling price per ton.  The decrease in sales volume of molasses and the increase in sales volume of CSB are primarily the result of the Crystech, LLC molasses desugarization facility at Hillsboro, North Dakota, which became operational on February 1, 2000.

Cost of product sold, for the nine months ended May 31, 2001, exclusive of payments for sugarbeets, increased $33.8 million as compared to the same period in 2000. Direct processing costs for sugar and pulp increased 11.7 percent due to processing 3.2 percent more sugarbeets, higher costs for natural gas and nine months this year versus four months last year of tolling charges from Crystech, LLC.  Fixed and committed expenses decreased .4 percent reflecting lower maintenance costs.  The cost associated with sugar purchased to meet customer needs was down $20.1 million due to no such activity during the first nine months of fiscal 2001.  Change in inventories impacted the cost of product sold unfavorably by $39.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2001 as compared to fiscal 2000 due primarily to the forfeiture of sugar to the CCC partially offset by increased sugar production.

Selling, General and Administrative expenses for the nine months ended May 31, 2001 increased $ 9.6 million from 2000.  Selling expenses increased $ 9.5 million due to increased sugar sales volume.  General and Administrative expenses increased $ .1 million compared with 2000.

The increase in accrued continuing costs was due primarily to changes in the volume of sugar sales and production, differences in the timing of incurring processing costs and the amount of unsold inventory on hand.

Interest income increased $ .5 million in fiscal 2001 primarily due to a higher average balance of investments partially offset by slightly lower rates.

Interest expense decreased $ .8 million from last year primarily due to lower long-term and short-term interest rates and lower average borrowing levels.

Non-member activities were comparative, with both years resulting in a loss of $ .8 million for the nine months ended May 31. The losses in both fiscal years were comprised mainly of activities related to the investment in ProGold, LLC.

Comparison of the Three months Ended May 31, 2001 and 2000

Revenue for the three months ended May 31, 2001, was $222.2 million, an increase of $43.2 million from 2000.  Revenue from total sugar sales increased 21.1 percent reflecting a 30.9 percent increase in hundredweight sold partially offset by a 7.5 percent decrease in the average selling price per hundredweight.  Revenue from pulp sales increased 73.3 percent due to a 48.9 percent increase in the volume of pulp sold and a 16.4 percent increase in the average selling price per ton.  Revenue from molasses sales decreased 16.9 percent due to a 33.8 percent decrease in the volume of molasses sold partially offset by a 25.6 percent increase in the average selling price per ton.  Revenue from the sales of Concentrated Separated By-Product (CSB), a by-product of the molasses desugarization process, increased 77.1 percent due to a 22.7 percent increase in sales volume and a 44.4 percent increase in the average selling price per ton.  The decrease in sales volume of molasses and the increase in sales volume of CSB are primarily the result of the Crystech, LLC molasses desugarization facility at Hillsboro, North Dakota, which became operational on February 1, 2000.

Cost of product sold, for the three months ended May 31, 2001, exclusive of payments for sugarbeets, decreased $ .3 million as compared to the same period in 2000. Direct processing costs for sugar and pulp decreased 5.8 percent primarily due to lower tolling charges for the quarter from Crystech, LLC and lower beet disposal costs partially offset by higher costs for natural gas.  Fixed and committed expenses increased 1.8 percent compared to the same period in 2000 due to increased depreciation and maintenance costs.  The cost associated with sugar purchased to meet customer needs was down $5.1 million due to no such activity during the current quarter.  Change in inventories impacted the cost of product sold unfavorably by $5.7 million.

Selling, General and Administrative expenses for the three months ended May 31, 2001 increased $9.3 million from the same period in 2000.  Selling expenses increased $8.9 million due to the increased volume of sugar sold. General and Administrative expenses increased $ .4 million compared with last year primarily due to general cost increases.

The increase in accrued continuing costs was due primarily to changes in the volume of sugar sales and production, differences in the timing of incurring processing costs and the amount of unsold inventory on hand.

Interest income decreased $ .3 million in fiscal 2001 primarily due to a lower average balance of investments during this quarter.

Interest expense decreased $1.6 million primarily due to lower long-term and short-term interest rates and lower average borrowing levels.

Non-member activities resulted in a loss of $ .1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2001 as compared to an income of $ .1 million for the same period last year. The loss in 2001 is comprised mainly of activities related to the investment in ProGold, LLC.

Current Market Trends

The domestic sugar market is currently experiencing an oversupply of refined sugar.  This oversupply is the result of several factors. First, the trade agreements between the United States and the World Trade Organization (WTO) require imports of sugar, regardless of the domestic supply situation, from approximately 40 foreign nations that produce and export sugar. Second, sugar is currently entering the United States from Canada, over and above the WTO minimum, in the form of “stuffed molasses.”  “Stuffed molasses” is molasses that contains an extremely high percentage of sugar.  Once the “stuffed molasses” reaches the United States, it is run through a desugarization process that separates the liquid sugar from the molasses. The liquid sugar is then sold in the domestic market. Third, Mexico, under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), will be allowed to export 2.5 million hundredweight of sugar into the United States during 2001 on a tariff free basis.  Finally, the United States currently holds a significant inventory of sugar as a result of forfeitures by domestic sugar processors. Due to these factors, the supply of refined sugar currently exceeds the domestic demand for refined sugar in the United States.  This excess supply has resulted in a decline in domestic sugar prices.  Lower sugar prices adversely impact the profitability of selling refined sugar in the United States, resulting in a direct adverse impact on the Company and its members.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Under the Company’s Bylaws and Grower Contracts, payments for member delivered sugarbeets, the Company’s principal raw material, are subordinated to all member business expenses.   Cash payments to members are spread over a period of approximately one-year following delivery of their sugarbeet crops to the Company.  All unpaid portions remain available to meet the Company’s capital requirements. This member financing arrangement may result in an additional source of liquidity and reduced outside financing requirements in comparison to a similar business operated on a non-cooperative basis. Because sugar is sold throughout the year (while sugarbeets are processed primarily in the fall, winter and spring) and because substantial amounts of equipment are required for its operations, the Company has utilized substantial outside financing on both a seasonal and long-term basis to fund such operations. The majority of such financing has been provided by CoBank, ACB. The Company has a long-term debt commitment with CoBank of $158.3 million against which the Company had borrowed $118.3 million. In addition, the Company has long-term debt outstanding of $50 million from a private placement of Senior Notes that occurred in September of 1998, a term loan with US Bank of $2.0 million, a term loan with Bank of North Dakota of $6.4 million, and $42.5 million from nine separate issuances of Pollution Control and Industrial Development Revenue Bonds.  The Company also has a seasonal line of credit with CoBank, ACB of $180 million that includes a line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank for $3 million and any amounts obtained through issuance of instruments in its commercial paper program. The Company’s commercial paper program provides short-term borrowings of up to $150 million.

On March 31, 2001, the Company entered into new Term and Seasonal loan agreements with CoBank, ACB. The various loan agreements between CoBank, ACB and the Company obligate the Company to maintain or achieve certain amounts of working capital and certain financial ratios and impose restrictions on the Company.  As of May 31, 2001, the Company was in compliance with its loan agreements.

The change in the Company’s financial condition from August 31, 2000 to May 31, 2001 is primarily due to normal business seasonality.  The first nine months of the Company’s fiscal year includes the completion of the sugarbeet harvest, the processing campaign, and the initial payments to members for delivered sugarbeets.  The cash used in operations of $143.5 million and investing activities of $15.6 million was funded through the cash provided by financing activities.  The net cash provided by financing activities was primarily comprised of the net proceeds from long-term and short-term debt of $140.8 million, and proceeds from the installment sale of stock of $6.2 million partially offset by the payment of the unit retains of $19.0 million and long-term debt repayment of $39.0 million.

Working capital has decreased $25.7 million from $55.3 million at the beginning of the year to $29.6 million as of May 31, 2001 primarily due to reductions of long-term debt and increases in payables partially offset by increased inventories.  Working capital as of May 31, 2001 was $29.6 million, a decrease of $21.2 million when compared to $50.8 million of working capital as of May 31, 2000.

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended May 31, 2001 were $15.6 million as compared to $25.0 million for the same period in 2000. The Company had outstanding commitments totaling $5.8 million as of May 31, 2001, for equipment and construction contracts related to various capital projects.

The Company anticipates that the funds necessary for working capital requirements and future capital expenditures will be derived from operations, short-term borrowings, depreciation, unit retains and long-term borrowings.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

From time to time and in the ordinary course of its business, the Company is named as a defendant in legal proceedings related to various issues, including worker’s compensation claims, tort claims and contractual disputes. The Company is currently involved in certain legal proceedings, which have arisen in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The Company is also aware of certain other potential claims, which could result in the commencement of legal proceedings. The Company carries insurance, which provides protection against certain types of claims. With respect to current litigation and potential claims of which the Company is aware, the Company’s management believes that (i) the Company has insurance protection to cover all or a portion of any judgments which may be rendered against the Company with respect to certain claims or actions and (ii) any judgments which may be entered against the Company and which may exceed such insurance coverage or which may arise in actions involving potential liabilities not covered by insurance policies are not likely to have a material adverse effect upon the Company, or its assets or operations.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits

Item No.
    Method of Filing
       
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of American Crystal Sugar Company   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
3.2 Restated By-laws of American Crystal Sugar Company   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11693), declared effective November 13, 1996.
       
4.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of American Crystal Sugar Company   See Exhibit 3.1
       
4.2 Restated By-laws of American Crystal Sugar Company   See Exhibit 3.2
       
10.1 Trademark License Agreement between Registrant and United Sugars Corporation, dated November 1, 1993   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
10.2 Uniform Member Marketing Agreement, Pool Basis between Registrant and Midwest Agri-Commodities Company, dated April 14, 1992   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(m) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
10.3 Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between Registrant and US Bank, formerly First Bank National Association, dated November 22, 1993   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(q) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
10.4 Pension Contract and Amendments   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(r) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
10.5 Form of Operating Agreement between Registrant and ProGold Limited Liability Company   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
10.6 Form of Member Control Agreement between Registrant and ProGold Limited Liability Company   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(v) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
10.7 Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant and ProGold Limited Liability Company   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(w) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
10.8 Uniform Member Marketing Agreement   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(x) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-83868), declared effective November 23, 1994.
       
+10.9 Coal Supply Agreement between Registrant and Spring Creek Coal Company, dated August 25, 1995   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(y) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11693), declared effective November 13, 1996.
       
+10.10 Coal Transportation Agreement between Registrant and Northern Coal Transportation Company, dated August 25, 1995   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(z) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11693), declared effective November 13, 1996.
       
+10.11 Gas Sales Contract between Registrant and Coastal Gas Marketing Company, dated as of March 20, 1996   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(aa) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-11693), declared effective November 13, 1996.
       
+10.12 Trademark License Agreement between Registrant and The Pillsbury Company, dated as of April 9, 1997   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(dd) from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-32251), declared effective October 24, 1997.
       
10.13 Pledge Agreement between Registrant and First Union Trust Company, NA   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ee) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.
       
10.14 Indemnity Agreement between Registrant, Newcourt Capital USA Inc., Crystech, LLC and Crystech Senior Lender Trust   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ff) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.
       
10.15 Tolling Services Agreement between Crystech, LLC and Registrant   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(gg) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.
       
10.16 Operations and Maintenance Agreement between Crystech, LLC and Registrant   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(hh) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.
       
++10.17 Limited Liability Company Agreement of Crystech, LLC   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii) from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1998.
       
10.18 Master Agreement between the Registrant and Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers AFL-CIO, CLC   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999
       
10.19 Uniform Member Beet Sugar Marketing Agreement   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999
       
10.20 Registrant’s Senior Note Purchase Agreement   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999
       
10.21 Registrant’s  Senior Note Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999
       
10.22 Registrant’s Senior Note Restated Mortgage and Security Agreement   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1999
       
10.23 Employment Agreement between the Registrant and James J. Horvath   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K form the year ended August 31, 1999
       
10.24 Stipulation Agreement between Registrant and State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, dated April 4, 2000   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2000
       
10.25 Board of Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, dated June 30, 1994   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 2000
       
10.26 Long Term Incentive Plan, dated September 1, 1995   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 2000
       
10.27 Long Term Incentive Plan, dated June 23, 1999   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 2000
       
10.28 Growers’ Contract (5-year Agreement) for the crop years 1998 through 2002.   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2001
       
10.29 Growers’ Contract (Annual Contract) for crop year 2001.   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2001
       
10.30 Term and Seasonal Loan Agreements between the Registrant and CoBank, ACB dated March 31, 2001   Filed herewith electronically
       
21.1 List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 1999
       
23.1 Consent of Eide Bailly LLP   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 23.1 from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended August 31, 2000

+           Portions of the Exhibit have been granted confidential treatment by the Commission. The omitted portions have been filed separately with the Commission.

++         Portions of the Exhibit have been deleted from the publicly filed document and have been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

The Company filed the following Current Reports on Form 8-K during this quarter.

(i) Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 30, 2001, under item 9 reporting projected gross beet payment increase.
   
(ii) Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May 24, 2001, under item 9 reporting projected gross beet payment increase.

 

SIGNATURES

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

 

  AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY
    (Registrant)  
       
       
       
Date:  July 11, 2001   /s/ Brian Ingulsrud

 
    Brian Ingulsrud
Corporate Controller,
Chief Accounting Officer
Duly Authorized Officer