UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________


FORM 10-Q


Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the Quarterly Period Ended AugustMarch 31, 20082009


Commission File Number 001-32924


GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Iowa

 

84-1652107

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

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



105 North 31st9420 Underwood Avenue, Suite 103  100

Omaha, NE 6813168114

(Address of principal executive offices, andincluding zip code)



(402) 884-8700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    S X. Yes        £. No


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


Large accelerated filer

      £.      Accelerated filerS.      Non-accelerated filer£ X.      Smaller reporting company£.


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).       

£. Yes    Yes   XS. No


The number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of October 3, 2008April 30, 2009 was 7,822,02824,933,514 shares.






TABLE OF CONTENTS


 

Page

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets

2

Consolidated Statements of Operations

3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

2321

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

3529

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

3731

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

3832

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

3832

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

3832

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

3832

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

3832

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

3832

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

3933

 

 

 

Signatures

4034












PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.  Financial Statements


Page

Consolidated Balance Sheets

3

Consolidated Statements of Operations

4

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income

5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8




21



GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


(in thousands, except share amounts)


 

August 31,

 

November 30,

 

2008

 

2007

 

March 31,

2009

 

December 31,

2008

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

ASSETS

ASSETS

ASSETS

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

3,693

$

11,914

$

53,541

$

64,839

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $106 and $0, respectively

 

15,011

 

3,063

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $147 and $174, and

including amounts from related parties of $0 and $2,177, respectively

 

37,411

 

54,306

Inventories

 

61,938

 

6,903

 

52,393

 

47,033

Derivative financial instruments

 

5,586

 

1,417

Prepaid expenses and other

 

4,257

 

1,882

Prepaid expenses

 

6,461

 

13,341

Deposits

 

11,950

 

10,385

Derivative financial instruments and other

 

4,661

 

3,065

Total current assets

 

90,485

 

25,179

 

166,417

 

192,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

191,797

 

147,494

 

498,479

 

495,772

Deferred income taxes

 

1,434

 

143

Goodwill

 

3,819

 

-

Other assets

 

8,581

 

7,456

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

1,277

 

1,377

Financing costs and other

 

12,798

 

2,948

Total assets

$

296,116

$

180,272

$

678,971

$

693,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checks issued in excess of bank balance

$

1,712

$

-

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

25,917

 

14,847

Accounts payable, including amounts to related parties

of $166 and $9,824, respectively

$

46,400

$

61,711

Accrued liabilities

 

6,800

 

14,595

Derivative financial instruments

 

3,010

 

116

 

4,495

 

4,538

Deferred income taxes

 

-

 

143

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

24,080

 

9,318

 

32,779

 

27,405

Notes payable

 

3,030

 

-

Total current liabilities

 

54,719

 

24,424

 

93,504

 

108,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

9,674

 

-

Long-term debt

 

116,632

 

63,756

 

301,397

 

299,011

Other liabilities

 

1,244

 

-

 

5,534

 

5,821

Total liabilities

 

182,269

 

88,180

 

400,435

 

413,081

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 7,821,528 and 7,244,784 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

8

 

7

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 24,904,708 and 24,659,250 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

25

 

25

Additional paid-in capital

 

106,844

 

98,753

 

290,614

 

290,421

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

7,009

 

(6,668)

Accumulated deficit

 

(19,800)

 

(10,459)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(14)

 

-

 

(289)

 

(298)

Total stockholders' equity

 

113,847

 

92,092

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

296,116

$

180,272

Total Green Plains stockholders’ equity

 

270,550

 

279,689

Noncontrolling interest

 

7,986

 

296

Total stockholders’ equity

 

278,536

 

279,985

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

678,971

$

693,066


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



32



GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


(unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)


 

 

Three Months Ended

August 31,

 

Nine Months Ended

August 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol

$

$ 40,018

$

-

$

96,050

$

-

Grain

 

46,491

 

-

 

75,596

 

-

Seed, feed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum

 

11,633

 

-

 

27,858

 

-

Distillers grains

 

6,892

 

9

 

17,729

 

9

Other

 

910

 

-

 

1,833

 

-

Total revenues

 

105,944

 

9

 

219,066

 

9

Cost of goods sold

 

98,110

 

20

 

180,023

 

20

Gross profit

 

7,834

 

(11)

 

39,043

 

(11)

Operating expenses

 

7,673

 

1,751

 

17,018

 

6,151

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

161

 

(1,762)

 

22,025

 

(6,162)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

25

 

194

 

220

 

1,002

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(1,746)

 

(146)

 

(3,995)

 

(192)

Unrealized loss on inventory

 

-

 

(590)

 

-

 

(590)

Net gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

 

-

 

(64)

 

-

 

340

Other, net

 

103

 

16

 

123

 

16

Total other income (expense)

 

(1,618)

 

(590)

 

(3,652)

 

576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(1,457)

 

(2,352)

 

18,373

 

(5,586)

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

(575)

 

32

 

4,696

 

(294)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(882)

$

(2,384)

$

13,677

$

(5,292)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(0.11)

$

(0.40)

$

1.81

$

(0.88)

Diluted

$

(0.11)

$

(0.40)

$

1.81

$

(0.88)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

7,821

 

6,029

 

7,561

 

6,012

Diluted

 

7,821

 

6,029

 

7,561

 

6,012


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



4



GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited and in thousands)


 

Common Stock

 

Additional Paid-in

Capital

 

Retained Earnings (Accum.

Deficit)

 

Accum. Other Comp. Loss

 

Total Stockholders'

Equity

Shares

 

Amount

Balance, November 30, 2007

7,245

$

7

$

98,753

$

(6,668)

$

-

$

92,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

-

 

-

 

-

 

13,677

 

-

 

13,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on derivatives

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(14)

 

(14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation to directors and employees

27

 

-

 

601

 

-

 

-

 

601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock as part of acquisition

550

 

1

 

7,490

 

-

 

-

 

7,491

Balance, August 31, 2008

7,822

$

8

$

106,844

$

7,009

$

(14)

$

113,847

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

Ethanol

$

161,854

$

-

Grain

 

17,318

 

-

Agronomy products

 

4,462

 

-

Distillers grains

 

34,880

 

-

Other

 

2,568

 

-

Total revenues

 

221,082

 

-

Cost of goods sold

 

219,203

 

-

Gross profit

 

1,879

 

-

Operating expenses

 

9,059

 

1,953

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

(7,180)

 

(1,953)

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

74

 

-

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(2,514)

 

(58)

Other, net

 

334

 

(6)

Total other income (expense)

 

(2,106)

 

(64)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

(9,286)

 

(2,017)

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

-

 

-

Net loss

 

(9,286)

 

(2,017)

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(55)

 

230

Net loss attributable to Green Plains

$

(9,341)

$

(1,787)

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share – basic and diluted:

 

 

 

 

Income attributable to Green Plains stockholders

$

(0.38)

$

(0.24)

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

24,865

 

7,498


See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



53



GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


(unaudited and in thousands)


 

Nine Months Ended

August 31,

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

2009

 

2008

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

13,677

$

(5,292)

Net loss attributable to Green Plains

$

(9,341)

$

(1,787)

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,351

 

39

 

6,169

 

8

Unrealized loss on inventory

 

-

 

590

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments

 

(1,708)

 

88

 

1,303

 

-

Stock-based compensation expense

 

601

 

3,389

 

153

 

136

Deferred income taxes (benefit)

 

2,495

 

39

Forgiveness of economic development grant

 

(100)

 

-

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(8,844)

 

-

 

18,166

 

-

Inventories

 

(12,406)

 

(3,988)

 

(5,360)

 

-

Derivative financial instruments

 

1,841

 

136

 

(2,932)

 

-

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

6,231

 

(2,081)

 

7,016

 

345

Checks issued in excess of bank balance

 

(1,712)

 

-

Deposits

 

(1,565)

 

-

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(1,648)

 

1,996

 

(24,102)

 

12,266

Other

 

(7)

 

-

 

(613)

 

-

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

2,771

 

(5,084)

 

(11,106)

 

10,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(29,716)

 

(67,616)

 

(1,304)

 

(47,669)

Acquisition of business

 

(12,510)

 

-

Investment in business

 

(7,500)

 

-

(Investment in) withdrawal of restricted cash

 

-

 

2,204

Cash acquired in acquisition of business

 

4,894

 

-

 

4,280

 

-

Sale (purchase) of investments

 

-

 

(894)

Other

 

(72)

 

(49)

 

(101)

 

(230)

Net cash used by investing activities

 

(37,404)

 

(67,665)

 

(4,625)

 

(46,589)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt

 

50,390

 

46,640

Proceeds from the issuance of debt

 

8,516

 

-

Payment of principal on long-term debt

 

(23,360)

 

(45)

 

(2,932)

 

-

Proceeds from notes payable

 

-

 

34,323

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

 

40

 

-

Capital contributions

 

-

 

475

Payment of loan fees and equity in creditors

 

(618)

 

(298)

 

(1,191)

 

(413)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

26,412

 

46,297

 

4,433

 

34,385

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and equivalents

 

(8,221)

 

(26,452)

 

(11,298)

 

(1,236)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

11,914

 

43,088

 

64,839

 

1,774

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

3,693

$

16,636

$

53,541

$

538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued on the following page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



64



GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 (unaudited

(unaudited and in thousands)


Continued from the previous page

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

August 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow:

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

$

433

$

495

Cash paid for interest

$

4,841

$

975

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for acquisition of subsidiary

$

7,490

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash additions to property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

Transfer of site development costs to land

$

-

$

387

Land option cost transferred to land

 

22

 

10

Common stock issued for purchase of land

 

-

 

10

Capitalized interest from amortization of debt issuance costs

 

39

 

29

Change in accrued construction liabilities

 

(2,170)

 

4,141

Change in construction retainage liabilities

 

(800)

 

(2,755)

Total noncash additions to property and equipment

$

(2,909)

$

1,822

Continued from the previous page

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

2009

 

2008

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow:

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

$

-

$

-

Cash paid for interest

$

2,064

$

58

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash additions to property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment acquired in acquisition

$

7,437

$

-

Capital lease obligation incurred for equipment

 

322

 

-

Total noncash additions to property and equipment

$

7,759

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Assets acquired in acquisition

$

21,593

$

-

Less liabilities assumed

 

(6,202)

 

-

Total noncash additions to property and equipment

$

15,391

$

-



See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



75



GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(unaudited)


1.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION, DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Description of BusinessReferences to the Company


References to “we,” “us,” “our”“our,” “Green Plains” or the “Company” in the consolidated financial statements and in these notes to the consolidated financial statements refer to Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc., an Iowa corporation, and its subsidiaries. We were formedAs discussed below, the consolidated financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 are those of VBV LLC and its subsidiaries.


Reverse Acquisition Accounting


VBV LLC (“VBV”) and its subsidiaries became wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. pursuant to constructa merger on October 15, 2008. Under the purchase method of accounting in a business combination effected through an exchange of equity interests, the entity that issues the equity interests is generally the acquiring entity. In some business combinations (commonly referred to as reverse acquisitions), however, the acquired entity issues the equity interests. Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations,” requires consideration of the facts and operate dry mill, fuel grade ethanol production facilities. Ethanol iscircumstances surrounding a renewable, environmentally clean fuel sourcebusiness combination that is produced at numerous facilities ingenerally involve the United States, mostly inrelative ownership and control of the Midwest. Inentity by each of the U.S., ethanol is produced primarily from corn and then blended with unleaded gasoline in varying percentages. To add shareholder value, we are seeking to expand our business operations beyond ethanol production to integrate strategic agribusiness and ethanol distribution services (see Note 2 relatedparties subsequent to the Aprilmerger. Based on a review of these factors, the October 2008 acquisition of Great Lakes Cooperative’s agribusiness assets and Note 13 related to the pending merger with VBV LLC)(the “Merger”) was accounted for as a reverse acquisition (i.e., Green Pl ains was considered the acquired company and VBV was considered the acquiring company).


ConstructionAs a result, Green Plains’ assets and liabilities as of October 15, 2008, the date of the Merger closing, have been incorporated into VBV’s balance sheet based on the fair values of the net assets acquired, which equaled the consideration paid for the acquisition. SFAS No. 141 also requires an allocation of the acquisition consideration to individual assets and liabilities including tangible assets, financial assets, separately recognized intangible assets, and goodwill. Further, the Company’s operating results (post-Merger) include VBV’s operating results prior to the date of closing and the results of the combined entity following the closing of the Merger. Although VBV was considered the acquiring entity for accounting purposes, the Merger was structured so that VBV became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.


Since the Merger occurred toward the end of our first ethanol plant, located in Shenandoah, Iowa, began in April 2006,fiscal year and operations commenced at the plant in August 2007. Construction began in August 2006 oninvolved complex legal and accounting issues, Green Plains performed a second plant located in Superior, Iowa. The Superior plant began start-up operations, which includes grinding corn and initiation of fermentation, in early July 2008. Bothtentative allocation of the above-mentioned ethanol production facilitiespurchase price using preliminary estimates of the values of the assets and liabilities acquired. We have expected production capacityengaged an expert to assist in the determination of 55 million gallons per year per plant. At capacity each plant is expectedthe purchase price allocation for purposes of SFAS No. 141. We believe the final allocation will be determined during 2009 with prospective adjustments recorded to on an annual basis, consume approximately 20 million bushelsour financial statements at that time, if necessary, in accordance with SFAS No. 141. A true-up of corn and produce approximately 55 million gallons of fuel-grade, undenatured ethanol, and approximately 175,000 tons of by-product known as distillers grains.the purchase price allocation could result in gains or losses recognized in our consolidated financial statements in future periods.


We sell ethanol and distillers grains in-house and via third-party brokers. Contractually, these third-party brokers are responsible for subsequent sales, marketing, and shippingChange in Fiscal Year End


Effective April 1, 2008, the Company changed its fiscal year end from March 31 to December 31 to more closely align our year end with that of the ethanol and distillers grains. We have contracted with Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC, (“RPMG”), an independent broker, to sell the ethanol produced at the facilities. In May 2008, we provided notice to RPMG that we intend to terminatemajority of our ethanol marketing contract with respect to the Shenandoah plant effective September 30, 2008, after which we will perform Shenandoah ethanol sales in-house.


Our Shenandoah ethanol plant produces modified wet and dried distillers grains, and our Superior ethanol plant produces wet and dried distillers grains. We had previously entered into exclusive marketing agreements with CHS Inc., a Minnesota cooperative corporation, for the sale of dried distillers grains produced at the Shenandoah and Superior plants. The agreement with CHS Inc. related to the Shenandoah plant terminated on July 1, 2008. The Shenandoah ethanol plant currently markets its modified wet and dried distillers grains in-house and via third-party brokers (other than CHS Inc.). The Superior ethanol plant currently markets wet distillers grains in-house. CHS Inc. continues to market dried distillers grains produced at the Superior ethanol plant.peer group.


Consolidated Financial Statements


In the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, all references to the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 are related to VBV and its subsidiaries as the predecessor company pursuant to reverse acquisition accounting rules. Although pre-merger Green Plains had been producing ethanol since August 2007, under reverse acquisition accounting rules, the merged Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect VBV’s results as a development stage company (from inception on September 28, 2006 until September 2008) and as an operating company since September 2008. Accordingly, the Company’s operating results (post-Merger) include the operating results of VBV and its subsidiaries prior to the date of the Merger and the results of the combined entity following the closing of the Merger.


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.



6



The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2007,December 31, 2008, which has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as filed in our annual report for the transition period then ended November 30, 2007, and the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S.accounting principles generally accepted accounting principlesin the United States (“GAAP”) have been omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. We moved from a development stage company t o an operating entity during the quarter ended August 31, 2007. The consolidated financial statements at AugustMarch 31, 2008,2009, and for the threethree-months ended March 31, 2009 and nine months ended August 31, 2008 and 2007,200 8, are unaudited and reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature, except as otherwise disclosed herein, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation, in all material respects, of the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The results of the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K as filed with the SEC and notes thereto and risk factors contained therein for the fiscal yearnine-month transition period ended November 30, 2007.



8



On April 3, 2008, we completed our merger with Great Lakes Cooperative (“Great Lakes”), which is discussed in further detail in Note 2. Upon closing the merger with Great Lakes, Green Plains Grain Company LLC (“GP Grain”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, assumed Great Lakes’ assets and liabilities, with the exception of certain investments in regional cooperatives that were excluded from the merger. Opening balances, and operating activities of GP Grain since closing, are included in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended AugustDecember 31, 2008.


Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements


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


ConcentrationsDescription of Credit RiskBusiness


Green Plains was formed in June 2004 to construct and operate dry mill, fuel grade ethanol production facilities. Ethanol is a renewable, environmentally clean fuel source that is produced at numerous facilities in the United States, mostly in the Midwest. In the U.S., ethanol is produced primarily from corn and then blended with unleaded gasoline in varying percentages.


To add shareholder value, Green Plains expanded its business operations beyond ethanol production to integrate a full-service grain and agronomy business (via the April 2008 acquisition of Great Lakes Cooperative), ethanol marketing services, (see Note 3 related to the October 2008 merger between Green Plains and VBV, which provided additional ethanol production and marketing services) and terminal and distribution assets (see Note 4 related to the January 2009 acquisition of majority interest in Blendstar LLC, a biofuel terminal operator). As discussed above, under reverse acquisition accounting rules, VBV was considered the acquiring company in the October 2008 merger.


VBV was formed in September 2006 to capitalize on biofuels opportunities available within the United States. The goal was to create a company in the ethanol business with an integrated network combining production, distribution and marketing. VBV purchased controlling interest in two development stage ethanol plants: Indiana Bio-Energy, LLC, now known as Green Plains Bluffton LLC, and Ethanol Grain Processors, LLC, now known as Green Plains Obion LLC. Both plants were designed as dry mill, natural gas fired ethanol plants with estimated production capacity of 110 million gallons per year of fuel grade ethanol.


Operations commenced at our Shenandoah, IA plant in August 2007, and at our Superior, IA plant in July 2008. Each of these ethanol plants has expected production capacity of 55 million gallons per year (“mmgy”). In September 2008 and November 2008, respectively, the Bluffton, IN and Obion, TN facilities commenced ethanol production activities. Prior to the commencement of ethanol production at the Bluffton plant, VBV had no significant revenue-producing operations and had historically incurred net losses from operations during its development stage. At full capacity, the combined ethanol production of our four facilities is 330 million gallons per year. Processing at full capacity will consume approximately 120 million bushels of corn and produce approximately 1,020,000 tons of distillers grains.


The Company also has an in-house fee-based marketing business, Green Plains Trade Group LLC (“Green Plains Trade”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which provides ethanol marketing services to other producers in the ethanol industry. We have entered into several ethanol marketing agreements with third parties, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to market substantially all of the ethanol that is expected to be produced by such parties on an annual basis. Annual production from these third-party plants is expected to be approximately 305 million gallons. Our plan is to expand our third-party ethanol marketing operations. Green Plains Trade is also now responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of all ethanol produced at our four production facilities.


In April 2008, Green Plains completed the normal courseacquisition of business, we are exposed to credit risk resulting from the possibilityGreat Lakes Cooperative, a full-service cooperative that a loss may occur from the failure of another party to perform according to the terms of a contract. Concentrations of credit risk exist related to our accounts receivable since we have generally sold nearly all of our ethanol and distillers grains to third-party brokers. We have increased in-house sales of ethanol and distillers grains, which resultsspecializes in credit risks from new large customers. We are also exposed to credit risk resulting from sales of grain, to large commercial buyers, including other ethanol plants, which we continually monitor. Although payments are typically received within ten days from the date of sale for ethanol and distillers grains, we continually monitor this credit risk exposure. In addition, we may prepay for or make deposits on undelivered inventories. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to inventory advances are primarily with a few major suppliers of petroleum products and agricultural inputs.


Allowance for Doubtful Accounts


Bad debts are provided for on the reserve method based on historical experience and management’s evaluation of outstanding receivables at the end of the fiscal period.


Inventories


Within the Ethanol segment, corn for ethanol operations, ethanol and distillers grains inventories are stated at the lower of average cost (determined monthly) or market.


Grain inventories in the Agribusiness segment include readily-marketable physical quantities of grain, forward contracts to buy and sell grain, and exchange traded futures and option contracts (all stated at market value). The futures and options contracts, which are used to hedge the value of both owned grain and forward contracts, are considered derivatives under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 133, as amended, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” All Agribusiness grain inventories are marked to the market price with changes reflected in cost of goods sold. The forward contracts require performance in future periods. Contracts to purchase grain from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of grain to processors or other consumers generally do not extend beyond one year. Th e terms of contracts for the purchase and sale of grain are consistent with industry standards.


Merchandiseagronomy, feed and petroleum products inventorieswith seven locations in northwestern Iowa. Now known as Green Plains Grain Company LLC (“Green Plains Grain”), this business complements the Agribusiness segment are valued atethanol plants in its grain handling and marketing, as well as grain procurement required in ethanol processing.



7



In January 2009, the lowerCompany acquired majority interest in Blendstar LLC, a Houston-based biofuel terminal operator with six facilities in five states. Green Plains owns 51% of cost (first-in, first-out) or market price.Blendstar (seeNote 4 – Acquisition for further discussion related to this acquisition).


Goodwill


Goodwill represents the excessThe Company believes that as a result of the purchase price2008 mergers and the January 2009 Blendstar acquisition, the combined enterprise is a stronger, more competitive company capable of an acquired entity over the fair value of assets acquiredachieving greater financial strength, operating efficiencies, earning power, access to capital and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain impairment conditions arise.growth than could have been realized previously.


Revenue Recognition


We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are satisfied: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; risk of loss and title transfer to the customer; the price is fixed and determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured.



9



We sellPreviously, the Company sold ethanol and distillers grains in-house and via third-party brokers,marketers, who arewere our customers for purposes of revenue recognition. Specifically, Green Plains Superior LLC, Green Plains Bluffton and Green Plains Obion each had contracted with independent marketers to purchase all of their ethanol production. These third-party brokers aremarketers were responsible for subsequent sales, marketing, and shipping of the ethanol and distillers grains. Accordingly, once the ethanol or distillers grains arewere loaded into rail cars and bills of lading arewere generated, the criteria for revenue recognition arewere considered to be satisfied and sales arewere recorded. As part of our contractsThe agreements with these third-party brokers, shipping costs incurred by them reducemarketers terminated in January 2009 and February 2009. Green Plains Trade is now responsible for the sales, price they pay us.marketing and distribution of all ethanol produced at the Company’s four production facilities. For sales of ethanol and distillers grains by G reen Plains Trade, sales are recognized when title to the product and risk of loss transfer to the customer. Under our contract with CHS, Inc., certain shipping costs for dried distillers grains are incurred directly by us, which are reflected in cost of goods sold. For distillers grains sold to local farmers, bills of lading are generated and signed by the driver for outgoing shipments, at which time sales are recorded. Revenues from Blendstar, which offers ethanol transload and splash blending services, are recognized as these services are rendered.


The Company routinely enters into fixed-price, physical-delivery ethanol sales agreements. In certain instances, the Company intends to settle the transaction by open market purchases of ethanol rather than by delivery from its own production. These transactions are reported net as a component of revenues.


Sales of agricultural commodities, fertilizers and other similar products are recognized when title to the product and risk of loss transfer to the customer, which is dependent on the agreed upon sales terms with the customer. These sales terms provide for passage of title either at the time shipment is made or at the time the commodity has been delivered to its destination and final weights, grades and settlement prices have been agreed upon with the customer. Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of cost of goods sold.Revenues from grain storage are recognized as services are rendered. Revenues related to grain merchandising are presented gross.


Cost of Goods Sold


Cost of goods sold includes costs for direct labor, materials and certain plant overhead costs. Direct labor includes all compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in the operation of our ethanol plants. Grain purchasing and receiving costs, other than labor costs for grain buyers and scale operators, are also included in cost of goods sold. Direct materials consist of the costs of corn feedstock, denaturant, and process chemicals. Corn feedstock costs include realized and unrealized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, inbound freight charges, inspection costs and internal transfer costs. Plant overhead costs primarily consist of plant utilities, plant depreciation, sales commissions and outbound freight charges. Shipping costs incurred directly by us, including railcar lease costs, are also reflected in cost of goods sold. Throughput and unloading fees incurred by Blendstar are recognized as these se rvices are rendered.


We use exchange-traded futures and options contracts to minimize the effects of changes in the prices of agricultural commodities on our agribusiness grain inventories and forward purchase and sales contracts. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices. Forward purchase contracts and forward sale contracts are valued at market prices, where available, or other market quotes adjusted for differences, primarily transportation, between the exchange-traded market and the local markets on which the terms of the contracts are based. Changes in the market value of inventories, forward purchase and sale contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts, are recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold. These contracts are predominantly settled in cash. We are exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by the counter-party to forward purchase and forward sales contracts.



8



Recent Accounting Pronouncements


In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations,” which replaces SFAS No. 141. SFAS No. 141R requires the acquirer to recognize the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, contingent purchase consideration and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value on the date of acquisition. In April 2009, the FASB issued Final Staff Position (“FSP”) 141R-1, “Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies,” which amends SFAS No. 141R by establishing a model to account for certain pre-acquisition contingencies. Under FSP 141R-1, the acquirer is required to recognize, at fair value, an asset acquired or a liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency if the acquisition-date fair value of that asset or liability can be determined durin g the measurement period. If the acquisition-date fair value cannot be determined, then the acquirer should follow the recognition criteria in SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” and FASB Interpretation No. 14, “Reasonable Estimation of the Amount of a Loss – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 5.” SFAS No. 141R and FSP 141R-1 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2009, and will apply prospectively to business combinations completed on or after that date. The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 141R and FSP 141R-1 will depend on the nature of acquisitions completed after that date.


In January, 2009 the FASB issued FSP 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” These expand the fair value disclosures required for all financial instruments within the scope of SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” to interim periods. FAS 107-1 and APB Opinion No. 28-1 are effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, and may result in increased disclosures in our interim periods.


2.  FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES


Effective April 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value. The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments (which are separate line items in the consolidated balance sheet):


Level 1 – Market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs):


Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying value of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities represents their fair value due to the high liquidity and relatively short maturity of these instruments. Marketable securities considered cash equivalents are invested in low-risk interest-bearing government instruments and bank deposits, and the carrying value is determined by the financial institution where the funds are held.


 Commodity inventories and contracts Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices. Forward purchase contracts and forward sale contracts are valued at market prices where available or other market quotes, adjusted for differences, primarily transportation, between the exchange traded market and the local markets on which the terms of the contracts are based. Changes in the market value of inventories, forward purchase and sale contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts are recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold. These contracts are predominantly settled in cash. We are exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by the counter-party to forward purchase and forward sales contracts.


Operating ExpensesDerivative financial instruments– These instruments are valued at fair market value based upon information supplied by the broker at which these instruments are held. The fair value is determined by the broker based on closing quotes supplied by the Chicago Board of Trade or other commodity exchanges. The Chicago Board of Trade is an exchange with published pricing.


OperatingLevel 2 – The reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs):


Accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities– The carrying value of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are primarilyreasonable estimates of their fair value due to the short duration of these items.



9



3.  BUSINESS COMBINATION


In May 2008, definitive merger agreements were entered into by Green Plains and VBV. At that time, VBV held majority interest in two companies that were constructing ethanol plants. These two companies were Indiana Bio-Energy, LLC (“IBE”) of Bluffton, IN, an Indiana limited liability company which was formed in December 2004; and Ethanol Grain Processors, LLC, (“EGP”) of Obion, TN, a Tennessee limited liability company which was formed in October 2004. The Merger was completed on October 15, 2008. VBV and its subsidiaries became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Green Plains. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger, equity holders of VBV, IBE and EGP received Green Plains common stock and options totaling 11,139,000 shares. Upon closing of the Merger, VBV, IBE and EGP were merged into subsidiaries of the Green Plains. IBE has been renamed as Green Plains Bluffton LLC and EGP has been renamed as Green Plains Obion LLC. Simultaneously with t he closing of the Merger, NTR plc (“NTR”), a leading international developer and operator of renewable energy and sustainable waste management projects and majority equity holder of VBV prior to the Merger, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, invested $60.0 million in Green Plains common stock at a price of $10 per share, or an additional 6.0 million shares. With this investment, NTR is our largest shareholder. This additional investment is being used for general corporate purposes and administrative expensesto finance future acquisitions.


4.  ACQUISITION


On January 20, 2009, the Company acquired majority interest in Blendstar LLC, a biofuel terminal operator. The transaction involved a membership interest purchase whereby Green Plains acquired 51% of Blendstar from Bioverda U.S. Holdings LLC, an affiliate of NTR, for employee salaries, incentivesa total of $8.9 million. The purchase price is comprised of a $7.5 million cash payment and benefits; office expenses; director compensation;three future annual payments of $0.5 million, beginning in July 2009. These future annual payments are recorded in debt at a present value of $1.4 million. The allocation of the purchase price to specific assets and professional fees for accounting, legal, consulting,liabilities was based, in part, on outside appraisals of the fair value of certain assets acquired. Approximately $21.3 million is attributed to assets acquired, of which $5.3 million was allocated to goodwill and investor relations activities;$3.1 million to intangible assets that are subject to amortization. Liabilities assumed total approximately $4.8 million. In addition, $7.6 million was recorded as noncontrolling interest in the purchase price allocation.


The acquisition of Blendstar is a strategic investment within the ethanol value chain. Blendstar operates terminal facilities in Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Nashville, Knoxville, Louisville and Birmingham and has announced commitments to build terminals in two additional cities. Blendstar facilities currently have splash blending and full-load terminal throughput capacity of over 200 million gallons per year. Blendstar’s operations are included in the Marketing and Distribution segment.


5.  SEGMENT INFORMATION


With the closing of the Merger, the Company’s chief operating decision makers began to review its operations in three separate operating segments. These segments are: (1) production of ethanol and related by-products (which we collectively refer to as “Ethanol Production”), (2) grain warehousing and marketing, as well as depreciationsales and amortization costs.  related services of agronomy and petroleum products (which we collectively refer to as “Agribusiness”) and (3) marketing and distribution of Company-produced and third-party ethanol and distillers grains (which we refer to as “Marketing and Distribution”).


Recent Accounting PronouncementsVBV was formed on September 28, 2006. Prior to completion of the Merger, VBV had controlling interests in two development stage ethanol plants. Operations commenced at these plants in September 2008 and November 2008, respectively. Accordingly, VBV, the acquiring entity for accounting purposes, was a development stage company until September 2008.



10



The following are revenues, gross profit, operating income and total assets for our operating segments for the periods indicated (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol Production

$

137,503

$

-

 

Agribusiness

 

46,210

 

-

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

178,353

 

-

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

(140,984)

 

-

 

 

 

$

221,082

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol Production

$

(2,761)

$

-

 

Agribusiness

 

2,746

 

-

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

1,843

 

-

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

51

 

-

 

 

 

$

1,879

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol Production

$

(7,432)

$

(1,953)

 

Agribusiness

 

(574)

 

-

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

775

 

-

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

51

 

-

 

 

 

$

(7,180)

$

(1,953)


Previously, Green Plains Superior, Green Plains Bluffton and Green Plains Obion had contracted with third-party marketers to purchase all of their ethanol production. Under the agreements, we sold our ethanol production exclusively to them at a price per gallon based on a market price at the time of sale, less certain marketing, storage, and transportation costs, as well as a profit margin for each gallon sold. These agreements terminated in January and February 2009. Following completion of the Merger and prior to the termination of the agreements, nearly all of our ethanol that was sold to one of the third-party marketers was repurchased by Green Plains Trade, reflected in the Marketing and Distribution segment, and resold to other customers. Corresponding revenues and related costs of goods sold were eliminated in consolidation (see intersegment eliminations above).


6.  INVENTORIES


The components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

March 31,

2009

 

December 31,

2008

Petroleum & agronomy items held for sale

$

16,895

$

15,925

Grain held for sale

 

11,185

 

10,574

Raw materials

 

14,283

 

9,503

Work-in-process

 

7,418

 

7,371

Finished goods

 

1,085

 

2,171

Supplies and parts

 

1,527

 

1,489

 

$

52,393

$

47,033


7.  FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS


In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The new standard is intended to improveSFAS No. 161 requires expanded disclosures regarding the location and amounts of derivative instruments in an entity’s financial reporting aboutstatements, how derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects onrelated hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance,operating results and cash flows. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 achieves these improvements by requiring disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format. It also provides more information aboutdid not have an entity’s liquidity by requiring disclosure of derivative features that are credit risk related. Finally, it requires cross-referencing within footnotes to enable financial statement users to locate important information about derivative instruments. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. We are currently evaluating the impact that this statement will have on our consolidated financial statements.



10



2.  ACQUISITION


On April 3, 2008, we completed our merger with Great Lakes, a full-service cooperative that specializes in grain, agronomy, feedposition and petroleum products in northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota. Upon closing the merger with Great Lakes, Green Plains Grain Company LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiaryresults of the Company, assumed Great Lakes’ assets and liabilities, with the exception of certain investments in regional cooperatives that were excluded from the merger. GP Grain has grain storage capacity of approximately 15.8 million bushels that will be used to support our grain merchandising activities, as well as our Superior ethanol plant operations. We believe that incorporating Great Lakes’ businesses into our operations increases efficiencies and reduces commodity price and supply risks. Pursuant to the merger agreement, all outstanding Great Lakes common and preferred stock was exchanged for an aggregate of 550,352 shares of our common stock and approximately $12.5 million in cash. The merger and the related working capital that may be associated with acquiring and storing significant quantities of corn required additional debt financing of approximately $56.8 million, including an operating line of credit.


The allocation of the purchase price to specific assets and liabilities was based, in part, upon outside appraisals of the fair value of certain assets acquired. The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition (in thousands):


 

 

Amount

Current assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,077

Accounts receivable

 

3,103

Inventories

 

42,628

Prepaid expenses and other

 

8,868

Derivative financial instruments

 

1,408

Total current assets

 

57,084

   

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

21,221

Goodwill

 

3,819

Other assets (with weighted-average useful life of 2.2 years)

 

550

Total assets acquired

 

82,674

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

19,111

Deferred income taxes

 

297

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

1,280

Total current liabilities

 

20,688

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,447

Long-term debt

 

39,427

Other liabilities

 

928

Total liabilities assumed

 

66,490

 

 

 

Total

$

16,184


A reconciliation of consideration paid to the allocation of the purchase price to specific assets and liabilities is as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Amount

Cash used for acquisition

$

12,510

Common stock issued for acquisition

 

7,490

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

Great Lakes assets and borrowings utilized to fund the merger, net of liabilities repaid of $50.0 million

 

(3,816)

Total

$

16,184




11



TheTo minimize the risk and the effects of the volatility of commodity price changes primarily related to corn, natural gas and ethanol, the Company uses various derivative financial instruments, including exchange-traded futures, and exchange-traded and over-the-counter options contracts. We monitor and manage this exposure as part of our overall risk management policy. As such, we seek to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on our operating results of GP Grain beginning April 3, 2008, have been includedresults. We may take positions in these commodities as one way to mitigate risk. While the Company attempts to link its hedging activities to purchase and sales activities, there are situations where these hedging activities can themselves result in losses.  


SFAS No. 133 requires companies to evaluate their contracts to determine whether the contracts are derivatives as certain derivative contracts that involve physical delivery may be exempted from SFAS No. 133 treatment as normal purchases or normal sales. Commodity forward contracts generally qualify for the normal purchase or sales exception under SFAS No. 133 and are therefore not subject to its provisions as they will be expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the consolidatednormal course of business.


Derivative contracts that do not meet the normal purchase or sales criteria are therefore brought to market with the corresponding gains and losses recorded in operating income unless the contracts qualify for hedge accounting treatment. The Company does not classify any commodity derivative contracts as hedging contracts for purposes of SFAS No. 133. These derivative financial results of the Company for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2008.instruments are recognized in other current assets or liabilities at fair value.  


The following represents unaudited pro forma combined resultsfinancial statement locations of operations of the Company and Great Lakesderivatives designated as if the acquisition had occurred as of December 1, 2006 (in thousands, except per share amounts):


 

 

Three Months Ended

August 31,

 

Nine Months Ended

August 31

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

Unaudited pro forma information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$

105,944

$

34,698

$

321,771

$

106,523

Net income (loss)

 

(882)

 

(1,191)

 

12,724

 

(1,255)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

(0.11)

 

(0.20)

 

1.68

 

(0.21)

Diluted

 

(0.11)

 

(0.20)

 

1.68

 

(0.21)


The pro forma information for the three-month period ended August 31, 2008 presents the results of operations for the Company for its third quarter ended August 31, 2008 as Great Lakes’ operations for a full three-month period are already included in those amounts. The pro forma information for the three-month period ended August 31, 2007 combines the results of operations for the Company for its third quarter ended August 31, 2007 and Great Lakes for its third quarter ended May 31, 2007, after giving effect to the pro forma adjustments. The pro forma information for the nine-month period ended August 31, 2008 combines the results of operations for the Company for its nine-month period ended August 31, 2008 and Great Lakes for the period from December 1, 2007 to April 3, 2008, after giving effect to the pro forma adjustments. The pro forma information for the nine-month period ended August 31, 2007 combines the results of operations for the Company f or its nine-month period ended August 31, 2007 and Great Lakes for its nine-month period ended May 31, 2007, after giving effect to the pro forma adjustments.


The pro forma financial information includes historical Great Lakes revenues and expenses, with adjustments to the accounting base for interest expense, depreciation, amortization and income taxes. The pro forma financial information is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the Company or the results of operations of the Company that would have actually occurred had the transaction been in effect for the periods presented.


3.  INVENTORIES


The Company produces dry mill, fuel grade ethanol; operates a licensed public grain warehouse; and sells seed, feed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum products. The components of inventorieshedging instruments under SFAS No. 133 are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

August 31,   2008

 

November 30,

2007

Corn

$

27,368

$

,905

Seed, feed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum

 

21,017

 

-

Grain, other than corn

 

6,689

 

1,675

Ethanol and distillers grains

 

3,973

 

1,098

Ethanol work-in-process

 

1,612

 

747

Ethanol plant chemicals and maintenance parts

 

1,279

 

478

 

$

61,938

$

 6,903

 

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

 

Fair Value at

 

Fair Value at

Derivatives

 

March 31, 2009

 

December

31, 2008

 

March 31, 2009

 

December

31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

$

(1,095)

$

2,752

$

-

$

-

Derivative financial instruments and other

 

4,676

 

1,915

 

-

 

-

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

-

 

-

 

4,519

 

4,538

    Total

$

3,581

$

4,667

$

4,519

$

4,538


A substantial portion of the corn owned will be used in the production of ethanol. Seed, feed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum, as well as grain, other than corn, are held for sale. Distillers grains, a high-protein, high-energy animal feed supplement, is the principal by-product of the ethanol production process.



12



4.8.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT


The components of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):


 

August 31, 2008

 

November 30, 2007

 

March 31,

2009

 

December 31,

2008

Construction-in-progress

$

     2,192

$

   72,301

$

3,257

$

1,180

Completed not-classified plant

 

95,695

 

-

Plant, buildings and improvements

 

82,116

 

67,120

 

264,474

 

264,474

Plant equipment

 

185,391

 

180,276

Land and improvements

 

8,324

 

6,987

 

35,247

 

35,006

Machinery and equipment

 

5,252

 

-

Railroad track and equipment

 

1,396

 

1,353

 

22,127

 

22,225

Other

 

1,566

 

764

 

196,541

 

148,525

Computer and software

 

1,990

 

1,702

Office furniture and equipment

 

638

 

575

Leasehold improvements and other

 

1,418

 

6

Total property and equipment

 

514,542

 

505,444

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

(4,744)

 

(1,031)

 

(16,063)

 

(9,672)

Property and equipment, net

$

 191,797

$

 147,494

$

498,479

$

495,772


Plant and building costs are related to our Shenandoah ethanol production facilities, other related assets that were put into use during fiscal 2007, and GP Grain grain storage facilities. We began depreciating Shenandoah ethanol production facility assets (including the plant and administration building, railroad track and equipment, land improvements, certain computer and software, and certain other assets) at the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. The Superior plant began its ethanol-production operations in early July 2008. Accordingly, we started depreciating Superior ethanol production facility assets in July 2008, using estimates of expected lives of assets included in construction-in-progress. Completed not-classified plant costs will be allocated to their specific asset categories upon completion of a cost segregation study related to these assets during the remainder of fiscal 2008.


5.  OTHER ASSETS


The components of other assets are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

August 31, 2008

 

November 30, 2007

Recoverable rail line costs

$

3,500

$

3,500

Third-party deposits securing utility services

 

2,464

 

2,418

Debt issuance costs, net

 

1,120

 

953

Covenant not to compete

 

408

 

500

Other

 

1,089

 

85

 

$

8,581

$

7,456


Recoverable Rail Line Costs


To secure rail access to our Shenandoah ethanol plant, we entered into a contract with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (“BNSF”) that required us to pay rail line renovation costs for the spur track from Red Oak, Iowa to the plant. Included in the contract is a provision for shipping cost rebates of up to $3.5 million provided sufficient rail traffic, measured annually, is achieved on the line. The term of the contract is nine years commencing from the date of our first billed shipment from the Shenandoah plant, which was late August 2007. The rebates are recorded as a reduction to the recoverable rail line costs until the full amount has been recovered. If the track is sold by BNSF, the agreement provides for repayment to us for any portion of the unrecovered renovation costs. We review this asset for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these rail line costs may not be recoverable.  



1312



6.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES


The components of accounts payable and accrued expenses are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

August 31, 2008

 

November 30, 2007

Accounts payable

$

 18,201

$

   1,644

Accrued liabilities

 

3,240

 

6,895

Accrued construction retainage

 

4,476

 

6,308

 

$

 25,917

$

 14,847


7.9.  LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT


The components of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

August 31, 2008

 

November 30, 2007

Corporate:

 

 

 

 

Term loan

$

     8,000

$

-

Shenandoah:

 

 

 

 

Term loan

 

25,600

 

30,000

Revolving term loan

 

17,000

 

17,000

Seasonal borrowing

 

4,300

 

2,809

Economic development loan

 

185

 

230

Economic development grant

 

-

 

100

Superior:

 

 

 

 

Term loan

 

38,625

 

21,987

Revolving term loan

 

7,803

 

-

GP Grain:

 

 

 

 

Term loan

 

8,775

 

-

Revolving term loan

 

27,892

 

-

Equipment financing loans

 

1,651

 

-

Essex:

 

 

 

 

Note payable

 

462

 

477

Covenant not to compete

 

419

 

471

Total debt

 

140,712

 

73,074

Less: current portion

 

(24,080)

 

(9,318)

Long-term debt

$

 116,632

$

 63,756

 

 

March 31,

2009

 

December 31,

2008

Green Plains Bluffton:

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan

$

68,250

$

70,000

 

Revolving term loan

 

19,376

 

18,715

 

Revenue bond

 

22,000

 

22,000

 

Economic development grant

 

500

 

500

Green Plains Obion:

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan

 

60,000

 

60,000

 

Revolving term loan

 

35,200

 

30,839

 

Note payable

 

710

 

714

 

Capital lease

 

748

 

748

 

Economic development loan

 

1,000

 

1,000

 

Economic development grant

 

1,700

 

1,700

Green Plains Shenandoah:

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan

 

23,200

 

23,200

 

Revolving term loan

 

17,000

 

17,000

 

Seasonal borrowing

 

3,300

 

3,300

 

Economic development loan

 

150

 

165

Green Plains Superior:

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan

 

35,875

 

35,875

 

Revolving term loan

 

10,000

 

10,000

 

Capital lease

 

323

 

-

Green Plains Grain:

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan

 

8,100

 

8,325

 

Revolving term loan

 

23,172

 

20,000

 

Equipment financing loan

 

1,415

 

1,517

Other

 

2,157

 

818

Total debt

 

334,176

 

326,416

 

Less:  current portion

 

(32,779)

 

(27,405)

Long-term debt

$

$301,397

$

299,011


Scheduled long-term debt repayments are as follows (in thousands):


Fiscal Year Ending November 30,

 

Amount

2008

$

   10,941

Year Ending December 31,

 

Amount

2009

 

16,095

$

25,693

2010

 

39,730

 

54,094

2011

 

11,876

 

30,827

2012

 

11,509

 

30,286

2013

 

87,991

Thereafter

 

50,561

 

105,285

Total

$

 140,712

$

334,176




14



GPRE Shenandoah LLCLoan Terminology


On March 31, 2008, we entered into an Asset Transfer Agreement, transferring all assets associated withRelated to loan covenant discussions below, the Shenandoah ethanol plant, including real estate, equipment, inventories and accounts receivable, to a wholly-owned subsidiary, GPRE Shenandoah LLC. Pursuant to the Asset Transfer Agreement, GPRE Shenandoah LLC also assumed all liabilities related to the plant and its operations. On March 31, 2008, GPRE Shenandoah LLC executed a Master Loan Agreement and corresponding security agreements (individually and collectively, the “2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement”) with Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA (“FCSA”). GPRE Shenandoah LLC assumed the Master Loan Agreement, originally dated January 30, 2006, as subsequently supplemented and amended (individually and collectively, the “2006 Shenandoah Loan Agreement”), between the Company and FCSA. All terms of the 2006 Shenandoah Loan Agreement remain in effect except as specificall y modified by the 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement. Under the 2006 Shenandoah Loan Agreement, the Company’s assets served as security. As modified in 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement, GPRE Shenandoah LLC’s assets are substituted as security. As a condition of the 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement, on March 31, 2008, we repaid $2.0 million in satisfaction of the free cash flow repayment requirement for fiscal 2008.


The terms of the Economic Development Grant were met and the grant was forgiven during the third quarter of fiscal 2008.


On October 10, 2008, in conjunction with the anticipated merger with VBV LLC and its subsidiaries, the net worth covenant of the 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement, was amended to modify the definition of net worth as determinedfollowing definitions will apply (all calculated in accordance with GAAP to eliminate the net adjustment to the carrying value of assets and liabilities resulting from the merger with VBV LLC and its subsidiaries, if completed. GPRE Shenandoah agreed to pay its next two quarterly scheduled loan payments immediately upon closing the merger.


Superior Ethanol, L.L.C.


On May 15, 2008, Superior Ethanol, L.L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc., executed Amendments to the Master Loan Agreement, the Construction and Term Loan Supplement, and the Construction and Revolving Term Loan Supplement with Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA  (individually and collectively, the “Loan Amendments”). The Loan Amendments modify the Master Loan Agreement, originally dated March 15, 2007, as subsequently supplemented and amended, which provided construction and working capital for our Superior, Iowa ethanol production facilities.


The Loan Amendments set forth a number of changes, including the following:consistently applied):


·

Superior Ethanol must maintain a net worth of not less than $58.1 million beginning May 31, 2008, increasing to at least $61.6 million effective November 30, 2008.Working capital – current assets over current liabilities.


·

Superior Ethanol must provide evidence of $3.3 million in additional equity by no later than May 15, 2008, for an aggregateNet worth total equity investment of not less than $61.0 million.assets over total liabilities plus subordinated debt.


·

The commitment of the Construction and Term Loan Supplement is extended through July 15, 2008, or such later date as authorized by the lender.


The Loan Amendments reflected changes in circumstances as a result of the anticipated completion of the Superior, Iowa ethanol production facility.


As of August 31, 2008, Superior Ethanol’s working capital was less than the balance required by the Superior Loan Agreement. As a result of conversion by the Company of intercompany payables to contributed capital and additional investment by the Company in this wholly-owned subsidiary in September 2008, the lenders provided a waiver of our required compliance with the working capital covenant as of that date. Since we were able to promptly become compliant with this working capital covenant, management does not view temporary non-compliance with this covenant to be a significant indicator of future liquidity concerns.


On October 10, 2008, in conjunction with the anticipated merger with VBV LLC and its subsidiaries, theTangible owner’s equity net worth covenant of the Superior Loan Agreement, was amended to modify the definition of net worth as determined in accordance with GAAP to eliminate the net adjustment to the carrying value of assets and liabilities resulting from the merger with VBV LLC and its subsidiaries, if completed. Superior Ethanol agreed to pay its next two quarterly scheduled loan payments immediately upon closing the merger.divided by total assets.



1513



Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.·

Debt service coverage ratio – (1) net income (after taxes), plus depreciation and amortization, divided by (2) all current portions of regularly scheduled long-term debt for the prior period (previous year end).


We entered into various fixed-priced corn purchase and sale contracts with Great Lakes subsequent to the execution of the original merger agreement in August 2007. At March 31, 2008, we had open purchase contracts for 11.9 million bushels of corn from April 2008 through February 2009. The Company and Great Lakes agreed to accelerate the sale of the corn and the related payment for 4.0 million bushels. Corn not already used is being stored in GP Grain’s elevators until required for our ethanol operations or sold to others. To finance the payment of this grain, we entered into a Business Loan Agreement, Commercial Pledge Agreement, and two Promissory Notes with Americana Community Bank (individually and collectively, the “Green Plains Loan Agreements”) totaling $16.0 million. Americana Community Bank received a loan origination fee of $450,000. Great Lakes utilized the proceeds from the grain sales to repay amounts outstanding under its revol ving credit agreement with CoBank, ACB.·


The Green Plains Loan Agreements are secured by negotiable grain warehouse receipts issued to us on 4.0 million bushels of corn. Under the terms of the Green Plains Loan Agreements, as amended, we are required to (1) maintain a minimum loan to valueFixed charge ratio and were required to purchase put options to minimize the underlying commodity price risk of the corn, (2) make monthly interest payments on unpaid principal balances at a 10% per annum interest rate, and (3) make principal payments of $1.0 million per week until completely repaid.  


Green Plains Grain Company LLC


GP Grain entered into a credit agreement with the First National Bank of Omaha (“FNBO”). The FNBO credit agreement, and related loan agreements including the Revolving Credit Note, Term Note, Security Agreement,  Post-Closing Agreement, and mortgages (individually and collectively, the “GP Grain Loan Agreements”) involved total term and revolving credit commitments of $39.0 million.


The term loan proceeds, which totaled $9.0 million, were used to refinance existing debt as well as pay former Great Lakes members a portion of the $12.5 million cash merger consideration. The revolving loan proceeds, which totaled $30.0 million, were used to repay amounts outstanding under Great Lakes’ revolving credit agreement with CoBank, ACB and will be used for working capital purposes for GP Grain. The term loan expires on April 3, 2013, and the revolving loan expires on April 3, 2010. Payments of $225,000 under the term loan are due on the last business day of each calendar quarter, with any remaining amount payable at the expiration of the loan term. The loans will bear interest at either the base rate (prime) minus 0.25% to plus 0.75% or short-term fixed rates at LIBOR (1, 2, 3 or 6 month) plus 1.75% to 2.75% (each depending on GP Grain’s Fixed Charge Ratio for the preceding four fiscal quarters). Under the GP Grain Loan Agreement, the Fixed Charge Ratio is defined as adjusted EBITDAR divided by Fixed Charges,fixed charges, which are the sum of GP Grain’s interest expense, current maturities under the term loan, rent expense and lease expenses. Adjusted


·

EBITDAR is defined as net income plus interest expense, rent and lease expense, and noncash expenses (including depreciation and amortization expense, deferred income tax expense and unrealized gains and losses on futures contracts), less interest income and certain capital expenditures.


GP·

Senior leverage ratio – debt, excluding amounts under the Green Plains Grain increasedrevolving credit note, divided by EBITDAR.


Ethanol Production Segment


Each of our Ethanol Production segment subsidiaries has credit facilities with lender groups that provided for term and revolving term loans to finance construction and operation of the production facilities (“Production Credit Facilities”). The Green Plains Bluffton loan is comprised of a $70.0 million amortizing term loan and a $20.0 million revolving term facility (individually and collectively, the “Green Plains Bluffton Loan Agreement”). The Green Plains Obion loan is comprised of a $60.0 million amortizing term loan, a revolving term loan of $37.4 million and a $2.6 million revolving line of credit (individually and collectively, the “Green Plains Obion Loan Agreement”). The Green Plains Shenandoah loan is comprised of a $30.0 million amortizing term loan, a $17.0 million revolving term facility, and a statused revolving credit supplement (seasonal borrowing capability) of up to $4.3 million (individually and collective ly, the “Green Plains Shenandoah Loan Agreement”). The Green Plains Superior loan is comprised of a $40.0 million amortizing term loan and a $10.0 million revolving term facility (individually and collectively, the “Green Plains Superior Loan Agreement”).


Loan Repayment Terms


·

Term Loans – The term loans were available for advances until construction for each of the plants was completed.


o

Scheduled quarterly principal payments (plus interest) are as follows:


§

Green Plains Bluffton  

  $1.75 million


§

Green Plains Obion  

  $2.4 million (beginning May 20, 2009)


§

Green Plains Shenandoah

  $1.2 million


§

Green Plains Superior  

  $1.375 million


o

Final maturity dates (at the latest) are as follows:


§

Green Plains Bluffton  

  November 1, 2013


§

Green Plains Obion  

  May 20, 2015


§

Green Plains Shenandoah

  May 20, 2014


§

Green Plains Superior  

  July 20, 2015


o

Each term loan has a provision that requires the Company to make annual special payments equal to a percentage ranging from 65% to 75% of the available free cash flow from the related entity’s operations (as defined in the respective loan agreements), subject to certain limitations, generally provided, however, that if such payment would result in a covenant default under the respective loan agreements, the amount of the payment shall be reduced to an amount which would not result in a covenant default.


o

Free cash flow payments are discontinued when the aggregate total received from such payments meets the following amounts:


§

Green Plains Bluffton  

  $16.0 million


§

Green Plains Obion  

  $18.0 million



14



§

Green Plains Shenandoah

  $8.0 million


§

Green Plains Superior  

  $10.0 million


·

Revolving Credit NoteTerm Loans – The revolving term loans are generally available for advances throughout the life of the commitment. Allowable advances under the Green Plains Shenandoah Loan Agreement are reduced by $2.4 million each six-month period commencing on the first day of the month beginning approximately six months after repayment of the term loan, but in no event later than November 1, 2014. Allowable advances under the Green Plains Superior Loan Agreement are reduced by $2.5 million each six-month period commencing on the first day of the month beginning approximately six months after repayment of the term loan, but in no event later than July 1, 2015. Interest-only payments are due each month on all revolving term loans until the final maturity date, with the exception of the Green Plains Obion Loan Agreement, which requires additional semi-annual payments of $4.675 million beginning November 1, 2015.


o

Final maturity dates (at the latest) are as follows:


§

Green Plains Bluffton  

  November 1, 2013


§

Green Plains Obion  

  November 1, 2018


§

Green Plains Shenandoah

  November 1, 2017


§

Green Plains Superior  

  July 1, 2017


Pricing and Fees


·

The loans bear interest at either the Agent Base Rate (prime) plus from $300.0% to 1.0% or short-term fixed rates at LIBOR plus 2.5% to 3.9% (each based on a ratio of total equity to total assets). In some cases, the lender may allow us to elect to pay interest at a fixed interest rate to be determined.


·

Certain loans were charged an application fee and have an annual recurring administrative fee.


·

Unused commitment fees, when charged, range from 0.375% to 0.75%.  


·

Origination and other fees have been recorded in financing costs in the consolidated balance sheets.


Security


As security for the loans, the lenders received a first-position lien on all personal property and real estate owned by the respective entity borrowing the funds, including an assignment of all contracts and rights pertinent to construction and on-going operations of the plant. These borrowing entities are also required to maintain certain financial and non-financial covenants during the terms of the loans.


Representations, Warranties and Covenants


The loan agreements contain representations, warranties, conditions precedent, affirmative covenants (including financial covenants) and negative covenants including:


·

Maintenance of working capital as follows: by Green Plains Bluffton of not less than $10.0 million at the commencement of operations, and increasing to $35$12.0 million no later than 12 months after the date construction for the plant has been completed and continuing thereafter.


o

Green Plains Bluffton  

  $10.0 million (increasing to $12.0 million by September 11, 2009)


o

Green Plains Obion  

  $9.0 million (increasing to $12.0 million by December 31, 2009)


o

Green Plains Shenandoah

  $6.0 million


o

Green Plains Superior  

  $5.0 million




15



·

Maintenance of net worth as follows:


o

Green Plains Bluffton  

  $80.0 million


o

Green Plains Obion  

  $77.0 million


o

Green Plains Shenandoah

  $37.5 million


o

Green Plains Superior  

  $26.6 million


·

Maintenance of tangible owner’s equity as follows:


o

Green Plains Bluffton  

  at least 40% (increasing to 50% by December 31, 2009)


·

Maintenance of debt service coverage ratio as follows:


o

Green Plains Bluffton  

  1.25 to 1.0


o

Green Plains Obion  

  1.25 to 1.0


o

Green Plains Shenandoah

  1.5 to 1.0


o

Green Plains Superior  

  1.25 to 1.0


·

Dividends or other annual distributions to the equity holder will be limited, subject to certain additional restrictions including maintenance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions, as follows:


o

Green Plains Bluffton  

  50% of profit, net of income taxes


o

Green Plains Obion  

  40% of profit, net of income taxes


o

Green Plains Shenandoah

  40% of profit, net of income taxes


o

Green Plains Superior  

  40% of profit, net of income taxes


As of March 31, 2009, working capital balances at Green Plains Obion and Green Plains Superior were less than those required by the respective financial covenants in the loan agreements of those subsidiaries. In addition, the tangible net worth balances at Green Plains Bluffton, Green Plains Obion and Green Plains Superior were also less than those required by the respective financial covenants. In April 2009, the Company contributed additional capital to these subsidiaries and as a result, the lenders provided waivers accepting our compliance with the financial covenants for these subsidiaries as of that date.


Bluffton Revenue Bond


·

Bluffton Revenue Bond – Green Plains Bluffton also received $22.0 million in Subordinate Solid Waste Disposal Facility Revenue Bond funds from July 2, 2008the City of Bluffton, IN. The revenue bond requires: (1) semi-annual interest only payments of $825,000 through September 1, 2009, (2) semi-annual principal and interest payments of approximately $1.5 million during the period commencing on March 1, 2010 through March 31, 2009. Thereafter,1, 2019, and (3) a final principal and interest payment of $3.745 million on September 1, 2019.


·

The revenue bond bears interest at 7.50% per annum.


·

Revenue bond issuance costs have been recorded in financing costs in the principalconsolidated balance sheets.


Capitalized Interest


The Company capitalized $0 and $1.2 million of interest and debt issuance costs during the first three months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.



16



Agribusiness Segment


The Green Plains Grain loan is comprised of a $9.0 million amortizing term loan and a $35.0 million revolving term facility (individually and collectively, the “Green Plains Grain Loan Agreement”). Loan proceeds are used primarily for working capital purposes.


Key Loan Information


·

The term loan expires on April 3, 2013 and the revolving loan expires on September 30, 2010.


·

Payments of $225,000 under the term loan are due on the last business day of each calendar quarter, with any remaining amount payable at the expiration of the Revolving Credit Note with FNBO returnsloan term.


·

The loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.5%, subject to the original suman interest rate “floor” of $30 million through the maturity date.4.5%.


·

As security for the loans, the lender received a first-position lien on real estate, equipment, inventory and accounts receivable owned by GPGreen Plains Grain.


In accordance with·

Unused commitment fees are 0.375% on the GP Grain Loan Agreements, GP Grain is required to adhere tounused portion.


The loan agreements contain certain financial covenants and restrictions, including the following:


·

GP Grain must maintainMaintenance of working capital of at least $7.0 million. The working capital requirement is increasedmillion through 2009, increasing to $9.0 million in fiscal 2009 and $11.0 million in fiscal 2010.thereafter.


·

GP Grain must maintainMaintenance of tangible net worth of at least $10.0$15.0 million. The tangible net worth requirement is increased to $12.0 million in fiscal 2009 and $15.0 million in fiscal 2010.


·

GP Grain must maintainMaintenance of a Fixed Charge Ratiofixed charge ratio of 1.10x or more and a Senior Leverage Ratiosenior leverage ratio that does not exceed 2.25x. Senior Leverage Ratio is debt, excluding amounts under the Revolving Credit Note, divided by EBITDAR as defined.



16



·

Capital expenditures for GPGreen Plains Grain are restricted to $2.5$2.0 million during fiscal 2008. That amount is reduced to $1 million for subsequent years; provided, however, thatper year. However, any unused portion from any fiscal year may be added to the limit for the next succeeding year.


Concurrently, the Company entered into a Post-Closing Agreement with FNBO. The Company agreed to invest up to $2.0 million in GP Grain if required for compliance with financial covenants and guaranty certain of GP Grain’s obligations.


As of AugustMarch 31, 2008, GP Grain’s fixed charge ratio was2009, working capital balances at Green Plains Grain were less than the levelthose required by the GP Grain Loan Agreements due to grain market volatility and higher than expected ongoing operating and capital costs. We notifiedfinancial covenants in the lender of this non-compliance in September 2008 and receivedloan agreements. The Company was granted a waiver of our required compliance with the fixed charge ratio as of that date. Although we do not anticipate such non-compliance to be an ongoing occurrence, we will closely monitor adherence toworking capital covenant for the required ratio and communicate with the bank future non-compliance, if any.   period.


GP Grain Equipment Financing AgreementsLoans


On April 3, 2008, GPGreen Plains Grain executedhas two separate equipment financing agreements with AXIS Capital Inc. totaling $1.75 million (individually and collectively, the “GP Grain“Equipment Financing Loans”). The Equipment Financing Agreements”). These GP Grain Equipment Financing AgreementsLoans provide financing for designated vehicles, implements and machinery acquired as a result of the Great Lakes merger.machinery. The Company agreed to guaranty the GP Grain Equipment Financing Agreements.Loans. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, GPGreen Plains Grain is required to make 48 monthly principal and interest payments totaling of $43,341, each.which commenced in April 2008.


On March 31, 2009, Green Plains Superior entered into a capital lease for equipment, financed through AXIS Capital. The first payments were made at the time of closingpresent value of the Great Lakes merger.lease payments total $0.3 million, and no payments had been made as of March 31, 2009. Green Plains Superior is required to make 60 monthly payments of $6,150, which begin in April 2009. Gordon F. Glade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AXIS Capital, is a member of our Board of Directors.


8.10.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION


We accountThe Company accounts for all share-based compensation transactions pursuant to SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” which requires entities to record noncash compensation expense related to payment for employee services by an equity award in their financial statements over the requisite service period.


The Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity(“Equity Incentive Plan”) provides for the granting of stock-based compensation. The maximum number ofcompensation, including options to purchase shares of common stock, that may be grantedstock appreciation rights tied to any employee during any year is 50,000.the value of common stock, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. We have reserved a total of 1.0 million shares of common stock for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan. Additionally, outstanding stock options were assumed as part of the Merger. The maximum number of shares of common stock that can be granted to any employee during any year under the Equity Incentive Plan is 50,000.



17



Grants under the Equity Incentive Plan may include:


·

Options– Stock options may be granted that are currently exercisable, that become exercisable in installments, or that are not exercisable until a fixed future date. Certain options that have includedbeen issued are exercisable during their term regardless of termination of employment while other options have been issued that terminate at a designated time following the date employment is terminated. Options issued to date may be exercised immediately and/or at future vesting dates, and must be exercised no later than five to eight years after the grant date or they will expire.


·

Stock Awards– Stock awards may be granted to directors and key employees with ownership of the common stock vesting immediately or over a period determined by the Compensation Committee and stated in the award. Stock awards granted to date vested in some cases immediately and at other times over a period determined by the Compensation Committee and were restricted as to sales for a specified period. Compensation expense was recognized upon the grant award. The stock awards options to purchase shares of common stock, and stock in lieu of cash compensationare measured at fair value on the grant date, adjusted for certain officers.estimated forfeitures.


ForThere were no stock options granted during the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2008, the fair value of options granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, a pricing model acceptable under SFAS No. 123R, with the following weighted-average assumptions:


Expected life

  5.3

Interest rate

  3.0%

Volatility

56.3%

Dividend yield

   —


The expected life of options granted represents the period of time in years that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The interest rate represents the annual interest rate a risk-free investment could potentially earn during the expected life of the option grant. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of our common stock and other companies within our industry. We currently use a forfeiture rate of zero percent for all existing share-based compensation awards since we have no historical forfeiture experience under our share-based payment plans.


2009. All of our existing share-based compensation awards have been determined to be equity awards. We recognize compensation costs for stock option awards which vest with the passage of time with only service conditions on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.


A summary of stock options as of AugustMarch 31, 20082009 and changes during the first nine months of fiscal 2008three-month period then ended are as follows:




 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-Average

Exercise

Price

 

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Contractual Term

(in years)

 

Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)

Outstanding at November 30, 2007

 

448,000

$

26.68

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

61,000

 

9.57

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

Cancellations

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at August 31, 2008

 

509,000

$

24.63

 

5.1

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at August 31, 2008

 

402,833

$

27.22

 

4.5

$

-

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-Average Exercise Price

 

Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)

 

Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

 

1,311,528

$

12.59

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(240,096)

 

0.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancellations

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2009

 

1,071,432

$

15.38

 

6.0

$

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2009

 

702,265

$

19.74

 

5.2

$

 

-


All fully-vested stock options as of AugustMarch 31, 20082009 are exercisable and are included in the above table. Since weighted-average option prices exceeded the closing stock price at AugustMarch 31, 2008,2009, the aggregate intrinsic value was zero. OurThe Company’s stock option awards allow employees to exercise options through cash payment to us for the shares of common stock or through a simultaneous broker-assisted cashless exercise of a share option, through which the employee authorizes the exercise of an option and the immediate sale of the option shares in the open market. We useThe Company uses original issuances of common stock to satisfy our share-based payment obligations.


Compensation costs expensed for our share-based payment plans described above were $0.1approximately $0.2 million and $0.6$0.1 million during the threethree-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and nine months ended August 31, 2008, respectively. Compensation costs expensed for our share-based payment plans were $0.5 million and $3.4 million during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively. The potential tax benefit realizable for the anticipated tax deductions of the exercise of share-based payment arrangements approximated $0.2 million and $1.4 million during the first nine monthsgenerally would approximate 40% of fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively.these expense amounts. However, due to the uncertainty that the tax benefits wouldwill be realized, these potential benefits were not recognized in the first nine months of fiscal 2007.currently.


9.On May 7, 2009, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan which provides for future grants of up to 1,000,000 shares for stock-based compensation, including options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights tied to the value of common stock, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants.



18



11.  EARNINGS PER SHARE


We compute earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” Basic earnings per common shares (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of any outstanding dilutive securities.


Excluded from the computations The calculation of diluted EPS for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 were warrants exercisable for 320,014 shares of ourearnings per share gives effect to common stock at an exercise priceequivalents. For periods prior to the Merger, to determine the weighted average number of $60 per sharecommon shares outstanding, the number of Green Plains common shares issued for outstanding VBV member shares was equated to member shares issued and options to purchase approximately 403,000 shares of our common stock because their impact would be antidilutive based on market prices of our common stockoutstanding during those periods. Excluded from the computations of diluted EPS for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007 were warrants exercisable for 793,221 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $30 per share, warrants exercisable for 320,014 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $60 per share, and options to purchase approximately 350,000 shares of our common stock because their impact would be antidilutive based on market prices of our common stock during thoseprior periods.


10.  SEGMENT INFORMATION


With the acquisition of Great Lakes in April 2008, the Company’s chief operating decision makers began to review its operations in two separate operating segments. These segments are (1) production, distribution and marketing of ethanol and related by-products (which we collectively refer to as “Ethanol”) and (2) grain warehousing and marketing, as well as sales and related services of seed, feed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum products (which we collectively refer to as “Agribusiness”).


The following are revenues, gross profit and operating income for our operating segments for the periods indicated (in thousands):




 

 

Three Months Ended August 31,

 

Nine Months Ended

August 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol

$

52,609

$

9

$

119,478

$

9

Agribusiness

 

53,335

 

-

 

99,588

 

-

 

$

105,944

$

9

$

219,066

$

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol

$

4,983

$

(11)

$

31,212

$

(11)

Agribusiness

 

2,851

 

-

 

7,831

 

-

 

$

7,834

$

(11)

$

39,043

$

(11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol

$

1,280

$

(1,762)

$

20,556

$

(6,162)

Agribusiness

 

(1,119)

 

-

 

1,469

 

-

 

$

161

$

(1,762)

$

22,025

$

(6,162)


11.12.  INCOME TAXES


The provision (benefit)Income taxes are accounted for income taxes consists ofunder the following (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

August 31,

 

Nine Months Ended

August 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal    

$

(1,293)

$

24

$

1,422

$

(257)

State

 

(441)

 

8

 

482

 

(76)

Total current

 

(1,735)

 

32

 

1,904

 

(333)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal    

 

652

 

-

 

2,087

 

30

State

 

508

 

-

 

705

 

9

Total deferred

 

1,160

 

-

 

2,792

 

39

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision (benefit)

$

(575)

$

32

$

4,696

$

(294)


Differences between the income tax provision (benefit) computed at the statutory federal income tax rateasset and per the consolidated statements of operations are summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

August 31,

 

Nine Months Ended

August 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

Tax expense (benefit) federal statutory rate of 34%

$

(495)

$

 (800)

$

  6,247

$

 (1,899)

State tax expense (benefit), net of federal tax effect

 

(98)

 

(179)

 

1,233

 

(354)

Valuation allowance adjustment

 

17

 

1,118

 

(2,808)

 

2,058

Other

 

1

 

(107)

 

24

 

(99)

Income tax provision (benefit)

$

(575)

$

     32

$

  4,696

$

    (294)




19



liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are summarized as follows (in thousands):


 

 

August 31, 2008

 

November 30, 2007

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

Inventory valuation

$

    153

$

      88

Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments

 

1,281

 

-

Total current deferred tax assets

 

1,434

 

88

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current:

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

200

 

4,116

Stock-based compensation

 

2,317

 

1,324

Tax credits

 

1,785

 

117

Other

 

34

 

30

Total non-current deferred tax assets

 

4,336

 

5,587

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

5,770

 

5,675

Less: valuation allowance

 

-

 

(2,825)

Net deferred tax assets

 

5,770

 

2,850

   

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Current:   

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments

 

-

 

187

 

 

 

 

 

Non-current:   

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets

 

13,997

 

2,663

Other

 

13

 

-

Total non-current deferred tax liabilities

 

14,010

 

2,663

   

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

14,010

 

2,850

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

$

 (8,240)

$

         -


During fiscal 2007, we had established a valuation allowancerecognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as full realization of futurea change in tax rates is recognized in income tax benefits was uncertain at that time. However, in fiscal 2008, due to the significant amount of book income generated in the first nineperiod that includes the enactment date.


The provision for income taxes for the three months we now believe it is more likely thanended March 31, 2009 and 2008 has been determined to be zero as the Company had net operating losses for tax purposes and has determined that any benefit from these tax losses may not that the futurebe realized prior to their expiration. Accordingly, no tax provision or benefit of these assets will be realized. The removalwas recognized during each of the valuation allowance resulted in a benefit to earnings in the current nine-month period of $2.8 million. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable incom e, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.presented.


12.

13.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


Inventories


As of August 31, 2008, we had contracted for inventory purchases, consisting primarily of corn, soybeans, fertilizer and fuel, valued at approximately $193.8 million.



20



Sales and Marketing


We have entered into exclusive agreements with RPMG for the sale of all ethanol produced at both the Shenandoah and Superior plants. The Shenandoah agreement is for one year and the Superior agreement is for two years, each commencing on the first day ethanol is shipped from the respective plants. At the end of the commitment term, if the agreements are not renewed, certain rail car leases entered into by RPMG will be assigned to us. On May 20, 2008, we provided notice to RPMG that we intend to terminate our ethanol marketing contract with respect to the Shenandoah plant effective September 30, 2008, after which we will perform Shenandoah ethanol sales in-house. Accordingly, we will be required to assume the rail car lease related to the Shenandoah plant of approximately $100,000 per month for the remaining six-year lease term. We would be required to assume the rail car lease related to the Superior plant of approximately $105,000 per month for the remainder of an original ten-year lease term.


We had previously entered into exclusive marketing agreements with CHS Inc. for the sale of dried distillers grains produced at the Shenandoah and Superior plants. The agreement with CHS Inc. related to the Shenandoah plant terminated on July 1, 2008. The Shenandoah ethanol plant currently markets its modified wet and dried distillers grains in-house and via third-party brokers (other than CHS Inc.). The Superior ethanol plant currently markets wet distillers grains in-house. CHS Inc. continues to market dried distillers grains produced at the Superior ethanol plant. The agreement with CHS Inc. related to the Superior plant is for two years, commencing on the first day of production which occurred in July 2008.


In March 2007, we executed a lease contract for 100 rail cars, used by CHS Inc. to ship dried distillers grains to its customers, for a ten-year period for $68,700 per month. During fiscal 2008, we negotiated a month-to-month lease agreement for an additional 32 rail cars.


Operating Leases


The Company currently leases or is committed to paying operating leases extending to 2019.2019 that have been executed by the Company. For accounting purposes, rent expense is based on a straight-line amortization of the total payments required over the lease term. The Company incurred lease expenses of $1.3 million and approximately $851,000 and $46,000$2,000 during the first nine months of fiscalthree-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, and 2007, respectively. Aggregate minimum lease payments under these agreements for the remainder of fiscal 20082009 and in future fiscal years are as follows (in thousands):


Fiscal Year Ending November 30,

 

Amount

2008

$

    521

2009

 

1,361

2010

 

1,323

2011

 

1,306

2012

 

1,127

Thereafter

 

3,874

Total

$

9,512


13.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Year Ending December 31,

 

Amount

2009

$

3,756

2010

 

4,296

2011

 

2,455

2012

 

2,281

2013

 

2,093

Thereafter

 

4,974

Total

$

19,855


VBV LLC MergerCommodities - Corn and Natural Gas


In May 2008,As of March 31, 2009, we entered into definitive merger agreements with VBV LLC (“VBV”)had contracted for future corn deliveries valued at $49.7 million, natural gas deliveries valued at approximately $11.5 million, ethanol product deliveries valued at approximately $13.4 million and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “merger transaction”). VBV holds majority interest in two companies that have ethanol plants, one of which is still under construction. These two companies are Indiana Bio-Energy, LLC (“IBE”) of Bluffton, IN; and Ethanol Grain Processors, LLC, (“EGP”) of Obion, TN. Additionally, VBV is building an ethanol marketing, blending and distribution business. In September 2008, the Bluffton plant began grinding corn and initiated fermentation, which was followed by a start-up phase where systems are tested, calibrated and commissioned. The Obion plant is expected to be completed in the fall of 2008. Once fully operational, the VBV plants are expected to each produce approximately 110 million of gallons of ethanol and 350,000 tons ofdried distillers grains per year.product deliveries valued at approximately $11.4 million.



2119



The merger transaction is subject to various shareholder and equity holder approvals, and customary lender and regulatory consents. If approved, the merger transaction will be accounted for as a reverse merger, pursuant to which the Company will account for the merger transaction under the purchase method of accounting for business combinations, with VBV being the acquiring company. Pursuant to the terms of the merger transaction, current equity holders of VBV, IBE and EGP will receive Company common stock and options totaling 11,139,000 shares. The shares of our common stock to be issued in the merger transaction have been registered on a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which was declared effective on September 5, 2008. Upon closing of the merger transaction, VBV, IBE and EGP will be merged into subsidiaries of the Company. Simultaneously with the closing of the merger, certain of VBV’s equity holders will invest $60.0 million in Company common stock at a price of $10 per share, or an additional 6.0 million shares. This additional investment is expected to be used for general corporate purposes and to finance future acquisitions. On October 7, 2008, VBV and its majority-owned subsidiaries approved the previously-announced mergers with our Company. Our shareholders will vote on the merger proposal at a special meeting to be held on October 10, 2008. We anticipate that the merger transaction, if approved, will be completed in October 2008.


Loan Agreement Amendments


In October 2008, in conjunction with the anticipated merger with VBV LLC and its subsidiaries, the net worth covenants of the 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement and the Superior Loan Agreement were amended (see Note 7 for further details).


14.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS


We entered into various fixed-pricedGrain Origination Contracts


Obion Grain, Green Plains Obion’s exclusive supplier of corn produced in the seven counties surrounding the plant, had an ownership interest in EGP prior to the Merger, and will bear a subordinate lien on Green Plains Obion’s real property if Green Plains Obion defaults under its corn purchase contractsagreement with Great Lakes subsequentObion Grain. Green Plains Obion paid $9.6 million under this arrangement for the three months ended March 31, 2009, of which $0.1 million was for origination fees, and the remainder was payments for corn. No costs were incurred related to this arrangement for the execution ofthree-month period ended March 31, 2008 as the original merger agreementplant was still under construction. Included in August 2007. As of April 3, 2008 (the date the merger closed), we had contractedcurrent liabilities were amounts due to Obion Grain totaling $0.1 million at March 31, 2009 and paid Great Lakes for 5.1$0.4 million bushels at a total cost of $18.3 million, and had contracted to purchase an additional 8.9 million bushels of corn from Great Lakes through February 2009 at a total cost of $42.3 million.December 31, 2008.


On April 3, 2008, GP Grain executed the GP Grain EquipmentSales and Financing Agreements. These agreements provide financing for designated vehicles, implements and machinery acquired as a result of the Great Lakes merger. In addition, in April 2008 and in June 2008, GPContracts


Green Plains Grain executed two separate operating leasesfinancing agreements for equipment with AxisAXIS Capital Inc. TheGordon F. Glade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AXIS Capital, Inc., Gordon F. Glade, is a member of our Board of Directors. A total of $1.4 million and $1.5 million is included in debt at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively under these financing arrangements. On March 31, 2009, Green Plains Superior entered into a capital lease for equipment, financed through AXIS Capital. The present value of the lease payments total $0.3 million, and no payments had been made as of March 31, 2009.  


Beginning in February 2008,At the Company entered intotime of the Merger, the predecessor company had outstanding fixed-price ethanol purchase and salessale agreements with Center Oil Company. The sales agreements were executed to hedge prices for approximately 13.1 million gallons of our expected ethanol production from May 2008 to December 2008 for approximately $28.9 million. The Company has entered into offsetting purchase agreements with Center Oil Company totaling 4.2 million gallons, valued at approximately $10.1 million, rather than delivering the ethanol. TheGary R. Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Center Oil, Company is Gary R. Parker, a member of our Board of Directors.


We entered into fixed-price ethanol sales and distillers grains purchase agreements with VBV and/or its subsidiaries subsequent to execution of the definitive merger agreement in May 2008. The sales agreements werehad been executed to hedge prices on a portion of our expected ethanol production. Rather than delivering all of the ethanol, offsetting purchase agreements for future deliveriesa portion of 1.5this ethanol production had also been entered into with Center Oil. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, cash receipts and payments totaled $27.1 million gallonsand $0.2 million, respectively, on these contracts. The Company had $0.1 million and $0 at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 included in current liabilities under these purchase and sale agreements.


Blendstar Acquisition


As discussed inNote 4 – Acquisition, on January 20, 2009, the Company acquired 51% of ethanolBlendstar LLC from Bioverda U.S. Holdings LLC, an affiliate of NTR, for approximately $4.1a total of $8.9 million. The purchase agreements were executed forprice is comprised of a $7.5 million cash payment and three future receiptsannual payments of 180,000 tons of dried distillers grains for approximately $27.5 million. We have executed comparable sales contracts with outside parties for these dried distillers grains.$0.5 million, beginning in July 2009, booked at present value amounts.




2220



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


General


References to “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” in this report refer to Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc., an Iowa corporation, and its subsidiaries. The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included herewith, and our annual report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal yearnine-month transition period ended November 30, 2007,December 31, 2008, including the consolidated financial statements, and accompanying notes and the risk factors contained therein.


Forward-Looking Statements


This report contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather to plans and objectives for future operations based upon management’s reasonable estimates of future results or trends, and include words such as “anticipates,”  “believes,” “continue,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and words and phrases of similar impact, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future operating or financial performance, business strategy, business environment, key trends, and benefits of actual or planned acquisitions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future eve nts or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe that our expectations regarding future events are based on reasonable assumptions, any or all forward-looking statements in this report may turn out to be incorrect. They may be based on inaccurate assumptions or may not account for known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statement is guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially from the results expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. We may experience significant fluctuations in future operating results due to a number of economic conditions, including, but not limited to, competition in the ethanol industry, commodity market risks, financial market risks, counter-party risks, risks associated with changes to federal policy and/or regulation and other ris k factors detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The cautionary statements in this report expressly qualify all of our forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company is not obligated, and does not intend, to update any of its forward-looking statements at any time unless an update is required by applicable securities laws. Factors that could cause actual results to di fferdiffer from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part II, Item 1A – Risk Factors of this report and in Part I, Item 1A  – Risk Factors of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007, and in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterlynine-month transition period ended MayDecember 31, 2008.


Overview


We wereGreen Plains was formed in June 2004 to construct and operate dry mill, fuel gradefuel-grade ethanol production facilities. To add shareholder value, we are seeking to expandhave expanded our business operations beyond ethanol production to integrate strategic agribusinessa full-service grain and agronomy business, ethanol productionmarketing services, (see mergerterminal and acquisition activities section below for discussion related to April 2008 acquisition of Great Lakes Cooperative’s agribusinessdistribution assets, and pending merger transaction with VBV LLC). Our goal is to become a vertically-integrated, low-cost producer of ethanol.next generation research and development in algae production.


Ethanol is a renewable, environmentally clean fuel source that is produced at numerous facilities in the United States, mostly in the Midwest. In the U.S., ethanol is produced primarily from corn and then blended with unleaded gasoline in varying percentages. The ethanol industry in the U.S. has grown significantly over the last few years as its use reduces harmful auto emissions, enhances octane ratings of the gasoline with which it is blended, offers consumers a cost-effective choice, and decreases the amount of crude oil the U.S. needs to import from foreign sources. Ethanol is most commonly retailedsold as E10, the 10 percent blend of ethanol for use in all American automobiles. Increasingly, ethanol is also available as E85, a higher percentage ethanol blend for use in flexible fuel vehicles.


To execute our business plan, we have raised approximately $95.0 million in equity capital since our formation in 2004. In addition, we entered into loan arrangements whereby participating lenders agreed to lend us up to $97.0 million for construction costs and working capital to build and operate two ethanol production facilities. Construction ofOperations commenced at our first ethanol plant, located in Shenandoah, Iowa, beganIA, in April 2006, and operations commencedlate August 2007; at the plant in August 2007. Construction began in August 2006 on aour second ethanol plant, located in Superior, Iowa, and operations commenced at the plantIA, in July 2008. We may decide to expand production2008; at our Shenandoah and/or Superior plants as these plants have been designed for ease of future expansion, buildthird ethanol plant, located in Bluffton, IN, in September 2008; and at other sites or acquire other companies involvedour fourth ethanol plant, located in ethanol production.



23



Both of the above-mentioned ethanol production facilities have expected production capacity of 55 million gallons per year per plant. The Shenandoah plant was built by Fagen, Inc. (“Fagen”) and ICM, Inc. (“ICM”) was used as the process technology provider. The Superior plant was built by Agra Industries, Inc. (“Agra”) and Delta-T Corporation (“Delta-T”) was used as the process technology provider.Obion, TN, in November 2008. At capacity, each plant is expected to, on an annual basis, consumeour four ethanol plants produce a total of approximately 20 million bushels of corn and produce approximately 55330 million gallons of fuel-grade undenatured ethanol annually.



21



Previously, Green Plains Superior, Green Plains Bluffton and approximately 175,000 tonsGreen Plains Obion had contracted with independent marketers to purchase all of by-product known as distillers grains. We currently scrub and venttheir ethanol production. Under the carbon dioxide producedagreements, we sold our ethanol production exclusively to the independent marketers at a price per gallon based on a market price at the plants because we do nottime of sale, less certain costs for each gallon sold. These agreements terminated in January 2009 and February 2009 and as a result, a one-time charge of approximately $4.6 million is reflected in our 2009 first quarter financial results related to the termination of these agreements and certain related matters. We believe there is enoughthe termination of the agreements will allow us to market all of our own ethanol through Green Plains Trade, reduce our costs for leased railcars, provide us a marketbetter opportunity to employ our risk management processes, mitigate our risks of counterparty concentration and accelerate our collection of r eceivables. We expect savings in marketing fees and lower leased railcar costs totaling approximately $4.8 million per year for carbon dioxide to make it feasible to installeach of the necessary capturing facilities.next three years, with a reduced yearly benefit after that.


We sell ethanol and distillers grains in-house and via third-party brokers. Contractually, these third-party brokers areGreen Plains Trade is now responsible for subsequentthe sales, marketing and shippingdistribution of the ethanol and distillers grains. We have contracted with Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC, (“RPMG”), an independent broker, to sell theall ethanol produced at our four production facilities. Local markets are the facilities. In May 2008, we provided noticeeasiest to RPMG that we intend to terminateservice because of their close proximity. However, the majority of our ethanol marketing contractis sold to regional and national markets. The exception to this is at our Obion plant where we expect to market up to 50% of the production into the local Tennessee market. Through Green Plains Trade, we also market and distribute ethanol for three third-party ethanol producers with respect to the Shenandoah plant effective September 30, 2008, after which we will perform Shenandoah ethanol sales in-house.expected annual production totaling approximately 305 mmgy.


Our Shenandoah ethanol plant producesplants produce wet, modified wet and dried distillers grains, and our Superior ethanol plant produces wet and dried distillers grains. We had previously entered into exclusive marketing agreements with CHS Inc., a Minnesota cooperative corporation, for the sale of dried distillers grains produced at theour Shenandoah and Superior plants. The agreement with CHS Inc. related to the Shenandoah plant terminated onin July 1, 2008. The Shenandoah ethanol plant currentlyGreen Plains Trade now markets its modified wet and driedall of the distillers grains in-house and via third-party brokers (other than CHS Inc.). The Superior ethanol plant currently markets wet distillers grains in-house. CHS Inc. continues to market dried distillers grainsthat are produced at the Superior ethanol plant.our Bluffton, Obion and Shenandoah plants.


Our operations are highly dependent on commodity prices, especially prices for corn, ethanol, distillers grains and natural gas. As a result of price volatility for these commodities, our operating results may fluctuate substantially. The price and availability of corn are subject to significant fluctuations depending upon a number of factors that affect commodity prices in general, including crop conditions, weather, federal policy and foreign trade. TheBecause the market price of ethanol is not always directly related to corn prices, at times ethanol prices may lag movements in corn prices and, in an environment of higher prices, compress the market price of corn. Ethanol producers are generally not able to compensate for price volatility.overall margin structure at the plants. As a result, at times, we may operate our plants at negative operating margins.


We attempt to hedge the majority of our positions by buying, selling and holding inventories of various commodities, some of which are readily traded on commodity futures exchanges. We focus on locking in margins based on an “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)” model that continually monitors market prices of corn, natural gas and other input costs against prices for ethanol and distillers grains at each of our production facilities. We create offsetting positions by using a combination of derivative instruments, fixed-price purchases and sales, or a combination of strategies in order to manage risk associated with commodity price fluctuations. Our primary focus is not to manage general price movements, for example minimize the cost of corn consumed, but rather to lock in favorable EBITDA margins whenever possible. We also employ a value-at-risk model with strict limits established by our Board of Directors to minimize commodity market exposures from open positions.


In particular, there has been a great deal of volatility in corn markets. The average Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) near-month corn price during fiscal 20072008 was $3.68$5.27 per bushel.  In the first six months of calendar 2008, corn prices rose tobushel, with highs reaching nearly $8.00 per bushel and retreatedretreating to $5.70$4.07 per bushel as of AugustDecember 31, 2008. Corn prices continued to drop during the first three months of 2009; the average CBOT near-month corn price for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009 was $3.78. We believe that market volatility is attributable to a number of factors, including but not limited to export demand, speculation, currency valuation, global economic conditions, ethanol demand and current production concerns. This corn market volatility poses a significant risk to our operations. The Company uses hedging strategies to lock in margins, leaving the Company less exposed to losses resulting from market fluctuations.


Historically, ethanol prices have tended to track the wholesale price of gasoline. Ethanol prices canalso vary from statelocation to statelocation at any given time. For the past two years,During calendar year 2008, the average U.S. ethanol price, based on the Oil Price Information Service (“Opis”) Spot Ethanol Assessment, was $2.27$2.33 per gallon. For the same time period, the average U.S. gasoline price, based on New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) reformulated blendstock for oxygen blending (“RBOB”) contracts was $2.04 per gallon. During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the average U.S. ethanol price was $2.42 per gallon. For the same time period, U.S. gasoline prices have averaged $2.84$2.49 per gallon, or approximately $0.42$0.16 per gallon above ethanol prices. For the first quarter of 2009, the average Opis Spot Ethanol Assessment was $1.56 per gallon and the average NYMEX RBOB was $1.24 per gallon, or approximately $0.32 per gallon below ethanol prices. We believe this isthe higher ethanol prices relative to gasoline were due to constraints in the ethanol blending and distribution infrastructure that has resulted from significant increasesinfrastructure. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, ga soline prices fell at a faster rate than ethanol prices and gasoline prices continue to be below ethanol prices in the first quarter of 2009. As a result, discretionary blending slowed because ethanol traded above the blender’s credit value. Additional ethanol supply in recent years. We also believe additional ethanol sup ply expected to come on-linefrom newly completed plants and existing plants that were temporarily taken off-line may begin production in the near future, will furtherwhich may reduce wholesale ethanol prices compared to gasoline.



22



Federal policy has a significant impact on ethanol market demand. Ethanol blenders benefit from incentives that encourage usage and a tariff on imported ethanol supports the domestic industry. Additionally, the renewable fuels standard (“RFS”) mandates increased level of usage of both corn-based and cellulosic ethanol. The RFS policies were challenged in a proceeding at the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) by the State of Texas. The State of Texas soughtGrowth Energy, an ethanol industry trade organization, has requested a waiver from the EPA to increase the amount of 50% ofethanol blended into gasoline from the 10 percent blend up to a 15 percent blend (E15). We believe there is a reasonable possibility to see increased blends without having to increase the RFS mandate because of the economic impact of high corn prices. The EPA denied this request in early August 2008. Any adverse ruling on, or legislation affecting, RFS mandates in the future couldmandate. We believe such a waiver, if granted, would have an adversea positive and material impact on short-term ethanol prices.



24the business.



We believe the ethanol industry will continue to expand due to these federal mandates and policies. However, we expect the rate of industry expansion to slow significantly because of the amount of ethanol production added during the past two years or to be added by plants currently under construction. This additional supply, coupledalong with significantly higher corn costs and relatively low ethanol prices,a compressed margin structure, has resulted in reduced availability of capital for additional ethanol plant construction or expansion.


We believe that any reversal in federal policy could have a profound impact on the ethanol industry. In recent months,Recently, a political debate has developed related to the alleged adverse impact that increased ethanol production has had on food prices. The high-profile debate focuses on conflicting economic theories explaining increased commodity prices and consumer costs. The food versus fuel debate has waned as of late with the significant reduction in commodity prices in food and feedstocks around the world. Political candidates and elected officials have responded with proposals to reduce, limit or eliminate the RFS mandate, blender’s credit and tariff on imported ethanol. While at present no policy change appears imminent, we believe that the debates have created uncertainty and increased the ethanol industry’s exposure to political risk.


On April 23, 2009, the California Air Resources Board adopted the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (“LCFS”) requiring a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions from transportation fuels by 2020. On May 5, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) released proposed rulemaking for the second stage of the RFS requiring a 20% reduction in GHG emissions produced at newer ethanol production, transportation and distribution facilities. Both the EPA and the California Air Resources Board propose an Indirect Land Use Changes (“ILUC”) component in the lifecycle GHG emissions calculation. Eleven additional states are currently considering similar ILUC standards. The methodology for determining the ILUC standard has yet to be determined. However, the ILUC standard may possibly penalize corn-based ethanol as a cause of deforestation and displacement of non-intensive agricultural acreage. The market for corn-based ethanol could be negatively impacted if it is determined that corn-based ethanol fails to achieve lifecycle GHG emission reductions. The long-term impact of the ILUC standard is a fragmented ethanol market where low carbon ethanol from sugarcane or other alternative feedstocks carries a premium value.


Companies involved in the production of ethanol arehad historically been merging to increase efficiency and capture economies of scale. We have adopted a vertical-integration strategy and business model. Vertical integration has often been an effective strategy for reducing risk and increasing profits in other commodity-driven businesses. In recent years, many ethanol companies have focused primarily on ethanol refining and production. The overall ethanol value chain, however, consists of multiple steps involving agribusinesses, such as grain elevators, agronomy services, distributors of distillers grains, and downstream operations such as ethanol marketers and fuel blenders. By concurrentlysimultaneously engaging in multiple steps in the ethanol value chain, we believe we can increase efficiency, diversify cash flows and better manage commodity price and supply risks. Vertical integration has often been an effective strategy for reducing riskrisk. We are seeking strategic opportunities to further consolidate and increasing profits in other commodity-driven businesses. The September 2007 acquisition of Essex Elevator, Inc. and the April 2008 merger of Great Lakes Cooperative (“Great Lakes”) into our o perations are significant steps toward vertical integration. We believe these additions complement our Shenandoah and Superior ethanol production operations. Also, these additions may allow us to realize economies of scale and benefit from diversification. With the acquisition of Great Lakes in April 2008, our chief operating decision makers began to review our operations within two separate operating segments. These segments are (1) ethanol production, distribution and marketing (which we collectively refer to as “Ethanol”) and (2) grain warehousing and marketing, as well as supplier of seed, feed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum products (which we collectively refer to as “Agribusiness”).


Shenandoah Plant


Operations commenced at the Shenandoah plant in August 2007. Nearly all of the employees needed to operate the plant began working for us by June 2007. Plant employees completed several weeks of safety and plant operational training prior to commencement of operations at the Shenandoah plant. The training activities included experience at a fully operational ethanol plant under the direction of ICM’s training staff. ICM and Fagen assisted us during initial plant operation to ensure that our employees are properly trained to safely and efficiently operate the Shenandoah plant. In September 2007, the Shenandoah plant completed the performance test of the Fagen contract by completing seven days of continuous operation at or exceeding certain identified performance criteria, including production at name-plate capacity levels. Total cost of constructing the Shenandoah plant, including costs of land and improvements and excluding amounts for working capita l, approximated $76.8 million.


Superior Plant


Operations commenced at the Superior plant in July 2008. By the end of February 2008, we had hired most of the employees needed to manage and operate the Superior plant. Prior to commencement of operations, we had completed training of staffintegrate firms involved in the direct operationethanol valu e chain.


The ethanol industry has seen significant distress over the last year. There have been several well-publicized bankruptcies announced, including VeraSun Energy Corporation and Aventine Renewable Energy, which had been two of the plant. Total costlargest producers of constructing the Superior plant, including costs of land and improvements and excluding amounts for working capital, are expected to be approximately $95.7 million, which is net of estimated liquidated damages resulting from non-completion of the plant by the required contractual substantial completion date. The actual final cost is subject to finalization of the liquidated damages amount. Cost figures are expected to be finalizedethanol in the fourth quarterU.S. In addition, several other ethanol producers have also declared bankruptcy or indicated they were in financial distress. Margin compression and ineffective commodity price risk management were the main reasons for this. In addition, destination market and non-advantaged location plants have seen additional hardship. Ethanol producers of fiscal 2008.all sizes were caught with corn contracts or inventory ownership in the significant price decline in the corn market without any ethanol sold against those positions. We believe a disciplined risk management program helps mitigate these types of occurrences. Green Plains utilizes a disciplined risk management program with a comprehensive policy to monitor an d measure the risk of commodity price movements. We attempt to match within a close tolerance our ethanol sales and corn purchases, and monitor the “value at risk” of our open, unhedged position within limits established by our Board of Directors. In addition, our multiple business lines and revenue streams help diversify the Company’s operations and profitability.


Merger and Acquisition Activities


In September 2007,To add shareholder value, we purchased Essex Elevator, Inc. for $0.3 millionhave expanded our business operations beyond ethanol production to integrate a full-service grain and agronomy business, ethanol marketing services, terminal and distribution assets, and next generation research and development in cash and the assumption of approximately $1.2 million in liabilities. The elevator is located approximately five miles to the northeast of the Shenandoah plant on the same rail line we use to transport products from our plant. We believe that owning additional grain storage located near the Shenandoah plant allows us greater flexibility in the procurement of corn and expands our corn purchasing opportunities, which should reduce our commodity price and supply risks.algae-based biofuels.



2523



In April 2008, we closed on our mergerMerger with Great Lakes, a full-service cooperative with approximately $146 million in fiscal 2007 revenues that specializes in grain, agronomy, feed and petroleum products in northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota. Great Lakes has grain storage capacity of approximately 15.8 million bushels, much of which will be used to support our Superior ethanol plant operations. We believe that incorporating Great Lakes into our ethanol operations increases efficiencies and reduces commodity price and supply risks.VBV LLC


In May 2008, we entered into definitive merger agreements with VBV LLC (“VBV”) and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “merger transaction”). The merger transaction is subject to various shareholder and equity holder approvals, and customary lender and regulatory consents.subsidiaries. At that time, VBV holdsheld majority interest in two companies that havewere constructing ethanol plants, one of which is still under construction.plants. These two companies arewere Indiana Bio-Energy, LLC (“IBE”) of Bluffton, IN;IN, an Indiana limited liability company which was formed in December 2004; and Ethanol Grain Processors, LLC, (“EGP”) of Obion, TN.TN, a Tennessee limited liability company which was formed in October 2004. Additionally, VBV is buildingwas developing an ethanol marketing blending and distribution business.  In September 2008,business at the Bluffton plant began grinding corn and initiated fermentation, which was followed by a start-up phase where systems are tested, calibrated and commissioned. The Obion plant is expected to be completed in the falltime of 2008. Once fully operational, the VBV plants are expected to each produce approximately 110 million of gallons of ethanol and 350,000 tons of distillers grains per year. We anticipate that the merger transaction will beannouncement. The Merger was completed inon October 2008.Upon closing, VBV, IBE and EGP will be merged into subsidiaries15, 2008. For accounting purposes, the Merger has been accounted for as a reverse merger. Pursuant to the terms of the Company. Under the merger proposal, currentMerger, equity holders of VBV, IBE and EGP will receivereceived Company common stock and options totaling 11,139,000 shares. We have filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 withUpon closing of the SecuritiesMerger, VBV, IBE and Exchange Commission, which was declared effective on September 5, 2008, to registerEGP were merged into subsidiaries of the shares of our common stock that are to be issued in the merger transaction.Company. Simultaneously with the closing of t he Merger, NTR, the merger, certainmajority equity holder of VBV’s equity holders will investVBV prior to the Merger, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, invested $60.0 million in Company common stock at a price of $10 per share, or an additional 6,000,0006.0 million shares. This additional investment is expected to bebeing used for general corporate purposes and to finance future acqui sitions. acquisitions.


Operations commenced at the Bluffton and Obion plants in September 2008 and November 2008, respectively. The VBV plants are each expected to produce approximately 110 million of gallons of ethanol and 340,000 tons of distillers grains annually.


Since the Merger occurred toward the end of our fiscal year and involved complex legal and accounting issues, we performed a tentative allocation of the purchase price using preliminary estimates of the values of the assets and liabilities acquired. We have engaged an expert to assist in the determination of the purchase price allocation. We believe the final allocation will be determined during 2009 with prospective adjustments recorded to our financial statements at that time, if necessary, in accordance with SFAS No. 141. A true-up of the purchase price allocation could result in gains or losses recognized in our consolidated financial statements in future periods.


Acquisition of Majority Interest in Blendstar LLC


On October 7, 2008, VBVJanuary 20, 2009, the Company acquired majority interest in Blendstar LLC, a biofuel terminal operator. The transaction involved a membership interest purchase whereby Green Plains acquired 51% of Blendstar from Bioverda U.S. Holdings LLC, an affiliate of NTR, for a total of $8.9 million. The purchase price is comprised of a $7.5 million cash payment and its majority-owned subsidiaries approvedthree future annual payments of $0.5 million, beginning in July 2009. These future annual payments are recorded in debt at a present value of $1.4 million. The allocation of the previously-announced mergerspurchase price to specific assets and liabilities was based, in part, on outside appraisals of the fair value of certain assets acquired. Approximately $21.6 million is attributed to assets acquired, of which $5.3 million is allocated to goodwill. Liabilities assumed total approximately $6.2 million.


The acquisition of Blendstar is a strategic investment within the ethanol value chain. Blendstar operates terminal facilities in Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Nashville, Knoxville, Louisville and Birmingham and has announced commitments to build terminals in two additional cities. Blendstar facilities currently have splash blending and full-load terminal throughput capacity of over 200 million gallons per year.


General


Green Plains now has operations throughout the ethanol value chain, beginning “upstream” with our Company. On October 10, 2008,agronomy and grain handling operations, continuing through substantial ethanol production facilities and ending “downstream” with our shareholders approved the merger proposal. We anticipate that the merger transaction will be completed in October 2008.


ethanol marketing, distribution and blending facilities. We intend to continue exploring other possibleto explore potential merger or acquisition opportunities, including opportunities of mergers and acquisitionsthose involving other ethanol producers and developers, other renewable fuels-related technologies, and grain and fuel logistics facilities. We believe that our vertical-integration model offers strategic advantages over participants operating in only one facet of the industry, such as production, and we continue to seek opportunities to incorporate ethanol value chainupstream and downstream ethanol-related firms into our operations. We believe that post-merger, we will beare well positioned to be a consolidator of strategic ethanol value chain assets.


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


This disclosure is based upon ourThe preparation of consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statementsStates requires that the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are proper and reasonable under the circumstances. We continually evaluate the appropriateness of estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The following keyKey accounting policies, including but not limited to those relating to revenue recognition, cost of goods sold, property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, share-based compensation, derivative financial instruments and income taxes, are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.


Revenue Recognition


We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are satisfied: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; risk of loss and title transfer to the customer; the price is fixed and determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured.


We sell ethanol and distillers grains in-house and via third-party brokers, who are our customers for purposes of revenue recognition. These third-party brokers are responsible for subsequent sales, marketing, and shipping of the ethanol and distillers grains. Accordingly, once the ethanol or distillers grains are loaded into rail cars and bills of lading are generated, the criteria for revenue recognition are considered to be satisfied and sales are recorded.  As part See further discussion of our contracts with these third-party brokers, shipping costs incurred by them reducecritical accounting policies and estimates, as well as significant accounting policies, in our Form 10-K for the sales price they pay us. Under our contract with CHS, Inc., certain shipping costs for dried distillers grains are incurred directly by us, which are reflected in cost of goods sold.  For distillers grains sold to local farmers, bills of lading are generated and signed by the driver for outgoing shipments, at which time sales are recorded.nine-month transition period ended December 31, 2008.



2624



Sales of agricultural commodities, fertilizers and other similar products are recognized when title to the product and risk of loss transfer to the customer, which is dependent on the agreed upon sales terms with the customer. These sales terms provide for passage of title either at the time shipment is made or at the time the commodity has been delivered to its destination and final weights, grades and settlement prices have been agreed upon with the customer. Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of cost of goods sold.Revenues from grain storage are recognized as services are rendered. Revenues related to grain merchandising are presented gross.Recent Accounting Pronouncements


PropertyIn December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations,” which replaces SFAS No. 141. SFAS No. 141R requires the acquirer to recognize the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, contingent purchase consideration and Equipment


Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation on our ethanol production facilities, grain storage facilities, railroad track, computer equipment and software, office furniture and equipment, vehicles, and other fixed assets has been provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which currently range from 3-40 years.


Land and permanent land improvements are capitalized at cost. Non-permanent land improvements, construction in progress, andany noncontrolling interest incurred during construction are capitalized and depreciated upon the commencement of operations of the property. The determination for permanent land improvements and non-permanent land improvements is based upon a review of the work performed and if the preparation activities would be destroyed by putting the property to a different use, the costs are not considered inextricably associated with the land and are depreciable. This determination will have an impact on future results because permanent land improvements are not depreciated whereas non-permanent improvements will be depreciated.


We periodically evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of fixed assets or whether the remaining balance of fixed assets should be evaluated for possible impairment. We use an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the fixed assets in measuring their recoverability.


Impairment of long-lived assets


Our long-lived assets consist of property and equipment, recoverable rail line costs and acquired intangible assets. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds theacquiree at fair value of the asset. Significant management judgment is required in determining the fair value of our long-lived assets to measure impairment, including projections of future cash flows.


Share-based compensation


We account for share-based compensation transactions using a fair-value-based method, which requires us to record noncash compensation costs related to payment for employee services by an equity award, such as stock options, in our consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period. Our outstanding stock options are subject only to time-based vesting provisions and include exercise prices that are equal to the fair market value of our common stock at the time of grant. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant usingacquisition. In April 2009, the Black-Scholes option-pricingFASB issued Final Staff Position (“FSP”) 141R-1, “Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies,” which amends SFAS No. 141R by establishing a model using assumptions pertaining to expected life, interest rate, volatilityaccount for certain pre-acquisition contingencies. Under FSP 141R-1, the acquirer is required to recognize, at fair value, an asset acquired or a liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency if the acquisition-date fair value of that asset or liability can be determined durin g the measurement period. If the acquisition-date fair value cannot be determined, then the acquirer should follow the recognition criteria in SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” and dividend yield. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of our common stock. The expected life of options granted represents an estimateFASB Interpretation No. 14, “Reasonable Estimation of the periodAmount of timea Loss – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 5.” SFAS No. 141R and FSP 141R-1 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2009, and will apply prospectively to business combinations completed on or after that options are expected to be outstanding, which is shorter than the termdate. The impact of the option. adoption of SFAS No. 141R and FSP 141R-1 will depend on the nature of acquisitions completed after that date.


In addition, we are required to calculate estimated forfeiture rates on an ongoing basis that impactJanuary, 2009 the amountFASB issued FSP 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of share-based compensation costs we record. If the estimates we use to calculateFinancial Instruments.” These expand the fair value disclosures required for employee stock options differ from actual results, or actual forfeitures differ from estimated forfeitures, we may be required to record gains or losses that could be material.



27



Derivativeall financial instruments


We follow Statement within the scope of SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”)Instruments,” to interim periods. FAS 107-1 and APB Opinion No. 133, “Accounting28-1 are effective for Derivative Instrumentsinterim periods ending after June 15, 2009, and Hedging Activities,”may result in accounting forincreased disclosures in our risk management activities. Under SFAS No. 133 derivatives such as exchange-traded futures contracts are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Until operations commenced, all realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments were recorded in the statement of operations in other income. Upon the commencement of operations, all realized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments related to our Ethanol and Agribusiness operations are considered a component of gross profit. Unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments found to be highly effective hedges for underlying commodity purchases and sales may be designated as cash flow hedges and recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax. For ineffective hedges, unrealiz ed gains and losses on derivative financial instruments related to operations will be considered a component of gross profit. Gains and losses on derivatives not recorded in other comprehensive income may have a material impact on operating results due to market volatility.


Accounting for Income Taxes


Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the genera tion of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management’s evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets must consider positive and negative evidence, and the weight given to the potential effects of such positive and negative evidence is based on the extent to which it can be objectively verified.  


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.


Recent Accounting Pronouncementsinterim periods.


In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The new standard is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 achieves these improvements by requiring disclosure of the fair values of derivative instruments and their gains and losses in a tabular format. It also provides more information about an entity’s liquidity by requiring disclosure of derivative features that are credit risk related. Finally, it requires cross-referencing within footnotes to enable financial statement users to locate important information about derivative instruments. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. We are currently evaluating the2008. SFAS No. 161 does not have a material impact that this statement will have on our consolidated financial statements.  SeeNote 7 – Financial Derivative Instruments for disclosures.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.


Results of Operations


The financial operatingPrior to completion of the merger with Green Plains, VBV had a controlling interest in two development stage ethanol plants. Operations commenced at these plants in September 2008 and November 2008. Accordingly, VBV, the acquiring entity for accounting purposes, was a development stage company until September 2008. Pursuant to reverse acquisition accounting rules, results of GP Grain beginning April 3, 2008, have been included inoperations include the consolidated financial results of VBV from its period of inception, along with the Company for the three and nine months ended August 31,financial results of Green Plains since October 15, 2008.


With the acquisitionclosing of Great Lakesthe Merger in AprilOctober 2008, the Company’s chief operating decision makers began to review its operations within its twoin three separate operating segments. For additional information related to operating segments, seeNote 5 – Segment Information included herein as part of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These segments areare: (1) production of ethanol production, distribution and marketingrelated by-products (which we collectively refer to as “Ethanol”“Ethanol Production”) and, (2) grain warehousing and marketing, as well as suppliersales and related services of seed, feed, fertilizer, chemicals and petroleum products (which we collectively refer to as “Agribusiness”).


Unlike and (3) marketing and distribution of Company-produced and third-party ethanol companies focusing only on ethanol production, with the addition of GP Grain’s grain merchandising and other agribusiness services,distillers grains (which we have become a more vertically-integrated ethanol value chain producer, reducing the risk associated with relying on a single-commodity revenue stream.refer to as “Marketing and Distribution”).



2825



The following are revenues, gross profit, and operating income and total assets for our operating segments for the periods indicated (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended August 31,

 

Nine Months Ended

August 31,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol

$

52,609

$

9

$

119,478

$

9

Agribusiness

 

53,335

 

-

 

99,588

 

-

 

$

105,944

$

9

$

219,066

$

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol

$

4,983

$

(11)

$

31,212

$

(11)

Agribusiness

 

2,851

 

-

 

7,831

 

-

 

$

7,834

$

(11)

$

39,043

$

(11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol

$

1,280

$

(1,762)

$

20,556

$

(6,162)

Agribusiness

 

(1,119)

 

-

 

1,469

 

-

 

$

161

$

(1,762)

$

22,025

$

(6,162)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol Production

$

137,503

$

-

 

Agribusiness

 

46,210

 

-

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

178,353

 

-

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

(140,984)

 

-

 

 

 

$

221,082

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol Production

$

(2,761)

$

-

 

Agribusiness

 

2,746

 

-

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

1,843

 

-

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

51

 

-

 

 

 

$

1,879

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Ethanol Production

$

(7,432)

$

(1,953)

 

Agribusiness

 

(574)

 

-

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

775

 

-

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

51

 

-

 

 

 

$

(7,180)

$

(1,953)


Ethanol


Our first ethanol production plant, located in Shenandoah, commenced operations in late August 2007. Prior to that time, weRevenues during the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $221.1 million. We had no revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2008 as VBV was a development stage company. Duecompany until the Bluffton ethanol plant commenced production in September 2008.


Lower than expected revenues were experienced during the first quarter of 2009 due to an accelerated and extended plant shutdown at the Green Plains Bluffton facility and operational issues at the Green Plains Superior facility. These two operational issues affected net income by approximately $4.0 million. The Green Plains Bluffton facility required long-term improvements to the timingdistillation process and the improvements were completed in March 2009. The plant closure resulting from these improvements impacted net income by approximately $2.5 million. The Green Plains Superior facility faced operational challenges in the first quarter, as technology and design issues limited the plant’s performance and reliability, specifically related to production of this start-up, which was neardried distillers grains. The Company estimates the impact to first quarter net income of $1.5 million. The Company is working to improve the plant’s operating effectiveness and efficiencies, and a nticipates further production improvements at the plant by the end of the fiscalsecond quarter.


Previously, Green Plains Superior, Green Plains Bluffton and Green Plains Obion had contracted with third-party marketers to purchase all of their ethanol production. Under the agreements, we sold our ethanol production exclusively to them at a price per gallon based on a market price at the time of sale, less certain marketing, storage, and transportation costs, as well as a profit margin for each gallon sold. These agreements terminated during the first quarter we recorded only $9,000of 2009. Following completion of the Merger and prior to the termination of the agreements, nearly all of our ethanol that was sold to one of the third-party marketers was repurchased by Green Plains Trade, reflected in the Marketing and Distribution segment, and resold to other customers. Corresponding revenues fromand related costs of goods sold were eliminated in consolidation (see intersegment eliminations above).


Cost of goods sold during the sale of distillers grains and $20,000three months ended March 31, 2009 was $219.2 million, resulting in a $1.9 million gross profit. We had no cost of goods sold during the three and nine months ended AugustMarch 31, 2007. Due to the fact2008 as VBV was still a development stage company at that time. Included in the first outputs of distillers grains were “test product” that were sold at discounted rates, we reported a small gross loss on third quarter revenues. We had no ethanol sales until the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.


Total revenues within the Ethanol operating segment during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2008 were $52.6 million and $119.5 million, respectively. Our second ethanol production plant, located in Superior, commenced start-up operations in July 2008, and was not yet operating at full capacity as of August 31, 2008. During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we sold 17.0 million gallons of ethanol at an average net price of $2.35, which includes net gains on derivative contracts of $0.13 per gallon. During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, we sold 44.3 million gallons of ethanol at an average net price of $2.17, which includes net gains on derivative contracts of $0.05 per gallon. In addition, during this nine-month period, we recognized $17.7 million from sales of distillers grains and $5.7 million from sales of corn held in the Ethanol segment that was not used for ethanol production.

Cost of goods sold within the Ethanol operating segment during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2008 were $47.6 million and $88.3 million, respectively. Cost of goods sold includes costs for direct labor, direct materials, certain plant overhead costs and net gains or losses on derivative financial instruments. Direct labor includes all compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in the operation of our ethanol plants. Grain purchasing and receiving costs, other than labor costs for grain buyers and scale operators, are also included in cost of goods sold. Direct materials consist of the costs of corn feedstock, denaturant, and process chemicals. Corn feedstock costs include realized and unrealized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, inbound freight charges, inspection costs and internal transfer costs. Plant overhead costs primarily consist of plant utilities, sales commissions and outbound f reight charges.


Our revenues and2009 cost of goods sold may not be comparableis a one-time charge related to thosethe cancellation of otherthe third-party ethanol production entities since some entities directly incur costsmarketing agreements, discussed above, of distribution as part of their cost of goods sold while we sell our products at a price that is net of distribution costs and report net revenues received from our customers (third-party brokers).$4.6 million.




2926



Our average net corn cost during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was $5.22 per bushel, which includes net losses on derivative contracts of $0.48 per bushel. Our average net corn cost during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $4.18 per bushel, which includes net gains on derivative contracts of $0.37 per bushel. Cost of corn sold instead of being used in production within the Ethanol segment during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $3.7 million.


Operating expenses within the Ethanol operating segment were $3.7$9.1 million, and $10.7$2.0 million during the third quarterthree months ended March 31, 2009 and first nine2008, respectively. Operating expenses for the three months ending March 31, 2009 include the operations of fiscalthe Bluffton and Obion ethanol production plants and Green Plains Trade, along with the acquired operations of Green Plains Grain and the Shenandoah and Superior ethanol production plants. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, respectively,operating expenses include development-stage expenses only as the Bluffton and Obion plants were under construction, and do not include the operating expenses of the Shenandoah and Superior plants (as this period is pre-Merger). The $7.1 million increase in operating expenses during the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $1.8 millionthe same period during 2008, is mainly due to an increase in employee salaries, incentives, benefits and $6.2 million duringother expenses resulting from the corresponding periodsincrease in empl oyees hired to operate our ethanol plants in Bluffton and Obion, stock-based compensation costs, professional services and inclusion of fiscal 2007, respectively.operating expenses for the predecessor Green Plains companies. Our operating expenses are primarily general and administrative expenses for employee salaries, incentives and benefits; stock-based compensation expenses; office expenses; depreciation and amortization costs; board fees; and professional fees for accounting, legal, consulting, and investor relations activities. The Superior plant began start-up operations,Personnel costs, which includes grinding corn and initiation of fermentation, in early July 2008. The comparative three-month increase in operating expenses was largely due to increased employee salaries, incentives, benefits and training costs associated with the workforce hired in fiscal 2008 that is now operating the Superior plant. The compara tive nine-month increase in operating expenses was largely due to increasedinclude employee salaries, incentives and benefits, associated withare the workforce hiredlargest single category of expenditures in fiscal 2007 that has been operating the Shenandoah plant for the full nine months of fiscal 2008, along with increased employee salaries, incentives, benefits and training costs associated with the workforce hired in fiscal 2008 that is now operating the Superior plant. In addition, depreciation and amortization costs in the Ethanol segment, primarily related to the Shenandoah plant but also including $0.5 million this quarter related to the Superior plant, increased by $3.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2007. Stock-based compensation amounts for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 were $2.8 million higher than the same period of fiscal 2008, which is a partial offset to the operating cost increases previously discussed.expenses.


Agribusiness


As discussed above, the financial operating results of GP Grain beginning April 3, 2008 have been included in the Agribusiness operating segment. Accordingly, operating results forInterest expense was $2.5 million and $0.1 million during the three months ended AugustMarch 31, 2009 and 2008, include a full quarter of operations, while operating results for the nine months ended August 31, 2008 actually include only five months of activity. There was no Agribusiness segment activity during fiscal 2007.


Total revenues within the Agribusiness operating segmentrespectively. Interest expense during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2008 were $53.3 million and $99.6 million, respectively. During the first nine monthsperiod of fiscal 2008, we recognized $69.9 millionplant construction was capitalized to construction in revenues from grain sales, $27.9 million from sales of agricultural products, and $1.8 million in other revenues.


Cost of goods sold within the Agribusiness operating segment during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2008 were $50.5 million and $91.8 million, respectively. We use exchange-traded futures and options contractsprogress. With our plants now operational, interest on debt is charged to minimize the effects of changes in the prices of agricultural commodities on our agribusiness grain inventories and forward purchase and sales contracts. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices. Forward purchase contracts and forward sale contracts are valued at market prices where available or other market quotes, adjusted for differences, primarily transportation, between the exchange traded market and the local markets on which the terms of the contracts are based. Changes in the market value of inventories, forward purchase and sale contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts, are recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold. These contracts are predominantly settled in cash. We are exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by the counter-party to forward purchase and forward sales contracts.


Operating expenses within the Agribusiness operating segment were $4.0 million and $6.4 million during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2008, respectively. Our operating expenses are primarily general and administrative expenses for employee salaries, incentives and benefits; office expenses; depreciation and amortization costs; stock-based compensation expenses; and professional fees for accounting, legal, consulting, and marketing activities.


Other Items


Interest income, primarily on the funds raised in our various common stock offerings, was $0.2 millioninterest expense. However, interest expense during the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2008 as compared to $0.22009 was reduced by $1.1 million and $1.0 million during the three and nine months ended August 31, 2007, respectively. Interest income has declined to minimal amounts as we have used the proceedsin patronage refunds received from our equity offerings to construct our ethanol plants.



30



Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $1.7 million and $3.9 million during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008, respectively, as compared to $0.1 million and $0.2 million incurred during the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007. Because of the availability of funds raised in our various common stock offerings, we did not need to borrow funds for constructiontwo of our ethanol plants or to fund working capital until late in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.lenders.


Net gains on derivative financial instruments were $0.3 million during first nine months of fiscal 2007. In September 2007, we began reflecting gains and losses on derivatives associated with our operations in cost of goods sold. We utilize derivatives, such as futures and options, to manage price risks for corn expected to be consumed in operations at both the Shenandoah and Superior plants. We have also contracted for fixed-price, future physical delivery of corn with various parties. The recent dramatic rise in the price of corn has resulted in the profits on the derivatives. We intend to continue, and may expand, the use of various derivatives and forward contracts to manage price and supply risks for corn inputs at our plants.


We and our ethanol marketer have forward-sold quantities of ethanol expected to be produced at our plants during the next 12 months. We continually negotiate purchases of natural gas, denaturant, enzymes, and other needed chemicals to operate the plants, and anticipate that we will have sufficient quantities of these materials in place or under contract to meet the operational requirements at each of our plants.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


On AugustMarch 31, 2008,2009, we had $3.7$53.5 million in cash and equivalents and $9.3$18.2 million available under committed loan agreements (subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions). Our business is highly impacted by commodity prices, including prices for corn, ethanol and natural gas. Based on recent forward prices of corn and ethanol, at times we may operate our plants at negative operating margins.


As of AugustMarch 31, 2008, Superior Ethanol’s2009, working capital wasbalances at Green Plains Bluffton, Green Plains Obion, Green Plains Superior and Green Plains Grain were less than the balancethose required by the respective financial covenants in the loan agreements of those subsidiaries. In April 2009, the Company contributed additional capital to Green Plains Bluffton, Green Plains Obion and Green Plains Superior Loan Agreement.and also entered into negotiations with their respective lenders to provide waivers and modifications to the loan agreements. As a result, of conversion by the Company of intercompany payables to contributed capital and additional investment by the Company in this wholly-owned subsidiary in September 2008, the lenders provided a waiver ofwaivers accepting our required compliance with the working capital covenantfinancial covenants for these subsidiaries as of that date. SinceOur forecasts for Green Plains Shenandoah indicate continued compliance with each of the material financial covenants. Current forecasts for Green Plains Bluffton, Green Plains Obion and Green Plains Superior indicate that we weremay fail to meet required working capital, net worth and/or debt service coverage ratios at those su bsidiaries unless the loan agreements are amended. In that event, we may seek additional waivers from the lenders or may inject additional capital into those subsidiaries, as necessary, to become compliant, though we have no obligation to make such an injection. We are currently negotiating amendments to the loan agreements with our lenders. Because of the volatility of our income and cash flow, we are unable to accurately predict whether any of our subsidiaries will be able to promptly become compliantindependently comply with this workingtheir respective covenants in the future. In the event a subsidiary is unable to comply with its respective debt covenants, the subsidiary’s lenders may determine that an event of default has occurred. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, and following notice, the lenders may terminate any commitment and declare the entire unpaid balance due and payable. Based upon our current forecasts, we believe we have sufficient liquidity available on a consolidated basis to resolve a subsidiary’s noncom pliance; however, no obligation exists to provide such liquidity. Furthermore, no assurance can be provided that actual operating results will approximate our forecasts or that we will inject the necessary capital covenant, management does not view temporary non-compliance with this covenantinto a subsidiary to be a significant indicator of future liquidity concerns. maintain compliance.


We believe that we have secured sufficient funding to pay remaining amounts owed related to construction of the Superior plant and that we will haveCompany has sufficient working capital for our Ethanol segment operations over the near-term.


Our revolving credit facility under the GP Grain Loan Agreements (defined below under “Long-Term Debt”) is currently $35.0 million. To fund harvest and/or other seasonal working capital needs within our Agribusiness segment,its existing operations. However, we currently believe a revolving credit facility of up to $80 million is necessary. We are working with our current lender and other financial institutions in an effort to increase our revolving credit availability for GP Grain to this level. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to secure thisadditional funding especiallyfor any of our operations, if necessary, given the current state of credit markets. If we are not successful in these efforts, the volume of our grain operations may be constrained during peak periods. In addition, as of August 31, 2008, GP Grain’s fixed charge ratio was less than the level required by the GP Grain Loan Agreements due to grain market volatility and higher than expected ongoing operating and capital costs. We notified the l ender of this non-compliance in September 2008 and received a waiver of our required compliance with the fixed charge ratio as of that date. Although we do not anticipate such non-compliance to be an ongoing occurrence, we will closely monitor adherence to the required ratio and communicate with the bank future non-compliance, if any.  


A sustained period of unprofitable operations may strain our liquidity and make it difficult to maintain compliance with our financing arrangements. While we may seek additional sources of working capital in response, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to secure this funding, if necessary. In the future, we may decide to improve or preserve our liquidity through the issuance of common stock in exchange for materials and services. We may also sell additional equity or borrow additional amounts to expand our ethanol plants; build additional or acquire existing ethanol plants; and/or build additional or acquire existing corn storage facilities. We can provide no assurance that we will be ableab le to secure the funding necessary for these additional projects or for additional working capital needs at reasonable terms, if at all.



31



In May 2008, we entered into a definitive merger agreement with VBV and its subsidiaries. Under the merger proposal, current equity holders of VBV and its subsidiaries will receive Company common stock and options totaling 11,139,000 shares. Simultaneously with the closing of the merger, certain of VBV’s equity holders will invest $60.0 million in our common stock at a price of $10 per share, or an additional 6,000,000 shares. This additional investment is expected to be used for general corporate purposes and to finance future acquisitions. On October 7, 2008, VBV and its majority-owned subsidiaries approved the previously-announced mergers with our Company. On October 10, 2008, our shareholders.


Long-Term Debt


To facilitate the GP Grain merger and finance working capital requirements, the Company and GP Grain executed loan agreements with a group of lenders worth approximately $56.8 million. Additional debt financing may involve significant restrictive covenants and costs.


Following is a description of long-term debt transactions during the first nine months of fiscal 2008.


GPRE Shenandoah LLC


On March 31, 2008, we entered into an Asset Transfer Agreement, transferring all assets associated with the Shenandoah ethanol plant, including real estate, equipment, inventories and accounts receivable, to a wholly-owned subsidiary, GPRE Shenandoah LLC. Pursuant to the Asset Transfer Agreement, GPRE Shenandoah LLC also assumed all liabilitiesFor additional information related to the plantCompany’s long-term debt, seeNote 9 – Long-Term Debt and its operations. On March 31, 2008, GPRE Shenandoah LLC executed a Master Loan Agreement and corresponding security agreements (individually and collectively, the “2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement”) with FarmLines of Credit Services of America, FLCA (“FCSA”). GPRE Shenandoah LLC assumed the Master Loan Agreement, originally dated January 30, 2006, included herein as subsequently supplemented and amended (individually and collectively, the “2006 Shenandoah Loan Agreement”), between the Company and FCSA. All termspart of the 2006 Shenandoah Loan Agreement remain in effect except as specificall y modified by the 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement. Under the 2006 Shenandoah Loan Agreement, the Company’s assets served as security. As modified in 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement, GPRE Shenandoah LLC’s assets are substituted as security. As a condition of the 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement, on March 31, 2008, we repaid $2.0 million in satisfaction of the free cash flow repayment requirement for fiscal 2008.Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



27



Ethanol Production Segment


The termsEach of the Economic Development Grant were metour Ethanol Production segment subsidiaries have credit facilities with lender groups that provided for term and the grant was forgiven during the third quarter of fiscal 2008.


In October 2008, in conjunction with the anticipated merger with VBV LLC and its subsidiaries, the net worth covenant of the 2008 Shenandoah Loan Agreement was amended. See Note 7revolving term loans to the consolidated financial statements for further details.


Superior Ethanol, L.L.C.


On May 15, 2008, Superior Ethanol, L.L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc., executed Amendments to the Master Loan Agreement, the Construction and Term Loan Supplement, and the Construction and Revolving Term Loan Supplement with Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA  (individually and collectively, the “Loan Amendments”). The Loan Amendments modify the Master Loan Agreement, originally dated March 15, 2007, as subsequently supplemented and amended, which providedfinance construction and working capital for our Superior, Iowa ethanoloperation of the production facilities.


The Loan Amendments set forth a number of changes, including the following:


·

Superior Ethanol must maintain a net worth of not less than $58.1 million beginning May 31, 2008, increasing to at least $61.6 million effective November 30, 2008.


·

Superior Ethanol must provide evidence of $3.3 million in additional equity by no later than May 15, 2008, for an aggregate total equity investment of not less than $61.0 million.


·

The commitment of the Construction and Term Loan Supplement is extended through July 15, 2008, or such later date as authorized by the lender.



32



The Loan Amendments reflect changes in circumstances as a result of the anticipated completion of the Superior, Iowa ethanol production facility.


As of August 31, 2008, Superior Ethanol’s lenders provided a waiver of our required compliance with the working capital covenant. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.


In October 2008, in conjunction with the anticipated merger with VBV LLC and its subsidiaries, the net worth covenant of the Superior Loan Agreement was amended. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further details.


Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.


We entered into various fixed-priced corn purchaseBluffton loan is comprised of a $70.0 million amortizing term loan and sale contracts with Great Lakes subsequent to the execution of the original merger agreement in August 2007.a $20.0 million revolving term facility. At March 31, 2008, we had open purchase contracts for 11.92009, $68.3 million bushelsrelated to the term loan was outstanding, along with $19.4 million on the revolving term loan. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of corn from April 2008 through February 2009.$1.75 million. The Company and Great Lakes agreed to accelerate the sale of the corn and the related payment for 4.0 million bushels. Corn not already used is being stored in GP Grain’s elevators until required for our ethanol operations or sold to others. To finance the payment of this grain, we entered into a Business Loan Agreement, Commercial Pledge Agreement, and two Promissory Notes with Americana Community Bank (individually and collectively, the “Green Plains Loan Agreements”) totaling $16.0 million. Americana Community Bank received a loan origination fee of $450,000. Great Lakes utilized the proceeds from the grain sales to repay amounts outstanding under its revol ving credit agreement with CoBank, ACB.loans mature on November 1, 2013.


The Green Plains Loan AgreementsObion loan is comprised of a $60.0 million amortizing term loan, a revolving term loan of $37.4 million and a $2.6 million revolving line of credit. At March 31, 2009, the entire $60.0 million related to the term loan was outstanding, along with $35.2 million on the revolving term loan. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.4 million. The term loan matures on May 20, 2015 and the revolving loan matures on November 1, 2018.


The Green Plains Shenandoah loan is comprised of a $30.0 million amortizing term loan, a $17.0 million revolving term facility, and a statused revolving credit supplement (seasonal borrowing capability) of up to $4.3 million. At March 31, 2009, $23.2 million related to the term loan was outstanding, along with the entire $17.0 million on the revolving term loan, and $3.3 million on the seasonal borrowing agreement. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $1.2 million. The term loan matures on May 20, 2014 and the revolving facility matures on November 1, 2017.


The Green Plains Superior loan is comprised of a $40.0 million amortizing term loan and a $10.0 million revolving term facility. At March 31, 2009, $35.9 million related to the term loan was outstanding, along with the entire $10.0 million on the revolving term loan. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $1.375 million. The term loan matures on July 20, 2015 and the revolving facility matures on July 1, 2017.


Each term loan has a provision that requires the Company to make annual special payments equal to a percentage ranging from 65% to 75% of the available free cash flow from the related entity’s operations (as defined in the respective loan agreements), subject to certain limitations.


With certain exceptions, the revolving term facilities are securedgenerally available for advances throughout the life of the commitment. Interest-only payments are due each month on all revolving term facilities until the final maturity date, with the exception of Green Plains Obion’s agreement, which requires additional semi-annual payments of $4.675 million beginning November 1, 2015.


The term loans and revolving facilities bear interest at either the Agent Base Rate (prime) plus from 0.0% to 0.5% or short-term fixed rates at LIBOR plus 250 to 390 basis points (each based on a ratio of total equity to total assets). As security for the loans, the lenders received a first-position lien on all personal property and real estate owned by negotiable grain warehouse receipts issuedthe respective entity borrowing the funds, including an assignment of all contracts and rights pertinent to us on 4.0 million bushelsconstruction and on-going operations of corn. Underthe plant. These borrowing entities are also required to maintain certain financial and non-financial covenants during the terms of the Green Plains Loan Agreements, as amended, we are required to (1) maintain a minimum loan to value ratio and were required to purchase put options to minimize the underlying commodity price risk of the corn, (2) make monthly interest payments on unpaid principal balances at a 10% per annum interest rate, and (3) make principal payments of $1.0 million per week until completely repaid.loans.


Bluffton Revenue BondGreen Plains Grain Company LLCBluffton also received $22.0 million in Subordinate Solid Waste Disposal Facility Revenue Bond funds from the City of Bluffton, IN. The revenue bond requires: (1) semi-annual interest only payments of $825,000 through September 1, 2009, (2) semi-annual principal and interest payments of approximately $1.5 million during the period commencing on March 1, 2010 through March 1, 2019, and (3) a final principal and interest payment of $3.745 million on September 1, 2019. The revenue bond bears interest at 7.50% per annum.


GP Grain entered into a credit agreement with the First National Bank of Omaha (“FNBO”). The FNBO credit agreement, and related loan agreements including the Revolving Credit Note, Term Note, Security Agreement,  Post-Closing Agreement, and mortgages (individually and collectively, the “GP Grain Loan Agreements”) involved total term and revolving credit commitments of $39.0 million.Agribusiness Segment


The Green Plains Grain loan is comprised of a $9.0 million amortizing term loan and a $35.0 million revolving term facility. Loan proceeds which totaled $9.0 million, wereare used to refinance existing debt as well as pay former Great Lakes members a portion of the $12.5 million cash merger consideration. The revolving loan proceeds, which totaled $30.0 million, were used to repay amounts outstanding under Great Lakes’ revolving credit agreement with CoBank, ACB and will be usedprimarily for working capital purposes for GP Grain.purposes. The principal amount of the revolving term facility was reduced to $30.0 million on March 31, 2009. At March 31, 2009, $8.1 million on the term loan and $23.2 million on the revolving term facility was outstanding. The term loan expires on April 3, 2013 and the revolving loanfacility expires on April 3, 2010. Payments of $225,000 under the term loan are due on the last business day of each calendar quarter, with any remaining amount payable at the expiration of the loan term. The loans will bear interest at either the base rateAgent Base Rate (prime) minus 0.25% to plus 0.75% or short-term fixed rates at LIBOR (1, 2, 3 or 6 month) plus 1.75%175 to 2.75%275 basis points (each depending on GPGreen Plains Grain’s Fixed Charge Ratiofixed charge ratio for the preceding four fiscal quarters). Under the GP Grain Loan Agreement, the Fixed Charge Ratio is defined as adjusted EBITDAR divided by Fixed Charges, which are the sum of GP Grain’s interest expense, current maturities under the term loan, rent expense and lease expenses. Adjusted EBITDAR is defined as net income plus interest expense, rent and lease expense, and noncash expenses (including depreciation and amortization expense, deferred income tax expense and unrealized gains and losses on futures contracts), less interest income and certain capital expenditures.


GP Grain increased the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Note from $30 million to $35 million from July 2, 2008 through March 31, 2009. Thereafter, the principal amount of the Revolving Credit Note with FNBO returns to the original sum of $30 million through the maturity date.


As security for the loans, the lender received a first-position lien on real estate, equipment, inventory and accounts receivable owned by GPGreen Plains Grain.


In accordance with the GPaddition, Green Plain Grain Loan Agreements, GP Grain is required to adhere to certain financial covenants and restrictions, including the following:had outstanding equipment financing term loans totaling $1.4 million at March 31, 2009.



3328



·

GP Grain must maintain working capital of at least $7.0 million. The working capital requirement is increased to $9.0 million in fiscal 2009 and $11.0 million in fiscal 2010.


·

GP Grain must maintain tangible net worth of at least $10.0 million. The tangible net worth requirement is increased to $12.0 million in fiscal 2009 and $15.0 million in fiscal 2010.


·

GP Grain must maintain a Fixed Charge Ratio of 1.10x or more and a Senior Leverage Ratio that does not exceed 2.25x. Senior Leverage Ratio is debt, excluding amounts under the Revolving Credit Note, divided by EBITDAR as defined.


·

Capital expenditures for GP Grain are restricted to $2.5 million during fiscal 2008. That amount is reduced to $1 million for subsequent years; provided, however, that any unused portion from any fiscal year may be added to the limit for the next succeeding year.


Concurrently, the Company entered into a Post-Closing Agreement with FNBO. The Company agreed to invest up to $2.0 million in GP Grain if required for compliance with financial covenants and guaranty certain of GP Grain’s obligations.


As of August 31, 2008, GP Grain’s lender provided a waiver of our required compliance with the fixed charge ratio. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion.  


GP Grain Equipment Financing Agreements


On April 3, 2008, GP Grain executed two separate equipment financing agreements with AXIS Capital Inc. totaling $1.75 million (individually and collectively, the “GP Grain Equipment Financing Agreements”). These GP Grain Equipment Financing Agreements provide financing for designated vehicles, implements and machinery acquired as a result of the Great Lakes merger. The Company agreed to guaranty the GP Grain Equipment Financing Agreements.  Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, GP Grain is required to make 48 monthly principal and interest payments totaling of $43,341 each. The first payments were made at the time of closing of the Great Lakes merger.


Contractual Obligations


Our contractual obligations as of AugustMarch 31, 20082009 were as follows (in thousands):


 

Payments Due by Period

 

Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations

 


Total

 

Less than 1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More than 5 years

 


Total

 

Less than 1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More than 5 years

Long-term debt obligations (1)

$

140,712

$

24,084

$

51,597

$

27,169

$

37,862

$

334,176

$

30,581

$

84,848

$

81,831

$

136,916

Interest and fees on debt obligations (2)

 

28,176

 

7,312

 

9,676

 

5,953

 

5,235

Operating lease obligations (3)

 

9,512

 

1,343

 

2,678

 

2,125

 

3,366

Purchase obligations (4)

 

219,767

 

197,612

 

11,043

 

4,604

 

6,508

Operating lease obligations (2)

 

19,855

 

4,919

 

6,111

 

4,311

 

4,514

Purchase obligations (3)

 

162,798

 

145,689

 

8,001

 

3,929

 

5,179

Totals

$

398,167

$

230,351

$

74,994

$

39,851

$

52,971

$

516,829

$

181,189

$

98,960

$

90,071

$

146,609


_______________________

(1)   Includes current maturitiesportion of long-term debt.


(2)   Interest amounts were calculated over the terms of the loans using current interest rates, assuming scheduled principleOperating lease costs are primarily for railcars and interest amounts are paid pursuant to the debt agreements. Includes administrative and/or commitment fees on debt obligations in addition to estimated interest payment amounts.


office space.

(3)   Includes leased rail cars, Agribusiness equipment, office space and office equipment.


(4)   Includes forward corn and other grain contracts, remaining amounts owed to Agra and other contractors for construction of the Superior plant, and estimated minimum contractual obligations to RPMG.purchase contracts.



34




Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


We are subject to market risks concerning our long-term debt, future prices of corn, natural gas, ethanol and distillers grains. We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with interest rates and commodity prices as discussed below. From time to time, we may purchase corn futures and options to hedge a portion of the corn we anticipate we will need. In addition, we have contracted for future physical delivery of corn. We are exposed to the full impact of market fluctuations associated with interest rates and commodity prices as discussed below. At this time, we do not expect to have exposure to foreign currency risk as we expect to conduct all of our business in U.S. dollars.


Interest Rate Risk


We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Exposure to interest rate risk results primarily from holding term and revolving loans that bear variable interest rates. Specifically, we have $140.7$334 million outstanding in long-term debt as of AugustMarch 31, 2008,2009, $304 million of which $130.0 million is variable-rate in nature. Interest rates on the majority of our outstanding long-termvariable-rate debt first are determined according to our then-current fixed charge or debt to total asset ratios, and thenbased upon the market interest rate of either the lender’s prime rate or LIBOR, as applicable. A 10% change in interest rates would affect our interest cost on such debt by approximately $0.7$3.0 million per year in the aggregate. Other details of our long-termoutstanding debt are discussed in Part 1, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysisthe notes to the consolidated financial statements included later as a part of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”this report.


Commodity Price Risk


We produce ethanol and distillers grains from corn and our business is sensitive to changes in the prices of each of these commodities. Our Agribusiness segment purchases, stores and resells grains, primarily corn and soybeans. The pricesprice of corn and soybeans areis subject to fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather; corn and soybeans planted and harvested acreage; changes in national and global supply and demand; and government programs and policies. We use natural gas in the ethanol production process and, as a result, our business is also sensitive to changes in the price of natural gas. The price of natural gas is influenced by such weather factors as extreme heat or cold in the summer orand winter, or other natural events like hurricanes in the spring, summer and fall. Other natural gas price factors include North American exploration and production, and the amount of natural gas in underground storage during both the injection and withdr awalwithdrawal seasons. Ethanol prices are sensitive to world crude-oil supply and demand; crude-oil refining capacity and utilization;utiliz ation; government regulation; and consumer demand for alternative fuels. Distillers grains prices are sensitive to various demand factors such as numbers of livestock on feed, prices for feed alternatives, and supply factors, primarily production by ethanol plants and other sources.


We attempt to reduce the market risk associated with fluctuations in the price of corn soybeans and natural gas by employing a variety of risk management and hedging strategies. These strategiesStrategies include the use of derivative financial instruments, such as futures and options executed on the CBOTChicago Board of Trade and/or the NYMEX,New York Mercantile Exchange, as well as the daily management of our physical corn and natural gas procurement relative to plant requirements for each commodity. The management of our physical corn and soybean positionsprocurement may incorporate the use of forward fixed-price contracts and basis contracts. Additionally,



29



We attempt to hedge the majority of our positions by buying, selling and holding inventories of various commodities, some of which are readily traded on commodity futures exchanges. We focus on locking in net margins based on an “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)” model that continually monitors market prices of corn, natural gas and other input costs against prices for ethanol and distillers grains at each of our production facilities. We create offsetting positions by using a combination of derivative instruments, fixed-price purchases and sales, or a combination of strategies in order to manage risk associated with commodity price fluctuations. Our primary focus is not to manage general price movements, for example minimize the cost of corn consumed, but rather to lock in favorable EBITDA margins whenever possible. We also employ a value-at-risk model with strict limi ts established by our Board of Directors to minimize commodity market risk has been mitigated by the ownership of additional storage facilities resultingexposures from the Essex Elevator and Great Lakes acquisitions.open positions.


Ethanol Production Segment


A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate our Ethanol segment’sProduction segment exposure to ethanol, corn, distillers grains and natural gas price risk. Market risk related to these factors is estimated as the potential change in pre-tax income resulting from hypothetical 10% adverse changes in prices of our expected corn and natural gas requirements, and ethanol and distillers grains outputsoutput for a one-year period.period from March 31, 2009. This analysis excludes the impact of risk management activities that result from our use of fixed-price purchase and sale contracts and derivatives, and does not consider the potential impact of the anticipated merger with VBV.derivatives. The results of this analysis, as of August 31, 2008, which may differ from actual results, are as follows (in thousands):




Commodity

 

Estimated Total Volume
for the Next 12 Months

 

Unit of Measure

 

Approximate
Adverse Change to
Income

 

Estimated Total Volume Requirements for the Next 12 Months

 

Unit of Measure

 

Approximate Adverse Change to Income

Ethanol

 

107,187

 

Gallons

$

24,605

 

330,000

 

Gallons

$

54,752

Corn

 

  38,281

 

Bushels

$

22,960

 

119,826

 

Bushels

$

51,293

Distillers grains

 

       308

 

Tons *

$

4,660

 

1,036

 

Tons *

$

12,653

Natural gas

 

     3,644

 

MMBTU

$

3,200

Natural Gas

 

9,338

 

MMBTU

$

4,385


_______________________

* Distillers grains quantities are stated on an equivalent dried-tondried ton basis.


At AugustMarch 31, 2008,2009, approximately 54% of our estimated corn usage for the next 12 months was subject to fixed-price contracts. This included inventory on hand and fixed-price future-delivery contracts for approximately 20.3 million bushels. As a result of these positions, the effect of a 10% adverse move in the price of corn shown above would be reduced by approximately $12,396,000.


At August 31, 2008, approximately 15%12% of our forecasted ethanol production during the next 12 months has been sold under fixed-price contracts. As a result of these positions, the effect of a 10% adverse move in the price of ethanol shown above would be reduced by approximately $3,710,000.$6.4 million.


At AugustMarch 31, 2008,2009, approximately 15%13% of our estimated corn usage for the next 12 months was subject to fixed-price contracts. This included inventory on hand and fixed-price future-delivery contracts for approximately 10 million bushels. As a result of these positions, the effect of a 10% adverse move in the price of corn shown above would be reduced by approximately $6.6 million.


At March 31, 2009, approximately 20% of our forecasted distillers grain production for the next 12 months was subject to fixed-price contracts. As a result of these positions, the effect of a 10% adverse move in the price of distillers grains shown above would be reduced by approximately $697,000.$2.6 million.


At AugustMarch 31, 2008,2009, approximately 36%23% of our forecasted natural gas requirements for the next 12 months havehas been purchased under fixed-price contracts. As a result of these positions, the effect of a 10% adverse move in the price of natural gas shown above would be reduced by approximately $1,135,000.$1.0 million.



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Agribusiness Segment


Our Agribusiness segment purchases cornThe risk inherent in our market risk-sensitive instruments and soybeanspositions is the potential loss arising from local producers.adverse changes in commodity prices. The majorityavailability and price of these commodities are purchased during the fall harvest. We dry and store the grain to sell in future periods. Prices of theseagricultural commodities are subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather; cornweather, plantings, foreign and soybeans planteddomestic government farm programs and harvested acreage;policies, changes in nationalglobal demand created by population changes and changes in standards of living, and global supplyproduction of similar and demand;competitive crops. To reduce price risk caused by market fluctuations in purchase and government programssale commitments for grain and policies.  


grain held in inventory, we enter into exchange-traded futures and options contracts that function as economic hedges. The market value of exchange-traded futures and options used for economic hedging has a high, but not perfect correlation, to the underlying market value of grain inventories and related purchase and sale contracts. The less correlated portion of inventor y and purchase and sale contract market value (known as basis) is much less volatile than the overall market value of exchange-traded futures and tends to follow historical patterns. We attemptmanage this less volatile risk by constantly monitoring our position relative to reducethe price changes in the market. In addition, inventory values are affected by the month-to-month spread relationships in the regulated futures markets, as we carry inventories over time. These spread relationships are also less volatile than the overall market value and tend to follow historical patterns, but also represent a risk that cannot be directly offset. Our accounting policy for our futures and options, as well as the underlying inventory positions and purchase and sale contracts, is to mark them to the market risk associated with the fluctuationsand include gains and losses in the priceconsolidated statement of cornoperations in sales and soybeans by employing a variety of risk management and hedging strategies. We purchase corn and soybean futures on the CBOT to hedge the futures price of these commodities; however, this does not mitigate the risk of basis change (i.e. the difference between the CBOT price and the actual cash price that is paid at one of our locations). To reduce basis risk, we lock in the selling price of a portion of the commodities by forward contracting to the ultimate user.   merchandising revenues.


A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate the Agribusiness segment’ssegment exposure to market risk of itsour commodity position (exclusive of basis risk). The segment’sOur daily net commodity position consists of inventories related to purchase and sale contracts and exchange-traded contracts. The fair value of theour position is a summation of the fair values calculated for each commodity by valuing each net position at quoted futures market prices. Market risk is estimated as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in such prices. The resultsresult of this analysis, as of August 31, 2008, which may differ from actual results, areis as follows (in thousands):


Fair value

$   14,132

Market risk

$     1,413




36



Fair Value

$

475

Market Risk

$

  48


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure.


As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act). Based uponDue to the numerous pervasive changes that evaluation,occurred in the Company’s control environment as a result of the October 2008 Merger, and enhancements that were made but not yet tested during the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concludedwere unable to conclude at the time of this evaluation that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the CompanyC ompany in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, completely and accurately, within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.


Changes in Internal Control Overover Financial Reporting


DuringThe Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the first quarterreliability of fiscalour financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As discussed in further detail in our Form 10-K for the nine-month transition period ended December 31, 2008, management took corrective action surrounding enforcement of procedures relatednumerous pervasive changes occurred to month-end cutoffs of revenues for both its ethanol and distillers grains, which was identifiedthe Company’s internal control environment as a material weakness asresult of November 30, 2007. Additional substantive review was performed by managementthe October 2008 Merger. Enhancements have been made to provide assurancethe Company’s internal controls over proper revenue recognitionfinancial reporting during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Following the first quarter of fiscal 2008, management testedended March 31, 2009 to address the Company’s controlspost-merger internal control environment. Those enhancements include improved documentation of control procedures. In addition, the Company appointed a controller over revenue recognition cutoffsall ethanol operations to drive consi stency in policies and determined that these controls were functioning properly. Management will continue to closely monitor the Company’s revenue recognition procedures. Other than controls that are being enhanced or developed related to our new Agribusiness segment, resultingAnother enhancement resulted from the April 2008 acquisitiontermination of Great Lakes Cooperative, theretwo third-party marketing agreements and moving all marketing in-house. Finally, the Company centralized its cash management process and made enhancements to the invoicing process. There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.




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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.  Legal Proceedings


None.


Item 1A.  Risk Factors


Our investors should consider the risks that could affect us and our business as set forth in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2007, and in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterlynine-month transition period ended MayDecember 31, 2008. Although we have attempted to discuss key factors, our investors need to be aware that other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance. As a result of our entry into the merger agreements with VBV, IBE and EGP (the “Mergers”), we are subject to a number of risks, which have been previously disclosed, associated with the transactions contemplated by the Mergers. Investors should carefully consider the discussion of risks and the other information included or incorpo ratedincorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Forward-Looking Information, which is included in Part I, Item&nbs p;2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In addition, because we are subjecthave changed the way we sell and market ethanol and distillers grains, we have revised the risk factor related to the following additional risk:credit exposure as follows:


We are exposed to credit risk resulting from the possibility that a loss may occur from the failure of another party to perform according to the terms of a contract with us. 


We have concentrationsIn the past, we had a concentration of credit risk exist related to our accounts receivable since we have generally sold nearly all of our ethanol and distillers grains to a few third-party brokers. We have increased in-housemoved responsibility for sales, marketing and distribution of all ethanol produced at our four production facilities and the majority of our distillers grains in-house, which results in credit risks from multiple new large customers. Furthermore, we have entered into contracts with other companies to market their ethanol, and there exists risk in the event they are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations to us. We are also exposed to credit risk resulting from sales of grain to large commercial buyers, including other ethanol plants, which we continually monitor. Although payments are typically received within ten days from the date of sale for ethanol and distillers grains, we continually monitor this credit risk exposure. In addition, we may prepay for or makemak e deposits on undelivered inventories. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to inventory advances are primarily with a few major suppliers of petroleum products and agricultural inputs. The inability of a third party to make payments to us for our accounts receivable, perform on contracts with us or to provide inventory to us o non advances made may cause us to experience losses and may adversely impact our liquidity and our ability to make our payments when due.


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


None.


Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities


None.


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


None.


Item 5.  Other Information


None.




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Item 6.  Exhibits


EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.

Description

10.1

Form of IndemnificationEmployment Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed Augustand between Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. and Michael C. Orgas dated November 1, 2008)2008

10.2

Employment Agreement with Todd Becker (Incorporated by referenceOffer Letter to Exhibit 10.54 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed August 1, 2008)Edgar Seward dated October 15, 2008

10.3

Statused Revolving Credit SupplementEmployment Offer Letter to Steven Bleyl dated October 3,15, 2008 between GPRE Shenandoah LLC and Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA

10.4

AmendmentEmployment Offer Letter to the Master Loan AgreementRon Gillis dated October 3,15, 2008 between GPRE Shenandoah LLC and Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA

10.5

Amendment to the Master Loan Agreement dated October 6, 2008 between Superior Ethanol, L.L.C. and Farm Credit Services of America, FLCAMid-America, FCLA, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, PCA and Green Plains Obion LLC (f/k/a Ethanol Grain Processors, LLC) dated March 24, 2009

10.6

Statused Revolving Credit Supplement between Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, PCA and Green Plains Obion LLC (f/k/a Ethanol Grain Processors, LLC) dated March 24, 2009

10.7

Second Amendment to Master Loan Agreement between Green Plains Bluffton LLC (f/k/a Indian Bio-Energy, LLC) and AgStar Financial Services, PCA dated April 16, 2009

10.8

First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement between Green Plains Grain Company LLC and First National Bank of Omaha dated as of March 31, 2009

10.9

2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 11, 2009)

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

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

32.2

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




3933



SIGNATURES


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







Date:  October 10, 2008May 15, 2009

GREEN PLAINS RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC.

(Registrant)



By:   /s/ Wayne B. HoovestolTodd A. Becker                             

Wayne B. HoovestolTodd A. Becker
President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)




Date:  October 10, 2008May 15, 2009




By:   /s/ Jerry L. Peters                              

Jerry L. Peters
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)




4034