forn10q_body.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 27, 2008

OR

¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES   EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                   to

Commission File number 1-9273


PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
75-1285071
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
     
4845 US Hwy 271 N, Pittsburg, TX
 
75686-0093
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
     
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (903) 434-1000

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

 

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filerx Accelerated Filer  o
Non-accelerated Filero(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company  o

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

Number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock, as of January 27, 2009, was 74,055,733.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



INDEX
 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
   
December 27, 2008 and September 27, 2008
   
Three months ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007
   
Three months ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007
   
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 5.
 
Item 6.
 


 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
 
DEBTOR AND DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
September 27,
2008
 
Assets:
 
(In thousands)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 32,645     $ 61,553  
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
    6,667        
Investment in available-for-sale securities
    7,470       10,439  
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts
    355,256       144,156  
Inventories
    796,039       1,036,163  
Income taxes receivable
    22,196       21,656  
Current deferred income taxes
    76,900       54,312  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    54,952       71,552  
Assets held for sale
    17,400       17,370  
Current assets of discontinued business
    938       33,519  
                 
Total current assets
    1,370,463       1,450,720  
                 
Investment in available-for-sale securities
    57,202       55,854  
Other assets
    77,103       51,768  
Identified intangible assets, net
    64,817       67,363  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    1,645,518       1,673,004  
                 
Total assets
  $ 3,215,103     $ 3,298,709  
                 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
               
Liabilities not subject to compromise:
               
Accounts payable
    213,040       378,887  
Accrued expenses
    296,598       448,823  
Short-term notes payable
    101,192        
Current maturities of long-term debt
          1,874,469  
Current liabilities of discontinued business
    1,852       10,783  
                 
Total current liabilities
    612,682       2,712,962  
                 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    41,520       67,514  
Deferred income taxes
    98,510       80,755  
Other long-term liabilities
    85,961       85,737  
                 
Total liabilities not subject to compromise
    838,673       2,946,968  
                 
Liabilities subject to compromise
    2,253,391        
                 
Common stock
    740       740  
Additional paid-in capital
    646,824       646,922  
Accumulated deficit
    (545,862 )     (317,082 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    21,337       21,161  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    123,039       351,741  
                 
    $ 3,215,103     $ 3,298,709  
   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
DEBTOR AND DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
   
(In thousands, except shares and per share data)
 
Net sales
  $ 1,876,991     $ 2,047,353  
Costs and expenses:
               
Cost of sales
    1,960,373       1,942,250  
                 
Gross profit (loss)
    (83,382 )     105,103  
                 
Selling, general and administrative expense
    92,437       104,433  
Restructuring charges, net
    2,422        
                 
Total costs and expenses
    2,055,232       2,046,683  
                 
Operating income (loss)
    (178,241 )     670  
                 
Other expenses (income):
               
Interest expense
    39,569       29,940  
Interest income
    (531 )     (508 )
Miscellaneous, net
    (1,451 )     (2,863 )
                 
Total other expenses (income)
    37,587       26,569  
                 
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income taxes
    (215,828 )     (25,899 )
Reorganization items
    13,250        
                 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
    (229,078 )     (25,899 )
Income tax expense
    278       7,267  
                 
Loss from continuing operations
    (229,356 )     (33,166 )
Income from operations of discontinued business, net of tax
    574       837  
                 
Net loss
  $ (228,782 )   $ (32,329 )
                 
Net loss per common share—basic and diluted:
               
Continuing operations
  $ (3.10 )   $ (0.50 )
Discontinued business
    0.01       0.01  
                 
Net loss
  $ (3.09 )   $ (0.49 )
                 
Dividends declared per common share
  $     $ 0.0225  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    74,055,733       66,555,733  
                 
Reconciliation of net loss to comprehensive loss:
               
Net loss
  $ (228,782 )   $ (32,329 )
Unrealized net gain (loss) on securities and financial instruments
    177       (166 )
                 
Comprehensive loss
  $ (228,605 )   $ (32,495 )
   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
DEBTOR AND DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (228,782 )   $ (32,329 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    60,158       55,923  
Gain on property disposals
    (51 )     (121 )
Deferred income tax benefit
          (8,881 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts and other receivables
    (206,069 )     (249 )
Inventories
    267,675       (65,366 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    16,615       2,009  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (7,352 )     4,225  
Income taxes receivable/payable
    (541 )     8,667  
Other
    (14,024 )     923  
                 
Cash used in operating activities
    (112,371 )     (35,199 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment
    (29,028 )     (42,684 )
Purchases of investment securities
    (5,629 )     (3,287 )
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities
    4,591       2,750  
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents
    (6,667 )      
Proceeds from property disposals
    732       150  
                 
Cash used in investing activities
    (36,001 )     (43,071 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from short-term notes payable
    234,717        
Payments on short-term notes payable
    (133,525 )      
Proceeds from long-term debt
    828,238       298,000  
Payments on long-term debt
    (694,563 )     (212,272 )
Change in outstanding cash management obligations
    (115,305 )     22,533  
Other
    (98 )      
Cash dividends paid
          (1,497 )
                 
Cash provided by financing activities
    119,464       106,764  
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (28,908 )     28,494  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    61,553       66,168  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 32,645     $ 94,662  
   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 


 
6

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)


NOTE A—CHAPTER 11 PROCEEDINGS

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filings

On December 1, 2008 (the "Petition Date"), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Debtors") filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The cases are being jointly administered under Case No. 08-45664. The Company’s operations in Mexico and certain operations in the United States (“US”) were not included in the filing (the “Non-filing Subsidiaries”) and will continue to operate outside the Chapter 11 process.

Subject to certain exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors’ Chapter 11 filing automatically enjoined, or stayed, the continuation of any judicial or administrative proceedings or other actions against the Debtors or their property to recover on, collect or secure a claim arising prior to the Petition Date. Thus, for example, most creditor actions to obtain possession of property from the Debtors, or to create, perfect or enforce any lien against the property of the Debtors, or to collect on monies owed or otherwise exercise rights or remedies with respect to a pre-petition claim are enjoined unless and until the Bankruptcy Court lifts the automatic stay.

The filing of the Chapter 11 petitions constituted an event of default under certain of our debt obligations, and those debt obligations became automatically and immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. As a result, the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2008 includes reclassifications of $1,872.1 million to reflect as current certain long-term debt under the Company’s credit facilities that, absent the stay, would have become automatically and immediately due and payable. Because of the bankruptcy petition, most of the Company’s long-term debt is included in liabilities subject to compromise at December 27, 2008. The Company classifies liabilities subject to compromise as a long-term liability because management does not believe the Company will use existing current assets or create additional current liabilities to fund these obligations.

Chapter 11 Process

The Debtors are currently operating as "debtors-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. In general, as debtors-in-possession, we are authorized under Chapter 11 to continue to operate as an ongoing business, but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



On December 2, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted interim approval authorizing the Company and certain of its subsidiaries consisting of PPC Transportation Company, PFS Distribution Company, PPC Marketing, Ltd., and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation of West Virginia, Inc. (collectively, the "US Subsidiaries"), and To-Ricos, Ltd. and To-Ricos Distribution, Ltd. (collectively with the US Subsidiaries, the "Subsidiaries") to enter into that certain Post-Petition Credit Agreement (the "Initial DIP Credit Agreement") among the Company, as borrower, the US Subsidiaries, as guarantors, Bank of Montreal, as agent (the "DIP Agent"), and the lenders party thereto. On December 2, 2008, the Company, the US Subsidiaries and the other parties entered into the Initial DIP Credit Agreement, subject to final approval of the Bankruptcy Court. On December 31, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted final approval authorizing the Company and the Subsidiaries to enter into an Amended and Restated Post-Petition Credit Agreement (the "DIP Credit Agreement") among the Company, as borrower, the Subsidiaries, as guarantors, the DIP Agent, and the lenders party thereto.

The DIP Credit Agreement provides for an aggregate commitment of up to $450 million, which permits borrowings on a revolving basis. The commitment includes a $25 million sub-limit for swingline loans and a $20 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 8.0% plus the greatest of (i) the prime rate as established by the DIP agent from time to time, (ii) the average federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or (iii) the LIBOR rate plus 1.0%, payable monthly. The weighted average interest rate for the quarter ended December 27, 2008 was 11.86%. The loans under the Initial DIP Credit Agreement were used to repurchase all receivables sold under the Company's Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement dated September 26, 2008, as amended (the “RPA”). Loans under the DIP Credit Agreement may be used to fund the working capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries according to a budget as approved by the required lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement. For additional information on the RPA, see Note G—Trade Accounts and Other Receivables.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8


 
Actual borrowings by the Company under the DIP Credit Agreement are subject to a borrowing base, which is a formula based on certain eligible inventory and eligible receivables. The borrowing base formula is reduced by (i) pre-petition obligations under the Fourth Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2007, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and the lenders parties thereto, as amended, (ii) administrative and professional expenses incurred in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings, and (iii) the amount owed by the Company and the Subsidiaries to any person on account of the purchase price of agricultural products or services (including poultry and livestock) if that person is entitled to any grower's or producer's lien or other security arrangement. The borrowing base is also limited to 2.22 times the formula amount of total eligible receivables. The DIP Credit Agreement provides that the Company may not incur capital expenditures in excess of $150 million. The Company must also meet minimum monthly levels of EBITDAR. Under the DIP Credit Agreement, "EBITDAR" means, generally, net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, writedowns of goodwill and other intangibles, asset impairment charges and other specified charges, losses and gains. The DIP Credit Agreement also provides for certain other covenants, various representations and warranties, and events of default that are customary for transactions of this nature. As of December 27, 2008, the applicable borrowing base was $323.6 million and the amount available for borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement was $222.4 million. As of February 5, 2009, the applicable borrowing base was $309.4 million and the amount available for borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement was $195.5 million.

The principal amount of outstanding loans under the DIP Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, are payable in full at maturity on December 1, 2009, subject to extension for an additional six months with the approval of all lenders thereunder. All obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by the Subsidiaries and are secured by a first priority priming lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, subject to specified permitted liens in the DIP Credit Agreement.

The DIP Credit Agreement allows the Company to provide advances to the Non-filing Subsidiaries of up to approximately $25 million at any time outstanding. Management believes that all of the Non-filing Subsidiaries, including the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries, will be able to operate within this limitation.

For additional information on the DIP Credit Agreement, see Note L—Short-Term Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt.

The Bankruptcy Court has approved payment of certain of the Debtors’ pre-petition obligations, including, among other things, employee wages, salaries and benefits, and the Bankruptcy Court has approved the Company's payment of vendors and other providers in the ordinary course for goods and services ordered pre-petition but received from and after the Petition Date and other business-related payments necessary to maintain the operation of our businesses. The Debtors have retained, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, legal and financial professionals to advise the Debtors on the bankruptcy proceedings and certain other "ordinary course" professionals. From time to time, the Debtors may seek Bankruptcy Court approval for the retention of additional professionals.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Shortly after the Petition Date, the Debtors began notifying all known current or potential creditors of the Chapter 11 filing. Subject to certain exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors’ Chapter 11 filing automatically enjoined, or stayed, the continuation of any judicial or administrative proceedings or other actions against the Debtors or their property to recover on, collect or secure a claim arising prior to the Petition Date. Thus, for example, most creditor actions to obtain possession of property from the Debtors, or to create, perfect or enforce any lien against the property of the Debtors, or to collect on monies owed or otherwise exercise rights or remedies with respect to a pre-petition claim are enjoined unless and until the Bankruptcy Court lifts the automatic stay. Vendors are being paid for goods furnished and services provided after the Petition Date in the ordinary course of business.

As required by the Bankruptcy Code, the United States Trustee for the Northern District of Texas appointed an official committee of unsecured creditors (the "Creditors’ Committee"). The Creditors’ Committee and its legal representatives have a right to be heard on all matters that come before the Bankruptcy Court with respect to the Debtors. There can be no assurance that the Creditors’ Committee will support the Debtors’ positions on matters to be presented to the Bankruptcy Court in the future or on any plan of reorganization, once proposed. Disagreements between the Debtors and the Creditors’ Committee could protract the Chapter 11 proceedings, negatively impact the Debtors’ ability to operate and delay the Debtors’ emergence from the Chapter 11 proceedings.

Under Section 365 and other relevant sections of the Bankruptcy Code, we may assume, assume and assign, or reject certain executory contracts and unexpired leases, including, without limitation, leases of real property and equipment, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court and certain other conditions. Any description of an executory contract or unexpired lease in this report, including where applicable our express termination rights or a quantification of our obligations, must be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by, any overriding rejection rights we have under Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.

In order to successfully exit Chapter 11, the Debtors will need to propose and obtain confirmation by the Bankruptcy Court of a plan of reorganization that satisfies the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code. A plan of reorganization would, among other things, resolve the Debtors’ pre-petition obligations, set forth the revised capital structure of the newly reorganized entity and provide for corporate governance subsequent to exit from bankruptcy.

The Debtors have the exclusive right for 120 days after the Petition Date to file a plan of reorganization and, if we do so, 60 additional days to obtain necessary acceptances of our plan. We will likely file one or more motions to request extensions of these time periods. If the Debtors’ exclusivity period lapsed, any party in interest would be able to file a plan of reorganization for any of the Debtors. In addition to being voted on by holders of impaired claims and equity interests, a plan of reorganization must satisfy certain requirements of the Bankruptcy Code and must be approved, or confirmed, by the Bankruptcy Court in order to become effective.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



The timing of filing a plan of reorganization by us will depend on the timing and outcome of numerous other ongoing matters in the Chapter 11 proceedings. There can be no assurance at this time that a plan of reorganization will be confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court or that any such plan will be implemented successfully.

We have incurred and will continue to incur significant costs associated with our reorganization. The amount of these costs, which are being expensed as incurred commencing in November 2008, are expected to significantly affect our results of operations.

Under the priority scheme established by the Bankruptcy Code, unless creditors agree otherwise, pre-petition liabilities and post-petition liabilities must generally be satisfied in full before stockholders are entitled to receive any distribution or retain any property under a plan of reorganization. The ultimate recovery to creditors and/or stockholders, if any, will not be determined until confirmation of a plan or plans of reorganization. No assurance can be given as to what values, if any, will be ascribed in the Chapter 11 cases to each of these constituencies or what types or amounts of distributions, if any, they would receive. A plan of reorganization could result in holders of our liabilities and/or securities, including our common stock, receiving no distribution on account of their interests and cancellation of their holdings. Because of such possibilities, the value of our liabilities and securities, including our common stock, is highly speculative. Appropriate caution should be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any of the liabilities and/or securities of the Debtors. At this time there is no assurance we will be able to restructure as a going concern or successfully propose or implement a plan of reorganization.

The Company has requested that the Bankruptcy Court impose certain restrictions on trading in shares of the Company's common stock in order to preserve valuable tax attributes. The hearing on the motion is set for February 10, 2009. The Company requested that the trading restrictions apply retroactively to January 17, 2009, the date the motion was filed, to investors beneficially owning at least 4.75% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation. For these purposes, beneficial ownership of stock will be determined in accordance with special US tax rules that, among other things, apply constructive ownership concepts and treat holders acting together as a single holder. In addition, in the future, the Company may request that the Bankruptcy Court impose certain trading restrictions on certain debt of, and claims against, the Company.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Going Concern Matters

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. However, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern based on the factors previously discussed. The Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the ability of the Company to return to historic levels of profitability and, in the near term, restructure its obligations in a manner that allows it to obtain confirmation of a plan of reorganization by the Bankruptcy Court.

Management is addressing the Company’s ability to return to profitability by conducting profitability reviews at certain facilities in an effort to reduce inefficiencies and manufacturing costs. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company reduced headcount by approximately 265 non-production employees. The Company also announced that it would reduce production capacity at a certain production complex in the second quarter of 2009 by eliminating a work shift; the action will result in a headcount reduction of approximately 505 production employees. During 2008, the Company reduced production capacity by closing two production complexes and consolidating operations at a third production complex into its other facilities. These actions resulted in a headcount reduction of approximately 2,300 production employees.

On November 7, 2008, the Board of Directors appointed a Chief Restructuring Officer (“CRO”) for the Company. The appointment of a CRO was a requirement included in the waivers received from the Company’s lenders on October 27, 2008. The CRO will assist the Company with cost reduction initiatives, restructuring plans development and long-term liquidity improvement. The CRO reports to the Board of Directors of the Company.

In order to emerge from bankruptcy, the Company will need to obtain alternative financing to replace the DIP Credit Agreement and to satisfy the secured claims of its pre-bankruptcy creditors.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Condensed Combined Financial Information of Debtors

The following unaudited condensed combined financial information is presented for the Debtors as of December 27, 2008 or for the three months then ended (in thousands):

Balance Sheet Information:
     
Current assets
  $ 1,443,483  
Identified intangible assets
    64,817  
Investment in subsidiaries
    151,987  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    1,513,916  
Other assets
    47,730  
         
Total assets
  $ 3,221,933  
         
Current liabilities
  $ 500,902  
Long-term liabilities
    350,372  
         
Liabilities not subject to compromise
    851,274  
Liabilities subject to compromise
    2,253,391  
         
Total liabilities
    3,104,665  
Stockholders’ equity
    117,268  
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 3,221,933  
         
Statement of Operations Information:
       
Net sales
  $ 1,698,880  
Gross profit (loss)
    (86,194 )
Operating income (loss)
    (170,808 )
Reorganization items
    13,250  
Loss from equity affiliates
    18,869  
Net loss
    (228,782 )
         
Statement of Cash Flows Information:
       
Cash used in operating activities
  $ (121,006 )
Cash used in investing activities
    (28,545 )
Cash provided by financing activities
    119,463  

 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



NOTE B—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Consolidated Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (referred to herein as “Pilgrim’s,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or similar terms) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the US for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments unless otherwise disclosed) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended December 27, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 26, 2009. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Pilgrim’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2008.

The Company operates on the basis of a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the Saturday closest to September 30. The reader should assume any reference we make to a particular year (for example, 2009) in this report applies to our fiscal year and not the calendar year.

As a result of sustained losses and our Chapter 11 proceedings, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities, without substantial adjustments and/or changes in ownership, are subject to uncertainty. Given this uncertainty, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements do not purport to reflect or provide for the consequences of our Chapter 11 proceedings. In particular, the financial statements do not purport to show (i) as to assets, their realizable value on a liquidation basis or their availability to satisfy liabilities; (ii) as to pre-petition liabilities, the amounts that may be allowed for claims or contingencies, or the status and priority thereof; (iii) as to shareowners’ equity accounts, the effect of any changes that may be made in our capitalization; or (iv) as to operations, the effect of any changes that may be made to our business.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



In accordance with GAAP, we have applied American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position (“SOP”) 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code, in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements. SOP 90-7 requires that the financial statements, for periods subsequent to the Chapter 11 filing, distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, certain revenues, expenses (including professional fees), realized gains and losses and provisions for losses that are realized or incurred in the bankruptcy proceedings are recorded in reorganization items on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, pre-petition obligations that may be impacted by the bankruptcy reorganization process have been classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 27, 2008 in liabilities subject to compromise. These liabilities are reported at the amounts expected to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. For information on the bankruptcy reorganization process, see Note A—Chapter 11 Proceedings.

While operating as debtors-in-possession under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors may sell or otherwise dispose of or liquidate assets or settle liabilities, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court or otherwise as permitted in the ordinary course of business, in amounts other than those reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Moreover, a plan of reorganization could materially change the amounts and classifications in the historical Consolidated Financial Statements.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation and its majority owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions upon consolidation.

The Company re-measures the financial statements of its Mexican subsidiaries as if the US dollar were the functional currency. Accordingly, we translate assets and liabilities, other than non-monetary assets, of the Mexican subsidiaries at current exchange rates. We translate non-monetary assets using the historical exchange rate in effect on the date of each asset’s acquisition. We translate income and expenses at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Currency exchange gains or losses are included in the line item Other Expenses (Income) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Investment Quality

The Company and certain retirement plans that it sponsors invest in a variety of financial instruments. In response to the continued turbulence in global financial markets, we have analyzed our portfolios of investments and, to the best of our knowledge, none of our investments, including money market funds units, commercial paper and municipal securities, have been downgraded because of this turbulence, and neither we nor any fund in which we participate hold significant amounts of structured investment vehicles, auction rate securities, collateralized debt obligations, credit derivatives, hedge funds investments, fund of funds investments or perpetual preferred securities. Certain postretirement funds in which the Company participates hold significant amounts of mortgage-backed securities. However, none of the mortgages backing these securities are considered subprime.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS157-1, Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13, which excluded SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, and other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or measurement under SFAS No. 13. In February 2008, the FASB also issued FSP FAS157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.

On September 28, 2008, the Company adopted the portion of SFAS No. 157 that was not delayed, and since the Company’s existing fair value measurements are consistent with the guidance of SFAS No. 157, the partial adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The adoption of the deferred portion of SFAS No. 157 on September 27, 2009 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active, which clarified the application of SFAS No. 157 when the market for a financial asset was not active. FSP FAS157-3 was effective upon issuance, including reporting for prior periods for which financial statements had not been issued. The adoption of FSP FAS157-3 for reporting as of December 27, 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

See Note F—Fair Value Measurements for expanded disclosures about fair value measurements.

Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP FAS142-3 amends the factors an entity should consider in developing renewal or extension assumptions used in determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. FSP FAS142-3 must be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date. The Company will apply the guidance of this FSP to intangible assets acquired after September 26, 2009.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets. FSP FAS132(R)-1 amends SFAS No. 132(R), Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan, including disclosures about investment policies and strategies, categories of plan assets, fair value measurements of plan assets and significant concentrations of risk. The Company will apply the guidance of this FSP to its postretirement benefit plan assets effective September 27, 2009.


NOTE C—REORGANIZATION ITEMS

Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (“SOP 90-7”), issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants requires separate disclosure of reorganization items such as realized gains and losses from the settlement of pre-petition liabilities, provisions for losses resulting from the reorganization and restructuring of the business, as well as professional fees directly related to the process of reorganizing the Debtors under Chapter 11. The Debtors’ reorganization items for the three months ended December 27, 2008 consist of the following:

   
Three Months Ended December 27, 2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
DIP Credit Agreement related expenses
  $ 6,875  
Professional fees directly related to reorganization (a)
    5,690  
Other (b)
    685  
         
Total reorganization items
  $ 13,250  
         
 
(a) 
 
Professional fees directly related to the reorganization include post-petition fees associated with advisors to the Debtors, the statutory committee of unsecured creditors and certain secured creditors. Professional fees are estimated by the Debtors and will be reconciled to actual invoices when received.
 
     
(b)
Other expenses are related to fees associated with the termination of the RPA on December 3, 2008.
 

Net cash paid for reorganization items for the three months ended December 27, 2008 totaled $7.6 million. This represented payment of DIP Credit Agreement related expenses totaling $6.9 million and fees associated with the termination of the RPA totaling $0.7 million.

Reorganization items exclude employee severance and other charges recorded during the quarter; employee severance and other charges relate to normal operations of the business rather than charges resulting from the Chapter 11 reorganization. These charges followed the Company’s planned reductions in capacity in reaction to economic conditions explained above.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



NOTE D—DISCONTINUED BUSINESS

The Company sold certain assets of its turkey business for $18.6 million and recorded a gain of $1.5 million ($0.9 million, net of tax) during the second quarter of 2008. This business was composed of substantially our entire former turkey segment. The results of this business are included in the line item Income from operation of discontinued business, net of tax in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented.

For a period of time, we will continue to generate operating results and cash flows associated with our discontinued turkey business. These activities are transitional in nature. We entered into a short-term co-pack agreement with the acquirer of the discontinued turkey business under which they processed turkeys for sale to our customers through the end of 2008. For the period of time until we have collected funds on the sale of these turkeys, we will continue to report operating results and cash flows associated with our discontinued turkey business, although at a substantially reduced level.

Neither our continued involvement in the distribution and sale of these turkeys or the co-pack agreement conferred upon us the ability to influence the operating and/or financial policies of the turkey business under its new ownership.

No debt was assumed by the acquirer of the discontinued turkey business or required to be repaid as a result of the disposal transaction. We elected to allocate to the discontinued turkey operation other consolidated interest that was not directly attributable to or related to other operations of the Company based on the ratio of net assets to be sold or discontinued to the sum of the total net assets of the Company plus consolidated debt. Interest allocated to the discontinued business totaled $0.4 million in the quarter ended December 29, 2007. There was no interest allocated to the discontinued business in the quarter ended December 27, 2008.

The following amounts related to our turkey business were segregated from continuing operations and included in the line item Income from operation of discontinued business, net of tax in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
             
Net sales
  $ 26,514     $ 45,858  
                 
Income from operation of discontinued business before income taxes
  $ 922     $ 1,344  
Income tax expense
    (348 )     (507 )
                 
Income from operation of discontinued business, net of tax
  $ 574     $ 837  
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



The following assets and liabilities related to our turkey business were segregated and included in the line items Current assets of discontinued business and Current liabilities of discontinued business, as appropriate, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

   
December 27,
2008
   
September 27,
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 850     $ 5,881  
Inventories
    88       27,638  
                 
Current assets of discontinued business
  $ 938     $ 33,519  
                 
Accounts payable
  $ 290     $ 7,737  
Accrued expenses
    1,562       3,046  
                 
Current liabilities of discontinued business
  $ 1,852     $ 10,783  


NOTE E—RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

During 2009 and 2008, the Company completed the following restructuring activities:

First Quarter 2009

·  
Reduced its workforce by approximately 265 non-production employees, including the resignations of the former Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Operating Officer, and
·  
Reduced production at a processing complex in Florida by eliminating a shift.

Fourth Quarter 2008

·  
Closed a processing complex in Arkansas,
·  
Idled a processing complex in Louisiana, and
·  
Closed a distribution center in Texas.

Third Quarter 2008

·  
Transferred certain operations previously performed at a processing complex in Arkansas to other complexes, and
·  
Closed an administrative office building in Georgia.

Second Quarter 2008

·  
Closed a processing complex in North Carolina, and
·  
Closed six distribution centers in Florida (2), Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



The Company’s Board of Directors approved the actions as part of a plan intended to curtail losses amid record-high costs for corn, soybean meal and other feed ingredients and an oversupply of chicken in the US. The actions began in March 2008 and were completed in December 2008. The affected processing complexes and distribution centers employed approximately 2,805 individuals. Virtually all of these production employees, along with the approximately 265 non-production employees mentioned above, were impacted by the restructuring activities.

Results of operations for the first quarter of 2009 included restructuring charges totaling $3.7 million related to these actions. All of these restructuring charges, with the exception of certain lease commitment costs, have resulted in cash expenditures or will result in cash expenditures within one year. Results of operations for the first quarter of 2009 also included a $1.3 million adjustment that reduced accrued severance and employee retention costs. This adjustment resulted from a change in the restructuring program.

The following table sets forth restructuring activity that occurred during the first quarter of 2009:

         
Three Months Ended December 27, 2008
       
   
September 27, 2008
   
Accruals
   
Payments
   
Adjustments
   
December 27, 2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Lease continuation
  $ 4,466     $ 372     $ (330 )   $     $ 4,508  
Grower compensation
    3,989             (362 )           3,627  
Severance and employee retention
    2,694       3,647       (4,286 )     (1,271 )     784  
Other restructuring costs
    1,662       47       (158 )           1,551  
                                         
Total
  $ 12,811       4,066       (5,136 )     (1,271 )     10,470  

Consistent with the Company's previous practice and because management believes these costs are related to ceasing production at these facilities and not directly related to the Company's ongoing production, they are classified as a component of operating income (loss).

We continue to review and evaluate various restructuring and other alternatives to streamline our operations, improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Such initiatives may include selling assets, idling facilities, consolidating operations and functions, relocating or reducing production and voluntary and involuntary employee separation programs. Any such actions may require us to obtain the pre-approval of our lenders under our DIP Credit Agreement. In addition, such actions will subject the Company to additional short-term costs, which may include facility shutdown costs, asset impairment charges, lease commitment costs, employee retention and severance costs and other closing costs.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



NOTE F—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Effective September 28, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This standard established a framework for measuring fair value and required enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 clarified that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. SFAS No. 157 also required disclosure about how fair value was determined for assets and liabilities and established a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of inputs as follows:

Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
   
Level 2
Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability; or
   
Level 3
Unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations.

The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

As of December 27, 2008, the Company held certain items that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  These included cash equivalents, short-term investments in available-for-sale securities and long-term investments in available-for-sale securities. Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid, income-producing investments such as money market funds and other funds that have maturities of 90 days or less.  Short-term investments in available-for-sale securities consist of short-term, highly liquid, income-producing investments such as municipal debt securities that have maturities of greater than 90 days but less than one year.  Long-term investments in available-for-sale securities consist of income-producing investments such as municipal debt securities, corporate debt securities and equity securities that have maturities of greater than one year.

The following items are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 27, 2008:

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Cash equivalents
  $ 25,019     $     $ 987     $ 26,006  
Short-term investments in available-for-sale securities
    7,470                   7,470  
Long-term investments in available-for-sale securities
    54,777             2,425       57,202  
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



The following table presents the Company’s activity for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as defined in SFAS No. 157 for the quarter ended December 27, 2008:

   
Fund of
Funds
   
Auction Rate Securities
   
 
Total
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Balance at September 27, 2008
  $ 1,197     $ 2,425     $ 3,622  
Included in other comprehensive income
    (210 )           (210 )
                         
Balance at December 27, 2008
  $ 987     $ 2,425     $ 3,412  


NOTE G—TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts, consisted of the following components:

   
December 27, 2008
   
September 27, 2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Trade accounts receivable
  $ 329,743     $ 135,003  
Other receivables
    31,055       13,854  
                 
Receivables, gross
    360,798       148,857  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (5,542 )     (4,701 )
                 
Receivables, net
  $ 355,256     $ 144,156  

In connection with the Company's Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement dated September 26, 2008, as amended, the Company sold, on a revolving basis, certain of its trade receivables to a special purpose entity (“SPE”) wholly owned by the Company, which in turn sold a percentage ownership interest to third parties. The SPE was a separate corporate entity and its assets were available first and foremost to satisfy the claims of its creditors. The gross proceeds resulting from the sales were included in cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The loss recognized on the sold receivables during the quarter ended December 27, 2008 was not material. On December 3, 2008, the RPA was terminated and all receivables thereunder were repurchased with proceeds of borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



NOTE H—INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following components:

   
December 27,
2008
   
September 27,
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Chicken:
           
Live chicken and hens
  $ 308,241     $ 385,511  
Feed and eggs
    198,075       265,959  
Finished chicken products
    270,710       365,123  
                 
Total chicken inventories
    777,026       1,016,593  
                 
Other products:
               
Commercial feed, table eggs, retail farm store and other
  $ 16,477     $ 13,358  
Distribution inventories (other than chicken products)
    2,536       6,212  
                 
Total other products inventories
    19,013       19,570  
                 
Total inventories
  $ 796,039     $ 1,036,163  

Inventories included a lower-of-cost-or-market allowance of $34.4 million and $26.6 million at December 27, 2008 and September 27, 2008, respectively.


NOTE I—IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Identified intangible assets, net consisted of the following components:

   
Useful Life
(Years)
   
Original
Cost
   
Accumulated Amortization
   
Carrying Amount
 
         
(In thousands)
 
December 27, 2008:
                       
Trade names
   
3–15
    $ 39,271     $ (17,708 )   $ 21,563  
Customer relationships
   
13
      51,000       (7,846 )     43,154  
Non-compete agreement
   
3
      300       (200 )     100  
                                 
Total
          $ 90,571     $ (25,754 )   $ 64,817  
                                 
September 27, 2008:
                               
Trade names
          $ 39,271     $ (16,168 )   $ 23,103  
Customer relationships
            51,000       (6,865 )     44,135  
Non-compete agreement
            300       (175 )     125  
                                 
Total
          $ 90,571     $ (23,208 )   $ 67,363  

We recognized amortization expense of $2.5 million and $2.6 million in the quarters ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8


 
We test intangible assets subject to amortization for impairment and estimate their fair values using the same assumptions and techniques we employ on property, plant and equipment. For information on possible future impairment of identified intangible assets carrying amounts, see Note J—Property, Plant and Equipment.


NOTE J—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following components:

   
December 27,
2008
   
September 27,
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Land
  $ 111,567     $ 111,567  
Buildings, machinery and equipment
    2,494,804       2,465,608  
Autos and trucks
    62,273       64,272  
Construction-in-progress
    68,419       74,307  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, gross
    2,737,063       2,715,754  
                 
Accumulated depreciation
    (1,091,545 )     (1,042,750 )
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 1,645,518     $ 1,673,004  

We recognized depreciation expense related to our continuing operations of $56.1 million, and $51.9 million in the quarters ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. We also recognized depreciation charges related to our discontinued turkey business of $379,000 in the quarter ended December 29, 2007.  We did not incur depreciation charges related to our discontinued turkey business in the quarter ended December 27, 2008.

At the present time, the Company’s forecasts indicate that it can recover the carrying value of its assets based on the projected cash flows of the operations. A key assumption in management’s forecast is that the Company’s sales volumes will generate historical margins as supply and demand between commodities and chicken and other animal-based proteins become more balanced. However, the exact timing of the return to historical margins is not certain, and if the return to historical margins is delayed, impairment charges could become necessary in the future.

The Company classifies certain assets related to its closed production complexes in North Carolina and Arkansas and its closed distribution centers in Florida and Texas as assets held for sale. At both December 27, 2008 and September 27, 2008, the Company reported assets held for sale totaling $17.4 million on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



NOTE K—ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses not subject to compromise consisted of the following components:

   
December 27, 2008
   
September 27, 2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Compensation and benefits
  $ 101,849     $ 118,803  
Interest and debt maintenance
    15,923       35,488  
Self insurance
    96,949       170,787  
Other
    81,877       123,745  
                 
Total accrued expenses
  $ 296,598     $ 448,823  

For information on accrued restructuring costs, see Note D—Restructuring Activities.  For information on accrued expenses subject to compromise, see Note M—Liabilities Subject to Compromise.


NOTE L—SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Short-term notes payable and long-term debt consisted of the following components:

 
Maturity
 
December 27,
2008
   
September 27,
2008
 
     
(In thousands)
 
Short-term notes payable:
             
Post-petition credit facility with notes payable at 8.00% plus the greatest of the facility agent's prime rate, the average federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or LIBOR plus 1.00%
 
2009
  $ 101,192     $  
                   
Long-term debt:
                 
Senior unsecured notes, at 7 5/8%
2015
  $ 400,000     $ 400,000  
Senior subordinated unsecured notes, at 8 3/8%
2017
    250,000       250,000  
Secured revolving credit facility with notes payable at LIBOR plus 1.25% to LIBOR plus 2.75%
2013
    238,765       181,900  
Secured revolving credit facility with notes payable at LIBOR plus 1.65% to LIBOR plus 3.125%
2011
    41,520       51,613  
Secured revolving/term credit facility with four notes payable at LIBOR plus a spread, one note payable at 7.34% and one note payable at 7.56%
 
2016
      1,126,398         1,035,250  
Other
Various
    33,882       23,220  
                   
Long-term debt
      2,090,565       1,941,983  
Current maturities of long-term debt
            (1,874,469 )
Long-term debt subject to compromise
      (2,049,045 )      
                   
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    $ 41,520     $ 67,514  
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



The filing of the Chapter 11 petitions constituted an event of default under certain of our debt obligations, and those debt obligations became automatically and immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. As a result, the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2008 includes reclassifications of $1,872.1 million to reflect as current certain long-term debt under the Company’s credit facilities that, absent the stay, would have become automatically and immediately due and payable. Because of the bankruptcy petition, most of the Company’s long-term debt is included in liabilities subject to compromise at December 27, 2008. The Company classifies liabilities subject to compromise as a long-term liability because management does not believe the Company will use existing current assets or create additional current liabilities to fund these obligations.

On December 2, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted interim approval authorizing the Company and the US Subsidiaries to enter into the Initial DIP Credit Agreement with the DIP Agent and the lenders party thereto. On December 2, 2008, the Company, the US Subsidiaries and the other parties entered into the Initial DIP Credit Agreement, subject to final approval of the Bankruptcy Court. On December 31, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted final approval authorizing the Company and the Subsidiaries to enter into the DIP Credit Agreement among the Company, as borrower, the Subsidiaries, as guarantors, the DIP Agent, and the lenders party thereto.

The DIP Credit Agreement provides for an aggregate commitment of up to $450 million, which permits borrowings on a revolving basis. The commitment includes a $25 million sub-limit for swingline loans and a $20 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 8.0% plus the greatest of (i) the prime rate as established by the DIP agent from time to time, (ii) the average federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or (iii) the LIBOR rate plus 1.0%, payable monthly. The weighted average interest rate for the quarter ended December 27, 2008 was 11.86%. The loans under the Initial DIP Credit Agreement were used to repurchase all receivables sold under the Company's RPA. Loans under the DIP Credit Agreement may be used to fund the working capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries according to a budget as approved by the required lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement. For additional information on the RPA, see Note G—Trade Accounts and Other Receivables.

Actual borrowings by the Company under the DIP Credit Agreement are subject to a borrowing base, which is a formula based on certain eligible inventory and eligible receivables. The borrowing base formula is reduced by (i) pre-petition obligations under the Fourth Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2007, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and the lenders parties thereto, as amended, (ii) administrative and professional expenses incurred in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings, and (iii) the amount owed by the Company and the Subsidiaries to any person on account of the purchase price of agricultural products or services (including poultry and livestock) if that person is entitled to any grower's or producer's lien or other security arrangement. The borrowing base is also limited to 2.22 times the formula amount of total eligible receivables. The DIP Credit Agreement provides that the Company may not incur capital expenditures in excess of $150 million. The Company must also meet minimum monthly levels

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



of EBITDAR. Under the DIP Credit Agreement, "EBITDAR" means, generally, net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, writedowns of goodwill and other intangibles, asset impairment charges and other specified charges, losses and gains. The DIP Credit Agreement also provides for certain other covenants, various representations and warranties, and events of default that are customary for transactions of this nature. As of December 27, 2008, the applicable borrowing base was $323.6 million and the amount available for borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement was $222.4 million. As of February 5, 2009, the applicable borrowing base was $309.4 million and the amount available for borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement was $195.5 million.

The principal amount of outstanding loans under the DIP Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, are payable in full at maturity on December 1, 2009, subject to extension for an additional six months with the approval of all lenders thereunder. All obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by the Subsidiaries and are secured by a first priority priming lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, subject to specified permitted liens in the DIP Credit Agreement.

Under the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement and applicable bankruptcy law, the Company may not pay dividends on the common stock while it is in bankruptcy. Any payment of future dividends and the amounts thereof will depend on our emergence from bankruptcy, our earnings, our financial requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors at the time.

During the first quarter of 2009, the Company borrowed $616.7 million and repaid $525.5 million under the secured revolver/term credit agreement expiring in 2016, borrowed $211.5 million and repaid $154.7 million under the secured revolving credit facility expiring in 2013, borrowed $234.7 million and repaid $133.5 million under the DIP Credit Agreement and repaid $14.4 million under other facilities.

On November 30, 2008, certain non-Debtor Mexico subsidiaries of the Company (the "Mexico Subsidiaries") entered into a Waiver Agreement and Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "Waiver Agreement") with ING Capital LLC, as agent (the "Mexico Agent"), and the lenders signatory thereto (the "Mexico Lenders"). Under the Waiver Agreement, the Mexico Agent and the Mexico Lenders waived any default or event of default under the Credit Agreement dated as of September 25, 2006, by and among the Company, the Mexico Subsidiaries, the Mexico Agent and the Mexico Lenders, the administrative agent, and the lenders parties thereto (the "ING Credit Agreement"), resulting from the Company's filing of its bankruptcy petition with the Bankruptcy Court. Pursuant to the Waiver Agreement, outstanding amounts under the ING Credit Agreement now bear interest at a rate per annum equal to: the LIBOR Rate, the Base Rate, or the TIIE Rate, as applicable, plus the Applicable Margin (as those terms are defined in the ING Credit Agreement). While the Company is operating in Chapter 11, the Waiver Agreement provides for an Applicable Margin for LIBOR loans, Base Rate loans, and TIIE loans of 6.0%, 4.0%, and 5.8%, respectively. The Waiver Agreement further amended the ING Credit Agreement to require the Company to make a mandatory prepayment of the revolving loans, in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds received by any Mexico Subsidiary, as applicable, in excess of thresholds specified in

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



the ING Credit Agreement (i) from the occurrence of certain asset sales by the Mexico Subsidiaries; (ii) from the occurrence of any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceedings of, any property or asset of any Mexico Subsidiary; or (iii) from the incurrence of certain indebtedness by a Mexico Subsidiary. Any such mandatory prepayments will permanently reduce the amount of the commitment under the ING Credit Agreement.  In connection with the Waiver Agreement, the Mexico Subsidiaries pledged substantially all of their receivables, inventory, and equipment and certain fixed assets. The Mexico subsidiaries are excluded from the US bankruptcy proceedings.

The filing of the bankruptcy petitions constituted an event of default under the secured credit agreement expiring in 2013 and the secured revolver/term credit agreement expiring in 2016 (together, the “Secured Debt”) as well as the 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2015, the 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 and the 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (together, the “Unsecured Debt”). The aggregate principal amount owed under these credit agreements and notes was approximately $2,022.2 million as of December 27, 2008. As a result of such event of default, all obligations under these agreements became automatically and immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. As a result of the Company's Chapter 11 filing, after December 1, 2008, the Company accrued interest incurred on the Secured Debt at the default rate, which is two percent above the interest rate otherwise applicable under the associated credit agreements. Although the agreements related to the Unsecured Debt call for the accrual of interest after December 1, 2008 at a default rate that is two percent above the interest rate otherwise applicable under the associated note agreements, the Company has elected to accrue interest incurred on the Unsecured Debt, for accounting purposes, at the interest rate otherwise applicable under the associated note agreements until such time, if any, that the Bankruptcy Court approves the payment of interest or default interest incurred on the Unsecured Debt. Had the Company accrued interest incurred on the Unsecured Debt at the default rate, it would have recognized additional interest expense totaling $1.1 million in December 2008.

In June 1999, the Camp County Industrial Development Corporation issued $25 million of variable-rate environmental facilities revenue bonds supported by letters of credit obtained by us under our secured revolving credit facility expiring in 2013. The revenue bonds become due in 2029. Prior to our bankruptcy filing, the proceeds were available for the Company to draw from over the construction period in order to construct new sewage and solid waste disposal facilities at a poultry by-products plant in Camp County, Texas. The original proceeds from the issuance of the revenue bonds continue to be held by the trustee of the bonds until we draw on the proceeds for the construction of the facility. We had not drawn on the proceeds or commenced construction of the facility prior to our bankruptcy filing. The filing of the bankruptcy petitions constituted an event of default under these bonds. As a result of the event of default, the trustee has the right to accelerate all obligations under the bonds such that they become immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. In December 2008, the holders of the bonds tendered the bonds for remarketing, which was not successful. As a result, the trustee, on behalf of the holders of the bonds, drew upon the letters of credit supporting the bonds. The resulting reimbursement obligation was converted to borrowings under the secured revolving credit facility expiring in 2013 and secured by our

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



domestic chicken inventories. On January 29, 2009, we obtained approval from the Bankruptcy Court to use the original proceeds of the bond offering held by the trustee to repay and cancel the revenue bonds. We are currently working with the trustee to accomplish the repayment and cancellation of the bonds and have recorded a receivable from the trustee on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 27, 2008.


NOTE M—LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE

Liabilities subject to compromise refers to both secured and unsecured obligations that will be accounted for under a plan of reorganization. Generally, actions to enforce or otherwise effect payment of pre-Chapter 11 liabilities are stayed. SOP 90-7 requires pre-petition liabilities that are subject to compromise to be reported at the amounts expected to be allowed, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. These liabilities represent the estimated amount expected to be allowed on known or potential claims to be resolved through the Chapter 11 process, and remain subject to future adjustments arising from negotiated settlements, actions of the Bankruptcy Court, rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases, the determination as to the value of collateral securing the claims, proofs of claim, or other events. Liabilities subject to compromise also include certain items that may be assumed under the plan of reorganization, and as such, may be subsequently reclassified to liabilities not subject to compromise. The Company has included secured debt as a liability subject to compromise as management believes that there remains uncertainty to the terms under a plan of reorganization since the filing recently occurred. At hearings held in December 2008, the Court granted final approval of many of the Debtors’ “first day” motions covering, among other things, human capital obligations, supplier relations, insurance, customer relations, business operations, certain tax matters, cash management, utilities, case management and retention of professionals. Obligations associated with these matters are not classified as liabilities subject to compromise.

In accordance with SOP 90-7, debt issuance costs should be viewed as valuations of the related debt. When the debt has become an allowed claim and the allowed claim differs from the net carrying amount of the debt, the recorded amount should be adjusted to the amount of the allowed claim (thereby adjusting existing debt issuance costs to the extent necessary to report the debt at this allowed amount). Through January 29, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court had not classified any of the Debtors’ outstanding debt as allowed claims. Therefore, the Company has classified the Debtors’ outstanding debt as liabilities subject to compromise on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has not adjusted debt issuance costs, totaling $24.4 million at December 27, 2008, related to the Debtors’ outstanding debt. The Company may be required to expense these amounts or a portion thereof as reorganization items if the Bankruptcy Court ultimately determines that a portion of the debt is subject to compromise.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



The Debtors are seeking to reject certain pre-petition executory contracts and unexpired leases with respect to the Debtors’ operations with the approval of the Bankruptcy Court and may reject additional ones in the future. Damages resulting from rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases are generally treated as general unsecured claims and will be classified as liabilities subject to compromise. Holders of pre-petition claims are required to file proofs of claims by the “bar date”, which will be established later with approval of the Bankruptcy Court. A bar date is the date by which certain claims against the Debtors must be filed if the claimants wish to receive any distribution in the Chapter 11 cases. Once a bar date is established, creditors will be notified of the bar date and the requirement to file a proof of claim with the Bankruptcy Court. Differences between liability amounts estimated by the Debtors and claims filed by creditors will be investigated and, if necessary, the Bankruptcy Court will make a final determination of the allowable claim. The determination of how liabilities will ultimately be treated cannot be made until the Bankruptcy Court approves a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. Accordingly, the ultimate amount or treatment of such liabilities is not determinable at this time.

Liabilities subject to compromise consisted of the following:

   
December 27, 2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Accounts payable
  $ 70,107  
Accrued expenses
    134,239  
Secured long-term debt
    1,392,049  
Unsecured long-term debt
    656,996  
         
Total liabilities subject to compromise
  $ 2,253,391  

Liabilities subject to compromise includes trade accounts payable related to pre-petition purchases, all of which were not paid. As a result, the Company’s cash flows from operations were favorably affected by the stay of payment related to these accounts payable.


NOTE N—INCOME TAXES

The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended December 27, 2008 was 0% compared to 28% for the three months ended December 29, 2007.  The effective tax rate decreased over prior year as a result of the Company's decision to record a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets, including net operating losses and credit carryforwards, in the U.S. and Mexico.

The Company maintains valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset may not be realized.  Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the tax provision in the period of change.  We evaluate the recoverability of our deferred income tax assets by assessing the need for a valuation allowance on a quarterly basis.  If we determine that it is more likely than not that our deferred income tax assets will be recovered, the valuation allowance will be reduced.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to US federal, state or local income tax examinations for years prior to 2003 and is no longer subject to Mexico income tax examination for years prior to 2005.  We are currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax years ended September 26, 2003 to September 30, 2006.  While we expect certain claims made by US federal, state or local taxing authorities will be allowed, it is not practicable at this time to estimate the amount of significant payments, if any, to be made within the next 12 months.


NOTE O—DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In October 2008, the Company suspended the use of derivative financial instruments in response to its current financial condition. We immediately settled all outstanding derivative financial instruments and recognized losses in the first quarter of 2009 totaling $21.4 million.


NOTE P—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, the Senior Chairman, and certain entities related to Mr. Pilgrim are, collectively, the major stockholder of the Company (the “major stockholder”).

Transactions with the major stockholder or related entities are summarized below.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Loan guaranty fees
  $ 1,473     $ 962  
Contract grower pay
    179       260  
Lease payments on commercial egg property
    188       188  
Other sales to major stockholder
    243       163  
Lease payments and operating expenses on airplane
    68       113  

Pilgrim Interests, Ltd., an entity related to Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, guarantees a portion of the Company's debt obligations. In consideration of such guarantees, the Company has paid Pilgrim Interests, Ltd. a quarterly fee equal to 0.25% of one-half of the average aggregate outstanding balance of such guaranteed debt. Pursuant to the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement, the Company may no longer pay any loan guarantee fees without the consent of the lenders party thereto.

The Company leased an airplane from its major stockholder under an operating lease agreement that was renewable annually. On November 18, 2008, we cancelled this aircraft lease.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



NOTE Q—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are a party to many routine contracts in which we provide general indemnities in the normal course of business to third parties for various risks. Among other considerations, we have not recorded a liability for any of these indemnities as based upon the likelihood of payment, the fair value of such indemnities would not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

At December 27, 2008, the Company was party to outstanding standby letters of credit totaling $72.0 million that affected the amount of funds available for borrowing under the secured revolving credit facility expiring in 2013. At the same date, the Company was not a party to any outstanding standby letters of credit that would have affected the amount of funds available for borrowing under the DIP Credit Agreement.

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. In the Company’s opinion, it has made appropriate and adequate accruals for claims where necessary; however, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if significantly different than the amounts accrued, the ultimate outcome could have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

On December 1, 2008, the Debtors filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court. The cases are being jointly administered under Case No. 08-45664. The Debtors continue to operate their business as "debtors-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. As of the date of the Chapter 11 filing, virtually all pending litigation against the Company (including the actions described below) is stayed as to the Company, and absent further order of the Bankruptcy Court, no party, subject to certain exceptions, may take any action, also subject to certain exceptions, to recover on pre-petition claims against the Debtors. At this time it is not possible to predict the outcome of the Chapter 11 filings or their effect on our business. Below is a summary of the most significant claims outstanding against the Company. The Company believes it has substantial defenses to the claims made and intends to vigorously defend these cases.

Among the claims presently pending are two identical claims brought against certain executive officers and employees of the Company and the Pilgrim’s Pride Compensation Committee seeking unspecified damages under section 502 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1132. Each of these actions was brought by individual participants in the Pilgrim’s Pride Stock Investment Plan, individually and on behalf of a putative class, alleging that the individual defendants breached fiduciary duties to plan participants and beneficiaries. Although the Company is not a named defendant in these actions, our bylaws require us to indemnify our current and former directors and officers from any liabilities and expenses incurred by them in connection with actions they took in good faith while serving as an officer or director. The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company cannot be determined at this time.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Among the claims presently pending against the Company are two identical claims seeking unspecified damages, each brought by a stockholder, individually and on behalf of a putative class, alleging violations of certain antifraud provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company intends to defend vigorously against the merits of these actions. The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company cannot be determined at this time.

Other claims presently pending against the Company are claims seeking unspecified damages brought by current and former employees seeking compensation for the time spent donning and doffing clothing and personal protective equipment. We are aware of an industry-wide investigation by the Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor to ascertain compliance with various wage and hour issues, including the compensation of employees for the time spent on activities such as donning and doffing clothing and personal protective equipment. Due, in part, to the government investigation and the recent US Supreme Court decision in IBP, Inc. v. Alvarez, it is possible that we may be subject to additional employee claims. We intend to assert vigorous defenses to the litigation. Nonetheless, there can be no assurances that other similar claims may not be brought against the Company.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) recently investigated allegations of identity theft within our workforce. With our cooperation, ICE arrested approximately 350 of our employees in 2008 believed to have engaged in identity theft at five of our facilities. No assurances can be given that further enforcement efforts by governmental authorities against our employees or the Company will not disrupt a portion of our workforce or our operations at one or more of our facilities, thereby negatively impacting our business.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



NOTE R—BUSINESS SEGMENTS

We operate in two reportable business segments as (i) a producer and seller of chicken products and (ii) a seller of other products. The following table presents certain information regarding our segments.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Net sales to customers:
           
Chicken:
           
United States
  $ 1,586,965     $ 1,728,142  
Mexico
    136,051       120,998  
                 
Total chicken
    1,723,016       1,849,140  
                 
Other products:
               
United States
    144,784       190,389  
Mexico
    9,191       7,824  
                 
Total other products
    153,975       198,213  
                 
Net sales to customers
  $ 1,876,991     $ 2,047,353  
                 
Operating income (loss):
               
Chicken:
               
United States
  $ (181,870 )   $ (19,094 )
Mexico
    (7,217 )     (4,092 )
                 
Total chicken
    (189,087 )     (23,186 )
                 
Other products:
               
United States
    8,965       22,771  
Mexico
    1,881       1,085  
                 
Total other products
    10,846       23,856  
                 
Operating income (loss)
  $ (178,241 )   $ 670  
                 
Depreciation and amortization(a)(b)(c):
               
Chicken:
               
United States
  $ 53,609     $ 50,203  
Mexico
    2,437       2,564  
                 
Total chicken
    56,046       52,767  
                 
Other products:
               
United States
    4,054       2,715  
Mexico
    58       62  
                 
Total other products
    4,112       2,777  
                 
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 60,158     $ 55,544  
     
 
(a) 
Includes amortization of capitalized financing costs of $1.5 million and $1.0 million for the quarters ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.
 
     
(b)
Includes amortization of intangible assets of $2.5 million and $2.6 million for the quarters ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.
 
     
(c)
Excludes depreciation costs incurred by our discontinued turkey business of $0.4 million during the quarter ended December 29, 2007.
 

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Description of the Company

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (referred to herein as “Pilgrim’s Pride,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar terms) is one the largest chicken companies in the United States (“US”), Mexico and Puerto Rico. Our fresh chicken retail line is sold in the southeastern, central, southwestern and western regions of the US, throughout Puerto Rico, and in the northern and central regions of Mexico. Our prepared chicken products meet the needs of some of the largest customers in the food service industry across the US. Additionally, the Company exports commodity chicken products to 80 countries. As a vertically integrated company, we control every phase of the production of our products. We operate feed mills, hatcheries, processing plants and distribution centers in 14 US states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Pilgrim’s Pride operates in two business segments—Chicken and Other Products.

Our fresh chicken products consist of refrigerated (non-frozen) whole or cut-up chicken, either pre-marinated or non-marinated, and pre-packaged chicken in various combinations of freshly refrigerated, whole chickens and chicken parts. Our prepared chicken products include portion-controlled breast fillets, tenderloins and strips, delicatessen products, salads, formed nuggets and patties and bone-in chicken parts. These products are sold either refrigerated or frozen and may be fully cooked, partially cooked or raw. In addition, these products are breaded or non-breaded and either pre-marinated or non-marinated.

We operate on the basis of a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the Saturday closest to September 30. The reader should assume any reference we make to a particular year (for example, 2009) in this report applies to our fiscal year and not the calendar year.


Executive Summary

The Company continued to face an extremely challenging business environment in the first quarter of 2009. We reported a net loss of $228.8 million, or $3.09 per common share, for the quarter, which included a negative gross margin of $83.4 million. As of December 27, 2008, the Company’s accumulated deficit aggregated $545.9 million. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company used $112.0 million of cash in operations. At December 27, 2008, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $32.6 million. In addition, the Company incurred reorganization costs of $13.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. These costs included (i) financing fees associated with the Amended and Restated Post-Petition Credit Agreement (the "DIP Credit Agreement") among the Company, as borrower, the Subsidiaries, as guarantors, the DIP Agent, and the lenders party thereto, (ii) professional fees charged for post-petition reorganization services and (iii) fees related to the termination of the Company’s Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement dated September 26, 2008, as amended (the “RPA”).
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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Market prices for feed ingredients decreased in the first quarter of 2009 after reaching unprecedented levels in the last half of 2008. Market prices for feed ingredients remain volatile, however, and there can be no assurance that they will not increase materially. Pursuant to a covenant in the DIP Credit Agreement, we agreed that we would not enter into any hedging arrangements or other derivative financial instruments without the prior written approval of lenders holding more than 50% of the commitments under the DIP Credit Agreement, except for commodity derivative instruments entered into at the request or direction of a customer, and in any case, only with financial institutions in connection with bona fide activities in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes.

The following table compares the highest and lowest prices reached on nearby futures for one bushel of corn and one ton of soybean meal during the past four years, for each quarter in 2008 and for the first quarter of 2009:

   
Corn
   
Soybean Meal
 
   
Highest
Price
   
Lowest Price
   
Highest Price
   
Lowest Price
 
2009:
                       
First Quarter
  $ 5.24     $ 2.90     $ 302.00     $ 237.00  
2008:
                               
Fourth Quarter
    7.50       4.86       455.50       312.00  
Third Quarter
    7.63       5.58       427.90       302.50  
Second Quarter
    5.70       4.49       384.50       302.00  
First Quarter
    4.57       3.35       341.50       254.10  
2007
    4.37       2.62       286.50       160.20  
2006
    2.68       1.86       204.50       155.80  
2005
    2.63       1.91       238.00       146.60  

Market prices for chicken products have stabilized since the end of 2008 but remain below historic levels and have not yet improved sufficiently to offset the costs of feed ingredients.  Many producers within the industry, including Pilgrim’s Pride, cut production in 2008 in an effort to correct the general oversupply of chicken in the US, and this has had and continues to have a positive effect on prices for chicken products. Despite these production cuts, there can be no assurance that chicken prices will not decrease due to such factors as weakening demand for breast meat from food service providers and lower prices for chicken leg quarters for the export market as a result of weakness in world economies and restrictive credit markets.

We continue to review and evaluate various restructuring and other alternatives to streamline our operations, improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Such initiatives may include selling assets, idling facilities, consolidating operations and functions, relocating or reducing production and voluntary and involuntary employee separation programs. Any such actions may require us to obtain the pre-approval of our lenders under our DIP Credit Agreement. In addition, such actions will subject the Company to additional short-term costs, which may include facility shutdown costs, asset impairment charges, lease commitment costs, employee retention and severance costs and other closing costs.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8


 
On January 27, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court approved the employment agreement between the Company and Don Jackson. Dr. Jackson now serves as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. In connection with his appointment, on January 27, 2009, Dr. Jackson was granted an equity award of 3,085,656 shares of the Company's common stock, which are subject to vesting requirements, and a sign-on bonus of $3,000,000, which is subject to repayment, each as provided in his employment agreement.


Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filings

On December 1, 2008 (the "Petition Date"), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Debtors") filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division (the "Bankruptcy Court"). The cases are being jointly administered under Case No. 08-45664. The Company’s operations in Mexico and certain operations in the US were not included in the filing (the “Non-filing Subsidiaries”) and will continue to operate outside of the Chapter 11 process.

Effective December 1, 2008, the New York Stock Exchange delisted our common stock as a result of the Company's filing of its Chapter 11 petitions. Our common stock is now quoted on the Pink Sheets Electronic Quotation Service under the ticker symbol "PGPDQ.PK."

The filing of the Chapter 11 petitions constituted an event of default under certain of our debt obligations, and those debt obligations became automatically and immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. As a result, the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2008 includes reclassifications of $1,872.1 million to reflect as current certain long-term debt under the Company’s credit facilities that, absent the stay, would have become automatically and immediately due and payable. Because of the bankruptcy petition, most of the Company’s long-term debt is included in liabilities subject to compromise at December 27, 2008. The Company classifies liabilities subject to compromise as a long-term liability because management does not believe the Company will use existing current assets or create additional current liabilities to fund these obligations.


Chapter 11 Process

The Debtors are currently operating as "debtors-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. In general, as debtors-in-possession, we are authorized under Chapter 11 to continue to operate as an ongoing business, but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



On December 2, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted interim approval authorizing the Company and certain of its subsidiaries consisting of PPC Transportation Company, PFS Distribution Company, PPC Marketing, Ltd., and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation of West Virginia, Inc. (collectively, the "US Subsidiaries"), and To-Ricos, Ltd. and To-Ricos Distribution, Ltd. (collectively with the US Subsidiaries, the "Subsidiaries") to enter into a Post-Petition Credit Agreement (the "Initial DIP Credit Agreement") among the Company, as borrower, the US Subsidiaries, as guarantors, Bank of Montreal, as agent, and the lenders party thereto. On December 2, 2008, the Company, the US Subsidiaries and the other parties entered into the Initial DIP Credit Agreement, subject to final approval of the Bankruptcy Court. On December 31, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted final approval authorizing the Company and the Subsidiaries to enter into the DIP Credit Agreement.

The DIP Credit Agreement provides for an aggregate commitment of up to $450 million, which permits borrowings on a revolving basis. The commitment includes a $25 million sub-limit for swingline loans and a $20 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 8.0% plus the greatest of (i) the prime rate as established by the DIP agent from time to time, (ii) the average federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or (iii) the LIBOR rate plus 1.0%, payable monthly. The weighted average interest rate for the quarter ended December 27, 2008 was 11.86%. The loans under the Initial DIP Credit Agreement were used to repurchase all receivables sold under the Company's RPA. Loans under the DIP Credit Agreement may be used to fund the working capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries according to a budget as approved by the required lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement. For additional information on the RPA, see Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources."

Actual borrowings by the Company under the DIP Credit Agreement are subject to a borrowing base, which is a formula based on certain eligible inventory and eligible receivables. The borrowing base formula is reduced by (i) pre-petition obligations under the Fourth Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2007, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and the lenders parties thereto, as amended, (ii) administrative and professional expenses incurred in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings, and (iii) the amount owed by the Company and the Subsidiaries to any person on account of the purchase price of agricultural products or services (including poultry and livestock) if that person is entitled to any grower's or producer's lien or other security arrangement. The borrowing base is also limited to 2.22 times the formula amount of total eligible receivables. The DIP Credit Agreement provides that the Company may not incur capital expenditures in excess of $150 million. The Company must also meet minimum monthly levels of EBITDAR. Under the DIP Credit Agreement, "EBITDAR" means, generally, net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, writedowns of goodwill and other intangibles, asset impairment charges and other specified charges, losses and gains. The DIP Credit Agreement also provides for certain other covenants, various representations and warranties, and events of default that are customary for transactions of this nature. As of December 27, 2008, the applicable borrowing base was $323.6 million and the amount available for borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement was $222.4 million. As of February 5, 2009, the applicable borrowing

 
38

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



base was $309.4 million and the amount available for borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement was $195.5 million.

The principal amount of outstanding loans under the DIP Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, are payable in full at maturity on December 1, 2009, subject to extension for an additional six months with the approval of all lenders thereunder. All obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by the Subsidiaries and are secured by a first priority priming lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, subject to specified permitted liens in the DIP Credit Agreement.

The DIP Credit Agreement allows the Company to provide advances to the Non-filing Subsidiaries of up to approximately $25 million at any time outstanding. Management believes that all of the Non-filing Subsidiaries, including the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries, will be able to operate within this limitation.

For additional information on the DIP Credit Agreement, see Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources."

The Bankruptcy Court has approved payment of certain of the Debtors’ pre-petition obligations, including, among other things, employee wages, salaries and benefits, and the Bankruptcy Court has approved the Company's payment of vendors and other providers in the ordinary course for goods and services order pre-petition but received from and after the Petition Date and other business-related payments necessary to maintain the operation of our businesses. The Debtors have retained, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, legal and financial professionals to advise the Debtors on the bankruptcy proceedings and certain other "ordinary course" professionals. From time to time, the Debtors may seek Bankruptcy Court approval for the retention of additional professionals.

Shortly after the Petition Date, the Debtors began notifying all known current or potential creditors of the Chapter 11 filing. Subject to certain exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors’ Chapter 11 filing automatically enjoined, or stayed, the continuation of any judicial or administrative proceedings or other actions against the Debtors or their property to recover on, collect or secure a claim arising prior to the Petition Date. Thus, for example, most creditor actions to obtain possession of property from the Debtors, or to create, perfect or enforce any lien against the property of the Debtors, or to collect on monies owed or otherwise exercise rights or remedies with respect to a pre-petition claim are enjoined unless and until the Bankruptcy Court lifts the automatic stay. Vendors are being paid for goods furnished and services provided after the Petition Date in the ordinary course of business.
 
 
39

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



As required by the Bankruptcy Code, the United States Trustee for the Northern District of Texas appointed an official committee of unsecured creditors (the "Creditors’ Committee"). The Creditors’ Committee and its legal representatives have a right to be heard on all matters that come before the Bankruptcy Court with respect to the Debtors. There can be no assurance that the Creditors’ Committee will support the Debtors’ positions on matters to be presented to the Bankruptcy Court in the future or on any plan of reorganization, once proposed. Disagreements between the Debtors and the Creditors’ Committee could protract the Chapter 11 proceedings, negatively impact the Debtors’ ability to operate and delay the Debtors’ emergence from the Chapter 11 proceedings.

Under Section 365 and other relevant sections of the Bankruptcy Code, we may assume, assume and assign, or reject certain executory contracts and unexpired leases, including, without limitation, leases of real property and equipment, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court and certain other conditions. Any description of an executory contract or unexpired lease in this report, including where applicable our express termination rights or a quantification of our obligations, must be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by, any overriding rejection rights we have under Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.

In order to successfully exit Chapter 11, the Debtors will need to propose and obtain confirmation by the Bankruptcy Court of a plan of reorganization that satisfies the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code. A plan of reorganization would, among other things, resolve the Debtors’ pre-petition obligations, set forth the revised capital structure of the newly reorganized entity and provide for corporate governance subsequent to exit from bankruptcy.

The Debtors have the exclusive right for 120 days after the Petition Date to file a plan of reorganization and, if we do so, 60 additional days to obtain necessary acceptances of our plan. We will likely file one or more motions to request extensions of these time periods. If the Debtors’ exclusivity period lapsed, any party in interest would be able to file a plan of reorganization for any of the Debtors. In addition to being voted on by holders of impaired claims and equity interests, a plan of reorganization must satisfy certain requirements of the Bankruptcy Code and must be approved, or confirmed, by the Bankruptcy Court in order to become effective.

The timing of filing a plan of reorganization by us will depend on the timing and outcome of numerous other ongoing matters in the Chapter 11 proceedings. There can be no assurance at this time that a plan of reorganization will be confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court or that any such plan will be implemented successfully.

We have incurred and will continue to incur significant costs associated with our reorganization. The amount of these costs, which are being expensed as incurred commencing in November 2008, are expected to significantly affect our results of operations.
 
 
40

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Under the priority scheme established by the Bankruptcy Code, unless creditors agree otherwise, pre-petition liabilities and post-petition liabilities must generally be satisfied in full before stockholders are entitled to receive any distribution or retain any property under a plan of reorganization. The ultimate recovery to creditors and/or stockholders, if any, will not be determined until confirmation of a plan or plans of reorganization. No assurance can be given as to what values, if any, will be ascribed in the Chapter 11 cases to each of these constituencies or what types or amounts of distributions, if any, they would receive. A plan of reorganization could result in holders of our liabilities and/or securities, including our common stock, receiving no distribution on account of their interests and cancellation of their holdings. Because of such possibilities, the value of our liabilities and securities, including our common stock, is highly speculative. Appropriate caution should be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any of the liabilities and/or securities of the Debtors. At this time there is no assurance we will be able to restructure as a going concern or successfully propose or implement a plan of reorganization.

The Company has requested that the Bankruptcy Court impose certain restrictions on trading in shares of the Company's common stock in order to preserve valuable tax attributes. The hearing on the motion is set for February 10, 2009. The Company requested that the trading restrictions apply retroactively to January 17, 2009, the date the motion was filed, to investors beneficially owning at least 4.75% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation. For these purposes, beneficial ownership of stock will be determined in accordance with special US tax rules that, among other things, apply constructive ownership concepts and treat holders acting together as a single holder. In addition, in the future, the Company may request that the Bankruptcy Court impose certain trading restrictions on certain debt of, and claims against, the Company.


Going Concern Matters

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. However, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern based on the factors previously discussed. The Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities or any other adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the ability of the Company to return to historic levels of profitability and, in the near term, restructure its obligations in a manner that allows it to obtain confirmation of a plan of reorganization by the Bankruptcy Court.

Management is addressing the Company’s ability to return to profitability by conducting profitability reviews at certain facilities in an effort to reduce inefficiencies and manufacturing costs. During the first quarter of 2009, the Company reduced headcount by approximately 265 non-production employees. The Company also announced that it would reduce production capacity at a certain production complex in the second quarter of 2009 by eliminating a work shift; the action will result in a headcount reduction of approximately 505 production employees. During 2008, the Company reduced production capacity by closing two production complexes and consolidating operations at a third production complex into its other facilities. These actions resulted in a headcount reduction of approximately 2,300 production employees.
 
 
41

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8


 
During 2008, the Company reduced production capacity by closing two production complexes and consolidating operations at a third production complex into its other facilities. These actions resulted in a headcount reduction of approximately 2,300 production employees.
 
On November 7, 2008, the Board of Directors appointed a Chief Restructuring Officer (“CRO”) for the Company. The appointment of a CRO was a requirement included in the waivers received from the Company’s lenders on October 27, 2008. The CRO will assist the Company with cost reduction initiatives, restructuring plans development and long-term liquidity improvement. The CRO reports to the Board of Directors of the Company.

In order to emerge from bankruptcy, the Company will need to obtain alternative financing to replace the DIP Credit Agreement and to satisfy the secured claims of its pre-bankruptcy creditors.
 
 
42

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Business Segments

We operate in two reportable business segments as (i) a producer and seller of chicken products and (ii) a seller of other products. The following table presents certain information regarding our segments.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Net sales to customers:
           
Chicken:
           
United States
  $ 1,586,965     $ 1,728,142  
Mexico
    136,051       120,998  
                 
Total chicken
    1,723,016       1,849,140  
                 
Other products:
               
United States
    144,784       190,389  
Mexico
    9,191       7,824  
                 
Total other products
    153,975       198,213  
                 
Net sales to customers
  $ 1,876,991     $ 2,047,353  
                 
Operating income (loss):
               
Chicken:
               
United States
  $ (181,870 )   $ (19,094 )
Mexico
    (7,217 )     (4,092 )
                 
Total chicken
    (189,087 )     (23,186 )
                 
Other products:
               
United States
    8,965       22,771  
Mexico
    1,881       1,085  
                 
Total other products
    10,846       23,856  
                 
Operating income (loss)
  $ (178,241 )   $ 670  
                 
Depreciation and amortization(a)(b)(c):
               
Chicken:
               
United States
  $ 53,609     $ 50,203  
Mexico
    2,437       2,564  
                 
Total chicken
    56,046       52,767  
                 
Other products:
               
United States
    4,054       2,715  
Mexico
    58       62  
                 
Total other products
    4,112       2,777  
                 
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 60,158     $ 55,544  
     
 
(a) 
Includes amortization of capitalized financing costs of $1.5 million and $1.0 million for the quarters ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.
 
     
(b)
Includes amortization of intangible assets of $2.5 million and $2.6 million for the quarters ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively.
 
     
(c)
Excludes depreciation costs incurred by our discontinued turkey business of $0.4 million during the quarter ended December 29, 2007.
 

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



The following table presents certain items as a percent of net sales for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
             
Net sales
    100.0   %     100.0   %
Cost of sales
    104.4   %     94.9   %
Gross profit
    (4.4 ) %     5.1   %
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses
    4.9   %     5.1   %
Restructuring charges, net
    0.2   %       %
Operating income (loss)
    (9.5 ) %       %
Interest expense
    2.1   %     1.5   %
Interest income
      %       %
Reorganization items
    0.7   %  
 
  %
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
    (12.2 ) %     (1.3 ) %
Loss from continuing operations
    (12.2 ) %     (1.6 ) %
Net loss
    (12.2 ) %     (1.6 ) %

All percent of net sales ratios reported above are calculated from the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations included elsewhere herein.


Results of Operations

First Quarter 2009 Compared to First Quarter 2008

Net sales.  Net sales for the first quarter of 2009 decreased $170.4 million, or 8.3%, over the first quarter of 2008. The following table provides net sales information.

Source
 
First Quarter 2009
   
Change from First Quarter 2008
 
     
Amount
 
Percent
 
   
(In millions, except percent data)
 
Chicken:
                 
United States
$
1,587.0
 
$
(141.2)
(8.2)
) %
(a)
Mexico
 
136.0
   
15.0
 
12.4
  %
(b)
                   
Total chicken
 
1,723.0
   
(126.2)
)
(6.8)
) %
 
                   
Other products:
                 
United States
 
144.8
   
(45.6)
(23.9)
) %
(c)
Mexico
 
9.2
   
1.4
 
17.5
  %
(d)
                   
Total other products
 
154.0
   
(44.2)
)
(22.3)
) %
 
                   
Total net sales
$
1,877.0
 
$
(170.4)
(8.3)
) %
 

 
44

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



   
(a)
US chicken sales generated in the first quarter of 2009 decreased 8.2% from US chicken sales generated in the first quarter of 2008. Sales volume decreased 10.5% primarily because of previously announced production cutbacks. Net revenue per pound sold increased 2.7% from the prior year primarily because of increased sales prices on a majority of product lines.
   
(b)
Mexico chicken sales generated in the first quarter of 2009 increased 12.4% from Mexico chicken sales generated in the first quarter of 2008. Sales volume increased 17.7% from the prior year and net revenue per pound sold decreased 4.5% from the prior year primarily because of increased sales of live chicken.
   
(c)
US sales of other products generated in the first quarter of 2009 decreased 23.9% from US sales of other products generated in the first quarter of 2008 mainly as the result of reduced sales volumes on commercial eggs and protein conversion products partially offset by increased sales prices on protein conversion products. The decrease in protein conversion products sales volumes resulted primarily from the ongoing impact of a fire suffered by one of Company’s protein conversion facilities in late 2008. Protein conversion is the process of converting poultry byproducts into raw materials for grease, animal feed, biodiesel and feed-stock for the chemical industry.
   
(d)
Mexico sales of other products generated in the first quarter of 2009 increased 17.5% from Mexico sales of other products generated in the first quarter of 2008 principally because of higher sales volumes.

Gross profit (loss).  Gross profit (loss) results decreased by $188.5 million, or 179.3%, from gross profit of $105.1 million generated in the first quarter of 2008 to gross loss of $83.4 million incurred in the first quarter of 2009. The following table provides gross profit (loss) information.


Components
 
First Quarter 2009
 
Change from
First Quarter 2008
 
Percent of Net Sales
   
First Quarter 2009
 
First Quarter 2008
Amount
 
Percent
   
(In millions, except percent data)
   
                         
Net sales
$
1,877.0
$
(170.4
(8.3
)%
100.0
 %
100.0
%
 
Cost of sales
 
1,960.4
 
18.1
 
0.9
 %
104.4
 %
94.9
%
(a)
                         
Gross profit (loss)
$
(83.4
)       $ 
(188.5
(179.3
)%
(4.4
)%
5.1
%
(b)

 
(a)
Cost of sales incurred by the US operations during the first quarter of 2009 decreased $9.6 million from cost of sales incurred by the US operations during the first quarter of 2008. This decrease occurred because of production cutbacks and decreased feed ingredient purchases during the quarter offset by an aggregate net loss of $21.4 million which the Company recognized during the first quarter of 2009 on derivative financial instruments executed in previous quarters to manage its exposure to changes in corn and soybean meal prices. The Company recognized an aggregate net gain of $0.1 million during the first quarter of 2008 on derivative financial instruments. Cost of sales incurred by the Mexico operations during the first quarter of 2009 increased $27.7 million from cost of sales incurred by the Mexico operations during the first quarter of 2008 primarily because of increased net sales and increased feed ingredients costs.
   
(b)
Gross profit as a percent of net sales generated in the first quarter of 2009 decreased 9.5 percentage points from gross profit as a percent of sales generated in the first quarter of 2008 primarily because of increased feed ingredients costs and the net loss recognized on derivative financial instruments during the current quarter.

 
45

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Operating income (loss).  Operating income (loss) results decreased by $178.9 million, or 26703.1%, from operating income of $0.7 million generated for the first quarter of 2008 to operating loss of $178.2 million incurred in the first quarter of 2009. The following tables provide operating income (loss) information.

Source
   
First Quarter 2009
   
Change from First Quarter 2008
 
       
Amount
 
Percent
 
     
(In millions, except percent data)
 
Chicken:
                   
United States
 
$
(181.9)
)
$ 
(162.8)
(852.5)
)%
 
Mexico
   
(7.2)
 
(3.1)
)
(76.4)
)%
 
                     
Total chicken
   
(189.1)
 
(165.9)
(715.5)
)%
 
                     
Other products:
                   
United States
   
9.0
   
(13.8)
)
(60.6)
)%
 
Mexico
   
1.9
   
0.8
 
73.4
%
 
                     
Total other products
   
10.9
   
(13.0)
(54.5)
)%
 
                     
Total operating loss
 
$
(178.2)
)
$ 
(178.9)
(26703.1)
)%
 

Components
 
First Quarter 2009
 
Change from
First Quarter 2008
 
Percent of Net Sales
   
   
First Quarter 2009
 
First Quarter 2008
   
Amount
 
Percent
   
(In millions, except percent data)
   
                         
Gross profit
$
(83.4)
)   $
(188.5)
(179.3)
) %
(4.4)
) %
5.1
%
 
SG&A expenses
 
92.4
 
(12.0)
)
(11.5)
) %
4.9
  %
5.1
%
(a)
Restructuring charges, net
 
2.4
 
2.4
 
NA
 
0.2
  %
%
(b)
                         
Operating income (loss)
$
(178.2)
)   $ 
(178.9)
)
(26703.1)
) %
(9.5)
) %
%
(c)
 
 
(a)
SG&A expenses incurred by the US operations during the first quarter of 2009 decreased 11.5% from SG&A expenses incurred by the US operations during the first quarter of 2008 primarily because of reductions in employee compensation and related benefit costs resulting from restructuring actions taken in 2008 and 2009.
   
(b)
The Company incurred charges totaling $3.7 million, composed of severance and facility shutdown costs, related to restructuring actions taken in 2009.  These charges were partially offset by a $1.3 million adjustment that reduced accrued severance and employee retention costs. This adjustment resulted from a change in the restructuring program.
   
(c)
Operating loss as a percent of net sales generated in the first quarter of 2009 decreased 9.5 percentage points from operating income as a percent of sales generated in the first quarter of 2008 primarily because of deterioration in gross profit performance and charges related to 2009 restructuring actions.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased 32.2% to $39.6 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $29.9 million in the first quarter of 2008 primarily because of increased borrowings. As a percentage of net sales, interest expense in the first quarter of 2009 increased to 2.1% from 1.5% in the first quarter of 2008.

Miscellaneous, net.  Consolidated miscellaneous income decreased from $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2008 to $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2009 primarily because of unfavorable currency exchange results due to a decrease in the average exchange rate between the Mexican peso and the US dollar during those two periods.

 
46

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Reorganization items.  The Company incurred reorganization costs of $13.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. These costs included financing fees associated with the DIP Credit Agreement, professional fees charged for reorganization services and fees related to the termination of the RPA.

Income tax expense.  The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended December 27, 2008 was 0% compared to 28% for the three months ended December 29, 2007.  The effective tax rate decreased over prior year as a result of the Company's decision to record a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets, including net operating losses and credit carryforwards, in the U.S. and Mexico. The Company maintains valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset may not be realized.  Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the tax provision in the period of change.  We evaluate the recoverability of our deferred income tax assets by assessing the need for a valuation allowance on a quarterly basis.  If we determine that it is more likely than not that our deferred income tax assets will be recovered, the valuation allowance will be reduced.

Income from operation of discontinued business.  The Company generated income from the operation of its discontinued turkey business of $0.9 million ($0.9 million, net of tax) during the first quarter of 2009 compared to income from the operation of its discontinued turkey business of $1.3 million ($0.8 million, net of tax) during the first quarter of 2008. Net sales generated by the discontinued turkey business in the quarters ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007 were $26.5 million and $45.9 million, respectively.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table presents our available sources of liquidity as of December 27, 2008.

   
Facility
   
Amount
         
Source of Liquidity
 
Amount
   
Outstanding
   
Available
   
   
(In millions)
   
                     
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $     $ 39.3    
Investments in available-for-sale securities
                7.5    
Debt facilities:
                         
DIP Credit Agreement expiring 2009
    450.0       101.2       222.4  
(a)(b)
Revolving credit facility expiring 2011
    41.5       41.5          
                           
 
(a)
Actual borrowings by the Company under the DIP Credit Agreement are subject to a borrowing base, which is a formula based on certain eligible inventory and eligible receivables. The borrowing base at December 27, 2008 was $323.6 million.
   
(b)
At February 5, 2009, total funds available for borrowing under the DIP Credit Agreement were $195.5 million.

At December 27, 2008, the Company had $238.8 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility expiring in 2013 and $506.7 million outstanding under its revolver/term credit agreement expiring in 2016. At that time, the Company was party to outstanding standby letters of credit totaling $72.0 million. The filing of the Chapter 11 petitions constituted an event of default under, among other of our debt obligations, the revolving credit facility expiring in 2013 and the revolver/term credit agreement expiring in 2016. Outstanding obligations under these facilities became automatically and immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. Funds are no longer available for borrowing under these two facilities.

Debt Obligations

As previously discussed, on December 1, 2008, the Debtors filed voluntary petitions in the Bankruptcy Court seeking reorganization relief under the Bankruptcy Code. The filing of the Chapter 11 petitions constituted an event of default under certain of our debt obligations, and those debt obligations became automatically and immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. As a result, the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 27, 2008 includes reclassifications of $1,872.1 million to reflect as current certain long-term debt under the Company’s credit facilities that, absent the stay, would have become automatically and immediately due and payable. Because of the bankruptcy petition, most of the Company’s long-term debt is included in liabilities subject to compromise at December 27, 2008. The Company classifies liabilities subject to compromise as a long-term liability because management does not believe the Company will use existing current assets or create additional current liabilities to fund these obligations.


 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



On December 2, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted interim approval authorizing the Company and the Subsidiaries to enter into the Initial DIP Credit Agreement with the DIP Agent and the lenders party thereto. On December 2, 2008, the Company, the US Subsidiaries and the other parties entered into the Initial DIP Credit Agreement, subject to final approval of the Bankruptcy Court. On December 31, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court granted final approval authorizing the Company and the Subsidiaries to enter into the DIP Credit Agreement among the Company, as borrower, the Subsidiaries, as guarantors, the DIP Agent, and the lenders party thereto.

The DIP Credit Agreement provides for an aggregate commitment of up to $450 million, which permits borrowings on a revolving basis. The commitment includes a $25 million sub-limit for swingline loans and a $20 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 8.0% plus the greatest of (i) the prime rate as established by the DIP agent from time to time, (ii) the average federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or (iii) the LIBOR rate plus 1.0%, payable monthly. The weighted average interest rate for the quarter ended December 27, 2008 was 11.86%. The loans under the Initial DIP Credit Agreement were used to repurchase all receivables sold under the Company's RPA. Loan under the DIP Credit Agreement may be used to fund the working capital requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries according to a budget as approved by the required lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement. For additional information on the RPA, see Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements."

Actual borrowings by the Company under the DIP Credit Agreement are subject to a borrowing base, which is a formula based on certain eligible inventory and eligible receivables. The borrowing base formula is reduced by (i) pre-petition obligations under the Fourth Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2007, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and the lenders parties thereto, as amended, (ii) administrative and professional expenses incurred in connection with the bankruptcy proceedings, and (iii) the amount owed by the Company and the Subsidiaries to any person on account of the purchase price of agricultural products or services (including poultry and livestock) if that person is entitled to any grower's or producer's lien or other security arrangement. The borrowing base is also limited to 2.22 times the formula amount of total eligible receivables. The DIP Credit Agreement provides that the Company may not incur capital expenditures in excess of $150 million. The Company must also meet minimum monthly levels of EBITDAR. Under the DIP Credit Agreement, "EBITDAR" means, generally, net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, writedowns of goodwill and other intangibles, asset impairment charges and other specified charges, losses and gains. The DIP Credit Agreement also provides for certain other covenants, various representations and warranties, and events of default that are customary for transactions of this nature. As of December 27, 2008, the applicable borrowing base was $323.6 million and the amount available for borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement was $222.4 million. As of February 5, 2009, the applicable borrowing base was $309.4 million and the amount available for borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement was $195.5 million.

 
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The principal amount of outstanding loans under the DIP Credit Agreement, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, are payable in full at maturity on December 1, 2009, subject to extension for an additional six months with the approval of all lenders thereunder. All obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by the Subsidiaries and are secured by a first priority priming lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, subject to specified permitted liens in the DIP Credit Agreement.

Under the terms of the DIP Credit Agreement and applicable bankruptcy law, the Company may not pay dividends on the common stock while it is in bankruptcy. Any payment of future dividends and the amounts thereof will depend on our emergence from bankruptcy, our earnings, our financial requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors at the time.

During the first quarter of 2009, the Company borrowed $616.7 million and repaid $525.5 million under the secured revolver/term credit agreement expiring in 2016, borrowed $211.5 million and repaid $154.7 million under the secured revolving credit facility expiring in 2013, borrowed $234.7 million and repaid $133.5 million under the DIP Credit Agreement and repaid $14.4 million under other facilities.

On November 30, 2008, certain non-Debtor Mexico subsidiaries of the Company (the "Mexico Subsidiaries") entered into a Waiver Agreement and Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "Waiver Agreement") with ING Capital LLC, as agent (the "Mexico Agent"), and the lenders signatory thereto (the "Mexico Lenders"). Under the Waiver Agreement, the Mexico Agent and the Mexico Lenders waived any default or event of default under the Credit Agreement dated as of September 25, 2006, by and among the Company, the Mexico Subsidiaries, the Mexico Agent and the Mexico Lenders, the administrative agent, and the lenders parties thereto (the "ING Credit Agreement"), resulting from the Company's filing of its bankruptcy petition with the Bankruptcy Court. Pursuant to the Waiver Agreement, outstanding amounts under the ING Credit Agreement now bear interest at a rate per annum equal to: the LIBOR Rate, the Base Rate, or the TIIE Rate, as applicable, plus the Applicable Margin (as those terms are defined in the ING Credit Agreement). While the Company is operating in Chapter 11, the Waiver Agreement provides for an Applicable Margin for LIBOR loans, Base Rate loans, and TIIE loans of 6.0%, 4.0%, and 5.8%, respectively. The Waiver Agreement further amended the ING Credit Agreement to require the Company to make a mandatory prepayment of the revolving loans, in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds received by any Mexico Subsidiary, as applicable, in excess of thresholds specified in the ING Credit Agreement (i) from the occurrence of certain asset sales by the Mexico Subsidiaries; (ii) from the occurrence of any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceedings of, any property or asset of any Mexico Subsidiary; or (iii) from the incurrence of certain indebtedness by a Mexico Subsidiary. Any such mandatory prepayments will permanently reduce the amount of the commitment under the ING Credit Agreement.  In connection with the Waiver Agreement, the Mexico Subsidiaries pledged substantially all of their receivables, inventory, and equipment and certain fixed assets. The Mexico subsidiaries are excluded from the US bankruptcy proceedings.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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The filing of the bankruptcy petitions constituted an event of default under the secured credit agreement expiring in 2013 and the secured revolver/term credit agreement expiring in 2016 (together, the “Secured Debt”) as well as the 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2015, the 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 and the 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (together, the “Unsecured Debt”). The aggregate principal amount owed under these credit agreements and notes was approximately $2,022.2 million as of December 27, 2008. As a result of such event of default, all obligations under these agreements became automatically and immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. As a result of the Company's Chapter 11 filing, after December 1, 2008, the Company accrued interest incurred on the Secured Debt at the default rate, which is two percent above the interest rate otherwise applicable under the associated credit agreements. Although the agreements related to the Unsecured Debt call for the accrual of interest after December 1, 2008 at a default rate that is two percent above the interest rate otherwise applicable under the associated note agreements, the Company has elected to accrue interest incurred on the Unsecured Debt, for accounting purposes, at the interest rate otherwise applicable under the associated note agreements until such time, if any, that the Bankruptcy Court approves the payment of interest or default interest incurred on the Unsecured Debt. Had the Company accrued interest incurred on the Unsecured Debt at the default rate, it would have recognized additional interest expense totaling $1.1 million in December 2008.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In June 1999, the Camp County Industrial Development Corporation issued $25 million of variable-rate environmental facilities revenue bonds supported by letters of credit obtained by us under our secured revolving credit facility expiring in 2013. The revenue bonds become due in 2029. Prior to our bankruptcy filing, the proceeds were available for the Company to draw from over the construction period in order to construct new sewage and solid waste disposal facilities at a poultry by-products plant in Camp County, Texas. The original proceeds from the issuance of the revenue bonds continue to be held by the trustee of the bonds until we draw on the proceeds for the construction of the facility. We had not drawn on the proceeds or commenced construction of the facility prior to our bankruptcy filing. The filing of the bankruptcy petitions constituted an event of default under these bonds. As a result of the event of default, the trustee has the right to accelerate all obligations under the bonds such that they become immediately due and payable, subject to an automatic stay of any action to collect, assert, or recover a claim against the Company and the application of applicable bankruptcy law. In December 2008, the holders of the bonds tendered the bonds for remarketing, which was not successful. As a result, the trustee, on behalf of the holders of the bonds, drew upon the letters of credit supporting the bonds. The resulting reimbursement obligation was converted to borrowings under the secured revolving credit facility expiring in 2013 and secured by our domestic chicken inventories. On January 29, 2009, we obtained approval from the Bankruptcy Court to use the original proceeds of the bond offering held by the trustee to repay and cancel the revenue bonds. We are currently working with the trustee to accomplish the repayment and cancellation of the bonds and have recorded a receivable from the trustee on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 27, 2008.
 
 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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In connection with the RPA, the Company sold, on a revolving basis, certain of its trade receivables to a special purpose entity (“SPE”) wholly owned by the Company, which in turn sold a percentage ownership interest to third parties. The SPE was a separate corporate entity and its assets were available first and foremost to satisfy the claims of its creditors. The gross proceeds resulting from the sales were included in cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The loss recognized on the sold receivables during the quarter ended December 27, 2008 was not material. On December 3, 2008, the RPA was terminated and all receivables thereunder were repurchased with proceeds of borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement.

We are a party to many routine contracts in which we provide general indemnities in the normal course of business to third parties for various risks. Among other considerations, we have not recorded a liability for any of these indemnities as, based upon the likelihood of payment, the fair value of such indemnities is immaterial.

Historical Flow of Funds

Cash used in operating activities was $112.4 million and $35.2 million for the quarters ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. The increase in cash used in operating activities was primarily the result of the significantly larger net loss incurred in the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the net loss incurred in the first quarter of 2008; this was partially offset by favorable changes in operating assets and liabilities.

At December 27, 2008, our working capital position increased $2,020.0 million to a surplus of $757.8 million and our current ratio increased to 2.24 to 1 compared with a deficit of $1,262.2 million and a current ratio of 0.53 to 1 at September 27, 2008 primarily because of a significant decrease in current maturities of long-term debt and the other working capital changes discussed below. Current maturities of long-term debt decreased from $1,874.5 million at September 27, 2008 to $0 at December 27, 2008 as most long-term debt was classified as liabilities subject to compromise because of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Trade accounts and other receivables increased $211.1 million, or 146.4%, to $355.3 million at December 27, 2008 from $144.2 million at September 27, 2008. This increase resulted primarily from our repurchase of receivables originally sold under the RPA. On December 3, 2008, the RPA was terminated and all receivables thereunder were repurchased with proceeds of borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement.

Inventories decreased $240.1 million, or 23.2%, to $796.1 million at December 27, 2008 from $1,036.2 million at September 27, 2008. This decrease was the result of several actions, two of which are discussed here, taken by the Company to improve its financial condition. First, the Company’s previously announced production cutbacks resulted in reduced live flock inventories, feed inventories, and packaging and other supplies inventories. Second, the Company made a concerted effort early in the quarter to sell down its existing prepared foods inventories in order to generate cash.

 
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets decreased $16.6 million, or 23.2%, to $55.0 million at December 27, 2008 from $71.6 million at September 27, 2008. This decrease occurred primarily because the Company suspended the use of derivative financial instruments in response to its current financial condition. We settled all outstanding derivative financial instruments in October 2008.

Accounts payable decreased $165.9 million, or 43.8%, to $213.0 million at December 27, 2008 from $378.9 million at September 27, 2008. This decrease occurred for various reasons, including the impact of the Company’s previously announced production cutbacks and because certain vendors with which the Company previously maintained open trade accounts required prepayments for all future deliveries after learning about the Company’s current financial condition. At December 27, 2008, we classified accounts payable totaling $70.1 million as liabilities subject to compromise because of the bankruptcy.

Accrued expenses decreased $152.2 million, or 33.9%, to $296.6 million at December 27, 2008 from $448.8 million at September 27, 2008. This decrease resulted from reductions in the accrued balances for marketing, restructuring, severance and utilities costs. At December 27, 2008, we classified accrued expenses totaling $134.2 million as liabilities subject to compromise because of the bankruptcy.

Cash used in investing activities was $36.0 million and $43.1 million for the first quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Capital expenditures of $29.0 million and $42.7 million for the three months ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively, were primarily incurred for the routine replacement of equipment and to improve efficiencies, expand capacity, and reduce costs. Capital expenditures for 2009 will be restricted to routine replacement of equipment in our current operations in addition to important projects we began in 2008 and will not exceed the $150 million amount allowed under the DIP Credit Agreement. Cash was used to purchase investment securities totaling $6.0 million and $3.3 million in the first quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Cash proceeds in the first quarters of 2009 and 2008 from the sale or maturity of investment securities were $4.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Restricted cash increased $6.7 million to collateralize a standby letter of credit guaranteeing certain self insurance obligations. Cash proceeds from property disposals for the three months ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007 were $0.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Cash provided by financing activities was $119.5 million and $106.8 million for the three months ended December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. Cash proceeds in the first quarter of 2009 from short-term notes payable were $234.7 million. Cash was used to repay short-term notes payable totaling $133.5 million in the first quarter of 2009. Cash proceeds in the first quarters of 2009 and 2008 from long-term debt were $873.1 million and $298.0 million, respectively. Cash was used to repay long-term debt totaling $749.5 million and $212.3 million in the first quarters of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Cash used in the first quarter of 2009 because of a decrease in outstanding cash management obligations totaled $115.3 million. Cash provided in the first quarter of 2008 because of an increase in outstanding cash management obligations totaled $22.5 million. Cash was used for other financing activities totaling $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2009. Cash was used to pay dividends totaling $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2008.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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The only material changes during the three months ended December 27, 2008, outside the ordinary course of business, in the specified contractual obligations presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2008 were the borrowings and repayments under the DIP Credit Agreement, the draw by the holders of the Camp Company Industrial Development Corporation environmental facilities revenue bonds on the standby letter of credit supporting the bonds and the Company’s borrowing under the secured revolving credit facility expiring in 2013 to cover the previously mentioned standby letter of credit. At December 27, 2008, payments due in less than one year on obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement totaled $101.2 million. The borrowing under the secured revolving credit facility to cover the drawn letter of credit supporting the environmental facilities revenue bonds is classified as a liability subject to compromise at December 27, 2008.


Accounting Pronouncements

Discussion regarding our pending adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets, and FSP FAS132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets, is included in Note B—Basis of Presentation to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.


Critical Accounting Policies

During the three months ended December 27, 2008, (i) we did not change any of our existing critical accounting policies, (ii) no existing accounting policies became critical accounting policies because of an increase in the materiality of associated transactions or changes in the circumstances to which associated judgments and estimates relate, and (iii) there were no significant changes in the manner in which critical accounting policies were applied or in which related judgments and estimates were developed.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Feed Ingredients

We purchase certain commodities, primarily corn and soybean meal, for use as ingredients in the feed we either sell commercially or consume in our live operations. As a result, our earnings are affected by changes in the price and availability of such feed ingredients. In the past, we have from time to time attempted to minimize our exposure to the changing price and availability of such feed ingredients using various techniques, including, but not limited to, (i) executing purchase agreements with suppliers for future physical delivery of feed ingredients at established prices and (ii) purchasing or selling derivative financial instruments such as futures and options. Pursuant to a covenant in the DIP Credit Agreement, we agreed that we would not enter into any derivative financial instruments without the prior written approval of lenders holding more than 50% of the commitments under the DIP Credit Agreement, except for commodity derivative instruments entered into at the request or direction of a customer, and in any case, only with financial institutions in connection with bona fide activities in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes.

Market risk is estimated as a hypothetical 10% increase in the weighted-average cost of our primary feed ingredients as of December 27, 2008. Based on our feed consumption during the three months ended December 27, 2008, such an increase would have resulted in an increase to cost of sales of approximately $61.2 million, excluding the impact of any feed ingredients derivative financial instruments in that period. A 10% change in ending feed ingredients inventories at December 27, 2008 would be $6.4 million, excluding any potential impact on the production costs of our chicken inventories.


Interest Rates

Our earnings are affected by changes in interest rates due to the impact those changes have on our variable-rate debt instruments and the fair value of our fixed-rate debt instruments. Our variable-rate debt instruments represented 57.4% of our long-term debt at December 27, 2008. Holding other variables constant, including levels of indebtedness, a 25-basis-points increase in interest rates would have increased our interest expense by $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2009. These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on our variable-rate long-term debt at December 27, 2008. Due to our current financial condition, our public fixed-rate debt is trading at a substantial discount. As of December 27, 2008, the most recent trades of our 7 5/8% senior unsecured notes and 8 3/8% senior subordinated unsecured notes were executed at average prices of $25.82 per $100.00 par value and $6.87 per $100.00 par value, respectively. Management also expects that the fair value of our non-public fixed-rate debt has also decreased, but cannot reliably estimate the fair value at this time.

 
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Foreign Currency

Our earnings are also affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations related to the Mexican peso net monetary position of our Mexican subsidiaries. We manage this exposure primarily by attempting to minimize our Mexican peso net monetary position. We are also exposed to the effect of potential currency exchange rate fluctuations to the extent that amounts are repatriated from Mexico to the US. However, we currently anticipate that the cash flows of our Mexico subsidiaries will be reinvested in our Mexico operations. In addition, the Mexican peso exchange rate can directly and indirectly impact our financial condition and results of operations in several ways, including potential economic recession in Mexico because of devaluation of their currency. The impact on our financial position and results of operations resulting from a hypothetical change in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Mexican peso cannot be reasonably estimated. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses, representing the change in the US dollar value of the net monetary assets of our Mexican subsidiaries denominated in Mexican pesos, was a loss of $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2009 and a gain of $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2008. The average exchange rates for the first quarters of 2009 and 2008 were 12.97 Mexican pesos to 1 US dollar and 10.86 Mexican pesos to 1 US dollar, respectively. No assurance can be given as to how future movements in the Mexican peso could affect our future financial condition or results of operations.


Investment Quality

The Company and certain retirement plans that it sponsors invest in a variety of financial instruments. In response to the continued turbulence in global financial markets, we have analyzed our portfolios of investments and, to the best of our knowledge, none of our investments, including money market funds units, commercial paper and municipal securities, have been downgraded because of this turbulence, and neither we nor any fund in which we participate hold significant amounts of structured investment vehicles, auction rate securities, collateralized debt obligations, credit derivatives, hedge funds investments, fund of funds investments or perpetual preferred securities. Certain postretirement funds in which the Company participates hold significant amounts of mortgage-backed securities. However, none of the mortgages backing these securities are considered subprime.

 
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Forward Looking Statements

Statements of our intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future, denoted by the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "project," “plan,” "imply," "intend," "foresee" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the following:

§  
Matters affecting the chicken industry generally, including fluctuations in the commodity prices of feed ingredients and chicken;
§  
Actions and decisions of our creditors and other third parties with interests in our Chapter 11 proceedings;
§  
Our ability to obtain court approval with respect to motions in the Chapter 11 proceedings prosecuted from time to time;
§  
Our ability to develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate a plan of reorganization with respect to the Chapter 11 proceedings;
§  
Our ability to obtain and maintain commercially reasonable terms with vendors and service providers;
§  
Our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operations;
§  
Our ability to retain management and other key individuals;
§  
Our ability to successfully enter into, obtain court approval of and close anticipated asset sales under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code;
§  
Risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for us to propose and confirm a plan of reorganization, to appoint a Chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to Chapter 7 cases;
§  
Risk that the amounts of cash from operations together with amounts available under our DIP Credit Agreement will not be sufficient to fund our operations;
§  
Management of our cash resources, particularly in light of our bankruptcy proceedings and our substantial leverage;
§  
Restrictions imposed by, and as a result of, our bankruptcy proceedings and our substantial leverage;
§  
Additional outbreaks of avian influenza or other diseases, either in our own flocks or elsewhere, affecting our ability to conduct our operations and/or demand for our poultry products;
§  
Contamination of our products, which has previously and can in the future lead to product liability claims and product recalls;
§  
Exposure to risks related to product liability, product recalls, property damage and injuries to persons, for which insurance coverage is expensive, limited and potentially inadequate;
§  
Changes in laws or regulations affecting our operations or the application thereof;
§  
New immigration legislation or increased enforcement efforts in connection with existing immigration legislation that cause our costs of business to increase, cause us to change the way in which we do business or otherwise disrupt our operations;
§  
Competitive factors and pricing pressures or the loss of one or more of our largest customers;
§  
Currency exchange rate fluctuations, trade barriers, exchange controls, expropriation and other risks associated with foreign operations;
§  
Disruptions in international markets and distribution channels; and

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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§  
The impact of uncertainties of litigation as well as other risks described herein and under “Risk Factors” in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements as a result of these factors, among others, many of which are beyond our control.

In making these statements, we are not undertaking, and specifically decline to undertake, any obligation to address or update each or any factor in future filings or communications regarding our business or results, and we are not undertaking to address how any of these factors may have caused changes to information contained in previous filings or communications. Although we have attempted to list comprehensively these important cautionary risk factors, we must caution investors and others that other factors may in the future prove to be important and affecting our business or results of operations.


ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of December 27, 2008, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that information we are required to disclose in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In connection with the evaluation described above, the Company’s management, including the Senior Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, identified no other change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s quarter ended December 27, 2008 and that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On December 1, 2008, the Debtors filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court. The cases are being jointly administered under Case No. 08-45664. The Debtors continue to operate their business as "debtors-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. As of the date of the Chapter 11 filing, virtually all pending litigation against the Company (including the actions described below) is stayed as to the Company, and absent further order of the Bankruptcy Court, no party, subject to certain exceptions, may take any action, also subject to certain exceptions, to recover on pre-petition claims against the Debtors. At this time it is not possible to predict the outcome of the Chapter 11 filings or their effect on our business or the actions described below.

On December 17, 2008, Kenneth Patterson filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, against Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, Lonnie “Ken” Pilgrim, Clifford E. Butler, J. Clinton Rivers, Richard A. Cogdill, Renee N. DeBar, Pilgrim’s Pride Compensation Committee and other unnamed defendants. The complaint, brought pursuant to section 502 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1132, alleges that the individual defendants breached fiduciary duties to participants and beneficiaries of the Pilgrim’s Pride Stock Investment Plan (the “Plan”), as administered through the Retirement Savings Plan, and the To-Ricos, Inc. Employee Savings and Retirement Plan (collectively, and together with the Plan, the “Plans”). The allegations in the complaint are similar to the allegations made in the Alcaldo case discussed below. Patterson further alleges that he purports to represent a class of all persons or entities who were participants in or beneficiaries of the Plan at any time between May 5, 2008 through the present and whose accounts held Company stock or units in Pilgrim’s Pride stock. The complaint seeks actual damages in the amount of any losses the Plan suffered, to be allocated among the participants’ individual accounts as benefits due in proportion to the accounts’ diminution in value, attorneys’ fees, an order for equitable restitution and the imposition of constructive trust, and a declaration that each of the defendants have breached their fiduciary duties to the Plan participants. Although the Company is not a named defendant in this action, our bylaws require us to indemnify our current and former directors and officers from any liabilities and expenses incurred by them in connection with actions they took in good faith while serving as an officer or director. The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company cannot be determined at this time. On January 23, 2009, Patterson filed a motion to consolidate the subsequently filed, similar Smalls case, which is discussed below, into this action.

On January 2, 2009, Denise M. Smalls filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, against Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, Lonnie Ken Pilgrim, Clifford E. Butler, J. Clinton Rivers, Richard A. Cogdill, Renee N. DeBar, Pilgrim’s Pride Compensation Committee and other unnamed defendants. The complaint and the allegations are similar to those filed in the Patterson case discussed above. Smalls alleges that she purports to

 
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represent a class of all persons or entities who were participants in or beneficiaries of the Plan at any time between May 5, 2008 through the present and whose accounts held Company stock or units in Pilgrim’s Pride stock. The complaint seeks actual damages in the amount of any losses the Plan suffered, to be allocated among the participants’ individual accounts as benefits due in proportion to the accounts’ diminution in value, attorneys’ fees; an order for equitable restitution and the imposition of constructive trust; and a declaration that each of the defendants have breached their fiduciary duties to the Plan participants. Although the Company is not a named defendant in these actions, our bylaws require us to indemnify our current and former directors and officers from any liabilities and expenses incurred by them in connection with actions they took in good faith while serving as an officer or director. The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company cannot be determined at this time.

The Company recently filed a motion in the Bankruptcy Court to extend the bankruptcy stay to include individual employees and officers named as defendants in cases concerning the Company. The Patterson case and the Smalls case were included in that motion, which is scheduled to be heard in the Bankruptcy Court on February 10, 2009.

On October 29, 2008, Ronald Alcaldo filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, styled Ronald Alcaldo, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, et al, against the Company and individual defendants Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, Lonnie Ken Pilgrim, J. Clinton Rivers, Richard A. Cogdill and Clifford E. Butler (collectively, the "Defendants"). The complaint alleges that the Defendants violated sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, by allegedly failing to disclose that "(a) the Company’s hedges to protect it from adverse changes in costs were not working and in fact were harming the Company’s results more than helping; (b) the Company’s inability to continue to use illegal workers would adversely affect its margins; (c) the Company’s financial results were continuing to deteriorate rather than improve, such that the Company’s capital structure was threatened; (d) the Company was in a much worse position than its competitors due to its inability to raise prices for consumers sufficient to offset cost increases, whereas it competitors were able to raise prices to offset higher costs affecting the industry; and (e) the Company had not made sufficient changes to its business to succeed in the more difficult industry conditions." Mr. Alcaldo further alleges that he purports to represent a class of all persons or entities who acquired the common stock of the Company from May 5, 2008 through September 24, 2008. The complaint seeks unspecified injunctive relief and an unspecified amount of damages. On November 21, 2008, the Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss and Brief in Support Thereof, asserting that Alcaldo failed to identify any misleading statements, failed to adequately plead scienter against any Defendants, failed to adequately plead loss causation, failed to adequately plead controlling person liability and, as to the omissions that Alcaldo alleged the Defendants did not make, the Defendants alleged that the omissions were, in fact, disclosed. On December 1, 2008, the Company filed a Notice of Suggestion of Bankruptcy.  The Company intends to defend vigorously against the merits of this action. The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company cannot be determined at this time.

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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On November 13, 2008, Chad Howes filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, against the Company and individual defendants Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, Lonnie Ken Pilgrim, J. Clinton Rivers, Richard A. Cogdill and Clifford E. Butler. The allegations in the Howes complaint are identical to those in the Acaldo complaint, as are the class allegations and relief sought. The defendants have not yet been served with the Howes complaint.

On December 29, 2008, the Pennsylvania Public Fund Group filed a Motion to Consolidate the Howes case into the Acaldo case, and filed a Motion to be Appointed Lead Plaintiff and for Approval of Lead Plaintiff's Selection of Lead Counsel and Liaison Counsel. Also on that date, the Pilgrim's Investor Group (of which Acaldo is a part) filed a Motion to Consolidate the two cases and a Motion to be Appointed Lead Plaintiff. The Pilgrim's Investor Group has subsequently filed a Notice of Non-Opposition to the Pennsylvania Public Fund Group's Motion for Appointment of Lead Plaintiff. Chad Howes did not seek to be appointed Lead Plaintiff.

The Company recently filed a motion in the Bankruptcy Court to extend the bankruptcy stay to include individual employees and officers named as defendants in cases concerning the Company. The Alcaldo case and the Howes case were included in that motion, which is scheduled to be heard in the Bankruptcy Court on February 10, 2009. No discovery has commenced in either the Alcaldo case or the Howes case, and neither case has been set for trial. The Company intends to defend vigorously against the merits of these actions. The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company cannot be determined at this time.

The Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor conducted an industry-wide investigation to ascertain compliance with various wage and hour issues, including the compensation of employees for the time spent on activities such as donning and doffing clothing and personal protective equipment. Due, in part, to the government investigation and the recent US Supreme Court decision in IBP, Inc. v. Alvarez, employees have brought claims against the Company. The claims filed against the Company as of the date of this report include: “Juan Garcia, et al. v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a/k/a Wampler Foods, Inc.”, filed in Pennsylvania state court on January 27, 2006 and subsequently removed to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; “Esperanza Moya, et al. v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation and Maxi Staff, LLC”, filed March 23, 2006 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; “Barry Antee, et al. v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed April 20, 2006 in the Eastern District of Texas; “Stephania Aaron, et al. v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed August 22, 2006 in the Western District of Arkansas; “Salvador Aguilar, et al. v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed August 23, 2006 in the Northern District of Alabama; “Benford v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed November 2, 2006 in the Northern District of Alabama; “Porter v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed December 7, 2006 in the Eastern District of Tennessee; “Freida Brown, et al v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed March 14, 2007 in the Middle District of Georgia, Athens Division; “Roy Menser, et al v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed February 28, 2007 in the Western District of Paducah, Kentucky; “Victor Manuel Hernandez v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed January 30, 2007 in the Northern District of Georgia, Rome Division; “Angela Allen et al v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation” filed March 27, 2007 in United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia, Athens Division; Daisy Hammond and Felicia Pope v.

 
61

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, in the Gainesville Division, Northern District of Georgia, filed on June 6, 2007; Gary Price v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, filed on May 21, 2007; Kristin Roebuck et al v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, in the US District Court, Athens, Georgia, Middle District, filed on May 23, 2007; and Elaine Chao v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, in the US District Court, Dallas, Texas, Northern District, filed on August 6, 2007. The plaintiffs generally purport to bring a collective action for unpaid wages, unpaid overtime wages, liquidated damages, costs, attorneys' fees, and declaratory and/or injunctive relief and generally allege that they are not paid for the time it takes to either clear security, walk to their respective workstations, don and doff protective clothing, and/or sanitize clothing and equipment. The presiding judge in the consolidated action in El Dorado issued an initial Case Management order on July 9, 2007. Plaintiffs’ counsel filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint and the parties filed a Joint Rule 26(f) Report. A complete scheduling order has not been issued, and discovery has not yet commenced.  On March 13, 2008, the Court issued an opinion and order finding that plaintiffs and potential class members are similarly situated and conditionally certifying the class for a collective action. On May 14, 2008, the Court issued its order modifying and approving the court-authorized notice for current and former employees to opt into the class. Persons who choose to opt into the class are to do so within 90 days after the date on which the first notice was mailed. The opt-in period is now closed. As of October 2, 2008, approximately 12,605 plaintiffs have opted into the class.

As of the date of this report, the following suits have been filed against Gold Kist, now merged into Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, which make one or more of the allegations referenced above: Merrell v. Gold Kist, Inc., in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gainesville Division, filed on December 21, 2006; Harris v. Gold Kist, Inc., in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Newnan Division, filed on December 21, 2006; Blanke v. Gold Kist, Inc., in the US District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Waycross Division, filed on December 21, 2006; Clarke v. Gold Kist, Inc., in the US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Athens Division, filed on December 21, 2006; Atchison v. Gold Kist, Inc., in the US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Middle Division, filed on October 3, 2006; Carlisle v. Gold Kist, Inc., in the US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Middle Division, filed on October 2, 2006; Benbow v. Gold Kist, Inc., in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division, filed on October 2, 2006; Bonds v. Gold Kist, Inc., in the US District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Northwestern Division, filed on October 2, 2006. On April 23, 2007, Pilgrim’s filed a Motion to Transfer and Consolidate with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“JPML”) requesting that all of the pending Gold Kist cases be consolidated into one case. Pilgrim’s Pride withdrew its Motion subject to the Plaintiffs’ counsel’s agreement to consolidate the seven separate actions into the pending Benbow case by dismissing those lawsuits and refiling/consolidating them into the Benbow action. Motions to Dismiss have been filed in all of the pending seven cases, and all of these cases have been formally dismissed. Pursuant to an agreement between the parties, which was approved by Court-order on June 6, 2007, these cases have been consolidated with the Benbow case. On that date, Plaintiffs were authorized to send notice to individuals regarding the pending lawsuits and were instructed that individuals had three months to file consents to opting in as plaintiffs in the consolidated cases. The opt-in period is now closed. To date, there are approximately 3,006 named plaintiffs and opt-in plaintiffs in the

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



consolidated cases. The Company and Plaintiffs have jointly requested the Court to remove 367 opt-in plaintiffs because they do not fall within the class definition. The Court recently ordered that Pilgrim’s can depose and serve written discovery on the named plaintiffs and approximately 10% of the opt-in class. The Company intends to assert a vigorous defense to the litigation. The amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these cases cannot be determined at this time.

We are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of our business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should carefully consider the risks discussed in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors", which risks could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results. These risks are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that it currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or future results.


ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION
 
As previously announced, the Company filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions on December 1, 2008. The Chapter 11 cases are being jointly administered under case number 08-45664. The Company has and intends to continue to post important information about the restructuring, including monthly operating reports and other financial information required by the Bankruptcy Court, on the Company's website www.pilgrimspride.com under the “Investors-Reorganization” caption. The Company intends to use its website as a means of complying with its disclosure obligations under SEC Regulation FD. Information is also available via the Company's restructuring information line at (888) 830-4659.
 
 
63

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
     
 3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2004 filed on November 24, 2004).
     
 3.2
 
Amended and Restated Corporate Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 4, 2007).
     
4.1
 
Senior Debt Securities Indenture dated as of January 24, 2007, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.2
 
First Supplemental Indenture to the Senior Debt Securities Indenture dated as of January 24, 2007, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.3
 
Form of 7 5/8% Senior Note due 2015 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007 and incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.4
 
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture dated as of January 24, 2007, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.5
 
First Supplemental Indenture to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture dated as of January 24, 2007, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.6
 
Form of 8 3/8% Subordinated Note due 2017 (included in Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007 and incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
10.1
 
Amendment No. 1 dated as of October 10, 2008 to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2008 among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Pilgrim's Pride Funding Corporation, BMO Capital Markets Corp., as administrator, and the various purchasers and purchaser agents from time to time parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.42 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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10.2
 
Amendment No. 2 to Purchase and Contribution Agreement dated as of September 26, 2008 among Pilgrim's Pride Funding Corporation and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2008).
     
10.3
 
Limited Duration Waiver of Potential Defaults and Events of Default under Credit Agreement dated October 26, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, as borrower, CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, and the other syndication parties signatory thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2008).
     
10.4
 
Limited Duration Waiver Agreement dated as of October 26, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, as borrower, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and certain other bank parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2008).
     
10.5
 
Limited Duration Waiver Agreement dated as of October 26, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Pilgrim's Pride Funding Corporation, BMO Capital Markets Corp., as administrator, and Fairway Finance Company, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2008).
     
10.6
 
Form of Change in Control Agreement dated as of October 21, 2008 between the Company and certain of its executive officers (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2008).
     
10.7
 
First Amendment to Limited Duration Waiver of Potential Defaults and Events of Default under Credit Agreement dated November 25, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, as borrower, CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, and the other syndication parties signatory thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.48 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     
10.8
 
First Amendment to Limited Duration Waiver Agreement dated as of November 25, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, as borrower, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and certain other bank parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.49 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     
10.9
 
First Amendment to Limited Duration Waiver Agreement dated as of November 25, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Pilgrim's Pride Funding Corporation, BMO Capital Markets Corp., as administrator, and Fairway Finance Company, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.50 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     
10.10
 
Waiver Agreement and Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 30, 2008, by and among the Company and certain non-debtor Mexico subsidiaries of the Company, ING Capital LLC, as agent, and the lenders signatory thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.51 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
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10.11
 
Amended and Restated Post-Petition Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2008, among the Company, as borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, Bank of Montreal, as agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2009).
     
10.12
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2009, between the Company and Don Jackson (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2009).
     
10.13
 
Separation Agreement dated December 22, 2008, between the Company and Robert A. Wright. *
     
10.14
 
Separation Agreement dated December 24, 2008, between the Company and J. Clinton Rivers.*
     
12
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
     
31.1
 
Certification of Co-Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
31.2
 
Certification of Co-Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
31.3
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
32.1
 
Certification of Co-Principal Executive Officer of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
32.2
 
Certification of Co-Principal Executive Officer of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
32.3
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
* Filed herewith
 
Represents a management contract or compensation plan arrangement

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



SIGNATURES

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

   
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
     
     
     
   
/s/ Richard A. Cogdill
Date:
February 5, 2009
Richard A. Cogdill
   
Chief Financial and Accounting Officer
     
     
     
     

 
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8



EXHIBIT INDEX

3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2004 filed on November 24, 2004).
     
 3.2
 
Amended and Restated Corporate Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 4, 2007).
     
4.1
 
Senior Debt Securities Indenture dated as of January 24, 2007, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.2
 
First Supplemental Indenture to the Senior Debt Securities Indenture dated as of January 24, 2007, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.3
 
Form of 7 5/8% Senior Note due 2015 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007 and incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.4
 
Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture dated as of January 24, 2007, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.5
 
First Supplemental Indenture to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture dated as of January 24, 2007, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
4.6
 
Form of 8 3/8% Subordinated Note due 2017 (included in Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007 and incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 24, 2007).
     
10.1
 
Amendment No. 1 dated as of October 10, 2008 to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2008 among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Pilgrim's Pride Funding Corporation, BMO Capital Markets Corp., as administrator, and the various purchasers and purchaser agents from time to time parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.42 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     

 
 

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8




10.2
 
Amendment No. 2 to Purchase and Contribution Agreement dated as of September 26, 2008 among Pilgrim's Pride Funding Corporation and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 29, 2008).
     
10.3
 
Limited Duration Waiver of Potential Defaults and Events of Default under Credit Agreement dated October 26, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, as borrower, CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, and the other syndication parties signatory thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2008).
     
10.4
 
Limited Duration Waiver Agreement dated as of October 26, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, as borrower, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and certain other bank parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2008).
     
10.5
 
Limited Duration Waiver Agreement dated as of October 26, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Pilgrim's Pride Funding Corporation, BMO Capital Markets Corp., as administrator, and Fairway Finance Company, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2008).
     
10.6
 
Form of Change in Control Agreement dated as of October 21, 2008 between the Company and certain of its executive officers (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 27, 2008).
     
10.7
 
First Amendment to Limited Duration Waiver of Potential Defaults and Events of Default under Credit Agreement dated November 25, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, as borrower, CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, and the other syndication parties signatory thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.48 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     
10.8
 
First Amendment to Limited Duration Waiver Agreement dated as of November 25, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, as borrower, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and certain other bank parties thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.49 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     
10.9
 
First Amendment to Limited Duration Waiver Agreement dated as of November 25, 2008 by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Pilgrim's Pride Funding Corporation, BMO Capital Markets Corp., as administrator, and Fairway Finance Company, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.50 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     
10.10
 
Waiver Agreement and Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 30, 2008, by and among the Company and certain non-debtor Mexico subsidiaries of the Company, ING Capital LLC, as agent, and the lenders signatory thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.51 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on December 11, 2008).
     

 
 

 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
December 2 7 , 200 8




10.11
 
Amended and Restated Post-Petition Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2008, among the Company, as borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, Bank of Montreal, as agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2009).
     
10.12
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated January 27, 2009, between the Company and Don Jackson (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2009).
     
 
Separation Agreement dated December 22, 2008, between the Company and Robert A. Wright. *
     
 
Separation Agreement dated December 24, 2008, between the Company and J. Clinton Rivers.*
     
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
     
 
Certification of Co-Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
 
Certification of Co-Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
 
Certification of Co-Principal Executive Officer of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
 
Certification of Co-Principal Executive Officer of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
* Filed herewith
 
Represents a management contract or compensation plan arrangement

 
 

 
 






ex10_13.htm

Exhibit 10.13


Robert A. Wright


Dear Mr. Wright:


This letter will describe the various components of your separation package:

NOTICE
(Notice of Waiver of Rights)

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE AND THE ACCOMPANYING SEPARATION AGREEMENT (“AGREEMENT”) CAREFULLY. BE ADVISED THAT THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND/OR AFFILIATES (HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS EITHER “THE COMPANY” OR “PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION”).

Resignation

Your active employment with the Company will terminate on December 16, 2008 (“Termination Date”).   You hereby resign, and the Company hereby accepts such resignation, as a director, officer, employee or in any other capacity of the Company and its subsidiaries effective as of the Termination Date.  You will be paid all earned and unpaid salary together with any unused vacation days, less deductions required or permitted by law on your last regular payroll check.

You acknowledge and agree that the Company will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a report on Form 8-K and the Company will issue a press release, each of which will disclose your resignation as an officer and as a director of the Company.  You acknowledge and agree that you have received and reviewed a copy of the Form 8-K that will be filed with the SEC concerning your resignation, agree fully with the statements made by the Company therein and you have not provided and you will not provide to the Company any written correspondence concerning the circumstances surrounding his resignation.  The Company and you agree that the information in the press release concerning your resignation as an officer and as a director of the Company will be substantially the same to the statements made in such report on Form 8-K.  You agree not to issue any press release or make any public statement concerning your resignation from the Company or its subsidiaries that would conflict with the statements made by the Company in the Form 8-K provided to you under this paragraph.

In addition to the foregoing to which you are entitled, if you sign and do not revoke this Agreement you will be eligible for the consideration described in Sections 1 through 2 below to which you would otherwise not be entitled in exchange for an agreement to release all claims known or unknown against the Company.  You are not entitled to receive severance benefits under any other Company severance plan or practice.


1.  
Salary and Benefits Continuation

a.  
You will be eligible for a payment of $143,241.98.  This sum shall be paid in a lump sum, single payment ten (10) days after the Termination Date or, if later, ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of this signed unrevoked Agreement provided the Agreement is received by the Company within 45 days of your Termination Date.

b.  
You will be eligible to continue your Pilgrim’s Pride health plan for a period of 21 weeks by making appropriate payments on a monthly basis.  These payments will be based on employee contribution rates for any health, dental or vision plans in which you are enrolled. When your Pilgrim’s Pride health plan at employee contribution rates ends, due to acquiring coverage at a new employer or due to the end of the covered period, you will be eligible for any continuation coverage you may have under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”).  Please note that you can continue, at your option, vision or dental coverage as separate COBRA coverage if these plans are not available at your new employer.

c.  
You and the Company agree that the Change in Control Agreement (herein so called) dated October 21, 2008 between you and the Company is hereby terminated and shall be of no further force and effect.

2.  
Outplacement

You will be eligible for outplacement services as selected and provided by the Company which will be available upon the Company’s receipt of this signed, unrevoked Agreement and for three (3) months thereafter, unless the Company agrees, at its sole discretion, to extend the outplacement services provide to you for three (3) additional months.

3.  
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

The Company agrees to continue and maintain a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy covering you to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its current executive officers for a period of one year commencing on the Termination Date.

4.  
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986

Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no amount payable under this Agreement that is "nonqualified deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), shall be paid prior to the earlier of, (i) the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following the date you experience a “separation from service” (within the meaning of U.S. Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(h)) or (ii) the date of your death, to the extent such delayed commencement is otherwise required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.  Upon the expiration of such deferral period, all deferral payments that are delayed pursuant to this Section shall be paid in a lump sum to you and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid in accordance with the terms specified herein.

5.  
Post-Employment Obligations

You agree to make yourself reasonably available to the Company, and will:

a.  
Personally provide assistance and cooperation in providing or obtaining information for the Company, and its representatives, concerning any Company matter of which you are knowledgeable.  Such assistance and cooperation will generally be in the form of responses to telephone inquiries.

b.  
Personally provide to the Company, or its representatives, assistance and cooperation relating to any pending or future lawsuits or claims, about which you are knowledgeable, or where you are designated by a party as a person having knowledge.

c.  
Immediately notify the Company if you receive any request from anyone other than the Company for information regarding any potential claims or proposed litigation against the Company or any of its affiliates.

d.  
Refrain from engaging in any conduct, or making comments, or statements, the purpose or effect of which is to harm the reputation, good will, or commercial interests of the Company, or any of its officers, directors or employees.  You further agree not to make defamatory or disparaging comments about the Company and each of its past and present agents, officers, directors, insurers, investigators, attorneys, shareholders, partners, and employees, and you also agree not to initiate, and will avoid, all communications with third-parties or public communications related to the Company’s business practices unless otherwise required by law.

e.  
Refrain from providing any information related to any claim or potential litigation against the Company, or its affiliates to any non-Company representatives, without having either the prior written permission of the Company or being required to provide information pursuant to legal process. If the latter, you must notify the Company prior to providing information and allow the Company an opportunity to legally oppose the release of information, if so desired.

f.  
If required by law to provide sworn testimony regarding the Company or affiliate-related matters, you will immediately notify one the Company, and consult with and have legal counsel designated by the Company present for such testimony. The Company will be responsible for the costs of such designated counsel and you will bear no cost for the same. You will confine your testimony to items about which you have actual knowledge rather than speculation, and will cooperate fully with designated legal counsel.

g.  
You agree that for a period of five (5) years commencing on the Termination Date, you will cooperate fully and reasonably with the Company in connection with any future or currently pending matter, proceeding litigation or threatened litigation involving the Company or any director, officer or employee (acting in such capacity) of the Company.  You acknowledge that such cooperation may entail making yourself available upon reasonable notice at reasonable times and place to consult with the Company or testify in any action as reasonably requested by the Company.  The Company agrees to promptly reimburse you for your reasonable out-of-pocket expenses provided in such cooperation.

h.  
For a period of two (2) years following the Termination Date, you agree not, to directly or indirectly, solicit, or take away, or attempt to hire, solicit or take away, any consultants, employees or officers of the Company, or encourage any consultants, employees or officers of the Company to terminate their relationships with the Company, nor shall you encourage, directly or indirectly, any other employees of the Company to participate in or initiate any claims or litigation against the Company.

6.  
Confidentiality Agreement

During the period in which you have provided or may provide services to the Company, whether as an employee, consultant, agent or otherwise, you may have obtained or may obtain commercially valuable confidential and/or proprietary technical and non-technical information which is vital to the success of the Company’s business.  You acknowledge that the Company utilizes confidential information, trade secrets and proprietary customer information in promoting and selling its products and services.  For purposes of this Agreement, you also acknowledge that “Confidential Information” is information acquired by you during the course and scope of your employment with, or future strategic consulting activities for, the Company that may be designated or marked by the Company as "Confidential" or that the Company indicates through its policies, procedures or other instructions should not be disclosed to anyone outside of the Company.  Without limitation, examples of protected Confidential Information under this Agreement include: internal financial data, corporate strategic plans and budgets, long-range plans, litigation strategies and other matters protected by the attorney client privilege, research and development regarding existing and developmental products, marketing plans, sales data, internal market studies or surveys, customer contacts and information, customer purchasing needs and preferences, pricing and related information concerning the Company’s products, information with respect to the particular competencies and experiences of the Company’s employees and other personnel information, and information concerning the Company’s contractual and/or business relationships with its independent growers.  Confidential Information does not include information that has become public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement, is available on a non-confidential basis prior to it's disclosure to you by the Company, or becomes available to you on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, provided such source was not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prevent you from disclosure of Confidential Information if, in the written opinion of counsel, such disclosure is legally required to be made and you notify the Company in advance of such intended disclosure and, if applicable, give the Company a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order or confidentiality treatment.

You agree not to disclose any of the Company's Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, to any unauthorized person, and not to use such information in any way, either during the term of any consulting relationship with the Company or any time thereafter, except as required for the benefit of the Company.  In addition, you agree not to disclose any private, personal and/or other nonpublic information about the Company’s current or past (i) employees, (ii) agents, (iii) directors, (iv) customers, (v) vendors, (vi) independent contract growers, or (vii) other representatives.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prevent you from disclosure if, in the written opinion of counsel, such disclosure is legally required to be made and you notify the Company in advance of such intended disclosure and, if applicable, give the Company a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order or confidentiality treatment.  Similarly, the Company agrees not to disclose any private, personal or any non-public information about you; provided that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prevent such disclosure as is legally required to be made.

7.  
RELEASE OF PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION

IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SEVERANCE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO YOU BY PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION, YOU, ON BEHALF OF YOUR HEIRS, SPOUSE AND ASSIGNS, HEREBY RELEASE PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION AND EACH OF ITS AGENTS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVE, ATTORNEYS, AFFILIATES, AND ITS AND THEIR PREDECESSORS, SUCCESSORS, HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND ASSIGNS, AND ALL PERSONS ACTING BY, THROUGH, OR UNDER IN CONCERT WITH ANY OF THEM (COLLECTIVELY “RELEASEES”), OR ANY OF THEM, OF AND FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, FORESEEN OR UNFORESEEN, IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHICH YOU EVER HAD, NOW HAVE, OR MAY HAVE RELATING TO YOUR EMPLOYMENT, OR TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. THIS INCLUDES (I) ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO DISPUTED WAGES TO THE FULL EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, OVERTIME, VACATION PAY, INCENTIVE BONUS PLANS AND/OR SEVERANCE PAY, AND ANY AND ALL OTHER FRINGE BENEFITS, FOR WHICH YOU WERE ELIGIBLE DURING YOUR EMPLOYMENT (II) ALL CLAIMS UNDER ANY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, THE CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT OR OTHER AGREEMENTS BETWEEN YOU AND PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION, AND/OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES; AND (III) ALL CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE COMPANY OR ITS EMPLOYEES UNDER TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964; THE AGE DISCRIMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967 (“ADEA”) AS AMENDED BY THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFITS PROTECTION ACT (“OWBPA”); THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974; THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT; OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL LAW, STATE LAW, LOCAL LAW, COMMON LAW OR REGULATION REGARDING YOUR EMPLOYMENT, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR OTHERWISE.

This release shall not preclude an action to enforce the specific terms of this Agreement; to any claims based on acts or events after this Agreement has become effective; to any challenges or claims brought in good faith to review the validity of this Agreement under the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA; to any unemployment or workers compensation benefits to which you may be entitled; nor to benefits in which you have become vested under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

You agree that you will not share in any recovery from any claim, charge, lawsuit, or other claim brought against the Company by any third party including, but not limited to, any state or local civil rights commission or labor department and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit you from participating in any proceeding before any governmental agency.  Notwithstanding the above, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, if any third party asserts any claim against the Company or any related entity on behalf of you, or if any third party includes you as a class member in any class action involving any claim, then you will not be entitled to any personal recovery in any proceeding relating to or arising from such claim.

8.  
Miscellaneous Provisions

a.  
You agree that, should you challenge or contest this Agreement or any of its provisions, or should you assert any cause of action or lawsuit against the Company, except as to any action involving an alleged breach of this Agreement or any claim brought as to the validity of this Agreement under the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA, you agree that the Company will be entitled to seek as recovery, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled, all of the consideration paid to you pursuant to this Agreement.  Except with respect to claims not released, you further agree to pay the Company for any and all attorney’s fees incurred or expended by it to enforce this Agreement or any of its provisions, or defend any action or cause of action against the Company brought by you, your agents, representatives or assigns.

b.  
Should you in any manner, whether directly or indirectly fail to perform any covenant of yours provided herein or breach this Agreement in any respect, the Company shall have no further or continuing obligation to perform any covenants of it for which this Agreement provides, including payment of any sums for which this Agreement provides.

c.  
If the Company suffers damages as a result of your conduct which is in violation of this Agreement or otherwise, the Company shall be entitled to recover all provable damages resulting from your wrongful conduct, which amount will be increased by any amount you fail to pay or return pursuant to Section 8a. of this Agreement. The forfeiture pursuant to Section 8a. of the funds paid under this Agreement and the forfeiture of future benefits for which Section 8b. provides, are not a penalty, but are liquidated damages for the minimum amount of damage the Company will suffer in such circumstances.

D.  
THE COMPANY AND YOU DECLARE THAT EACH HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, THAT EACH HAS HAD A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW ITS TERMS WITH THEIR COUNSEL OF CHOICE, IF SO DESIRED, AND THAT EACH FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY EXECUTES AND AGREES TO THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING A FULL AND FINAL ADJUSTMENT AND RESOLUTION OF THE MATTERS CONTAINED HEREIN.

e.  
This Agreement constitutes and contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and you and completely supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings pertaining to the employment relationship between the parties, the termination thereof or the rights, remedies, duties or obligations arising there from.  Any waiver, alteration or modification of any provisions of this Agreement shall not be valid unless in writing and signed by the Company and you.

f.  
If a dispute arises from or relates to this agreement or any other transactions between you and the Company (the “parties”), the parties shall endeavor to settle the dispute first through direct discussions and negotiations.  If the dispute cannot be settled through direct discussions, the parties shall endeavor to settle the dispute by mediation under the Mediation Rules of the American Arbitration Association before recourse to the arbitration procedures contained in this Agreement.  If the dispute cannot be settled by mediation within ninety (90) days of the date either party receives written notice of the existence of such dispute, the parties shall submit the dispute to binding arbitration in Dallas, Texas, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association.

g.  
The provision for this Agreement between the parties will be deemed to have been made and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.  If any matters in dispute may be settled by litigation or enforcement of any arbitration, such trials will be decided by a judge.  THE PARTIES WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH ACTION(S) AND CONFIRM THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO THEIR BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS.  For any such action(s) related to their business transactions or enforcement of any arbitration, the parties submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in Dallas, Texas.

h.  
Should any provision of this Agreement be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision of the remaining portions of this Agreement.

i.  
The Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which, together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, but in making proof hereof, it shall never be necessary to exhibit more than one such counterpart.

j.  
By signing this Agreement, you acknowledge that additional facts may be discovered later relating to your employment or otherwise, but that it is your intention to fully, finally, and forever, settle and release all of your matters, rights, claims, and any controversies whatsoever, known or unknown, which now exist or formerly have existed against the Company. You acknowledge that this Agreement shall be and will remain in effect as a full and complete general release of such matters, notwithstanding this discovery or existence of any additional or different facts unless such facts arise after the execution of this Agreement.

k.  
By signing this Agreement, you acknowledge that you have returned all Company property including any data or information relating to Company business that is proprietary or confidential. Any information that is stored on non-company electronic devices has been permanently deleted.

9.  
Age Discrimination

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

Pursuant to the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA, please be advised of the following:

a.  
You are advised in writing that you should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement.

b.  
You are knowingly and voluntarily releasing all claims relating to your termination from employment under the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA. This Agreement does not apply to any age discrimination claims that may arise after the date you sign this Agreement.

c.  
You have forty-five (45) days from the date of receipt to review this Agreement and return it to the Company.

d.  
You may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of the execution of this Agreement.

e.  
You are advised that nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes you from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this Agreement under the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law.

f.  
Before signing this Agreement, the Company has also advised you of all individuals by job title and age in the same job classification or organizational unit who have been selected for the November 28, 2008 layoff, and the job title and ages of all individuals in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not selected for the November 28, 2008 layoff.  You acknowledge and agree that a complete list of these individuals by job title and age is provided to you concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.

g.  
By executing this Agreement, you represent that you fully understand all provisions of the Agreement and understand the consequences of executing this Agreement. You further acknowledge that you understand that you have signed this Agreement in exchange for adequate consideration that is in addition to anything of value you would be currently entitled to without this Agreement.


BY SIGNING THIS LETTER AGREEMENT THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS AGREEMENT COMPLETELY AND ADEQUATELY RESOLVES ALL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARISING OUT OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION AND YOUR TERMINATION THEREFROM AS WELL AS YOUR SERVICES TO PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION IN ANY OTHER CAPACITY.

If the above meets with your agreement, please sign and return one copy of this letter to my attention at Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, PO Box 93, Pittsburg, TX 75686.


Sincerely,
/s/ Jane T. Brookshire
Jane T. Brookshire
Executive Vice President Human Resources





 
ACCEPTED BY:

/s/ Robert A. Wright
 
December 22, 2008
Signature
Date




 


PPCIAS45
DALDMS/654084.1
 
 

 

ex10_14.htm
Exhibit 10.14



December 16, 2008

J. Clinton Rivers


Dear Mr. Rivers:


This letter will describe the various components of your separation package:

NOTICE
(Notice of Waiver of Rights)

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE AND THE ACCOMPANYING SEPARATION AGREEMENT (“AGREEMENT”) CAREFULLY. BE ADVISED THAT THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND/OR AFFILIATES (HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS EITHER “THE COMPANY” OR “PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION”).

Resignation

Your active employment with the Company will terminate on December 16, 2008 (“Termination Date”).   You hereby resign, and the Company hereby accepts such resignation, as a director, officer, employee or in any other capacity of the Company and its subsidiaries effective as of the Termination Date.  You will be paid all earned and unpaid salary together with any unused vacation days, less deductions required or permitted by law on your last regular payroll check.

You acknowledge and agree that the Company will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a report on Form 8-K and the Company will issue a press release, each of which will disclose your resignation as an officer and as a director of the Company.  You acknowledge and agree that you have received and reviewed a copy of the Form 8-K that will be filed with the SEC concerning your resignation, agree fully with the statements made by the Company therein and you have not provided and you will not provide to the Company any written correspondence concerning the circumstances surrounding his resignation.  The Company and you agree that the information in the press release concerning your resignation as an officer and as a director of the Company will be substantially the same to the statements made in such report on Form 8-K.  You agree not to issue any press release or make any public statement concerning your resignation from the Company or its subsidiaries that would conflict with the statements made by the Company in the Form 8-K provided to you under this paragraph.

In addition to the foregoing to which you are entitled, if you sign and do not revoke this Agreement you will be eligible for the consideration described in Sections 1 through 2 below to which you would otherwise not be entitled in exchange for an agreement to release all claims known or unknown against the Company.  You are not entitled to receive severance benefits under any other Company severance plan or practice.


1.  
Salary and Benefits Continuation

a.  
You will be eligible for a payment of $143,241.98.  This sum shall be paid in a lump sum, single payment ten (10) days after the Termination Date or, if later, ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of this signed unrevoked Agreement provided the Agreement is received by the Company within 45 days of your Termination Date.

b.  
You will be eligible to continue your Pilgrim’s Pride health plan for a period of 35 weeks by making appropriate payments on a monthly basis.  These payments will be based on employee contribution rates for any health, dental or vision plans in which you are enrolled. When your Pilgrim’s Pride health plan at employee contribution rates ends, due to acquiring coverage at a new employer or due to the end of the covered period, you will be eligible for any continuation coverage you may have under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”).  Please note that you can continue, at your option, vision or dental coverage as separate COBRA coverage if these plans are not available at your new employer.

c.  
You and the Company agree that the Change in Control Agreement (herein so called) dated October 21, 2008 between you and the Company is hereby terminated and shall be of no further force and effect.

2.  
Outplacement

You will be eligible for outplacement services as selected and provided by the Company which will be available upon the Company’s receipt of this signed, unrevoked Agreement and for three (3) months thereafter, unless the Company agrees, at its sole discretion, to extend the outplacement services provide to you for three (3) additional months.

3.  
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

The Company agrees to continue and maintain a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy covering you to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its current executive officers for a period of one year commencing on the Termination Date.

4.  
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986

Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no amount payable under this Agreement that is "nonqualified deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), shall be paid prior to the earlier of, (i) the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following the date you experience a “separation from service” (within the meaning of U.S. Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(h)) or (ii) the date of your death, to the extent such delayed commencement is otherwise required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.  Upon the expiration of such deferral period, all deferral payments that are delayed pursuant to this Section shall be paid in a lump sum to you and any remaining payments due under this Agreement shall be paid in accordance with the terms specified herein.

5.  
Post-Employment Obligations

You agree to make yourself reasonably available to the Company, and will:

a.  
Personally provide assistance and cooperation in providing or obtaining information for the Company, and its representatives, concerning any Company matter of which you are knowledgeable.  Such assistance and cooperation will generally be in the form of responses to telephone inquiries.

b.  
Personally provide to the Company, or its representatives, assistance and cooperation relating to any pending or future lawsuits or claims, about which you are knowledgeable, or where you are designated by a party as a person having knowledge.

c.  
Immediately notify the Company if you receive any request from anyone other than the Company for information regarding any potential claims or proposed litigation against the Company or any of its affiliates.

d.  
Refrain from engaging in any conduct, or making comments, or statements, the purpose or effect of which is to harm the reputation, good will, or commercial interests of the Company, or any of its officers, directors or employees.  You further agree not to make defamatory or disparaging comments about the Company and each of its past and present agents, officers, directors, insurers, investigators, attorneys, shareholders, partners, and employees, and you also agree not to initiate, and will avoid, all communications with third-parties or public communications related to the Company’s business practices unless otherwise required by law.

e.  
Refrain from providing any information related to any claim or potential litigation against the Company, or its affiliates to any non-Company representatives, without having either the prior written permission of the Company or being required to provide information pursuant to legal process. If the latter, you must notify the Company prior to providing information and allow the Company an opportunity to legally oppose the release of information, if so desired.

f.  
If required by law to provide sworn testimony regarding the Company or affiliate-related matters, you will immediately notify one the Company, and consult with and have legal counsel designated by the Company present for such testimony. The Company will be responsible for the costs of such designated counsel and you will bear no cost for the same. You will confine your testimony to items about which you have actual knowledge rather than speculation, and will cooperate fully with designated legal counsel.

g.  
You agree that for a period of five (5) years commencing on the Termination Date, you will cooperate fully and reasonably with the Company in connection with any future or currently pending matter, proceeding litigation or threatened litigation involving the Company or any director, officer or employee (acting in such capacity) of the Company.  You acknowledge that such cooperation may entail making yourself available upon reasonable notice at reasonable times and place to consult with the Company or testify in any action as reasonably requested by the Company.  The Company agrees to promptly reimburse you for your reasonable out-of-pocket expenses provided in such cooperation.

h.  
For a period of two (2) years following the Termination Date, you agree not, to directly or indirectly, solicit, or take away, or attempt to hire, solicit or take away, any consultants, employees or officers of the Company, or encourage any consultants, employees or officers of the Company to terminate their relationships with the Company, nor shall you encourage, directly or indirectly, any other employees of the Company to participate in or initiate any claims or litigation against the Company.

6.  
Confidentiality Agreement

During the period in which you have provided or may provide services to the Company, whether as an employee, consultant, agent or otherwise, you may have obtained or may obtain commercially valuable confidential and/or proprietary technical and non-technical information which is vital to the success of the Company’s business.  You acknowledge that the Company utilizes confidential information, trade secrets and proprietary customer information in promoting and selling its products and services.  For purposes of this Agreement, you also acknowledge that “Confidential Information” is information acquired by you during the course and scope of your employment with, or future strategic consulting activities for, the Company that may be designated or marked by the Company as "Confidential" or that the Company indicates through its policies, procedures or other instructions should not be disclosed to anyone outside of the Company.  Without limitation, examples of protected Confidential Information under this Agreement include: internal financial data, corporate strategic plans and budgets, long-range plans, litigation strategies and other matters protected by the attorney client privilege, research and development regarding existing and developmental products, marketing plans, sales data, internal market studies or surveys, customer contacts and information, customer purchasing needs and preferences, pricing and related information concerning the Company’s products, information with respect to the particular competencies and experiences of the Company’s employees and other personnel information, and information concerning the Company’s contractual and/or business relationships with its independent growers.  Confidential Information does not include information that has become public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement, is available on a non-confidential basis prior to it's disclosure to you by the Company, or becomes available to you on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, provided such source was not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Company.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prevent you from disclosure of Confidential Information if, in the written opinion of counsel, such disclosure is legally required to be made and you notify the Company in advance of such intended disclosure and, if applicable, give the Company a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order or confidentiality treatment.

You agree not to disclose any of the Company's Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, to any unauthorized person, and not to use such information in any way, either during the term of any consulting relationship with the Company or any time thereafter, except as required for the benefit of the Company.  In addition, you agree not to disclose any private, personal and/or other nonpublic information about the Company’s current or past (i) employees, (ii) agents, (iii) directors, (iv) customers, (v) vendors, (vi) independent contract growers, or (vii) other representatives.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prevent you from disclosure if, in the written opinion of counsel, such disclosure is legally required to be made and you notify the Company in advance of such intended disclosure and, if applicable, give the Company a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order or confidentiality treatment.  Similarly, the Company agrees not to disclose any private, personal or any non-public information about you; provided that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prevent such disclosure as is legally required to be made.

7.  
RELEASE OF PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION

IN EXCHANGE FOR THE SEVERANCE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO YOU BY PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION, YOU, ON BEHALF OF YOUR HEIRS, SPOUSE AND ASSIGNS, HEREBY RELEASE PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION AND EACH OF ITS AGENTS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVE, ATTORNEYS, AFFILIATES, AND ITS AND THEIR PREDECESSORS, SUCCESSORS, HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND ASSIGNS, AND ALL PERSONS ACTING BY, THROUGH, OR UNDER IN CONCERT WITH ANY OF THEM (COLLECTIVELY “RELEASEES”), OR ANY OF THEM, OF AND FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, FORESEEN OR UNFORESEEN, IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHICH YOU EVER HAD, NOW HAVE, OR MAY HAVE RELATING TO YOUR EMPLOYMENT, OR TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. THIS INCLUDES (I) ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO DISPUTED WAGES TO THE FULL EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, OVERTIME, VACATION PAY, INCENTIVE BONUS PLANS AND/OR SEVERANCE PAY, AND ANY AND ALL OTHER FRINGE BENEFITS, FOR WHICH YOU WERE ELIGIBLE DURING YOUR EMPLOYMENT (II) ALL CLAIMS UNDER ANY EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, THE CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT OR OTHER AGREEMENTS BETWEEN YOU AND PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION, AND/OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES; AND (III) ALL CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE COMPANY OR ITS EMPLOYEES UNDER TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964; THE AGE DISCRIMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967 (“ADEA”) AS AMENDED BY THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFITS PROTECTION ACT (“OWBPA”); THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974; THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT; OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL LAW, STATE LAW, LOCAL LAW, COMMON LAW OR REGULATION REGARDING YOUR EMPLOYMENT, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR OTHERWISE.

This release shall not preclude an action to enforce the specific terms of this Agreement; to any claims based on acts or events after this Agreement has become effective; to any challenges or claims brought in good faith to review the validity of this Agreement under the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA; to any unemployment or workers compensation benefits to which you may be entitled; nor to benefits in which you have become vested under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

You agree that you will not share in any recovery from any claim, charge, lawsuit, or other claim brought against the Company by any third party including, but not limited to, any state or local civil rights commission or labor department and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit you from participating in any proceeding before any governmental agency.  Notwithstanding the above, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, if any third party asserts any claim against the Company or any related entity on behalf of you, or if any third party includes you as a class member in any class action involving any claim, then you will not be entitled to any personal recovery in any proceeding relating to or arising from such claim.

8.  
Miscellaneous Provisions

a.  
You agree that, should you challenge or contest this Agreement or any of its provisions, or should you assert any cause of action or lawsuit against the Company, except as to any action involving an alleged breach of this Agreement or any claim brought as to the validity of this Agreement under the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA, you agree that the Company will be entitled to seek as recovery, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled, all of the consideration paid to you pursuant to this Agreement.  Except with respect to claims not released, you further agree to pay the Company for any and all attorney’s fees incurred or expended by it to enforce this Agreement or any of its provisions, or defend any action or cause of action against the Company brought by you, your agents, representatives or assigns.

b.  
Should you in any manner, whether directly or indirectly fail to perform any covenant of yours provided herein or breach this Agreement in any respect, the Company shall have no further or continuing obligation to perform any covenants of it for which this Agreement provides, including payment of any sums for which this Agreement provides.

c.  
If the Company suffers damages as a result of your conduct which is in violation of this Agreement or otherwise, the Company shall be entitled to recover all provable damages resulting from your wrongful conduct, which amount will be increased by any amount you fail to pay or return pursuant to Section 8a. of this Agreement. The forfeiture pursuant to Section 8a. of the funds paid under this Agreement and the forfeiture of future benefits for which Section 8b. provides, are not a penalty, but are liquidated damages for the minimum amount of damage the Company will suffer in such circumstances.

D.  
THE COMPANY AND YOU DECLARE THAT EACH HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, THAT EACH HAS HAD A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW ITS TERMS WITH THEIR COUNSEL OF CHOICE, IF SO DESIRED, AND THAT EACH FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY EXECUTES AND AGREES TO THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING A FULL AND FINAL ADJUSTMENT AND RESOLUTION OF THE MATTERS CONTAINED HEREIN.

e.  
This Agreement constitutes and contains the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and you and completely supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings pertaining to the employment relationship between the parties, the termination thereof or the rights, remedies, duties or obligations arising there from.  Any waiver, alteration or modification of any provisions of this Agreement shall not be valid unless in writing and signed by the Company and you.

f.  
If a dispute arises from or relates to this agreement or any other transactions between you and the Company (the “parties”), the parties shall endeavor to settle the dispute first through direct discussions and negotiations.  If the dispute cannot be settled through direct discussions, the parties shall endeavor to settle the dispute by mediation under the Mediation Rules of the American Arbitration Association before recourse to the arbitration procedures contained in this Agreement.  If the dispute cannot be settled by mediation within ninety (90) days of the date either party receives written notice of the existence of such dispute, the parties shall submit the dispute to binding arbitration in Dallas, Texas, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association.

g.  
The provision for this Agreement between the parties will be deemed to have been made and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.  If any matters in dispute may be settled by litigation or enforcement of any arbitration, such trials will be decided by a judge.  THE PARTIES WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH ACTION(S) AND CONFIRM THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO THEIR BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS.  For any such action(s) related to their business transactions or enforcement of any arbitration, the parties submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in Dallas, Texas.

h.  
Should any provision of this Agreement be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision of the remaining portions of this Agreement.

i.  
The Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which, together, shall constitute one and the same instrument, but in making proof hereof, it shall never be necessary to exhibit more than one such counterpart.

j.  
By signing this Agreement, you acknowledge that additional facts may be discovered later relating to your employment or otherwise, but that it is your intention to fully, finally, and forever, settle and release all of your matters, rights, claims, and any controversies whatsoever, known or unknown, which now exist or formerly have existed against the Company. You acknowledge that this Agreement shall be and will remain in effect as a full and complete general release of such matters, notwithstanding this discovery or existence of any additional or different facts unless such facts arise after the execution of this Agreement.

k.  
By signing this Agreement, you acknowledge that you have returned all Company property including any data or information relating to Company business that is proprietary or confidential. Any information that is stored on non-company electronic devices has been permanently deleted.

9.  
Age Discrimination

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

Pursuant to the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA, please be advised of the following:

a.  
You are advised in writing that you should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement.

b.  
You are knowingly and voluntarily releasing all claims relating to your termination from employment under the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA. This Agreement does not apply to any age discrimination claims that may arise after the date you sign this Agreement.

c.  
You have forty-five (45) days from the date of receipt to review this Agreement and return it to the Company.

d.  
You may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of the execution of this Agreement.

e.  
You are advised that nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes you from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this Agreement under the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law.

f.  
Before signing this Agreement, the Company has also advised you of all individuals by job title and age in the same job classification or organizational unit who have been selected for the November 28, 2008 layoff, and the job title and ages of all individuals in the same job classification or organizational unit who were not selected for the November 28, 2008 layoff.  You acknowledge and agree that a complete list of these individuals by job title and age is provided to you concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.

g.  
By executing this Agreement, you represent that you fully understand all provisions of the Agreement and understand the consequences of executing this Agreement. You further acknowledge that you understand that you have signed this Agreement in exchange for adequate consideration that is in addition to anything of value you would be currently entitled to without this Agreement.


BY SIGNING THIS LETTER AGREEMENT THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS AGREEMENT COMPLETELY AND ADEQUATELY RESOLVES ALL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARISING OUT OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION AND YOUR TERMINATION THEREFROM AS WELL AS YOUR SERVICES TO PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION IN ANY OTHER CAPACITY.

If the above meets with your agreement, please sign and return one copy of this letter to my attention at Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, PO Box 93, Pittsburg, TX 75686.


Sincerely,
/s/ Jane T. Brookshire
Jane T. Brookshire
Executive Vice President Human Resources





 
ACCEPTED BY:

/s/ J. Clinton Rivers
 
December 24, 2008
Signature
Date


 
 

 

ex12.htm

EXHIBIT 12
 
PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
 
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS (LOSS) TO FIXED CHARGES
 
   
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
December 27,
2008
   
December 29,
2007
 
Earnings (loss):
 
(In thousands, except ratios)
 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ (229,078 )   $ (25,899 )
Add:  Total fixed charges
    44,192       32,039  
Less:  Interest capitalized
    691       1,589  
                 
Total earnings (loss)
  $ (185,577 )   $ 4,551  
                 
Fixed charges:
               
Interest charges
  $ 40,259     $ 31,529  
Portion of noncancelable lease expense representative
of the interest factor
    3,933       510  
                 
Total fixed charges
  $ 44,192     $ 32,039  
                 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 
(a)
   
(b)
 

(a)  Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $229,769.

(b)  Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $27,488.
ex31_1.htm
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION BY CO-PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, Senior Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2008, of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a. 
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b. 
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c. 
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d. 
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a. 
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b. 
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 


Date:  February 5, 2009
/s/ Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim
 
Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim
 
Co-Principal Executive Officer
   


 
 

 

ex31_2.htm
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION BY CO-PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Don Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2008, of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a. 
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b. 
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c. 
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d. 
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a. 
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b. 
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 


Date:  February 5, 2009
/s/ Don Jackson
 
Don Jackson
 
Co-Principal Executive Officer
   

 
 

 

ex31_3.htm
 EXHIBIT 31.3
CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Richard A. Cogdill, Chief Financial Officer of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2008, of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a. 
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b. 
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c. 
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d. 
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a. 
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b. 
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 


Date:  February 5, 2009
/s/ Richard A. Cogdill
 
Richard A. Cogdill
 
Chief Financial and Accounting Officer


 
 

 

ex32_1.htm
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CO-PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. § 1350 ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2008 (the “Form 10-Q”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date:  February 5, 2009
/s/ Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim
 
Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim
 
Co-Principal Executive Officer

 
 

 

ex32_2.htm
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF CO-PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. § 1350 ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2008 (the “Form 10-Q”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date:  February 5, 2009
/s/ Don Jackson
 
Don Jackson
 
Co-Principal Executive Officer
   

 
 

 

ex32_3.htm
EXHIBIT 32.3
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. § 1350 ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 2008 (the “Form 10-Q”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date:  February 5, 2009
/s/ Richard A. Cogdill
 
Richard A. Cogdill
 
Chief Financial and Accounting Officer