BIOTECHNICA INTERNATIONAL INC
10-Q, 1998-11-13
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION-CROPS
Previous: COMMERCE BANCORP INC /NJ/, 10-Q, 1998-11-13
Next: YELLOW CORP, 10-Q, 1998-11-13



                                 UNITED STATES
                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, DC  20549

                                 FORM 10-Q



            Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934
               For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1998



                      Commission File Number 0-11854


                      BIOTECHNICA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
      (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


             Delaware                              22-2344703
      (State of incorporation)       		         (I.R.S. Employer
                                              Identification No.)



4001 North War Memorial Drive, Peoria, IL             61614
(Address of principal executive offices)		          (Zip Code)


   Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  309/681-0300




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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of 
Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date.

On October 31, 1998, the Registrant had 103,055,577 (103,094,737 total shares, 
less 39,160 treasury shares) shares of Common Stock outstanding.


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

<TABLE>

                      BIOTECHNICA INTERNATIONAL INC.
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (Unaudited)
                      (in thousands of dollars)   
<CAPTION>
<S>                                   <C>                     <C> 

                                       September 30,            June 30,
Assets                                         1998                1998
Current assets:
  Cash & cash equivalents              $        101            $    353
  Accounts receivable                         3,089               9,458
  Inventories                                10,977               7,761 
  Prepaid expenses & other assets               118                 139
    Total Current Assets                     14,285              17,711 

Property, plant & equipment                  13,957              13,858 
  Less accumulated depreciation              (6,029)             (5,818) 
    Net property, plant & equipment           7,928               8,040 
Goodwill and other assets                     7,749               7,879
    Total Assets                       $     29,962         $    33,630 

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
 Borrowings under line of credit       $      4,600         $     7,700 
 Borrowings from affiliates                   5,800               3,600 
 Accounts payable                             1,712                 489 
 Accrued liabilities                          1,000               2,936 
 Due to affiliates                              415                 244 
   Total current liabilities                 13,527              14,969
   
Long-term debt:                                                         
 Due to affiliates                            6,761               6,761 
 Other noncurrent liabilities                   424                 431 
    Total Liabilities                   $    20,712          $   22,161 

Shareholders' Equity
 Preferred Stock, Class A, 900,000
  shares outstanding (Liquidation
   value of $9 million)                           9                  9 
 Common Stock, 150,000,000 
  shares authorized; 103,055,577  
  shares outstanding, net of $95,000
       for treasury shares                      936                936 
 Additional paid-in capital                  20,823             20,823 
 Accumulated deficit                        (12,518)           (10,299)  
    Total Equity                       $      9,250        $    11,469
 Total Liabilities               
       and Shareholders' Equity        $     29,962        $    33,630  


See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

</TABLE>
<TABLE>

                            BIOTECHNICA INTERNATIONAL INC.
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                                    (Unaudited)
                  (in thousands of dollars except per share amounts)

                                                Three Months Ended
                                                   September 30,
                                               1998              1997   
<CAPTION>
<S>                                     <C>              <C>      
 
Net Sales:
 Domestic                               $       316      $        418  
 Export                                          --                -- 
                                                316               418       
Cost of Goods Sold:
 Cost of Goods Sold                             305               364


  Gross Margin                                   11                54        
 
Operating expenses:
 Sales & Marketing                            1,039             1,084           
 Warehouse & Distribution                       176               225         
 Administration                                 723               673           
 Amortization of goodwill                       125               126      
                                              2,063             2,108         

  Operating income(loss)                     (2,052)           (2,054)       

Other income (expense):
 Interest expense                              (257)             (241)         
 Other                                           90               102
  Net income before taxes                    (2,219)           (2,193)        
 
Income Taxes                                     --                --
     
 Net income(loss)                       $    (2,219)      $    (2,193)  

 Net income (loss) per share            $     (0.02)      $     (0.02)  


 Weighted average
 shares outstanding                     103,055,577       104,055,577  


See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
                           BIOTECHNICA INTERNATIONAL INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
                            (in thousands of dollars)

                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                         September 30,
                                                    1998              1997

<CAPTION>
<S>                                             <C>              <C>
Cash flow from operating activities:
  Net income (loss)                             $ (2,219)        $  (2,193)    
  Adjustments to reconcile net income
  to net cash used in operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                    345               371   
    Changes in assets and liabilities
    Accounts receivable                            6,369             4,769     
    Inventories                                   (3,216)           (2,997)    
    Other current assets                              18               (26)    
    Accounts payable & accrued liabilities          (542)              208      

    Net cash provided by (used for)
    operating activities                             755               132    

Cash flow from investing activities:
   Acquisition of property,
   plant & equipment                                (100)             (83)    

   Net cash provided by (used for)
   investing activities                             (100)             (83)    
                                 
Cash flow from financing activities:
   Net repayment under line of credit             (3,100)          (6,100)   
   Increase in borrowings from affiliates          2,200            4,200     
   Increase in long-term debt to affiliates           --            1,500      
   Decrease in other long-term debts                  (7)             (31)     

  Net cash provided by (used for)
  financing activities                              (907)            (431)

  Net increase (decrease) in cash
  and cash equivalents                              (252)            (382)     

Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of period                                  353              207    

Cash and cash equivalents at the                
end of period                                $       101       $     (175) 



See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
                           BIOTECHNICA INTERNATIONAL INC.
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                     (Unaudited)
                     (in thousands of dollars, except share data)

                  Preferred Stock                               Additional 
                Class A Non-Voting       Common Stock             Paid-In    
                Shares  Par Value      Shares   Par Value         Capital    

<CAPTION>
<C>            <C>          <C>   <C>             <C>            <C>


Balance 
June 30, 1998  900,000      $9    103,094,737     $1,031         $20,823   
 
Net loss             0       0              0          0               0 

Balance             
September 30,
    1998       900,000      $9    103,094,737     $1,031         $20,823 

</TABLE>
<TABLE>


                           Retained                                  Total
                           Earnings        Treasury Stock        Shareholders'
                          (Deficit)       Shares  Par Value         Equity
<CAPTION>
<C>                       <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>

Balance 
June 30, 1998             ($10,299)     (39,160)      ($95)        $11,469
 
Net loss                    (2,219)           0          0          (2,219) 
   
Balance             
September 30, 1998        ($12,518)     (39,160)      ($95)       $  9,250





See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement


</TABLE>



                           BIOTECHNICA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             NOTES TO QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1)	Financial Statements
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared 
in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q.  To the extent that 
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles 
for complete financial statements are contained in or consistent with the 
audited consolidated financial statements incorporated in the Company's Form 
10-K for the year ended June 30, 1998,such information and footnotes have not 
been duplicated herein.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, 
consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair 
presentation of financial statements have been reflected herein.

2)	Inventories                               (in thousand of dollars)
                                         September 30,          June 30,
                                                 1998              1998
   
Finished seed                                 $ 4,492          $  4,473
Unfinished seed                                 5,808             2,594     
Supplies and other                                677               694
 
 Total Inventory                             $ 10,977          $  7,761 

"Finished seed" consists of bagged product, ready for sale, net of reserves 
for obsolescence. "Unfinished seed" consists of bulk product not yet bagged 
and the costs associated with the seed crop planted in the spring of 1998, 
net of reserves for obsolescence. "Supplies and other" consists of foundation 
seed, unused bags, pallets, and other supply items. Seed product inventory is 
valued at the lower of average cost by crop year or market. Supply inventory 
is valued at the lower of cost using the first-in, first-out method or market.

Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis

Business
The primary business of the Company is the production, processing and sale of 
agricultural seeds to a network of farmer-dealers throughout the Midwestern 
United States.  Hybrid corn seed, varietal soybean seed and alfalfa seed 
comprise the Company's major product lines.

The Company contracts with independent farmer-growers for the production of 
seed to be grown under Company supervision to meet specific quality and 
marketability specifications.  The Company then processes and treats the 
delivered seed with appropriate fungicides and insecticides and bags the 
product for sale.  Because weather conditions can cause material fluctuations 
in yields and seed quality, the Company's cost of goods sold is highly 
dependent upon weather conditions in its growing areas.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since October 1993, the Company has had a revolving credit arrangement with 
its principal bank, renewable annually (the "Line of Credit"), whereby the 
Company  may borrow up to $12,000,000, subject to the limitations of a 
borrowing base formula.  Borrowings under the Line of Credit are secured by 
the inventory and accounts receivable of the Company and its subsidiary, and 
by the guarantees of Limagrain, LG Corp. and the Company's subsidiary.  
Borrowings under the Line of Credit at June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998 
totaled $7,700,000 and $4,600,000, respectively.  The maximum amounts 
available under the Line of Credit pursuant to the borrowing base formula, 
absent waivers, at June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998 were $10,422,000 and 
$5,951,000, respectively.  In addition to the Line of Credit, the Company 
also borrows funds from affiliates of Limagrain from time to time in order 
to fund the interim working capital needs of the Company, including the 
reduction of the Line of Credit.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $252,000 during the first three months of 
Fiscal 1999 from $353,000 at June 30, 1998 to $101,000 at September 30, 1998.   
Cash flow from operations generated $755,000.  Major items impacting cash flow 
from operations for the three months ended September 30, 1998 were:  (i) net 
loss for the period of $2,219,000, offset by depreciation and amortization of 
$345,000; (ii) a decrease in accounts receivable of $6,369,000 as a result of 
collection on prior year sales; (iii) an increase in inventory of $3,216,000 
resulting from inventory produced this year; (iv) a decrease in accrued 
liabilities and payables of $542,000 primarily from the payment of accrued 
technology fees to technology suppliers; and (v) $18,000 generated by other 
changes in working capital.

Cash flow from investing activities consumed $100,000, related to new capital 
expenditures.

Cash flow from financing activities consumed $907,000.  The Company repaid  
$3,100,000 in borrowings under its Line of Credit.   The Company borrowed a 
total of $2,200,000 from affiliates on demand notes at 5% interest.    
Management believes that upon the maturities of these notes, either (i) the 
notes will be extended, (ii) amounts due will be refinanced by affiliates, or 
(iii) borrowings can be made under the Line of Credit to offset any needed 
repayments to affiliates.

There is no assurance that Limagrain, LG Corp., or any other affiliate of the 
Company will continue to (i) guarantee the Line of Credit, (ii) loan funds 
to the Company, or (iii) convert such loans to Preferred Stock.  In addition, 
there is no assurance that without such guarantees, loans and conversions, 
the Company would not be out of compliance with the Line of Credit during 
seasonal fluctuations in the Company's borrowing base and net tangible assets, 
respectively, or otherwise.

Results of Operations - Quarter Ended September 30, 1998

Due to the seasonal nature of the seed business, 70-80% of the Company's 
revenues normally occur during the third and fourth fiscal quarters of each 
year.  During the first six months of each fiscal year, the Company's 
production facilities are harvesting, conditioning and bagging seed products, 
and substantial marketing efforts are underway in preparation for the next 
sales season which begins in the third fiscal quarter.

Net sales for the first quarter of Fiscal 1999 decreased $112,000 compared to 
Fiscal 1998, decreasing from $418,000 in Fiscal 1998 to $316,000 for Fiscal 
1999.  This decrease was primarily related to lower wheat sales in Fiscal 
1999.   This trend continues the decrease in wheat sales relative to Fiscal 
1997, when sales were $755,000.   The low commodity price of wheat, lower 
wheat plantings in the Company's marketing area, and competition from 
farmer-use of saved seeds have contributed to the declining sales volumes.   
Additionally, in Fiscal 1999, the Company has attempted to minimize its 
wheat inventory levels.  This has hurt overall margins as wholesale sales 
have been at margins lower than normal retail margins.     Cost of goods 
decreased $59,000  due primarily to volume compared to last year, decreasing 
from $364,000 in Fiscal 1998 to $305,000 in Fiscal 1999.

Sales and marketing expenses have decreased $45,000 from $1,084,000 in the 
first quarter of Fiscal 1998 to $1,039,000 for the first quarter of Fiscal 
1999.  Most of the decrease relates to timing of expenses from one year to 
the next. Warehouse and distribution costs were lower by $49,000, decreasing 
from $225,000 in the first quarter of Fiscal 1998 to $176,000 in the first 
quarter of Fiscal 1999.  Most of this decrease is attributed to the lower 
wheat sales volume as discussed above.

General and administrative costs increased $50,000 from $673,000 for the first 
quarter of Fiscal 1998 to $723,000 for the first quarter of Fiscal 1999.  
Most of the decrease related to differences in when expenses were incurred 
from year-to-year.

Interest costs increased $16,000 from $241,000 in the first quarter of Fiscal 
1998 to $257,000 in the first quarter of Fiscal 1999, due primarily to higher 
borrowing levels resulting from the Fiscal 1998 loss , partially offset by 
lower interest rates.

Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

Not applicable.




PART II

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.
Not Applicable.

Item 2.	Changes in Securities.
Not Applicable.

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not Applicable.

Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Not Applicable.

Item 5.	Other Information.

On September 21, 1998, the Company received a letter from LG Corp. notifying 
the Company of LG Corp.'s intention to cash out the minority stockholders of 
the Company via a short form merger effected pursuant to Section 253 of the 
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL").  The 
consideration to be paid to the minority stockholders of the Company in such 
merger is $0.05 per share.

Under the DGCL, because LG Corp. owns more than 90% of the Company, no action 
will be required of the board of directors of the Company or the stockholders 
of the Company (other than LG Corp. acting through its board of directors), 
for the merger to become effective.  Also, as a "short form" merger, the 
board of directors of the Company had no right to a role, nor did they have 
a role, in negotiating the cash-out price, and the Company's directors have 
made no determination, nor are they required to make a determination, with 
respect to the fairness of the cash-out price.

The merger is expected to be consummated prior to December 31, 1998, or as 
soon as practicable thereafter.  Under the DGCL, minority stockholders of 
the Company who do not wish to accept the consideration of $0.05 per share 
and who follow the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL will be 
entitled to have their shares of common stock appraised by the Delaware Court 
of Chancery and to receive payment in cash of the "fair value" of such shares.  
Prior to the consummation of the merger, LG Corp. reserves the right to 
cancel the merger for any reason, including without limitation if (i) any 
stockholder	of the Company seeks to enjoin the merger or (ii) in LG Corp.'s 
judgment, the anticipated cost of the merger would be materially increased by 
the number of stockholders of the Company seeking their appraisal remedy.

   
Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.  

(a) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
		Exhibit 27	Financial Data Schedule

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 21, 1998, 
announcing the intention of Limagrain Genetics Corp. to cash out the 
minority stockholders of BioTechnica International, Inc. via a short form 
merger.



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.




							BIOTECHNICA INTERNATIONAL, INC.



Date:  November 13, 1998			/s/ Bruno Carette
                               Bruno Carette, President and
                               Chief Executive Officer



Date:  November 13, 1998			/s/ Edward Germain
                               Edward Germain
                               Chief Financial Officer



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                             101
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     3197
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (108)
<INVENTORY>                                      10977
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 14285
<PP&E>                                           13957
<DEPRECIATION>                                  (6020)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   29962
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            13527
<BONDS>                                           6761
                                0
                                          9
<COMMON>                                           936
<OTHER-SE>                                        8305
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     29962
<SALES>                                            316
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   316
<CGS>                                              305
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      305
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  1973
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 257
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 (2219)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             (2219)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    (2219)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (0.02)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.02)
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission