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Fair Value Measurements
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12 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2012
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| Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] | |
| Fair Value Measurements |
Note 3. Fair Value Measurements The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic for its financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The majority of the carrying amounts of the Company's assets and liabilities including cash, certificates of deposits, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses at September 30, 2012 and 2011, approximate fair value because of the immediate or short term maturity of these items. In the event that stated interest rates are below market, Alico discounts mortgage notes receivable to reflect their estimated fair value. The carrying amounts reported for long-term debt approximates fair value as the Company's borrowings with commercial lenders are at interest rates that vary with market conditions and fixed rates that approximate market rates for comparable loans. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value is an exit price representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1- Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2- Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and Level 3- Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, such as internally-developed valuation models which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. There were no gains or losses included in earnings attributable to changes in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets held at 2012, 2011 and 2010. Alico uses third party service providers to assist in the evaluation of its investments. For investment valuations, current market interest rates, quality estimates by rating agencies and valuation estimates by active market participants were used to determine values. Deferred retirement benefits were valued based on actuarial data, contracted payment schedules and an estimated discount rate of 4.5% at September 30, 2012 and 2011. The Company evaluates its properties for impairment using the three-tier fair value hierarchy. During the year ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,918,000 for property that was held for sale in Lee County, Florida, the impairment was based on the negotiated sales price with a third party for the property, a Level 2 input. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, an impairment charge of $980,000 was recorded for property located in Polk County, Florida, which was determined by a third party appraisal of the property, a Level 2 input. See Note 7. Property, Buildings and Equipment, Net. |