Sanderson Farms, Inc. Reports Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal 2009

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $504.8 million compared with $466.9 million for the same period a year ago. For the quarter, the Company reported net income of $43.0 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The net results for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 included a charge of $1.7 million, or $ 0.09 per share, paid for the settlement of the Company's donning and doffing litigation.

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $1,320.5 million compared with $1,263.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 totaled $62.5 million, or $3.04 per diluted share, compared with $8.8 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the first nine months of last year.

"Our results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 reflect much improved market conditions for our Company and our industry when compared to last year," said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms, Inc. "The combination of lower costs and improved market conditions resulted in much higher margins for the quarter, and we are pleased with our performance. While retail demand for chicken remained relatively stable during the quarter, casual dining and food service demand continues to be negatively affected by weak economic conditions. Market prices for both corn and soybean meal were lower than last year's third quarter, and we will continue to benefit from lower feed grain costs during our fourth fiscal quarter compared to last year."

According to Sanderson, overall market prices for poultry products were higher in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared with prices a year ago. As measured by a simple average of the Georgia dock price for whole chickens, prices were higher by approximately 2.3 percent in the Company's third fiscal quarter compared with the same period in 2008, and were higher by 6.9 percent for the first nine months of the fiscal year compared with the year-earlier period. Boneless breast meat prices during the quarter averaged 3.4 percent higher than the prior-year period, but averaged 3.3 percent lower for the first nine months of the year compared with the prior year. Jumbo wing prices averaged $1.29 per pound through the first nine months of the fiscal year, up 35.2 percent from the average of $0.95 per pound for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The average market price for bulk leg quarters decreased approximately 4.9 percent for the quarter and 15.1 percent for the nine-month period in fiscal 2009 compared with the same periods last year. Cash market prices for corn and soybean meal delivered to the Company decreased 26.7 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively, compared with the third quarter a year ago, and decreased 17.2 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively, for the nine months ended July 31, 2009.

"In addition to improved market conditions, our operations continued to perform well during the third quarter," added Sanderson. "Our Waco, Texas, facility has moved to full production and continues to operate well. We are also pleased to report that construction is underway at the hatchery and feed mill sites for our new Kinston, North Carolina, complex, and we will break ground at the processing site in September. Our strong balance sheet has put us in a position to continue our consistent growth strategy to add value for our shareholders, and we look forward to the opportunities this and future growth will provide the Company, its shareholders, its employees and its customers."

Sanderson Farms will hold a conference call to discuss this press release today, August 25, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Central, 11:00 a.m. Eastern. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to a live Internet broadcast of the conference call through the Company's Web site at www.sandersonfarms.com or through www.earnings.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the Web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an Internet replay will be available shortly after the call and continue through September 1, 2009. Those without internet access or who prefer to listen via telephone may call 888-587-0613, access code 2268244.

Sanderson Farms, Inc. is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Its shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol SAFM.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current views and assumptions. Actual results and events may differ. For a discussion of these matters, please refer to the "Cautionary Statement Regarding Risks and Uncertainties That May Affect Future Performance" in Item 7 of the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and please refer to the cautionary statement found in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading "General" in Part I, Item 2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Company's third quarter ended July 31, 2009.

SANDERSON FARMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                      Three Months Ended               Nine Months Ended
                                      July 31,                         July 31,
                                          2009            2008             2009              2008
Net sales                             $   504,846     $   466,915      $   1,320,489     $   1,263,357
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales                             413,821         454,678          1,168,507         1,201,067
Selling, general and administrative       21,514          12,979           46,312            40,930
Donning and Doffing Settlement            0               2,693            0                 2,693
                                          435,335         470,350          1,214,819         1,244,690
Operating income (loss)                   69,511          (3,435  )        105,670           18,667
Other income (expense):
Interest income                           8               48               19                143
Interest expense                          (2,038  )       (2,259  )        (7,738    )       (6,113    )
Other                                     5               (34     )        2                 7
                                          (2,025  )       (2,245  )        (7,717    )       (5,963    )
Income (loss) before income taxes         67,486          (5,680  )        97,953            12,704
Income tax expense (benefit)              24,438          (2,035  )        35,438            3,910
Net income (loss)                     $   43,048      $   (3,645  )    $   62,515        $   8,794
Basic earnings (loss) per share       $   2.12        $   (0.18   )    $   3.08          $   0.43
Diluted earnings (loss) per share     $   2.09        $   (0.18   )    $   3.04          $   0.43
Dividends per share                   $   0.14        $   0.14         $   0.42          $   0.42
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic                                     20,326          20,283           20,313            20,264
Diluted                                   20,639          20,283           20,598            20,469

SANDERSON FARMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
                                            July 31,            October 31,
                                                 2009                2008
                                            (Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents                   $    33,373         $    4,261
Accounts receivable, net                         67,213              63,516
Inventories                                      150,138             137,015
Refundable income taxes                          0                   31,033
Deferred income taxes                            2,200               15,885
Prepaid expenses                                 21,832              15,853
Total current assets                             274,756             267,563
Property, plant and equipment                    735,676             722,815
Less accumulated depreciation                    (341,120 )          (311,485 )
                                                 394,556             411,330
Other assets                                     2,860               2,265
Total assets                                $    672,172        $    681,158
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses       $    101,788        $    77,565
Current maturities of long-term debt             968                 1,219
Total current liabilities                        102,756             78,784
Long-term debt, less current maturities          132,918             225,322
Claims payable                                   2,200               3,000
Deferred income taxes                            22,915              20,085
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock                                     20,329              20,289
Paid-in capital                                  32,492              28,859
Retained earnings                                358,562             304,819
Total stockholders' equity                       411,383             353,967
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $    672,172        $    681,158

SOURCE: Sanderson Farms

Sanderson Farms, Inc. 
Mike Cockrell, 601-649-4030 
Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer