As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2011.
Registration No. 333-_____
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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MISSISSIPPI
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64-0615843
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(State of other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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127 Flynt Road
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39443
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Laurel, Mississippi
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(Zip Code)
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Affiliates Stock Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
D. Michael Cockrell
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
127 Flynt Road
P.O. Box 988
Laurel, Mississippi 39443
(601) 649-4030
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Louis Y. Fishman and
Maureen Brennan Gershanik
Fishman Haygood Phelps
Walmsley Willis & Swanson, L.L.P.
201 St. Charles Avenue, 46th Floor
New Orleans, Louisiana 70170
(504) 586-5252
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated
filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer
x
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of
Securities to be
Registered
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Amount to
Be
Registered
1
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Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Share
2
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Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
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Amount of
Registration
Fee
3
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Common Stock, par value
$1.00 per share —
Newly reserved under the Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Affiliates Stock Incentive Plan
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1,250,000 shares
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$42.00
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$52,500,000
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$6,095.25
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1
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Upon a future stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction involving the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the
registrant during the effectiveness of this registration statement, the number
of shares thereof registered shall be automatically increased to cover the
additional shares thereof in accordance with Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act
of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).
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2
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Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h)(1)
solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the basis of
$42.00 per share, which represents the average of the high and low prices of
the common stock reported on the Nasdaq Gobal Select Market on
February 14,
2011.
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3
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The amount of the registration fee was calculated
pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities Act, and was determined by
multiplying the Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price by .00011610.
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Pursuant to Rule 429 promulgated under the Securities Act, the prospectus
relating to this registration statement also relates to shares registered under
Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 333-123099. A total of 2,250,000 shares
issuable under the Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Affiliates Stock Incentive Plan
have been previously registered under the Securities Act.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement on Form S-8 relates to the registration of 1,250,000 shares (the
“Shares”) of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common Stock”), to be
offered under the Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Affiliates Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as
amended and restated on February 17, 2011. The Shares are being registered in addition to the
Common Stock previously registered for issuance on the registrant’s registration statement on Form
S-8 concerning the Plan (Reg. No. 333-123099).
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.
Not filed as part of this registration statement pursuant to Note to Part I of Form S-8.
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
Not filed as part of this registration statement pursuant to Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
There are hereby incorporated by reference in this registration statement the following
documents and information heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“Commission”):
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(a)
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The registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010;
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(b)
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The registrant’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed December 14, 2010, December 16,
2010, December 17, 2010, December 23, 2010 and
January 31, 2011;
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(c)
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The description of the registrant’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, that was
included in amendment number 3 to its registration statement on Form 8-A filed March 29,
2010, including any further amendment to that form or report that the registrant may file
in the future for the purpose of updating the description of its common stock and
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1
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(d)
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The registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on January 14, 2011.
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All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all
securities then remaining unsold, also shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
registration statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not Applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Article FOURTEENTH of the registrant’s Articles of Incorporation provides that a director of
the registrant shall not be liable to the registrant or its stockholders for money damages for any
action, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except for: (a) the amount of a financial
benefit received by a director to which he is not entitled; (b) an intentional infliction of harm
to the registrant or the stockholders; (c) a violation of Section 79-4-8.33 of the Mississippi Code
of 1972, as amended, more commonly referred to as Section 8.33 of the Mississippi Business
Corporation Act, as presently in effect or as amended thereafter, pertaining to liability for
unlawful distributions; or (d) an intentional violation of criminal law. If Mississippi law is
amended to authorize corporations to take corporate law action further limiting or eliminating the
personal liability of directors, then the liability of each director of the registrant shall be
limited or eliminated to the full extent permitted by Mississippi law as so amended from time to
time. Neither the amendment nor repeal of Article FOURTEENTH, nor the adoption of any provision of
the Articles of Incorporation inconsistent with it eliminates or reduces its effect in respect of
any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for Article FOURTEENTH, would
accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
Reference is also made to Section 79-4-8.50 through and including Section 79-4-8.58 of the
Mississippi Business Corporation Act which, taken together, authorize and set forth the extent to
which a Mississippi business corporation shall and may indemnify its directors and officers.
Article VI of the registrant’s By-Laws provides for mandatory indemnification of the
registrant’s directors and officers, and those of its employees (if any) who are appointed by its
President to serve on the registrant’s Executive Committee, or are appointed by such Committee to
be Division Managers, to the fullest extent that directors and officers are permitted to be
indemnified by law, except in an action brought directly by the registrant against such a person.
The mandatory indemnification includes advancement of expenses to those persons who meet the
requirements described above for such advances. The right to indemnification applies to acts or
omissions occurring prior to or after the adoption of the new by-law, continues as to a person who
ceases to be a director, officer or employee, and applies to the person’s heirs. Article VI may be
amended or repealed at any time by the Board of Directors with or without approval by the
stockholders, but no such action will affect the right to indemnification for acts or omissions
2
which occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.
The registrant maintains insurance the general effect of which is to provide: (a) coverage for
the registrant with respect to amounts which it is required or permitted to pay to officers or
directors under the indemnification provisions set forth in the Mississippi Business Corporation
Act and Article VI of the registrant’s By-Laws and (b) coverage of the officers and directors of
the registrant for liabilities (including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws)
incurred by such persons in their capacities as officers or directors for which they are not
indemnified by the registrant.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not Applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement:
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description of Exhibit
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4.1
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Articles of Incorporation of the registrant dated October 19, 1978.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with the
registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on July
15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.2
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Articles of Amendment, dated March 23, 1987, to the Articles of
Incorporation of the registrant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed
by the registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.3
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Articles of Amendment, dated April 21, 1989, to the Articles of
Incorporation of the registrant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.3 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed
by the registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.4
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Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock of the registrant dated April 21, 1989.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed with the
registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on July
15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.5
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Article of Amendment, dated February 20, 1992, to the Articles of
Incorporation of the registrant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.5 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed
by the registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.6
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Article of Amendment, dated February 27, 1997, to the Articles of
Incorporation of the registrant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.6 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed
by the registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.7
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By-Laws of the registrant, amended and restated as of April 23,
2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 filed with the
registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K on April 28, 2009.)
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3
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description of Exhibit
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4.8
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Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Affiliates Stock Incentive Plan, as
amended and restated on February 17, 2011. (Incorporated by
reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed by
the registrant on January 14, 2011.)
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5*
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Opinion of Wise Carter Child & Caraway, P.A., as to the legality of
the securities being registered hereby.
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23.1*
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Consent of Wise Carter Child & Caraway, P.A. (included in Exhibit 5).
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23.2*
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
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24*
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Powers of Attorney (see signature page).
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Item 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
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(1)
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To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
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(i)
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To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
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(ii)
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To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from
the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee”
table in the effective registration statement; and
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(iii)
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To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not
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previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
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provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13
or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference
in the registration statement.
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(2)
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That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(3)
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To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
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(4)
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That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses included or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Laurel, State of Mississippi, on February
17, 2011.
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SANDERSON FARMS, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.
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Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., D. Michael Cockrell and James A. Grimes, and each
of them individually and without the others, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration
statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and
each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or each of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.
Joe F. Sanderson, Jr.
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Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive
Officer) and
Chairman of the
Board of Directors
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Lampkin Butts
Lampkin Butts
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President, Chief Operating
Officer and Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ D. Michael Cockrell
D. Michael Cockrell
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Treasurer, Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial
Officer) and Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ James A. Grimes
James A. Grimes
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Secretary and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting
Officer)
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ John H. Baker, III
John H. Baker, III
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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6
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Fred Banks, Jr.
Fred Banks, Jr.
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ John Bierbusse
John Bierbusse
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Toni D. Cooley
Toni D. Cooley
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Beverly Wade Hogan
Beverly Wade Hogan
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Robert C. Khayat
Robert C. Khayat
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Phil K. Livingston
Phil K. Livingston
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Dianne Mooney
Dianne Mooney
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Gail Jones Pittman
Gail Jones Pittman
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Charles W. Ritter, Jr.
Charles W. Ritter, Jr.
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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/s/ Rowan H. Taylor
Rowan H. Taylor
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Director
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February 17, 2011
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7
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description of Exhibit
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4.1
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Articles of Incorporation of the registrant dated October 19, 1978.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with the
registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on July
15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.2
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Articles of Amendment, dated March 23, 1987, to the Articles of
Incorporation of the registrant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed
by the registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.3
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Articles of Amendment, dated April 21, 1989, to the Articles of
Incorporation of the registrant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.3 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed
by the registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.4
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Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock of the registrant dated April 21, 1989.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed with the
registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on July
15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.5
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Article of Amendment, dated February 20, 1992, to the Articles of
Incorporation of the registrant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.5 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed
by the registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.6
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Article of Amendment, dated February 27, 1997, to the Articles of
Incorporation of the registrant. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.6 filed with the registration statement on Form S-8 filed
by the registrant on July 15, 2002, Registration No. 333-92412.)
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4.7
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By-Laws of the registrant, amended and restated as of April 23,
2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 filed with the
registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K on April 28, 2009.)
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4.8
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Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Affiliates Stock Incentive Plan, as
amended and restated on February 17, 2011. (Incorporated by
reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement filed by
the registrant on January 14, 2011.)
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5*
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Opinion of Wise Carter Child & Caraway, P.A., as to the legality of
the securities being registered hereby.
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23.1*
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Consent of Wise Carter Child & Caraway, P.A. (included in Exhibit 5).
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23.2*
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
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8
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description of Exhibit
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24*
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Powers of Attorney (see signature page).
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9
Exhibit 5
[LETTERHEAD OF WISE CARTER CHILD & CARAWAY]
February 17, 2011
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
Post Office Box 988
Laurel, Mississippi 39441
Gentlemen:
We have acted as corporate counsel to Sanderson Farms, Inc., a Mississippi corporation (the
“Corporation”), in connection with a review of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 as prepared
by special securities counsel, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the registration of
1,250,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Common
Stock”), of the Corporation for issuance pursuant to the Sanderson Farms, Inc. and Affiliates Stock
Incentive Plan as amended and restated on February 17, 2011 (the “Plan”).
In rendering this opinion, we have examined (i) the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws,
both as amended, of the Corporation; (ii) the Plan; (iii) minutes and records of the corporate
proceedings of the Corporation with respect to the adoption of the Plan and the issuance of the
Shares pursuant thereto; (iv) certificates of certain officers and directors of the Corporation;
and (v) such other documents as we have deemed relevant or necessary as a basis for the opinions
expressed herein. In all such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and
the conformity to originals of all copies submitted to us as certified, conformed or reproduction
copies. As to various questions of fact material to the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have
relied upon representations to us by officers and directors of the Corporation or its agents and
upon the correctness of the factual representations made in minutes and records of corporate
proceedings, without independent investigation or verification of the accuracy of any such
representations.
Wise Carter
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
February 17, 2011
Page 2
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, in reliance thereon and having due regard for such
legal considerations as we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that the 1,250,000 shares of common
stock covered by the Registration Statement available for issuance to participants under the Plan,
when issued in accordance with the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We are admitted to practice only in the State of Mississippi. We express no opinion as to the
laws of any jurisdiction other than Mississippi and we do not express any opinion, either
implicitly or otherwise, on any issue not expressly set forth herein.
This letter is issued solely for your benefit and the benefit of Plan participants and only in
connection with the transactions described herein. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion
with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement, but this
opinion letter may not be otherwise used, circulated, relied upon, quoted or referred to by any
other person or entity or for any other purpose without our prior written consent. In giving such
consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. This opinion speaks as of its
date, and we undertake no (and hereby disclaim any) obligation to update this opinion.
Sincerely yours,
/s/
Henry E. Chatham, Jr.
Henry E. Chatham, Jr.
HEC:loh