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Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation – The accompanying financial statements consolidate the operating results and financial position of REX American Resources Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “REX”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. As of January 31, 2017, the Company owns interests in three ethanol entities – two are consolidated and one is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fiscal Year – All references in these consolidated financial statements to a particular fiscal year are to the Company’s fiscal year ended January 31. For example, “fiscal year 2016” means the period February 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017. The Company refers to its fiscal year by reference to the year immediately preceding the January 31 fiscal year end date.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segments – The Company has one reportable segment, alternative energy. In applying the criteria set forth in ASC 280 “Segment Reporting”, the Company determined that based on the nature of the products and production process and the expected financial results, the Company’s operations at its ethanol plants are aggregated into one reporting segment.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates – The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash Equivalents – Cash equivalents are principally short-term investments with original maturities of less than three months. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentrations of Risk –The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in accounts with financial institutions which exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company does not believe there is significant credit risk related to its cash and cash equivalents. Five (fiscal year 2016) and four (fiscal years 2015 and 2014) customers accounted for approximately 83%, 75% and 74% of the Company’s net sales and revenue during fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At January 31, 2017 and 2016, these customers represented approximately 88% and 47%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventory – Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory includes direct production costs and certain overhead costs such as depreciation, property taxes and utilities related to producing ethanol and related co-products. Inventory is permanently written down for instances when cost exceeds estimated net realizable value; such write-downs are based primarily upon commodity prices as the market value of inventory is often dependent upon changes in commodity prices. There was no significant write-down of inventory during fiscal years 2016, 2015 or 2014. Fluctuations in the write-down of inventory generally relate to the levels and composition of such inventory at a given point in time and commodity prices. The components of inventory at January 31, 2017, and January 31, 2016 are as follows (amounts in thousands):


   January 31, 
   2017   2016 
           
Ethanol and other finished goods  $5,262   $3,105 
Work in process   2,359    2,652 
Grain and other raw materials   9,436    11,421 
           
Total  $17,057   $17,178 
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, and 2 to 20 years for fixtures and equipment. The components of property and equipment at January 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (amounts in thousands):


   January 31, 
   2017   2016 
           
Land and improvements  $20,951   $21,598 
Buildings and improvements   23,203    24,543 
Machinery, equipment and fixtures   255,348    237,735 
Construction in progress   1,046    6,094 
           
    300,548    289,970 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (117,787)   (99,994)
           
Total  $182,761   $189,976 

In accordance with ASC 360-05 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the carrying value of long-lived assets is assessed for recoverability by management when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable, based on an analysis of undiscounted future expected cash flows from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. The Company recorded no impairment charges in fiscal year 2016. The Company recorded impairment charges of $125,000 in fiscal year 2015, all of which is included in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company recorded impairment charges of $68,000 in fiscal year 2014, all of which is included in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. These impairment charges are primarily related to unfavorable changes in real estate conditions in local markets. Impairment charges result from the Company’s management performing cash flow analysis and represent management’s estimate of the excess of net book value over fair value.


The Company tests for recoverability of an asset group by comparing its carrying amount to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, if any. The Company generally determines the fair value of the asset group using a discounted cash flow model based on market participant assumptions (for income producing asset groups) or by obtaining appraisals based on the market approach and comparable market transactions (for non-income producing asset groups).


Depreciation expense was approximately $19,519,000, $18,638,000 and $16,387,000 in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Investments and Deposits – The method of accounting applied to long-term investments, whether consolidated, equity or cost, involves an evaluation of the significant terms of each investment that explicitly grant or suggest evidence of control or influence over the operations of the investee and also includes the identification of any variable interests in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company consolidates the results of two majority owned subsidiaries, One Earth and NuGen. The results of One Earth are included on a delayed basis of one month lag as One Earth has a fiscal year end of December 31. NuGen has the same fiscal year as the parent, and therefore, there is no lag in reporting the results of NuGen. The Company accounts for investments in limited liability companies in which it may have a less than 20% ownership interest, using the equity method of accounting when the factors discussed in ASC 323 “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures” are met. The excess of the carrying value over the underlying equity in the net assets of equity method investees is allocated to specific assets and liabilities. Any unallocated excess is treated as goodwill and is recorded as a component of the carrying value of the equity method investee. Investments in businesses that the Company does not control but for which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters are accounted for using the equity method. The Company accounts for its investments in Big River and Patriot (through May 31, 2015 – see Note 2 for a discussion of the sale of the Company’s equity interest in Patriot) using the equity method of accounting and includes the results of these entities on a delayed basis of one month as they have a fiscal year end of December 31.


The Company periodically evaluates its investments for impairment due to declines in market value considered to be other than temporary. Such impairment evaluations include, in addition to persistent, declining market prices, general economic and company-specific evaluations. If the Company determines that a decline in market value is other than temporary, then a charge to earnings is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and a new cost basis in the investment is established.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes sales from the production of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil when title transfers to customers, generally upon shipment from the ethanol plant or upon loading of the rail car used to transport the products.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cost of Sales – Cost of sales includes depreciation, costs of raw materials, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, shipping costs, other distribution expenses, warehousing costs, plant management, certain compensation costs and general facility overhead charges.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses – The Company includes non-production related costs such as professional fees and certain payroll in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Interest Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Interest Expense – There was no cash paid for interest in fiscal years 2016 and 2015. Cash paid for interest in fiscal year 2014 was approximately $2,136,000.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Financial Instruments – Certain of the forward grain purchase and ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil sale contracts are accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of ASC 815, because these arrangements are for purchases of grain that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used and sales of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil that will be produced in quantities expected to be sold by us over a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business. During the years ended January 31, 2017 and 2016 there were no material settlements of forward contracts that are recorded at fair value. At January 31, 2017, the company recorded an asset and a liability of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, associated with contracts not accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of ASC 815. At January 31, 2016, the Company recorded a liability of $0.3 million associated with these contracts not accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of ASC 815.


The Company uses derivative financial instruments (exchange-traded futures contracts) to manage a portion of the risk associated with changes in commodity prices, primarily related to corn. The Company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy. As such, the Company seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results. The Company may take hedging positions in these commodities as one way to mitigate risk. While the Company attempts to link its hedging activities to purchase and sale activities, there are situations in which these hedging activities can themselves result in losses. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The changes in fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recognized in current period earnings as the Company does not use hedge accounting.


The Company used derivative financial instruments to manage its balance of fixed and variable rate debt. Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments and do not represent an actual exchange of the notional amounts between the parties. The swap agreement was not designated for hedge accounting pursuant to ASC 815. The interest rate swap was recorded at its fair value and the changes in fair values were recorded as gain or loss on derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company paid settlements of interest rate swaps of approximately $1,142,000 in fiscal years 2014.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock Compensation – The Company has a stock-based compensation plan, approved by its shareholders, which reserves a total of 550,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to its terms. The plan provides for the granting of shares of stock, including options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights tied to the value of common stock, restricted stock, and restricted stock unit awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The Company measures share-based compensation grants at fair value on the grant date, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The Company records noncash compensation expense related to equity and liability awards in its consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. See Note 11 for a further discussion of restricted stock.


The Company had stock-based compensation plans under which stock options had been granted to directors, officers and key employees. These plans were terminated in fiscal year 2015. The total intrinsic value of options (granted pursuant to these terminated plans) exercised in the year ended January 31, 2015 was approximately $4.0 million resulting in tax deductions to realize benefits of approximately $0.8 million.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes – The Company provides for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company provides for a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Discontinued Operation [Policy Text Block]

Discontinued Operations – Prior to the prospective adoption of ASU 2014-08, the Company classified sold real estate assets in discontinued operations when the operations and cash flows of the real estate assets had been eliminated from ongoing operations and when the Company did not have any significant continuing involvement in the operation of the real estate after disposal. Beginning February 1, 2015, only disposals of a component that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on operations and financial results are to be classified as discontinued operations.
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income – The Company has no components of other comprehensive income, and therefore, comprehensive income equals net income.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements –The Company will be required to adopt the amended guidance in ASC Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which requires revenue recognition to reflect the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and replaces existing revenue recognition guidance. The updated standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has deferred the required adoption of the amended guidance by one year, from February 1, 2017 to February 1, 2018. Early application beginning February 1, 2017 is permitted. The Company has not completed its analysis of adopting this guidance but it does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.


Effective February 1, 2018, the Company will be required to adopt Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”. This amended guidance requires that deferred income tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The Company has not yet determined the effect of this amended guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.


In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of financial Assets and financial Liabilities”. This standard provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has not completed its analysis of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures; however, the Company does not expect adoption of this standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”. This standard requires that virtually all leases will be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability, including leases currently accounted for as operating leases. The Company will be required to adopt this standard effective February 1, 2019. The Company has not yet determined the effect of this amended guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.


In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. This standard simplifies the accounting treatment for excess tax benefits and deficiencies, forfeitures, and cash flow considerations related to share-based compensation. This standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has not yet determined the effect of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.