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INVESTMENTS
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2020
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]  
Investment [Text Block]
2.INVESTMENTS

The Company's equity method investment in Big River is accounted for under ASC 323. The following table summarizes the investment (amounts in thousands):


   January 31,
2020		  January 31,
2019
       
Carrying amount  $32,464   $32,075 
           
Ownership percentage   10.3%   10.3%

The Company invested $20.0 million in Big River which is a holding company for several entities. Big River, through its various entities (both wholly and partially owned), operates four ethanol manufacturing facilities, that combined shipped approximately 424.6 million gallons of ethanol in the twelve months ended January 31, 2020. The Company recorded income of approximately $1.4 million, $1.5 million and $3.2 million as its share of earnings from Big River during fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company received dividends of approximately $1.0 million, $4.0 million and $6.5 million from Big River during fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. At January 31, 2020, the carrying value of the investment in Big River is approximately $32.5 million; the amount of underlying equity in the net assets of Big River is approximately $27.7 million. Summarized financial information for the Company’s equity method investee as of and for its fiscal year end is presented in the following tables (amounts in thousands):


   December 31,
   2019  2018
       
Current assets  $146,494   $117,796 
Non current assets   211,235    241,382 
Total assets  $357,729   $359,178 
Current liabilities  $55,552   $50,172 
Long-term liabilities   —      701 
Total liabilities  $55,552   $50,873 
Noncontrolling interests  $33,966   $34,149 

   Years Ended December 31,
   2019  2018  2017
          
Net sales and revenue  $823,718   $802,523   $817,112 
Gross profit  $30,774   $33,782   $60,259 
Income from continuing operations  $13,502   $14,893   $32,243 
Net income  $13,502   $14,893   $32,243 

Big River has debt agreements that limit and restrict amounts the entity can pay in the form of dividends or advances to owners. The restricted net assets of Big River at January 31, 2020 are approximately $173.7 million; the Company’s proportionate share of restricted net assets of Big River is approximately $17.9 million.


At January 31, 2020, the Company owned certificates of deposit that had an amortized cost, or carrying value, of approximately $26,073,000. The contractual maturity of these investments was less than one year. The yield to maturity rate was approximately 1.8%. Unrealized gains or losses were insignificant.


At January 31, 2019, the Company owned a United States Treasury Bill that had an amortized cost, or carrying value, of approximately $14,975,000. The contractual maturity of this investment was less than one year. The yield to maturity rate was approximately 2.3%. Unrealized gains or losses were insignificant.