Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Goodwill

v2.4.0.6
Goodwill
9 Months Ended
Jun. 23, 2012
Goodwill [Abstract]  
Goodwill
4. Goodwill

The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” and tests goodwill for impairment annually, or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. This assessment involves the use of significant accounting judgments and estimates as to future operating results and discount rates. Changes in estimates or use of different assumptions could produce significantly different results. An impairment loss is generally recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. The Company uses discounted cash flow analysis to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of all four reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization. Based on the Company’s annual analysis of goodwill performed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, it concluded there was no impairment of goodwill during fiscal 2011.

Contingent performance payments of $1.0 million were paid in fiscal 2011 for previous acquisitions and recorded as goodwill.

On February 28, 2011, the Company acquired certain assets of a privately-held maker of premium fertilizer for the professional and retail markets for approximately $23 million in cash. The acquired assets were integrated into the business of Pennington Seed, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired by $1.0 million, which was recorded as goodwill.