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Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

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FY2023 Annual Report · Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC  20549

FORM 10-K 

 ☑ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For The Fiscal Year Ended June 3, 2023 

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission file number:  001-38695 

CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

64-0500378
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1052 Highland Colony Pkwy, Suite 200, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(601) 948-6813 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

Title of each class:

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered:

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

CALM

The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:  NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ☐ No ☑

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject 
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to 
submit  such files).  Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  is  a  large  accelerated  filer,  an  accelerated  filer,  a  non-accelerated  filer,  a  smaller  reporting 
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, 
and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer

☑
☐

Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company

If  an  emerging  growth  company,  indicate  by  check  mark  if  the  registrant  has  elected  not  to  use  the  extended  transition  period  for 
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act

☐
☐
☐
☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its 
internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting 
firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

☑

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).   Yes ☐ No ☑

The aggregate market value, as reported by The NASDAQ Global Select Market, of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value, held by 
non-affiliates at November 25, 2022, which was the date of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal 
quarter, was $2,435,832,883.

As of July 25, 2023, 44,184,049 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value, and 4,800,000 shares of the registrant’s Class A 
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information called for by Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference from the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement 
for its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal 
year covered by this report. 

1

 
 
  
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item

Part I

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 
1.
1A.
1B.
2.
3.
4.

Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties 
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures 

Part II

5.
6.
7.
7A.
8.
9.
9A.
9B.
9C.

10.
11.

12.
13.
14.

15.
16.

Market  for  Registrant’s  Common  Equity,  Related  Stockholder  Matters  and  Issuer 
Purchases of Equity Securities 
Reserved
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 
Controls and Procedures
Other Information 
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections

Part III

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 
Executive Compensation
Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and  Management  and  Related 
Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Part IV

Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules 
Form 10-K Summary
Signatures

Page
Number

3
12
19
20
20
20

20
22
23
34
35
61
61
63
63

63
63

63
63
64

64
66
67

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PART I.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains numerous forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the 
“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) relating to our shell egg business, 
including estimated future production data, expected construction schedules, projected construction costs, potential future supply 
of and demand for our products, potential future corn and soybean price trends, potential future impact on our business of inflation 
and rising interest rates, potential future impact on our business of new legislation, rules or policies, potential outcomes of legal 
proceedings, and other projected operating data, including anticipated results of operations and financial condition. Such forward-
looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “hopes,” “may,” “should,” “plans,” 
“projected,”  “contemplates,”  “anticipates,”  or  similar  words.  Actual  outcomes  or  results  could  differ  materially  from  those 
projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current intent, belief, 
expectations, estimates, and projections regarding the Company and its industry. These statements are not guarantees of future 
performance and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and may be beyond our 
control. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements 
include, among others, (i) the risk factors set forth in Item 1A Risk Factors and elsewhere in this report as well as those included 
in other reports we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (including our Quarterly 
Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K), (ii) the risks and hazards inherent in the shell egg business (including 
disease, pests, weather conditions, and potential for product recall), including but not limited to the current outbreak of highly 
pathogenic avian influenza (“HPAI”) affecting poultry in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and other countries that was first 
detected in commercial flocks in the U.S. in February 2022, (iii) changes in the demand for and market prices of shell eggs and 
feed costs, (iv) our ability to predict and meet demand for cage-free and other specialty eggs, (v) risks, changes, or obligations 
that  could  result  from  our  future  acquisition  of  new  flocks  or  businesses  and  risks  or  changes  that  may  cause  conditions  to 
completing a pending acquisition not to be met, (vi) risks relating to increased costs, rising inflation and rising interest rates, 
which  began  in  response  to  market  conditions  caused  in  part  by  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  which  generally  have  been 
exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine War that began in February 2022, (vii) our ability to retain existing customers, acquire new 
customers and grow our product mix and (viii) adverse results in pending litigation matters. Readers are cautioned not to place 
undue  reliance  on  forward-looking  statements  because,  while  we  believe  the  assumptions  on  which  the  forward-looking 
statements are based are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. 
Further, forward-looking statements included herein are only made as of the respective dates thereof, or if no date is stated, as of 
the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by law, we disclaim any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-
looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

Our Business

We are the largest producer and distributor of shell eggs in the United States. Our mission is to be the most sustainable producer 
and reliable supplier of consistent, high quality fresh shell eggs and egg products in the country, demonstrating a "Culture of 
Sustainability" in everything we do, and creating value for our shareholders, customers, team members and communities. We sell 
most of our shell eggs in the southwestern, southeastern, mid-western and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. and aim to maintain 
efficient, state-of-the-art operations located close to our customers. We were founded in 1957 by the late Fred R. Adams, Jr. and 
are headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

The Company has one reportable operating segment, which is the production, grading, packaging, marketing and distribution of 
shell eggs. Our integrated operations consist of hatching chicks, growing and maintaining flocks of pullets, layers and breeders, 
manufacturing feed, and producing, processing, packaging, and distributing shell eggs. Layers are mature female chickens, pullets 
are female chickens usually less than 18 weeks of age, and breeders are male and female chickens used to produce fertile eggs to 
be hatched for egg production flocks. Our total flock as of June 3, 2023 consisted of approximately 41.2 million layers and 10.8 
million pullets and breeders.

Many of our customers rely on us to provide most of their shell egg needs, including specialty and conventional eggs. Specialty 
eggs encompass a broad range of products. We classify cage-free, organic, brown, free-range, pasture-raised and nutritionally 
enhanced as specialty eggs for accounting and reporting purposes. We classify all other shell eggs as conventional products. 
While we report separate sales information for these egg types, there are many cost factors that are not specifically available for 
conventional or specialty eggs due to the nature of egg production. We manage our operations and allocate resources to these 
types of eggs on a consolidated basis based on the demands of our customers.

3

We believe that an important competitive advantage for Cal-Maine Foods is our ability to meet our customers’ evolving needs 
with a favorable product mix of conventional and specialty eggs, including cage-free, organic and other specialty offerings, as 
well as egg products. We have also enhanced our efforts to provide free-range and pasture-raised eggs that meet consumers’ 
evolving choice preferences. While a small part of our current business, the free-range and pasture-raised eggs we produce and 
sell represent attractive offerings to a subset of consumers, and therefore our customers, and help us continue to serve as the 
trusted provider of quality food choices.

Throughout the Company’s history, we have acquired other companies in our industry. Since 1989 through our fiscal year ended 
June 3, 2023, we have completed 23 acquisitions ranging in size from 160 thousand layers to 7.5 million layers. Most recently, 
effective on May 30, 2021, the Company acquired the remaining 50% membership interest in Red River Valley Egg Farm, LLC 
(“Red River”), which owns and operates a specialty shell egg production complex that includes 1.7 million cage-free hens. For a 
further  description  of  this  transaction,  refer  to  Part  II.  Item  8.  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  Note  2  – 
Acquisition. We are also focused on additional ways to enhance our product mix and support new opportunities in the restaurant, 
institutional and commercial food preparation area. Beginning in fiscal 2022, we have invested approximately $32.3 million in 
Meadowcreek Foods, LLC (“Meadowcreek”), an egg products operation focused on offering hard-cooked eggs. In addition to 
growth through acquisitions, we have also grown by making substantial investments in our business, primarily to increase our 
cage-free production capacity.

When  we  use  “we,”  “us,”  “our,”  or  the  “Company”  in  this  report,  we  mean  Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.  and  our  consolidated 
subsidiaries,  unless  otherwise  indicated  or  the  context  otherwise  requires.  The  Company’s  fiscal  year-end  is  on  the  Saturday 
closest to May 31. Our fiscal year 2023 and fourth quarter ended June 3, 2023, included 53 weeks and 14 weeks, respectively. 
The first three fiscal quarters of fiscal 2023 ended August 27, 2022, November 26, 2022, and February 25, 2023, all included 13 
weeks. All references herein to a fiscal year means our fiscal year and all references to a year mean a calendar year. 

Industry Background

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Agricultural Marketing Service, in 2022 approximately 71% of table 
eggs produced in the U.S. were sold as shell eggs, with 56.6% sold through food at home outlets such as grocery and convenience 
stores, 12.4% sold to food-away-from home channels such as restaurants and 1.7% exported. The USDA estimated that in 2022 
approximately 29.6% of eggs produced in the U.S. were sold as egg products (shell eggs broken and sold in liquid, frozen, or 
dried  form)  to  institutions  (e.g.  companies  producing  baked  goods).  For  information  about  egg  producers  in  the  U.S.,  see 
“Competition” below. 

Our  industry  has  been  greatly  impacted  by  the  outbreaks  of  highly  pathogenic  avian  influenza  (“HPAI”),  first  detected  in 
commercial flocks in the U.S. in February 2022 and continuing during our fiscal 2023. For additional information regarding HPAI 
and its impact on our industry and business, see Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations.

Given historical consumption trends, we believe that general demand for eggs in the U.S. increases basically in line with the 
overall  U.S.  population  growth;  however,  specific  events  can  impact  egg  supply  and  consumption  in  a  particular  period,  as 
occurred with the 2015 HPAI outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic (particularly during 2020), and the most recent HPAI outbreak 
starting in early 2022. According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, estimated annual per capita consumption in the 
United States between 2018 and 2022 varied, ranging from 279 to 292 eggs. In calendar year 2022, per capita U.S. consumption 
was estimated to be 279 eggs, or approximately 5.4 eggs per person per week. According to the USDA, the decline in consumption 
was primarily due to limited availability caused by the outbreak of HPAI. As of July 18, 2023, the USDA projects that the per 
capita consumption will increase in calendar year 2023 and 2024 to 282.6 and 292.7, respectively. The USDA calculates per 
capita consumption by dividing total shell egg disappearance in the U.S. by the U.S. population. 

Prices for Shell Eggs

Wholesale shell egg sales prices are a critical component of revenue for the Company. Wholesale shell egg prices are volatile, 
cyclical, and impacted by a number of factors, including consumer demand, seasonal fluctuations, the number and productivity 
of laying hens in the U.S. and outbreaks of agricultural diseases such as HPAI. While we use several different pricing mechanisms 
in pricing agreements with our customers, we believe the majority of conventional shell eggs sold in the U.S. in the retail and 
foodservice channels are sold at prices that take into account, in varying ways, independently quoted wholesale market prices, 
such as those published by Urner Barry Publications, Inc. (“UB”) for shell eggs, however, grain-based and cost plus arrangements 
are being utilized in the food service channel and some western markets. We sell the majority of our conventional shell eggs 
based on formulas that take into account, in varying ways, independently quoted regional wholesale market prices for shell eggs 

4

or formulas related to our costs of production, which include the cost of corn and soybean meal. We do not sell eggs directly to 
consumers or set the prices at which eggs are sold to consumers.

The weekly average price for the southeast region for large white conventional shell eggs as quoted by UB is shown below for 
the past three fiscal years along with the five-year average price. As further discussed in Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis – Results of Operations, conventional shell egg prices rose during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and first three 
quarters of fiscal 2023, due to the reduced supply related to the HPAI outbreak first detected in commercial flocks in February 
2022, steady shell egg demand and higher production costs. Conventional shell egg prices continued to rise into the fourth quarter 
of fiscal 2023 followed by a substantial decline, as demand for shell eggs began to decrease in line with typical seasonal variance 
and as supply increased due to the repopulating of HPAI-affected layer flocks. The actual prices that we realize on any given 
transaction will not necessarily equal quoted market prices because of the individualized terms that we negotiate with individual 
customers which are influenced by many factors. Depending on market conditions, input costs and individualized contract terms, 
the price we receive per dozen eggs in any given transaction may be more than or less than our farm production and other costs 
per dozen.

Specialty eggs are typically sold at prices and terms negotiated directly with customers. Historically, prices for specialty eggs 
have  experienced  less  volatility  than  prices  for  conventional  shell  eggs  and  have  generally  been  higher  due  to  customer  and 
consumer willingness to pay more for specialty eggs. However, throughout most of fiscal 2023 conventional egg prices exceeded 
specialty egg prices. Conventional egg prices generally respond more quickly to market conditions because we sell the majority 
of our conventional shell eggs based on formulas that adjust periodically and take into account, in varying ways, independently 
quoted regional wholesale market prices for shell eggs or formulas related to our costs of production. Because the majority of our 
specialty eggs are typically sold at prices and terms negotiated directly with customers, specialty egg prices do not fluctuate as 
much as conventional pricing.

Feed Costs for Shell Egg Production

Feed is a primary cost component in the production of shell eggs and represented 63.1% of our fiscal 2023 farm production costs. 
We routinely fill our storage bins during harvest season when prices for feed ingredients, primarily corn and to a lesser extent 
soybean meal, are generally lower. To ensure continued availability of feed ingredients, we may enter into contracts for future 
purchases of corn and soybean meal, and as part of these contracts, we may lock-in the basis portion of our grain purchases 
several months in advance. Basis is the difference between the local cash price for grain and the applicable futures price. A basis 

5

contract is a common transaction in the grain market that allows us to lock-in a basis level for a specific delivery period and wait 
to set the futures price at a later date. Furthermore, due to the more limited supply for organic ingredients, we may commit to 
purchase organic ingredients in advance to help assure supply. Ordinarily, we do not enter into long-term contracts beyond a year 
to  purchase  corn  and  soybean  meal  or  hedge  against  increases  in  the  prices  of  corn  and  soybean  meal.  As  the  quality  and 
composition of feed is a critical factor in the nutritional value of shell eggs and health of our chickens, we formulate and produce 
the vast majority of our own feed at our feed mills located near our production plants. Our annual feed requirements for fiscal 
2023 were 2.0 million tons of finished feed, of which we manufactured 1.9 million tons. We currently have the capacity to store 
182 thousand tons of corn and soybean meal, and we replenish these stores as needed throughout the year.

Our primary feed ingredients, corn and soybean meal, are commodities subject to volatile price changes due to weather, various 
supply and demand factors, transportation and storage costs, speculators and agricultural, energy and trade policies in the U.S. 
and internationally and most recently the Russia-Ukraine War. While we do not import corn or soy directly from the region, the 
Russia-Ukraine War has had a negative impact on the worldwide supply of grain, including corn, putting upward pressure on 
prices.  We  purchase  the  vast  majority  of  our  corn  and  soybean  meal  from  U.S  sources  but  may  be  forced  to  purchase 
internationally when U.S. supplies are not readily available.  Feed  grains are currently available from an  adequate number of 
sources in the U.S. As a point of reference, a multi-year comparison of the average of daily closing prices per Chicago Board of 
Trade for each period in our fiscal calendar are shown below for corn and soybean meal:

Shell Egg Production

Our percentage of dozens produced to sold was 92.3% of our total shell eggs sold in fiscal 2023, with 91.8% of such production 
coming from company-owned facilities, and 8.2% from contract producers. Under a typical arrangement with a contract producer, 
we  own  the  flock,  furnish  all  feed  and  critical  supplies,  own  the  shell  eggs  produced  and  assume  market  risks.  The  contract 
producers own and operate their facilities and are paid a fee based on production with incentives for performance. 

The commercial production of shell eggs requires a source of baby chicks for laying flock replacement. We hatch the majority of 
our chicks in our own breeder farms and hatcheries in a computer-controlled environment and obtain the balance from commercial 
sources. The chicks are grown in our own pullet farms and are placed into the laying flock once they reach maturity.

6

After eggs are produced, they are cleaned, graded and packaged. Substantially all our farms have modern “in-line” facilities which 
mechanically  gather,  clean,  grade  and  package  the  eggs  at  the  location  where  they  are  laid.  The  in-line  facilities  generate 
significant efficiencies and cost savings compared to the cost of eggs produced from non-in-line facilities, which process eggs 
that  have  been  laid  at  another  location  and  transported  to  the  processing  facility.  The  in-line  facilities  also  produce  a  higher 
percentage of USDA Grade A eggs, which sell at higher prices. Eggs produced on farms owned by contractors are brought to our 
processing plants to be graded and packaged. Because shell eggs are perishable, we do not maintain large egg inventories. Our 
egg  inventory  averaged  six  days  of  sales  during  fiscal  2023.  We  believe  our  constant  focus  on  production  efficiencies  and 
automation throughout the supply chain enable us to be a low-cost supplier in our markets.

We are proud to have created and upheld what we believe is a leading poultry Animal Welfare Program (“AWP”). We have 
aligned our AWP with regulatory, veterinary and our third-party certifying bodies’ guidance to govern welfare of animals in our 
direct care, our contract farmers’ care and our farmer-suppliers’ care. We continually review our program to monitor and evolve 
standards that guide how we hatch chicks, rear pullets and nurture breeder and layer hens. At each stage of our animals’ lives, we 
are dedicated to providing welfare conditions aligned to our commitment to the principles of the internationally recognized Five 
Freedoms of Animal Welfare. Our standards apply to our enterprise and are tailored for our owned and contract grower operations 
with oversights and approvals from senior members of our compliance team.

We do not use artificial hormones in the production of our eggs. Hormone use in the poultry and egg production industry has 
been effectively banned in the U.S. since the 1950s. We have an extensive written protocol that allows the use of medically 
important  antibiotics  only  when  animal  health  is  at  risk,  consistent  with  guidance  from  the  United  States  Food  and  Drug 
Administration  (“FDA”)  and  the  Guidance  for  Judicious  Therapeutic  Use  of  Antimicrobials  in  Poultry,  developed  by  the 
American Association of Avian Pathologists. When antibiotics are medically necessary, a licensed veterinary doctor will approve 
and administer approved doses for a restricted period. Our programs are designed to ensure antibiotics are ordered and used only 
when necessary and records of their usage – when and where – are maintained to monitor compliance with our protocols. We do 
not use antibiotics for growth promotion or performance enhancement.

Specialty Eggs

We  are  one  of  the  largest  producers  and  marketers  of  value-added  specialty  shell  eggs  in  the  U.S.,  which  continues  to  be  a 
significant and growing segment of the market. We classify cage-free, organic, brown, free-range, pasture-raised and nutritionally 
enhanced as specialty eggs for accounting and reporting purposes. Specialty eggs are intended to meet the demands of consumers 
sensitive to environmental, health and/or animal welfare issues and to comply with state requirements for cage-free eggs. 

As defined by the USDA, eggs packed in USDA grade marked consumer packages labeled as cage-free are laid by hens that are 
able to roam vertically and horizontally in indoor houses and have access to fresh food and water. Cage-free systems must allow 
hens to exhibit natural behaviors and include enrichments such as scratch areas, perches and nests. Hens must have access to 
litter, protection from predators and be able to move in a barn in a manner that promotes bird welfare. 

Ten  states  have  passed  legislation  or  regulations  mandating  minimum  space  or  cage-free  requirements  for  egg  production  or 
mandated the sale of only cage-free eggs and egg products in their states, with implementation of these laws ranging from January 
2022 to January 2026. These states represent approximately 27% of the U.S. total population according to the 2020 U.S. Census. 
California, Massachusetts, and Colorado, which collectively represent approximately 16% of the total estimated U.S. population 
have cage-free legislation in effect currently. In May 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld as constitutional California’s law that 
requires the sale of only cage-free eggs in that state and regardless of the state in which the eggs are produced. Although we do 
not sell the majority of our eggs in these ten states, these state laws have impacted egg production practices nationally.

A significant number of our customers previously announced goals to offer cage-free eggs exclusively on or before 2026, subject 
in most cases to availability of supply, affordability and consumer demand, among other contingencies. Some of these customers 
have recently changed those goals to offer 70% cage-free eggs by the end of 2030. Our customers typically do not commit to 
long-term purchases of specific quantities or types of eggs with us, and as a result, it is difficult to accurately predict customer 
requirements for cage-free eggs. We are focused on adjusting our cage-free production capacity with a goal of meeting the future 
needs of our customers in light of changing state requirements and our customer’s goals. As always, we strive to offer a product 
mix that aligns with current and anticipated customer purchase decisions. We are engaging with our customers to help them meet 
their announced goals and needs. We have invested significant capital in recent years to acquire and construct cage-free facilities, 
and we expect our focus for future expansion will continue to include cage-free facilities. Our volume of cage-free egg sales has 
continued to increase and account for a larger share of our product mix. Cage-free sales represented approximately 20.1% of our 
total net shell sales for fiscal year 2023. At the same time, we understand the importance of our continued ability to provide 
conventional eggs in order to provide our customers with a variety of egg choices and to address hunger in our communities.

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We are a member of the Eggland’s Best, Inc. cooperative (“EB”) and produce, market, distribute and sell Egg-Land’s Best® and 
Land O’ Lakes® branded eggs under license from EB at our facilities under EB guidelines. Land O’ Lakes® branded eggs are 
produced by hens that are fed a whole-grain vegetarian diet. Our Farmhouse Eggs® brand eggs are produced at our facilities by 
cage-free hens that are provided with a vegetarian diet. We market organic, vegetarian and omega-3 eggs under our 4-Grain® 
brand, which consists of conventional and cage-free eggs. We also produce, market and distribute private label specialty shell 
eggs to several customers.

Egg Products  

Egg products are shell eggs broken and sold in liquid, frozen, or dried form. We sell liquid and frozen egg products primarily to 
the institutional, foodservice and food manufacturing sectors in the U.S. Our egg products are primarily sold through our wholly 
owned subsidiaries American Egg Products, LLC located in Georgia and Texas Egg Products, LLC located in Texas.

During March 2023, MeadowCreek Food, LLC (“Meadowcreek”), a majority-owned subsidiary, began operations with a focus 
on being a leading provider of hard-cooked eggs. We serve as the preferred provider to supply specialty and conventional eggs 
that MeadowCreek needs to manufacture egg products. MeadowCreek’s marketing plan is designed to extend our reach in the 
foodservice and retail marketplace and bring new opportunities in the restaurant, institutional and industrial food products arenas. 

Summary of Conventional and Specialty Shell Egg and Egg Product Sales

The  following  table  sets  forth  the  contribution  as  a  percentage  of  revenue  and  volumes  of  dozens  sold  of  conventional  and 
specialty shell egg and egg product sales for the following fiscal years:

Conventional Eggs

65.2 %

65.3 %

59.8 %

69.0 %

56.8 %

73.2 %

2023

2022

2021

Revenue

Volume

Revenue

Volume

Revenue

Volume

Specialty Eggs

Egg-Land’s Best®

Other Specialty Eggs

Total Specialty Eggs

Egg Products

Marketing and Distribution

16.6 %

18.1 %

34.7 %

14.7 %

15.7 %

30.4 %

3.9 %

19.2 %

17.3 %

36.5 %

3.4 %

15.9 %

15.1 %

31.0 %

20.9 %

19.1 %

40.0 %

2.7 %

13.5 %

13.3 %

26.8 %

In fiscal 2023, we sold our shell eggs in 38 states through the southwestern, southeastern, mid-western and mid-Atlantic regions 
of the U.S. through our extensive distribution network to a diverse group of customers, including national and regional grocery 
store chains, club stores, companies servicing independent supermarkets in the U.S., foodservice distributors and egg product 
consumers. Some of our sales are completed through co-pack agreements – a common practice in the industry whereby production 
and processing of certain products are outsourced to another producer. Although we face intense competition from numerous 
other companies, we believe that we have the largest market share for the sale of shell eggs in the grocery segment, including 
large U.S. food retailers.

The majority of eggs sold are based on the daily or short-term needs of our customers. Most sales to established accounts are on 
payment terms ranging from seven to 30 days. Although we have established long-term relationships with many of our customers, 
most of them are free to acquire shell eggs from other sources.

The shell eggs we sell are either delivered to our customers’ warehouse or retail stores, by our own fleet or contracted refrigerated 
delivery trucks, or are picked up by our customers at our processing facilities.

We are a member of the Eggland’s Best, Inc. cooperative and produce, market, distribute and sell Egg-Land’s Best® and Land 
O’ Lakes® branded eggs directly and through our joint ventures, Specialty Eggs, LLC and Southwest Specialty Eggs, LLC, under 
exclusive  license  agreements  in  Alabama,  Arizona,  Florida,  Georgia,  Louisiana,  Mississippi  and  Texas,  and  in  portions  of 
Arkansas, California, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma and South Carolina. We also have an exclusive license in New York 
City in addition to exclusivity in select New York metropolitan areas, including areas within New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As 
discussed above under “Specialty Eggs,” we also sell our own Farmhouse Eggs® and 4Grain® branded eggs.

8

During  2022,  the  Company  joined  in  the  formation  of  a  new  egg  farmer  cooperative  in  the  western  United  States.  ProEgg, 
Inc.(“ProEgg”) is comprised of leading egg production companies, including Cal-Maine Foods, servicing retail and foodservice 
shell egg customers in 13 western states. ProEgg is a producer-owned cooperative organized under the Capper-Volstead Act. 

The Company’s top priority in joining as a member of ProEgg is serving our valued customers in this important market region. 
Our  membership  in  ProEgg  is  expected  to  provide  benefits  for  its  customers,  including  supply  chain  stability  and  enhanced 
reliability. Initially, Cal-Maine Foods’ customer relationships and customer support are expected to remain the same. We expect 
that starting January 1, 2024, each producer member will sell through ProEgg the shell eggs it produces for sale in the western 
states covered by the cooperative. Customers will have a single point of contact for their shell egg purchases, as ProEgg will have 
a dedicated team to market and sell the members’ combined egg production in the region.

Customers

Our top three customers accounted for an aggregate of 50.1%, 45.9% and 48.6% of net sales dollars for fiscal 2023, 2022, and 
2021, respectively. Our largest customer, Walmart Inc. (including Sam's Club), accounted for 34.2%, 29.5% and 29.8% of net 
sales dollars for fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. 

In fiscal 2023, approximately 85.3% of our revenue related to sales to retail customers, 10.8% to sales to foodservice providers 
and 3.9% to egg products sales. Retail customers include primarily national and regional grocery store chains, club stores, and 
companies servicing independent supermarkets in the U.S. Foodservice customers include primarily companies that sell food 
products and related items to restaurants, healthcare and education facilities and hotels.

Competition

The production, processing, and distribution of shell eggs is an intensely competitive business, which has traditionally attracted 
large numbers of producers in the United States. Shell egg competition is generally based on price, service and product quality. 
The shell egg production industry remains highly fragmented. According to Egg Industry Magazine, the ten largest producers 
owned approximately 53% of industry table egg layer hens at year-end 2022 and 2021. We believe industry consolidation may 
continue,  and  we  plan  to  capitalize  on  opportunities  as  they  arise.  We  believe  further  concentration  could  result  in  reduced 
cyclicality of shell egg prices, but no assurance can be given in that regard.

Seasonality

Retail sales of shell eggs historically have been highest during the fall and winter months and lowest during the summer months. 
Prices for shell eggs fluctuate in response to seasonal demand factors and a natural increase in egg production during the spring 
and early summer. Historically, shell egg prices tend to increase with the start of the school year and tend to be highest prior to 
holiday  periods,  particularly  Thanksgiving,  Christmas  and  Easter.  Consequently,  and  all  other  things  being  equal,  we  would 
expect to experience lower selling prices, sales volumes and net income (and may incur net losses) in our first and fourth fiscal 
quarters ending in August/September and May/June, respectively. Accordingly, we generally expect our need for working capital 
to be highest during those quarters.

Growth Strategy

Our growth strategy is focused on remaining a low-cost provider of shell eggs located near our customers, offering our customers 
choices  that  meet  their  requirements  for  eggs  and  egg  products  and  continuing  to  grow  our  focus  on  specialty  eggs  and  egg 
products. For example, our recent investment in MeadowCreek, discussed under the heading “Egg Products” above, is intended 
to  extend  our  reach  in  the  foodservice  and  retail  marketplace  and  bring  new  opportunities  in  the  restaurant,  institutional  and 
industrial food products arenas.

In light of the growing customer demand and increased legal requirements for cage-free eggs, we intend to continue to closely 
evaluate the need to expand through selective acquisitions, with a priority on those that will facilitate our ability to expand our 
cage-free shell egg production capabilities in key locations and markets. We will also continue to closely evaluate the need to 
continue to expand and convert our own facilities to increase production of cage-free eggs based on a timeline designed to meet 
the anticipated needs of our customers and comply with evolving legal requirements. As the ongoing production of cage-free 
eggs  is  more  costly  than  the  production  of  conventional  eggs,  aligning  our  cage-free  production  capabilities  with  changing 
demand for cage-free eggs is important to the success of our business.

9

Trademarks and License Agreements

We own the trademarks Farmhouse Eggs®, Sunups®, Sunny Meadow® and 4Grain®. We produce and market Egg-Land's Best® 
and Land O’ Lakes® branded eggs under license agreements with EB. We believe these trademarks and license agreements are 
important to our business. 

Government Regulation

Our facilities and operations are subject to regulation by various federal, state, and local agencies, including, but not limited to, 
the FDA, USDA, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") and 
corresponding state agencies or laws. The applicable regulations relate to grading, quality control, labeling, sanitary control and 
reuse or disposal of waste. Our shell egg facilities are subject to periodic USDA, FDA, EPA and OSHA inspections. Our feed 
production facilities are subject to FDA, EPA and OSHA regulation and inspections. We maintain our own inspection program 
to  monitor  compliance  with  our  own  standards  and  customer  specifications.  It  is  possible  that  we  will  be  required  to  incur 
significant  costs  for  compliance  with  such  statutes  and  regulations.  In  the  future,  additional  rules  could  be  proposed  that,  if 
adopted, could increase our costs.

Ten  states  have  passed  legislation  or  regulations  mandating  minimum  space  or  cage-free  requirements  for  egg  production  or 
mandated the sale of only cage-free eggs and egg products in their states, with implementation of these laws ranging from January 
2022 to January 2026. These states represent approximately 27% of the U.S. total population according to the 2020 U.S. Census. 
California, Massachusetts, and Colorado, which collectively represent approximately 16% of the total estimated U.S. population 
have cage-free legislation in effect currently. In May 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld as constitutional California’s law that 
requires the sale of only cage-free eggs in that state and regardless of the state in which the eggs are produced.

Environmental Regulation

Our operations and facilities are subject to various federal, state, and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations 
governing,  among  other  things,  the  generation,  storage,  handling,  use,  transportation,  disposal,  and  remediation  of  hazardous 
materials. Under these laws and regulations, we must obtain permits from governmental authorities, including, but not limited to, 
wastewater discharge permits. We have made, and will continue to make, capital and other expenditures relating to compliance 
with existing environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and permits. We are not currently aware of any major capital 
expenditures  necessary  to  comply  with  such  laws  and  regulations;  however,  as  environmental,  health  and  safety  laws  and 
regulations are becoming increasingly more stringent, including those relating to animal wastes and wastewater discharges, it is 
possible that we will have to incur significant costs for compliance with such laws and regulations in the future.

Human Capital Resources  

As of June 3, 2023, we had 2,976 employees, of whom 2,305 worked in egg production, processing, and marketing, 207 worked 
in feed mill operations and 464, including our executive officers, were administrative employees. Approximately 5.4% of our 
personnel  are  part-time, and we  utilize  temporary  employment  agencies  and  independent  contractors  to  augment  our 
staffing needs when necessary. For fiscal 2023, the average monthly full-time equivalent for contingent workers was 1,349. None 
of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relations with employees to be good. 

Culture and Values 

We  are  proud  to  be contributing corporate  citizens  where  we live  and  work and to  help create healthy,  prosperous 
communities. Our  colleagues  help  us  continue 
to  enhance our community  contributions,  which are driven  by 
our longstanding culture that strives to promote an environment that upholds integrity and respect and provides opportunities for 
each colleague to realize full potential. These commitments are encapsulated in the Cal-Maine Foods Code of Ethics and Business 
Conduct and in our Human Rights Statement.

Health and Safety 

Our top priority is the health and safety of our employees, who continue to produce high-quality, affordable egg choices for our 
customers and contribute to a stable food supply. Our enterprise safety committee comprises two corporate safety managers, eight 
area compliance managers (three specifically for worker health and safety), 55 local site compliance managers, feed mill managers 
and general managers. The committee that oversees health and safety regularly reviews our written policies and changes to OSHA 
regulation standards and shares information as it relates to outcomes from incidents in order to improve future performance. The 

10

 
 
 
 
committee’s  goals  include  working  to  help  ensure  that  our  engagements  with  our consumers,  customers,  and  regulators 
evidence our strong commitment to our workers’ health and safety.

Our commitment to our colleagues’ health includes a strong commitment to on-site worker safety, including a focus on accident 
prevention and life safety. Our Safety and Health Program is designed to promote best practices that help prevent and minimize 
workplace accidents and illnesses. The scope of our Safety and Health Program applies to all enterprise colleagues. Additionally, 
to help protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and people in our value chain, we require that any contractors or 
vendors  acknowledge  and  agree  to  comply  with  the  guidelines  governed  by  our  Safety  and  Health  Program.  At  each  of  our 
locations, our general managers are expected to uphold and implement our Safety and Health Program in alignment with OSHA 
requirements. We believe that this program, which is reviewed annually by our senior management team, contributes to strong 
safety outcomes. As part of our Safety and Health Program, we conduct multi-lingual training that covers topics such as slip-and-
fall avoidance, respiratory protection, prevention of hazardous communication of chemicals, the proper use of personal protective 
equipment, hearing conservation, emergency response, lockout and tagout of equipment and forklift safety, among others. We 
have  also  installed dry  hydrogen  peroxide biodefense  systems  in  our  processing  facilities  to  help  protect  our  colleagues’ 
respiratory health. To help drive our focus on colleague safety, we developed safety committees at each of our sites with employee 
representation from each department. 

We review the success of our safety programs on a monthly basis to monitor their effectiveness and the development of any 
trends that need to be addressed. During fiscal year 2023 our recordable incident rates decreased by 29% compared to fiscal 2022.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Our  culture seeks  to  embrace the  diversity  and  inclusion  of  all  our  team  members.  This  culture is driven  by  our  board  and 
executive management team. Our board comprises seven members, four of whom are independent. Women comprise 29% of our 
board and 14% of our board members identify as a racial or ethnic minority. As of June 3, 2023, our total workforce comprised 
29% women and 53% of colleagues who identify as racial or ethnic minorities. Our Policy against Harassment, Discrimination, 
Unlawful  or  Unethical  Conduct  and  Retaliation;  Reporting  Procedure affirms  our  commitment  to  supporting  our  employees 
regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or any other basis protected by applicable law. 

Cal-Maine Foods strives to ensure that our colleagues are treated equitably. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits, 
by policy and practice, any violation of applicable federal, state, or local law regarding employment. Discrimination because of 
race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic 
information, or any other basis protected by applicable law is prohibited. We value diversity in our workplaces or in work-related 
situations. We maintain strong protocols to help our colleagues perform their jobs free from harassment and discrimination. Our 
focus  on  equitable  treatment  extends  to  recruitment,  employment  applications,  hiring,  placement,  job  assignments,  career 
development, training, remuneration, benefits, discharge and other matters tied to terms and conditions of employment. We are 
committed  to  offering  our  colleagues  opportunities  commensurate  with  our  operational  needs,  their  experiences,  goals  and 
contributions. 

Recruitment, Development and Retention 

our 

fair 

believe 

addition 

in compensating 

colleagues  with 

and competitive wages, in 

to offering 
We 
competitive benefits. Approximately 76% of our employees are paid at hourly rates, which are all paid at rates above the federal 
minimum  wage  requirement.  We  offer  our  full-time  eligible  employees  a  range  of  benefits,  including  company-paid  life 
insurance. The Company provides a comprehensive self-insured health plan and pays approximately 84% of the costs of the plan 
for  participating  employees  and  their  families  as  of  December  31,  2022. Recent  benchmarking  of  our health  plan 
indicates comparable 
and 
Food Manufacturing sector grouping, as well as peer group data.  In addition, we offer employees the opportunity to purchase an 
extensive range of other group plan benefits, such as dental, vision, accident, critical illness, disability and voluntary life.  After 
one  year  of  employment, full-time employees  who  meet  eligibility  requirements may  elect 
in  our 
KSOP retirement plan,  which  offers  a  range  of  investment  alternatives  and  includes  many positive features,  such  as 
automatic enrollment with scheduled 
the 
employees’ elections  to contribute  to  the  KSOP,  the  Company contributes shares  of Company  stock or  cash  equivalent  to 3% 
of participants’ eligible compensation for each pay period that hours are worked.

employee contributions, when compared 

to an applicable  Agriculture 

provisions. Regardless of 

automatic contribution 

increases and loan 

to participate 

benefits, at 

lower 

We provide  extensive  training  and  development related  to  safety,  regulatory  compliance,  and  task  training. We invest  in 
developing our future leaders through our Management Intern, Management Trainee and informal mentoring programs.

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sustainability

We understand that climate, and the potential consequences of climate change, freshwater availability and preservation of global 
biodiversity, in addition to responsible management of our flocks, are vital to the production of high-quality eggs and egg products 
and to the success of our Company. We have engaged in agricultural production for more than 60 years. Our agricultural practices 
continue to evolve as we continue to strive to meet the need for nutritious, affordable foods to feed a growing population even as 
we exercise responsible natural resource stewardship. We plan to publish our most recent sustainability report on or around early 
August 2023, which will be available on our website. Information contained on our website is not a part of this report on Form 
10-K. 

Our Corporate Information

We  maintain  a  website  at  www.calmainefoods.com  where  general  information  about  our  business  and  corporate  governance 
matters is available. The information contained in our website is not a part of this report. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, 
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and all amendments to those reports filed or 
furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available, free of charge, through our website as soon as 
reasonably  practicable  after  we  file  them  with,  or  furnish  them  to,  the  SEC.  In  addition,  the  SEC  maintains  a  website  at 
www.sec.gov  that  contains  reports,  proxy  and  information  statements,  and  other  information  regarding  issuers  that  file 
electronically with the SEC. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is a Delaware corporation, incorporated in 1969. 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Our  business  and  results  of  operations  are  subject  to  numerous  risks  and  uncertainties,  many  of  which  are  beyond  our 
control. The following is a description of the known factors that may materially affect our business, financial condition or results 
of operations. They should be considered carefully, in addition to the information set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report on 
Form  10-K,  including  under  Part  II.  Item 7.  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of 
Operations,  in  making  any  investment  decisions  with  respect  to  our  securities. Additional  risks  or  uncertainties  that  are  not 
currently known to us, or that we are aware of but currently deem to be immaterial or that could apply to any company could 
also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

INDUSTRY RISK FACTORS

Market prices of wholesale shell eggs are volatile, and decreases in these prices can adversely impact our revenues and 
profits.

Our operating results are significantly affected by wholesale shell egg market prices, which fluctuate widely and are outside our 
control. As a result, our prior performance should not be presumed to be an accurate indication of future performance. Under 
certain circumstances, small increases in production, or small decreases in demand, within the industry might have a large adverse 
effect on shell egg prices. Low shell egg prices adversely affect our revenues and profits.

Market prices for wholesale shell eggs have been volatile and cyclical. Shell egg prices have risen in the past during periods of 
high demand such as the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and periods when high protein diets are popular. Shell egg 
prices  have  also  risen  during  periods  of  constrained  supply,  such  as  the  latest  highly  pathogenic  avian  influenza  (“HPAI”) 
outbreak that was first detected in domestic commercial flocks in February 2022. During times when prices are high, the egg 
industry  has  typically  geared  up  to  produce  more  eggs,  primarily  by  increasing  the  number  of  layers,  which  historically  has 
ultimately resulted in an oversupply of eggs, leading to a period of lower prices. 

As discussed above in Part I. Item 1. Business – Seasonality, seasonal fluctuations impact shell egg prices. Therefore, comparisons 
of  our  sales  and  operating  results  between  different  quarters  within  a  single  fiscal  year  are  not  necessarily  meaningful 
comparisons.

A decline in consumer demand for shell eggs can negatively impact our business.

We believe the increase in meals prepared at home due to concerns and restrictions during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 
pandemic,  high-protein  diet  trends,  industry  advertising  campaigns  and  the  improved  nutritional  reputation  of  eggs  have  all 
contributed at one time or another to increased shell egg demand. However, it is possible that the demand for shell eggs will 
decline in the future. Adverse publicity relating to health or safety concerns and changes in the perception of the nutritional value 
of shell eggs, changes in consumer views regarding consumption of animal-based products, as well as movement away from high 
protein diets, could adversely affect demand for shell eggs, which would have a material adverse effect on our future results of 
operations and financial condition.

12

Feed costs are volatile and increases in these costs can adversely impact our results of operations.

Feed costs are the largest element of our shell egg (farm) production cost, ranging from 55% to 63% of total farm production cost 
in the last five fiscal years. 

Although feed ingredients, primarily corn and soybean meal, are available from a number of sources, we do not have control over 
the prices of the ingredients we purchase, which are affected by weather, various global and U.S. supply and demand factors, 
transportation and storage costs, speculators, and agricultural, energy and trade policies in the U.S. and internationally. More 
recently, the Russia-Ukraine War has had a negative impact on the worldwide supply of grain, including corn, putting upward 
pressure on prices. We saw increasing prices for corn and soybean meal for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 as a result of weather-
related shortfalls in production and yields, ongoing supply chain disruptions and the Russia-Ukraine War and its impact on the 
export markets. Our costs for corn and soybean meal are also affected by local basis prices. Factors that can affect basis levels 
include transportation and storage costs. We saw basis levels increase in our areas of operation during fiscal 2023 as a result of 
higher transportation and storage costs, resulting in higher farm production costs during the year.

Increases in feed costs unaccompanied by increases in the selling price of eggs can have a material adverse effect on the results 
of our operations and cash flow. Alternatively, low feed costs can encourage industry overproduction, possibly resulting in lower 
egg prices and lower revenue. 

Agricultural risks, including outbreaks of avian disease, could harm our business. 

Our shell egg production activities are subject to a variety of agricultural risks. Unusual or extreme weather conditions, disease 
and pests can materially and adversely affect the quality and quantity of shell eggs we produce and distribute. Outbreaks of avian 
influenza among poultry occur periodically worldwide and have occurred sporadically in the U.S. Most recently, an outbreak of 
HPAI, which was first detected in February 2022, has impacted the industry. Prior to 2022, there was another significant HPAI 
outbreak in the U.S. impacting poultry during 2015. There have been no positive tests for HPAI at any Cal-Maine Foods’ owned 
or contracted facility as of July 25, 2023. The Company maintains controls and procedures designed to reduce the risk of exposing 
our flocks to harmful diseases; however, despite these efforts, outbreaks of avian disease can and do still occur and may adversely 
impact the health of our flocks. An outbreak of avian disease could have a material adverse impact on our financial results by 
increasing  government  restrictions  on  the  sale  and  distribution  of  our  products  and  requiring  us  to  euthanize  the  affected 
layers. Negative publicity from an outbreak within our industry can negatively impact customer perception, even if the outbreak 
does not directly impact our flocks. If a substantial portion of our layers or production facilities are affected by any of these 
factors in any given quarter or year, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely 
affected.

Shell  eggs  and  shell  egg  products  are  susceptible  to  microbial  contamination,  and  we  may  be  required  to,  or  we  may 
voluntarily, recall contaminated products.

Shell eggs and shell egg products are vulnerable to contamination by pathogens such as Salmonella. The Company maintains 
policies and procedures designed to comply with the complex rules and regulations governing egg production, such as The Final 
Egg  Rule  issued  by  the  FDA  “Prevention  of  Salmonella  Enteritidis  in  Shell  Eggs  During  Production,  Storage,  and 
Transportation,” and the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act. Shipment of contaminated products, even if inadvertent, could 
result in a violation of law and lead to increased risk of exposure to product liability claims, product recalls and scrutiny by federal 
and  state  regulatory  agencies.  We  have  little,  if  any,  control  over  proper  handling  once  the  product  has  been  shipped  or 
delivered. In  addition,  products  purchased  from  other  producers  could  contain  contaminants  that  might  be  inadvertently 
redistributed by us. As such, we might decide or be required to recall a product if we, our customers or regulators believe it poses 
a potential health risk. Any product recall could result in a loss of consumer confidence in our products, adversely affect our 
reputation with existing and potential customers and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and 
financial condition. We currently maintain insurance with respect to certain of these risks, including product liability insurance, 
business interruption insurance and general liability insurance, but in many cases such insurance is expensive, difficult to obtain 
and no assurance can be given that such insurance can be maintained in the future on acceptable terms, or in sufficient amounts 
to protect us against losses due to any such events, or at all.

Our profitability may be adversely impacted by increases in other input costs such as packaging materials and delivery 
expenses, including as a result of inflation.

In addition to feed ingredient costs, other significant input costs include costs of packaging materials and delivery expenses. Our 
costs of packing materials increased during fiscal 2023 and 2022 due to rising inflation and labor costs, and during 2022 also as 
a  result  of  supply  chain  constraints  initially  caused  by  the  pandemic,  and  these  costs  may  continue  to  increase.  We  also 

13

experienced increases in delivery expenses during fiscal 2023 and 2022 due to increases in fuel and labor costs for both our fleet 
and contract trucking, and these costs may continue to increase. Increases in these costs are largely outside of our control and 
have an adverse effect on our profitability and cash flow.

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL RISK FACTORS

Global or regional health crises including pandemics or epidemics could have an adverse impact on our business and 
operations.

The  effects  of  global  or  regional  pandemics  or  epidemics  can  significantly  impact  our  operations.  Although  demand  for  our 
products could increase as a result of restrictions such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, and 
business and government shutdowns, which can prompt more consumers to eat at home, these restrictions could also significantly 
increase our cost of doing business due to labor shortages, supply-chain disruptions, increased costs and decreased availability of 
packaging supplies, and increased medical and other costs.  We experienced these impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
primarily during our fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The pandemic recovery also contributed to increasing inflation and interest rates, 
which persist and may continue to persist. The impacts of health crises are difficult to predict and depend on numerous factors 
including  the  severity, length and geographic scope of the outbreak, resurgences of  the  disease  and  variants, availability and 
acceptance of vaccines, and governmental, business and individuals’ responses.  A resurgence of COVID-19 and/or variants, or 
any future major public health crisis, would disrupt our business and could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Our acquisition growth strategy subjects us to various risks.

As discussed in Part I. Item I. Business – Growth Strategy, we plan to pursue a growth strategy that includes selective acquisitions 
of other companies engaged in the production and sale of shell eggs, with a priority on those that will facilitate our ability to 
expand our cage-free shell egg production capabilities in key locations and markets. We may over-estimate or under-estimate the 
demand  for  cage-free  eggs,  which  could  cause  our  acquisition  strategy  to  be  less-than-optimal  for  our  future  growth  and 
profitability.  The  number  of  existing  companies  with  cage-free  capacity  that  we  may  be  able  to  purchase  is  limited,  as  most 
production of shell eggs by other companies in our markets currently does not meet customer demands or legal requirements to 
be designated as cage-free. Conversely, if we acquire cage-free production capacity, which is more expensive to purchase and 
operate, and customer demands or legal requirements for cage-free eggs were to change, the resulting lack of demand for cage-
free eggs may result in higher costs and lower profitability.

Acquisitions require capital resources and can divert management’s attention from our existing business. Acquisitions also entail 
an inherent risk that we could become subject to contingent or other liabilities, including liabilities arising from events or conduct 
prior to our acquisition of a business that were unknown to us at the time of acquisition. We could incur significantly greater 
expenditures in integrating an acquired business than we anticipated at the time of its purchase.

We cannot assure you that we:

• will identify suitable acquisition candidates;
•
•
•

can consummate acquisitions on acceptable terms;
can successfully integrate an acquired business into our operations; or
can successfully manage the operations of an acquired business.

No  assurance  can  be  given  that  companies  we  acquire  in  the  future  will  contribute  positively  to  our  results  of  operations  or 
financial condition. In addition, federal antitrust laws require regulatory approval of acquisitions that exceed certain threshold 
levels of significance, and we cannot guarantee that such approvals would be obtained.

The consideration we pay in connection with any acquisition affects our financial results. If we pay cash, we could be required 
to  use  a  portion  of  our  available  cash  or  credit  facility  to  consummate  the  acquisition.  To  the  extent  we  issue  shares  of  our 
Common Stock, existing stockholders may be diluted. In addition, acquisitions may result in additional debt. Our ability to access 
any additional capital that may be needed for an acquisition may be adversely impacted by higher interest rates and economic 
uncertainty.

Our largest customers have accounted for a significant portion of our net sales volume. Accordingly, our business may be 
adversely affected by the loss of, or reduced purchases by, one or more of our large customers.

Our customers, such as supermarkets, warehouse clubs and food distributors, have continued to consolidate and consolidation is 
expected to continue. These consolidations have produced larger customers and potential customers with increased buying power 
who are more capable of operating with reduced inventories, opposing price increases, and demanding lower pricing, increased 

14

promotional programs and specifically tailored products. Because of these trends, our volume growth could slow or we may need 
to lower prices or increase promotional spending for our products, any of which could adversely affect our financial results. 

Our top three customers accounted for an aggregate of 50.1%, 45.9% and 48.6% of net sales dollars for fiscal 2023, 2022, and 
2021, respectively. Our largest customer, Walmart Inc. (including Sam's Club), accounted for 34.2%, 29.5% and 29.8% of net 
sales dollars for fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Although we have established long-term relationships with most of 
our customers who continue to purchase from us based on our ability to service their needs, they are generally free to acquire 
shell eggs from other sources. If, for any reason, one or more of our large customers were to purchase significantly less of our 
shell eggs in the future or terminate their purchases from us, and we were not able to sell our shell eggs to new customers at 
comparable levels, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our business is highly competitive.

The  production  and  sale  of  fresh  shell  eggs,  which  accounted  for  virtually  all  of  our  net  sales  in  recent  years,  is  intensely 
competitive. We compete with a large number of competitors that may prove to be more successful than we are in producing, 
marketing and selling shell eggs. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to compete successfully with any or all of 
these companies.  Increased competition could result in price reductions, greater cyclicality, reduced margins and loss of market 
share, which would negatively affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

We  are  dependent  on  our  management  team,  and  the  loss  of  any  key  member  of  this  team  may  adversely  affect  the 
implementation of our business plan in a timely manner.

Our success depends largely upon the continued service of our senior management team. The loss or interruption of service of 
one or more of our key executive officers could adversely affect our ability to manage our operations effectively and/or pursue 
our growth strategy. We have not entered into any employment or non-compete agreements with any of our executive officers. 
Competition could cause us to lose talented employees, and unplanned turnover could deplete institutional knowledge and result 
in increased costs due to increased competition for employees. 

Our  business  is  dependent  on  our  information  technology  systems  and  software,  and  failure  to  protect  against  or 
effectively respond to cyber-attacks, security breaches, or other incidents involving those systems, could adversely affect 
day-to-day operations and decision making processes and have an adverse effect on our performance and reputation.

The efficient operation of our business depends on our information technology systems, which we rely on to effectively manage 
our business data, communications, logistics, accounting, regulatory and other business processes. If we do not allocate and 
effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain an appropriate technology environment, our business, 
reputation, or financial results could be negatively impacted. In addition, our information technology systems may be 
vulnerable to damage or interruption from circumstances beyond our control, including systems failures, natural disasters, 
terrorist attacks, viruses, ransomware, security breaches or cyber incidents. Cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated and 
are increasing in the number of attempts and frequency by groups and individuals with a wide range of motives. We have 
experienced and expect to continue to experience attempted cyber-attacks of our information technology systems or networks. 

A security breach  of  sensitive  information  could  result  in  damage  to  our  reputation  and  our  relations  with  our  customers  or 
employees. Any such damage or interruption could have a material adverse effect on our business. 

Technology and business and regulatory requirements continue to change rapidly. Failure to update or replace legacy systems to 
address  these  changes  could  result  in  increased  costs,  including  remediation  costs,  system  downtime,  third  party  litigation, 
regulatory actions or cyber security vulnerabilities which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Labor shortages or increases in labor costs could adversely impact our business and results of operations.

Labor is a primary component of our farm production costs. Our success is dependent upon recruiting, motivating, and retaining 
staff to operate our farms. Approximately 76% of our employees are paid at hourly rates, often in entry-level positions. While all 
our employees are paid at rates above the federal minimum wage requirements, any significant increase in local, state or federal 
minimum wage requirements could increase our labor costs. In addition, any regulatory changes requiring us to provide additional 
employee  benefits  or  mandating  increases  in  other  employee-related  costs,  such  as  unemployment  insurance  or  workers 
compensation, would increase our costs. A shortage in the labor pool, which may be caused by competition from other employers, 
the remote locations of many of our farms, decreased labor participation rates or changes in government-provided support or 
immigration laws, particularly in times of lower unemployment, could adversely affect our business and results of operations. A 
shortage of labor available to us could cause our farms to operate with reduced staff, which could negatively impact our production 
capacity and efficiencies. In fiscal 2021 and 2022, our labor costs increased primarily due to the pandemic and its effects, which 

15

caused us to increase wages in response to labor shortages. In fiscal 2023, labor wages continued to rise due to increasing inflation 
and low unemployment. Accordingly, any significant labor shortages or increases in our labor costs could have a material adverse 
effect on our results of operations.

We are controlled by the family of our late founder, Fred R. Adams, Jr., and Adolphus B. Baker, Chairman of our Board 
of Directors, controls the vote of 100% of our outstanding Class A Common Stock.

Fred R. Adams, Jr., our Founder and Chairman Emeritus died on March 29, 2020. Mr. Adams’ son-in-law, Adolphus B. Baker, 
Chairman  of  our  board  of  directors,  Mr.  Baker’s  spouse  and  her  three  sisters  (Mr.  Adams’  four  daughters)  (collectively,  the 
“Family”)  beneficially  own,  directly  or  indirectly  through  related  entities,  100%  of  our  outstanding  Class  A  Common  Stock 
(which has 10 votes per share), controlling approximately 52.1% of our total voting power. Such persons also have additional 
voting power due to beneficial ownership of our Common Stock (which has one vote per share), directly or indirectly through 
related entities, resulting in family voting control of approximately 53.8% of our total voting power. Mr. Baker controls the vote 
of 100% of our outstanding Class A Common Stock.

We understand that the Family intends to retain ownership of a sufficient amount of our Common Stock and our Class A Common 
Stock to assure continued ownership of more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding shares of capital stock. As a result 
of this ownership, the Family has the ability to exert substantial influence over matters requiring action by our stockholders, 
including amendments to our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, the election and removal of directors, and any merger, 
consolidation,  or  sale  of  all  or  substantially  all  of  our  assets,  or  other  corporate  transactions.  Delaware  law  provides  that  the 
holders of a majority of the voting power of shares entitled to vote must approve certain fundamental corporate transactions such 
as a merger, consolidation and sale of all or substantially all of a corporation’s assets; accordingly, such a transaction involving 
us  and  requiring  stockholder  approval  cannot  be  effected  without  the  approval  of  the  Family.  Such  ownership  will  make  an 
unsolicited acquisition of our Company more difficult and discourage certain types of transactions involving a change of control 
of our Company, including transactions in which the holders of our Common Stock might otherwise receive a premium for their 
shares over then current market prices. The Family’s controlling ownership of our capital stock may adversely affect the market 
price of our Common Stock.

The  price  of  our  Common  Stock  may  be  affected  by  the  availability  of  shares  for  sale  in  the  market,  and  you  may 
experience significant dilution as a result of future issuances of our securities, which could materially and adversely affect 
the market price of our Common Stock.

The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our Common Stock could adversely impact its price. The Family holds 
approximately 1.4 million shares of Common Stock (the “Subject Shares”) that are subject to an Agreement Regarding Common 
Stock  (the  “Agreement”)  filed  as  an  exhibit  to  this  report.  The  Subject  Shares  remain  subject  to  potential  sale  under  the 
Agreement. The Agreement generally provides that if a holder of Subject Shares intends to sell any of the Subject Shares, such 
party must give the Company a right of first refusal to purchase all or any of such shares. The price payable by the Company to 
purchase shares pursuant to the exercise of the right of first refusal will reflect a 6% discount to the then-current market price 
based  on  the  20  business-day  volume-weighted  average  price.  If  the  Company  does  not  exercise  its  right  of  first  refusal  and 
purchase the shares offered, such party will, subject to the approval of a special committee of independent directors of the Board 
of Directors, be permitted to sell the shares not purchased by the Company pursuant to a Company registration statement, Rule 
144 under the Securities Act of 1933, or another manner of sale agreed to by the Company. Although pursuant to the Agreement 
the Company will have a right of first refusal to purchase all or any of those shares, the Company may elect not to exercise its 
rights of first refusal, and if so such shares would be eligible for sale pursuant to the registration rights in the Agreement or 
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. Sales, or the availability for sale, of a large number of shares of our 
Common Stock could result in a decline in the market price of our Common Stock.

In addition, our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue 120,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. As of June 3, 2023, 
there were 44,184,048 shares of our Common Stock outstanding. Accordingly, a substantial number of shares of our Common 
Stock  are  outstanding  and  are,  or  could  become,  available  for  sale  in  the  market.  In  addition,  we  may  be  obligated  to  issue 
additional shares of our Common Stock in connection with employee benefit plans (including equity incentive plans).

In the future, we may decide to raise capital through offerings of our Common Stock, additional securities convertible into or 
exchangeable for Common Stock, or rights to acquire these securities or our Common Stock. The issuance of additional shares 
of our Common Stock or additional securities convertible into or exchangeable for our Common Stock could result in dilution of 
existing stockholders’ equity interests in us. Issuances of substantial amounts of our Common Stock, or the perception that such 
issuances could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our Common Stock, and we cannot predict the effect 
this dilution may have on the price of our Common Stock.

16

LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISK FACTORS

Pressure from animal rights groups regarding the treatment of animals may subject us to additional costs to conform our 
practices  to  comply  with  developing  standards  or  subject  us  to  marketing  costs  to  defend  challenges  to  our  current 
practices and protect our image with our customers. In particular, changes in customer preferences and new legislation 
have accelerated an increase in demand for cage-free eggs, which increases uncertainty in our business and increases our 
costs.

We and many of our customers face pressure from animal rights groups, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and 
the Humane Society of the United States, to require companies that supply food products to operate their business in a manner 
that  treats  animals  in  conformity  with  certain  standards  developed  or  approved  by  these  groups.  In  general,  we  may  incur 
additional costs to conform our practices to address these standards or to defend our existing practices and protect our image with 
our customers. The standards promoted by these groups change over time, but typically require minimum cage space for hens, 
among other requirements, and some of these groups have led successful legislative efforts to ban any form of caged housing in 
various states. 

As  discussed  in  Part  I.  Item  1.  Business  -  Government  Regulation,  ten  states  have  passed  minimum  space  and/or  cage-free 
requirements for hens, and other states are considering such requirements. In addition, in recent years, many large restaurant 
chains,  foodservice  companies  and  grocery  chains,  including  our  largest  customers,  announced  goals  to  transition  to  an 
exclusively cage-free egg supply chain by specified future dates. A significant number of our customers previously announced 
goals to offer cage-free eggs exclusively on or before 2026, in most cases subject to available supply, affordability and consumer 
demand, among other contingencies. Some of these customers have recently changed those goals to offer 70% cage-free eggs by 
the end of 2030. While we anticipate that our retail and foodservice customers will continue to transition to selling cage-free eggs 
given public commitments, there is no assurance that this transition will take place or take place according to the timeline of 
current cage-free commitments. For example, customers may accelerate their transition to stocking cage-free eggs, which may 
challenge our ability to meet the cage-free volume needs of those customers and result in a loss of shell egg sales. Similarly, 
customers who commit to stock greater proportional quantities of cage-free eggs are under no obligation to continue to do so, 
which may result in an oversupply of cage-free eggs and result in lower specialty egg prices, which could reduce the return on 
our capital investment in cage-free production.

Changing our infrastructure and operating procedures to conform to consumer preferences, customer demands and new laws has 
resulted and will continue to result in additional costs, including capital and operating cost increases. The USDA reported that 
the estimated U.S. cage-free flock was 121.6 million hens as of June 30, 2023, which is approximately 38.3% of the total U.S. 
table egg layer hen population. According to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, as of May 2023 approximately 221 
million hens, or about 70.5% of the U.S. non-organic laying flock would have to be in cage-free production by 2026 to meet 
projected demand from the retailers, foodservice providers and food manufacturers that have made goals to transition to cage-
free eggs. 

In response to our customers’ announced goals and increased legal requirements for cage-free eggs, we have increased capital 
expenditures  to  increase  our  cage-free  production  capacity.  We  are  also  enhancing  our  focus  on  cage-free  capacity  when 
considering acquisition opportunities. Our customers typically do not commit to long-term purchases of specific quantities or 
type of eggs with us, and as a result, we cannot predict with any certainty which types of eggs they will require us to supply in 
future  periods.  The  production  of  cage-free  eggs  is  more  costly  than  the  production  of  conventional  eggs,  and  these  higher 
production costs contribute to the prices of cage-free eggs, which historically have typically been higher than conventional egg 
prices. Many consumers prefer to buy less expensive conventional shell eggs. These consumer preferences may in turn influence 
our customers’ future needs for cage-free and conventional eggs. Due to these uncertainties, we may over-estimate future demand 
for cage-free eggs, which could increase our costs unnecessarily, or we may under-estimate future demand for cage-free eggs, 
which could harm us competitively. If our competitors obtain non-cancelable long-term contracts to provide cage-free eggs to 
our existing or potential customers, then there may be decreased demand for our cage-free eggs due to these lost potential sales. 
If we and our competitors increase cage-free egg production and there is no commensurate increase in demand for cage-free eggs, 
this overproduction could lead to an oversupply of cage-free eggs, reducing the sales price for specialty eggs and our return on 
capital investments in cage-free production.

Failure  to  comply  with  applicable  governmental  regulations,  including  environmental  regulations,  could  harm  our 
operating results, financial condition, and reputation. Further, we may incur significant costs to comply with any such 
regulations.

We are subject to federal, state and local regulations relating to grading, quality control, labeling, sanitary control, waste disposal, 
and other areas of our business. As a fully-integrated shell egg producer, our shell egg facilities are subject to regulation and 
inspection by the USDA, OSHA, EPA and FDA, as well as state and local health and agricultural agencies, among others. All of 

17

our shell egg production and feed mill facilities are subject to FDA, EPA and OSHA regulation and inspections. In addition, rules 
are often proposed that, if adopted as proposed, could increase our costs. 

Our operations and facilities are subject to various federal, state and local environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations 
governing,  among  other  things,  the  generation,  storage,  handling,  use,  transportation,  disposal,  and  remediation  of  hazardous 
materials. Under these laws and regulations, we are required to obtain permits from governmental authorities, including, but not 
limited to wastewater discharge permits and manure and litter land applications.

If we fail to comply with applicable laws or regulations, or fail to obtain necessary permits, we could be subject to significant 
fines and penalties or other sanctions, our reputation could be harmed, and our operating results and financial condition could be 
materially adversely affected. In addition, because these laws and regulations are becoming increasingly more stringent, it is 
possible that we will be required to incur significant costs for compliance with such laws and regulations in the future.

Climate change and legal or regulatory responses may have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations. 

Extreme weather events, such as derechos, wildfires, drought, tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, floods or other natural disasters 
could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. In fact, derechos, fires, floods, tornadoes and 
hurricanes have affected our facilities or the facilities of other egg producers in the past. Increased global temperatures and more 
frequent occurrences of extreme weather events, which may be exacerbated by climate change, may cause crop and livestock 
areas to become unsuitable, including due to water scarcity or high or unpredictable temperatures, which may result in much 
greater stress on food systems and more pronounced food insecurity globally. Lower global crop production, including corn and 
soybean meal, which are the primary feed ingredients that support the health of our animals, may result in significantly higher 
prices for these commodity inputs, impact our ability to source the commodities we use to feed our flocks, and negatively impact 
our ability to maintain or grow our operations. Climate change may increasingly expose workers and animals to high heat and 
humidity stressors that adversely impact poultry production. Increased greenhouse gas emissions may also negatively impact air 
quality, soil quality and water quality, which may hamper our ability to support our operations, particularly in higher water- and 
soil-stressed regions. 

Increasing frequency of severe weather events, whether tied to climate change or any other cause, may negatively impact our 
ability to raise poultry and produce eggs profitably or to operate our transportation and logistics supply chains. Regulatory controls 
and market pricing may continue to drive the costs of fossil-based fuels higher, which could negatively impact our ability to 
source commodities necessary to operate our farms or plants and our current fleet of vehicles. These changes may cause us to 
change, significantly, our day-to-day business operations and our strategy. Climate change and extreme weather events may also 
impact demand for our products given evolution of consumer food preferences. Even if we take measures to position our business 
in anticipation of such changes, future compliance with legal or regulatory requirements may require significant management 
time, oversight and enterprise expense. We may also incur significant expense tied to regulatory fines if laws and regulations are 
interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our business practices. We can make no assurances that our efforts 
to prepare for these adverse events will be in line with future market and regulatory expectations and our access to capital to 
support our business may also be adversely impacted.

Current and future litigation could expose us to significant liabilities and adversely affect our business reputation.

We and certain of our subsidiaries are involved in various legal proceedings. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, and although 
we  believe  we  have  meaningful  defenses  in  these  matters,  we  may  incur  liabilities  due  to  adverse  judgments  or  enter  into 
settlements of claims that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.  For 
a  discussion  of  our  ongoing  legal  proceedings  see  Part  I.  Item  3.  Legal  Proceedings  below  and  Part  II.  Item  8.  Notes  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements, Note  16 – Commitments and Contingencies. Such lawsuits are expensive to defend, divert 
management’s attention, and may result in significant adverse judgments or settlements. Legal proceedings may expose us to 
negative publicity, which could adversely affect our business reputation and customer preference for our products and brands.

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC RISK FACTORS

Weak or unstable economic conditions, including continued higher inflation and rising interest rates, could negatively 
impact our business.

Weak or unstable economic conditions, including continued higher inflation and rising interest rates, may adversely affect our 
business by:

•
•

Limiting our access to capital markets or increasing the cost of capital we may need to grow our business;  
Changing consumer spending and habits and demand for eggs, particularly higher-priced eggs;

18

•
•

Restricting the supply of energy sources or increasing our cost to procure energy; or
Reducing the availability of feed ingredients, packaging material, and other raw materials, or increasing the cost of these 
items.

Deterioration of economic conditions could also negatively impact:

•
•
•

The financial condition of our suppliers, which may make it more difficult for them to supply raw materials;
The financial condition of our customers, which may decrease demand for eggs or increase our bad debt expense; or
The financial condition of our insurers, which could increase our cost to obtain insurance, and/or make it difficult for or 
insurers to meet their obligations in the event we experience a loss due to an insured peril.

According  to  the  U.S.  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  from  May  2021  to  May  2022,  the  Consumer  Price Index for  All  Urban 
Consumers (“CPI-U”) increased 8.5 percent, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending December 1981. The CPI-U 
increased 4.1% from May 2022 to May 2023. Inflationary costs have increased our input costs, and if we are unable to pass these 
costs through to the customer it could have an adverse effect on our business.

We hold significant cash balances in deposit accounts with deposits in excess of the amounts insured by the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). In the event of a bank failure at an institution where we maintain deposits in excess of the FDIC-
insured amount, we may lose such excess deposits.

The  loss  of  any  registered  trademark  or  other  intellectual  property  could  enable  other  companies  to  compete  more 
effectively with us.

We utilize intellectual property in our business. For example, we own the trademarks Farmhouse Eggs®, 4Grain®, Sunups®, 
and Sunny Meadow®. We produce and market Egg-Land’s Best® and Land O’ Lakes® under license agreements with EB. We 
have invested a significant amount of money in establishing and promoting our trademarked brands. The loss or expiration of any 
intellectual property could enable our competitors to compete more effectively with us by allowing them to make and sell products 
substantially  similar  to  those  we  offer. This  could  negatively  impact  our  ability  to  produce  and  sell  those  products,  thereby 
adversely affecting our operations.

Impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other assets could negatively affect our results of operations or net worth.

Goodwill  represents  the  excess  of  the  cost  of  business  acquisitions  over  the  fair  value  of  the  identifiable  net  assets 
acquired. Goodwill  is  reviewed  at  least  annually  for  impairment  by  assessing  qualitative  factors  to  determine  whether  the 
existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit 
is less than its carrying amount. As of June 3, 2023, we had $44.0 million of goodwill. While we believe the current carrying 
value of this goodwill is not impaired, future goodwill impairment charges could adversely affect our results of operations in any 
particular period and our net worth.

Events beyond our control such as extreme weather and natural disasters could negatively impact our business. 

Fire, bioterrorism, pandemics, extreme weather or natural disasters, including droughts, floods, excessive cold or heat, water 
rights restrictions, hurricanes or other storms, could impair the health or growth of our flocks, decrease production or availability 
of feed ingredients, or interfere with our operations due to power outages, fuel shortages, discharges from overtopped or breached 
wastewater treatment lagoons, damage to our production and processing facilities, labor shortages or disruption of transportation 
channels, among other things. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

19

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

The table below provides summary information about the primary operational facilities we use in our business as of June 3, 2023.

Type

Breeding Facilities
Distribution Centers
Feed Mills

Hatcheries

Processing and 
Packaging
Pullet Facilities

Shell Egg Production

Egg Products Processing 
Facilities

Quantity (a) Owned Leased

3
6
25

2

43

29

42

3

3
6
24

1

43

29

42

3

Production Capacity
— House up to 255,000 hens
— NA
1

Production capacity of 859 tons 
of feed per hour
Hatch up to 407,600 chicks per 
week

1

Location

GA, MS
FL, GA, NC, TX
AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, 
MS, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT
FL, MS

— Approximately 587,700 dozen 

shell eggs per hour
— Grow 27.1 million pullets 

annually

AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, 
MS, OH, OK, SC, TX, UT
AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, MS, SC, 
TX, UT

— House up to 46.6 million layers AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, 

— Production capacity of 43,140 

lbs. per hour

MS, OH, OK, SC, TX, UT
GA, TX, MO

(a) Does not include idled facilities.

We  also  have  ongoing  construction  projects  to  further  expand  the  Company’s  cage-free  egg  production  capabilities.  These 
projects include expanding our cage-free egg production at existing farms or converting conventional housing with cage-free 
production.  These  projects  will  phase  into  production  through  fiscal  2027.  For  additional  information,  see  Part  II.  Item  7. 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis – Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources.

As  of  June  3,  2023,  we  owned  approximately  28.0 thousand  acres  of  land.  There  are  no  material  mortgages  or  liens  on  our 
properties. 

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Refer to the description of certain legal proceedings pending against us under Part II. Item 8. Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, Note 16 – Commitments and Contingencies, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference. 

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable. 

PART II.

ITEM  5.  MARKET  FOR  REGISTRANT’S  COMMON  EQUITY,  RELATED  STOCKHOLDER  MATTERS  AND 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

We have two classes of capital stock, Common Stock and Class A Common Stock. Our Common Stock trades on the NASDAQ 
Global Select Market under the symbol “CALM”. There is no public trading market for the Class A Common Stock. 

All outstanding Class A shares are owned by a limited liability company of which Adolphus Baker, our Chairman, is the sole 
managing member and will be voted at the direction of Mr. Baker. At July 14, 2023, there were approximately 319 record holders 
of our Common Stock and approximately 73,626 beneficial owners whose shares were held by nominees or broker dealers. For 
additional information about our capital structure, see Note 11 - Equity in Part II. Item 8. Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements.

Dividends 

Cal-Maine has a variable dividend policy adopted by its Board of Directors. Pursuant to the policy, Cal-Maine pays a dividend 
to shareholders of its Common Stock and Class A Common Stock on a quarterly basis for each quarter for which the Company 
reports net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. computed in accordance with GAAP in an amount equal to one-third 

20

(1/3) of such quarterly income. Dividends are paid to shareholders of record as of the 60th day following the last day of such 
quarter, except for the fourth fiscal quarter. For the fourth quarter, the Company will pay dividends to shareholders of record on 
the 65th day after the quarter end. Dividends are payable on the 15th day following the record date. Following a quarter for which 
the  Company  does  not  report  net  income  attributable  to  Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.,  the  Company  will  not  pay  a  dividend  for  a 
subsequent profitable quarter until the Company is profitable on a cumulative basis computed from the date of the last quarter for 
which  a  dividend  was  paid. Under  the  Company's  Credit  Facility,  dividends  are  restricted  to  the  amount  permitted  under  the 
Company’s current dividend policy, and may not be paid if a default exists or will arise after giving effect to the dividend or if 
the sum of cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its subsidiaries plus availability under the Credit Facility equals less 
than $50 million.  

Stock Performance Graph 

The  Company  utilized  the  (i)  Russell  2000  Total  Return,  and  (ii)  S&P  Composite  1500  Food  Products  Industry  Index  to 
benchmark the Company’s total shareholder return. The Company is a member of each of these indexes and believes the other 
companies  included  in  these  indexes  provide  products  and  services  similar  to  Cal-Maine  Foods.  The  graph  presents  total 
shareholder return and assumes $100 was invested on June 1, 2018 in the stock or index and dividends were reinvested. 

June 1, 2018 May 31, 2019 May 29, 2020 May 28, 2021 May 27, 2022

June 3, 2023

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

$

100.00 $

80.69 $

97.12 $

76.16 $

105.31 $

100.00

90.16

87.06

143.27

120.53

114.38

118.75

Russell 2000 Total Return
S&P Composite 1500 Food 
Products Industry Index

100.00

105.74

116.41

144.80

155.14

163.85

21

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table is a summary of our fourth quarter 2023 share repurchases:

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)

Average
Price Paid
per Share

— $

10,551
—
10,551 $

—
48.62
—
48.62

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
Or Programs

—
—
—
—

Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
—
—
—
—

Period

2/26/23 to 3/25/23
3/26/23 to 4/22/23
4/23/23 to 6/03/23

(1) As permitted under our Amended and Restated 2012 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, these shares were withheld 
by us to satisfy tax withholding     obligations for employees in connection with the vesting of restricted common stock.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

No sales of securities without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 occurred during our fiscal year ended June 3, 2023.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

Equity Compensation Plan Information

(a)

(b)

(c)

Number of 
securities to be 
issued upon exercise 
of outstanding 
options, warrants 
and rights

Weighted average 
exercise price of 
outstanding 
options, warrants 
and rights

Number of securities 
remaining available for future 
issuance under equity 
compensation plans (excluding 
securities reflected in column 
(a))

Equity compensation plans 
approved by shareholders

Equity compensation plans not 
approved by shareholders

Total

— $

—

— $

—

—

—

294,140

—

294,140

(a) There were no outstanding options, warrants or rights as of June 3, 2023. There were 941,593 shares of restricted 

stock outstanding under our Amended and Restated 2012 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan as of June 3, 2023.

(b) There were no outstanding options, warrants or rights as of June 3, 2023.
(c) Reflects shares available for future issuance as of June 3, 2023 under our Amended and Restated 2012 Omnibus 

Long-Term Incentive Plan. 

For  additional  information,  see  Note  14  –  Stock  Compensation  Plans  in  Part  II.  Item  8.  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements. 

ITEM 6.  RESERVED

22

ITEM 

7.  MANAGEMENT’S 

DISCUSSION 

AND 

ANALYSIS 

OF 

FINANCIAL 

CONDITION 

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RISK FACTORS; FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

For  information  relating  to  important  risks  and  uncertainties  that  could  materially  adversely  affect  our  business,  securities, 
financial  condition,  operating  results,  or  cash  flow,  reference  is  made  to  the  disclosure  set  forth  under  Part  I.  Item  1A.  Risk 
Factors. In addition, because the following discussion includes numerous forward-looking statements relating to our business, 
securities, financial condition, operating results and cash flow, reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Part I. Item 1A. 
Risk  Factors  and  to  the  information  set  forth  in  the  section  of  Part  I  immediately  preceding  Item  1  above  under  the  caption 
“Forward-Looking Statements.”

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is primarily engaged in the production, grading, packaging, marketing and distribution of fresh shell eggs. 
Our  fiscal  year  end  is  the  Saturday  closest  to  May 31.  The  fiscal  year  2023  and  2022  included  53  weeks  and  52  weeks, 
respectively. The Company, which is headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, is the largest producer and distributor of fresh 
shell eggs in the United States (“U.S”). In fiscal 2023, we sold approximately 1,147.4 million dozen shell eggs, which we believe 
represented approximately 21% of domestic shell egg consumption. Our total flock as of June 3, 2023 of approximately 41.2 
million layers and 10.8 million pullets and breeders is the largest in the U.S. We sell most of our shell eggs to a diverse group of 
customers, including national and regional grocery store chains, club stores, companies servicing independent supermarkets in 
the U.S., food service distributors, and egg product consumers in states across the southwestern, southeastern, mid-western and 
mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S.

The Company has one reportable operating segment, which is the production, grading, packaging, marketing and distribution of 
shell eggs. Many of our customers rely on us to provide most of their shell egg needs, including specialty and conventional eggs. 
Specialty  eggs  represent  a  broad  range  of  products. We  classify  cage-free,  organic,  brown,  free-range,  pasture-raised  and 
nutritionally enhanced as specialty eggs for accounting and reporting purposes. We classify all other shell eggs as conventional 
eggs. While  we  report  separate  sales  information  for  these  types  of  eggs,  there  are  a  number  of  cost  factors  which  are  not 
specifically available for conventional or specialty eggs due to the nature of egg production. We manage our operations and 
allocate resources to these types of eggs on a consolidated basis based on the demands of our customers. For further description 
of our business, refer to Part I. Item I. Business.

HPAI

Since the first detection in a U.S. commercial flock in February 2022, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (“HPAI”) 
continued to occur in U.S. poultry flocks throughout calendar year 2022 and, less frequently, in calendar year 2023, which is 
more than twice the length of time of the last HPAI outbreak in 2014-2015. HPAI affected more than 58 million birds in 47 states 
and  resulted  in  the  depopulation  of  43.3  million  commercial  layer  hens  and  1.0  million  pullets  leading  to  higher  prices  for 
conventional shell eggs beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and continuing through the third quarter of fiscal 2023. 
Though the virus is still present, due to seasonal migratory patterns of wild birds (which serve as carriers for the disease) the rate 
of outbreaks has substantially decreased and the last occurrence in a commercial egg laying flock was in December 2022.   The 
USDA  attributes  this,  in  large  part,  to  improved  biosecurity  measures  by  the  commercial  poultry  industry.  The  industry  and 
USDA have devoted significant resources to attempt to prevent future outbreaks. With the spring wild bird migration complete 
in the U.S., focus is on the fall migration season.

We believe the HPAI outbreak will continue to impact the overall supply of eggs until the layer hen flock is fully replenished. 
The egg industry typically experiences lower sales during the summer. The layer hen flock five-year average from 2020-2022 for 
the month of June is 321.5 million hens. According to the USDA the U.S. flock consisted of 317.4 million layers producing table 
or  market  type  eggs  as  of  July  1,  2023,  which  is  0.9%  below  the  five-year  average  and  reflects  efforts  by  U.S.  producers  to 
repopulate their flocks. As the layer flock began to recover in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, prices for conventional shell eggs 
decreased  from  previous  highs.  There  have  been  no  positive  tests  for  HPAI  at  any  Cal-Maine  Foods’  owned  or  contracted 
production facility as of July 25, 2023. While no farm is immune from HPAI, we believe we have implemented and continue to 
maintain robust biosecurity programs across our locations. We are also working closely with federal, state and local government 
officials and focused industry groups to mitigate the risk of this and future outbreaks and effectively manage our response, if 
needed. 

23

Executive Overview of Results – Fiscal Years Ended June 3, 2023, May 28, 2022 and May 29, 2021

Net sales (in thousands)

Gross profit (in thousands)

Net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

Net income per share attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

Basic

Diluted

Net average shell egg price (a)
Average UB Southeast Region - Shell Eggs - White Large 

Feed costs per dozen produced

Fiscal Years Ended

June 3, 2023

May 28, 2022

May 29, 2021

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

3,146,217

1,196,457

758,024

15.58

15.52

2.622

3.115

0.676

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,777,159

337,059

132,650

2.73

2.72

1.579

1.712

0.571

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,348,987

160,661

2,060

0.04

0.04

1.217

1.155

0.446

(a) The net average shell egg selling price is the blended price for all sizes and grades of shell eggs, including non-graded 
shell egg sales, breaking stock and undergrades.

For fiscal 2022, net sales increased to $1.8 billion, gross profit to $337.1 million and net income to $132.7 million from fiscal 
2021 net sales of $1.3 billion, gross profit of $160.7 million and net income of $2.1 million. The increases resulted primarily from 
higher selling prices for conventional eggs as well as an increased volume of specialty eggs sold, partially offset by a decline in 
the  volume  of  conventional  eggs  sold.  Gross  profit  and  net  income  increases  were  partially  offset  by  increased  cost  of  feed 
ingredients and increased processing costs. Consumer demand maintained a steady growth throughout our first three quarters of 
fiscal  2021  but  began  trending  down  during  our  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2021  as  consumers  started  to  resume  pre-pandemic 
activities.  We  believe  the  decreased  demand  in  foodservice  seen  throughout  the  first  three  quarters  of  fiscal  2021  due  to  the 
pandemic contributed to the depressed price of shell eggs for fiscal 2021 in the retail market due to the extra supply entering the 
retail channel from the foodservice channel. 

For  fiscal  2022,  we  believe  prices  for  conventional  eggs  were  positively  impacted  by  a  better  alignment  of  the  size  of  the 
conventional  production  layer  hen  flock  and  customer  and  consumer  demand  through  the  first  three  fiscal  quarters  of  2022. 
Conventional egg prices further increased in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 primarily due to decreased supply caused by the 
HPAI  outbreak  compounded  with  good  customer  demand.  Throughout  fiscal  2022  the  hen  numbers  reported  by  the  USDA 
remained below the five-year average. 

For fiscal 2023, net sales increased to $3.1 billion, gross profit to $1.2 billion and net income to $758.0 million. The increases 
primarily resulted from significantly higher average egg selling prices, primarily due to the reduction in egg supply caused by 
HPAI  and  higher  grain  and  other  input  costs,  as  some  of  our  egg  sales  prices  are  based  on  formulas  related  to  our  costs  of 
production. Gross profit and net income increases were partially offset by the increased cost of feed ingredients and increased 
processing, packaging and warehouse costs. The impact of HPAI continued throughout the first three quarters of fiscal 2023 as 
prices continued to increase. For the first three quarters of fiscal 2023, the average UB southeastern large index price was 138.8% 
higher  than  the  average  price  of  the  first  three  quarters  in  fiscal  2022.  For  the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  2023  the  average  UB 
southeastern large index price decreased 13.8% to $2.163 from the same period in the prior year as the egg supply improved from 
the effects of HPAI. Conventional egg selling prices declined significantly during the latter part of the fourth quarter of fiscal 
2023.

Our dozens sold increased by 5.9% for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to an increase in specialty egg sales. 
According to Information Resources, Inc. (“IRI”), for the 52 weeks ended June 4, 2023, which approximately aligns with our 
fiscal year 2023, conventional egg dozens sold in the U.S. at multi-retail outlets decreased 9.3%, while specialty egg dozens sold 
increased 9.9% versus the prior-year comparable period. Our conventional eggs dozens sold increased 0.2% and specialty egg 
dozens sold increased 18.6% as compared to fiscal 2022, with most of the increase due to an increase in cage-free eggs sold.

Our feed costs per dozen produced increased to $0.676 in fiscal 2023, compared to $0.571 in fiscal 2022. For fiscal year 2023, 
the average Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) daily market price was $6.57 per bushel for corn and $450 per ton for soybean 
meal,  representing  increases  of  4.1%  and  14.7%,  respectively,  compared  to  the  daily  average  CBOT  prices  for  fiscal  2022. 
Supplies of corn and soybean meal remained tight relative to demand in throughout fiscal 2023, as evidenced by a low stock-to-
use ratio for corn, as a result of weather-related shortfalls in production and yields, ongoing supply chain disruptions and the 
Russia-Ukraine War and its impact on the export markets. Basis levels for corn and soybean meal, which impact our costs for 

24

these feed ingredients, ran significantly higher in fiscal 2023 in our areas of operation compared to our prior year fiscal year as a 
result of higher transportation and storage costs, adding to our expense.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years indicated, certain items from our Consolidated Statements of Income expressed 
as a percentage of net sales.

Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative
Gain on insurance recoveries
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets
Operating income
Total other income
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
Less:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

Fiscal Year Ended

June 3, 2023

May 28, 2022

100.0 %
62.0 %
38.0 %
7.4 %
(0.1) %
— %
30.7 %
1.0 %
31.7 %
7.7 %
24.0 %
— %
24.0 %

100.0 %
81.0 %
19.0 %
11.2 %
(0.3) %
— %
8.1 %
1.3 %
9.4 %
1.9 %
7.5 %
— %
7.5 %

25

Fiscal Year Ended June 3, 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 28, 2022

NET SALES

Total net sales for fiscal 2023 were $3.1 billion compared to $1.8 billion for fiscal 2022.

Net shell egg sales represented 96.1% and 96.6% of total net sales for the fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively. Shell egg sales 
classified as “Other” represent sales of miscellaneous byproducts and resale products included with our shell egg operations. The 
table below presents an analysis of our conventional and specialty shell egg sales (in thousands, except percentage data):

Total net sales

Conventional
Specialty
Egg sales, net
Other
Net shell egg sales

Dozens sold:
Conventional
Specialty
Total dozens sold

Net average selling price per dozen:
Conventional
Specialty
All shell eggs

Egg products sales: 
Egg products net sales
Pounds sold
Net average selling price per pound

Shell egg net sales

June 03, 2023

May 28, 2022

$ 3,146,217

$ 1,777,159

$ 2,051,961
956,993
3,008,954
14,993
$ 3,023,947

67.9 % $ 1,061,995
31.6 %
648,838
99.5 % 1,710,833
6,322
0.5 %
100.0 % $ 1,717,155

61.8 %
37.8 %
99.6 %
0.4 %
100.0 %

749,076
398,297
1,147,373

747,914
65.3 %
34.7 %
335,875
100.0 % 1,083,789

69.0 %
31.0 %
100.0 %

$
$
$

$

$

2.739
2.403
2.622

122,270
70,035
1.746

$
$
$

$

$

1.420
1.932
1.579

60,004
63,968
0.938

-

-

-

-

For  fiscal  2023,  shell  egg  net  sales  increased  $1.3  billion,  primarily  due  to  higher  net  average  selling  prices  for 
conventional eggs, and to a lesser extent specialty eggs.

For fiscal 2023, conventional egg sales increased $990.0 million, or 93.2%, compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to 
the increase in conventional egg prices. Changes in price resulted in a $988.0 million increase and changes in volume 
resulted in a $1.7 million increase in net sales.

Conventional egg prices increased in the first three quarters of fiscal 2023 primarily due to decreased supply caused by 
the HPAI outbreak, discussed above. Conventional egg prices decreased substantially in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 
compared to average fiscal 2023 levels, due to an increased supply of conventional eggs caused by the repopulating of 
layer  flocks  in  response  to  the  impact  of  HPAI  and  typical  seasonal  decreases  in  demand.  Conventional  egg  prices 
exceeded  specialty  egg  prices  during  fiscal  2022  and  for  the  first  three  quarters  of  fiscal  2023,  which  is  atypical 
historically. Conventional egg prices generally respond more quickly to market conditions because we sell the majority 
of  our  conventional  shell  eggs  based  on  formulas  that  adjust  periodically  and  take  into  account,  in  varying  ways, 
independently quoted regional wholesale market prices for shell eggs or formulas related to our costs of production. The 
majority of our specialty eggs are typically sold at prices and terms negotiated directly with customers and therefore do 
not fluctuate as much as conventional pricing.

Specialty egg sales increased $308.2 million, or 47.5%, for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to a 24.4% 
increase in specialty egg prices and a 18.6% increase in the volume of specialty dozens sold. Changes in price resulted 
in a $187.6 million increase and change in volume resulted in a $120.6 million increase in net sales, respectively. Our 

26

specialty egg sales also benefitted from our additional cage-free production capacity. Cage-free revenue for fiscal 2023 
was 20.2% of total revenue, compared to 22.3% for fiscal 2022.

Net average selling prices of specialty eggs increased by agreements with our customers in response to rising feed and 
other input costs as well as lower supply availability due to HPAI.

Demand for specialty eggs increased during the first three quarters of fiscal 2023 as conventional egg prices rose. Our 
sales volume benefited versus the prior-year period, through use of our higher cage-free production capacity.

-

-

Egg products net sales

-

-

Egg products net sales increased $62.3 million or 103.8%, primarily due to an 86.1% selling price increase compared to 
fiscal 2022, which had a $56.6 million positive impact on net sales.

Our egg products net average selling price increased in fiscal 2023, compared to fiscal 2022 as the supply of shell eggs 
used to produce egg products decreased due to the HPAI outbreak that started in February 2022.

COST OF SALES

Cost of sales for fiscal 2023 were $1.9 billion compared to $1.4 billion for fiscal 2022.

Cost of sales consists of costs directly related to producing, processing and packing shell eggs, purchases of shell eggs from 
outside sources, processing and packing of liquid and frozen egg products and other non-egg costs. Farm production costs are 
those costs incurred at the egg production facility, including feed, facility, hen amortization and other related farm production 
costs.

The following table presents the key variables affecting our cost of sales (in thousands, except cost per dozen data):

Cost of Sales:
Farm production
Processing, packaging, and warehouse
Egg purchases and other (including change in inventory)
Total shell eggs
Egg products
Total

Farm production costs (per dozen produced)

Feed
Other

Total

Outside egg purchases (average cost per dozen)

Dozens produced
Percent produced to sold

Farm Production

$

$

$
$

$

$

Fiscal Year Ended

June 03, 2023

May 28, 2022 % Change

1,118,741 $
342,836
379,777
1,841,354
108,406
1,949,760 $

927,806
289,056
172,034
1,388,896
51,204
1,440,100

20.6 %
18.6
120.8
32.6
111.7
35.4 %

0.676 $
0.396 $

1.072 $

0.571
0.352

0.923

18.4 %
12.5 %

16.1 %

3.02 $

1.72

75.6 %

1,058,540
92.3%

1,022,327
94.3%

3.5 %
(2.1) %

-

-

Feed costs per dozen produced increased 18.4% in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022, primarily due to higher feed 
ingredient prices. Basis levels for corn and soybean meal ran significantly higher in our areas of operation compared to 
our prior fiscal year due to higher transportation and storage costs, adding to our expense.

For fiscal 2023, the average daily CBOT market price was $6.57 per bushel for corn and $450 per ton of soybean meal, 
representing increases of 4.1% and 14.7%, respectively, as compared to the average daily CBOT prices for fiscal 2022.

27

-

-

Other farm production costs increased due to higher facility and flock amortization. Facility costs increased due primarily 
to increased labor costs. Labor costs increased 29.6% due to increased use of contract labor and increased wages raised 
in response to labor shortages.

Flock amortization increased primarily from higher capitalized feed costs as well as higher amortization costs from an 
increase in our cage-free production.

Supplies of corn and soybean remained tight relative to demand throughout fiscal 2023, as evidenced by a low stock-to-use ratio 
for  corn,  as  a  result  of  weather-related  shortfalls  in  production  and  yields,  ongoing  supply  chain  disruptions  and  the  Russia-
Ukraine  War  and  its  impact  on  the  export  markets.  For  fiscal  2024,  we  expect  continued  corn  and  soybean  upward  pricing 
pressures and further market volatility to affect feed costs.

Processing, packaging, and warehouse

-

-

-

Cost of packaging materials increased 18.6% compared to fiscal 2022 as costs increased due to rising inflation and labor 
costs.

Labor costs increased 13.6% due to wage increases instituted in response to labor shortages and rising inflation.

Dozens processed increased 3.6% compared to fiscal 2022, which resulted in an $11.2 million increase in costs.

Egg purchases and other (including change in inventory)

-

Costs in this category increased 120.8% compared to fiscal 2022 primarily due to the increase in egg prices. The average 
price  of  outside  egg  purchases  increased  75.6%  per  dozen  compared  to  fiscal  2022.  Additionally,  our  percentage  of 
produced to sold decreased to 92.3% in fiscal 2023 from 94.3% in fiscal 2022 as we increased our volume of outside 
egg purchases in order to meet customer demand.

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, was 38.0% for fiscal 2023, compared to 19.0% for fiscal 2022. The increase resulted 
primarily from higher selling prices for conventional eggs as well as the increased volume of specialty eggs sold, partially offset 
by the increased cost of feed ingredients and processing, packaging and warehouse costs.

SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Selling,  general,  and  administrative  (“SGA”)  expenses  include  costs  of  marketing,  distribution,  accounting,  and  corporate 
overhead. SG&A expenses increased $33.6 million to $232.2 million in fiscal 2023. The following table presents an analysis of 
our SGA expenses (in thousands):

Specialty egg expense

Delivery expense

Payroll, taxes and benefits

Stock compensation expense

Other expenses
Total

Specialty egg expense

June 03, 2023

May 28, 2022

$ Change

% Change

Fiscal Year Ended

$

$

57,758 $

59,830 $

77,548

57,830

4,205

62,677

43,954

4,063

34,866
232,207 $

28,107
198,631 $

(2,072)

14,871

13,876

142

6,759
33,576

(3.5) %

23.7 %

31.6 %

3.5 %

24.0 %
16.9 %

-

Specialty egg expense, which includes franchise fees, advertising and promotion costs generally tracks with specialty 
egg  volumes,  which  were  up  18.6%  for  fiscal  2023  compared  to  fiscal  2022.  However,  our  specialty  egg  expense 
decreased 3.5%, primarily due to a significant reduction in advertising costs. The higher prices for conventional eggs 
and the comparatively lower prices for specialty eggs diminished the need to promote specialty eggs in fiscal 2023. 
However, we anticipate that the need to promote specialty eggs will increase in fiscal 2024 as the market recovers from 
the effects of HPAI.

28

Delivery expense

-

The increased delivery expense is primarily due to the increase in fuel and labor costs for both our fleet and contract 
trucking. Compared to fiscal 2022, contract trucking and labor expenses increased approximately $10.2 million for fiscal 
2023.

Payroll, taxes and benefits expense

-

The  increase  in  payroll,  taxes  and  benefits  expense  is  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  the  accrual  for  anticipated 
performance-based bonuses.

Other expenses

-

The increase in other expenses is due to increased legal expenses of approximately $3.6 million as well as inflationary 
pressure increasing costs.

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

As a result of the above, our operating income was $967.7 million for fiscal 2023, compared to $143.5 million for fiscal 2022.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Total  other  income  (expense)  consists  of  items  not  directly  charged  to,  or  related  to,  operations  such  as  interest  income  and 
expense, equity in income or loss of unconsolidated entities, and patronage dividends, among other items. 

The Company recorded interest income of $18.6 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $988 thousand in fiscal 2022, primarily due 
to significantly higher cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale balances and yields. We recorded 
interest expense of $583 thousand and $403 thousand in fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively, primarily related to commitment fees 
on our Credit Facility described below.

Equity in income from unconsolidated entities for fiscal 2023 was $746 thousand compared to $1.9 million for fiscal 2022.

Other, net for fiscal 2023 was income of $1.9 million compared to $9.8 million for fiscal 2022. The majority of the decrease is 
due  to  our  acquisition  in  fiscal  2022  of  the  remaining  50%  membership  interest  in  Red  River  Valley  Egg  Farm,  LLC  (“Red 
River”) as we recognized a $4.5 million gain in fiscal 2022 due to the remeasurement of our equity investment. We also received 
$1.4 million in fiscal 2022 related to our review and adjustment of our various marketing agreements. Additionally, the Company 
recorded a $2 million impairment of an investment in an unconsolidated entity in fiscal 2023.

INCOME TAXES

For  the  fiscal  year  ended  June  3,  2023,  our  pre-tax  income  was  $998.6  million,  compared  to  $166.0  million  for  fiscal  2022. 
Income tax expense of $241.8 million was recorded for fiscal 2023 with an effective tax rate of 24.2%.  For fiscal 2022, income 
tax expense was $33.6 million with an effective tax rate of 20.2%. Included in fiscal 2022 income tax expense is the discrete tax 
benefit of $8.3 million discussed in Note 2 – Acquisition of Part II. Item 8. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this 
Annual Report. Excluding the discrete tax benefit, income tax expense was $41.9 million with an adjusted effective tax rate of 
25.2%. 

At June 3, 2023, the Company had an income tax receivable of $67.0 million compared to $42.1 million at May 28, 2022. During 
fiscal 2022, the Company filed federal carryback tax returns for fiscal 2020 and 2021 taxable net operating losses to recover a 
portion of taxes paid in fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016. Subsequent to fiscal 2023, we received $31.8 million of the $34.9 million 
fiscal 2021 refund and believe we will receive the remaining amount of the fiscal 2020 and 2021 refunds, totaling $11.7 million, 
during our second fiscal quarter of 2024.  An additional $23.5 million income tax receivable was recorded as of June 3, 2023 for 
fiscal 2023 federal overpayments in excess of federal tax liability.

Items causing our effective tax rate to differ from the federal statutory income tax rate of 21% are state income taxes, certain 
federal tax credits and certain items included in income or loss for financial reporting purposes that are not included in taxable 
income or loss for income tax purposes, including tax exempt interest income, certain nondeductible expenses, and net income 
or loss attributable to noncontrolling interest.

29

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest was $1.3 million for fiscal 2023 compared to a $209 thousand net loss for fiscal 
2022.

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC.

As a result of the above, net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. for fiscal 2023 was $758.0 million, or $15.58 per basic 
and $15.52 per diluted share, compared to $132.7 million, or $2.73 per basic and $2.72 per diluted share for fiscal 2022.

Fiscal Year Ended May 28, 2022 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended May 29, 2021

The discussion of our results of operations for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended May 29, 
2021 can be found in Part II. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in 
the Company’s fiscal 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Working Capital and Current Ratio

Our working capital at June 3, 2023 was $942.2 million, compared to $476.8 million at May 28, 2022. The calculation of working 
capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities. Our current ratio was 6.16 at June 3, 2023 compared to 3.58 at May 28, 
2022. The current ratio is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. The increase in our working capital and 
current ratio is primarily due to the increase in total current assets, which increased by $463.4 million to $1.1 billion at June 3, 
2023, due to significant increases in cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale.   Due to seasonal 
factors described in Part I. Item I. Business – Seasonality, we generally expect our need for working capital to be highest in the 
fourth and first fiscal quarters ending in May/June and August/September, respectively.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $863.0 million for fiscal year 2023 compared with $126.2 million for fiscal year 
2022. The increase in cash flow from operations resulted primarily from higher selling prices for conventional eggs as well as the 
increased volume of specialty eggs sold, partially offset by the increased cost of feed ingredients and processing, packaging and 
warehouse costs. 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

We  continue  to  invest  in  our  facilities,  with  $136.6  million  used  to  purchase  property,  plant  and  equipment  for  fiscal  2023, 
compared to $72.4 million in fiscal 2022. These investments were primarily made to expand our cage-free production capacity. 
We have for many years invested substantial amounts to expand our cage-free production capacity and expect to continue to do 
so.  Purchases  of  investments  were  $530.8  million  in  fiscal  2023,  compared  to  $98.2  million  in  fiscal  2022.  The  increase  in 
purchases of investment securities is primarily due to the utilization of increased liquidity resulting from increased cash flows 
provided by operating activities noted above. Sales and maturities of investment securities were $291.8 million for fiscal 2023, 
compared to $92.7 million for fiscal 2022. During fiscal 2022, we also acquired the remaining 50% membership interest in Red 
River for $44.8 million, net of cash acquired. 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

We paid dividends totaling $252.3 million and $6.1 million in fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. 

As of June 3, 2023, cash increased $233.7 million since May 28, 2022, compared to an increase of $1.7 million during fiscal 
2022.

Credit Facility

We had no long-term debt outstanding at the end of fiscal 2023 and 2022. On November 15, 2021, we entered into an Amended 
and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended the “Credit Agreement”) with a five-year term. The Credit Agreement provides for 
a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million. 
As of June 3, 2023, no amounts were borrowed under the Credit Facility. We have $4.3 million in outstanding standby letters of 
credit, which were issued under our Credit Facility for the benefit of certain insurance companies. In May 2023, we entered into 

30

an amendment to the Credit Agreement to replace the London Interbank Offered Rate interest rate benchmark. Refer to Part II. 
Item 8. Notes to the Financial Statements, Note 10 – Credit Facility for further information regarding our long-term debt.

Material Cash Requirements

Material cash requirements for operating activities primarily consist of feed ingredients, processing, packaging and warehouse 
costs, employee related costs, and other general operating expenses, which we expect to be paid from our cash from operations 
and cash and investment securities on hand for at least the next 12 months. While volatile egg prices and feed ingredient costs, 
among  other  things,  make  long-term  predictions  difficult,  we  have  substantial  liquid  assets  and  availability  under  our  Credit 
Facility to fund future operating requirements.

Our material cash requirements for capital expenditures consist primarily of our projects to increase our cage-free production 
capacity. We continue to monitor the increasing demand for cage-free eggs and to engage with our customers in efforts to help 
them achieve their announced timelines for cage-free egg sales. The following table presents material construction projects 
approved as of June 3, 2023 (in thousands):

Project(s) Type

Cage-Free Layer & Pullet Houses 
Cage-Free Layer & Pullet Houses 
Cage-Free Layer & Pullet Houses 
Cage-Free Layer & Pullet Houses 

Projected 
Completion

Fiscal 2024
Fiscal 2025
Fiscal 2026
Fiscal 2027

Projected Cost

Spent as of 
June 3, 2023

$

$

54,702 $
40,099
38,883
56,923
190,607 $

18,900 $
27,152
19,218
20,472
85,742 $

Remaining 
Projected Cost
35,802
12,947
19,665
36,451
104,865

The  following  table  summarizes  by  fiscal  year  the  future  estimated  cash  payments,  in  thousands,  to  be  made  under  existing 
contractual obligations as of June 3, 2023. Further information on debt obligations is contained in Note 10 – Credit Facility in 
Part II. Item 8. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of June 3, 2023, we had no outstanding long-term debt.

Payments due by period

Total

Less than
1 year

1-3
years

3-5
years

More than
5 years

Lease obligations
Purchase obligations:

$

1,714 $

796 $

914 $

4 $

Feed ingredients and fuel (a)
Construction contracts and other equipment

Total

123,321
105,414

123,321
61,108

$ 230,449 $ 185,225 $

—
44,306
45,220 $

—
—
4 $

—

—
—
—

(a) Actual purchase obligations may change based on the contractual terms and agreements

We believe our current cash balances, investments, cash flows from operations, and Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund our 
capital needs for at least the next 12 months and to fund our capital commitments currently in place thereafter.

IMPACT OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

For information on changes in accounting principles and new accounting principles, see “New Accounting Pronouncements and 
Policies” in Part II. Item 8. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions 
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues 
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Critical accounting estimates are those 
estimates made in accordance with GAAP that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably 
likely to have a material impact on the financial condition or results of operations. Our critical accounting estimates are described 
below.

31

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The Company applies the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that once control is obtained, all the assets acquired 
and liabilities assumed, including amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, are recorded at their respective fair values at 
the  date  of acquisition.  The  excess  of  the  purchase  price  over  fair  values  of  identifiable  assets  and  liabilities  is  recorded  as 
goodwill.

We typically use the income method approach for intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Significant judgment 
exists in valuing certain intangible assets. and the most significant assumptions requiring judgment involve estimating the amount 
and timing of future cash flows, growth rates, discount rates selected to measure the risks inherent in the future cash flows and 
the asset’s expected useful lives. 

The  fair  values  of  identifiable  assets  and  liabilities  are  determined  internally  and  requires  estimates  and  the  use  of  various 
valuation techniques. When a market value is not readily available, our internal valuation methodology considers the remaining 
estimated life of the assets acquired and significant judgment is required as management determines the fair market value for 
those assets. 

Due  to  inherent  industry  uncertainties  including  volatile  egg  prices  and  feed  costs,  unanticipated  market  changes,  events,  or 
circumstances may occur that could affect the estimates and assumptions used, which could result in subsequent impairments. 

INVENTORIES  

Inventories of eggs, feed, supplies and flocks are valued principally at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable 
value. If market prices for eggs and feed grains move substantially lower, we record adjustments to write down the carrying 
values of eggs and feed inventories to fair market value. The cost associated with flock inventories, consisting principally of chick 
purchases, feed, labor, contractor payments and overhead costs, are accumulated during the growing period of approximately 22 
weeks. Capitalized flock costs are then amortized over the flock’s productive life, generally one to two years. Judgment exists in 
determining the flock’s productive life including factors such as laying rate and egg size, molt cycles, and customer demand. 
Furthermore, other factors such as hen type or weather conditions could affect the productive life. These factors could make our 
estimates of productive life differ from actual results. Flock mortality is charged to cost of sales as incurred. High mortality from 
disease or extreme temperatures will result in abnormal write-downs to flock inventories. Management continually monitors each 
flock and attempts to take appropriate actions to minimize the risk of mortality loss.

GOODWILL

As  a  result  of  acquiring  businesses,  the  Company  has  $44.0  million  of  goodwill  on  June  3,  2023.  Goodwill  is  evaluated  for 
impairment  annually  by  first  performing  a  qualitative  assessment  to  determine  whether  a  quantitative  goodwill  test  is 
necessary. After assessing the totality of events or circumstances, if we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of 
a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we perform additional quantitative tests to determine the magnitude of any 
impairment.

The  Company  has  determined  that  all  of  our  locations  share  similar  economic  characteristics  and  support  each  other  in  the 
production of eggs and customer support. Therefore, we aggregate all our locations as a single reporting unit for testing goodwill 
for  impairment.  When  the  Company  acquires  a  new  location,  we  determine  whether  it  should  be  integrated  into  our  single 
reporting unit or treated as a separate reporting unit. Historically, we have concluded that acquired operations should be integrated 
into our single reporting unit due to the operational changes, redistribution of customers, and significant changes in management 
that occur when we acquire businesses, which result in the acquired operations sharing similar economic characteristics with the 
rest of our locations. Once goodwill associated with acquired operations becomes part of goodwill of our single reporting unit, it 
no longer represents the particular acquired operations that gave rise to the goodwill. We may conclude that a business acquired 
in the future should be treated as a separate reporting unit, in which case it would be tested separately for goodwill impairment.

At June 3, 2023, goodwill represented 2.3% of total assets and 2.7% of stockholders’ equity. 

Judgment exists in management’s evaluation of the qualitative factors which include macroeconomic conditions, the current egg 
industry environment, cost inputs such as feed ingredients and overall financial performance. Furthermore, judgment exists in the 
evaluation of the threshold of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying 
amount. Uncertainty exists due to uncontrollable events that could occur that could negatively affect our operating conditions.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, we elected to change the date of our annual impairment assessment from year-end to the first 
day of the fourth quarter. The change was made to more closely align the impairment assessment date with our annual planning 

32

and forecasting process. The change in impairment assessment date did not have any impact on goodwill or the impairment of 
goodwill. The change has been applied prospectively and will not have an impact on a retrospective basis. During our annual 
impairment  test  in  fiscal  2023,  we  determined  that  goodwill  passed  the  qualitative  assessment  and  therefore  no  quantitative 
analysis of goodwill impairment was necessary.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue recognition is completed upon satisfaction of the performance obligation to the customer, which typically occurs within 
days of the Company and customer agreeing upon the order. See Note 13 – Revenue Recognition in Part II. Item 8. Notes to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the policy.

The Company believes the performance obligation is met upon delivery and acceptance of the product by our customers. Costs 
to deliver product to customers are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated 
Statements  of  Income. Sales  revenue  reported  in  the  accompanying  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  is  reduced  to  reflect 
estimated returns and allowances. The Company records an estimated sales allowance for returns and discounts at the time of 
sale using historical trends based on actual sales returns and sales.

The Company periodically provides incentive offers to its customers to encourage purchases. Such offers include current discount 
offers (e.g., percentage discounts off current purchases), inducement offers (e.g., offers for future discounts subject to a minimum 
current purchase), and other similar offers. Current discount offers, when accepted by customers, are treated as a reduction to the 
sales price of the related transaction, while inducement offers, when accepted by customers, are treated as a reduction to sales 
price based on estimated future redemption rates. Redemption rates are estimated using the Company’s historical experience for 
similar inducement offers. Current discount and inducement offers are presented as a net amount in ‘‘Net sales.’’

As the estimates noted above are based on historical information, we do not believe that there will be a material change in the 
estimates and assumptions used to recognize revenue. However, if actual results varied significantly from our estimates it could 
expose us to material gains or losses. 

LOSS CONTINGENCIES

The Company evaluates whether a loss contingency exists, and if the assessment of a contingency indicates it is probable that a 
material loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the estimated loss would be accrued in 
the Company’s financial statements. The Company expenses the costs of litigation as they are incurred.

There  were  no  loss  contingency  reserves  for  the  past  three  fiscal  years.  Our  evaluation  of  whether  loss  contingencies  exist 
primarily relates to litigation matters. The outcome of litigation is uncertain due to, among other things, uncertainties regarding 
the facts will be established during the proceedings, uncertainties regarding how the law will be applied to the facts established, 
and uncertainties regarding the calculation of any potential damages or the costs of any potential injunctive relief. If the facts 
discovered or the Company’s assumptions change, future reserves for loss contingencies may be required. Results of operations 
may be materially affected by losses or a loss contingency reserve resulting from adverse legal proceedings.

INCOME TAXES

We determine our effective tax rate by estimating our permanent differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax 
and accounting purposes. Judgment and uncertainty exist with management’s application of tax regulations and evaluation of the 
more-likely-than-not recognition and measurement thresholds. We are periodically audited by taxing authorities. An adverse tax 
settlement could have a negative impact on our effective tax rate and our results of operations.

33

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS

COMMODITY PRICE RISK

Our primary exposure to market risk arises from changes in the prices of conventional eggs, which are subject to significant price 
fluctuations that are largely beyond our control. We are focused on growing our specialty shell egg business because the selling 
prices  of  specialty  shell  eggs  are  generally  not  as  volatile  as  conventional  shell  egg  prices. Our  exposure  to  market  risk  also 
includes changes in the prices of corn and soybean meal, which are commodities subject to significant price fluctuations due to 
market conditions that are largely beyond our control. To ensure continued availability of feed ingredients, we may enter into 
contracts for future purchases of corn and soybean meal, and as part of these contracts, we may lock-in the basis portion of our 
grain purchases several months in advance and commit to purchase organic ingredients to help assure supply. Ordinarily, we do 
not enter long-term contracts beyond a year to purchase corn and soybean meal or hedge against increases in the price of corn 
and soybean meal. The following table outlines the impact of price changes for corn and soybean meal on feed costs per dozen 
as feed ingredient pricing varies:

Change
 in price
per ton
soybean
meal

$ (76.50)
$ (51.00)
$ (25.50)

$
0.00
$ 25.50
$ 51.00
$ 76.50

Change in price per bushel of corn
$ (0.84) $ (0.56) $ (0.28) $ 0.00 $ 0.28 $ 0.56 $ 0.84
0.676
0.686
0.696

0.636
0.646
0.656

0.656
0.666
0.676

0.646
0.656
0.666

0.616
0.626
0.636

0.626
0.636
0.646

0.666
0.676
0.686

0.646
0.656
0.666
0.676

0.656
0.666
0.676
0.686

0.666
0.676
0.686
0.696

0.676(a) 0.686
0.696
0.686
0.706
0.696
0.716
0.706

0.696
0.706
0.716
0.726

0.706
0.716
0.726
0.736

(a) Based on 2023 actual costs, table flexes feed cost inputs to show $0.01 impacts to per dozen egg feed production costs.

INTEREST RATE RISK

We  have  a  $250 million  Credit  Facility,  borrowings  under  which  would  bear  interest  at  variable  rates.  No  amounts  were 
outstanding under that facility during fiscal 2023 or fiscal 2022. Under our current policies, we do not use interest rate derivative 
instruments to manage our exposure to interest rate changes.

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES RISK

At June 3, 2023, the effective maturity of our cash equivalents and investment securities available for sale was 4.8 months, and 
the composite credit rating of the holdings are AA- / Aa3 / AA- (S&P / Moody’s / Fitch). Generally speaking, rising interest rates, 
as have been experienced in recent periods, decrease the value of fixed income securities portfolios. As of June 3, 2023, the 
estimated fair value of our fixed income securities portfolio was approximately $355 million and reflected unrealized losses of 
approximately  $2.4  million.  For  additional  information  see  Note  1  –  Summary  of  Significant  Accounting  Policies  under  the 
heading  “Investment  Securities”  and  Note  3  –  Investment  Securities  in  Part  II.  Item  8.  Notes  to  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Our financial instruments exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade receivables. Concentrations of credit 
risk with respect to receivables are limited due to our large number of customers and their dispersion across geographic areas, 
except that at June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022, 30.1% and 27.9%, respectively, of our net accounts receivable balance was due 
from  Walmart  Inc.  (including  Sam’s  Club).  No  other  single  customer  or  customer  group  represented  10%  or  greater  of  net 
accounts receivable at June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022.

34

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Ridgeland, Mississippi

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of June 3, 
2023 and May 28, 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash 
flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 3, 2023, and the related consolidated notes and schedule listed in the 
Index  at  Items  15(a)(1)  and  15(a)(2)  (collectively  referred  to  as  the  “consolidated  financial  statements”).  In  our  opinion,  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  position  of  Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.  and 
Subsidiaries as of June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three 
years  in  the  period  ended  June  3,  2023,  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of 
America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States) (“PCAOB”), the Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of June 3, 2023, 
based  on  the  criteria  established  in  2013  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated July 25, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion

These  consolidated  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the  entities’  management.  Our  responsibility  is  to 
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered 
with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries in accordance with 
the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the 
PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and 
perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  consolidated  financial  statements  are  free  of  material 
misstatement,  whether  due  to  error  or  fraud.  Our  audits  included  performing  procedures  to  assess  the  risks  of  material 
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to 
those  risks.  Such  procedures  included  examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence  regarding  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the 
consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates 
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe our 
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The  critical  audit  matter  communicated  below  is  a  matter  arising  from  the  current  period  audit  of  the  consolidated 
financial  statements  that  were  communicated  or  required  to  be  communicated  to  the  Audit  Committee  and  that:  (1)  relate  to 
accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, 
subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the 
consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing 
a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Contingent Liabilities – Litigation and Claims – Refer to Note 16 in the Consolidated Financial Statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries record liabilities for legal proceedings and claims in those instances where they 
can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss and when the liability is probable. Where the reasonable estimate of the probable 
loss is a range, Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries record the most likely estimate of the loss, or the low end of the range if 
there is no one best estimate. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries either disclose the amount of a possible loss or range of loss 

35

in  excess  of  established  accruals  if  estimable,  or  states  that  such  an  estimate  cannot  be  made.  Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.  and 
Subsidiaries disclose significant legal proceedings and claims even where liability is not probable or the amount of the liability 
is not estimable, or both, if Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries believe there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss 
may be incurred.

We identified litigation and claims as a critical audit matter because of the challenges auditing management’s judgments 
applied  in  determining  the  likelihood  of  loss  related  to  the  resolution  of  such  claims.  Specifically,  auditing  management’s 
determination of whether any contingent loss arising from the related litigation and claims is probable, reasonably possible, or 
remote, and the related disclosures, is subjective and requires significant judgment due to the sensitivity of the issue.

How the Critical Audit Matter was addressed during the Audit

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our 
overall  opinion  on  the  consolidated  financial  statements.  These  procedures  included  testing  the  effectiveness  of  the  controls 
relating to the Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ evaluation of the liability related to legal proceedings and claims, including 
controls over determining the likelihood of a loss and whether the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, as well as financial 
statement disclosures over the legal proceedings and claims. These procedures also included obtaining and evaluating the letters 
of audit inquiry with external legal counsel, evaluating the reasonableness of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ assessment 
regarding  whether  an  unfavorable  outcome  is  reasonably  possible  or  probable,  and  reasonably  estimable,  evaluating  the 
sufficiency of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ disclosures related to legal proceedings and claims and evaluating the 
completeness and accuracy of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ legal contingencies.

/s/ Frost, PLLC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.

Little Rock, Arkansas
July 25, 2023

36

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except for par value amounts)

Assets
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Investment securities available-for-sale
Receivables:

Trade receivables, net
Income tax receivable
Other

Total receivables, net
Inventories, net
Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total current assets
Property, plant & equipment, net
Investments in unconsolidated entities
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Other long-term assets
Total assets

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:

Trade accounts payable
Dividends payable
Accrued wages and benefits
Income tax payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities

Total current liabilities
Other noncurrent liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies - see Note 16
Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock ($0.01 par value):

Common stock – authorized 120,000 shares, issued 70,261 shares
Class A convertible common stock – authorized and issued 4,800 shares

Paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Common stock in treasury, at cost – 26,077 and 26,121 shares in 2023 and 2022, 
respectively

Total Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. stockholders’ equity
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated equity
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

37

June 3, 2023

May 28, 2022

$

292,824
355,090

$

59,084
115,429

110,980
66,966
9,267
187,213
284,418
5,380
1,124,925
744,540
14,449
44,006
15,897
10,708
1,954,525

82,590
37,130
38,733
8,288
15,990
182,731
9,999
152,212
344,942
—

703
48
72,112
1,571,112
(2,886)

(30,008)
1,611,081
(1,498)
1,609,583
1,954,525

$

$

$

169,109
42,147
8,148
219,404
263,316
4,286
661,519
677,796
15,530
44,006
18,131
10,507
1,427,489

82,049
36,656
26,059
25,687
14,223
184,674
10,274
128,196
323,144
—

703
48
67,989
1,065,854
(1,596)

(28,447)
1,104,551
(206)
1,104,345
1,427,489

$

$

$

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative
Gain on insurance recoveries
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets
Operating income (loss)

Other income (expense):
Interest expense
Interest income
Patronage dividends
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities
Other, net
Total other income
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit)
Net income
Less:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

Net income per share attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.:
Basic

Diluted

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic

Diluted

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

$

$

$

$

June 3, 2023
53 weeks

Fiscal years ended
May 28, 2022
52 weeks

May 29, 2021
52 weeks

$

3,146,217
1,949,760
1,196,457
232,207
(3,345)
(131)
967,726

$

1,777,159
1,440,100
337,059
198,631
(5,492)
383
143,537

1,348,987
1,188,326
160,661
183,943
—
2,982
(26,264)

(583)
18,553
10,239
746
1,869
30,824
998,550
241,818
756,732
(1,292)
758,024

15.58

15.52

48,648

48,834

$

$

$

(403)
988
10,130
1,943
9,820
22,478
166,015
33,574
132,441
(209)
132,650

2.73

2.72

48,581

48,734

$

$

$

(213)
2,828
9,004
622
4,074
16,315
(9,949)
(12,009)
2,060
—
2,060

0.04

0.04

48,522

48,656

38

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
(in thousands)

Net income

Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
Unrealized holding loss available-for-sale securities, net of reclassification 
adjustments
Increase in accumulated post-retirement benefits obligation, net of 
reclassification adjustments

Other comprehensive loss, before tax

Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Comprehensive income

Less: comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest

Fiscal years ended

June 3, 2023 May 28, 2022 May 29, 2021

$

756,732

$

132,441

$

2,060

(1,714)

(1,398)

(27)

(1,741)

(451)

(1,290)

755,442

(1,292)

(9)

(1,407)

(369)

(1,038)

131,403

(209)

(736)

(137)

(873)

(236)

(637)

1,423

—

1,423

Comprehensive income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

$

756,734

$

131,612

$

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

39

Balance at May 31, 2020
Stock compensation plan transactions
Dividends ($0.034 per share)

Common
Class A common

Contributions
Net income
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at May 29, 2021
Stock compensation plan transactions
Dividends ($0.874 per share)

Common
Class A common

Contributions
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at May 28, 2022
Stock compensation plan transactions
Dividends ($5.161 per share)

Common
Class A common
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Balance at June 3, 2023

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(in thousands)

Common Stock
Class A 
Shares

Class A 
Amount
48
—

4,800 $
—

Shares Amount
703
70,261 $
—
—

Treasury 
Amount

Treasury 
Shares
26,287 $ (26,674) $ 60,372 $
(759)

Paid In 
Capital

3,667

(85)

Accum.
Other
Comp.
 Income 
(loss)

Retained 
Earnings

Noncontrolling 
Interest

Total

975,569 $

—

79 $
—

— 1,010,097
2,908
—

—
—
—
—
—
70,261
—

—
—
—
—
—
70,261
—

—
—
—
—
70,261 $

—
—
—
—
—
703
—

—
—
—
—
—
703
—

—
—
—
—
703

—
—
—
—
—
4,800 —
—

—
—
—
—
—
4,800
—

—
—
—
—
4,800 $

—
—
—
—
—
48
—

—
—
—
—
—
48
—

—
—
—
—
48

—
—
—
—
—
26,202
(81)

—
—
—
—
—
26,121
(44)

—
—
—
—
—
(27,433)
(1,014)

—
—
—
—
—
(28,447)
(1,561)

—
—
5
—
—
64,044
3,945

—
—
—
—
—
67,989
4,123

(1,489)
(163)
—
2,060
—
975,977
—

(38,578)
(4,195)
—
132,650
—
1,065,854
—

—
—
—
—
(637)
(558)
—

—
—
—
—
(1,038)
(1,596)
—

—
—
—
—

— (227,993)
(24,773)
—
758,024
—
—
—
26,077 $ (30,008) $ 72,112 $ 1,571,112 $ (2,886) $

—
—
—
(1,290)

—
—
—
—

—
(1,489)
—
(163)
—
5
—
2,060
(637)
—
— 1,012,781
2,931

—
—
3
(209)

(206)
—

(38,578)
(4,195)
3
132,441
(1,038)
1,104,345
2,562

— (227,993)
(24,773)
—
756,732
(1,292)
(1,290)
—
(1,498) $ 1,609,583

40

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating 
activities:

Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes
Equity in income of affiliates
Gain on insurance recoveries
Net proceeds from insurance settlement - business interruption
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Stock compensation expense, net of amounts paid
Unrealized (gain) loss on investments
(Gain) loss on sales of investments
Purchases of equity securities
Sales of equity securities 
Amortization (accretion) of investments
Impairment of investment in affiliate
Gain on change in fair value of investment in affiliates
Other
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:

Increase (decrease) in receivables and other assets
Increase in inventories
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other 
liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of investments
Sales of investments
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
Investment in unconsolidated entities
Distributions from unconsolidated entities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Net proceeds from insurance settlement - property, plant and equipment
Net proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on finance lease
Purchase of common stock by treasury
Payments of dividends
Contributions  

Net cash used in financing activities
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Supplemental information:

Cash paid for operating leases
Income taxes paid
Interest paid

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

$

$
$
$

41

Fiscal year ended
June 3, 2023 May 28, 2022 May 29, 2021

$

756,732

$

132,441

$

2,060

72,234
24,467
(746)
(3,345)
3,345
(131)
4,205
17
60
(85)
1,739
(4,380)
2,000
—
35

30,816
(21,102)

(2,851)
863,010

(530,781)
291,832
—
(1,673)
1,500
(136,569)
—
580
(375,111)

(224)
(1,643)
(252,292)
—
(254,159)
233,740
59,084
292,824

648
258,247
561

68,395
5,676
(1,943)
(5,492)
—
383
4,063
(745)
(2,208)
(356)
4,939
977
—
(4,545)
(109)

(93,897)
(36,152)

54,782
126,209

(98,243)
92,703
(44,823)
(3,000)
400
(72,399)
7,655
686
(117,021)

(215)
(1,127)
(6,117)
3
(7,456)
1,732
57,352
59,084

805
1,747
379

$

$
$
$

$

$
$
$

59,477
22,351
(622)
—
—
2,982
3,778
1,810
(22)
(334)
55
890
—
—
(231)

(33,487)
(31,159)

(1,412)
26,136

(88,283)
129,108
—
—
6,663
(95,069)
—
3,390
(44,191)

(205)
(871)
(1,652)
5
(2,723)
(20,778)
78,130
57,352

929
995
508

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.  (“we,”  “us,”  “our,”  or  the  “Company”)  is  primarily  engaged  in  the  production,  grading,  packaging, 
marketing and distribution of fresh shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic, brown, free-range, pasture-raised and 
nutritionally-enhanced  eggs.  The  Company,  which  is  headquartered  in  Ridgeland,  Mississippi,  is  the  largest  producer  and 
distributor  of  fresh  shell  eggs  in  the  United  States  and  sells  the  majority  of  its  shell  eggs  in  states  across  the  southwestern, 
southeastern, mid-western and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all wholly-owned subsidiaries and of majority-owned subsidiaries 
over which we exercise control. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year-end is on the Saturday closest to May 31. The fiscal year ended June 3, 2023, included 53 weeks and 
the fiscal years ended May 28, 2022 and May 29, 2021 included 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) 
in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the 
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Cash Equivalents

The  Company  considers  all  highly  liquid  investments  with  a  maturity  of  three  months  or  less  when  purchased  to  be  cash 
equivalents.  We  maintain  bank  accounts  that  are  insured  by  the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  up  to  $250,000. The 
Company  routinely  maintains  cash  balances  with  certain  financial  institutions  in  excess  of  federally  insured  amounts.  The 
Company has not experienced any loss in such accounts. The Company manages this risk through maintaining cash deposits and 
other highly liquid investments in high quality financial institutions.

We primarily utilize a cash management system with a series of separate accounts consisting of lockbox accounts for receiving 
cash, concentration accounts to which funds are moved, and zero-balance disbursement accounts for funding accounts payable. 
Checks issued, but not presented to the banks for payment, may result in negative book cash balances, which are included in 
accounts payable. 

Investment Securities

The Company has determined that its debt securities are available-for-sale investments. We classify these securities as current 
because the amounts invested are available for current operations. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, based on 
quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income. The 
amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity and is recorded 
in interest income. The Company regularly evaluates changes to the rating of its debt securities by credit agencies and economic 
conditions to assess and record any expected credit losses through allowance for credit losses, limited to the amount that fair 
value was less than the amortized cost basis. 

Investments  in  mutual  funds  are  recorded  at  fair  value  and  are  classified  as  “Other  long-term  assets”  in  the  Company’s 
Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrealized gains and losses for equity securities are recorded in other income (expenses) as Other, 
net in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

The cost basis for realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities is determined by the specific identification method. 
Gains and losses are recognized in other income (expenses) as Other, net in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. 
Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded in interest income.

42

Trade Receivables 

Trade receivables are stated at their carrying values, which include a reserve for credit losses. At June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022, 
reserves for credit losses were $579 thousand and $775 thousand, respectively. The Company extends credit to customers based 
on an evaluation of each customer's financial condition and credit history. Collateral is generally not required. The Company 
minimizes exposure to counter party credit risk through credit analysis and approvals, credit limits, and monitoring procedures. 
In determining our reserve for credit losses, receivables are assigned an expected loss based on historical loss information adjusted 
as  needed  for  economic  and  other  forward-looking  factors.  At  June  3,  2023  and  May  28,  2022, one  customer  accounted  for 
approximately 30.1% and 27.9% of the Company’s trade accounts receivable, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories of eggs, feed, supplies and flocks are valued principally at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable 
value.

The  cost  associated  with  flocks,  consisting  principally  of  chicks,  feed,  labor,  contractor  payments  and  overhead  costs,  are 
accumulated during a growing period of approximately 22 weeks. Flock costs are amortized to cost of sales over the productive 
lives of the flocks, generally one to two years. Flock mortality is charged to cost of sales as incurred.

The  Company  does  not  disclose  the  gross  cost  and  accumulated  amortization  with  respect  to  its  flock  inventories  since  this 
information is not utilized by management in the operation of the Company.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method over the estimated useful 
lives, which are 15 to 25 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment. Repairs and 
maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that increase the value or productive capacity of assets are capitalized. When 
property, plant, and equipment are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated 
depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in operations. The Company capitalizes interest cost 
incurred on funds used to construct property, plant, and equipment as part of the asset to which it relates and amortizes such cost 
over the asset’s estimated useful life. When certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, asset lives may be adjusted 
and an impairment assessment may be performed on the recoverability of the carrying amounts.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

The equity method of accounting is used when the Company can exert significant influence over an entity, but does not control 
its financial and operating decisions. Under the equity method, original investments are recorded at cost and adjusted by the 
Company’s share of undistributed earnings or losses of these entities. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values, 
when  the  Company  does  not  have  the  ability  to  exercise  significant  influence  over  the  investee,  are  recorded  at  cost,  less 
impairment, plus or minus observable price changes.

The Company is a member of Eggland’s Best, Inc. and ProEgg, Inc., which are cooperatives.  These investments are recorded at 
cost, plus or minus any allocated equities and retains.

Goodwill

Goodwill  represents  the  excess  of  the  purchase  price  over  the  fair  value  of  the  identifiable  net  assets  acquired.  Goodwill  is 
evaluated for impairment annually by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative goodwill test 
is necessary. After assessing the totality of events or circumstances, if we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value 
of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we perform additional quantitative tests to determine the magnitude of 
any impairment. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we elected to change the date of our annual impairment assessment from year-
end to the first day of the fourth quarter. The change was made to more closely align the impairment assessment date with our 
annual planning and forecasting process. The change in impairment assessment date did not have any impact on goodwill or the 
impairment of goodwill. The change has been applied prospectively and would not have an impact on a retrospective basis.

43

Intangible Assets

Included in other intangible assets are separable intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions, which include franchise fees, 
non-compete agreements and customer relationship intangibles. They are amortized over their estimated useful lives of 5 to 15 
years. The  gross  cost  and  accumulated  amortization  of  intangible  assets  are  removed  when  the  recorded  amounts  are  fully 
amortized and the asset is no longer in use or the contract has expired. When certain events or changes in operating conditions 
occur, asset lives may be adjusted and an impairment assessment may be performed on the recoverability of the carrying amounts.

Accrued Self Insurance

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance mechanisms to provide coverage for the potential liabilities for health and 
welfare,  workers’  compensation,  auto  liability  and  general  liability  risks.  Liabilities  associated  with  our  risks  retained  are 
estimated, in part, by considering claims experience, demographic factors, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions.

Dividend Payable

We accrue dividends at the end of each quarter according to the Company’s dividend policy adopted by its Board of Directors. 
The Company pays a dividend to shareholders of its Common Stock and Class A Common Stock on a quarterly basis for each 
quarter for which the Company reports net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. computed in accordance with GAAP in 
an amount equal to one-third (1/3) of such quarterly income. Dividends are paid to shareholders of record as of the 60th day 
following the last day of such quarter, except for the fourth fiscal quarter. For the fourth quarter, the Company pays dividends to 
shareholders of record on the 65th day after the quarter end. Dividends are payable on the 15th day following the record date. 
Following a quarter for which the Company does not report net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the Company will 
not pay a dividend for a subsequent profitable quarter until the Company is profitable on a cumulative basis computed from the 
date of the most recent quarter for which a dividend was paid.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock purchases are accounted for under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as 
treasury  stock. The  grant  of  restricted  stock  through  the  Company’s  share-based  compensation  plans  is  funded  through  the 
issuance of treasury stock. Gains and losses on the subsequent reissuance of shares in accordance with the Company’s share-
based compensation plans are credited or charged to paid-in capital in excess of par value using the average-cost method.

Revenue Recognition and Delivery Costs

Revenue recognition is completed upon satisfaction of the performance obligation to the customer, which typically occurs within 
days of the Company and customer agreeing upon the order. See Note 13 – Revenue Recognition for further discussion of the 
policy.

The Company believes the performance obligation is met upon delivery and acceptance of the product by our customers. Costs 
to deliver product to customers are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated 
Statements  of  Income.  Sales  revenue  reported  in  the  accompanying  Consolidated  Statements  of  Income  is  reduced  to  reflect 
estimated returns and allowances. The Company records an estimated sales allowance for returns and discounts at the time of 
sale using historical trends based on actual sales returns and sales.

Advertising Costs

The Company expensed advertising costs as incurred of $3.4 million, $12.6 million, and $11.7 million in fiscal 2023, 2022, and 
2021, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income  taxes  are  accounted  for  using  the  liability  method.  Deferred  income  taxes  reflect  the  net  tax  effects  of  temporary 
differences  between  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  for  financial  reporting  purposes  and  the  amounts  used  for 
income tax purposes. The Company’s policy with respect to evaluating uncertain tax positions is based upon whether management 
believes it is more likely than not the uncertain tax positions will be sustained upon review by the taxing authorities. The tax 
positions must meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold with consideration given to the amounts and probabilities of 
the outcomes that could be realized upon settlement using the facts, circumstances and information at the reporting date. The 
Company will reflect only the portion of the tax benefit that will be sustained upon resolution of the position and applicable 

44

interest on the portion of the tax benefit not recognized. The Company initially and subsequently measures the largest amount of 
tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all 
relevant  information. The  Company  records  interest  and  penalties on  uncertain  tax  positions  as  a  component  of  income  tax 
expense. Based upon management’s assessment, there are no uncertain tax positions expected to have a material impact on the 
Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Stock Based Compensation

The  Company  recognizes  all  share-based  payments  to  employees  and  directors,  including  grants  of  employee  stock  options, 
restricted stock and performance-based shares, in the Consolidated Statements of Income based on their fair values. The benefits 
of  tax  deductions  in  excess  of  recognized  compensation  cost  are  reported  as  a  financing  cash  flow. See  Note  14  –  Stock 
Compensation Plans for more information.

Business Combinations

The Company applies the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that once control is obtained, all the assets acquired 
and liabilities assumed, including amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, are recorded at their respective fair values at 
the date of acquisition. We determine the fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities internally, which requires estimates and 
the  use  of  various  valuation  techniques.  When  a  market  value  is  not  readily  available,  our  internal  valuation  methodology 
considers the remaining estimated life of the assets acquired and what management believes is the market value for those assets. 

We typically use the income method approach for intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Significant estimates in 
valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, the amount and timing of future cash flows, growth rates, discount 
rates and useful lives. The excess of the purchase price over fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. 

Loss Contingencies

Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued that may result in a loss to the Company but which 
will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company’s management and its legal counsel 
assess  such  contingent  liabilities,  and  such  assessment  inherently  involves  an  exercise  of  judgment.  In  assessing  loss 
contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such 
proceedings, the Company’s legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well 
as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

If the assessment of a contingency indicates it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability 
can be estimated, the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates a 
potentially material loss contingency is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the 
nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be 
disclosed. Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the 
nature of the guarantee would be disclosed. 

The Company expenses the costs of litigation as they are incurred.

New Accounting Pronouncements and Policies

No new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal year had or is expected to have a material impact on our 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

45

Note 2 – Acquisition

Effective on May 30, 2021, the Company acquired the remaining 50% membership interest in Red River Valley Egg Farm, LLC 
(“Red River”), including certain liabilities. As a result of the acquisition, Red River became a wholly owned subsidiary of the 
Company. Red River owns and operates a specialty shell egg production complex with approximately 1.7 million cage-free laying 
hens, cage-free pullet capacity, feed mill, processing plant, related offices and outbuildings and related equipment located on 
approximately 400 acres near Bogata, Texas.

The  following  table  summarizes  the  consideration  paid  for  Red  River  and  the  amounts  of  the  assets  acquired  and  liabilities 
assumed recognized at the acquisition date:

Cash consideration paid

Fair value of the Company's equity interest in Red River held before the business combination

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

Cash
Accounts receivable, net
Inventory
Property, plant and equipment
Liabilities assumed
Deferred income taxes
Total identifiable net assets

Goodwill

$

$

$

48,500

48,500

97,000

3,677
1,980
8,789
85,002
(2,448)
(8,481)
88,519

8,481

$

97,000

Cash and accounts receivable acquired along with liabilities assumed were valued at their carrying value which approximates fair 
value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Inventory consisted primarily of flock, feed ingredients, packaging, and egg inventory. Flock inventory was valued at carrying 
value as management believes that their carrying value best approximates their fair value. Feed ingredients, packaging and egg 
inventory were all valued based on market prices as of May 30, 2021. 

Property, plant and equipment were valued utilizing the cost approach which is based on replacement or reproduction costs of 
the assets and subtracting any depreciation resulting from physical deterioration and/or functional or economic obsolescence.

The Company recognized a gain of $4.5 million as a result of remeasuring to fair value its 50% equity interest in Red River held 
before  the  business  combination.  The  gain  was  recorded  in  other  income  and  expense  under  the  heading  “Other,  net”  in  the 
Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The acquisition of Red River resulted in a discrete tax benefit of $8.3 
million,  which  includes  a  $7.3  million  decrease  in  deferred  income  tax  expense  related  to  the  outside-basis  of  our  equity 
investment in Red River, with a corresponding non-recurring, non-cash $955,000 reduction to income taxes expense on the non-
taxable remeasurement gain associated with the acquisition. As part of the acquisition accounting, the Company also recorded an 
$8.5  million  deferred  tax  liability  for  the  difference  in  the  inside-basis  of  the  acquired  assets  and  liabilities  assumed.  The 
recognition of deferred tax liabilities resulted in the recognition of goodwill. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be 
deductible for income tax purposes.

46

Note 3 - Investment Securities

The following presents the Company’s investment securities as of June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022 (in thousands):

June 3, 2023
Municipal bonds
Commercial paper
Corporate bonds
Certificates of deposits
US government and agency obligations
Asset backed securities
Treasury bills
Total current investment securities

Mutual funds
Total noncurrent investment securities

May 28, 2022
Municipal bonds
Commercial paper
Corporate bonds
Certificates of deposits
US government and agency obligations
Asset backed securities
Total current investment securities

Mutual funds
Total noncurrent investment securities

Available-for-sale

Amortized 
Cost

Unrealized 
Gains

Unrealized 
Losses

Estimated Fair 
Value

$

$

$
$

$

$

$
$

16,571
56,486
139,979
675
101,240
13,459
29,069
357,479

2,172
2,172

Amortized
Cost

10,136
14,940
74,167
1,263
2,205
13,456
116,167

3,826
3,826

$

$

$
$

$

$

$
$

— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $

— $
— $

275
77
1,402
—
471
151
13
2,389

91
91

Unrealized 
Gains

Unrealized 
Losses

— $
—
—
—
4
—
4

$

— $
— $

32
72
483
18
—
137
742

74
74

$

$

$
$

$

$

$
$

16,296
56,409
138,577
675
100,769
13,308
29,056
355,090

2,081
2,081

Estimated Fair
Value

10,104
14,868
73,684
1,245
2,209
13,319
115,429

3,752
3,752

Proceeds from the sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities were $291.8 million, $92.7 million, and $129.1 million 
during fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Gross realized gains for fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021 were $51 thousand, $181 
thousand,  and  $456  thousand,  respectively.  Gross  realized  losses  for  fiscal  2023,  2022,  and  2021  were  $87  thousand,  $76 
thousand, and $19 thousand, respectively. There was no allowance for credit losses at June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022.

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with 
or  without  call  or  prepayment  penalties.  Contractual  maturities  of  investment  securities  at  June  3,  2023  are  as  follows  (in 
thousands):

Within one year
1-5 years
Total

Noncurrent 

Estimated Fair Value
269,830
85,260
355,090

$

$

Proceeds from sales and maturities of noncurrent investment securities were $1.7 million, $4.9 million, and $54 thousand, during 
fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Gross realized gains on those sales and maturities during fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021 
were $6 thousand, $2.2 million and $611 thousand, respectively. Gross realized losses during fiscal 2023 were $66 thousand. 
There were no realized losses for fiscal 2022 and 2021. 

47

Note 4 - Fair Value Measures

The Company is required to categorize both financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities based on the following fair value 
hierarchy. The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated, 
knowledgeable, and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would 
be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle 
the liability with the creditor.

•

•

•

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either 
directly or indirectly, including:

o Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets
o Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets
o
o

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability
Inputs derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability supported by little or no market activity and are significant 
to the fair value of the assets or liabilities

The disclosure of fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at cost are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable: The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the 
short maturity of these instruments.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

In accordance with the fair value hierarchy described above, the following table shows the fair value of our financial assets and 
liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022 (in thousands):

June 3, 2023
Assets

Municipal bonds
Commercial paper
Corporate bonds
Certificates of deposits
US government and agency obligations
Asset backed securities
Treasury bills
Mutual funds

Total assets measured at fair value

May 28, 2022
Assets

Municipal bonds
Commercial paper
Corporate bonds
Certificates of deposits
US government and agency obligations
Asset backed securities
Mutual funds

Total assets measured at fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Balance

$

$

$

$

— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,081
2,081

$

16,296
56,409
138,577
675
100,769
13,308
29,056
—
355,090

Level 1

Level 2

— $
—
—
—
—
—
3,752
3,752

$

10,104
14,868
73,684
1,245
2,209
13,319
—
115,429

$

$

$

$

— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $

16,296
56,409
138,577
675
100,769
13,308
29,056
2,081
357,171

Level 3

Balance

— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $

10,104
14,868
73,684
1,245
2,209
13,319
3,752
119,181

Investment securities – available-for-sale classified as Level 2 consist of securities with maturities of three months or longer when 
purchased. We classified these securities as current, because amounts invested are available for current operations. Observable 
inputs for these securities are yields, credit risks, default rates, and volatility.

48

 
Note 5 - Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

Flocks, net of amortization
Eggs and egg products
Feed and supplies

June 3, 2023

$

$

164,540
28,318
91,560
284,418

May 28, 2022
144,051
26,936
92,329
263,316

$

$

We grow and maintain flocks of layers (mature female chickens), pullets (female chickens under 18 weeks of age), and breeders 
(male and female chickens used to produce fertile eggs to hatch for egg production flocks). Our total flock at June 3, 2023 and 
May 28, 2022, consisted of approximately 10.8 million and 11.5 million pullets and breeders and 41.2 million and 42.2 million 
layers, respectively.

The Company expensed amortization and mortality associated with the flocks to cost of sales as follows (in thousands):

Amortization
Mortality
Total flock costs charged to cost of sales

Note 6 - Property, Plant and Equipment

June 3, 2023

$

$

186,973
10,455
197,428

May 28, 2022
160,107
8,011
168,118

$

$

May 29, 2021
133,448
6,769
140,217

$

$

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

Land and improvements
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Construction-in-progress

Less: accumulated depreciation

June 3, 2023

May 28, 2022

$

$

117,279
552,669
715,205
98,605
1,483,758
739,218
744,540

$

$

109,833
517,859
655,925
71,967
1,355,584
677,788
677,796

Depreciation expense was $69.4 million, $65.8 million and $56.5 million in the fiscal years ended June 3, 2023, May 28, 2022, 
and May 29, 2021, respectively.

The Company maintains insurance for both property damage and business interruption relating to catastrophic events, such as 
fires. Insurance recoveries received for property damage and business interruption in excess of the net book value of damaged 
assets,  clean-up  and  demolition  costs,  and  post-event  costs  are  recorded  within  “Gain  on  insurance  recoveries”  in  the  period 
received or committed when all contingencies associated with the recoveries are resolved. Losses related to property damage are 
recorded within “(Gains) loss on disposal of fixed assets”. Insurance recoveries relating to direct, recoverable costs for business 
interruption are recorded as a reduction in cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Insurance claims incurred or 
finalized during the fiscal years ended June 3, 2023, May 28, 2022, and May 29, 2021 did not have a material effect on the 
Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 7 - Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

As of June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022, the Company owned 50% in Specialty Eggs, LLC (“Specialty Eggs”) and Southwest 
Specialty Eggs, LLC (“Southwest Specialty Eggs”), which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Specialty 
Eggs owns the Egg-Land's Best franchise for most of Georgia and South Carolina, as well as a portion of western North Carolina 
and eastern Alabama. Southwest Specialty Eggs owns the Egg-Land's Best franchise for Arizona, southern California and Clark 
County, Nevada (including Las Vegas). 

As of May 29, 2021, the Company owned 50% in Red River which was acquired at the beginning of fiscal 2022 (see Note 2 – 
Acquisition). The Company accounted for Red River using the equity method of accounting in fiscal 2021.

49

 
Equity method investments are included in “Investments in unconsolidated entities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance 
Sheets and totaled $9.7 million and $10.5 million at June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022, respectively. 

Equity  in  income  of  unconsolidated  entities  of  $746  thousand,  $1.9  million,  and  $622  thousand  from  these  entities  has  been 
included in the Consolidated Statements of Income for fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

The condensed consolidated financial information for the Company’s unconsolidated joint ventures was as follows (in thousands):

Net sales
Net income
Total assets
Total liabilities
Total equity

June 3, 2023

For the fiscal year ended
May 28, 2022

May 29, 2021

$

$

222,602
1,492
27,784
9,854
17,930

$

145,281
3,942
42,971
21,892
21,079

119,853
1,596
106,592
5,850
100,742

The following relates to the Company’s transactions with these unconsolidated affiliates (in thousands):  

June 3, 2023

For the fiscal year ended
May 28, 2022

May 29, 2021

Sales to unconsolidated entities
Purchases from unconsolidated entities
Distributions from unconsolidated entities

$

136,351
75,024
1,500

Accounts receivable from unconsolidated entities
Accounts payable to unconsolidated entities

Note 8 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangibles consisted of the following (in thousands):

$

$

$

94,311
60,016
400

56,765
76,059
6,663

June 3, 2023
4,719
3,187

$

May 28, 2022
10,815
4,678

Goodwill

Balance May 29, 2021 $
Additions
Amortization
Balance May 28, 2022
Amortization
Balance June 3, 2023

$

35,525 $
8,481
—
44,006
—
44,006 $

Franchise
rights
16,699 $
—
(1,628)
15,071
(1,657)
13,414 $

Customer
relationships

Other Intangibles

Non-compete Right of Water
rights
agreements

Use

Total

Trademark intangibles
55,866
8,491
(2,220)
62,137
(2,234)
59,903

186 $
—
(50)
136
(51)
85 $

720 $
—
—
720
—
720 $

1,688 $
—
(362)
1,326
(356)
970 $

1,019 $
—
(159)
860
(152)
708 $

29 $
10
(21)
18
(18)
— $

50

 
For the Other Intangibles listed above, the gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization are as follows (in thousands):

Other intangible assets:
Franchise rights
Customer relationships
Non-compete agreements
Right of use intangible
Water rights *
Trademark

Total

June 3, 2023

May 28, 2022

Gross carrying
amount

Accumulated
amortization

Gross carrying
amount

Accumulated
amortization

$

$

29,284
9,644
1,450
239
720
400
41,737

$

$

(15,870) $
(8,674)
(742)
(239)
—
(315)
(25,840) $

29,284
9,644
1,450
239
720
400
41,737

$

$

(14,213)
(8,318)
(590)
(221)
—
(264)
(23,606)

* Water rights are an indefinite life intangible asset.

No significant residual value is estimated for these intangible assets. Aggregate amortization expense for fiscal years 2023, 2022, 
and 2021 totaled $2.2 million, $2.2 million, and $2.5 million, respectively. 

The following table presents the total estimated amortization of intangible assets for the five succeeding years (in thousands):

For fiscal year
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
Thereafter
Total

Note 9 - Employee Benefit Plans

Estimated amortization expense

$

$

2,170
2,035
1,831
1,828
1,758
5,555
15,177

The Company maintains a medical plan that is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not subject to 
tax under present income tax laws. The plan is funded by contributions from the Company and its employees. Under its plan, the 
Company  self-insures  its  portion  of  medical  claims  for  substantially  all  full-time  employees. The  Company  uses  stop-loss 
insurance  to  limit  its  portion  of  medical  claims  to  $275,000  per  occurrence. The  Company's  expenses  including  accruals  for 
incurred but not reported claims were approximately $21.9 million, $24.6 million, and $21.7 million in fiscal years 2023, 2022, 
and 2021, respectively. The liability recorded for incurred but not reported claims was $2.9 million and $2.8 million as of June 
3, 2023 and May 28, 2022, respectively and are classified within “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in the Company’s 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company has a KSOP plan that covers substantially all employees (the “Plan”). The Company makes contributions to the 
Plan at a rate of 3% of participants eligible compensation, plus an additional amount determined at the discretion of the Board of 
Directors. Contributions can be made in cash or the Company’s Common Stock, and vest immediately. The Company’s cash 
contributions to the Plan were $4.3 million, $3.9 million, and $3.8 million in fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The 
Company did not make direct contributions of the Company’s Common Stock in fiscal years 2023, 2022, or 2021. Dividends on 
the Company’s Common Stock are paid to the Plan in cash. The Plan acquires the Company’s Common Stock, which is listed on 
the NASDAQ, by using the dividends and the Company’s cash contribution to purchase shares in the public markets. The Plan 
sells Common Stock on the NASDAQ to pay benefits to Plan participants. Participants may make contributions to the Plan up to 
the maximum allowed by the Internal Revenue Service regulations. The Company does not match participant contributions.

Deferred Compensation Plans

The  Company  has  deferred  compensation  agreements  with  certain  officers  for  payments  to  be  made  over  specified  periods 
beginning when the officers reach age 65 or over as specified in the agreements. Amounts accrued for the agreements are based 
upon  deferred compensation  earned  over  the  estimated  remaining  service  period of  each  officer. Payments  made  under  these 
agreements  were  $170  thousand in  fiscal  years  2023,  2022  and  2021. The  liability  recorded  related  to  these  agreements  was 

51

 
$1.0 million  and  $1.1  million  at  June  3,  2023  and  May  28,  2022,  respectively  and  are  classified  within  “Other  noncurrent 
liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The  Company  sponsors  an  unfunded,  non-qualified  deferred  compensation  plan,  which  was  amended  and  restated  effective 
December 1, 2021 (the “Amended DC Plan”) to expand eligibility for participation from named officers only to a select group of 
management or highly compensated employees of the Company, expand the investment options available and add the ability of 
participants  to  make  elective  deferrals.  Participants  may  be  awarded  long-term  incentive  contributions  (“Awards”)  under  the 
Amended DC Plan. Awards vest on December 31st of the fifth year after such contribution is credited to the Amended DC Plan 
or, if earlier, the participant’s attainment of age 60 with 5 years of service. Awards issued under the Amended DC Plan were $388 
thousand, $340 thousand, and $279 thousand in fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Payments made under the Amended 
DC Plan were $410 thousand, $480 thousand and $55 thousand in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The liability recorded 
for the Amended DC Plan was $4.6 million, $4.5 million and $4.1 million at June 3, 2023, May 28, 2022 and 2021, respectively 
and is classified within “Other noncurrent liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Deferred compensation expense for both plans totaled $346 thousand, $258 thousand and $1.6 million in fiscal 2023, 2022, and 
2021, respectively.

Other Postretirement Employee Benefits

The Company maintains an unfunded postretirement medical plan to provide limited health benefits to certain qualified retired 
employees and officers. Retired non-officers and spouses are eligible for coverage until attainment of Medicare eligibility, at 
which time coverage ceases. Retired officers and spouses are eligible for lifetime benefits under the plan. Officers, who retired 
prior to May 1, 2012 and their spouses must participate in Medicare Plans A and B. Officers, who retire on or after May 1, 2012 
and their spouses must participate in Medicare Plans A, B, and D. 

The plan is accounted for in accordance with ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (“ASC 715”), whereby an employer 
recognizes the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability, and recognizes changes in the funded 
status in the year the change occurs through comprehensive income. Additionally, this expense is recognized on an accrual basis 
over the employees’ approximate period of employment. The liability associated with the plan was $2.7 million and $3.4 million 
at  June  3,  2023  and  May  28,  2022,  respectively. The  remaining  disclosures  associated  with  ASC  715  are  immaterial  to  the 
Company’s financial statements.

Effective March 1, 2023, the Company adopted a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) and a split 
dollar life insurance plan (“Split Dollar Plan”) designed to provide deferred compensation and a pre-retirement death benefit for 
a  select  group  of  management  or  highly  compensated  employees  of  the  Company.  Provided  the  vesting  conditions  are  met, 
participants in the SERP are eligible to receive an aggregate retirement benefit of $500,000, which is paid in annual installments 
of $50,000 for 10 years. A participant becomes vested in the retirement benefit over five years of plan participation at 20% per 
year. If a participant becomes disabled, attains the retirement age of 65, or the Company experiences a change in control, vesting 
will be accelerated to 100%. If a participant dies while employed, he or she will not receive any benefits under the SERP, but 
their beneficiaries will instead be entitled to the life insurance benefit provided under the Split Dollar Plan, which is $500,000.  
The liability recorded for these plans was $63 thousand at June 3, 2023 and is classified within “Other noncurrent liabilities” in 
the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note 10 - Credit Facility

For  fiscal  years  2023,  2022  and  2021,  interest  expense  was  $583 thousand,  $403 thousand,  and  $213 thousand,  respectively, 
primarily related to commitment fees on the Credit Facility described below.

On May 26, 2023, we entered into the First Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, 
dated November 15, 2021 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”). The Amendment replaced the London Interbank Offered Rate 
interest rate benchmark with the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or 
a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”). The Credit Agreement has a five-year term. The 
Credit  Agreement  provides  for  a  senior  secured  revolving  credit  facility  (the  “Credit  Facility”  or  “Revolver”)  in  an  initial 
aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million, which includes a $15 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of 
credit and a $15 million sublimit for swingline loans. The Credit Facility also includes an accordion feature permitting, with the 
consent of BMO Harris Bank N.A. (the “Administrative Agent”), an increase in the Credit Facility in the aggregate up to $200 
million by adding one or more incremental senior secured term loans or increasing one or more times the revolving commitments 
under the Revolver. No amounts were borrowed under the facility as of June 3, 2023 or May 28, 2022 or during fiscal 2023 or 

52

fiscal 2022. The Company had $4.3 million of outstanding standby letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility at June 3, 
2023.

The  interest  rate  in  connection  with  loans  made  under  the  Credit  Facility  is  based  on,  at  the  Company’s  election,  either  the 
Adjusted Term SOFR Rate plus the Applicable Margin or the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. The “Adjusted Term SOFR” 
means with respect to any tenor, the per annum rate equal to the sum of (i) Term SOFR as defined in the Credit Agreement plus 
(ii) 0.10% (10 basis points); provided, if Adjusted Term SOFR determined as provided above shall ever be less than the Floor, 
then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor. The “Floor” means the rate per annum of interest equal to 0.00%. 
The “Base Rate” means a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% per annum, (b) 
the prime rate of interest established by the Administrative Agent, and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor plus 
1.00%. The “Applicable Margin” means 0.00% to 0.75% per annum for Base Rate Loans and 1.00% to 1.75% per annum for 
SOFR Loans, in each case depending upon the Total Funded Debt to Capitalization Ratio for the Company at the quarterly pricing 
date. The Company will pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Credit Facility payable quarterly from 0.15% to 
0.25% in each case depending upon the Total Funded Debt to Capitalization Ratio for the Company at the quarterly pricing date. 

The Credit  Facility  is  guaranteed  by all  the  current  and  future  wholly-owned direct  and  indirect  domestic  subsidiaries  of  the 
Company (the “Guarantors”), and is secured by a first-priority perfected security interest in substantially all of the Company’s 
and the Guarantors’ accounts, payment intangibles, instruments (including promissory notes), chattel paper, inventory (including 
farm products) and deposit accounts maintained with the Administrative Agent.

The Credit Agreement for the Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including restrictions on the incurrence of liens, 
incurrence of additional debt, sales of assets and other fundamental corporate changes and investments. The Credit Agreement 
requires maintenance of two financial covenants: (i) a maximum Total Funded Debt to Capitalization Ratio tested quarterly of no 
greater than 50%; and (ii) a requirement to maintain Minimum Tangible Net Worth at all times of $700 Million plus 50% of net 
income  (if  net  income  is  positive)  less  permitted  restricted  payments  for  each  fiscal  quarter  after  November  27,  2021. 
Additionally, the Credit Agreement requires that Fred R. Adams Jr.’s spouse, natural children, sons-in-law or grandchildren, or 
any trust, guardianship, conservatorship or custodianship for the primary benefit of any of the foregoing, or any family limited 
partnership, similar limited liability company or other entity that 100% of the voting control of such entity is held by any of the 
foregoing, shall maintain at least 50% of the Company's voting stock. Failure to satisfy any of these covenants will constitute a 
default under the terms of the Credit Agreement. Further, under the terms of the Credit Agreement, payment of dividends under 
the  Company's  current  dividend  policy  of  one-third  of  the  Company's  net  income  computed  in  accordance  with  GAAP  and 
payment of other dividends or repurchases by the Company of its capital stock is allowed, as long as after giving effect to such 
dividend payments or repurchases no default has occurred and is continuing and the sum of cash and cash equivalents of the 
Company and its subsidiaries plus availability under the Credit Facility equals at least $50 million.

The Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default and customary remedies upon the occurrence of an event of 
default, including acceleration of the amounts due under the Credit Facility and foreclosure of the collateral securing the Credit 
Facility.

At June 3, 2023, we were in compliance with the covenant requirements of the Credit Facility.

Note 11 - Equity

The Company has two classes of capital stock: Common Stock and Class A Common Stock. Except as otherwise required by law 
or the Company's Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (“Restated Charter”), holders of shares of the Company’s capital 
stock vote as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, with each share of Common Stock entitled to 
one vote and each share of Class A Common Stock entitled to ten votes. Holders of capital stock have the right of cumulative 
voting in the election of directors. The Common Stock and Class A Common Stock have equal liquidation rights and the same 
dividend rights. In the case of any dividend payable in stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive the same percentage 
dividend (payable only in shares of Common Stock) as the holders of Class A Common Stock receive (payable only in shares of 
Class A Common Stock). Upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled 
to share ratably with the holders of Class A Common Stock in all assets available for distribution after payment in full of creditors. 
The holders of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock are not entitled to preemptive or subscription rights. No class of 
capital stock may be combined or subdivided unless the other classes of capital stock are combined or subdivided in the same 
proportion. No dividend may be declared and paid on Class A Common Stock unless the dividend is payable only to the holders 
of Class A Common Stock and a dividend is declared and paid to Common Stock concurrently.

Each share of Class A Common Stock is convertible, at the option of its holder, into one share of Common Stock at any time. 
The Company’s Restated Charter identifies family members of Mr. Adams (“Immediate Family Members”) and arrangements 

53

and entities that are permitted to receive and hold shares of Class A Common Stock, with ten votes per share, without such shares 
converting into shares of Common Stock, with one vote per share (“Permitted Transferees”). The Permitted Transferees include 
arrangements and entities such as revocable trusts and limited liability companies that could hold Class A Common Stock for the 
benefit of Immediate Family Members. Each Permitted Transferee must have a relationship, specifically defined in the Restated 
Charter, with another Permitted Transferee or an Immediate Family Member. A share of Class A Common Stock transferred to 
a person other than a Permitted Transferee would automatically convert into Common Stock with one vote per share. Additionally, 
the  Restated  Charter  includes  a  sunset  provision  pursuant  to  which  all  of  the  outstanding  Class  A  Common  Stock  will 
automatically  convert  to  Common  Stock  if:  (a)  less  than  4,300,000  shares  of  Class  A  Common  Stock,  in  the  aggregate,  are 
beneficially owned by Immediate Family Members and/or Permitted Transferees, or (b) if less than 4,600,000 shares of Class A 
Common Stock and Common Stock, in the aggregate, are beneficially owned by Immediate Family Members and/or Permitted 
Transferees.

Note 12 - Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per share attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is based on the weighted average Common Stock and Class A 
Common Stock outstanding. Diluted net income per share attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is based on weighted-average 
common shares outstanding during the relevant period adjusted for the dilutive effect of share-based awards. 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used to determine basic and diluted net income 
per common share attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

Numerator

Net income
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

Denominator

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic
Effect of dilutive securities of restricted shares
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted

Net income per common share attributable to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

Basic

Diluted

Note 13 - Revenue Recognition

Satisfaction of Performance Obligation

June 3, 2023

May 28, 2022

May 29, 2021

$

$

$

$

756,732
(1,292)
758,024

$

$

132,441
(209)
132,650

$

$

48,648
186
48,834

48,581
153
48,734

15.58

15.52

$

$

2.73

2.72

$

$

2,060
—
2,060

48,522
134
48,656

0.04

0.04

The vast majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from agreements with customers based on the customer placing an order 
for products. Pricing for the most part is determined when the Company and the customer agree upon the specific order, which 
establishes the contract for that order.

Revenues are recognized in an amount that reflects the net consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the goods. Our 
shell eggs are sold at prices related to independently quoted wholesale market prices or formulas related to our costs of production. 
The Company’s sales predominantly contain a single performance obligation. We recognize revenue upon satisfaction of the 
performance obligation with the customer which typically occurs within days of the Company and the customer agreeing upon 
the order.

Costs  to  deliver  product  to  customers  are  included  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  in  the  accompanying 
Consolidated Statements of Income and totaled $77.5 million, $62.7 million, and $52.7 million in fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 
2021, respectively.

54

 
Returns and Refunds

Some of our contracts include a guaranteed sale clause, pursuant to which we credit the customer’s account for product that the 
customer is unable to sell before expiration. The Company records an allowance for expected customer returns using historical 
return data and comparing to current period sales and accounts receivable. The allowance is recorded as a reduction of sales in 
the same period the revenue is recognized.

Sales Incentives Provided to Customers

The Company periodically provides incentive offers to its customers to encourage purchases. Such offers include current discount 
offers (e.g., percentage discounts off current purchases), inducement offers (e.g., offers for future discounts subject to a minimum 
current purchase), and other similar offers. Current discount offers, when accepted by customers, are treated as a reduction to the 
sales price of the related transaction, while inducement offers, when accepted by customers, are treated as a reduction to sales 
price based on estimated future redemption rates. Redemption rates are estimated using the Company’s historical experience for 
similar inducement offers. Current discount and inducement offers are presented as a net amount in ‘‘Net sales.’’

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides revenue disaggregated by product category (in thousands):

Conventional shell egg sales

Specialty shell egg sales
Egg products
Other

Contract Costs

14 Weeks Ended
June 3, 2023

13 Weeks Ended
May 28, 2022

53 Weeks Ended
June 3, 2023

52 Weeks Ended
May 28, 2022

$

$

395,433

$

378,190

$

2,051,961

$

1,061,995

256,190
33,996
3,061

186,518
26,488
1,768

956,993
122,270
14,993

648,838
60,004
6,322

688,680

$

592,964

$

3,146,217

$

1,777,159

The Company can incur costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. If the amortization period of these costs is less than 
one year, they are expensed as incurred. When the amortization period is greater than one year, a contract asset is recognized and 
is amortized over the contract life as a reduction in net sales. As of June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022, the balance for contract assets 
is immaterial.

Contract Balances

The Company receives payment from customers based on specified terms that are generally less than 30 days from delivery. 
There are rarely contract assets or liabilities related to performance under the contract.

Concentration of Credit Risks

Our largest customer, Walmart Inc. (including Sam's Club) accounted for 34.2%, 29.5% and 29.8% of net sales dollars for fiscal 
2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. H-E-B, LP accounted for 10.1% of net sales dollars for fiscal 2021.

Note 14 - Stock Compensation Plans

On  October  2,  2020,  shareholders  approved  the  Amended  and  Restated  Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.  2012  Omnibus  Long-Term 
Incentive Plan (the “LTIP Plan”). The purpose of the LTIP Plan is to assist us and our subsidiaries in attracting and retaining 
selected individuals who are expected to contribute to our long-term success. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock 
available  for  awards  under  the  LTIP  Plan  is  2,000,000  of  which  941,593  shares  remain  available  for  issuance,  and  may  be 
authorized  but  unissued  shares  or  treasury  shares.  Awards  may  be  granted  under  the  LTIP  Plan  to  any  employee,  any  non-
employee member of the Company’s Board of Directors, and any consultant who is a natural person and provides services to us 
or one of our subsidiaries (except for incentive stock options, which may be granted only to our employees).

The only outstanding awards under the LTIP Plan are restricted stock awards. The restricted stock vests three years from the grant 
date, or upon death or disability, change in control, or retirement (subject to certain requirements). The restricted stock contains 
no other service or performance conditions. Restricted stock is awarded in the name of the recipient and, except for the right of 

55

disposal, constitutes issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock for all corporate purposes during the period 
of restriction including the right to receive dividends. Compensation expense is a fixed amount based on the grant date closing 
price and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.

Total  stock-based  compensation  expense  was  $4.2 million,  $4.1 million,  and  $3.8 million  in  fiscal  2023,  2022,  and  2021, 
respectively.

Our unrecognized compensation expense as a result of non-vested shares was $7.2 million at June 3, 2023 and $7.0 million at 
May 28, 2022. The unrecognized compensation expense will be amortized to stock compensation expense over a period of 2.1 
years.

A summary of our equity award activity and related information for our restricted stock is as follows:

Outstanding, May 29, 2021
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding, May 28, 2022
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding, June 3, 2023

Note 15 - Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following: 

Current:

Federal
State

Deferred:

Federal
State

Number of 
Shares

Weighted Average Grant
Date Fair Value

302,147
113,142
(92,918)
(4,527)
317,844
84,969
(98,684)
(9,989)
294,140

$

$

$

39.37
41.13
42.45
38.01
39.12
54.10
38.25
39.69
43.72

June 3, 2023

Fiscal year ended
May 28, 2022

May 29, 2021

$

$

180,521
36,830
217,351

19,952
4,515
24,467
241,818

$

$

24,228
3,670
27,898

2,716
2,960
5,676
33,574

$

$

(35,090)
730
(34,360)

21,658
693
22,351
(12,009)

56

 
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets were as follows:

Deferred tax liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Investment in affiliates
Other

Total deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax assets:

Accrued expenses
State operating loss carryforwards
Other comprehensive income
Other

Total deferred tax assets

June 3, 2023

May 28, 2022

$

$

109,590
44,986
1,133
5,702
161,411

3,838
78
1,317
3,966
9,199

100,250
31,987
65
5,713
138,015

4,041
470
866
4,442
9,819

Net deferred tax liabilities

$

152,212

$

128,196

The differences between income tax expense (benefit) at the Company’s effective income tax rate and income tax expense at the 
statutory federal income tax rate were as follows:

Statutory federal income tax
State income taxes, net
Domestic manufacturers deduction
Enacted net operating loss carryback provision
Tax exempt interest income
Reversal of outside basis in equity investment Red River
Non-taxable remeasurement gain Red River
Other, net

June 3, 2023

Fiscal year end
May 28, 2022

May 29, 2021

$

$

209,418
32,662
—
—
—
—
—
(262)
241,818

$

$

34,907
5,237
—
—
(9)
(7,310)
(955)
1,704
33,574

$

$

(2,087)
1,124
3,566
(16,014)
(50)
—
—
1,452
(12,009)

As of June 3, 2023, we had no significant unrecognized tax benefits. Accordingly, the Company had no accrued interest and 
penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

We are subject to income tax in many jurisdictions within the U.S.  We are currently not under audit by the Internal Revenue 
Service  or  by  any  state  and  local  tax  authorities.  Tax  periods  for  all  years  beginning  with  fiscal  year  2020  remain  open  to 
examination by federal and state taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject.

57

Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies

State of Texas v. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. d/b/a Wharton; and Wharton County Foods, LLC 

On April 23, 2020, the Company and its subsidiary Wharton County Foods, LLC (“WCF”) were named as defendants in State of 
Texas v. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. d/b/a Wharton; and Wharton County Foods, LLC, Cause No. 2020-25427, in the District Court 
of Harris County, Texas. The State of Texas (the “State”) asserted claims based on the Company’s and WCF’s alleged violation 
of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices—Consumer Protection Act, Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §§ 17.41-17.63 (“DTPA”). The 
State claimed that the Company and WCF offered shell eggs at excessive or exorbitant prices during the COVID-19 state of 
emergency and made misleading statements about shell egg prices. The State sought temporary and permanent injunctions against 
the Company and WCF to prevent further alleged violations of the DTPA, along with over $100,000 in damages. On August 13, 
2020, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the State’s original petition with prejudice. On September 11, 2020, 
the State filed a notice of appeal, which was assigned to the Texas Court of Appeals for the First District. On August 16, 2022, 
the  appeals  court  reversed  and  remanded  the  case  back  to  the  trial  court  for  further  proceedings.  On  October  31,  2022,  the 
Company and WCF appealed the First District Court’s decision to the Supreme Court of Texas. On May 10, 2023, the Company 
filed its brief on the merits, and the State of Texas filed its brief on June 29, 2023. The Company filed its reply brief on July 14, 
2023. Management believes the risk of material loss related to this matter to be remote.

Bell et al. v. Cal-Maine Foods et al. 

On April 30, 2020, the Company was named as one of several defendants in Bell et al. v. Cal-Maine Foods et al., Case No. 
1:20-cv-461,  in  the  Western  District  of  Texas,  Austin  Division.  The  defendants  include  numerous  grocery  stores,  retailers, 
producers, and farms. Plaintiffs assert that defendants violated the DTPA by allegedly demanding exorbitant or excessive prices 
for eggs during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Plaintiffs request certification of a class of all consumers who purchased eggs 
in Texas sold, distributed, produced, or handled by any of the defendants during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Plaintiffs 
seek to enjoin the Company and other defendants from selling eggs at a price more than 10% greater than the price of eggs prior 
to the declaration of the state of emergency and damages in the amount of $10,000 per violation, or $250,000 for each violation 
impacting anyone over 65 years old. On December 1, 2020, the Company and certain other defendants filed a motion to dismiss 
the plaintiffs’ amended class action complaint. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion to strike, and the motion to dismiss and 
related proceedings were referred to a United States magistrate judge. On July 14, 2021, the magistrate judge issued a report and 
recommendation to the court that the defendants’ motion to dismiss be granted and the case be dismissed without prejudice for 
lack of subject matter jurisdiction. On September 20, 2021, the court dismissed the case without prejudice. On July 13, 2022, the 
court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to set aside or amend the judgment to amend their complaint.

On March 15, 2022, plaintiffs filed a second suit against the Company and several defendants in Bell et al. v. Cal-Maine Foods 
et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-246, in the Western District of Texas, Austin Division alleging the same assertions as laid out in the first 
complaint. On August 12, 2022, the Company and other defendants in the case filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ class action 
complaint. On January 9, 2023, the court entered an order and final judgement granting the Company’s motion to dismiss. 

On February 8, 2023, the plaintiffs appealed the lower court’s judgement to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth 
Circuit, Case No. 23-50112. The parties filed their respective appellate briefs, but the court has not ruled on these submissions. 
Management believes the risk of material loss related to both matters to be remote.

Kraft Foods Global, Inc. et al. v. United Egg Producers, Inc. et al. 

As previously reported, on September 25, 2008, the Company was named as one of several defendants in numerous antitrust 
cases involving the United States shell egg industry. The Company settled all of these cases, except for the claims of certain 
plaintiffs who sought substantial damages allegedly arising from the purchase of egg products (as opposed to shell eggs). These 
remaining plaintiffs are Kraft Food Global, Inc., General Mills, Inc., and Nestle USA, Inc. (the “Egg Products Plaintiffs”) and, 
until a subsequent settlement was reached as described below, The Kellogg Company.

58

On September 13, 2019, the case with the Egg Products Plaintiffs was remanded from a multi-district litigation proceeding in the 
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, In re Processed Egg Products Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 
2002,  to  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the  Northern  District  of  Illinois,  Kraft  Foods  Global,  Inc.  et  al.  v.  United  Egg 
Producers, Inc. et al., Case No. 1:11-cv-8808, for trial. The Egg Products Plaintiffs allege that the Company and other defendants 
violated Section 1 of the Sherman Act, 15. U.S.C. § 1, by agreeing to limit the production of eggs and thereby illegally to raise 
the prices that plaintiffs paid for processed egg products. In particular, the Egg Products Plaintiffs are attacking certain features 
of the United Egg Producers animal-welfare guidelines and program used by the Company and many other egg producers. The 
Egg Products Plaintiffs seek to enjoin the Company and other defendants from engaging in antitrust violations and seek treble 
money damages. On May 2, 2022, the court set trial for October 24, 2022, but on September 20, 2022, the court cancelled the 
trial date due to COVID-19 protocols and converted the trial date to a status hearing to reschedule the jury trial. Trial is now set 
for October 16, 2023.

In addition, on October 24, 2019, the Company entered into a confidential settlement agreement with The Kellogg Company 
dismissing all claims against the Company for an amount that did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition 
or results of operations. On November 11, 2019, a stipulation for dismissal was filed with the court, and on March 28, 2022, the 
court dismissed the Company with prejudice.

The Company intends to continue to defend the remaining case with the Egg Products Plaintiffs as vigorously as possible based 
on  defenses  which  the  Company  believes  are  meritorious  and  provable.  Adjustments,  if  any,  which  might  result  from  the 
resolution of this remaining matter with the Egg Products Plaintiffs have not been reflected in the financial statements. While 
management believes that there is still a reasonable possibility of a material adverse outcome from the case with the Egg Products 
Plaintiffs, at the present time, it is not possible to estimate the amount of monetary exposure, if any, to the Company due to a 
range of factors, including the following, among others: two earlier trials based on substantially the same facts and legal arguments 
resulted in findings of no conspiracy and/or damages; this trial will be before a different judge and jury in a different court than 
prior related cases; there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and there are requests for damages other than compensatory 
damages (i.e., injunction and treble money damages).

State of Oklahoma Watershed Pollution Litigation

On June 18, 2005, the State of Oklahoma filed suit, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, 
against Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Tyson Foods, Inc., Cobb-Vantress, Inc., Cargill, Inc., George’s, Inc., Peterson Farms, Inc. and 
Simmons Foods, Inc., and certain of their affiliates. The State of Oklahoma claims that through the disposal of chicken litter the 
defendants polluted the Illinois River Watershed. This watershed provides water to eastern Oklahoma. The complaint sought 
injunctive relief and monetary damages, but the claim for monetary damages was dismissed by the court. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. 
discontinued operations in the watershed in or around 2005. Since the litigation began, Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. purchased 100% 
of the membership interests of Benton County Foods, LLC, which is an ongoing commercial shell egg operation within the Illinois 
River  Watershed.  Benton  County  Foods,  LLC  is  not  a  defendant  in  the  litigation.  We  also  have  a  number  of  small  contract 
producers that operate in the area.

The non-jury trial in the case began in September 2009 and concluded in February 2010. On January 18, 2023, the court entered 
findings of fact and conclusions of law in favor of the State of Oklahoma, but no penalties were assessed. The court found the 
defendants liable for state law nuisance, federal common law nuisance, and state law trespass. The court also found the producers 
vicariously liable for the actions of their contract producers. The court directed the parties to confer in attempt to reach agreement 
on appropriate remedies. On June 12, 2023, the court ordered the parties to mediate before the Tenth Circuit Chief Judge Deanell 
Reece Tacha and instructed the parties to file a joint status report fourteen days following mediation. The mediation has not yet 
been set but is expected to be in the September to October time frame this fall. While management believes there is a reasonable 
possibility of a material loss from the case, at the present time, it is not possible to estimate the amount of monetary exposure, if 
any, to the Company due to a range of factors, including the following, among others: uncertainties inherent in any assessment 
of potential costs associated with injunctive relief or other penalties based on a decision in a case tried over 13 years ago based 
on  environmental  conditions  that  existed  at  the  time,  the  lack  of  guidance  from  the  court  as  to  what  might  be  considered 
appropriate remedies, the ongoing negotiations with the State on appropriate remedies and upcoming mediation, and uncertainty 
regarding  what  our  proportionate  share  of  any  remedy  would  be,  although  we  believe  that  our  share  compared  to  the  other 
defendants is small.

Other Matters

In addition to the above, the Company is involved in various other claims and litigation incidental to its business. Although the 
outcome of these matters cannot be determined with certainty, management, upon the advice of counsel, is of the opinion that the 
final outcome should not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.

59

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Fiscal Years ended June 3, 2023, May 28, 2022, and May 29, 2021 
(in thousands)

Description

Balance at 
Beginning of Period

Charged to Cost 
and Expense

Write-off 
of Accounts

Balance at 
End of Period

Year ended June 3, 2023
Allowance for doubtful accounts $

Year ended May 28, 2022
Allowance for doubtful accounts $

Year ended May 29, 2021
Allowance for doubtful accounts $

775

$

(148) $

48

$

795

$

30

$

50

$

743

$

135

$

83

$

579

775

795

60

 
ITEM  9.  CHANGES  IN  AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND  FINANCIAL 
DISCLOSURE

None. 

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by 
us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, 
processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and 
forms. Disclosure  controls  and  procedures  include,  without  limitation,  controls  and  procedures  designed  to  ensure  that 
information  required  to  be  disclosed  by  us  in  the  reports  that  we  file  or  submit  under  the  Exchange  Act  is  accumulated  and 
communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar 
functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on an evaluation of our disclosure controls 
and procedures conducted by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, together with other financial officers, such 
officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 3, 2023 at the reasonable assurance level.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

(a) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The following sets forth, in accordance with Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Item 308 of the Securities 
and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K, the report of management on our internal control over financial reporting.

1. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. 
“Internal control over financial reporting” is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, together with other financial officers, and effected by our Board of Directors, 
management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting 
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

•

•

•

Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions 
and dispositions of our assets;
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  and  that  our  receipts  and 
expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or 
disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

2. Our  management, in  accordance with  Rule  13a-15(c) under  the Exchange Act  and  with the  participation  of  our 
Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  together  with  other  financial  officers,  evaluated  the 
effectiveness  of  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  June  3,  2023. The  framework  on  which 
management’s  evaluation  of  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  based  is  the  “Internal  Control  – 
Integrated  Framework” published  in  2013  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  (“COSO”)  of  the 
Treadway Commission.

3. Management has determined that our internal control over financial reporting as of June 3, 2023 is effective. It is 
noted  that  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  cannot  provide  absolute  assurance  of  achieving  financial 
reporting objectives, but rather reasonable assurance of achieving such objectives.

4. The attestation report of FROST, PLLC on our internal control over financial reporting, which includes that firm’s 

opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, is set forth below.

(b) Attestation Report of the Registrant’s Public Accounting Firm

61

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Ridgeland, Mississippi

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of June 3, 2023, 
based  on  criteria  established  in  2013  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in 
all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as June 3, 2023, based on criteria established in 2013 
Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, 
stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries and our report dated July 25, 2023 expressed an 
unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion

Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.  and  Subsidiaries’  management  is  responsible  for  maintaining  effective  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting,  and  for  their  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  included  in  the 
accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express 
an opinion on the entities’ internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered 
with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries in accordance with 
the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the 
PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCOAB. Those standards require that we plan and 
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained 
in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal 
control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and 
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures 
as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

An entities’ internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. An entities’ internal control over financial reporting 
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and 
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the entities; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are 
recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the entities are being made only in 
accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  entities;  and  (3)  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding 
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the entities’ assets that could have a material 
effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Little Rock, Arkansas 
July 25, 2023

/s/ Frost, PLLC

62

(c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In  connection  with  its  evaluation  of  the  effectiveness,  as  of  June  3,  2023,  of  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting, 
management determined that there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth 
quarter ended June 3, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over 
financial reporting. 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable. 

ITEM 9C.  DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable. 

PART III.

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Except as set forth below, the information concerning directors, executive officers and corporate governance required by Item 10 
is  incorporated  by  reference  from  our  definitive  proxy  statement  which  is  to  be  filed  pursuant  to  Regulation  14A  under  the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including the chief 
executive officer and principal financial and accounting officers of the Company. We will provide a copy of the code free of 
charge to any person that requests a copy by writing to:

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
P.O. Box 2960
Jackson, Mississippi 39207
Attn.:  Investor Relations

Requests can be made by phone at (601) 948-6813.

A copy is also available at our website www.calmainefoods.com under the heading “Investors – Corporate Governance – Code 
of Ethics.” We intend to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers 
and Employees on our website promptly following the date of any such amendment or waiver. Information contained on our 
website is not a part of this report. 

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information concerning executive compensation required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy 
statement which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with our 2023 
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

ITEM  12.   SECURITY  OWNERSHIP  OF  CERTAIN  BENEFICIAL  OWNERS  AND MANAGEMENT  AND 
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters 
required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 
14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The  information  concerning  certain  relationships  and  related  transactions,  and  director  independence  required  by  Item  13  is 
incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

63

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information concerning principal accounting fees and services required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from our 
definitive  proxy  statement  which  is  to  be  filed  pursuant  to  Regulation  14A  under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  in 
connection with our 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

PART IV.

ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 

(a)(1)

Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries are included in Item 
8 and are filed herewith: 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB 5348)
Consolidated Balance Sheets – June 3, 2023 and May 28, 2022
Consolidated Statements of Income – Fiscal Years Ended June 3, 2023, May 28, 2022, and May 29, 2021
Consolidated  Statements  of  Comprehensive  Income  –  Fiscal  Years  Ended  June  3,  2023,  May 28,  2022,  and 
May 29, 2021
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended June 3, 2023, May 28, 
2022, and May 29, 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended June 3, 2023, May 28, 2022, and May 29, 
2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2)     Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

35
37
38

39

40

41
42

60

All other schedules are omitted either because they are not applicable or required, or because the required information is included 
in the financial statements or notes thereto.

(a)(3)

Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

See Part (b) of this Item 15.

64

(b)

Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference:
Exhibit 
Number
3.1

3.2

4.1**
10.1

10.2

10.3*

10.4

10.5**

10.6*

10.7*

10.8*

10.9*

10.10*

10.11*

Exhibit
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 3.1 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed July 20, 2018)
Composite Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 in the Registrant’s Form 10-Q 
for the quarter ended March 2, 2013, filed April 5, 2013)
Description of Registrant's Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Exchange Act
Underwriting Agreement, dated August 19, 2020, among the Company, the Selling Stockholders and BofA 
Securities  Inc.,  as  representative  of  the  several  underwriters  named  therein  (incorporated  by  reference  to 
Exhibit 1.1 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed August 24, 2020)
Agreement  Regarding  Common  Stock,  including  Registration  Rights  Exhibit  (attached)  (incorporated  by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed June 5, 2018)
Deferred  Compensation  Plan,  dated  November  15,  2021  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.2  in  the 
Registrant's Form 8-K, filed November 19, 2021)
Credit Agreement, dated November 15, 2021, among Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the Guarantors, BMO Harris 
Bank  N.A.,  as  Administrative  Agent,  and  the  Lenders  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  in  the 
Registrant's Form 8-K, filed November 19, 2021)
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated May 26, 2023, among Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the Guarantors, 
BMO Harris Bank N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. KSOP, as amended and restated, effective April 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.4 in the Registrant’s Form S-8, filed March 30, 2012)
Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.  KSOP  Trust,  as  amended  and  restated,  effective  April 1,  2012  (incorporated  by 
reference to Exhibit 4.5 in the Registrant’s Form S-8, filed March 30, 2012)
Amended  and  Restated  Cal-Maine  Foods,  Inc.  2012  Omnibus  Long-Term  Incentive  Plan  (incorporated  by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed October 2, 2020)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Amended and Restated Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. 2012 Omnibus Long-
Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Form 10K filed July 19, 
2022)
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, adopted March 24, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 
to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 27, 2023)
Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan, adopted March 24, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 
Company’s Form 8-K filed March 27, 2023)
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Consent of FROST, PLLC
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Section 1350 Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 

21**
23.1**
31.1**
31.2** 
32***
101.SCH***+
101.CAL***+ Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF***+
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB***+ Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE***+
104
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
Filed herewith as an Exhibit
**
*** Furnished herewith as an Exhibit
†

Submitted electronically with this Annual Report on Form 10-K

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

(c)

Financial Statement Schedules Required by Regulation S-X

The financial statement schedule required by Regulation S-X is filed at page 60. All other schedules for which provision is made 
in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions 
or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted. 

65

 
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

Not applicable

66

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this 
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

SIGNATURES

CAL-MAINE FOODS, INC.
/s/ Sherman L. Miller

Sherman L. Miller
President and Chief Executive Officer

Date:

July 25, 2023

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons 
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature

/s/  Sherman L. Miller
Sherman L. Miller

/s/  Max P. Bowman
Max P. Bowman

/s/ Matthew S. Glover
Matthew S. Glover

/s/  Adolphus B. Baker
Adolphus B. Baker

/s/  Letitia C. Hughes
Letitia C. Hughes

/s/  James E. Poole
James E. Poole

/s/  Steve W. Sanders
Steve W. Sanders

/s/  Camille S. Young
Camille S. Young

Title

President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, 
Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)

Vice President, Accounting
(Principal Accounting Officer)

Date

July 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

Chairman of the Board and Director

July 25, 2023

Director

Director

Director

Director

July 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

67