## Note 4: Other Charges 

In August 2002, the Company announced its decision to restructure the live swine operation. The restructuring will result in the closure of company-owned and leased feeder pig finishing farms in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. The Company will retain a limited number of breeding operations in Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas as well as some feeder pig finishing operations in north central Missouri. As a result of this decision, the Company recorded a live swine restructuring accrual of $26 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. This amount is reflected in the pork segment as a reduction to operating income and included on the consolidated statement of income in other charges. 

In August 2002, the Company made the decision to capitalize on the strong recognition of the Tyson brand by expanding the Tyson brand to beef and pork. Thus, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company recorded a write-down of $27 million related to the discontinuation of the Thomas E. Wilson brand. This amount is reflected in the prepared foods segment as a reduction to operating income and included on the consolidated statement of income in other charges. 

## Note 5: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 

At September 28, 2002, and September 29, 2001, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $26 million and $27 million, respectively. In fiscal 2000, AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc. (AmeriServe), a significant distributor of products to fast food and casual dining restaurant chains, filed for reorganization in Delaware under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. The Company is a major supplier to several AmeriServe customers. In the second quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a $24 million bad debt reserve to fully reserve the AmeriServe receivable. 

## Note 6: Financial Instruments 

In October 2000, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (SFAS 133) as amended. This statement requires the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings, or recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is recognized in earnings. 

The adoption of SFAS 133 in October 2000 resulted in a cumulative effect of approximately $6 million after tax ($9 million pretax) being charged to other comprehensive income (loss). 

At September 28, 2002, and September 29, 2001, the Company had derivative related balances totaling $1 million and $5 million recorded in other current assets and $19 million and $20 million recorded in other current liabilities, respectively. 

Cash Flow Hedges: The Company uses derivatives to moderate the financial and commodity market risks of its business operations. Derivative products, such as futures and option contracts, are considered to be a hedge against changes in the amount of future cash flows related to commodities procurement. The Company also enters into interest rate swap agreements to adjust the proportion of total long-term debt and leveraged equipment loans that are subject to variable interest rates. Under these interest rate swaps, the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest times a notional principal amount and to receive in return an amount equal to a specified variable rate of interest times the same notional principal amount. These interest rate swaps are considered to be a hedge against changes in the amount of future cash flows associated with the Company’s variable rate interest payments. 

