5. SPECIAL ITEMS
Impairments
In 2013, the company recorded a non-cash charge for the impairment of long-lived assets of $57 million pretax, or $51 million after-tax. This consists of $50 million pretax, or $44 million after-tax, in the third quarter and $7 million pretax and after-tax in the fourth quarter, related to the company’s Water operations, which are included in the agriculture and turf operating segment. The total pretax impairment loss consisted of $50 million recorded in cost of sales and $7 million in selling, administrative and general expenses. The impairments were due to a decline in the forecasted financial performance and a review of strategic options for the business (see Note 26).
In the fourth quarter of 2013, the company recorded a non-cash charge of $45 million pretax and after-tax in other operating expenses for an impairment to write the Landscapes operations down to realizable value. These operations were included in the agriculture and turf operating segment and classified as held for sale at October 31, 2013 (see Note 4).
In the fourth quarter of 2012, the company recorded a non-cash charge in cost of sales for the impairment of goodwill of $33 million pretax, or $31 million after-tax, related to the company’s Water operations. The goodwill impairment in 2012 was due to a decline in the forecasted financial performance as a result of more complex integration activities. The goodwill in this reporting unit was completely written off in 2012 (see Note 26).