UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.          )

 

 

 

SEABOARD CORPORATION

9000 West 67th Street
Merriam, Kansas 66202

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 22, 2019

Notice is hereby given that the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Seaboard Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held at the Westin Waltham, 70 3rd Avenue, Waltham, Massachusetts, on Monday, April 22, 2019, commencing at 1:00 p.m., local time, and thereafter as it may from time to time be adjourned, for the following purposes:

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 21, 2019, as the record date for determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting.

March 8, 2019

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE FOLLOW THE SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS APPEARING ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
For the Stockholder Meeting to be held on April 22, 2019

This notice of annual meeting and accompanying proxy materials are available to you on the Internet. We encourage you to review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

Our Company’s Proxy Statement, Annual Report and other proxy materials
to Stockholders are available at:
https://www.seaboardcorp.com/investors (under “Investor Center”)

 

 

 

SEABOARD CORPORATION
9000 West 67th Street
Merriam, Kansas 66202

PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 22, 2019

March 8, 2019

Date, Time and Place of the Meeting

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the annual meeting of stockholders of Seaboard Corporation (the “Company” or “Seaboard”) to be held on Monday, April 22, 2019, commencing at 1:00 p.m., local time, and at any adjournment thereof. The meeting is called for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting, and will be held at the Westin Waltham, 70 3rd Avenue, Waltham, Massachusetts. You may obtain directions to the location of the annual meeting by calling us at (913) 676-8800.

Stockholders Entitled to Vote at the Meeting

Stockholders of record as of the close of business on the February 21, 2019 record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting and at any adjournment thereof. Seaboard had 1,167,298 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, outstanding and entitled to vote as of the record date. Each such share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly to come before the annual meeting. This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy were first sent or given to stockholders on or about March 8, 2019.

Quorum Requirement

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A majority of our outstanding shares of common stock on the record date, or 583,650 shares, will be needed to establish a quorum for the annual meeting. Votes cast at the annual meeting will be tabulated by persons duly appointed to act as inspectors of election and voting for the annual meeting. The inspectors of election and voting will treat shares represented by a properly signed and returned proxy as present at the annual meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, without regard to whether the proxy is marked as casting a vote or abstaining. Likewise, the inspectors will treat shares of stock represented by proxies reflecting one or more “broker non-votes” as present for purposes of determining a quorum. Broker non-votes are proxies with respect to shares held in record name by brokers or nominees, as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote with respect to one or more matters; (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power under applicable national securities exchange rules or the instrument under which it serves in such capacity; and (iii) the record holder has indicated on the proxy card or otherwise notified Seaboard that it does not have authority to vote such shares on such matter or matters.

Attending the Meeting and Voting in Person

If you plan to attend the annual meeting and vote in person, we will give you a ballot when you arrive. However, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee (commonly referred to as being held in “street” name), proof of ownership may be required for you to be admitted to the meeting. A recent brokerage statement and letter from a bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership. If you want to vote your shares of common stock held in street name in person at the meeting, you will have to get a written proxy in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee who holds your shares.

Voting by Proxy

The Board of Directors solicits your proxy in the form enclosed for use at the annual meeting. You may vote your shares by completing the proxy card with your vote, signature and date, and returning it by mail in the envelope provided, or you can follow the instructions on the proxy card to cast your vote via the Internet or telephone. Any stockholder giving a proxy in accordance with the enclosed form may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. A stockholder may revoke his or her proxy by delivering to the Secretary of Seaboard a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. A duly completed proxy will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. Where a stockholder’s voting instructions are not specified in the completed proxy, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted “for” the election of the nominees for director listed herein; and “for” ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for 2019. The Board of Directors

does not know of any matters that will be brought before the meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter properly comes before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy, or their substitutes acting thereunder, will vote on such matter in accordance with their discretion and judgment. If your shares of common stock are held in street name, you will receive instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee that you must follow in order to have your shares voted. Seaboard will bear all expenses in connection with the solicitation of proxies, including preparing, assembling and mailing this proxy statement. After the initial mailing of this proxy statement, proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone, facsimile transmission or personally by directors, officers, employees or agents of Seaboard. Brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward soliciting materials to beneficial owners of shares held of record by them, and their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be paid by Seaboard.

Vote Required

A favorable plurality of votes cast (a number greater than those cast for any other candidates) is necessary to elect members of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, abstentions or broker non-votes as to the election of directors will not affect the election of the candidates receiving the plurality of votes. The other proposal set forth herein requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting. Shares represented by broker non-votes as to such matters are treated as not being present for the purposes of such matters, while abstentions as to such matters are treated as being present but not voting in the affirmative. Accordingly, the effect of broker non-votes is only to reduce the number of shares considered to be present for the consideration of such matters, while abstentions will have the same effect as votes against the matter.

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth certain information as of January 31, 2019 (unless otherwise indicated below) regarding the beneficial ownership of Seaboard’s common stock by the only persons known to us to own beneficially 5 percent or more of Seaboard’s common stock. Unless otherwise indicated, all beneficial ownership consists of sole voting and sole investment power.

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS

The following table sets forth certain information as of January 31, 2019 regarding the beneficial ownership of Seaboard’s common stock by each of our directors and director nominees, each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 7 and all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

*Less than one percent.

ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at five, and has nominated the persons set forth below for election at the annual meeting. Unless otherwise specified, proxies will be voted in favor of the election as directors of the following five persons for a term of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Edward I. Shifman, Jr. is a first cousin of Steven J. Bresky.

There are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which such nominee was nominated.

In case any person or persons named herein for election as directors are not available for election at the annual meeting, proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee or nominees (unless the authority to vote for all nominees or for the particular nominee who has ceased to be a candidate has been withheld), as well as for the balance of those named herein. Management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees for the election as director will be unavailable.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote for the election as directors of the persons listed above.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS INFORMATION

Meetings of the Board

The Board of Directors held seven meetings in fiscal 2018,  three of which were telephonic meetings. Other actions of the Board of Directors were taken by unanimous written consent, as needed. Each director attended more than 75 percent of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served.

Seaboard does not have any policy requiring directors to attend Seaboard’s annual meeting of stockholders, although generally the directors have attended Seaboard’s annual stockholders’ meetings. All directors, other than Mr. Bresky, attended the 2018 annual meeting.

Controlled Corporation

Seaboard is a “controlled corporation,” as defined in the rules of the NYSE American, because more than 50 percent of the voting power of Seaboard is owned by the Seaboard Flour Entities. As such, Seaboard is exempted from many of the requirements regarding Board of Director committees and independence. The members of our Board of Directors who are independent within the meaning of the NYSE American listing standards are David A. Adamsen, Douglas W. Baena and Edward I. Shifman, Jr.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

Steven J. Bresky serves as both Seaboard’s principal executive officer and Chairman of the Board. Steven J. Bresky is the beneficial owner of approximately 77.9 percent of Seaboard, and has more than 30 years’ experience with Seaboard. Seaboard does not have a lead independent director. Seaboard believes that Steven J. Bresky has a sufficient vested interest in Seaboard on the basis of his stock ownership position, and has the experience necessary to lead Seaboard as both the principal executive officer and Chairman of the Board.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors provides risk oversight of Seaboard with respect to the audit of Seaboard’s financial statements, Seaboard’s internal audit function and any financial matters reported to Seaboard’s Vice President of Internal Audit or other Seaboard representative. The Audit Committee administers this oversight function through Audit Committee meetings and periodic meetings in private with Seaboard’s auditors, KPMG LLP, and Seaboard’s Vice President of Internal Audit. The Board of Directors does not have any other significant oversight function, aside from performance of the Board of Director function through periodic meetings. The Board of Directors does not believe that its role in risk oversight of Seaboard has any significant effect on the Board’s leadership structure.

Committees of the Board

Seaboard’s Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee. There currently are no other standing executive, compensation, nominating or other committees of Seaboard’s Board of Directors, or committees performing similar functions of the Board.

Audit Committee. Seaboard’s Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee comprised solely of independent directors. The members of the Audit Committee are David A. Adamsen, Douglas W. Baena and Edward I. Shifman, Jr. Mr. Baena is Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee selects and retains independent auditors and assists the Board in its oversight of the integrity of Seaboard’s financial statements, including the performance of our independent auditors in their audit of our annual financial statements. The Audit Committee meets with management and the independent auditors, as may be required. The independent auditors have full and free access to the Audit Committee, without the presence of management. The Board of Directors has determined that Douglas W. Baena is an “audit committee financial expert” and is “independent,” within the meaning of the listing standards of NYSE American. The Audit Committee held four meetings in fiscal 2018,  two of which were telephonic meetings.

Incentive Compensation Committee. Until December 31, 2018, Seaboard had an Incentive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the function of which was to administer the Seaboard Corporation Executive Incentive Plan.  The members of the Incentive Compensation Committee were David A. Adamsen and Douglas W. Baena.  In 2018, the Incentive Compensation Committee held two telephonic meetings.

Seaboard’s Board of Directors dispensed with the Incentive Compensation Committee effective December 31, 2018 because the Seaboard Corporation Executive Incentive Plan was terminated effective as of this same date.    

Director Nominations

The Board of Directors believes it is not necessary to have a separate nominating committee because of the low turnover of Board of Director seats and because the entire Board of Directors participates in the consideration of director nominees. There currently is no charter that establishes procedures for the Board’s consideration of director nominees. The Board believes that it should be comprised of directors with varied, complementary backgrounds, and that directors should, at a minimum, have expertise that may be useful to Seaboard. Directors should also possess the highest personal and professional ethics, and should be willing and able to devote the required amount of time to Seaboard’s business. In determining whether a director should be retained and stand for re-election, the Board also considers that member’s performance and contribution to the Board during his tenure with the Board. Seaboard’s policy is to consider nominees who are submitted by stockholders on a case-by-case basis. All nominees, including those submitted by stockholders, will be evaluated using generally the same methods and criteria, although those methods and criteria are not standardized and may vary from time to time. The Board does not have any policy with respect to diversity and does not consider diversity in identifying nominees for Director.

Communication with the Board

The Board of Directors does not provide a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board because it believes that the process available under applicable federal securities laws for stockholders to submit proposals for consideration at the annual meeting is adequate.

Compensation of Directors

The following table shows the compensation received by each member of our Board of Directors (other than those who are Named Executive Officers in the Summary Compensation Table on page 7) for service on the Board in 2018.

Director Compensation Table

Each non-employee director received $18,000 quarterly and an additional $2,500 per quarter for service on the Audit Committee of the Board. The Chairman of the Audit Committee also received an additional $2,500 per quarter. All director compensation represents fees paid in cash only.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

The following table shows all compensation earned, during the fiscal years indicated, by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the three other highest paid executive officers of Seaboard (the “Named Executive Officers”) for such period in all capacities in which they have served:

Summary Compensation Table

Also included in All Other Compensation are the amounts earned for unused paid time off. These amounts for 2018 are as follows: S. Bresky, $0; R. Steer, $31,154; E. Gonzalez, $19,615; D. Dannov, $0; and D. Sand, $17,077.

Also included in All Other Compensation are Seaboard’s contributions to its 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan on behalf of the Named Executive Officers, amounts paid for disability and life insurance and individual perquisites, including amounts paid as an automobile allowance, fuel card usage, personal usage of Seaboard’s airplane, a gross-up for related taxes. Reimbursement for taxes owed on the above-stated items total as follows for each of the Named Executive Officers for 2018: S. Bresky, $25,487; R. Steer, $27,343; E. Gonzalez, $19,995; D. Dannov, $33,516; and D. Sand, $14,388.

PAY RATIO

Pursuant to a mandate of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, set forth below for 2018 is a comparison of (i) the annual total compensation of S. Bresky, Seaboard’s Chief Executive Officer; and (ii) the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of Seaboard and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than S. Bresky).  The median of the annual total compensation and the pay ratio described below are reasonable estimates calculated by Seaboard in a manner consistent with applicable SEC regulations.

Seaboard estimates that in 2018, the annual total compensation of S. Bresky was $2,662,381 and the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of Seaboard and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than S. Bresky) was $36,643, and thus the ratio of the annual total compensation of S. Bresky to the median of the annual total compensation of all of Seaboard’s employees was 73 to 1. Seaboard’s “median employee” worked at Seaboard’s pork processing plant in Oklahoma.

Seaboard has elected to identify its median employee every three years unless a significant change in employee population or employee compensation arrangements has occurred. In 2018, the prior year’s median employee terminated employment. Therefore, as allowed by the SEC, Seaboard identified an alternate median employee with comparable pay as the median employee for 2018.

For 2017, to determine the median of the annual total compensation of all of Seaboard’s employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of Seaboard’s “median employee” and Seaboard’s Chief Executive Officer, Seaboard used the following methodology and made the following material assumptions, adjustments and estimates:

1.Seaboard selected October 1, 2017, which is within the last three months of 2017, as the date upon which it would identify the “median employee” to allow sufficient time to identify the median employee given the global scope of its operations.  To identify the “median employee,” Seaboard included all worldwide employees as of October 1, 2017, whether employed on a full-time, part-time or seasonal basis. 

2.Seaboard determined that gross wages of such employees for the month of August 2017 was a reasonable compensation measure to determine the median employee, given (i) Seaboard’s large, international workforce; (ii) the diversity of countries and compensation structures in which Seaboard operates; and (iii) the high employee turnover in some of Seaboard’s operations.  Seaboard believes that the use of this partial year period is appropriate as it confirmed that the period is reflective of the annual total compensation of all of its employees and would not significantly impact the identity of the median employee.

3.With respect to employees hired in the months of August and September 2017, and thus not having a full month of wages, Seaboard estimated their wages by (x) grossing up actual partial gross wages to reflect an entire month’s worth of wages based upon each employee’s status as full-time, part-time or seasonal employee; or (y) using the average wages received by employees performing a similar function (and in the same status, i.e., full-time, part-time or seasonal) at the same location during the month.  All wages were converted into U.S. dollar equivalents using the respective exchange rates as of August 31, 2017.  Seaboard did not make any cost-of-living adjustments in identifying the median employee.

4.Once Seaboard identified its median employee, Seaboard included the elements of such employee’s compensation for 2017 determined in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K.  With respect to the annual total compensation of Seaboard’s Chief Executive Officer, Seaboard used the amount reported in the “Total” column of its 2017 Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement, which likewise was calculated in accordance with those same requirements.

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Each Named Executive Officer is a party to an Employment Agreement with Seaboard.

The Employment Agreements for S. Bresky, R. Steer and D. Sand have a term of one year and extend annually for one-year terms, unless terminated by Seaboard. The Employment Agreement for E. Gonzalez has a term of three years, and extends annually for a three-year term through December 31, 2021, and then extends annually for one-year terms, unless terminated by Seaboard. The Employment Agreement for D. Dannov has a term of two years through December 31, 2020, and then extends annually for one-year terms, unless terminated by Seaboard.

The Employment Agreements provide for payment of the following initial Base Salary and minimum Annual Bonus for each Named Executive Officer:

Payments Upon Certain Events

The Employment Agreements each continue to provide for the payment of severance upon the termination of employment in certain circumstances. Following is a summary of the amounts which would be paid by Seaboard to each Named Executive Officer if, on December 31, 2018, his employment was involuntarily terminated without “Cause,” or if he resigned for “Good Reason,” as those terms are defined in the Employment Agreement for each such Named Executive Officer:

The Board of Directors has approved for each of the Named Executive Officers the right to use Seaboard’s airplane for personal use. S. Bresky was allotted 20 hours of flight time for personal use for 2018 and 2019. Each of the other Named Executive Officers was allotted 10 hours of flight time for personal use for each of 2018 and 2019. Seaboard also will pay each of the Named Executive Officers for the incidental fees and expenses incurred related to the flights, including ground transportation, and a “tax gross-up” of the estimated federal and state income taxes each will incur as a consequence of this benefit.

BENEFIT PLANS

409A Executive Retirement Plan and Cash Balance Retirement Plan

The Seaboard Corporation 409A Executive Retirement Plan (the “Executive Retirement Plan”) provides retirement benefits for a select group of the officers and managers, including the Named Executive Officers, other than E. Gonzalez. The Executive Retirement Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2013. The Executive Retirement Plan gives credit for all years of service with Seaboard, both before and after becoming a participant. For years of service before becoming a participant (pre-participation service), the benefit is equal to 0.65 percent of the final average remuneration (salary plus bonus) of the participant, plus 0.50 percent of final average remuneration of the participant in excess of Social Security Covered Compensation, all multiplied by the participant’s pre-participation service. For years of service after becoming a participant (post-participation service), the benefit is equal to 2.5 percent of the final average remuneration of the participant, multiplied by the participant’s years of post-participation service. The amendment to the Executive Retirement Plan effective January 1, 2013 limits, and in some circumstances establishes, the final average remuneration and limits the years of post-participation service eligible to calculate the benefit. The benefit amount determined by the formula is reduced by the following: (i) the amount such participant has accrued under the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan (described below); and (ii) the benefit earned under the Executive Retirement Plan from 1994 through 1996 that resulted in cash payments from the plan that were based on the cost to purchase such benefit. Benefits under the Executive Retirement Plan are currently unfunded. As of December 31, 2018, all of the participating Named Executive Officers were fully vested, as defined in the Executive Retirement Plan. For the accrued benefit as of December 31, 2012 (the “Pre-2013 Benefit”), the ordinary form of payment of the benefit is pursuant to a “Single Lump Sum Payment,” which is equivalent in value to the benefit described above, payable in “Single Life Annuity” form. Under certain circumstances, the Executive Retirement Plan allows for optional forms of payment of the Pre-2013 Benefit. If the Pre-2013 Benefit will be paid pursuant to a lump sum, then payment will be made upon the earlier of: (i) the seventh month following separation from service; (ii) any change of control of Seaboard; or (iii) death or disability. If the Pre-2013 Benefit will be paid pursuant to an annuity, payment will begin in the seventh month following the month in which the participant has a separation from service, or at age 62, if later; or pursuant to a lump sum, in the event of the death or disability of the participant, or any change of control of Seaboard. The portion of the benefit which accrues after December 31, 2012 (“Post-2012 Benefit”) will be calculated as a lump sum on a date specified in the plan, and for the Named Executive Officers other than R. Steer, this balance will be increased or decreased based on the return of certain investments selected by the participant and paid upon the earlier of: (i) the participant’s separation from service; (ii) a change of control; or (iii) the death or disability of the participant. For participants who are not covered employees under IRC § 162(m), the Post-2012 Benefit will be paid as a lump sum on the earlier of: (i) the date specified in the plan; (ii) the seventh month following separation of service; (iii) any change of control of Seaboard; or (iv) death or disability. The table in the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan section below sets forth estimates of the present value as of December 31, 2018 of the accumulated benefits that would be payable to the Named Executive Officers under the Executive Retirement Plan at the earliest unreduced age (i.e., age 62) for pre-participation and post-participation service (note that S. Bresky, R. Steer and D. Dannov began participating in this plan on January 1, 1994, and D. Sand began participating in this plan on January 1, 2005), which estimates are calculated based on the assumptions described in Footnote 9 of Seaboard’s 2018 financial statements contained in its Annual Report.

The Seaboard Corporation Cash Balance Executive Retirement Plan (the “Cash Balance Retirement Plan”) provides retirement benefits for a select group of the officers of Seaboard’s subsidiary, Seaboard Marine Ltd., including E. Gonzalez. The Cash Balance Retirement Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2013 and dated December 21, 2012. The Cash Balance Retirement Plan provides an alternative benefit in lieu of the Executive Retirement Plan because of a change in tax law which provided for adverse tax consequences to the employees of certain foreign subsidiaries. The benefit under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan is structured to approximate the benefit which would have been payable to the participant had he remained a participant in the Executive Retirement Plan; provided, however, pursuant to the Cash Balance Retirement Plan, each participant must recognize income equal to the annual increase in the accrued benefit under the plan, and Seaboard makes a cash distribution under the plan in an amount equal to the estimated amount of taxes which will be incurred by the participant based on the income recognized, which cash distribution is deducted from the amount of the accrued benefit. In conjunction with the adoption of the plan, each participant agreed that the accrued vested benefit under the Executive Retirement Plan would be paid pursuant to the provisions of the Cash Balance Retirement Plan. The accrued benefit under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan will be determined for each participant as of a date set forth in the plan, on which date no further years of service will accrue for purposes of calculating the benefit. The accrued benefit as of this date will be increased or decreased based on deemed investments selected by the participant, and will be paid upon the earlier of: (i) a separation of service; (ii) a change in control of Seaboard; or (iii) death or disability. Payment of all or a portion of the benefit may be delayed by up to six months in accordance with

the then applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The benefit under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan is currently unfunded. The table in the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan section below sets forth an estimate of the present value as of December 31, 2018 of the accumulated benefit that would be payable to E. Gonzalez under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan at the earliest unreduced age (i.e., age 62), not considering the distributions paid to each such participant prior to age 62 in an amount equal to the estimated income taxes required to be paid as a consequence of the plan for years prior to payment of the lump sum benefit, which estimate is calculated based on the same assumptions described in Footnote 9 of Seaboard’s financial statements contained in its Annual Report. Note that E. Gonzalez became a participant in the Executive Retirement Plan on January 1, 2005; however, he has been awarded three additional years of service, such that he is deemed to have joined the plan effective January 1, 2002. Accordingly, the table in the Pension Benefits section below reflects the pre-participation and post-participation service based on this date. Such service is credited under the Cash Balance Retirement Plan.

Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan

Seaboard provides defined benefits for its domestic salaried and clerical employees who began employment on or before December 31, 2013 upon retirement through the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan (the “Corporation Plan”) or the Seaboard Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the “Defined Benefit Plan”) (collectively the “Plans”). Beginning in fiscal 1997, each of the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table participated in the Corporation Plan. Effective January 1, 2010, the Defined Benefit Plan was established, receiving assets from and assuming liabilities of the Corporation Plan. Effective January 1, 2017, the Plans were merged. Prior to January 1, 2017, the Named Executive Officers other than E. Gonzalez participated in the Corporation Plan, and E. Gonzalez participated in the Defined Benefit Plan. The benefits under the Corporation Plan and the Defined Benefit Plan are the same. Benefits under the Plans generally are based upon the number of years of service and a percentage of final average remuneration (salary plus bonus), subject to limitations under applicable federal law. As of December 31, 2018, all of the Named Executive Officers were fully vested, as defined in the Plans. Under the Plans, the benefit payment for a married participant is pursuant to a “50 Percent Joint and Survivor Annuity.” This means the participant will receive a monthly annuity benefit for his/her lifetime, and an eligible surviving spouse will receive a lifetime annuity equal to 50 percent of the participant’s benefit. The payment of the benefit for an unmarried participant is pursuant to a “Single Life Annuity.” The Plans allow for optional forms of payment under certain circumstances. The normal retirement age under the Plans is age 65. However, unreduced benefits are available at age 62 with five years of service. The Pension Benefits table below shows the present value of the accumulated benefits that would be payable under the Plans at the earliest unreduced commencement age (i.e., age 62).

Each of the Named Executive Officers is 100 percent vested under a particular defined benefit (“Benefit”) that was frozen at December 31, 1993 as part of the Plans. A definitive actuarial determination of the benefit amounts was made in 1995. The annual amounts payable upon retirement after attaining age 62 under this Benefit are as follows: S. Bresky, $32,796; R. Steer, $15,490; E. Gonzalez, $2,643; and D. Dannov, $8,346. Under the Plans, the payment of this benefit is pursuant to a “Ten-Year Certain and Continuous Annuity.” This means the participant would receive a monthly annuity benefit for his/her lifetime and, if the participant dies while in the ten-year certain period, the balance of the ten-year benefit would be paid to his/her designated beneficiary. If the participant dies while employed by Seaboard or after retirement, but before the commencement of benefits, monthly payments would be made to the participant’s beneficiary in the form of a 100 percent joint and survivor benefit. The Plans allow for optional forms of payment under certain circumstances.

The following table sets forth the Years of Credited Service, the Present Value of the Accumulated Benefit and the Payments During the Last Fiscal Year, pursuant to the specified Plans for each of the Named Executive Officers.

Pension Benefits

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans

In 2005, Seaboard adopted the Seaboard Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), which gives a select group of management or highly-compensated employees the right to defer salary and bonus to be paid by Seaboard at a later time, all in accordance with applicable ERISA and income tax laws and regulations. No income taxes are payable by the participants on amounts deferred pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan until they are paid to the participant. The Deferred Compensation Plan also provides for a Company contribution (the “Company 401K Contributions”) to be credited to participants in an amount equal to Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan matching percentage, 3 percent for 2018, of each participant’s deferral pursuant to the Plan, and of each participant’s annual compensation in excess of the Tax Code limitation on the amount of compensation that can be taken into account under Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. The amount of such limitation for Seaboard was $270,000 in 2018; $265,000 in 2017; and $265,000 in 2016.

Through 2018, each of the Named Executive Officers (other than E. Gonzalez) was a participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Effective January 1, 2019, the plan was frozen such that no additional contributions, whether in the form of employee elective deferrals or company contributions, and relating to compensation earned after December 31, 2018 will be made to the plan; however, amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2019 remained subject to the plan.

Following are amounts deferred and all company contributions credited to the Named Executive Officers relating to compensation earned prior to January 1, 2019.  These amounts are included in the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table above.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

Effective as of January 1, 2019, Seaboard amended the Deferred Compensation Plan to “freeze” the plan such that no additional contributions, whether in the form of employee elective deferrals or employer contributions (i.e., “Company Contributions” under the plan), and relating to compensation earned after December 31, 2018, will be made to the Deferred Compensation Plan.  To the extent a participant deferral or Company Contribution relating to compensation earned before January 1, 2019, was not made by December 31, 2018 (e.g., 2018 performance bonuses), such contribution (in the form of a credit to the applicable participant’s plan account), will still be made to the plan.  All plan accounts in the Deferred Compensation Plan existing as of December 31, 2018, will continue to experience an investment return and be distributed in accordance with the plan and any participant investment or deferral election as in effect on December 31, 2018.

Effective January 1, 2019, Seaboard also adopted the Seaboard Corporation Post-2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan”), which gives a select group of management or highly-compensated employees either the right to defer salary and bonus amounts paid after December 31, 2018, or the right to receive certain company contributions made by Seaboard, to be paid by Seaboard at a later time, all in accordance with applicable ERISA and income tax laws and regulations. No income taxes are payable by the participants on amounts deferred or contributed by Seaboard pursuant to the Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan until they are paid to the participant. The Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan also provides for a Company contribution to be credited to participants in an amount equal to (i) the Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan employer matching contribution percentage, 3 percent for 2019, of each participant’s deferral contributions pursuant to the Plan; and (ii) a percentage of each participant’s annual compensation in excess of the Tax Code limitation on the amount of compensation that can be taken into account under Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.

Elective contributions by participants and Company contributions to the Post-2018 Deferred Compensation Plan, and the earnings thereon, are generally payable on the future date selected by the participant, or if earlier, upon the participant’s retirement; however, with respect to the Named Executive Officers and any other “covered employees” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code Section 162(m)”), payment of such amounts will be deferred until the earlier of (i) the first taxable year that Seaboard anticipates, or should reasonably anticipate, that if the amount were distributed during such year, the deduction of such payment would not be barred by application of Code Section 162(m); or (ii) as soon as administratively feasible after the beginning of the sixth anniversary of the Participant’s Separation from Service (regardless of such payment’s non-deductibility).  In no event will a deferred amount be paid earlier than the first day of the seventh month following the month of the Participant’s Separation from Service.

Seaboard Marine Ltd. 401(k) Excess Plan

Effective January 1, 2009, Seaboard adopted the Seaboard Marine Ltd. 401(k) Excess Plan (the “401(k) Excess Plan”), which provides a benefit for certain employees of Seaboard Marine Ltd., including E. Gonzalez. Pursuant to the 401(k) Excess Plan, participants are paid an amount equal to Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan matching percentage, which for 2018, equaled 3 percent of each participant’s annual compensation in excess of the Tax Code limitation on the amount of compensation that can be taken into account under Seaboard’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. The amount of such limitation was $270,000 in 2018; $265,000 in 2017 and $265,000 in 2016.  The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan in 2016 and paid to E. Gonzalez in 2017 was $29,238. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan for 2017 and paid to him in 2018 was $56,376. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan in 2018 of $7,290 will be paid to him in 2019, and is included in the Summary Compensation Table above.

Seaboard Corporation Investment Option Plan 

For the years 2001-2004, Seaboard established the Seaboard Corporation Investment Option Plan, which allowed executives to reduce their compensation, and Seaboard to make contributions, in exchange for an option to acquire interests measured by reference to three alternative investments. The exercise price for each investment option was established based upon the fair market value of the underlying investment on the date of grant.  The options expire not later than 20 years after the date the option was granted.

Investment Option Plan

Retiree Medical Benefit Plan

The Seaboard Corporation Retiree Medical Benefit Plan provides family medical insurance to certain members of management, including each Named Executive Officer upon his retirement in the event he has attained age 50, and has completed at least 15 years of service. This benefit is also furnished in the event the Named Executive Officer’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than if the Named Executive Officer unlawfully converted a material amount of funds), or in the event of a change of control of Seaboard. 

Following is a summary of the present value cost to Seaboard of this benefit for each Named Executive Officer (D. Sand, who was not a member of the plan at December  31,  2018), assuming that this benefit was triggered and said medical insurance began to be furnished on December 31, 2018.

Executive Long-Term Disability Plan

The Seaboard Corporation Executive Long-Term Disability Plan provides disability pay continuation to certain members of management, including R. Steer, E. Gonzalez, D. Dannov and D. Sand upon a long-term illness or injury that prevents the participant from being able to perform his duties. Benefits are payable following a 90 day elimination or waiting period. In conjunction with the Seaboard Corporation Group Long-Term Disability Plan, benefits payable are equal to 70 percent of participant’s salary and bonus, up to $23,000 per month for R. Steer, and up to $18,000 per month for E. Gonzalez, D. Dannov and D. Sand.

Seaboard Corporation Executive Incentive Plan

Until December 31, 2018, Seaboard had in effect the Seaboard Corporation Executive Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) which was terminated effective December 31, 2018.  The Incentive Plan was to provide both a framework for the Company’s executive incentive programs and secure the deductibility for Federal tax purposes of incentive compensation payable to certain of the Company’s executive officers.

 

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview of Compensation Program

The Board of Directors has responsibility for establishing, implementing and monitoring adherence with Seaboard’s compensation philosophy. The Board ensures that the total compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers is fair, reasonable and competitive. 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Seaboard maintains the philosophy that the compensation for its executive officers should reflect that these officers are responsible for implementing Seaboard’s long-term strategic objectives. The compensation of the executive officers is designed to ensure that Seaboard maintains its ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions, and that compensation provided to key employees remains competitive relative to compensation paid to similarly situated executives of our peer companies. Seaboard does not maintain any equity compensation plans, such as stock grants or stock options, unlike most of Seaboard’s peer companies.    

At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company provided stockholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on executive compensation. The stockholders voted to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation and the accompanying narrative disclosure set forth in the Company’s  2017 annual meeting proxy statement. The Board viewed the vote as a strong expression of the stockholders’ general satisfaction with the Company’s current executive compensation programs. At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company also provided stockholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive compensation. Consistent with the stockholders’ preference expressed in voting at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company’s Board of Directors determined that an advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s executive officers will be conducted every three years. The next stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation will take place at the 2020 Annual Meeting.  The next stockholder vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive compensation will take place at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Setting Executive Compensation

Based on the foregoing objectives, the Board of Directors establishes the salaries for the Named Executive Officers.  The Board of Directors establishes the bonuses for the Named Executive Officers based upon the recommendation of Seaboard’s President and a subjective review of Company performance and individual performance.    

A significant factor in determining total compensation is that Seaboard does not provide any long-term incentive compensation, such as stock grants or stock options.

2018 Executive Compensation Components

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the principal components of compensation for the Named Executive Officers were:

Salaries.    The salaries for the Named Executive Officers generally are established by the Board of Directors each year based on the salary in effect for the immediately preceding year, adjusted for the estimated increase in the cost of living.  For 2018, the Board of Directors determined the salaries for the Named Executive Officers by increasing the 2017 salaries by a cost of living adjustment.

Bonuses and Incentive Awards.    The Board of Directors established the 2018 bonuses for the Named Executive Officers based upon the recommendation of Seaboard’s President and a subjective determination, primarily considering:

Retirement and Other Benefits.    Each of the Named Executive Officers is a participant in the Executive Retirement Plan or the Cash Balance Retirement Plan. The benefit under these plans is generally equal to 2.5 percent of the final average remuneration (salary plus bonus) of the participant, multiplied by the participant’s years of service in the plan after January 1, 1997, subject to a limitation in the number of years of service and final average remuneration. The exact amount of the benefits, the offsets thereto and the benefit for years of service prior to January 1, 1997 are set forth in more detail on page 12 of this Proxy statement.

Seaboard also maintains a tax-qualified retirement savings plan, to which all U.S.-based employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are able to contribute their annual compensation, up to the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. For 2018, Seaboard matched 50 percent of the first 6 percent of compensation contributed to the plan. All matching contributions vest fully after completing 5 years of service.

The Named Executive Officers, in addition to certain other executives, are entitled to participate in the Post‑2018 Deferred Compensation Plan, which gives participants (other than E. Gonzalez) the right to defer salary and bonus to be paid by Seaboard at a later time, all in accordance with applicable ERISA and income tax laws and regulations.

Seaboard also maintains for each of the Named Executive Officers and certain other executives the Seaboard Corporation Retiree Medical Benefit Plan, which provides family medical insurance to each participant upon his retirement: (i) in the event he has attained age 50, and has at least 15 years of service; or (ii) in the event the participant’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than if the participant unlawfully converted a material amount of funds); or (iii) in the event of a change of control of Seaboard.

The Board believes that Seaboard’s retirement and other benefits are consistent with the philosophy of Seaboard to provide security and stability of employment to the Named Executive Officers as a mechanism to attract and retain these employees.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits.    Seaboard provides the Named Executive Officers with perquisites and other benefits that the Board believes are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable Seaboard to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. These include an automobile allowance, fuel card usage, life insurance, disability insurance, personal use of Seaboard’s airplane up to a specified number of hours, and paid time off and pay for unused paid time off.

Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Cuts Act”) in December 2017, generally disallowed a tax deduction to public companies for compensation of more than $1 million paid in any taxable year to each “covered employee,” consisting of the CEO and the three other highest paid executive officers employed at the end of the year (other than the CFO).  Performance-based compensation, such as

that paid pursuant to the Incentive Plan for service prior to 2018, was exempt from this deduction limitation if the Company met specified requirements set forth in the IRS and applicable treasury regulations. 

The Tax Cuts Act retained the $1 million deduction limit but repealed the performance-based compensation exemption from the deduction limit and expanded the definition of “covered employees,” effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.  Any compensation Seaboard pays in 2018 and later years to the Named Executive Officers in excess of $1 million will not be deductible unless it qualifies for transitional relief applicable to certain binding, written compensation arrangements that were in place as of November 2, 2017.  The Named Executive Officers to whom the 162(m) limitation applies deferred, pursuant to the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, any compensation for 2018 in excess of $1 million that would not be deductible.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The entire Board of Directors (in the absence of a compensation committee) has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above with management, and based on this review and discussions, has determined that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in Seaboard’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and this proxy statement.

The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing the compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers. To assist the Board of Directors in determining 2018 bonuses and 2019 salaries for each of the Named Executive Officers, S. Bresky and R. Steer discussed the 2018 bonuses and 2019 salaries, considering Seaboard’s performance and each Named Executive Officer’s performance during 2018. The 2018 bonuses and 2019 salaries for the Named Executive Officers were subsequently approved by the Board of Directors.

The members of the Board of Directors reviewing and discussing the Compensation Disclosure and Analysis are as follows:

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The Board of Directors does not have a compensation committee.  It is the view of the Board of Directors that Seaboard need not have a compensation committee because Seaboard is controlled by the Seaboard Flour Entities, and because the full Board of Directors is able to perform the functions relative to executive compensation. The full Board of Directors participated in the consideration of executive and director compensation. S. Bresky is a member of the Board of Directors of Seaboard and participates in decisions by the Board regarding executive compensation, other than his own compensation.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS PROCEDURES

Seaboard has no formal policy or procedure that must be followed prior to any transaction, arrangement or relationship with a related person, as defined by SEC regulations (e.g., directors, executive officers, any 5 percent shareholder, or immediate family member of any of the foregoing).

Seaboard has a written conflict of interest policy, which requires directors, officers and employees to conduct their non-work activities in a manner that does not conflict with the best interests of Seaboard. Annually, all officers and salaried employees are required to complete a form disclosing all known conflicts of interest. Seaboard’s Director of Human Resources and Seaboard’s General Counsel review and approve any disclosed conflicts of interest. In the event any of the executive officers disclosed any conflict of interest, Seaboard’s General Counsel would discuss the conflict with Seaboard’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and/or Seaboard’s President and Chief Executive Officer. In the event the conflict involved Seaboard’s President and Chief Executive Officer and was otherwise material, the conflict would be reviewed and approved by Seaboard’s Board of Directors.

In addition to the procedures to review conflicts of interest, annually, Seaboard requires each director, nominee for a director and officer of Seaboard to complete a questionnaire which requires disclosure of any transaction or loan exceeding $120,000 between Seaboard and such person or any member of such person’s immediate family. Any such matters which were disclosed would be reviewed by Seaboard’s General Counsel and discussed with Seaboard’s President and Chief Executive Officer and/or Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and/or Seaboard’s Board of Directors, depending on the materiality of the matter. During 2018, there were no such related party transactions in excess of $120,000.

The standards applied pursuant to the above-described procedures are to provide comfort that any conflict of interest or related party transaction is on an arms-length basis which is fair to Seaboard. This is principally accomplished by ensuring that the Seaboard person entering into or approving the transaction on behalf of Seaboard is independent of the person with the conflict of interest or engaging in the related party transaction with Seaboard.

 

ITEM 2: SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected the independent registered public accounting firm of KPMG LLP as Seaboard’s independent auditors to audit the books, records and accounts of Seaboard for the year ending December 31, 2019. Stockholders will have an opportunity to vote at the annual meeting on whether to ratify the Audit Committee’s decision in this regard. Seaboard has been advised by KPMG LLP that neither it nor any member or associate has any relationship with Seaboard or with any of its affiliates other than as independent accountants and auditors.

Submission of the selection of the independent auditors to the stockholders for ratification will not limit the authority of the Audit Committee to appoint another independent certified public accounting firm to serve as independent auditors if the present auditors resign or their engagement otherwise is terminated. Submission to the stockholders of the selection of independent auditors is not required by Seaboard’s bylaws.

It is anticipated that a representative of KPMG LLP will participate at the annual meeting, and will have an opportunity to make a statement or respond to questions.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote for ratifying the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent auditors of Seaboard for the year ending December 31, 2019.

Independent Auditors’ Fees

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by KPMG LLP for the audit of Seaboard’s annual financial statements for 2018 and 2017, and fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG LLP during such years.

Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services. Prior to the engagement of the independent auditors, the Audit Committee pre-approves the services by category of service. Fees are estimated and the Audit Committee requires the independent auditors and management to report actual fees, as compared to budgeted fees by category of service. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to the Audit Committee Chairman for engagements of less than $25,000. For informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions made by the Audit Committee Chairman are reported at the Audit Committee’s next scheduled meeting. The percentage of audit-related fees, tax fees and all other fees that were approved by the Audit Committee for fiscal 2018 was 100 percent of the total fees incurred.

Audit Committee Report to Stockholders

The Audit Committee of Seaboard is comprised of three directors who are “independent,” as defined by the NYSE American listing standards, and operates under a written charter. The Audit Committee Charter is available on Seaboard’s website at www.seaboardcorp.com.

The Audit Committee has reviewed the audited financial statements for fiscal year 2018 and discussed them with management and with the independent auditors, KPMG LLP. The Audit Committee also discussed with KPMG LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent auditors their independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent auditors currently meet applicable independence standards.

The Audit Committee has reviewed the independent auditors’ fees for audit and non-audit services for fiscal year 2018. The Audit Committee considered whether such non-audit services are compatible with maintaining independent auditor independence and has concluded that they are compatible at this time.

Based on its review of the audited financial statements and the other materials referred to above and the various discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in Seaboard’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The foregoing has been furnished by the Audit Committee:

 

OTHER MATTERS

The notice of meeting provides for the election of directors, the selection of independent auditors and for the transaction of such other business, as may properly come before the meeting. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors does not intend to present to the meeting any other business, and it has not been informed of any business intended to be presented by others. However, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will take action and vote proxies, in accordance with their judgment of such matters.

Action may be taken on the business to be transacted at the meeting on the date specified in the notice of meeting or on any date or dates to which such meeting may be adjourned.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Based solely on a review of the copies of reports furnished to Seaboard and written representations that no other reports were required, Seaboard believes that during fiscal 2018, all reports of ownership required under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for directors and executive officers of Seaboard and beneficial owners of more than 10 percent of Seaboard’s common stock have been timely filed.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

It is anticipated that the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders will be held on April 27,  2020. Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2020 annual meeting must deliver the proposal to Seaboard at 9000 West 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66202, Attention: David M. Becker by the applicable deadline below:

Proxies solicited in connection with the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders will confer on the appointed proxies’ discretionary voting authority to vote on stockholder proposals that are not presented for inclusion in the proxy materials, unless the proposing stockholder notifies Seaboard by January 23, 2020 that such proposal will be made at the meeting.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements of Seaboard for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, together with corresponding consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, are contained in the Annual Report which is mailed to stockholders with this proxy statement. The Annual Report is not to be regarded as proxy solicitation material.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Any stockholder desiring additional information about Seaboard and its operations may, upon written request, obtain a copy of Seaboard’s Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K without charge. Requests should be directed to Shareholder Relations, Seaboard Corporation, 9000 West 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66202. Seaboard’s Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K is also available on Seaboard’s Internet website at www.seaboardcorp.com.

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (including brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements, annual reports and notices of internet availability of proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single package of these materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

We have adopted a “householding” procedure that you may wish to follow. If you are receiving multiple sets of proxy materials and wish to have your accounts householded, call Shareholder Relations at (913) 676-8800 or send written instructions to Shareholder Relations, Seaboard Corporation, 9000 West 67th Street, Merriam, Kansas 66202. If you no longer wish to participate in householding (and instead wish that each stockholder sharing the same address with you receives a complete set of proxy materials), you must provide written notification to Shareholder Relations to withhold your consent for householding. We will act in accordance with your wishes within 30 days after receiving such notification.

Many brokerage firms participate in householding as well. If you have a householding request for your brokerage account, please contact your broker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Item 2.

 

(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee,
write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)

 

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED AS THE BOARD RECOMMENDS.

 

 

SEABOARD CORPORATION

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Monday, April 22, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS – APRIL 22, 2019

The undersigned hereby appoints Steven J. Bresky,  Robert L. Steer and David M. Becker and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution, to vote as designated below, on behalf of the undersigned all shares of stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Seaboard Corporation (the “Company”) on April 22, 2019, and any adjournments thereof, with all power that the undersigned would possess if personally present. In their discretion, the proxies are hereby authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE DIRECTORS, and “FOR” ITEM 2.

 

See reverse for voting instructions.