(Mark One)

/X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

/ / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission File Number 0-24620

251 O’Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 717-0300

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     X              No         

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one).

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

There were 80,854,053 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding at November 2, 2006.

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DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS                    

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DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Nine months ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2006

(unaudited)

(1)      General

Darling International Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Darling”), is a leading provider of rendering, recycling and recovery solutions to the nation’s food industry. Darling collects and recycles animal by-products and used cooking oil from food service establishments and provides grease trap cleaning services to many of the same establishments. The Company processes such raw materials at facilities located throughout the United States, into finished products such as protein (primarily meat and bone meal, “MBM”), tallow (primarily bleachable fancy tallow, “BFT”), and yellow grease (“YG”).

As further discussed in Note 3, on May 15, 2006, Darling, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Darling National LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Darling National”), completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of National By-Products, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company (“NBP”). Darling and its subsidiaries, including Darling National, are collectively referred to as (the “Company”).

The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005 have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and operating results of the Company as of and for the respective periods. However, these operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full fiscal year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, management of the Company believes, to the best of their knowledge, that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

(2)       Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company has a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal periods for the consolidated financial statements included herein are as of September 30, 2006, and include the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended September 30, 2006, and the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended October 1, 2005.

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Basic income/(loss) per common share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to outstanding common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income/(loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income or loss attributable to outstanding common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by dilutive common equivalent shares determined using the treasury stock method.

For the three months ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005, respectively, 30,000 and 794,950 outstanding options were excluded from diluted income/(loss) per common share, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005, respectively, 1,701,810 and 794,950 outstanding stock options were excluded from diluted income/(loss) per common share as the effect was antidilutive.

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005, respectively, 502,225 and zero shares of restricted were excluded from diluted income/(loss) per common share as the effect was antidilutive.

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”). SFAS 123(R) requires all entities to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based payments (e.g., stock options and restricted stock) granted to employees or by incurring liabilities to an employee or other supplier (a) in amounts based, at least in part, on the price of the entity’s shares or other equity instruments, or (b) that require or may require settlement by issuing the entity’s equity shares or other equity instruments.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123(R) and related interpretations, using the modified prospective method. Using the modified prospective method of SFAS 123(R), the Company began recognizing compensation expense for the remaining unvested portions of stock-based compensation granted prior to January 1, 2006. As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, total stock option expense included in the Company’s statement of operations was approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, or $0.0 cents and $0.1 cents per share, respectively, on a basic and diluted basis, and the related tax impact was less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Total stock-based compensation recognized under SFAS 123(R) in the statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was approximately $0.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, which is included in selling, general and administrative costs, and the related income tax benefit recognized was approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended October 1, 2005, $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, in equity-based compensation expense was recognized in the Company’s financial statements. The 2006 amounts relate to contingent shares issued as part of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of NBP, as well as stock options and restricted stock granted under the Company’s 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). See below for further information on the Company’s stock-based compensation plans.

SFAS 123(R) requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under the Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. This requirement reduces reported operating cash flows and increases reported financing cash flows in periods after adoption. Such tax deductions were insignificant for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Prior to adopting SFAS 123(R), the Company accounted for its stock options under the Company’s 2004 Plan in accordance with the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25. Under the intrinsic-value method, compensation expense is recorded only to the extent that the grant price is less than market on the measurement date. All options granted under the 2004 Plan were issued at or above market price, and therefore no stock-based compensation was recorded due to option grants.

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For stock options granted prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the following table illustrates the pro forma effect on net income and income per share if the fair value-based method had been applied to all outstanding and vested awards for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2005 (in thousands, except per share data).

On May 11, 2005, the shareholders approved the Company’s 2004 Plan. The 2004 Plan has replaced both the 1994 Employee Flexible Stock Option Plan and the Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan and thus broadens the array of equity alternatives available to the Company. Under the 2004 Plan, the Company is allowed to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock (including performance stock), restricted stock units (including performance units), other stock-based awards, non-employee director awards, dividend equivalents, and cash-based awards. There are up to 6,074,969 common shares available under the 2004 Plan which may be granted to any participant in any plan year as defined in the 2004 Plan. Some of those shares are subject to outstanding awards as detailed in the tables below. To the extent these outstanding awards are forfeited or expire without exercise, the shares will be returned to and available for future grants under the 2004 Plan. The 2004 Plan’s purpose is to attract, retain and motivate employees, directors and third party service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries and to encourage them to have a financial interest in the Company. The 2004 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors. The Committee has the authority to select plan participants, grant awards, and determine the terms and conditions of such awards as defined in the 2004 Plan. The Company’s stock options granted under the 2004 Plan generally terminate 10 years after date of grant.

The following is a summary of stock-based compensation granted during the year ended December 31, 2005 and the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Nonqualified Stock Options. On March 17, 2005, under the previous Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, the Company granted 20,000 nonqualified non-employee director stock options, in the aggregate, to five directors. The exercise price for these options was $4.04 per share (fair market value at grant date). Under the 2004 Plan, on May 11, 2005, the Company granted 4,000 nonqualified stock options to the non-employee director newly elected to the board by the stockholders. The exercise price for the May 11, 2005 stock

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options was $3.95 per share (fair market value at grant date). These options vest 25 percent six months after the grant date and 25 percent on each anniversary date thereafter.

On November 19, 2004, subject to the approval of the 2004 Plan, the Company issued 276,600 nonqualified stock options to four of the executive officers of the Company, that is the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice Presidents of Finance and Administration, Operations, and Commodities, but not to the Executive Vice President of Sales and Services (collectively the five are referred to as “Named Executive Officers”). The nonqualified stock options at November 19, 2004 were issued at an exercise price of $4.16. This exercise price represents a 10% premium to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the issue date. On May 11, 2005, these issued stock options were authorized by the shareholders and made effective as a result of the approval of the 2004 Plan. Additionally, on June 16, 2005, the Company granted 194,350 nonqualified stock options under the 2004 Plan to the Named Executive Officers at an exercise price of $3.94, which represented a 10% premium to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. The nonqualified stock options vest over a three-year period at 33-1/3 percent per year.

Incentive Stock Options. On June 16, 2005, the Company granted 82,500 incentive stock options to various additional employees other than the Named Executive Officers. The exercise price was equal to the fair market value at the grant date of $3.58 per share. These incentive stock options vest 20 percent at grant date and 20 percent on each anniversary date thereafter.

A summary of transactions for all stock options outstanding under the 2004 Plan follows:

Restricted Stock Awards. On November 19, 2004, subject to the approval of the 2004 Plan, the Company issued 477,200 restricted stock awards to the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice Presidents of Finance and Administration, Operations, and Commodities. On May 11, 2005, upon approval of the 2004 Plan these awards were authorized by the shareholders and made effective. Additionally, on June 16, 2005, the Company granted 11,950 restricted stock awards to the Executive Vice President of Sales and Services. These restricted stock awards contain vesting periods of four to six years from date of issuance. The six-year awards contain accelerated vesting provisions based upon specified increases in the Company’s stock price. During the second quarter of 2005, the Company recorded $1.9 million of unearned compensation for the market value of the shares on the date of grant. The unearned compensation is being amortized to expense over the estimated lapse in restrictions of 1.3 - 4 years. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded $0.5 million as compensation expense.

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On March 9, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors approved a Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "Director Restricted Stock Plan") pursuant to and in accordance with the 2004 Plan in order to attract and retain highly qualified persons to serve as non-employee directors and to more closely align such directors' interests with the interests of the stockholders of the Company by providing a portion of their compensation in the form of Company common stock.

Under the Director Restricted Stock Plan, $20,000 in restricted Company common stock (the "Restricted Stock") will be awarded to each non-employee director on the third business day after the Company releases its earnings for its prior completed fiscal year, beginning with the earnings release for Fiscal 2005 (the "Date of Award"). The Restricted Stock will be subject to a right of repurchase at $0.01 per share upon termination of the holder as a member of the Company's Board of Directors for cause and will not be transferable. These restrictions will lapse with respect to 100% of the Restricted Stock upon the earliest to occur of (i) ten years after the Date of Award, (ii) a Change of Control (as defined in the 2004 Plan), and (iii) termination of the non-employee director's service with the Company, other than for "cause" (as defined in the Director Restricted Stock Plan). On March 21, 2006, the Company issued 21,925 shares of restricted stock to the non-employee directors under the Director Restricted Stock Plan. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded $0.1 million as compensation expense under the Director Restricted Stock Plan.

On March 9, 2006, the Company’s board of directors approved a $650,000 bonus payable to certain members of management upon completion of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of NBP. The board of directors also approved the contingent issuance of 296,500 shares of common stock to certain members of management upon completion of the NBP acquisition. The contingent shares had a fair value of approximately $0.6 million at date of grant. Such shares will be issued only if the Company’s average stock price for the 90-day period ending on the last day of the thirteenth full consecutive month following the NBP acquisition equals or exceeds the price per share that is determined by dividing $70.5 million by the number of shares of Company stock issued at the closing of the NBP acquisition. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 the Company recorded expense of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, related to the contingent shares.

A summary of the Company’s Stock Awards now outstanding under the 2004 Plan follows:

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September 30, 2006:

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The fair value of each stock-option granted under the Company’s 2004 Plan was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions and results:

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005, the amount of cash received from the exercise of options and the related tax benefits was insignificant. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2005 was less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The fair value of shares vested for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2005 was approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. At September 30, 2006, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding was approximately $2.6 million and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable was approximately $2.5 million. The weighted average contractual life of the options currently exercisable is 6.3 years at September 30, 2006. The expected lives are computed using the simplified method as prescribed by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107.

At September 30, 2006, the total future equity-based compensation expense (determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model) related to outstanding non-vested options and restricted stock is expected to be recognized as follows (in thousands):

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The Company considers all short-term highly liquid instruments, with an original maturity of three months or less, to be cash equivalents. The statement of cash flows has been revised for the nine months ended October 1, 2005 to reconcile net income of $5.66 million rather than income from continuing operations of $5.58 million to net cash provided by operating activities.

At a scheduled meeting held during the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company’s board of directors approved a plan for the Company to dispose of its operations at London, Ontario, Canada. Results of operations of the London facility were previously included in results of the Company’s rendering segment, and have been reclassified to income from discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, as discussed elsewhere herein.

(3)       Acquisition of National By-Products, LLC

On May 15, 2006, Darling, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Darling National, completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of NBP (the “Transaction”). The purchase was accounted for as an asset purchase pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase agreement, by and among Darling, Darling National and NBP, whereby Darling National acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of NBP. The assets acquired in the Transaction will increase Darling’s capabilities by growing revenues, diversifying the raw material supplies and creating a larger platform to grow Darling’s restaurant services business.

As a result of the Transaction, effective May 15, 2006 the Company began including the operations of NBP into the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The following table presents selected pro forma information, for comparative purposes, assuming the Transaction had occurred on January 2, 2005 for the periods presented (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data):

The selected unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations for future periods or the results of operations that would have been realized had the Transaction actually occurred on January 2, 2005.

The Transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting for business combinations and accordingly, the results of operations related to the Transaction have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.

The estimated purchase price for the Transaction totaled $150.5 million and is comprised of $70.9 million in cash (before transaction costs and expenses), additional cash consideration of $2.8 million

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for working capital (subject to final working capital adjustment), estimated transaction costs of $6.3 million and the issuance of approximately 16.3 million shares of Darling common stock valued at $70.5 million. The asset purchase agreement contains a true-up adjustment in which additional shares (“Contingent Shares”) may be issuable to NBP based on Darling’s stock price for an average of 90 days ending on the last day of the 13th month following the date of closing (the “True-up Market Price”). To the extent the True-up Market Price exceeds $4.31, no Contingent Shares will be issuable. If the True-up Market Price is less than $4.31, the number of Contingent Shares issuable is determined by dividing the “Value Gap” by the greater of $3.60 and the True-up Market Price.

The Value Gap is determined by multiplying the number of shares issued at closing by the excess of (i) $4.31 over (ii) the greater of the True-up Market Price and $3.60. Only holders of shares that were issued at closing and have not been transferred (except by gift or into trust) as of the date used to calculate the True-up Market Price will be eligible to receive Contingent Shares.

The price of Darling’s common stock on September 30, 2006 did not exceed $4.31, which results in a current estimated Value Gap. However, the Value Gap used to calculate the Contingent Shares will not be known until the True-up Market Price is determined. In accordance with EITF 97-15, Accounting for Contingency Arrangements Based on Security Prices in a Purchase Business Combination , the value of the Contingent Shares issued, if any, will be recorded in stockholders’ equity.

In accordance with EITF 97-15, the 16.3 million shares of common stock issued by Darling to the seller were valued at $70.5 million, which represents the lowest value at which additional consideration would not be required to be issued.

The following table summarizes the preliminary unaudited, estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of May 15, 2006 (in thousands):

The above purchase price has been preliminarily allocated based on estimates of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The final purchase price allocation, which management expects to complete by the end of Fiscal 2006, may differ significantly from the above amounts.

(4)      Contingencies

LITIGATION

The Company is a party to several lawsuits, claims and loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of its business, including assertions by certain regulatory agencies related to air, wastewater, and storm water discharges from the Company’s processing facilities.

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The Company’s workers compensation, auto and general liability policies contain significant deductibles or self-insured retentions. The Company estimates and accrues its expected ultimate claim costs related to accidents occurring during each fiscal year and carries this accrual as a reserve until such claims are paid by the Company.

As a result of the matters discussed above, the Company has established loss reserves for insurance, environmental and litigation matters. At September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the reserves for insurance, environmental and litigation contingencies reflected on the balance sheet in accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities were approximately $17.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively. Management of the Company believes these reserves for contingencies are reasonable and sufficient based upon present governmental regulations and information currently available to management; however, there can be no assurance that final costs related to these matters will not exceed current estimates. The Company believes that the likelihood is remote that any additional liability from such lawsuits and claims that may not be covered by insurance would have a material effect on the financial statements.

(5)       Business Segments

The Company operates on a worldwide basis within two Industry segments: Rendering and Restaurant Services. The measure of segment profit or loss includes all revenues, operating expenses (excluding certain amortization of intangibles), and selling, general and administrative expenses incurred at all operating locations and excludes general corporate expenses.

Included in corporate activities are general corporate expenses and the amortization of intangibles. Assets of corporate activities include cash, unallocated prepaid expenses, deferred tax assets, prepaid pension, and miscellaneous other assets. The acquisition of substantially all of the assets of NBP will be reflected primarily in the Rendering segment.

Rendering

Rendering consists of the collection and processing of animal by-products, including hides, from butcher shops, grocery stores, food service industry and meat and poultry processors, converting these principally into useable oils and proteins utilized by the agricultural, leather and oleo-chemical industries.

Restaurant Services

Restaurant Services consists of the collection of used cooking oils from food service establishments and recycling them into similar products such as high-energy animal feed ingredients and industrial oils. Restaurant Services also provides grease trap servicing.

Business Segment Net Sales (in thousands):

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Business Segment Profit/(Loss) (in thousands):

Certain assets are not attributable to a single operating segment but instead relate to multiple operating segments operating out of individual locations. These assets are utilized by both the Rendering and Restaurant Services business segments and are identified in the category called Combined Rendering/Restaurant Services. Depreciation of Combined Rendering/Restaurant Services assets is allocated based upon management’s estimate of the percentage of corresponding activity attributed to each segment.

Business Segment Assets (in thousands):

(6)    Income Taxes

The Company has provided income taxes for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005, based on its estimate of the effective tax rate for the entire 2006 and 2005 fiscal years. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate primarily due to state taxes. In addition, the Company’s tax rate has been favorably impacted by the release of tax reserves associated with state tax credits.

In determining whether its deferred tax assets are more likely to be recoverable, than not recoverable, the Company assessed its ability to carryback net operating losses, scheduled reversals of future taxable and deductible amounts, tax planning strategies, and the extent of evidence currently available to support projections of future taxable income. The Company is unable to carryback any of its net operating losses and recent favorable operating results do not provide sufficient historical evidence at this time of sustained future profitability sufficient to result in taxable income against which certain net operating losses can be carried forward and utilized.

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(7)       Financing

The Company entered into a new $175 million credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with new lenders on April 7, 2006 which replaces the prior senior credit agreement executed in April 2004. The Credit Agreement provides for a total of $175.0 million in financing facilities, consisting of a $50.0 million term loan facility and a $125.0 million revolver facility, which includes a $35.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. As of September 30, 2006, the Company has borrowed all $50.0 million under the term loan facility which provides for scheduled amortization payments of $1.25 million due each quarter over the six-year term ending April 7, 2012; at that point, the remaining balance of $22.5 million will be payable. The revolving credit facility has a five-year term ending April 7, 2011. The proceeds of the term loan facility under the Credit Agreement were used for the payment of a portion of the cash consideration for the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of NBP, and may also be used for the refinancing of certain existing indebtedness, including subordinated indebtedness. The proceeds of the revolving credit facility may be used for: (i) the payment of fees and expenses payable in connection with the Credit Agreement, a portion of the cash utilized in the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of NBP, and the repayment of indebtedness; (ii) financing the working capital needs of the Company and its subsidiaries; and (iii) other general corporate purposes. See Note 3 for further discussion regarding the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of NBP.

The Credit Agreement allows for borrowings at per annum rates based on the following loan types. Alternate base rate loans under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum based on the greater of (a) the prime rate and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1% plus, in each case, a margin determined by reference to a pricing grid and adjusted according to the Company’s adjusted leverage ratio. Eurodollar loans will bear interest at a rate per annum based on the then applicable London Inter-Bank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") multiplied by the statutory reserve rate plus a margin determined by reference to a pricing grid and adjusted according to the Company’s adjusted leverage ratio. At September 30, 2006 under the Credit Agreement, the interest rate for the $48.75 million term loan that was outstanding was based on LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% per annum for a total of 7.125% per annum. The interest rate for $45.0 million of the revolving loan amount outstanding was based on LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% per annum for a total of 7.20%. On April 7, 2006, the Company repaid the balance on the term facility under the old senior credit agreement and incurred a write-off of deferred loan costs of approximately $1.5 million.

The Credit Agreement provides increased liquidity and financial flexibility including an extended term, lower interest rates, fewer restrictions on investments, and improved flexibility for paying dividends or repurchasing Company stock, all of which are subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants that are customary for similar credit arrangements and requires the maintenance of certain minimum financial ratios. The Credit Agreement also requires the Company to make certain mandatory prepayments of outstanding indebtedness using the net cash proceeds received from certain dispositions of property, casualty or condemnation, any sale or issuance of equity interests in a public offering or in a private placement, unpermitted additional indebtedness incurred by the Company, and excess cash flow under certain circumstances.

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On December 31, 2003, the Company issued senior subordinated notes in the principal amount of $35.0 million. On June 1, 2006, the Company retired the senior subordinated notes using money available under the Credit Agreement and incurred charges of $1.925 million for prepayment fees and approximately $1.1 million to write off deferred loan costs.

The Company’s Credit Agreement, senior credit agreement and senior subordinated notes consisted of the following components at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively (in thousands):

The obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Darling National and are secured by substantially all of the property of the Company, including a pledge of all equity interests in Darling National. As of September 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all the covenants contained in the Credit Agreement.

(8)    Derivative Instruments

The Company makes limited use of derivative instruments to manage cash flow risks related to interest and natural gas expense. Interest rate swaps are entered into with the intent of managing overall borrowing costs by reducing the potential impact of increases in interest rates on floating-rate long-term debt. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.

Under Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”), entities are required to report all derivative instruments in the statement of financial position at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, on the reason for holding the instrument. If certain conditions are met, entities may elect to designate a derivative instrument as a hedge of exposures to changes in fair value, cash flows or foreign currencies. If the hedged exposure is a cash flow exposure, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness as well as the ineffective portion of the gain or loss are reported in earnings immediately. If the derivative instrument is not designated as a hedge, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change.

On May 19, 2006, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements that are considered cash flow hedges according to SFAS No. 133. Under the terms of the swap agreements, beginning June 30, 2006, the cash flows from the Company’s $50.0 million floating-rate term loan facility

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under the Credit Agreement have been exchanged for fixed-rate contracts which bear interest, payable quarterly. One swap agreement for $25.0 million matures April 7, 2012, and bears interest at 5.42%, excluding the borrowing spread per the Credit Agreement, with amortizing payments that mirror the term debt facility. The Company’s receive rate on this swap agreement is based on three-month LIBOR. The second swap agreement for $25.0 million matures April 7, 2012, and bears interest at 5.415%, excluding the borrowing spread per the Credit Agreement, with amortizing payments that mirror the term debt facility. The Company’s receive rate on this swap agreement is based on three-month LIBOR. At September 30, 2006, the fair value of the interest swap agreement is $0.8 million and is included in non-current other liabilities on the balance sheet, with the offset recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income.

A summary of the derivative adjustments recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income, the net change arising from hedging transactions, and the amounts recognized in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and October 1, 2005 are as follows (in thousands):