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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
9 Months Ended
Jun. 27, 2026
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
NOTE 12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company is exposed to market risks, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and commodity prices. To manage a portion of the volatility related to these exposures, the Company enters into various financial transactions. The utilization of these financial transactions is governed by policies covering acceptable counterparty exposure, instrument types and other hedging practices. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
The fair values and amounts of gains and losses recognized in earnings and AOCL associated with derivative instruments did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2026 and June 28, 2025.
Exchange Rate Risk Management
The Company uses currency forward contracts to manage the exchange rate risk associated with intercompany loans and certain other balances denominated in foreign currencies. Currency forward contracts are valued using observable forward rates in commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the contracts. The notional amount of outstanding currency forward contracts was $139.3, $146.1 and $100.4 at June 27, 2026, June 28, 2025 and September 30, 2025, respectively. Contracts outstanding at June 27, 2026 will mature over the next fiscal quarter.
Interest Rate Risk Management
The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements as a means to hedge its variable interest rate risk on debt instruments. Net amounts to be received or paid under the swap agreements are reflected as adjustments to interest expense. The Company has outstanding interest rate swap agreements with major financial institutions that effectively convert a portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt to a fixed rate. Interest rate swap agreements are valued based on the present value of the estimated future net cash flows using implied rates in the applicable yield curve as of the valuation date. Swap agreements that were hedging interest payments as of June 27, 2026, June 28, 2025 and September 30, 2025 had a maximum total U.S. dollar equivalent notional amount of $450.0. Refer to “NOTE 7. DEBT” for the terms of the swap agreements outstanding at June 27, 2026. Gains and losses included in the AOCL balance at June 27, 2026 related to interest rate swap agreements that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months are not material.
Commodity Price Risk Management
The Company enters into hedging arrangements designed to fix the price of a portion of its projected future urea and diesel requirements. Commodity contracts are valued using observable commodity exchange prices in active markets. Gains and losses included in the AOCL balance at June 27, 2026 related to commodity hedges that are expected to be reclassified to earnings during the next twelve months are not material.
The Company had the following outstanding commodity contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted purchases:
CommodityJune 27,
2026
June 28,
2025
September 30,
2025
Urea60,000 tons34,500 tons49,500 tons
Diesel84,000 gallons756,000 gallons2,478,000 gallons
Heating Oil84,000 gallons1,050,000 gallons