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SEABOARD CORPORATION

9000 West 67th Street
Merriam, Kansas 66202

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 26, 2021

Notice is hereby given that the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Seaboard Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held at the Sheraton Overland Park Convention Center, 6100 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas, on Monday, April 26, 2021, commencing at 9:00 a.m., local time, or thereafter as it may from time to time be adjourned or postponed, for the following purposes:

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 26, 2021, as the record date for determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

March 12, 2021

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 OR VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING.

Special Note Regarding Possible Changes to our Annual Meeting: We are monitoring developments relating to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and how they may affect our annual meeting.  If we determine that any changes to our annual meeting are necessary or appropriate, which may include changing the date and time of the meeting, including additional procedures for or limitations on meeting attendees, changing the location of the meeting or holding the meeting by remote communication, we will announce the changes, including how to participate in the meeting, in advance. Please monitor our website at www.seaboardcorp.com/investors for updated information.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
For the Stockholder Meeting to be held on April 26, 2021

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

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SEABOARD CORPORATION
9000 West 67th Street
Merriam, Kansas 66202

PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 26, 2021

March 12, 2021

Date, Time and Place of the Meeting

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Seaboard Corporation (the “Company,” “Seaboard,” “us,” “our” or “we”) for use at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Monday, April 26, 2021, commencing at 9:00 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The meeting is called for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting, and will be held at the Sheraton Overland Park Convention Center, 6100 College Blvd., Overland Park, Kansas. You may obtain directions to the location of the annual meeting by calling us at (913) 676-8800.

We currently intend to hold our 2021 annual meeting in person. However, we are monitoring developments relating to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and how they may affect our annual meeting. In the event we determine it is not possible or advisable to hold our 2021 annual meeting as currently proposed, we will publicly announce alternative arrangements for the meeting, which may include changing the date and time of the meeting, including additional procedures or limitations on meeting attendees, holding the meeting in a different location or holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication (i.e., a virtual-only annual meeting). Please monitor our website at www.seaboardcorp.com/investors for updated information.

Stockholders Entitled to Vote at the Meeting

Stockholders of record as of the close of business on the February 26, 2021 record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Seaboard had 1,160,779 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 12, 2021.

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 580,391 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, banks or other 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, bank or other 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.

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Items of Business to be Voted on at the Annual Meeting

Stockholders are being asked to vote on the following matters at the annual meeting:

We will also consider other business that properly comes before the annual meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

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 in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors as follows: “for” the election of the nominees for director listed herein; “for” ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for 2021; and “against” the stockholder proposal described in this proxy statement. 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.

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Vote Required

With respect to the election of directors (Item 1), you may vote “for” or “withhold” authority to vote for each of the nominees for the Board. 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. “Withhold” votes and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast for the foregoing purpose. Accordingly, “withhold” or broker non-votes as to the election of directors will not affect the election of the candidates receiving the plurality of votes and will have no effect on the election of the nominees.

With respect to the other items of business (Items 2 and 3), you may vote “for,” “against,” or “abstain.” These proposals require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares having voting power in person or represented by proxy 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 and will have no effect on the voting outcome of these matters, while abstentions will have the same effect as votes against the matters. Brokers, banks and other nominees may use their discretionary voting authority with respect to the ratification of our independent auditors (Item 2), so no broker non-votes are expected for this matter.

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth certain information as of January 29, 2021 (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.

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SHARE OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS

The following table sets forth certain information as of January 29, 2021 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 8 and all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

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ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at five. Mr. Edward I. Shifman, Jr. will not be standing for re-election. The Board has nominated the four persons set forth below for election at the 2021 annual meeting and after the election, one director seat will be vacant. Unless otherwise specified, proxies will be voted in favor of the election as directors of the following four persons for a term of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Proxies cannot be voted for more than four nominees.

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

Each of the four nominees has consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected. 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.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS INFORMATION

Meetings of the Board

The Board of Directors held eight meetings in fiscal year 2020, seven 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 meetings of the Board of Directors held while in office and of the meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he or she served during 2020 (or portion of 2020 during which he or she served as a director or committee member).

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 then in office attended the 2020 annual meeting telephonically.

Controlled Company

Seaboard is a “controlled company,” 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. (who is not standing for re-election at the 2021 annual meeting). The remaining members of the Board of Directors are not independent within the meaning of the NYSE American listing standards and, therefore, they would not qualify as independent directors for purposes of serving on a compensation, nominating committee or audit committee under applicable NYSE American committee independence requirements.  The independent directors meet on a regular basis as often as necessary to fulfill their responsibilities, including at least annually in executive session without the presence of non-independent directors and management.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

Until Steven J. Bresky’s passing in July 2020, he served as Seaboard’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. To fill the vacancies previously held by Mr. Bresky, Robert L. Steer, former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, was appointed to the office of Seaboard’s principal executive officer, and Ellen S. Bresky, Mr. Bresky’s widow, was appointed as a director and Chairwoman of the Board. Ellen S. Bresky is also now the beneficial owner of approximately 78.3 percent of Seaboard. In connection with Ms. Bresky’s appointment to Chairwoman, the Board also appointed Douglas W. Baena, a member of the Board since 2001, as Seaboard’s lead independent director. The duties of Mr. Baena as lead independent director include the following: (i) preside at all executive sessions of the independent directors, (ii) serve as a liaison between the Chairwoman and the non-employee directors, (iii) serve as a liaison among the non-employee directors, (iv) provide input to the Chairwoman on the preparation of Board meeting agendas, and (v) in conjunction with the Chairwoman, have the authority to approve certain transactions.

Seaboard believes that Ms. Bresky has a sufficient vested interest in Seaboard on the basis of her beneficial stock ownership position and that Mr. Steer, who has been with Seaboard for more than 36 years, including 9 years in his former role as Executive Vice President and CFO, has the experience necessary to lead Seaboard as the principal executive officer. The Board of Directors believes that the separation of the positions of Chairwoman of the Board and principal executive officer, combined with the appointment of a lead independent director, is the appropriate leadership structure for Seaboard at this time.  This structure recognizes the nature of Seaboard as a “controlled company,” and; therefore, provides the Bresky family with appropriate influence over the Company, while the appointment of a lead independent director ensures effective independent oversight of the Company and management.

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 Senior Vice President, Audit Services 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 Senior Vice President, Audit Services. The Board of Directors does not have any other significant oversight function, aside from performance of the Board of Director general oversight 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.

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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. (who is not standing for re-election at the 2021 annual meeting). 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 year 2020, three of which were telephonic meetings.

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 or her 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 8) for service on the Board in 2020.

Director Compensation Table

In the fiscal year 2020, the Company provided the following compensation to non-employee directors for their service as director. All director compensation represents fees paid in cash only.

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⁽¹⁾ Ms. Bresky does not receive cash compensation for her services as director and Chairwoman of the Board. Ms. Bresky was given the right to use Seaboard’s airplane for up to 25 hours of flight time per year for personal use as long as she continues to serve in such role. She did not use Seaboard’s airplane for personal use in 2020.

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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

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Also included in All Other Compensation are the amounts earned for unused paid time off. These amounts for 2020 are as follows: R. Steer, $0; S. Bresky, $72,370; D. Rankin $0; E. Gonzalez, $17,307; D. Dannov, $0; and D. Sand, $16,985.

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 (valuing this benefit on an average fair market value based on the IRS lease guidelines using the manufacturer’s suggested retail price less 8 percent), fuel card usage, personal usage of Seaboard’s airplane (valuing this benefit based on the number of miles flown and the Standard Industry Fare Level published by the Department of Transaction), and 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 2020: R. Steer, $33,480; S. Bresky, $29,769; D. Rankin, $15,295; E. Gonzalez, $14,905; D. Dannov, $28,385; and D. Sand, $24,521.

Also included in All Other Compensation for D. Sand is a cash payment from Seaboard of $1,896,000 as a separation benefit in connection with his retirement effective January 1, 2021 as reported below in Employment Arrangements with Named Executive Officers.

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PAY RATIO

Pursuant to a mandate of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, set forth below for 2020 is a comparison of (i) the annualized total compensation of R. Steer, Seaboard’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), assuming he was in such position for the entire year of 2020; and (ii) the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of Seaboard and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than R. Steer).  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 2020, the annual total compensation of R. Steer was $4,185,773 and the median of the annual total compensation of all employees of Seaboard and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than R. Steer) was $37,426, and thus the ratio of the annual total compensation of R. Steer to the median of the annual total compensation of all of Seaboard’s employees was 112 to 1. Seaboard’s “median employee” worked at Seaboard’s pork processing plant in Oklahoma.

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, 2020, which is within the last three months of 2020, 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, 2020, 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 2020 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 2020, 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, 2020.  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 2020 determined in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K. In July 2020, Seaboard’s previous CEO, S. Bresky passed away and R. Steer, the former CFO, was named as the new CEO. With respect to the annual total compensation of the CEO, Seaboard annualized R. Steer’s compensation as CEO during 2020 for purposes of the pay ratio calculation.

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Each Named Executive Officer is, or was previously, a party to an Employment Agreement with Seaboard.

The Employment Agreements for R. Steer, D. Rankin and D. Dannov 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 S. Bresky, which automatically terminated upon his passing, had a term of one year and extended annually for one-year terms, unless terminated by Seaboard. D. Sand’s Employment Agreement was terminated on November 23, 2020 in connection with his retirement and was replaced with a Retirement Agreement pursuant to which Mr. Sand continued to be employed by Seaboard until his retirement on January 1, 2021.

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

D. Sand retired from the Company effective January 1, 2021. In connection with D. Sand's retirement, the Company and D. Sand entered into a Retirement Agreement pursuant to which the Company paid D. Sand $1,896,000 (the “Severance Amount”) and the amount of his 2020 accrued bonus ($700,000), less deductions required by law, on or before December 31, 2020.  The Severance Amount and accrued bonus amount were paid in lieu of any payments that otherwise would be payable under D. Sand’s Employment Agreement.  The Retirement Agreement superseded D. Sand's existing Employment Agreement, except that D. Sand continues to be obligated to comply with certain non-compete and non-solicitation restrictive covenants contained in the Employment Agreement.

Payments Upon Certain Events

The current 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 (other than S. Bresky and D. Sand) if, on December 31, 2020, 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.

Pursuant to the Employment Agreements, “Cause” means (i) a material breach by Named Executive Officer of any provision of the Employment Agreement; (ii) a material violation by Named Executive Officer of any Company policy resulting in material injury to the Company; (iii) Named Executive Officer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material injury to the business, reputation or prospects of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (iv) Named Executive Officer’s material fraud or misappropriation of funds; or (v) the commission by Named Executive Officer of a felony involving moral turpitude; and “Good Reason” means a resignation by Named Executive Officer from his employment with the Company within one hundred eighty (180) days following the initial occurrence of any one or more of the following events: (i) a material diminution in the Named Executive Officer’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a material change in the geographic location where Named Executive Officer primarily performs his services; or (iii) any other material breach by the Company of any material provision of the Employment Agreement.

Employment Agreement Table

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S. Bresky passed away in July 2020 and, in connection therewith, S. Bresky received a prorated bonus for 2020 in the amount of $729,000. The Company’s Employment Agreement with D. Sand was terminated in November 2020 and the Company and D. Sand entered into a Retirement Agreement under which D. Sand received the amounts discussed above.

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, during his employment, was allotted 25 hours of flight time for personal use in 2020. Upon R. Steer’s appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer, his flight time allotment was increased to 20 hours for personal use. Each of the other Named Executive Officers was allotted 10 hours of flight time for personal use for each of 2020 and 2021 as long as they continue to serve in such roles, provided, however, that D. Rankin’s flight time allotment went into effect in 2021. Seaboard will also 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, 2020, 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 Post-2012 Benefit for R. Steer was paid in 2017. The table in the Seaboard Corporation Pension Plan section below sets forth estimates of the present value as of December 31, 2020 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), which estimates are calculated based on the assumptions described in Footnote 10 of Seaboard’s 2020 financial statements contained in its Annual Report.

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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 August 1, 2020 and dated September 22, 2020. 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 paid upon the earlier of: (i) the date specified in the Cash Balance Retirement Plan, which, for E. Gonzalez, is July 1, 2023; (ii) a separation of service; (iii) a change in control of Seaboard; or (iv) 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, 2020 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 10 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. 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, 2020, 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). Effective January 1, 2021, Seaboard transferred assets and liabilities for employees of certain Seaboard subsidiaries into a successor plan.

Each of the Named Executive Officers (other than D. Rankin and D. Sand) 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: 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. On account of the death of S. Bresky while employed,

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his widow is receiving a monthly annuity of $6,810 for her life. 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 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 $280,000 in 2020; $275,000 in 2019; and $270,000 in 2018.

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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, 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.  

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) was made to the plan in 2019.  All plan accounts in the Deferred Compensation Plan existing as of December 31, 2019, 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, 2019.

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 2020, 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.

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

Post-2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

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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 2020, 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 $280,000 in 2020; $275,000 in 2019 and $270,000 in 2018. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan for 2018 and paid to him in 2019 was $7,290. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan for 2019 and paid to him in 2020 was $33,580. The benefit earned by E. Gonzalez pursuant to this Plan in 2020 of $33,560 will be paid to him in 2021, and is included in the Summary Compensation Table above.

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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.  Contributions are no longer permitted under this Plan.

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 (excluding S. Bresky), assuming that this benefit was triggered and said medical insurance began to be furnished on December 31, 2020.

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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, D. Rankin, 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 D. Rankin, 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.

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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. As a result, Seaboard does not maintain any policies or practices regarding hedging in Seaboard securities.

At the 2020 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 2020 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 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. A stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation will take place at the 2023 Annual Meeting. The next stockholder vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive compensation will also 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 Chairwoman of the Board, Lead Director and 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.

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2020 Executive Compensation Components

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, 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 2020, the Board of Directors determined the salaries for the Named Executive Officers (except for R. Steer) by increasing the 2019 salaries by a cost of living adjustment. R. Steer’s 2019 salary was not increased pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement.

Bonuses and Incentive Awards.  The Board of Directors established the 2020 bonuses for the Named Executive Officers based upon the recommendation of Seaboard’s Chairwoman of the Board, Lead Director and President and based upon 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 14 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 2020, 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.

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Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 in December 2017, any compensation Seaboard pays in 2018 and later 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. Seaboard may in certain instances elect to defer compensation of the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the Post-2018 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. To the extent Seaboard does not elect the deferral and compensation to any Named Executive Officer is in excess of $1 million, Seaboard may lose the deduction.

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 2020 bonuses and 2021 salaries for each of the Named Executive Officers, Seaboard’s Chairwoman of the Board, Lead Director and President discussed and recommended the 2020 bonuses and 2021 salaries, considering Seaboard’s performance and each Named Executive Officer’s performance during 2020. The 2020 bonuses and 2021 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:

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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. Prior to his death, S. Bresky was a member of the Board of Directors of Seaboard and participated 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 Vice President 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 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.

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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. There were no such related party transactions in excess of $120,000 since the beginning of fiscal year 2020.

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.

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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, 2021. 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, 2021.

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 2020 and 2019, and fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG LLP during such years.