p11-1268sc13g.htm

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
SCHEDULE 13G*
(Rule 13d-2)
 
 
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULES 13d-1(b), (c) AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
PURSUANT TO 13d-2(b)
 
(Amendment No. ____)
 
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
 
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
 
 
800013104
(CUSIP Number)
 
May 25, 2011
(Date of event which requires filing of this statement)
 
 
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule 13G is filed:
 
¨
Rule 13d-1(b)
x
Rule 13d-1(c)
¨
Rule 13d-1(d)
 
(Page 1 of 11 Pages)

______________________________
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
 
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 

 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 2  of 11 Pages



     
1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Adage Capital Partners, L.P.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP**
(a) ¨
(b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 -
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
1,259,641
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 -
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,259,641
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,259,641
10
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES**
¨
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
5.7%
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON**
PN
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
 

 

 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 3 of 11 Pages



1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP**
(a) ¨
(b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
1,259,641
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,259,641
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,259,641
10
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES**
¨
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
5.7%
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON**
OO
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
 

 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 4 of 11 Pages



1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP**
(a) ¨
(b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
1,259,641
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,259,641
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,259,641
10
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES**
¨
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
5.7%
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON**
OO
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
 

 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 5 of 11 Pages



1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Robert Atchinson
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP**
(a) ¨
(b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
1,259,641
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,259,641
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,259,641
10
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES**
¨
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
5.7%
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON**
IN
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
 

 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 6 of 11 Pages



1
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Phillip Gross
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP**
(a) ¨
(b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
4
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH
5
SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
6
SHARED VOTING POWER
1,259,641
7
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
8
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,259,641
9
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,259,641
10
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES**
¨
11
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
5.7%
12
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON**
IN
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
 

 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 7 of 11 Pages



Item 1 (a).
NAME OF ISSUER.
   
 
The name of the issuer is Sanderson Farms, Inc. (the "Company").

Item 1(b).
ADDRESS OF ISSUER’S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
   
 
The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 127 Flynt Road, Laurel, Mississippi 39443.

Item 2 (a)
Name of Person Filing:

 
This statement is filed by:
   
 
(i)
Adage Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ACP") with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by it;
   
 
(ii)
Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("ACPGP"), as general partner of ACP with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by ACP;
   
 
(iii)
Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("ACA"), as  managing member of ACPGP, general partner of ACP, with respect  to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by ACP;
   
 
(iv)
Robert Atchinson ("Mr. Atchinson"), as managing member of ACA, managing member of ACPGP, general partner of ACP with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by ACP; and
     
 
(v)
Phillip Gross ("Mr. Gross"), as managing member of ACA, managing  member of ACPGP, general partner of ACP with respect to the shares of Common Stock directly owned by ACP.
   
The foregoing persons are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "Reporting Persons."  Any disclosures herein with respect to persons other than the Reporting Persons are made on information and belief after making inquiry to the appropriate party.
   
Item 2(b)
Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:
  
     
 
The address of the business office of each of the Reporting Persons is 200 Clarendon Street, 52nd floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
  

Item 2(c)
Citizenship:
   
 
ACP is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.  ACPGP and ACA are limited liability companies organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Messrs. Gross and Atchinson are citizens of the United States.


 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 8 of 11 Pages



Item 2(d)
Title of Class of Securities
   
 
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Per Share (the “Common Stock”)

Item 2(e)
CUSIP Number:
   
 
800013104
   
Item 3. 
If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b) or 13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
 
(a)
¨
Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act,
 
(b)
¨
Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act,
 
(c)
¨
Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act,
 
(d)
¨
Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
 
(e)
¨
Investment Adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(E),
 
(f)
¨
Employee Benefit Plan or Endowment Fund in accordance   with 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(F),
 
(g)
¨
Parent Holding Company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(G),
 
(h)
¨
Savings Association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act,
 
(i)
¨
Church Plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
 
(j)
¨
Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

 
If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c), check this box:  x

Item 4.
Ownership.

  A.
Adage Capital Partners, L.P., Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C. and Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.
     
(a)
Amount beneficially owned:  1,259,641
     
(b)
Percent of class:  5.7%.    The percentages used herein and in the rest of Item 4 are calculated based upon the 22,139,240 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2011 as reflected in the Form 10-Q for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011 filed by the Company on May 24, 2011.
     
(c)
(i)
Sole power to vote or direct the vote:  -0-
       
(ii)
Shared power to vote or direct the vote:  1,259,641
       
(iii)
Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition:  -0-
       
(iv)
Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of:  1,259,641

 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 9 of 11 Pages



ACP has the power to dispose of and the power to vote the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by it, which power may be exercised by its general partner, ACPGP.  ACA, as managing member of ACPGP, directs ACPGP's operations. Neither ACPGP nor ACA directly own any shares of Common Stock.  By reason of the provisions of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act"), ACPGP and ACA may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by ACP.
     
 
B.
Robert Atchinson and Phillip Gross
     
(a)
Amount beneficially owned:  1,259,641
     
(b)
Percent of class:  5.7%
     
(c)
(i)
Sole power to vote or direct the vote:  -0-
       
(ii)
Shared power to vote or direct the vote:  1,259,641
       
(iii)
Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition:  -0-
       
(iv)
Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition:  1,259,641

Messrs. Atchinson and Gross, as managing members of ACA, have shared power to vote the Common Stock beneficially owned by ACP.  Neither Mr. Atchinson nor Mr. Gross directly own any shares of Common Stock.  By reason of the provisions of Rule 13d-3 of the Act, each may be deemed to beneficially own the shares beneficially owned by ACP.
  
   
Item 5.
Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
       
 
Not Applicable.
         
Item 6.
Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
         
ACPGP, the general partner of ACP, has the power to direct the affairs of ACP, including decisions respecting the disposition of the proceeds from the sale of Common Stock.  Messrs. Atchinson and Gross are the Managing Members of ACA, the managing member of ACPGP, and in that capacity direct ACPGP's operations.
         
Item 7.                       Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.
       
Not applicable.
       
Item 8.
Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
       
     Not applicable.
       
Item 9.
Notice of Dissolution of Group.
       
 
Not applicable.
         
Item 10.
Certification.
         
 
Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification:
         
By signing below each Reporting Person certifies that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.



 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 10 of 11 Pages



SIGNATURES
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
DATED as of:  June 6, 2011
 
 
ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
 
 
By:
Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner
     
 
By:
Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
its managing member
 
 
/s/ Robert Atchinson
  Name:
Robert Atchinson
  Title: 
Managing Member
 
   
 
ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS GP, L.L.C.
 
By:
Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
   
its managing member
 
 
/s/ Robert Atchinson
  Name:
Robert Atchinson
  Title: 
Managing Member
   
   
 
ADAGE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.
 
 
/s/ Robert Atchinson
  Name:
Robert Atchinson
  Title: 
Managing Member
   
   
 
ROBERT ATCHINSON
   
 
/s/ Robert Atchinson
 
ROBERT ATCHINSON, individually
   
 
PHILLIP GROSS
   
 
/s/ Phillip Gross
 
PHILLIP GROSS, individually
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
CUSIP No.  800013104
 
SC 13G
Page 11 of 11 Pages



EXHIBIT 1
 
JOINT ACQUISITION STATEMENT
 
PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k)
 
The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on Schedule 13G, is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13G, shall be filed on behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint acquisition statements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the others, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

 
DATED as of:  June 6, 2011

 
ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
 
 
By:
Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner
     
 
By:
Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
its managing member
 
 
/s/ Robert Atchinson
  Name:
Robert Atchinson
  Title: 
Managing Member
 
   
 
ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS GP, L.L.C.
 
By:
Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
   
its managing member
 
 
/s/ Robert Atchinson
  Name:
Robert Atchinson
  Title: 
Managing Member
   
   
 
ADAGE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.
 
 
/s/ Robert Atchinson
  Name:
Robert Atchinson
  Title: 
Managing Member
   
   
 
ROBERT ATCHINSON
   
 
/s/ Robert Atchinson
 
ROBERT ATCHINSON, individually
   
 
PHILLIP GROSS
   
 
/s/ Phillip Gross
 
PHILLIP GROSS, individually