Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plans
 3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2011
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]
Note 14 — Employee Benefit Plans

The following table sets forth the net periodic pension expense for the three foreign defined benefit plans we sponsor for the three months ended November 30, 2011 and November 30, 2010 (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Service cost
  $ 19     $ 37  
Interest cost
    1,974       1,931  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2,074 )     (2,055 )
Amortization of net loss
    774       915  
Other
    11       11  
Total net pension expense
  $ 704     $ 839  

We expect to contribute $4.7 million to our pension plans in fiscal year 2012. As of November 30, 2011, we have made $0.9 million in contributions to these plans.