UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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| ☒ | Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
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For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023
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| ☐ | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
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| For the transition period from to . |
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| COMMISSION FILE NUMBER |
| 000-53588 |
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| Minnesota | | 20-4798531 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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| 24500 US Highway 14, | Lamberton, | MN | | 56152 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(507) 752-6160
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
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| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Membership Units
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o Yes x No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
o Yes x No
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.
x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
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| Large Accelerated Filer | o | Accelerated Filer | ☐ |
| Non-Accelerated Filer | x | Smaller Reporting Company | ☐ |
| | Emerging Growth Company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. o
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
☐ Yes x No
As of April 30, 2023, the aggregate market value of the membership units held by non-affiliates (computed by reference to the most recent offering price of such membership units of $10,000) was $40,060,000. The Company is a limited liability company whose outstanding common equity is subject to significant restrictions on transfer under its Operating Agreement. No public market for common equity of Highwater Ethanol, LLC is established and it is unlikely in the foreseeable future that a public market for its common equity will develop.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of January 18, 2024, there were 4,754 membership units outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The registrant has incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K portions of its definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report.
INDEX
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| Page Number |
| PART I | |
| Item 1. Business | |
| Item 1A. Risk Factors | |
| Item 2. Properties | |
| Item 3. Legal Proceedings | |
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| PART II | |
| Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Member Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | |
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| Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | |
| Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | |
| Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | |
| Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | |
| Item 9A. Controls and Procedures | |
| Item 9B. Other Information | |
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| PART III | |
| Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | |
| Item 11. Executive Compensation | |
| Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Member Matters | |
| Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | |
| Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services | |
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| Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules | |
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| SIGNATURES | |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements that involve future events, our future financial performance and our expected future operations and actions. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “future,” “intend,” “could,” “hope,” “predict,” “target,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are only our predictions based on current information and involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to those listed below and those business risks and factors described elsewhere in this report and our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
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| Changes in the availability and price of corn and natural gas; |
| Reduction, delay or elimination of the Renewable Fuel Standard; |
| Our ability to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit agreements with our lenders; |
| Our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant and maintain a positive spread between the selling price of our products and our raw material costs; |
| Results of our hedging activities and other risk management strategies; |
| Ethanol and distillers grains supply exceeding demand and corresponding price reductions; |
| Our ability to generate cash flow to invest in our business and service our debt; |
| Changes in the environmental regulations that apply to our plant operations and changes in our ability to comply with such regulations; |
| Changes in our business strategy, capital improvements or development plans; |
| Changes in plant production capacity or technical difficulties in operating the plant; |
| Changes in general economic conditions or the occurrence of certain events causing an economic impact in the agriculture, oil or automobile industries; |
| Lack of transportation, storage and blending infrastructure preventing ethanol from reaching high demand markets; |
| Changes in federal and/or state laws or policies impacting the ethanol industry; |
| Changes and advances in ethanol production technology and the development of alternative fuels and energy sources and advanced biofuels; |
| Competition from alternative fuel additives; |
| Changes in interest rates and lending conditions; |
| Decreases in the price we receive for our ethanol and distillers grains; |
| Volatile financial or commodity markets; |
| Our inability to secure credit or obtain additional equity financing we may require in the future; |
| Our ability to retain key employees and maintain labor relations; |
| Decreases in export demand due to the imposition of tariffs by foreign governments on ethanol and distillers grains produced by the the United States; |
| A slowdown in global and regional economic activity, demand for our products and the potential for labor shortages and shipping disruptions resulting from pandemics including COVID-19; |
| Competition from the increased use of electric vehicles; |
| Use by the EPA of small refinery exemptions; and |
| Global economic uncertainty, inflation, market disruptions, and increased volatility in commodity prices caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and resulting sanctions by the United States and other countries. |
The cautionary statements referred to in this section also should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by us or any persons acting on our behalf. We undertake no duty to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. We caution you not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. You should read this report and the documents that we reference in this report and have filed as exhibits, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we currently expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Information is also available at our website at www.highwaterethanol.com, under “SEC Compliance”, which includes links to reports we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents of our website are not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Business Development
Highwater Ethanol, LLC (“we,” “our,” “Highwater Ethanol” or the “Company”) was formed as a Minnesota limited liability company on May 2, 2006 for the purpose of constructing, owning, and operating a 50 million gallon per year nameplate ethanol plant near Lamberton, Minnesota. Since August 2009, we have been engaged in the production of ethanol and distillers grains at the plant. In October 2019, our air permit application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to allow for 70.2 million gallons of denatured ethanol per 12-month rolling average was approved. Our ethanol production levels for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 were at an annual rate of approximately 69 million gallons.
Financial Information
Please refer to “ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for information about our revenue, profit and loss measurements and total assets and liabilities and “ITEM 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for our financial statements and supplementary data.
Principal Products
The principal products we currently produce at the ethanol plant are fuel-grade ethanol, distillers grains, and corn oil. The table below shows the approximate percentage of our total revenue which is attributed to each of our products for each of our last three fiscal years.
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| Product | | Fiscal Year 2023 | | Fiscal Year 2022 | | Fiscal Year 2021 |
| Ethanol | | 74 | % | | 78 | % | | 78 | % |
| Distillers Grains | | 18 | % | | 15 | % | | 16 | % |
| Corn Oil | | 8 | % | | 7 | % | | 6 | % |
Ethanol
Our primary product is ethanol. Ethanol is ethyl alcohol, a fuel component made primarily from corn and various other grains. The ethanol we produce is manufactured from corn. Although the ethanol industry continues to explore production technologies employing various feedstocks, such as biomass, corn-based production technologies remain the most practical and provide the lowest operating risks. Corn produces large quantities of carbohydrates, which convert into glucose more easily than most other kinds of biomass.
An ethanol plant is essentially a fermentation plant. Ground corn and water are mixed with enzymes and yeast to produce a substance called “beer,” which contains about 10% alcohol and 90% water. The “beer” is boiled to separate the water, resulting in ethyl alcohol, which is then dehydrated to increase the alcohol content. This product is then mixed with a certified denaturant to make the product unfit for human consumption and commercially saleable.
Ethanol can be used as: (i) an octane enhancer in fuels; (ii) an oxygenated fuel additive for the purpose of reducing ozone and carbon monoxide emissions; and (iii) a non-petroleum-based gasoline substitute. Approximately 95% of all ethanol is used in its primary form for blending with unleaded gasoline and other fuel products. Used as a fuel oxygenate, ethanol provides a means to control carbon monoxide emissions in large metropolitan areas. The principal purchasers of ethanol are generally the wholesale gasoline marketer or blender.
Distillers Grains
The principal co-product of the ethanol production process is distillers grains, a high protein, high-energy animal feed supplement primarily marketed to the dairy, poultry, swine and beef industries. Dry mill ethanol processing creates three forms
of distiller grains: Distillers Wet Grains with Solubles (“DWS”), Distillers Modified Wet Grains with Solubles (“DMWS”) and Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (“DDGS”). DWS is processed corn mash that contains approximately 70% moisture. DWS has a shelf life of approximately three days and can be sold only to farms within the immediate vicinity of an ethanol plant. DMWS is DWS that has been dried to approximately 50% moisture. DMWS has a slightly longer shelf life of approximately ten days and is often sold to nearby markets. DDGS is DWS that has been dried to between 10% and 12% moisture. DDGS has an almost indefinite shelf life and may be sold and shipped to any market regardless of its vicinity to an ethanol plant.
Corn Oil
We separate some of the corn oil contained in our distillers grains for sale. The corn oil that we produce is not food grade corn oil and therefore cannot be used for human consumption. However, corn oil can be used as the feedstock to produce biodiesel, as a feed ingredient and has other industrial uses.
Ethanol, Distillers Grains and Corn Oil Markets
As described below in “Distribution Methods” we market and distribute a majority of our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil through professional third party marketers. Our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil marketers make decisions with regard to where our products are marketed.
Our ethanol and distillers grains are primarily sold in the domestic market due to high transportation costs, and the fact that we are not located near a major international shipping port.
Over the past fiscal year, Canada was the top destination for ethanol exports. The European Union, United Kingdom and South Korea also imported a significant amount of ethanol from the United States. Exports of ethanol for this period have been lower when compared to the same period in 2022. Ethanol export demand is more unpredictable than domestic demand and tends to fluctuate over time as it is subject to monetary and political forces in other nations. Tariffs implemented by Brazil and China on ethanol imported from the United States have had a negative effect on export demand from those markets. Tariffs imposed by China remain unchanged. In March 2022, Brazil suspended its tariff through the end of 2022 on ethanol imported from the United States following a 10% reduction on the tariff in November 2021. However, Brazil reinstated the tariff earlier this year. Trade barriers with key markets may continue to negatively affect export demand.
Historically, the United States ethanol industry has exported a significant amount of distillers grains to China. The imposition of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties by China over the past five years has resulted in a significant decline in demand from China requiring United States producers to seek out alternative markets. Over the past fiscal year, the United States exported a significant amount of distillers grains to Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, and Vietnam. Exports of distillers grains decreased during this period when compared to the same period in 2022.
All of the corn oil we produce is marketed and distributed in the domestic market.
Distribution Methods
Ethanol
We have an exclusive marketing agreement with RPMG, Inc. (“RPMG”) for the purposes of marketing and distributing our ethanol. Because we are an owner of Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (“RPMG LLC”), the parent entity of RPMG, our ethanol marketing fees are based on RPMG's cost to market our ethanol. Further, as an owner, we share in the profits and losses generated by RPMG when it markets products for other producers who are not owners of RPMG LLC. Our marketing agreement provides that we can sell our ethanol either through an index arrangement or at an agreed upon fixed price. The term of our marketing agreement is perpetual until terminated according to its terms. The primary reasons for termination would be if we cease to be an owner of RPMG LLC, if there is a breach which is not cured, or if we give advance notice to RPMG that we wish to terminate. Notwithstanding our right to terminate, we may be obligated to continue to market our ethanol through RPMG for a period of time after termination. Further, following termination, we agree to accept an assignment of certain railcar leases which RPMG has secured to service us. If the marketing agreement is terminated, it would trigger a redemption of our ownership interest in RPMG LLC.
Distillers Grains
On August 26, 2022, we entered into a marketing agreement with RPMG pursuant to which RPMG began purchasing and marketing all of the dried distillers grains produced at the plant beginning January 1, 2023. We pay RPMG a fee to market distillers grains to third party end purchasers and reimburse RPMG for certain charges paid to third parties. RPMG agrees to market our distillers grains using commercially reasonable efforts and endeavor to maximize price and minimize freight and other costs but does not guarantee the price that will be obtained from the sale. Following an initial term, the agreement will be automatically extended for additional terms unless either party gives proper notice of non-extension. We may immediately terminate the agreement upon written notice if: (1) RPMG fails on three separate occasions within a 12-month period to purchase distillers grains or market distillers grains, as not otherwise excused under the RPMG Agreement; or (2) upon RPMG's insolvency. RPMG may immediately terminate the agreement upon written notice if the variance of our actual distillers grains inventory when compared to monthly production and inventory estimates exceeds certain threshold amounts.
We market and sell our own distillers modified wet grains with solubles without the assistance of a third-party marketer.
Corn Oil
We have an exclusive marketing agreement with RPMG for the purposes of marketing and distributing our corn oil. We pay RPMG a marketing fee. We may immediately terminate our agreement with RPMG upon written notice if: (1) RPMG fails on three separate occasions within a 12-month period to purchase corn oil or market corn oil, as not otherwise excused under the Agreement; or (2) upon RPMG's insolvency. RPMG may immediately terminate the agreement upon written notice if the variance of our actual corn oil inventory when compared to monthly production and inventory estimates exceeds certain threshold amounts.
USP Grade High Purity Alcohol
We began limited production of USP grade high purity alcohol for use in the hand sanitizer, sanitizer and other markets during our 2021 fiscal year. We expect to commence the production of high purity alcohol if current positive ethanol margins worsen and we determine that high purity alcohol sales would result in greater profitability for our business than ethanol sales. We have executed an agreement with RPMG to be the exclusive marketer of our high purity alcohol.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
Corn Feedstock Supply
The major raw material required for our ethanol plant to produce ethanol and distillers grains is corn. To produce 70.2 million gallons of ethanol per year, our ethanol plant needs approximately 23.5 million bushels of corn, or approximately 65,000 bushels of corn per day, as the feedstock for its dry milling process.
The price at which we purchase corn depends on prevailing market prices. Increases in the price of corn significantly increase our cost of goods sold. If these increases in cost of goods sold are not offset by corresponding increases in the prices we receive from the sale of our products, these increases in cost of goods sold can have a significant negative impact on our financial performance.
Corn prices were lower during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. On November 9, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") released a report estimating the 2023 national corn crop at approximately 15.2 billion bushels, up 11% from last year's production, with yields averaging 174.9 bushels per acre. The USDA also reported area harvested for grain at 87.1 million acres, up 10% from 2022. Weather conditions, world supply and demand, current and anticipated corn stocks, agricultural policy and other factors can all contribute to volatility in corn prices.
Utilities
Natural Gas
Natural gas is an important input to our manufacturing process. We use natural gas to dry our distillers grains products to moisture contents at which they can be stored for longer periods. This allows the distillers grains we produce to be transported greater distances to serve broader livestock markets.
We have access to an existing Northern Natural Gas Company ("NNG") interstate natural gas pipeline located approximately one half mile from our ethanol plant. On July 30, 2018, we entered into an amendment to our agreement with NNG which has an effective date of November 1, 2019 and extends the term through October 31, 2024. Under the amendment, we will pay NNG the tariff rate in effect from time to time for natural gas. NNG has allocated a minimum quantity of 5,000 dekatherms ("dth") of natural gas per day.
We entered into a natural gas service agreement with CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., d.b.a. CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas (“CenterPoint”). CenterPoint constructed a pipeline for us from the Northern Natural Gas Company Town Border Station. We purchase all of our natural gas requirements from CenterPoint's pipeline. Under the agreement, CenterPoint will continue to operate and maintain the pipeline to deliver natural gas to us under applicable tariffs. In addition, for all natural gas volumes delivered, we will pay certain delivery charges per dth delivered during each contract year subject to annual adjustments as permitted by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to match actual costs with the value recovered in the rates. In the event we do not purchase the minimum volume of 1,400,000 dth during each contract year, we will pay the difference between the actual delivery volume for the period and the minimum volume multiplied by the applicable rate. The initial term of the agreement will continue until October 31, 2029 and will automatically renew for additional five year terms unless terminated by either party upon written notice given at least 12 months prior to the end of the term upon an occurrence of certain events of default as set forth therein.
We also have an energy management agreement with World Kinect Energy Group f/k/a U.S. Energy Services, Inc. (“Kinect”) pursuant to which Kinect is providing us with the necessary natural gas management services. Some of their services may include an economic comparison of distribution service options, negotiation and minimization of interconnect costs, submission of the necessary pipeline “tap” request, supplying the plant with and/or negotiating the procurement of natural gas, development and implementation of a price risk management plan targeted at mitigating natural gas price volatility and maintaining profitability, providing consolidated monthly invoices that reflect all natural gas costs. In addition, Kinect is responsible for reviewing and reconciling all invoices. In exchange for these services, we pay Kinect a monthly retainer fee.
We do not anticipate any problems securing the natural gas we need to operate our ethanol plant during our 2024 fiscal year.
Electricity
On June 28, 2007, we entered into an agreement for electric service with Redwood Electric Cooperative, Inc., (the "Cooperative") for the purchase and delivery of electric power and energy necessary to operate our ethanol plant. Upon execution of the agreement, we became a member of the Cooperative and are bound by its articles of incorporation and bylaws. This agreement remained in effect until September 19, 2017, when our new agreement with the Cooperative to purchase all of the electric power that we require for our ethanol plant became effective. The new agreement remained in effect until January 1, 2023 upon which time it automatically renewed for a five year period. The agreement will continue to automatically renew for additional five year periods unless we give at least one year's written notice of termination prior to the expiration of the then current term or if the agreement is otherwise terminated in accordance with its terms. For the electric power provided, in addition to certain penalties and adjustments, we will pay the following rates: (i) a facility charge based on the then current net plant value; (ii) a per KWh energy charge at the then current wholesale rate including distribution losses and margin requirements; (iii) an additional demand charge for the entire monthly demand (kW) that is coincident to the peak demand; and (iv) an additional delivery charge for the entire monthly demand (kW) that is coincident to the peak demand. The rates are updated annually. The rates set forth in the agreement terminate in the event that our firm non-coincident peak demand is less that 2,000 kW for twelve consecutive months or our rolling twelve month non-coincident load factor is less than 60% for twelve consecutive months. Upon termination of the agreement by either party for any reason, we remain responsible for payment of the facility charge for what would have been the remaining portion of the term.
We do not anticipate any problems securing the electricity we need to operate our ethanol plant during our 2024 fiscal year.
Water
We require a significant supply of water. We currently obtain water from a high capacity well and through a pipeline that pipes water from a nearby rock quarry. We acquired all of the necessary permits required for our water usage. Much of the water used in an ethanol plant is recycled back into the process. There are, however, certain areas of production where fresh water is needed. Those areas include the boiler makeup water and cooling tower water. Boiler makeup water is treated on-site to minimize all elements that will harm the boiler and recycled water cannot be used for this process. Cooling tower water is deemed non-contact water because it does not come in contact with the mash, and, therefore, can be regenerated back into the
cooling tower process. The makeup water requirements for the cooling tower are primarily a result of evaporation. This has the effect of lowering wastewater treatment costs. We have assessed our water needs and determined we have an adequate supply.
Patents, Trademarks, Licenses, Franchises and Concessions
We do not currently hold any patents, trademarks, franchises or concessions. We were granted a license by ICM, Inc. to use certain ethanol production technology necessary to operate our ethanol plant. The cost of the license granted by ICM, Inc. was included in the amount we paid to Fagen, Inc. to design and build our ethanol plant. We were granted a license by Butamax Advanced Biofuels, LLC ("Butamax") to use certain corn oil separation technology in exchange for payment of certain license fees. We amended our license arrangement with Butamax to provide for a one-time fee which was paid in December of 2020.
Seasonality Sales
We experience some seasonality of demand for our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil. Since ethanol is predominantly blended with gasoline for use in automobiles, ethanol demand tends to shift in relation to gasoline demand. As a result, we experience some seasonality of demand for ethanol in the summer months related to increased driving and, as a result, increased gasoline demand. In addition, we experience some increased ethanol demand during holiday seasons related to increased gasoline demand. We also experience decreased distillers grains demand during the summer months due to natural depletion in the size of herds at cattle feed lots and when the animals are turned out to pasture or are slaughtered. Further, we expect some seasonality of demand for our corn oil since a major corn oil user is biodiesel plants which typically reduce production during the winter months.
Working Capital
We primarily use our working capital for purchases of raw materials necessary to operate the ethanol plant. Our primary sources of working capital are cash generated by our operations and our Term Revolving Loan and our Revolving Line of Credit Loan with Compeer Financial, PCA ("Compeer"). At October 31, 2023, we had approximately $20,000,000 available to draw on our Term Revolving Loan and approximately $0 available to draw on our Revolving Line of Credit Loan, respectively.
Dependence on One or a Few Major Customers
As discussed above, we have a marketing agreement with RPMG for the marketing, sale and distribution of our ethanol and corn oil and began marketing, selling and distributing our distillers dried grains with solubles with RPMG beginning on January 1, 2023. We rely on RPMG for the sale and distribution of our ethanol, corn oil and distillers dried grains with solubles. Therefore, although there are other marketers in the industry, we are highly dependent and will continue to be highly dependent on RPMG for the successful marketing of our products. Any loss of RPMG as our marketing agent could have a significant negative impact on our revenues. We market and sell our own distillers modified wet grains.
Federal Ethanol Supports and Governmental Regulation
Federal Ethanol Supports
The ethanol industry is dependent on economic incentives to produce ethanol. One significant federal ethanol support is the Federal Renewable Fuels Standard (the “RFS”). The RFS requires that in each year, a certain amount of renewable fuels must be used in the United States. The RFS is a national program that does not require that any renewable fuels be used in any particular area or state, allowing refiners to use renewable fuel blends in those areas where it is most cost-effective. Starting in 2009, the RFS required that a portion of the RFS must be met by certain “advanced” renewable fuels. These advanced renewable fuels include ethanol that is not made from corn, such as cellulosic ethanol and biomass based biodiesel. The use of these advanced renewable fuels increased each year as a percentage of the total renewable fuels required to be used in the United States.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") previously had the authority to waive the RFS statutory volume requirement, in whole or in part, provided one of the following two conditions have been met: (1) there is inadequate domestic renewable fuel supply; or (2) implementation of the requirement would severely harm the economy or environment of a state, region or the United States. Annually, the EPA was required by statute to pass a rule that establishes the number of gallons of different types of renewable fuels that must be used in the United States which is called the renewable volume
obligation ("RVO"). For the last nine years of the program's statutory annual requirements, the EPA exercised its waiver authority and set the RVO below the statutory amount. The RFS began a new phase in 2023 as the EPA is now required to determine the annual RVO. The statutory volumes and the EPA's volumes for 2021 and 2022 and the EPA's volumes for 2023, 2024 and 2025 (in billion gallons) are as follows:
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| | Total Renewable Fuel | Portion of Volume Requirement That Can Be Met By Corn-based Ethanol |
| 2021 | Statutory | 33.00 | 15.00 |
| EPA Rule 7/2022 | 18.84 | 13.79 |
| 2022 | Statutory | 36.00 | 15.00 |
| EPA Rule 7/2022 | 20.63 (+0.25) | 15.00 |
| 2023 | EPA Rule 7/2023 | 20.94 (+0.25) | 15.00 |
| 2024 | EPA Rule 7/2023 | 21.54 | 15.00 |
| 2025 | EPA Rule 7/2023 | 22.33 | 15.00 |
Small refineries can petition the EPA annually for an exemption from their ethanol use requirements for the prior compliance year. The EPA granted significantly more small refinery waivers in 2018 and 2019 than in past years and did not reallocate the waived gallons to other refiners. These actions resulted in decreased ethanol demand which led to reduced market ethanol prices and negative operating margins in the ethanol industry. In January 2020, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that small refinery exemptions may only be granted to refineries that had secured them continuously each year since 2010. Consistent with this ruling, in September 2020, the EPA denied certain small refinery exemption petitions filed by oil refineries in 2020 seeking retroactive relief from their ethanol use requirements for prior years. However, in June 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court partially reversed the decision finding that a small refinery may obtain a hardship exemption even if its earlier exemption had lapsed in one or more previous years. In June 2022, the EPA announced the denial of 69 small refinery exemption petitions for one or more compliance years between 2016 and 2021 on the grounds that the petitioners had failed to show that the EPA had a basis to approve them. In July 2023, the EPA announced the denial of 26 small refinery exemption petitions for one or more compliance years between 2016 and 2023 on the grounds that the petitioners had failed to show that the EPA had a basis to approve them.
In February 2010, the EPA issued additional regulations governing the RFS. These additional regulations have been called RFS2. The most controversial part of RFS2 involves what is commonly referred to as the lifecycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the EPA adopted rules to determine which renewable fuels provided sufficient reductions in greenhouse gases, compared to conventional gasoline, to qualify under the RFS program. RFS2 establishes a tiered approach, where regular renewable fuels are required to accomplish a 20% greenhouse gas reduction compared to gasoline, advanced biofuels and biomass-based biodiesel must accomplish a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases, and cellulosic biofuels must accomplish a 60% reduction in greenhouse gases. Any fuels that fail to meet this standard cannot be used by fuel blenders to satisfy their obligations under the RFS program. However, RFS2 as adopted by the EPA provides that corn-based ethanol from modern ethanol production processes does meet the definition of a renewable fuel under the RFS program. Our ethanol plant was grandfathered into the RFS due to the fact that it was constructed prior to the effective date of the lifecycle greenhouse gas requirement and is not required to prove compliance with the lifecycle greenhouse gas reductions. Certain provisions of RFS2 as adopted may disproportionately benefit ethanol produced from sugarcane. This could make sugarcane based ethanol, which is primarily produced in Brazil, more competitive in the United States ethanol market.
Most ethanol that is used in the United States is sold in a blend called E10. E10 is a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. E10 is approved for use in all standard vehicles. In 2022, gasoline demand in the United States was approximately 135.73 billion gallons compared to consumption of approximately 135.06 billion gallons in 2021. Assuming that all gasoline in the United States is blended at a rate of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, the maximum demand for ethanol domestically would then be approximately 13.57 billion gallons per year for 2022. This is commonly referred to as the “blending wall,” which represents a theoretical limit where more ethanol cannot be blended into the national gasoline pool. This is a theoretical limit because it is not possible to blend ethanol into every gallon of gasoline that is being used in the United States and it discounts the possibility of additional ethanol used in higher percentage blends such as E85 used in flex fuel vehicles. Gasoline demand increased for 2023 but remained shy of pre-COVID-19 levels.
In June 2012, the EPA gave final approval for the sale of E15, gasoline which is blended at a rate of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, for use in vehicles manufactured in the model year 2001 and later. Although there have been significant steps
towards introduction of E15 in the marketplace, there are still obstacles to meaningful market penetration by E15. Many states still have regulatory issues that hamper or prevent the sale of E15. In addition, sales of E15 may be limited because E15 is not approved for use in all vehicles, the EPA requires a label that may discourage consumers from using E15, and retailers may choose not to sell E15 due to concerns regarding liability. Previously, different gasoline blendstocks were required at certain times of the year in order to use E15 due to federal regulations related to fuel evaporative emissions which may prevent E15 from being used during certain times of the year in various states. In May of 2019, the EPA issued a final rule allowing the year-round sale of E15. However, in June of 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia struck down this rule finding that the EPA had exceeded its authority. In May 2022, the EPA issued an emergency waiver to allow sales of E-15 during the summer months. In March 2023, the EPA proposed a rule to allow year-round sales but the rule would not take effect until 2024. Therefore, in May 2023, the EPA again issued an emergency waiver to temporarily allow summer sales of E-15 in 2023.
A blender pump is a gasoline pump that can dispense a variety of different ethanol/gasoline blends. Blender pumps typically can dispense E10, E20, E30, E40, E50, and E85. These blender pumps accomplish these different blends by internally mixing ethanol and gasoline which are held in separate tanks at retail stations. The increased use of blender pumps may increase demand for ethanol by allowing gasoline retailers to provide various mid-level ethanol blends in a cost-effective manner and allowing consumers with flex-fuel vehicles to purchase more ethanol through these mid-level blends. However, the expense of blender pumps has delayed their availability in the market.
In May 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") announced the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program which consists of up to $100 million in funding for grants to be used to increase the availability of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel fuels. Funds may be awarded to retailers such as fueling stations and convenience stores to assist in the cost of installation or upgrading of fuel pumps and other infrastructure. Earlier this year, the USDA awarded $25 million in grants to 59 biofuel infrastructure projects through the HBIIP. In June 2023, the USDA announced that the department would accept new applications for $450 million in grants through the HBIIP, accessible in quarterly windows starting July 2023 and ending September 30, 2024.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which has several provisions that may benefit the ethanol industry, was signed into law. Since then, the Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) has issued proposed regulations on certain aspects of the new law and more are forthcoming; however, considerable uncertainty remains as to how many of the new provisions will be implemented. The Inflation Reduction Act maintains the 12-year credit period for the existing Section 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and storage ("CCS"). However, the Act extends eligibility for the credit to facilities that have commenced construction by December 31, 2032, and substantially lowers the minimum annual capture requirements to 12,500 tons for qualifying facilities. In addition, the potential credit rate is increased five times for industrial facilities and power plants that capture their carbon emissions to $85 per metric ton of carbon oxide stored in secure geologic formations, $60 per ton for the beneficial utilization of captured carbon emissions, and $60 per ton for carbon oxide stored in oil and gas fields. Prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements must be met by the facility to claim the full amount of the higher credit. On August 29, 2023, the Treasury issued proposed regulations providing guidance on when and how to satisfy the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements, with comments due to the Treasury by October 29, 2023, with final regulations coming thereafter. In addition, projects will now be eligible to be directly paid for the credit by the Internal Revenue Service for the first five years with no direct pay for many projects for the final seven years of the credit, and, as an alternative to direct pay, projects will now be allowed to sell their credits to unrelated third parties for cash without adverse tax consequences. This direct pay and credit transfer feature is another area where the Treasury provided guidance in June 2023 through proposed and temporary regulations.
The Act also creates a new Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit under Section 45Z for the production of low-emissions transportation fuel produced and sold in 2025, 2026 and 2027, subject to certain requirements as to prevailing wage and apprenticeship. For other than certain tax-exempt entities, this credit is not eligible for direct pay but may be sold or otherwise transferred in most circumstances. Note that the Act provides that the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit is not available for a facility that qualifies for the Section 45Q tax credit. Additional incentives for production of sustainable aviation fuel and $500 million in funding for biofuels infrastructure funding are also included in the Act.
Effect of Governmental Regulation
The government's regulation of the environment changes constantly. We are subject to extensive air, water and other environmental regulations and we have been required to obtain a number of environmental permits to construct and operate the plant. It is possible that more stringent federal or state environmental rules or regulations could be adopted, which could require us to obtain additional or new permits or spend considerable resources in complying with such regulations and increase our operating costs and expenses. It also is possible that federal or state environmental rules or regulations could be adopted that could have an adverse effect on the use of ethanol. For example, changes in the environmental regulations regarding the
required oxygen content of automobile emissions could have an adverse effect on the ethanol industry. Additionally, any changes that are made to the ethanol plant or its operations must be reviewed to determine if amended permits need to be obtained in order to implement these changes. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, we incurred costs and expenses of approximately $330,000 complying with environmental laws.
Plant operations are governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. We are also subject to regulation by several other federal and state agencies including the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Federal and state regulations may change such that the costs of operating the plant may increase.
In late 2009, California passed a Low Carbon Fuels Standard ("LCFS"). The California LCFS requires that renewable fuels used in California must accomplish certain reductions in greenhouse gases which is measured using a lifecycle analysis, similar to the RFS. On December 29, 2011, a federal district court in California ruled that the California LCFS was unconstitutional which halted implementation of the California LCFS. However, the California Air Resources Board ("CARB") appealed this court ruling and on September 18, 2013, the federal appellate court reversed the federal district court finding the LCFS constitutional and remanding the case back to federal district court to determine whether the LCFS imposes a burden on interstate commerce that is excessive in light of the local benefits. On June 30, 2014, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of the federal appellate court ruling and CARB recently re-adopted the LCFS with some slight modifications. The LCFS could have a negative impact on demand for corn-based ethanol and result in decreased ethanol prices affecting our ability to operate profitably. However, during our 2021 fiscal year we received approval from CARB for our cellulosic pathway which has allowed us to receive a premium on certain ethanol shipped to California. This pathway does not guarantee a premium for ethanol shipped into California.
Competition
Ethanol
We are in direct competition with numerous ethanol producers, many of whom have greater resources than we do. Following the significant growth during 2005 and 2006, the ethanol industry has grown at a much slower pace. As of December 6, 2023, the Renewable Fuels Association estimates that the ethanol production facilities in the U.S. have the capacity to produce approximately 17.8 billion gallons of ethanol.
Since ethanol is a commodity product, competition in the industry is predominantly based on price. We have also experienced competition from oil companies who have purchased ethanol production facilities and are required to blend a certain amount of ethanol each year. In addition, larger ethanol producers may be able to realize economies of scale that we are unable to realize. This could put us at a competitive disadvantage to other ethanol producers. The ethanol industry is continuing to consolidate where a few larger ethanol producers are increasing their production capacities and are controlling a larger portion of the United States ethanol production. Further, some ethanol producers own multiple ethanol plants which may allow them to compete more effectively by providing them flexibility to run certain production facilities while they have other facilities shut down. This added flexibility may allow these ethanol producers to compete more effectively, especially during periods when operation margins are unfavorable in the ethanol industry.
Following the acquisition of several plants by POET Biorefining from Flint Hill Resources in 2021, the largest ethanol producers currently include Archer Daniels Midland, Green Plains Renewable Energy, POET Biorefining and Valero Renewable Fuels, each of which are capable of producing significantly more ethanol than we produce. The following table identifies the majority of the largest ethanol producers in the United States along with their approximate production capacities.
U.S. FUEL ETHANOL PRODUCTION CAPACITY
BY TOP PRODUCERS
Producers of Approximately 750
million gallons per year (mmgy) or more
| | | | | |
| Company | Approximate Capacity
(mmgy) |
| POET Biorefining | 3,005 | |
| Valero Renewable Fuels | 1,642 | |
| Archer Daniels Midland | 1,613 | |
| Green Plains Renewable Energy | 903 | |
We face competition from ethanol produced outside of the United States. Ethanol imports have been lower in recent years due to the increase by Brazil in 2013 of its domestic ethanol use requirement from 20% to 25% and the institution in 2017 of a quota and tariff on ethanol produced in the United States and exported to Brazil which have likely decreased the amount of ethanol Brazil has available for export. If competition from ethanol imports were to increase again that could negatively impact demand for ethanol produced in the United States which could result in lower operating margins.
Our ethanol plant also competes with producers of other gasoline additives having similar octane and oxygenate values as ethanol. Alternative fuels, gasoline oxygenates and alternative ethanol production methods are also continually under development. The major oil companies have significantly greater resources than we have to market other additives, to develop alternative products, and to influence legislation and public perception of ethanol. These companies also have sufficient resources to begin production of ethanol should they choose to do so.
A number of automotive, industrial and power generation manufacturers are developing alternative clean power systems using fuel cells, plug-in hybrids, electric cars or clean burning gaseous fuels. Electric car technology has grown in popularity, especially in urban areas. While in the past there were a limited number of vehicle recharging stations, making electric cars not feasible for all consumers, there has been increased focus on developing these recharging stations which have made electric car technology more widely available. This additional competition from alternate sources could reduce the demand for ethanol, which would negatively impact our profitability.
Distillers Grains
Our ethanol plant competes with other ethanol producers in the production and sales of distillers grains. Distillers grains are primarily used as animal feed which replaces corn and soybean meal. As a result, distillers grains prices are impacted by corn and soybean prices. In addition, increased exports of distillers grains have positively affected demand and distillers grains prices. If distillers grains exports decline, it could result in an oversupply in the market causing distillers grains prices in the United States to decrease.
Corn Oil Competition
We compete with many ethanol producers for the sale of corn oil. Many ethanol producers have installed the equipment necessary to separate corn oil from the distillers grains they produce which has increased competition for corn oil sales and has resulted in lower market corn oil prices. We also face competition from soybean oil which is being used with increasing frequency as a feedstock in biodiesel production.
Employees
We depend on our employees to operate our plant. While we face competition to attract and retain personnel with the necessary skills, we believe that we compete favorably on the basis of wages and benefits and our commitment to training and development. In addition, the safety of our employees is our highest priority. We have developed and enforce workplace safety policies and programs in order to maintain a high standard for performance in our operations and ensure the safety of our workers. As of October 31, 2023, we had 43 full-time employees. We do not expect the number of employees to materially change in the next twelve months.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully read and consider the risks and uncertainties below and the other information contained in this report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. The following risks, together with additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial could impair our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to Our Business
A decrease in the spread between the price we receive for our products and the price we pay for raw materials will have an adverse effect on our profitability. Our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant is primarily dependent on the spread between the price we pay for corn and natural gas and the price we receive for our ethanol. While the price of ethanol typically changes in relation to corn prices, this correlation has not always been reliable historically and may not always exist. In the event that the spread between the price for our products and the costs associated with our raw materials becomes negative, we may be unable to maintain our liquidity which may adversely impact our ability to profitably operate which could negatively impact the value of our units.
Declines in the price of ethanol or distillers grains would reduce our revenues. The sale prices of ethanol and distillers grains can be volatile as a result of a number of factors such as overall supply and demand, the price of gasoline and corn, levels of government support, and the availability and price of competing products. Any lowering of ethanol or distillers grains prices, especially if it is associated with increases in corn and natural gas prices, may affect our ability to operate profitably. We anticipate the price of ethanol and distillers grains to continue to be volatile in our 2024 fiscal year. Declines in the prices we receive for our ethanol and distillers grains will lead to decreased revenues and may result in our inability to operate the ethanol plant profitably for an extended period of time which could decrease the value of our units.
Increases in the price of corn or natural gas would reduce our profitability.Our primary source of revenue is from the sale of ethanol and distillers grains. Our results of operations and financial condition are significantly affected by the cost and supply of corn and natural gas. Changes in the price and supply of corn and natural gas are subject to and determined by market forces over which we have no control including weather and general economic factors. Generally, higher corn prices will produce lower profit margins and, therefore, negatively affect our financial performance. If a period of high corn prices were to be sustained for some time, such pricing may reduce our ability to operate profitably because of the higher cost of operating our plant. We may not be able to offset any increase in the price of corn by increasing the price of our products. If we cannot offset increases in the price of corn, our financial performance may be negatively affected.
The prices for and availability of natural gas are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions often are affected by factors beyond our control such as higher prices as a result of colder than average weather conditions or natural disasters, overall economic conditions and foreign and domestic governmental regulations and relations. Significant disruptions in the supply of natural gas could impair our ability to manufacture ethanol and more significantly, distillers grains for our customers. Furthermore, increases in natural gas prices or changes in our natural gas costs relative to natural gas costs paid by competitors may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We engage in hedging transactions which involve risks that could harm our business. We are exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices. Exposure to commodity price risk results from our dependence on corn and natural gas in the ethanol production process, along with sales of ethanol and distillers grains. We seek to minimize the risks from fluctuations in the prices of corn and natural gas through the use of derivative instruments. The effectiveness of our hedging strategies is dependent on the price of corn and natural gas and our ability to sell sufficient products to use all of the products for which we have futures contracts. Our hedging activities may not successfully reduce the risk caused by price fluctuation which may leave us vulnerable to high prices. Alternatively, we may choose not to engage in hedging transactions in the future and our operations and financial conditions may be adversely affected during periods in which prices increase. Utilizing cash for margin calls has an impact on the cash we have available for operations which could result in liquidity problems. Price movements in corn contracts are highly volatile and are influenced by many factors that are beyond our control. There are several variables that could affect the extent to which our derivative instruments are impacted by price fluctuations in the cost of corn. We may incur such costs and they may be significant which could impact our ability to profitably operate the plant and may reduce the value of our units.
Our business is not diversified. Our success depends almost entirely on our ability to profitably operate our ethanol plant. We do not have any other lines of business or other sources of revenue if we are unable to operate our ethanol plant and manufacture ethanol and distillers grains. If economic or political factors adversely affect the market for ethanol or distillers
grains, we have no other line of business to fall back on. Our business would also be significantly harmed if the ethanol plant could not operate at full capacity for any extended period of time.
If RPMG, which markets our ethanol, corn oil and distillers grains, fails it may negatively impact our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant. Our ethanol, corn oil and distillers grains are marketed by RPMG. Therefore, nearly all of our revenue is derived from sales that are secured by RPMG. If RPMG is unable to market our ethanol, corn oil and distillers grains, it may negatively impact our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant. While management believes that we could secure an alternative marketer if RPMG were to fail, switching marketers may negatively impact our cash flow and our ability to continue to operate profitably, which may decrease the value of our units.
We depend on our management and key employees, and the loss of these relationships could negatively impact our ability to operate profitably. We are highly dependent on our management team to operate our ethanol plant. We may not be able to replace these individuals should they decide to cease their employment with us, or if they become unavailable for any other reason. While we seek to compensate our management and key employees in a manner that will encourage them to continue their employment with us, they may choose to seek other employment. Any loss of these executive officers and key employees may prevent us from operating the ethanol plant profitably and could decrease the value of our units.
Our existing debt financing agreements contain, and our future debt financing agreements may contain, restrictive covenants that limit distributions and impose restrictions on the operation of our business. The use of debt financing makes it more difficult for us to operate because we must make principal and interest payments on the indebtedness and abide by covenants contained in our debt financing agreements. If we were to borrow against our existing debt facilities, the restrictive covenants contained in our financing agreements may have important implications on our operations, including, among other things: (a) limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing; (b) placing us at a competitive disadvantage because we may be more leveraged than some of our competitors; (c) subjecting all or substantially all of our assets to liens, which means that there may be no assets left for unit holders in the event of a liquidation; and (d) limiting our ability to make business and operational decisions regarding our business, including, among other things, limiting our ability to pay dividends to our unit holders, make capital improvements, sell or purchase assets or engage in transactions we deem to be appropriate and in our best interest.
We may violate the terms of our credit agreements, including the financial covenants, which could result in our lenders demanding immediate repayment. Our credit agreements include various financial loan covenants. Based on management projections, we believe that we will be in compliance with our financial loan covenants for at least the next 12 months. However, if we were to borrow against our existing debt facilities and then violate the terms of our credit agreements, including our financial loan covenants, our lenders could deem us to be in default of our loans and require us to immediately repay the entire outstanding balance of our loans. If we do not have the funds available to repay the loans or we cannot find another source of financing, we may fail which could decrease or eliminate the value of our units.
Our inability to secure credit facilities we may require in the future could negatively impact our liquidity. While we do not currently require more financing than we have, in the future we may need additional financing. If we require financing in the future and are unable to secure such financing, or we are unable to secure the financing we require on reasonable terms, it may have a negative impact on our liquidity which could negatively impact the value of our units.
Our operations may be negatively impacted by natural disasters, severe weather conditions, and other unforeseen plant shutdowns which can negatively impact our operations. Our operations may be negatively impacted by events outside of our control such as natural disasters, severe weather including flooding and droughts, strikes, train derailments and other unforeseen events which may negatively impact our operations. If we experience any of these unforeseen circumstances which could negatively impact our operations, it may affect our cash flow and negatively impact the value of our business.
We may incur casualty losses that are not covered by insurance which could negatively impact the value of our units. We have purchased insurance which we believe adequately covers our losses from foreseeable risks. However, there are risks that we may encounter for which there is no insurance or for which insurance is not available on terms that are acceptable to us. If we experience a loss which materially impairs our ability to operate the ethanol plant which is not covered by insurance, the value of our units could be reduced or eliminated.
Failures of our information technology infrastructure could have a material adverse effect on operations. We utilize various software applications and other information technology that are critically important to our business operations. We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit and store electronic and financial information, to manage a variety of business processes and activities, including production, manufacturing, financial, logistics, sales, marketing and administrative functions. We depend on our information technology infrastructure to
communicate internally and externally with employees, customers, suppliers and others. We also use information technology networks and systems to comply with regulatory, legal and tax requirements. These information technology systems, some of which are managed by third parties, may be susceptible to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to failures during the process of upgrading or replacing software, databases or components thereof, power outages, hardware failures, computer viruses, attacks by computer hackers or other cybersecurity risks, telecommunication failures, user errors, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events. If any of our significant information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown, and our disaster recovery and business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, our product sales, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
A cyber attack or other information security breach could have a material adverse effect on our operations and result in financial losses. We are regularly the target of attempted cyber and other security threats and must continuously monitor and develop our information technology networks and infrastructure to prevent, detect, address and mitigate the risk of unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses and other events that could have a security impact. If we are unable to prevent cyber attacks and other information security breaches, we may encounter significant disruptions in our operations which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations or result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Such breaches may also harm our reputation, result in financial losses or subject us to litigation or other costs or penalties.
We are subject to global and regional economic downturns, inflation, rising interest rates and related risks. Our business is affected by global and regional demographic and macroeconomic conditions. A significant downturn in global economic growth, or recessionary conditions in major geographic regions for prolonged periods, may lead to a variety of adverse consequences for our business including reduced demand for our products, increases in our corn and natural gas costs and rising interest rates on our variable rate loans. These and other adverse consequences could result in our inability to operate profitably and reduce our earnings.
The effects of COVID-19 have materially and adversely affected demand and the market price for our products in the past and could do so again in the future. The level of demand for our products is affected by global and regional demographic and macroeconomic conditions. In December 2019, a novel coronavirus surfaced in Wuhan, China (“COVID-19”). The spread of COVID-19 worldwide resulted in businesses suspending or substantially curtailing global operations and travel, quarantines, and an overall substantial slowdown of economic activity impacting consumer and business confidence. Transportation fuels in particular, including ethanol, experienced significant price declines and reduced demand. The effects of COVID-19 have in the past and may again in the future materially and adversely affect the market price for our products, our business, results of operations and liquidity.
COVID-19 or another pandemic could negatively impact our ability to operate our business which could decrease or eliminate the value of our units. COVID-19 disrupted the operations of many businesses in the U.S. and globally. The effects of COVID-19 or another pandemic could result in our experiencing labor shortages, delays in delivery of supplies or shipping disruptions of our products which could force us to suspend operations or reduce production. Any shut down of operations or reduction in production, especially for an extended period of time, could reduce or eliminate the value of our units.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and resulting sanctions by the United States, European Union and other countries have resulted in a slowdown in global economic growth, rising inflation, market disruptions and increased volatility in commodity prices in the United States. On February 24, 2022, a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops was reported. In response to the attacks on Ukraine, sanctions and other penalties have been levied by the United States, European Union and other countries and additional sanctions and penalties have been proposed. The invasion by Russia and resulting sanctions created global economic uncertainty and resulted in significant market disruptions and increased volatility in commodity prices such as corn, oil and natural gas. Although the duration and extent of the ongoing military conflict is highly unpredictable and the magnitude of the potential economic impact is currently unknown, Russian military actions and resulting sanctions have had and may in the future have a negative effect on our financial condition and operating results.
Investor sentiment towards climate change, fossil fuels, and other ESG matters could adversely affect our business, cost of capital, and the price of our stock and other securities. There have been efforts in recent years, which have intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at the investment community, to promote the divestment of securities of energy companies, as well as to pressure lenders and other financial services companies to limit or curtail activities with energy companies. As a result, some financial intermediaries, investors, and other capital markets participants have reduced or ceased lending to, or investing in, companies that operate in industries with higher perceived environmental exposure, such as the energy industry. If this or similar divestment efforts are continued, the value of our units may be negatively impacted.
Members of the investment community are also increasing their focus on ESG practices and disclosures, including practices and disclosures related to GHGs and climate change in the energy industry in particular, and diversity and inclusion initiatives and governance standards among companies more generally. As a result, we may face increasing pressure regarding our ESG practices and disclosures. Additionally, members of the investment community may screen companies such as ours for ESG performance. If we are unable to meet the ESG standards or investment or lending criteria set by these investors and funds, we may lose investors, investors may allocate a portion of their capital away from us, our cost of capital may increase, the price of our units may be negatively impacted, and our reputation may also be negatively affected.
Risks Related to Ethanol Industry
An increase in foreign ethanol imports to the United Stated could have a negative impact on ethanol prices. We face competition from ethanol produced outside of the United States. If ethanol imports were to increase that could impact demand for ethanol produced in the United States which could negatively impact the market price of ethanol and our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant.
Increases in exports of corn produced in the United States could result in higher corn prices which could reduce our profitability.Our results of operations and financial condition are significantly affected by the cost and supply of corn. If exports of corn produced in the United States to other countries were to increase, this could result in decreased domestic supply and higher corn prices in the United States. Higher corn prices could lead to lower profit margins, negatively affecting our financial performance.
Lack of rail transportation infrastructure and delayed rail shipments have resulted in rail logistical problems which could negatively impact our financial performance. The ethanol industry has experienced difficulty transporting the ethanol which is produced. Ethanol is typically shipped by rail. Increased shipments of coal and oil by rail, decreased shipment capacity by the railroads due to fewer railroad crews, and poor weather conditions can result in slowed rail travel and loading times and delays in returning rail cars resulting in ethanol storage capacity constraints. If rail logistical problems were to occur, this could negatively impact our ability to operate the ethanol plant profitably which could reduce the value of our units.
Decreasing gasoline prices could negatively impact our ability to operate profitably. Discretionary blending is an important secondary market which is often determined by the price of ethanol versus the price of gasoline. In periods when discretionary blending is financially unattractive, the demand for ethanol may be reduced. Lower oil prices reduce the spread between the price of gasoline and the price of ethanol which can discourage discretionary blending, dampen the export market and result in a downwards market adjustment in the price of ethanol. If oil and gasoline prices were to remain low for a significant period of time, it could hurt our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant which could decrease the value of our units.
Demand for ethanol may not continue to grow unless ethanol can be blended into gasoline in higher percentage blends for all conventional automobiles. Currently, ethanol is primarily blended with gasoline for use in standard (non-flex fuel) vehicles to create a blend which is 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. In order to expand ethanol demand, higher percentage blends of ethanol must be utilized in standard vehicles. The EPA has approved the use of E15 for standard vehicles produced in the model year 2001 and later. However, the fact that E15 has not been approved for use in all vehicles and the labeling requirements associated with E15 may result in many gasoline retailers refusing to carry E15. As a result, the approval of E15 may not significantly increase demand for ethanol.
Changes and advances in ethanol production technology could require us to incur costs to update our plant or could otherwise hinder our ability to compete in the ethanol industry or operate profitably. Advances and changes in the technology of ethanol production are expected to occur. Such advances and changes may make the ethanol production technology installed in our plant less desirable or obsolete. These advances could also allow our competitors to produce ethanol at a lower costs than we are able. If we are unable to adopt or incorporate technological advances, our ethanol production methods and processes could be less efficient than our competitors, which could cause our plant to become uncompetitive or completely obsolete. If our competitors develop, obtain or license technology that is superior to ours or that makes our technology obsolete, we may be required to incur significant costs to enhance or acquire new technology so that our ethanol production remains competitive. Alternatively, we may be required to seek third-party licenses, which could also result in significant expenditures. These third-party licenses may not be available or, once obtained, they may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms. These costs could negatively impact our financial performance by increasing our operating costs and reducing our net income.
Technology advances in the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol may decrease demand for corn based ethanol which may negatively affect our profitability. If an efficient method of producing ethanol from cellulose-based biomass on a commercial scale is successful, we may not be able to compete effectively. If we are unable to produce ethanol as cost-effectively as cellulose-based producers, our ability to generate revenue will be negatively impacted.
We operate in an intensely competitive industry and compete with larger, better financed companies which could impact our ability to operate profitably. There is significant competition among ethanol producers. There are numerous producer-owned and privately-owned ethanol plants planned and operating through the United States. In addition, in the past we have seen increased competition from oil companies that purchased ethanol production facilities. We also face competition from ethanol producers located outside the United States. The largest ethanol producers include Archer Daniels Midland, Green Plains Renewable Energy, POET, and Valero Renewable Fuels, each of which is capable of producing significantly more ethanol than we produce. Further, many believe that there will be further consolidation occurring in the ethanol industry in the future which will likely lead to a few companies that control a significant portion of the ethanol production market. We may not be able to compete with these larger producers and our inability to compete could negatively impact our financial performance.
Competition from the advancement of alternative fuels may lessen the demand forethanol. Alternative fuels, gasoline oxygenates and ethanol production methods are continually under development. Like ethanol, these emerging technologies offer an option to address worldwide energy costs, the long-term availability of petroleum reserves and environmental concerns. If these alternative technologies continue to expand and gain broad acceptance and become readily available to consumers for motor vehicle use, we may not be able to compete effectively. This additional competition could reduce the demand for ethanol, resulting in lower ethanol prices that might adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Increased use of fuel cells, plug-in hybrids and electric cars may lessen the demand for ethanol. Automotive, industrial and power generation manufacturers have developed alternative clean power systems using fuel cells, plug-in hybrids, electric cars or clean burning gaseous fuels. Electric car technology has recently grown in popularity, especially in urban areas, which has led to an increase in recharging stations which has made electric car technology more widely available. This additional competition from alternate energy sources could reduce the demand for ethanol, resulting in lower ethanol prices which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Consumer resistance to the use of ethanol based on the belief that ethanol is expensive, uses too much corn, adds to air pollution, harms engines, and/or takes more energy to produce than it contributes may affect the demand for ethanol. Certain individuals believe that the use of ethanol will have a negative impact on gasoline prices and that ethanol production uses too much of the available corn supply. Many also believe that ethanol adds to air pollution and harms vehicle engines. Still other consumers believe that the process of producing ethanol actually uses more fossil energy, such as oil and natural gas, than the amount of energy that is produced. These consumer beliefs could potentially be wide-spread. If consumers choose not to buy ethanol based on these beliefs, it would affect the demand for the ethanol we produce which could negatively affect our profitability.
Risks Related to Regulation and Governmental Action
Government incentives for ethanol production may be eliminated in the future, which could hinder our ability to operate at a profit. The ethanol industry is assisted by various federal ethanol incentives, including the RFS set forth in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The RFS helps support a market for ethanol that might disappear without this incentive. The United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") has the authority to set the volume requirement. Any future reduction of the volume requirements under the RFS by the EPA could decrease the market price and demand for ethanol which will negatively impact our financial performance.
The EPA's small refinery exemptions significantly reduced ethanol demand. In the past the EPA expanded its use of its waiver authority granting waivers to small refineries allowing those refineries to avoid their ethanol use requirements under the RFS resulting in decreased ethanol demand and severely impacted ethanol prices. If the EPA were to resume granting waivers to small refineries, the market price and demand for ethanol could decrease which will negatively impact our financial performance.
Changes in environmental regulations or violations of these regulations could be expensive and reduce our profitability. We are subject to extensive air, water and other environmental laws and regulations. In addition, some of these laws require our plant to operate under a number of environmental permits. These laws, regulations and permits can often require expensive pollution control equipment or operational changes to limit actual or potentials impacts to the environment.
A violation of these laws and regulations or permit conditions can result in substantial fines, damages, criminal sanctions, permit revocations and/or plant shutdowns. In the future, we may be subject to legal actions brought by environmental advocacy groups and other parties for actual or alleged violations of environmental laws or our permits. Additionally, any changes in environmental laws and regulations could require us to spend considerable resources to comply with future environmental regulations. The expense of compliance could be significant enough to reduce our profitability and negatively affect our financial condition.
The California Low Carbon Fuel Standard may decrease demand for corn based ethanol which could negatively impact our profitability. California passed a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) requiring that renewable fuels used in California must accomplish certain reductions in greenhouse gases which are measured using a lifecycle analysis. Any decrease in ethanol demand as a result of the California LCFS could negatively impact ethanol prices which could reduce our revenues and negatively impact our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant.
Government policies and regulations, particularly those affecting the agricultural sector and related industries, could adversely affect our operations and profitability. Agricultural commodity production and trade flows are significantly affected by government policies and regulations. Governmental policies affecting the agricultural industry, such as taxes, tariffs, duties, subsidies, import and export restrictions on agricultural commodities and commodity products can influence industry profitability, the planting of certain crops versus other uses of agricultural resources, the location and size of crop production, whether unprocessed or processed commodity products are traded and the volume and types of imports and exports. In addition, international trade disputes can adversely affect agricultural commodity trade flows by limiting or disrupting trade between countries or regions. Future governmental policies, regulations or actions affecting our industry may adversely affect the supply of, demand for and prices of our products, restrict our ability to do business and cause our financial results to suffer.
A reduction in distillers grains exports to China has in the past and could continue in the future to have a negative effect on the price of distillers grains in the U.S. and negatively affect our profitability. Historically, China was the world's largest buyer of distillers grains produced in the United States. However, China has implemented anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties which have significantly decreased demand from China and negatively impacted the price of distillers grains produced in the United States. If this reduction in export demand were to continue it could negatively impact our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant.
A reduction in ethanol exports to China due to the imposition of a tariff on U.S. ethanol could have a negative impact on ethanol prices. China imposed a tariff on ethanol which is produced in the United States and exported to China which has negatively impacted exports of ethanol to China. The decrease has and could continue to negatively impact the market price of ethanol in the United States and our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant.
A reduction in ethanol exports to Brazil due to the imposition by the Brazilian government of a tariff on U.S. ethanol could have a negative effect on ethanol prices. Brazil was historically a top destination for ethanol produced in the United States. However, Brazil imposed a tariff on ethanol which is produced in the United States and exported to Brazil. The tariff has resulted in a decline in demand for ethanol from Brazil and could negatively impact the market price of ethanol in the United States and our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant.
New, stricter environmental laws and other industry-related regulations or environmental litigation could significantly impact our operations and/or increase our costs, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Our operations are subject to federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations regulating environmental matters. Climate change continues to attract considerable public and scientific attention and the trend in environmental regulation has been towards more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment over time. There can be no assurances as to the timing and type of such changes in existing laws or the promulgation of new laws or the amount of any required expenditures associated therewith. If we were unable in the future to renew the environmental permits necessary for our operations, or were forced to accept terms in future permits that limit our operations or result in additional compliance costs, it could restrict our ability to do business and cause our financial results to suffer. In addition, in recent years, environmental interest groups have filed suit against companies in the energy industry related to climate change. Should such suits be successful, we could face additional compliance costs or other related litigation risk that could negatively affect our financial performance.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our plant site is made up of two adjacent parcels which together total approximately 125 acres in southwest Minnesota near Lamberton. The plant's address is 24500 U.S. Highway 14, Lamberton, Minnesota 56152. We produce all of our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil at this site. Our plant is in excellent condition and is capable of functioning at over 100% of its 50 million gallons per year nameplate production capacity.
All of our tangible and intangible property, real and personal, serves as the collateral for our credit facility with Compeer. Our credit facility is discussed in more detail under “ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED MEMBER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
As of January 18, 2024, we have 4,754 membership units outstanding and 1,347 unit holders of record.
There is no public trading market for our membership units. We have, however, established a Unit Trading Bulletin Board, a private online matching service, through Farmers National Company Agstock, LLC in order to facilitate trading among our members. The Unit Trading Bulletin Board has been designed to comply with federal tax laws and Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regulations establishing a “qualified matching service,” as well as state and federal securities laws. Our Unit Trading Bulletin Board consists of an electronic bulletin board that provides a list of interested buyers with a list of interested sellers, along with their non-firm price quotes. The Unit Trading Bulletin Board does not automatically affect matches between potential sellers and buyers and it is the sole responsibility of sellers and buyers to contact each other to make a determination as to whether an agreement to transfer units may be reached. We do not become involved in any purchase or sale negotiations arising from our Unit Trading Bulletin Board and have no role in effecting the transactions beyond approval, as required under our member control agreement, and the issuance of new certificates. We do not give advice regarding the merits or shortcomings of any particular transaction. We do not receive, transfer or hold funds or securities as an incident of operating the Unit Trading Bulletin Board. We do not receive any compensation for creating or maintaining the Unit Trading Bulletin Board. In advertising our Unit Trading Bulletin Board, we do not characterize the Company as a broker or dealer or an exchange. We do not use the Unit Trading Bulletin Board to offer to buy or sell securities other than in compliance with the securities laws, including any applicable registration requirements.
There are detailed timelines that must be followed under the Unit Trading Bulletin Board Rules and Procedures with respect to offers and sales of membership units. All transactions must comply with the Unit Trading Bulletin Board Rules, our member control agreement, and are subject to approval by our board of governors.
As a limited liability company, we are required to restrict the transfers of our membership units in order to preserve our partnership tax status. Our membership units may not be traded on any established securities market or readily traded on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof). All transfers are subject to a determination that the transfer will not cause the Company to be deemed a publicly traded partnership.
The following table contains historical information by fiscal quarter for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022 regarding the actual unit transactions that were completed by our unit-holders during the periods specified. We believe this most accurately represents the current trading value of the Company's units. The information was compiled by reviewing the completed unit transfers that occurred on our Unit Trading Bulletin Board during the quarters indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Quarter | Low Price | High Price | Average Price | # of Units Traded |
2023 4th | $ | 17,500 | | $ | 18,000 | | $ | 17,667 | | 6 |
2023 3rd | $ | 17,000 | | $ | 17,500 | | $ | 17,214 | | 7 |
2023 2nd | $ | 14,500 | | $ | 15,000 | | $ | 14,885 | | 13 |
2023 1st | $ | 13,000 | | $ | 13,800 | | $ | 13,347 | | 19 |
2022 4th | $ | 13,200 | | $ | 13,200 | | $ | 13,200 | | 2 |
2022 3rd | $ | 9,250 | | $ | 11,100 | | $ | 9,981 | | 44 |
2022 2nd | $ | 9,000 | | $ | 9,250 | | $ | 9,130 | | 25 |
2022 1st | $ | 7,000 | | $ | 8,600 | | $ | 7,815 | | 13 |
Distributions
Our expectations with respect to our ability to make future distributions are discussed in greater detail in “ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In addition, distributions are restricted by certain loan covenants in our construction term loan and revolving credit financing agreements. These loan covenants and restrictions are described in greater detail under “ITEM 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Performance Graph
The following graph shows a comparison of cumulative total member return since October 31, 2018, calculated on a dividend reinvested basis, for the Company, the NASDAQ Composite Index (the "NASDAQ") and an index of other companies that have the same SIC codes as the Company (the "Industry Index"). The graph assumes $100 was invested in each of our units, the NASDAQ, and the Industry Index on October 31, 2018. Note that historic stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future unit price performance.
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the performance graph and the information set forth therein shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | Total Number of Units Purchased | Average Price Paid per Unit $ | Total Number of Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number of Units that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
August 1, 2023 -
August 31, 2023 | — | | — | | — | | — | |
September 1, 2023 -
September 30, 2023 | 1 | | 10,000 | | — | | — | |
October 1, 2023 -
October 31, 2023 | — | | — | | — | | — | |
| Total | 1 | | $ | 10,000 | | — | | — | |
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended October 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table shows the results of our operations and the percentage of revenues, cost of goods sold, gross profit, operating expenses, operating profit and other items to total revenues in our statements of operations for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Statements of Operations Data | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % |
| Revenues | $ | 199,052,359 | | | 100.00 | % | | $ | 221,373,253 | | | 100.00 | % |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 179,483,134 | | | 90.17 | % | | 188,444,980 | | | 85.13 | % |
| Gross Profit | 19,569,225 | | | 9.83 | % | | 32,928,273 | | | 14.87 | % |
| Operating Expenses | 4,210,764 | | | 2.11 | % | | 3,988,371 | | | 1.80 | % |
| Operating Profit | 15,358,461 | | | 7.72 | % | | 28,939,902 | | | 13.07 | % |
| Other Income (Expense), Net | 1,380,843 | | | 0.69 | % | | 4,385,503 | | | 1.98 | % |
| Net Income | $ | 16,739,304 | | | 8.41 | % | | $ | 33,325,405 | | | 15.05 | % |
The following table shows the sources of our revenues for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Revenue Sources | | Amount | | Percentage of
Total Revenues | | Amount | | Percentage of
Total Revenues |
| Ethanol Sales | | $ | 148,417,723 | | | 74.56 | % | | $ | 172,742,300 | | | 78.03 | % |
| Modified Wet Distillers Grains Sales | | 10,396,222 | | | 5.22 | % | | 8,979,383 | | | 4.06 | % |
| Dried Distillers Grains Sales | | 24,775,374 | | | 12.45 | % | | 24,712,352 | | | 11.16 | % |
| Corn Oil Sales | | 15,463,040 | | | 7.77 | % | | 14,939,218 | | | 6.75 | % |
| Total Revenues | | $ | 199,052,359 | | | 100.00 | % | | $ | 221,373,253 | | | 100.00 | % |
Revenues
Ethanol
Our total revenues were lower for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Revenue from ethanol sales decreased by approximately 14.1% during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 primarily due to a decrease in the average price per gallon of ethanol sold during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 compared to the fiscal year end October 31, 2022.
The average ethanol sales price per gallon we received for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 was approximately 14.4% lower than the average price received for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Ethanol sales prices were lower for the current period due primarily to lower corn and energy prices.
Year round ethanol sales of E15 could have a positive effect on domestic ethanol demand and the market price of ethanol. Other factors likely to affect ethanol prices in the future include changes in domestic corn prices and corn supply, changes in energy prices, trade disputes with foreign governments, changes in foreign ethanol demand and our ability to receive a premium on ethanol shipped to California pursuant to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. In addition, global economic uncertainty, inflation, market disruptions and increased volatility in commodity prices could impact the market price of ethanol.
The number of gallons of ethanol sold were similar during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Our ethanol production levels for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 are at an annual rate of approximately 69 million gallons. Management anticipates that the amount of ethanol produced could decrease in the future if operating conditions worsen and we reduce ethanol production levels. Ethanol production could also decrease if delayed rail car shipments affect our ability to get sufficient rail cars to transport our ethanol.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, we recorded gains due to changes in the fair value of our outstanding ethanol derivative positions of approximately $79,000, respectively. These gains increased our ethanol revenue during these periods.
Distillers Grains
Revenue from distillers grains sales increased by approximately 4.4% during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, due to an increase in the price of distillers grains during the period.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the average price per ton that we received for our dried distillers grains was approximately 4.3% higher than the average price we received during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, due primarily to increases in the domestic prices of soybeans for the period. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the average price per ton that we received for our modified distillers grains was approximately 8.4% higher than during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, due to increased demand in our local area and increases in the domestic prices of soybeans for the period.
Distillers grains prices typically change in proportion to domestic corn and soybean prices. Domestic demand for distillers grains could decrease due to decreasing cattle numbers resulting from droughts in the western and southern United States. Other factors likely to affect distillers grains prices include prices and availability of other commodities, the continued imposition by China of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on distillers grains produced in the United States and other trade actions by the United States and foreign governments.
Overall, the number of tons of distillers grains sold increased during our fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, due primarily to a small increase in corn ground. Management anticipates that the amount of distillers grains produced may decrease in the future if current positive operating conditions worsen and there is a reduction in ethanol production levels which would then have a corresponding effect on distillers grains. In addition, an increase in ethanol or corn oil yields could have a negative effect of distillers grains production levels.
Corn Oil
Revenue from corn oil sales increased by approximately 3.5% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 primarily due to increases in the pounds of corn oil sold during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The average price per pound of corn oil sold during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 decreased 8.7% due primarily to an increase in corn oil and soy oil production which outpaced demand. Factors likely to affect corn oil prices include corn oil and soy oil supply, biodiesel demand, prices of corn and soybeans, the status of the biodiesel blenders' tax credit and new crop corn oil content.
The pounds of corn oil we sold during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 increased by approximately 13% as compared to the pounds of corn oil we sold for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Management anticipates that the amount of corn oil produced may decrease in the future if there is a reduction in ethanol production levels which would then have a corresponding effect on corn oil. However, an increase in corn oil yields due to improved efficiencies or a corn crop with higher oil content could contribute to higher corn oil production levels.
Cost of Goods Sold
Our two largest costs of production are corn (80.4% of cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023) and natural gas (3.5% of cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023). Our total cost of goods sold was approximately 4.8% less during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
Corn
Our average price per bushel of corn for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 decreased by approximately 5.3% compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 primarily due to lower market value for corn as a result of increases in projected stocks and volatility in commodity prices. Weather and projected yields have also had an effect on corn prices during the period. We used approximately the same number of bushels of corn in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
Management expects there to be an adequate corn supply available in our area to operate the ethanol plant. However, corn prices are dependent on weather conditions, supply and demand, stocks and other factors which could contribute to price volatility and significantly impact our costs of production. In addition, corn prices could continue to be impacted in the future by global economic uncertainty, rising inflation, market disruptions and increased volatility in commodity prices.
At October 31, 2023, we had approximately 692,000 bushels of forward fixed basis corn purchase contracts and 413,000 bushels of forward fixed price corn purchase contracts valued at approximately $2,128,000 for various delivery periods through December 2025.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, we recorded gains due to changes in the fair value of our outstanding corn derivative positions of approximately $1,435,000 and $1,018,000, respectively. These gains reduced our cost of goods sold during these periods.
Natural Gas
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, we purchased approximately the same amount of natural gas as compared to the same period of 2022.
The average price per MMBTU of natural gas increased by approximately 6.3% compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Increases in natural gas prices towards the beginning of our fiscal year were due in part to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and then higher natural gas demand over the summer months. However, because we have sufficient forward natural gas purchase contracts in place for our current needs, we paid even or below market prices for our natural gas. Factors such as industry production problems or large increases in natural gas demand in the future could have a negative effect on natural gas prices.
At October 31, 2023, we had approximately 726,000 MMBTUs of forward fixed basis natural gas contracts and 2,685,000 MMBTUs of fixed price natural gas contracts valued at approximately $10,155,000 for delivery periods through October 2026.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022, we recorded gains (losses) due to the change in fair value of our outstanding natural gas derivative positions of approximately $71,000 and ($77,000), respectively, which reduced (increased) our cost of goods sold during these periods.
Operating Expenses
We had operating expenses for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 of $4,210,764 compared to operating expenses of $3,988,371 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Management attributes this increase in operating expenses to an increase in insurance and IT fees. We continue to pursue strategies to optimize efficiencies and maximize production. These efforts may result in a decrease in our operating expenses on a per gallon basis. However, because these expenses do not vary with the level of production at the plant, we expect our operating expenses to remain relatively steady.
Other Income, Net
We had total other income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 of $1,380,843 compared to total other income of $4,385,503 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Our other income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, was higher due primarily to the award of approximately $4,100,000 received from the USDA Biofuel Producer Program compared to $508,000 received for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023.
Results of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended October 31, 2022 and 2021
The following table shows the results of our operations and the percentage of revenues, cost of goods sold, gross loss, operating expenses, operating loss and other items to total revenues in our statements of operations for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Statements of Operations Data | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % |
| Revenues | $ | 221,373,253 | | | 100.00 | % | | $ | 158,717,536 | | | 100.00 | % |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 188,444,980 | | | 85.13 | % | | 143,172,419 | | | 90.21 | % |
| Gross Profit | 32,928,273 | | | 14.87 | % | | 15,545,117 | | | 9.79 | % |
| Operating Expenses | 3,988,371 | | | 1.80 | % | | 3,234,524 | | | 2.03 | % |
| Operating Profit | 28,939,902 | | | 13.07 | % | | 12,310,593 | | | 7.76 | % |
| Other Income, Net | 4,385,503 | | | 1.98 | % | | 1,430,335 | | | 0.90 | % |
| Net Income | $ | 33,325,405 | | | 15.05 | % | | $ | 13,740,928 | | | 8.66 | % |
The following table shows the sources of our revenues for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022 and 2021.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Revenue Sources | | Amount | | Percentage of
Total Revenues | | Amount | | Percentage of
Total Revenues |
| Ethanol Sales | | $ | 172,742,300 | | | 78.03 | % | | $ | 122,902,729 | | | 77.43 | % |
| Modified Wet Distillers Grains Sales | | 8,979,383 | | | 4.06 | % | | 4,899,649 | | | 3.09 | % |
| Dried Distillers Grains Sales | | 24,712,352 | | | 11.16 | % | | 21,090,325 | | | 13.29 | % |
| Corn Oil Sales | | 14,939,218 | | | 6.75 | % | | 9,824,833 | | | 6.19 | % |
| Total Revenues | | $ | 221,373,253 | | | 100.00 | % | | $ | 158,717,536 | | | 100.00 | % |
Revenues
Ethanol
Our total revenues were higher for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. Revenue from ethanol sales increased by approximately 40.6% during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in the average price per gallon and number of gallons of ethanol sold during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year end October 31, 2021.
The average ethanol sales price per gallon we received for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 was approximately 30.9% higher than the average price received for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. Ethanol sales prices were higher for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 due to higher corn and energy prices, increases in ethanol demand, global economic uncertainty and rising inflation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The number of gallons of ethanol sold increased by approximately 7.7% during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. Our ethanol production levels for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 are at an annual rate of approximately 68 million gallons.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, we recorded gains due to changes in the fair value of our outstanding ethanol derivative positions of approximately $79,000 and $1,000, respectively. These gains increased our ethanol revenue during these periods.
Distillers Grains
Revenue from distillers grains sales increased by approximately 29.6% during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, due to an increase in the price of distillers grains and tons of distillers grains sold during the period.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the average price per ton that we received for our dried distillers grains was approximately 14.5% higher than the average price we received during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, due primarily to increases in the domestic prices of corn and soybeans for the period. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the average price per ton that we received for our modified distillers grains was approximately 26.6% higher than during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, due to increased demand in our local area.
Overall, the number of tons of distillers grains sold increased during our fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, due primarily to increased corn grind offset by higher corn oil production levels for the period which led to higher distillers grains production levels for the period.
Corn Oil
Revenue from corn oil sales increased by approximately 52.1% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 primarily due to increases in the price of corn oil and pounds of corn oil sold during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021.
The average price per pound of corn oil sold during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 increased by approximately 43.8% due to an increase in the domestic prices of corn and soybeans and increased biodiesel production for the period.
The pounds of corn oil we sold during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 increased by approximately 6.8% as compared to the pounds of corn oil we sold for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, due to increased corn grind and improved efficiencies leading to increased production for the period.
Cost of Goods Sold
Our two largest costs of production are corn (80.9% of cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022) and natural gas (3.1% of cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022). Our total cost of goods sold was approximately 31.6% more during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021.
Corn
Our average price per bushel of corn for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 increased by approximately 27.0% compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 primarily due to higher market value for corn as a result of increased demand which outpaced supply and volatility in commodity prices. We also used approximately 8.9% more bushels of corn in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 due to increased ethanol production.
At October 31, 2022, we had approximately 3,502,000 bushels of forward fixed basis corn purchase contracts and 1,918,000 bushels of forward fixed price corn purchase contracts valued at approximately $12,558,000 for various delivery periods through December 2025.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, we recorded gains due to changes in the fair value of our outstanding corn derivative positions of approximately $1,018,000 and $353,000, respectively. These gains reduced our cost of goods sold during these periods.
Natural Gas
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, we purchased approximately 5.6% more natural gas as compared to the same period of 2021. This increase in natural gas usage is primarily due to an increase in corn grind.
Our average price per MMBTU of natural gas increased by approximately 11.3% compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 due primarily to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, because we have sufficient forward natural gas purchase contracts in place for our current needs, we paid below market prices for our natural gas.
At October 31, 2022, we had approximately 3,396,000 MMBTUs of forward natural gas fixed price purchase contracts valued at approximately $11,167,000 for delivery periods through October 2024.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, we recorded losses of approximately $77,000 due to the change in fair value of our outstanding natural gas derivative positions which increased our cost of goods sold during this period. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, we recorded gains of approximately $24,000 due to the change in fair value of our outstanding natural gas derivative positions which reduced our cost of goods sold during this period.
Operating Expenses
We had operating expenses for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 of $3,988,371 compared to operating expenses of $3,234,524 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. Management attributes this increase in operating expenses to an increase in professional fees and consulting fees. We continue to pursue strategies to optimize efficiencies and maximize production. These efforts may result in a decrease in our operating expenses on a per gallon basis. However, because these expenses do not vary with the level of production at the plant, we expect our operating expenses to remain relatively steady.
Other Income, Net
We had total other income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 of $4,385,503 compared to total other income of $1,430,335 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. Our other income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, was higher due primarily to the award of approximately $4,100,000 received from the USDA Biofuel Producer Program.
Changes in Financial Condition for the Fiscal Years Ended October 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table highlights the changes in our financial condition for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 from our previous fiscal year ended October 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 31, 2023 | | October 31, 2022 |
| Current Assets | $ | 62,247,517 | | | $ | 54,690,546 | |
| Current Liabilities | 20,565,125 | | | 21,872,751 | |
| Long-Term Liabilities | 780,059 | | | 1,022,030 | |
Current Assets. The increase in current assets was primarily the result of increases in cash and cash equivalents at October 31, 2023, as compared to October 31, 2022. This was partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and inventories.
Current Liabilities. The decrease in current liabilities was primarily the result of decreases in accounts payable at October 31, 2023, as as compared to October 31, 2022 due primarily to a decrease in corn prices.
Long-Term Liabilities. Long-term liabilities decreased at October 31, 2023, as compared to October 31, 2022, primarily due to our rail lease expiring in June 2024 making those liabilities current.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Based on financial forecasts prepared by our management, we anticipate that we will have sufficient cash on hand, cash from our current credit facilities, and cash from our operations to continue to operate the ethanol plant for the next 12 months. We do not currently anticipate seeking additional equity or debt financing in the near term in order to fund operations. However, if market conditions worsen, we could have difficulty maintaining our liquidity and may need to rely on our revolving lines of credit or seek increases.
The following table shows cash flows for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 31, 2023 | | October 31, 2022 |
| | | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 29,052,134 | | | $ | 45,466,441 | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,858,703) | | | (1,360,170) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (15,463,889) | | | (21,865,021) | |
Cash Flow From Operations
We had less cash from operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 due to a decrease in net income and changes in accounts payable during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023.
Cash Flow From Investing Activities
We used more cash for investing activities during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. This change was primarily due to an increase of purchased investments.
Cash Flow From Financing Activities
We used less cash in financing activities during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. Our cash used in financing activities decreased primarily due to decreased distributions to our members and decreased payments on long term debt during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 as compared to October 31, 2022.
The following table shows cash flows for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 31, 2022 | | October 31, 2021 |
| | | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 45,466,441 | | | $ | 22,409,864 | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,360,170) | | | (6,827,516) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (21,865,021) | | | (8,700,657) | |
Cash Flow From Operations
We had more cash from operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 due to an increase in net income and changes in accounts receivables and accounts payable during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
Cash Flow From Investing Activities
We used less cash for investing activities during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. This change was primarily due to a decrease in capital expenditures due to the completion of our high purity alcohol system installation in October, 2021.
Cash Flow From Financing Activities
We used more cash in financing activities during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. Our cash used in financing activities resulted primarily from member distributions during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as compared to net proceeds from long-term debt during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021.
Short-Term and Long-Term Debt Sources
Our loan facility with Compeer Financial f/k/a AgStar Financial Services, PCA ("Compeer") includes a $20,000,000 Term Revolving Loan and a Revolving Line of Credit Loan. Our loan facility with Compeer is secured by substantially all business assets and also subjects the Company to various financial and non-financial covenants.
Term Revolving Loan
The Term Revolving Loan is for up to $20,000,000 with a variable interest rate based on the Wall Street Journal's Prime Rate plus 10 basis points with a minimum interest rate of 2.10%. The applicable interest rate at October 31, 2023 was 8.60%. The Term Revolving Loan may be advanced, repaid and re-borrowed during the term. Monthly interest payments are due on the Term Revolving Loan with payment of all amounts outstanding due on November 1, 2027. The outstanding balance on this note was $0 at October 31, 2023. We pay interest at a rate of 1.50% on amounts outstanding for letters of credit which also reduce the amount available under the Term Revolving Loan. We had no letters of credit outstanding at October 31, 2023. We are also required to pay unused commitment fees for the Term Revolving Loan.
Revolving Line of Credit Loan
The Revolving Line of Credit Loan is for an amount equal to the borrowing base, with a maximum limit of $10,000,000 with a variable interest rate based on the Wall Street Journal's Prime Rate plus 10 basis points with a minimum interest rate of 2.10%. The amount available to borrow per the borrowing base calculations at October 31, 2023 was approximately $0. The applicable interest rate at October 31, 2023 was 8.60%. The Revolving Line of Credit Loan may be advanced, repaid and re-borrowed during the term. Monthly interest payments are due on the Revolving Line of Credit Loan with payment of all amounts outstanding due on November 1, 2024. The maturity date may be extended for up to four additional one year terms upon our written request which will be deemed automatically granted by Compeer upon written certification that there is no event of default. We have previously been granted one extension. The outstanding balance on this note was $0 at October 31, 2023. We are also required to pay unused commitment fees for the Revolving Line of Credit Loan.
Covenants and Other Miscellaneous Financing Agreement Terms
The loan facility with Compeer is secured by substantially all business assets. We executed a mortgage in favor of Compeer creating a first lien on our real estate and plant and a security interest in all personal property located on the premises and assigned in favor of Compeer, all rents and leases to our property, our marketing contracts, our risk management services contract, and our natural gas, electricity, water service and grain procurement agreements.
We are also subject to various financial and non-financial covenants that limit distributions and new debt and require minimum debt service coverage and working capital requirements. We are limited to annual capital expenditures of $5,000,000 without prior approval, incurring additional debt over certain amounts without prior approval, and making additional investments as described in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement without prior approval of Compeer. We are required to maintain a minimum working capital requirement of $9,000,000, which is calculated as current assets plus the amount available for drawing under the Term Revolving Loan and undrawn amounts on outstanding letters of credit, less current liabilities, and is measured quarterly. We are allowed to make cash distributions to members as frequently as monthly in an amount equal to 75% of net income if working capital is greater than or equal to $9,000,000, or an unlimited amount if working capital is greater than or equal to $12,000,000.
Presently, we are meeting our liquidity needs and complying with our financial covenants and the other terms of our loan agreements. We will continue to work with Compeer to try to ensure that the terms of our loan agreements are met going forward. However, we cannot provide any assurance that our actions will result in sustained profitable operations or that we will not be in violation of our loan covenants or in default on our principal payments in the future. Should unfavorable market conditions result in our violation of the terms or covenants of our loan and we fail to obtain a waiver of any such term or covenant, Compeer could deem us in default of our loans and require us to immediately repay a significant portion or possibly the entire outstanding balance of our loans. In the event of a default, Compeer could also elect to proceed with a foreclosure action on our plant.
Grants
The Minnesota State Legislature established the Bioincentive Program in 2015 to encourage commercial-scale production of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biomass thermal energy through production incentive payments. Eligible producers of cellulosic ethanol may receive $0.16 per gallon of cellulosic ethanol produced subject to program funding limitations.We recorded awards from the Bioincentive Program in other income of approximately $268,00 and $202,00 during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Biofuel Producer Program was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act. The USDA announced that the funds were made available to provide economic relief to biofuels producers who faced unexpected market losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and support a significant market for agricultural producers who supply products used in biofuel production.We recorded awards from the Biofuel Producer Program in other income of approximately $508,000 and $4,100,000 during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Capital Expenditures
We commenced a construction project during our 2023 fiscal year to expand our lab and add additional office space. We anticipate that the project will be completed in the first quarter of our 2024 fiscal year, cost approximately $1,000,000 and be funded from operations.
We have also approved a project to add an additional fermentation tank which is expected to cost approximately $4,000,000 and be funded from operations and existing debt facilities. We entered into an agreement on December 21, 2023 with Nelson Baker Biotech, Inc. to construct the fermentation tank. We expect that construction will commence in spring of 2024 and be completed in approximately October 2024. The amendment to our air permit to add the fermentation tank was approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on March 4, 2022.
Contractual Cash Obligations
In addition to our long-term debt obligations, we have certain other contractual cash obligations and commitments. The following tables provide information regarding our contractual obligations and approximate commitments as of October 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Payment Due By Period |
| Total | Less than One Year | One to Three Years | Three to Five Years | After Five Years |
| Long-Term Debt Obligations | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| Operating Lease Obligations | 112,320 | | 112,320 | | — | | — | | — | |
| Capital Lease Obligations | 1,072,800 | | 178,800 | | 357,600 | | 357,600 | | 178,800 | |
| Purchase Obligations | 12,699,823 | | 8,449,393 | | 4,250,430 | | — | | — | |
| Total Contractual Obligations | $ | 13,884,943 | | $ | 8,740,513 | | $ | 4,608,030 | | $ | 357,600 | | $ | 178,800 | |
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management uses various estimates and assumptions in preparing our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Accounting estimates that are the most important to the presentation of our results of operations and financial condition, and which require the greatest use of judgment by management, are designated as our critical accounting estimates. We have the following critical accounting estimates:
Long-Lived Assets
We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment testing for assets requires various estimates and assumptions, including an allocation of cash flows to those assets and, if required, an estimate of the fair value of those assets. Our estimates are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. Given the significant assumptions required and the possibility that actual conditions will differ, we consider the assessment of carrying value of property and equipment to be a critical accounting estimate.
Inventory Valuation
We value our inventory at lower of cost or net realizable value. Our estimates are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. In our analysis, we consider corn costs and ethanol prices, break-even points for our plant and our risk management strategies in place through our derivative instruments. Given the significant assumptions required and the possibility that actual conditions will differ, we consider the valuation of the lower of cost or net realizable value on inventory to be a critical accounting estimate.
Derivatives
We are exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates, corn, natural gas, and ethanol prices. We may seek to minimize these commodity price fluctuation risks through the use of derivative instruments. In the event we utilize derivative
instruments, we will attempt to link these instruments to financing plans, sales plans, market developments, and pricing activities. Such instruments in and of themselves can result in additional costs due to unexpected directional price movements.
We have entered into ethanol, corn and natural gas derivatives in order to protect cash flows from fluctuations caused by volatility in commodity prices. In practice, as markets move, we actively attempt to manage our risk and adjust hedging strategies as appropriate. We do not use hedge accounting which would match the gain or loss on our hedge positions to the specific commodity contracts being hedged. Instead, we use fair value accounting for our hedge positions, which means that as the current market price of our hedge position changes, the gains and losses are immediately recognized in our statement of operations. The immediate recognition of hedging gains and losses under fair value accounting can cause net income (loss) to be volatile from quarter to quarter due to the timing of the change in value of the derivative instruments relative to the cost and use of the commodity being hedged.
As of October 31, 2023, the fair values of our commodity-based derivative instruments are a net liability of approximately $1,497,000. As the prices of the hedged commodity moves in reaction to market trends and information, our statement of operations will be affected depending on the impact such market movements have on the value of our derivative instruments. Depending on market movements, crop prospects and weather, these price protection positions may cause immediate adverse effects, but are expected to protect the Company over the term of the contracts for the hedged amounts.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with interest rates and commodity prices as discussed below. We have no exposure to foreign currency risk as all of our business is conducted in U.S. Dollars. We use derivative financial instruments as part of an overall strategy to manage market risk. We may use cash, futures and option contracts to hedge changes to the commodity prices of corn and natural gas. We do not enter into these derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor do we designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Exposure to interest rate risk results primarily from our Term Revolving Loan and Revolving Line of Credit Loan, each bearing a variable interest rate. As of October 31, 2023, interest accrues on these loans at a variable interest rate based on the Wall Street Journal's Prime Rate plus 10 basis points with a minimum interest rate of 2.10% and the applicable interest rate was 8.60%. As of October 31, 2023, we had $0 outstanding on the Term Revolving Loan and $0 outstanding on the Revolving Line of Credit Loan. The specifics of each note are discussed in greater detail in “Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Commodity Price Risk
We expect to be exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices. Exposure to commodity price risk results from our dependence on corn and natural gas in the ethanol production process and the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil. We may seek to minimize the risks from fluctuations in the prices of raw material inputs through the use of corn commodity-based and natural gas derivatives. These derivatives are not designated as effective hedges for accounting purposes. For derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedges, or for the ineffective portions of qualifying hedges, the change in fair value is recorded through earnings in the period of change. Corn and natural gas derivative changes in fair market value are included in costs of goods sold.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into forward contracts for our commodity purchases. At October 31, 2023, we have approximately 692,000 bushels of forward fixed basis corn contracts and 413,000 bushels of forward fixed price corn contracts valued at approximately $2,128,000. These purchase contracts are for various delivery periods through December 2025. At October 31, 2023, we have approximately 726,000 MMBTUs of forward fixed basis natural gas contracts and 2,685,000 MMBTUs of fixed price natural gas contracts valued at approximately $10,155,000 for delivery periods through October 2026. In addition, at October 31, 2023, we have approximately 222,000 gallons of forward fixed price denaturant purchase contracts valued at approximately $416,000 for delivery periods through December 2023.
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into forward contracts for our commodity sales. At October 31, 2023 we have no forward fixed price ethanol sales contracts. At October 31, 2023, we have approximately 8,700 tons of forward fixed price dried distillers grains sales contracts valued at approximately $1,686,000 for delivery periods through March 2024. At October 31, 2023, we have approximately 14,000 tons of forward fixed price modified distillers grains sales contracts valued at approximately $1,274,000 for delivery periods through May 2024. In addition, at October 31, 2023, we have approximately
3,648,000 pounds of forward fixed price corn oil sales contracts valued at approximately $2,200,000 for delivery periods through February 2024.
We recorded gains due to changes in the fair value of our outstanding corn derivative positions for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 of approximately $1,435,000. We recorded gains due to changes in the fair value of our outstanding corn derivative future positions for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 of approximately $1,018,000. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, we recorded gains due to changes in the fair value of our outstanding ethanol derivative future positions of approximately $79,000. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, we recorded gains due to changes in the fair value of our outstanding ethanol derivative future positions of approximately $79,000. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023, we recorded gains due to the change in fair value of our outstanding natural gas derivative future positions of approximately $71,000. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, we recorded losses due to the change in fair value of our outstanding natural gas derivative future positions of approximately $77,000.
As commodity prices move in reaction to market trends and information, our income statement will be affected depending on the impact such market movements have on the value of our derivative instruments. Depending on market movements, crop prospects and weather, these price protection positions may cause immediate adverse effects, but are expected to produce long-term positive growth for us.
A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate our exposure to ethanol, distillers grains, corn and natural gas price risk. Market risk related to these factors is estimated as the potential change in income resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the average cost of our corn and natural gas prices and average ethanol and distillers grains prices as of October 31, 2023 net of the forward and future contracts used to hedge our market risk for corn and natural gas usage requirements. The volumes are based on our expected use and sale of these commodities for a one year period from October 31, 2023.
The results of this analysis, which may differ from actual results, are approximately as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Estimated Volume Requirements for the next 12 months (net of forward and futures contracts) | Unit of Measure | Hypothetical Adverse Change in Price as of
10/31/2023 | Approximate Adverse Change to Income |
| Natural Gas | — | | MMBTU | 10 | % | | $ | — | |
| Ethanol | 69,000,000 | | Gallons | 10 | % | | $ | 14,076,000 | |
| Corn | 22,105,000 | | Bushels | 10 | % | | $ | 10,146,000 | |
| DDGs | 111,000 | | Tons | 10 | % | | $ | 2,003,000 | |
For comparison purposes, the results of our sensitivity analysis for October 31, 2022, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Estimated Volume Requirements for the next 12 months (net of forward and futures contracts) | Unit of Measure | Hypothetical Adverse Change in Price as of
10/31/2022 | Approximate Adverse Change to Income |
| Natural Gas | 38,000 | | MMBTU | 10 | % | | $ | 24,000 | |
| Ethanol | 69,000,000 | | Gallons | 10 | % | | $ | 16,146,000 | |
| Corn | 21,083,000 | | Bushels | 10 | % | | $ | 14,442,000 | |
| DDGs | 110,000 | | Tons | 10 | % | | $ | 2,684,000 | |
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Members and the Board of Governors of Highwater Ethanol, LLC
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Highwater Ethanol, LLC (the Company) as of October 31, 2023 and 2022, the related statements of operations, changes in members’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2023, and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of October 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Ethanol Revenue
As describe in Notes 1 and 11 to the financial statements, the Company has an exclusive marketing agreement ("agreement") with RPMG, Inc. (“RPMG”) for the purposes of marketing and distributing the Company's ethanol production. The ethanol marketing agreement provides that the Company can sell its ethanol production through an index arrangement established by RPMG. For the fiscal year ending October 31, 2023, management of the Company elected to sell its ethanol production through this index arrangement, which totaled $148,687,325. For ethanol index pricing, RPMG has discretion to determine the price and the terms and conditions of the sale of the Company's ethanol production that is sold and marketed as indexed gallons.
We identified ethanol revenue associated with index arrangement contracts as a critical audit matter because of the subjective auditor judgment required to audit ethanol revenue due to RPMG having discretion to determine the price and terms and conditions of the sale.
Our audit procedures related to the revenue recognition for ethanol sales included the following, among others:
•We obtained and reviewed the terms of the ethanol marketing agreement to identify the relevant terms and conditions which would impact the Company’s accounting conclusions.
•We obtained an understanding of the RPMG index pricing used for determining the price of indexed gallons.
•We confirmed with RPMG the total ethanol gallons sold, total price paid by, and indexed ethanol pricing for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2023 ethanol sales.
•We inspected a selection of invoices for ethanol sales to RPMG and tested selected shipping records and customer payments.
•We performed substantive analytical procedures over ethanol revenue using independent sources.
/s/ RSM US LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
January 18, 2024
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Balance Sheets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ASSETS | | October 31, 2023 | | October 31, 2022 |
| | | | |
| Current Assets | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 41,519,800 | | | $ | 29,790,258 | |
| Derivative instruments | | 923,251 | | | 743,514 | |
| | | | |
| Accounts receivable | | 2,935,253 | | | 3,970,064 | |
| Inventories | | 16,113,187 | | | 19,197,522 | |
| Prepaids and other | | 756,026 | | | 989,188 | |
| Total current assets | | 62,247,517 | | | 54,690,546 | |
| | | | |
| Property and Equipment | | | | |
| Land and land improvements | | 13,210,145 | | | 13,152,403 | |
| Buildings | | 38,862,183 | | | 38,848,218 | |
| Office equipment | | 1,231,526 | | | 1,223,869 | |
| Plant and process equipment | | 87,740,728 | | | 87,235,438 | |
| Vehicles | | 160,259 | | | 123,779 | |
| Construction in progress | | 1,072,117 | | | 426,294 | |
| | 142,276,958 | | | 141,010,001 | |
| Less accumulated depreciation | | (109,998,247) | | | (100,585,625) | |
| Net property and equipment | | 32,278,711 | | | 40,424,376 | |
| | | | |
| Other Assets | | | | |
| Investments | | 4,876,963 | | | 3,823,638 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Right of use asset - operating leases | | 110,040 | | | 267,731 | |
| Right of use asset - finance leases | | 823,763 | | | 961,057 | |
| Other | | 208,232 | | | 708,232 | |
| Deposits | | 493,330 | | | 312,269 | |
| Total other assets | | 6,512,328 | | | 6,072,927 | |
| | | | |
| Total Assets | | $ | 101,038,556 | | | $ | 101,187,849 | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY | | October 31, 2023 | | October 31, 2022 |
| | | | |
| Current Liabilities | | | | |
| Accounts payable | | $ | 18,760,447 | | | $ | 20,068,351 | |
| | | | |
| Accrued expenses | | 1,562,707 | | | 1,521,820 | |
| Current portion of operating lease liability | | 110,038 | | | 157,691 | |
| Current portion of finance lease liability | | 131,933 | | | 124,889 | |
| Total current liabilities | | 20,565,125 | | | 21,872,751 | |
| | | | |
| Long-Term Liabilities | | | | |
| Operating lease liability | | — | | | 110,040 | |
| Finance lease liability | | 780,059 | | | 911,990 | |
| Total Long-Term Liabilities | | 780,059 | | | 1,022,030 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) | | | | |
| | | | |
| Members' Equity | | | | |
| Members' equity, 4,754 and 4,764 units outstanding, respectively | | 79,693,372 | | | 78,293,068 | |
| Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity | | $ | 101,038,556 | | | $ | 101,187,849 | |
| | | | |
Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Statements of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended | | Fiscal Year Ended | | Fiscal Year Ended |
| October 31, 2023 | | October 31, 2022 | | October 31, 2021 |
| | | | | |
| Revenues | $ | 199,052,359 | | | $ | 221,373,253 | | | $ | 158,717,536 | |
| | | | | |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 179,483,134 | | | 188,444,980 | | | 143,172,419 | |
| | | | | |
| Gross Profit | 19,569,225 | | | 32,928,273 | | | 15,545,117 | |
| | | | | |
| Operating Expenses | 4,210,764 | | | 3,988,371 | | | 3,234,524 | |
| | | | | |
| Operating Profit | 15,358,461 | | | 28,939,902 | | | 12,310,593 | |
| | | | | |
| Other Income (Expense) | | | | | |
| Interest income | 441,746 | | | 51,714 | | | 4,763 | |
| | | | | |
| Other income | 813,046 | | | 4,336,119 | | | 1,015,720 | |
| | | | | |
| Interest expense | (226,891) | | | (281,791) | | | (516,338) | |
| Gain on debt extinguishment | — | | | — | | | 712,200 | |
| | | | | |
| Income from equity method investments | 352,942 | | | 279,461 | | | 213,990 | |
| Total other income (expense), net | 1,380,843 | | | 4,385,503 | | | 1,430,335 | |
| | | | | |
| Net Income | $ | 16,739,304 | | | $ | 33,325,405 | | | $ | 13,740,928 | |
| | | | | |
| Weighted Average Units Outstanding | 4,757 | | | 4,762 | | | 4,788 | |
| Net Income Per Unit, basic and diluted | $ | 3,518.88 | | | $ | 6,998.20 | | | $ | 2,869.87 | |
| Distributions Per Unit | $ | 3,200 | | | $ | 3,800 | | | $ | — | |
Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Statements of Changes in Members' Equity
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Members' Equity |
| | | | | |
| Balance - October 31, 2020 | | | | | 49,563,285 | |
| | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | 13,740,928 | |
| | | | | |
| Member unit repurchase, 16 units | | | | | (88,750) | |
| | | | | |
| Balance - October 31, 2021 | | | | | $ | 63,215,463 | |
| | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | 33,325,405 | |
| | | | | |
| Member Distributions | | | | | (18,130,900) | |
| | | | | |
| Member unit repurchase, 18 units | | | | | (116,900) | |
| | | | | |
| Balance - October 31, 2022 | | | | | $ | 78,293,068 | |
| | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | $ | 16,739,304 | |
| | | | | |
| Member unit repurchase, 10 units | | | | | $ | (99,000) | |
| | | | | |
| Member Distribution | | | | | $ | (15,240,000) | |
| | | | | |
| Balance - October 31, 2023 | | | | | $ | 79,693,372 | |
Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Statements of Cash Flows | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended | | Fiscal Year Ended | | Fiscal Year Ended |
| October 31, 2023 | | October 31, 2022 | | October 31, 2021 |
| | | | | |
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities | | | | | |
| Net income | $ | 16,739,304 | | | $ | 33,325,405 | | | $ | 13,740,928 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 10,049,915 | | | 10,312,613 | | | 9,751,569 | |
| Distributions in excess of earnings from equity method investments | (160,442) | | | (177,460) | | | (108,990) | |
| Gain on debt extinguishment | — | | | — | | | (712,200) | |
| Non-cash patronage income | (312,175) | | | (194,151) | | | (229,959) | |
| Change in working capital components | | | | | |
| Accounts receivable | 1,034,811 | | | 3,818,510 | | | (3,990,669) | |
| Inventories | 3,084,335 | | | (4,449,380) | | | (4,070,172) | |
| Derivative instruments | (179,737) | | | (375,245) | | | (107,872) | |
| Prepaids and other | 52,101 | | | (269,489) | | | (320,938) | |
| Accounts payable | (1,296,865) | | | 3,226,281 | | | 8,233,490 | |
| Accrued expenses | 40,887 | | | 249,357 | | | 224,677 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 29,052,134 | | | 45,466,441 | | | 22,409,864 | |
| | | | | |
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | (1,277,995) | | | (1,360,170) | | | (6,827,516) | |
| Purchase of investments | (580,708) | | | — | | | — | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,858,703) | | | (1,360,170) | | | (6,827,516) | |
| | | | | |
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities | | | | | |
| Payments on long-term debt | — | | | (11,699,000) | | | (45,500,000) | |
| Proceeds from long-term debt | — | | | 8,200,000 | | | 37,000,000 | |
| Payments on finance lease liability | (124,889) | | | (118,221) | | | (111,907) | |
| Member unit repurchases | (99,000) | | | (116,900) | | | (88,750) | |
| Member distributions | (15,240,000) | | | (18,130,900) | | | — | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (15,463,889) | | | (21,865,021) | | | (8,700,657) | |
| | | | | |
| Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents | 11,729,542 | | | 22,241,250 | | | 6,881,691 | |
| | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents – Beginning of Period | 29,790,258 | | | 7,549,008 | | | 667,317 | |
| | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents – End of Period | $ | 41,519,800 | | | $ | 29,790,258 | | | $ | 7,549,008 | |
| | | | | |
| Supplemental Cash Flow Information | | | | | |
| Cash paid for interest expense | $ | 53,911 | | | $ | 102,454 | | | $ | 478,473 | |
| | | | | |
| Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Financing and Investing Activities | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures included in accounts payable | $ | 40,200 | | | $ | 51,238 | | | $ | — | |
Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Business
Highwater Ethanol, LLC, (a Minnesota Limited Liability Company) operates an ethanol plant near Lamberton, Minnesota. The ethanol plant was constructed as a 50 million gallon per year nameplate ethanol plant. The plant currently operates in excess of its nameplate capacity due to the approval of air permit by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency which allows for 70.2 million gallons of denatured ethanol per 12-month rolling average. The Company produces and sells, primarily through third-party professional marketers, fuel ethanol and co-products of the fuel ethanol production process in the continental United States.
Accounting Estimates
Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. The Company uses estimates and assumptions in accounting for significant matters, among others, the carrying value of property and equipment and related impairment testing, inventory valuation, and derivative instruments. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the financial statements. The Company periodically reviews estimates and assumptions and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period in which the revision is made.
Revenue Recognition
ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, further details the Company’s requirement to recognize revenue of transferred goods or services to customers in an amount which is expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. Five steps are required as part of the guidance: 1. Identify the contract 2. Identify the performance obligations 3. Determine the transaction price 4. Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation 5. Recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied.
The Company generally sells ethanol and related products pursuant to marketing agreements. The Company’s products are shipped FOB shipping point. The Company recognizes revenue when control of goods is transferred. For ethanol sales by single manifest railcars and trucks, and distillers grains sales, control transfers when loaded into the rail car.For ethanol sales by unit trains, control transfers once the last railcar of the unit train has loaded and the shipping documentation transferred to the marketer.
In accordance with the Company’s agreements for the marketing and sale of ethanol and related products, marketing fees and freight due to the marketers are deducted from the gross sales price at the time incurred. Revenue is recorded net of these marketing fees and freight as they do not provide an identifiable benefit that is sufficiently separable from the sale of ethanol and related products.
The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue. Revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services.
•ethanol sales
•modified distillers grains sales
•dried distillers grains sales
•corn oil sales
Disaggregation of revenue:
All revenue recognized in the income statement is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to product line for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2023 | | Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022 | | Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021 |
| Revenue Sources | Amount | | Amount | | Amount |
| | | | | |
| Ethanol Sales | $ | 148,417,723 | | | $ | 172,742,300 | | | $ | 122,902,729 | |
| Modified Distillers Grains Sales | 10,396,222 | | | 8,979,383 | | | 4,899,649 | |
| Dried Distillers Grains Sales | 24,775,374 | | | 24,712,352 | | | 21,090,325 | |
| Corn Oil Sales | 15,463,040 | | | 14,939,218 | | | 9,824,833 | |
| Total Revenues | $ | 199,052,359 | | | $ | 221,373,253 | | | $ | 158,717,536 | |
Contract assets and contract liabilities:
The Company receives payments from customers based upon contractual billing schedules; accounts receivable are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized with the associated revenue recognized under the contract.
The Company had short term contract liabilities from contracts with customers of $34,599 and $0 at October 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022.
Shipping Costs
Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of ethanol, dried distillers grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company maintains its accounts primarily at one financial institution. The cash balances regularly exceed amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has not experienced any historical losses related to their concentration.
Derivative Instruments
Derivatives are recognized in the balance sheets and the measurement of these instruments are at fair value. In order for a derivative to qualify as a hedge, specific criteria must be met and appropriate documentation maintained. Gains and losses from derivatives that do not qualify as hedges, or are undesignated, must be recognized immediately in earnings. If the derivative does qualify as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative will be either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.
Contracts are evaluated to determine whether the contracts are derivatives. Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted as “normal purchases or normal sales”. Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts that provide for the purchase or sale of something other than a financial instrument or derivative instrument that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business. Contracts that meet the requirements of normal purchases or sales are documented as normal and exempted from accounting as derivatives, therefore, are not marked to market in our financial statements.
The Company entered into ethanol, corn and natural gas derivatives in order to protect cash flows from fluctuations caused by volatility in prices. These derivatives are not designated as effective hedges for accounting purposes. For derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedges, or for the ineffective portions of qualifying hedges, the change in fair value is recorded
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
through earnings in the period of change. Ethanol derivative changes in fair market value are included in revenue. Corn and natural gas derivative changes in fair market value are included in costs of goods sold.
Accounts Receivable
Credit terms are extended to customers in the normal course of business. The Company routinely monitors accounts receivable and customer balances are generally kept current at 30 days or less. The Company generally requires no collateral.
Accounts receivable are recorded at their estimated net realizable value. Accounts are considered past due if payment is not made on a timely basis in accordance with the Company’s credit terms. Accounts considered uncollectible are written off. The Company’s estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical experience, its evaluation of the current status of receivables, and unusual circumstances, if any. At October 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has determined that amounts are collectible and an allowance was not considered necessary.
Inventories
Inventories consist of raw materials, spare parts and supplies, work in process and finished goods. Raw materials and spare parts and supplies are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. Work in process and finished goods are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided over an estimated useful life by use of the straight line method. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; major improvements and betterments are capitalized.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
| | | | | | | | |
| Minimum Years | Maximum Years |
| Land improvements | 15 | 20 |
| Buildings | 10 | 20 |
| Office equipment | 5 | 5 |
| Plant and process equipment | 7 | 20 |
| Vehicles | 7 | 7 |
Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset group be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset group to the carrying value of the asset group. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.
In accordance with the Company’s policy for evaluating impairment of long-lived assets described above, when a triggering event occurs management evaluates the recoverability of the facilities based on projected future cash flows from operations over the facilities’ estimated useful lives. In determining the projected future undiscounted cash flows, the Company makes significant assumptions concerning the future viability of the ethanol industry, the future price of corn in relation to the future price of ethanol and the overall demand in relation to production and supply capacity. The Company has not recorded any impairment as of October 31, 2023 and 2022.
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, and other working capital items approximate fair value at October 31, 2023 and 2022 due to the short maturity nature of these instruments (Level 2).
Derivative instruments are carried at fair value, based on dealer quotes and live trading levels (Note 6).
Investments
The Company has a 5.0% investment interest in an unlisted company, Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG), which markets the Company’s ethanol. The Company also has a 7% ownership interest in Lawrenceville Tank, LLC (LT), which owns and operates a trans load/tank facility near Atlanta, Georgia. These investments are flow-through entities and are being accounted for by the equity method of accounting under which the Company’s share of net income is recognized as income in the Company’s statements of operations and added to the investment account. Distributions or dividends received from the investments are treated as a reduction of the investment account. The Company consistently follows the practice of recognizing the net income (loss) from equity method investments based on the most recent reliable data.Therefore, the net income (loss) which is reported in the Company’s statements of operations for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is based on the investee's results of operations for the twelve month periods ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The Company has cost method of investments in cooperatives. The corresponding patronage income is recorded in cost of goods sold.
Net Income (Loss) per Unit
Basic net loss per unit is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of members’ units outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per unit is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of members’ units and members’ unit equivalents outstanding during the period. There were no member unit equivalents outstanding during the periods presented; accordingly, for all periods presented, the Company’s basic and diluted net loss per unit are the same.
Income Taxes
The Company is treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes and generally does not incur income taxes. Instead, their income or losses are included in the income tax returns of the members. Accordingly, no provision or liability for federal or state income taxes has been included in these financial statements.
The Company recognizes and measures tax benefits when realization of the benefits is uncertain under a two-step approach. The first step is to determine whether the benefit meets the more-likely-than-not condition for recognition and the second step is to determine the amount to be recognized based on the cumulative probability that exceeds 50%. The Company has not recognized any liability for unrecognized tax benefits and has not identified any uncertain tax positions.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and Minnesota state jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities beyond three years for jurisdictions in which it files.
Railcar Damages Accrual
In accordance with the railcar lease agreements, the Company is required to pay for damages considered to be in excess of normal wear and tear at the termination of the lease. The Company accrues the estimated cost for railcar damages over the term of the lease.
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
Environmental Liabilities
The Company’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental entities in the jurisdiction in which it operates. These laws require the Company to investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at its location. Accordingly, the Company has adopted policies, practices, and procedures in the areas of pollution control, occupational health, and the production, handling, storage, and use of hazardous materials to prevent material environmental or other damage, and to limit the financial liability, which could result from such events. Environmental liabilities are recorded when the liability is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.
Segment Reporting
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker or decision making group in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company has determined that it has one reportable business segment, the manufacturing and marketing of fuel-grade ethanol and the co-products of the ethanol production process. The Company's chief operating decision maker reviews financial information of the Company as a whole for purposes of assessing financial performance and making operating decisions. Accordingly, the Company considers itself to be operating in a single industry segment.
Grants
The Minnesota State Legislature established the Bioincentive Program in 2015 to encourage commercial-scale production of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biomass thermal energy through production incentive payments. Eligible producers of cellulosic ethanol may receive $0.16 per gallon of cellulosic ethanol produced subject to program funding limitations. The Company recorded awards from the Bioincentive Program in other income of approximately $26,800 and $20,200 during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Biofuel Producer Program was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act. The USDA announced that the funds were made available to provide economic relief to biofuels producers who faced unexpected market losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and support a significant market for agricultural producers who supply products used in biofuel production. The Company recorded awards from the Biofuel Producer Program in other income of approximately $508,000 and $4,100,000 during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
2. UNCERTAINTIES
The Company derives substantially all of its revenues from the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil. These products are commodities and the market prices for these products display substantial volatility and are subject to a number of factors which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company’s most significant manufacturing inputs are corn and natural gas. The price of these commodities is also subject to substantial volatility and uncontrollable market factors. In addition, these input costs do not necessarily fluctuate with the market prices for ethanol and distillers grains. As a result, the Company is subject to significant risk that its operating margins can be reduced or eliminated due to the relative movements in the market prices of its products and major manufacturing inputs. As a result, market fluctuations in the price of or demand for these commodities can have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s operations, profitability, and availability of cash flows to make loan payments and maintain compliance with the loan agreement.
3. RECEIVABLES
Receivables consisted of the following at:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | October 31, 2023 | | October 31, 2022 |
| | | | |
| Trade receivables | | $ | 1,812,631 | | | $ | 3,313,112 | |
| Other receivables | | 1,122,622 | | | 656,952 | |
| Total | | $ | 2,935,253 | | | $ | 3,970,064 | |
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
4. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following at:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | October 31, 2023 | | October 31, 2022 |
| | | | |
| Raw materials | | $ | 7,861,508 | | | $ | 11,103,311 | |
| Spare parts and supplies | | 5,432,982 | | | 4,800,511 | |
| Work in process | | 1,073,564 | | | 1,342,412 | |
| Finished goods | | 1,745,133 | | | 1,951,288 | |
| Total | | $ | 16,113,187 | | | $ | 19,197,522 | |
The Company did not record a lower of cost or net realizable value write-down on inventory at October 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company enters into corn, ethanol and natural gas derivative instruments, which are required to be recorded as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the balance sheet. The Company uses these instruments to manage risks from changes in market rates and prices. Derivatives qualify for treatment as hedges when there is a high correlation between the change in fair value of the derivative instrument and the related change in value of the underlying hedged item. The Company may designate the hedging instruments based upon the exposure being hedged as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge or a hedge against foreign currency exposure. The derivative instruments outstanding are not designated as effective hedges for accounting purposes.
Commodity Contracts
Management expects all open positions outstanding as of October 31, 2023 to be realized within the next twelve months.
The following tables provide details regarding the Company's derivative instruments at October 31:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Instrument | Balance Sheet location | | |
| | | 2023 | 2022 |
| | | | |
| Corn, natural gas and ethanol contracts | | | | |
| In gain position | | | 812 | | — | |
| In loss position | | | (1,497,801) | | (1,101,594) | |
| Deposits with broker | | | 2,420,240 | | 1,845,108 | |
| Derivative instruments | | $ | 923,251 | | $ | 743,514 | |
These contracts and related deposits are subject to a master netting arrangements and, therefore, are presented on a net basis on the balance sheet.
The Company has 2,214,000 bushels of corn inventory delivered under delayed-pricing contracts as of October 31, 2023. The contracts have various pricing deadlines through August 31, 2024.
The following tables provide details regarding the gains (losses) from the Company's derivative instruments in the statements of operations, none of which are designated as hedging instruments:
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Statement of | | Year Ended October 31 |
| | Operations location | | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| | | | | | |
| Ethanol contracts | | Revenues | | 79,168 | | 78,966 | | 953 | |
| Corn contracts | | Cost of goods sold | | 1,434,522 | | 1,017,973 | | 352,596 | |
| Natural gas contracts | | Cost of goods sold | | 70,643 | | (76,890) | | 24,428 | |
6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Various inputs are considered when determining the value of financial instruments. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing financial instruments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in these instruments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
•Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
•Level 2 inputs include the following:
◦Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities.
◦Quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities.
◦Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
◦Inputs that are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
•Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The following table provides information on those assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Fair Value as of | | Fair Value Measurement Using |
| | | October 31, 2023 | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
| Derivative instrument - commodities | | | | | | | | |
| In gain position | | $ | 812 | | | $ | 812 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| In loss position | | $ | (1,497,801) | | | $ | (13,466) | | | $ | (1,484,335) | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Fair Value as of | | Fair Value Measurement Using |
| | | October 31, 2022 | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
| Derivative instrument - commodities | | | | | | | | |
| In loss position | | $ | (1,101,594) | | | $ | (45,075) | | | $ | (1,056,519) | | | $ | — | |
The Company determines the fair value of the commodities contracts by obtaining the fair value measurements from an independent pricing service based on dealer quotes and live trading levels from the Chicago Board of Trade.
7. INVESTMENT IN RPMG
The financial statements of RPMG are summarized as of and for the years ended September 30 as follows:
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
| | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 |
| | |
| Current assets | $ | 294,241,396 | | $ | 291,967,299 | |
| Other assets | 104,916,896 | | 627,836 | |
| Current liabilities | 187,518,207 | | 252,599,209 | |
| Long-term liabilities | 151,873,811 | | — | |
| Members' equity | 59,766,274 | | 40,013,410 | |
| Revenue | 6,262,082,905 | | 6,691,027,262 | |
| Net income | 4,670,278 | | 2,743,338 | |
8. DEBT FINANCING
The Company had no long-term debt at October 31, 2023 or October 2022, respectively.
Bank Financing
The Company has a loan facility with Compeer Financial f/k/a AgStar Financial Services, PCA ("Compeer") that includes a $20,000,000 Term Revolving Loan and a Revolving Line of Credit Loan. The loan facility with Compeer is secured by substantially all business assets and also subjects the Company to various financial and non-financial covenants.
Term Revolving Loan
The Term Revolving Loan was for up to $20,000,000 and has a variable interest rate based on the Wall Street Journal's Prime Rate plus 10 basis points with a minimum interest rate of 2.10%. The applicable interest rate at October 31, 2023 was 8.60%. The Term Revolving Loan may be advanced, repaid and re-borrowed during the term. Monthly interest payments are due on the Term Revolving Loan. Payment of all amounts outstanding is due on November 1, 2027. The outstanding balance was $0 at October 31, 2023. The Company pays interest at a rate of 1.50% on amounts outstanding for letters of credit which also reduce the amount available under the Term Revolving Loan. The Company had no letters of credit outstanding at October 31, 2023. The Company is also required to pay unused commitment fees for the Term Revolving Loan.
Revolving Line of Credit Loan
The Revolving Line of Credit Loan is for an amount equal to the borrowing base, with a maximum limit of $10,000,000, with a variable interest rate based on the Wall Street Journal's Prime Rate plus 10 basis points with a minimum interest rate of 2.10%. The amount available to borrow per the borrowing base calculations at October 31, 2023 was approximately $0. The applicable interest rate at October 31, 2023 was 8.60%. The Revolving Line of Credit Loan may be advanced, repaid and re-borrowed during the term. Monthly interest payments are due on the Revolving Line of Credit Loan with payment of all amounts outstanding due on November 1, 2024. The maturity date may be extended for up to four additional one year terms upon written request of the Company which will be deemed automatically granted by Compeer upon written certification that there is no event of default. The Company has previously been granted one extension. The outstanding balance on this note was $0 at October 31, 2023. The Company is also required to pay unused commitment fees for the Revolving Line of Credit Loan.
Debt Issuance Costs
Costs associated with the issuance of debt are recorded as debt issuance costs and are amortized over the term of the related debt by use of the effective interest method.
Covenants and other Miscellaneous Terms
The loan facility is secured by substantially all business assets. The Company executed a mortgage creating a first lien on its real estate and plant and a security interest in all personal property located on the premises and assigned all rents and leases to property, marketing contracts, risk management services contract, and natural gas, electricity, water service and grain procurement agreements.
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
The Company is also subject to various financial and non-financial covenants that limit distributions and debt and require minimum debt service coverage and working capital requirements. The Company is limited to annual capital expenditures of $5,000,000 without prior approval, incurring additional debt over certain amounts without prior approval, and making additional investments as described in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement without prior approval. The minimum working capital is $9,000,000, which is calculated as current assets plus the amount available for drawing under our Term Revolving Loan, and undrawn amounts on outstanding letters of credit less current liabilities, and is measured quarterly. The Company is allowed to make distributions to members as frequently as monthly in an amount equal to 75% of net income if working capital is greater than or equal to $9,000,000, or or an unlimited amount of net income if working capital is greater than or equal to $12,000,000.
9. LEASES
The Company leases rail cars for its facility to transport dried distillers grains to its end customers. We classified these identified assets as operating leases after assessing the terms of the leases under lease classification guidance.
The Company has a contract for use of a natural gas pipeline which transports natural gas from the Northern Natural Gas pipeline to the Company’s facility. This natural gas line has no alternate use and is specifically for the benefit of the Company. The contract has minimum volume requirements as well as a fixed monthly fee. This contract meets the definition of a lease and is classified as a finance lease. Right of use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.
The discount rate used in determining the lease liability for each individual lease is the Company's estimated incremental borrowing rate. An incremental borrowing rate of 5.5% was utilized for each of the Company's leases.
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. The Company’s operating and finance leases have remaining lease terms of approximately 1 year and 6 years, respectively. These leases include options to extend the lease. When it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise those options, the Company will update the remaining terms of the leases. The Company does not have lease arrangements with residual value guarantees, sale leaseback terms or material restrictive covenants.
The following tables summarizes the remaining maturities of the Company's operating and financing lease liabilities as of October 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Period Ending October 31, | | Operating Leases | | Finance Leases |
| 2024 | | $ | 112,320 | | | $ | 178,800 | |
| 2025 | | — | | | 178,800 | |
| 2026 | | — | | | 178,800 | |
| 2027 | | — | | | 178,800 | |
| 2028 | | — | | | 178,800 | |
| Thereafter | | — | | | 178,800 | |
| Totals | | 112,320 | | | 1,072,800 | |
| Amount representing interest | | (2,280) | | | (160,808) | |
| Lease liability | | $ | 110,040 | | | $ | 911,992 | |
HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2023 and 2022
| | | | | | | | |
| Lease Cost | | October 31, 2023 |
| | |
| Operating lease cost | | $ | 168,480 | |
| Short term lease cost | | 58,045 | |
| Finance lease cost | | |
| Amortization of leased assets | | 137,292 | |
| Interest on lease liabilities | | 53,911 | |
| | |
| Net lease cost | | $ | 417,728 | |
10. MEMBERS' EQUITY
The Company has one class of membership units, and is authorized to issue up to 10,000 units, which include certain transfer restrictions as specified in the operating agreement and pursuant to applicable tax and securities law, with each unit representing a pro rata ownership in the Company’s capital, profits, losses and distributions. Income and losses are allocated to all members based upon their respective percentage of units held.
Unit Repurchases
During the first quarter of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 2 of its membership units at a average price of $9,500 per unit for a total purchase price of $19,000. During the second quarter of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 7 of its membership units at a price of $10,000 per unit for a total purchase price of $70,000. During the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 1 of its membership units at a price of $10,000 per unit for a total purchase price of $10,000.
During the first quarter of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 12 of its membership units at a price of $6,292 per unit for a total purchase price of $75,500. During the second quarter of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 4 of its membership units at a price of $6,750 per unit for a total purchase price of $27,000. During the third quarter of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 2 of its membership units at a price of $7,200 per unit for a total purchase price of $14,400.
11. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND CONCENTRATIONS
Marketing Agreements
The Company has an ethanol marketing agreement with a marketer (RPMG) to purchase, market, and distribute the ethanol produced by the Company. Based on the terms of the marketing agreement, RPMG will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the best price for all ethanol sold subject to the terms of the marketing agreement. RPMG shall have discretion to fix the price, terms and conditions of the sale of ethanol that is sold and marketed as Indexed Gallons. The Company also entered into a member control agreement with the marketer whereby the Company made capital contributions and became a minority owner of the marketer. The member control agreement became effective on February 1, 2011 and provides the Company a membership interest with voting rights. The marketing agreement will terminate if the Company ceases to be a member. The Company will assume certain of the member’s rail car leases if the agreement is terminated. The Company can sell its ethanol either through an index arrangement or at an agreed upon fixed price. The marketing agreement is perpetual until terminated according to the agreement. The Company may be obligated to continue to market its ethanol through the marketer for a period of time. The amended agreement requires minimum capital amounts invested as required under the agreement. Revenue recognized under this agreement for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $148,687,325, $173,065,875 and $123,344,552 respectively. Accounts receivable under the agreement as of October 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0 and $1,524,912 respectively.
The Company had a distillers grains marketing agreement with a marketer to market all the dried distillers grains produced at the plant. Under the agreement the marketer charged a maximum of $2.00 per ton and a minimum of $1.50 per ton price using 2% of the FOB plant price actually received by them for all dried distillers grains removed. Under the agreement, the marketer
was responsible for all transportation arrangements for the distribution of the dried distillers grains. The Company markets and sells its modified distillers grains. The distillers grains marketing agreement was terminated effective January 1, 2023. Revenue recognized under this agreement for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $4,380,083, $24,715,843 and $21,108,135, respectively. Accounts receivable under the agreement as of October 31, 2023 and 2022 were $0 and $680,623, respectively.
The Company has a distillers grains marketing agreement with a marketer (RPMG) to purchase and market all of the distillers grains produced at the plant beginning January 1, 2023. The Company pays a fee to the marketer to market distillers grains to third party end purchasers and the Company reimburses the marketer for certain charges paid to third parties. The marketer must market the distillers grains using commercially reasonable efforts and endeavor to maximize price and minimize freight and other costs but does not guarantee the price that will be obtained from the sale. Following an initial term, the agreement will be automatically extended for additional terms unless either party gives proper notice of non-extension. Revenue recognized under this agreement for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $20,395,291, $0, and $0, respectively. Accounts receivable under the agreement as of October 31, 2023 and 2022 were $741,657 and $0, respectively.
The Company has a crude corn oil marketing agreement with a marketer (RPMG) to market and distribute all corn oil to be produced at the plant for an initial term. Under the agreement, the Company must provide estimates of production and inventory of corn oil. The marketer may execute sales contracts with buyers for future delivery of corn oil. The Company receives a percentage of the F.O.B. sale price less a marketing fee, actual freight and transportation costs and certain taxes and other charges related to the purchase, delivery or sale. The Company is required to provide corn oil meeting certain specifications as provided in the agreement and the agreement provides for a process for rejection of nonconforming corn oil. The agreement automatically renews for successive terms unless terminated in accordance with the agreement. Revenue recognized under this agreement for the years ended October 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $15,510,877, $14,980,721 and $9,867,789 respectively. Accounts receivable under the agreement as of October 31, 2023 and 2022 were $492,690 and $479,918 respectively.
Regulatory Agencies
The Company is subject to oversight from regulatory agencies regarding environmental concerns which arise in the ordinary course of its business.
Forward Contracts
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into forward contracts for our commodity purchases and sales. Forward contracts are as follows at October 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Quantity | Average Price | Delivery Date |
| | | |
| Purchase of corn (in bushels): | | | |
| Basis Contracts | 692,149 | | | by 12/31/25 |
| Priced Contracts | 412,653 | | $ | 5.16 | | by 12/31/24 |
| Total | 1,104,802 | | | |
| | | |
| Purchase of natural gas (in dekatherms): | | | |
| Basis Contracts | 726,000 | | | by 12/31/26 |
| Priced Contracts | 2,685,000 | | $ | 3.78 | | by 10/31/26 |
| Total | 3,411,000 | | | |
| | | |
| Purchase of denaturant (in gallons): | | | |
| Priced contracts | 222,000 | | $ | 1.88 | | by 12/31/23 |
| Total | 222,000 | | | |
| | | |
| Sales of dry distillers grains (in tons): | | | |
| Priced contracts | 8,702 | | $ | 193.74 | | by 3/31/24 |
| Total | 8,702 | | | |
| | | |
| Sales of modified distillers grains (in tons) | | | |
| Priced contracts | 14,000 | | $ | 91.00 | | by 5/31/24 |
| Total | 14,000 | | | |
| | | |
| Sales of corn oil (in pounds) | | | |
| Priced contracts | 3,648,000 | | $ | 0.60 | | by 2/29/24 |
| Total | 3,648,000 | | | |
12. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2023 | | | | | | | |
| Revenues | $ | 48,861,565 | | | $ | 48,711,980 | | | $ | 52,627,682 | | | $ | 48,851,132 | |
| Gross Profit | 3,349,101 | | | 2,667,474 | | | 6,958,457 | | | 6,594,193 | |
| Operating Profit | 2,150,988 | | | 1,581,942 | | | 6,048,982 | | | 5,576,551 | |
| Net Income | 2,331,977 | | | 1,747,828 | | | 6,704,583 | | | 5,954,916 | |
| Basic and diluted earnings per unit | 489.60 | | | 367.42 | | | 1,410.01 | | | 1,252.61 | |
| | | | | | | |
| First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022 | | | | | | | |
| Revenues | $ | 58,643,436 | | | $ | 45,433,629 | | | $ | 64,060,657 | | | $ | 53,235,531 | |
| Gross Profit | 17,161,096 | | | 5,690,539 | | | 7,353,786 | | | 2,722,852 | |
| Operating Profit | 16,039,396 | | | 4,682,488 | | | 6,484,750 | | | 1,733,268 | |
| Net Income | 16,101,488 | | | 4,687,081 | | | 10,602,705 | | | 1,934,131 | |
| Basic and diluted earnings per unit | 3,374.87 | | | 983.44 | | | 2,225.59 | | | 405.99 | |
| | | | | | | |
| First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021 | | | | | | | |
| Revenues | $ | 28,435,747 | | | $ | 34,864,344 | | | $ | 46,988,806 | | | $ | 48,428,639 | |
| Gross Profit | 288,818 | | | 4,515,280 | | | 6,923,891 | | | 3,817,128 | |
| Operating profit (Loss) | (537,092) | | | 3,718,220 | | | 6,097,163 | | | 3,032,302 | |
| Net income | 163,638 | | | 4,344,633 | | | 6,074,771 | | | 3,157,886 | |
| Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per unit | 34.14 | | | 907.21 | | | 1,269.28 | | | 660.37 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The above quarterly financial data is unaudited, but in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the selected data for these periods presented have been included.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS.
On November 16, 2023, the board of governors declared a cash distribution of $3,400 per membership unit to unit holders of record at the close of business on November 16, 2023, for a total distribution of $16,161,900. The distribution was paid on December 4, 2023.
The Company entered into an agreement on December 21, 2023 with Nelson Baker Biotech, Inc. to construct one fermentation tank. The construction is expected to commence in spring of 2024 and be completed in approximately October 2024 at an approximate cost of $4,000,000. The additional fermentation tank was approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on March 4, 2022.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management is responsible for maintaining disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. In addition, the disclosure controls and procedures must ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial and other required disclosures.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the principal executive officer), Brian Kletscher, along with our Chief Financial Officer (the principal financial officer), Lucas Schneider, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of October 31, 2023. Based on this review and evaluation, these officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the forms and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls
Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our internal controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of internal controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future periods are subject to the risk that those internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013 (“COSO”). Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of October 31, 2023.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. As we are a non-accelerated filer, management's report is not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that permits us to provide only management's report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of our 2023 fiscal year, which were identified in connection with management’s evaluation required by paragraph (d) of rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
On February 6, 2023, Gerald Forsythe, our governor, posted a bid through FNCAgStock, our Unit Trading Bulletin Board, to buy some of our membership units at a stated price per unit. On June 16, 2023, Mr. Forsythe executed a contract for purchase of three of our membership units. The purchase was effective as of October 1, 2023. This purchase was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of a non-rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of members to be filed with the Securities Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our 2023 fiscal year. This proxy statement is referred to in this report as the 2024 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the 2024 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED MEMBER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the 2024 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the 2024 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item, including aggregate fees billed to us by the Company's principal accountant, RSM US LLP (PCAOB ID: 49), is incorporated by reference from the 2024 Proxy Statement.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibits Filed as Part of this Report and Exhibits Incorporated by Reference.
The following exhibits and financial statements are filed as part of, or are incorporated by reference into, this report:
(1)Financial Statements
The financial statements appear beginning at page 36 of this report.
(2)Financial Statement Schedules
All supplemental schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the financial statements or related notes.
(3)Exhibits
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit | | Filed Herewith | | Incorporated by Reference |
| 3.1 | | | | | Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's registration statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File 333-137482). |
| 3.2 | | | | | Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant's registration Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on March 22, 2011. |
| 3.3 | | | | | Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on June 7, 2018 |
| 4.1 | | | | | Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant's registration statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File 333-137482). |
| 4.2 | | | | | Registrant's registration statement on Form SB-2/A (Commission File 333-137482) filed on March 26, 2007 |
| 10.1 | | | | | Exhibit 10.9 to the registrant's registration statement on Form SB-2 (Commission File 33-137482). |
| 10.2 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 3, 2007. |
| 10.3 | | | | | Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant's Form 10-KSB filed with the Commission on January 29, 2008. |
| 10.4 | | | | | Exhibit 10.26 to the registrant's Form 10-QSB filed with the Commission on September 15, 2008. |
| 10.5 | | | | | Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on June 15, 2009. |
| 10.6 | | | | | Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on September 14, 2012. |
| 10.7 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 28, 2014 |
| 10.8 | | | | | Exhibit 99.2 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 28, 2014 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10.9 | | | | | Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on March 5, 2014 |
| 10.10 | | | | | Exhibit 10.14 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on March 5, 2014 |
| 10.11 | | | | | Exhibit 10.79 to the registrant's Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on May 22, 2014 |
| 10.12 | | | | | Exhibit 10.80 to the registrant's Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on May 22, 2014 |
| 10.13 | | | | | Exhibit 10.81 to the registrant's Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on May 22, 2014 |
| 10.14 | | | | | Exhibit 10.82 to the registrant's Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on May 22, 2014 |
| 10.15 | | | | | Exhibit 10.83 to the registrant's Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on May 22, 2014 |
| 10.16 | | | | | Exhibit 10.84 to the registrant's Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on May 22, 2014 |
| 10.17 | | | | | Exhibit 10.45 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 28, 2016 |
| 10.18 | | | | | Exhibit 10.49 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 28, 2016 |
| 10.19 | | | | | Exhibit 10.50 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 28, 2016 |
| 10.20 | | | | | Exhibit 10.51 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 28, 2016 |
| 10.21 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 2, 2017 |
| 10.22 | | | | | Exhibit 99.2 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 27, 2018 |
| 10.23 | | | | | Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on June 7, 2018 |
| 10.24 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 1, 2018 |
| 10.25 | | | | | Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on September 11, 2018 |
| 10.26 | | | | | Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on September 11, 2018 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10.27 | | | | | Exhibit 10.65 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 23, 2019
|
| 10.28 | | | | | Exhibit 10.66 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 23, 2020 |
| 10.29 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 1, 2020 |
| 10.30 | | | | | Exhibit 99.2 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 24, 2020 |
| 10.31 | | | | | Exhibit 99.3 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 24, 2020 |
| 10.32 | | | | | Exhibit 99.4 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 24, 2020 |
| 10.33 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 29, 2020 |
| 10.34 | | | | | Exhibit 10.74 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 21, 2021 |
| 10.35 | | | | | Exhibit 10.75 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 21, 2021 |
| 10.36 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 22, 2021 |
| 10.37 | | | | | Exhibit 99.2 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 22, 2021 |
| 10.38 | | | | | Exhibit 99.3 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 22, 2021 |
| 10.39 | | | | | Exhibit 10.39 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 19, 2022 |
| 10.40 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 10, 2022 |
| 10.41 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 11, 2022 |
| 10.42 | | | | | Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 30, 2022 |
| 10.43 | | | | | Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on March 8, 2023 |
| 10.44 | | | X | | |
| 14.1 | | | | | Exhibit 14.1 to the registrant's Form 10-K filed with the Commission on January 29, 2013. |
| 31.1 | | | X | | |
| 31.2 | | | X | | |
| 32.1 | | | X | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 32.2 | | | X | | |
| 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear on the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | | X | | |
| 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | | X | | |
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | | X | | |
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | | X | | |
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document | | X | | |
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document | | X | | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in the Interactive Data Files submitted as Exhibit 101). | | X | | |
(+) Confidential information redacted
(X) Filed herewith
* Furnished herewith
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | HIGHWATER ETHANOL, LLC |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ Brian Kletscher |
| | | Brian Kletscher |
| | | Chief Executive Officer |
| | | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ Lucas Schneider |
| | | Lucas Schneider |
| | | Chief Financial Officer |
| | | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
. | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ David Moldan |
| | | David Moldan, Chairman and Governor |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ Ronald Jorgenson |
| | | Ronald Jorgenson, Vice Chairman and Governor |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ David Eis |
| | | David Eis, Secretary and Governor |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ Mark Pankonin |
| | | Mark Pankonin, Treasurer and Governor |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ Russell Derickson |
| | | Russell Derickson, Governor |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ George Goblish |
| | | George Goblish, Governor |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ Luke Spalj |
| | | Luke Spalj, Governor |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ Gerald Forsythe |
| | | Gerald Forsythe, Governor |
| | | |
| Date: | January 18, 2024 | | /s/ Michael Landuyt |
| | | Michael Landuyt, Governor |
