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Granite Falls Energy, LLC - Quarter Report: 2017 July (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2017

 

OR

 

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

For the transition period from               to               .

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-51277

 

GRANITE FALLS ENERGY, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

Minnesota

 

41-1997390

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

15045 Highway 23 SE, Granite Falls, MN 56241-0216

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(320) 564-3100

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

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.

☒Yes    No

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

☒Yes    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 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:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large Accelerated Filer 

Non-Accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer

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. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes    ☒No

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

As of September 14, 2017 there were 30,606 membership units outstanding.

 

 

 

 


 

Table of Contents

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

Page Number

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

3

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements 

3

 

 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

18

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

40

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures 

42

 

 

PART I. OTHER INFORMATION 

42

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings 

42

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors 

43

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 

44

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 

44

 

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 

44

 

 

Item 5. Other Information 

44

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits 

45

 

 

SIGNATURES 

45

 

 

 

2

 


 

Table of Contents

 

PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

GRANITE FALLS ENERGY, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

July 31, 2017

    

October 31, 2016

 

 ASSETS

    

(unaudited)

    

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

20,375,684

 

$

13,797,857

 

Restricted cash

 

 

144,345

 

 

 —

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,187,964

 

 

6,654,994

 

Inventory

 

 

12,898,923

 

 

18,341,413

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

311,382

 

 

1,228,926

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

565,715

 

 

325,989

 

Total current assets

 

 

36,484,013

 

 

40,349,179

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and Equipment, net

 

 

73,711,995

 

 

78,968,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

1,372,473

 

 

1,372,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Deposit

 

 

750,000

 

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

752,643

 

 

781,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

113,071,124

 

$

121,470,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

$

436,341

 

$

490,057

 

Checks drawn in excess of bank balance

 

 

 —

 

 

1,866,683

 

Accounts payable

 

 

4,403,666

 

 

5,624,840

 

Corn payable to FCE

 

 

1,368,098

 

 

5,358,111

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

544,588

 

 

997,319

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

6,752,693

 

 

14,337,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt, less current portion

 

 

1,122,391

 

 

1,393,669

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members' equity attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC consists of 30,606 units authorized,  issued, and outstanding at both July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016

 

 

80,570,226

 

 

83,684,529

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

24,625,814

 

 

22,055,714

 

Total members' equity

 

 

105,196,040

 

 

105,740,243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Members' Equity

 

$

113,071,124

 

$

121,470,922

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.

 

3

 


 

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GRANITE FALLS ENERGY, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended July 31, 

 

Nine Months Ended July 31, 

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

54,250,994

 

$

58,018,553

 

$

161,629,116

 

$

159,994,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

50,047,853

 

 

51,716,678

 

 

146,624,568

 

 

149,986,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Profit

 

 

4,203,141

 

 

6,301,875

 

 

15,004,548

 

 

10,008,453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

1,463,014

 

 

1,284,016

 

 

4,654,769

 

 

4,174,358

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

2,740,127

 

 

5,017,859

 

 

10,349,779

 

 

5,834,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

51,660

 

 

2,962

 

 

462,533

 

 

101,769

 

Interest income

 

 

16,730

 

 

1,848

 

 

23,614

 

 

6,384

 

Interest expense

 

 

(86,688)

 

 

(152,403)

 

 

(162,295)

 

 

(333,045)

 

Total other income (expense), net

 

 

(18,298)

 

 

(147,593)

 

 

323,852

 

 

(224,892)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

2,721,829

 

$

4,870,266

 

$

10,673,631

 

$

5,609,203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interest

 

 

(672,208)

 

 

(1,377,444)

 

 

(2,616,744)

 

 

(1,405,337)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC

 

$

2,049,621

 

$

3,492,822

 

$

8,056,887

 

$

4,203,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Units Outstanding - Basic and Diluted

 

 

30,606

 

 

30,606

 

 

30,606

 

 

30,606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Per Unit - Basic and Diluted

 

$

66.97

 

$

114.12

 

$

263.25

 

$

137.35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions Per Unit

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

365.00

 

$

315.00

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.

 

 

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GRANITE FALLS ENERGY, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended July 31, 

 

 

 

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

10,673,631

 

$

5,609,203

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

7,094,707

 

 

7,212,835

 

Change in fair value of commodity derivative instruments

 

 

(461,723)

 

 

716

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

 

(95,300)

 

 

 —

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

 

(144,345)

 

 

(1,800,483)

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

1,379,267

 

 

1,537,986

 

Accounts recievable

 

 

4,467,030

 

 

2,747,632

 

Inventory

 

 

5,442,490

 

 

1,449,015

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(239,726)

 

 

(191,716)

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(5,299,721)

 

 

(1,630,272)

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

(452,731)

 

 

(8,830)

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

 

22,363,579

 

 

14,926,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment for investment deposit

 

 

(750,000)

 

 

 —

 

Payments for capital expenditures

 

 

(1,721,541)

 

 

(4,238,444)

 

Proceeds from disposal of assets

 

 

95,300

 

 

 —

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 

(2,376,241)

 

 

(4,238,444)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

 —

 

 

9,820,223

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

 

(324,994)

 

 

(9,860,232)

 

Payments on checks drawn in excess of bank balance

 

 

(1,866,683)

 

 

(347,235)

 

Purchase of subsidiary units attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 

(46,644)

 

 

 —

 

Distributions to non-controlling interests

 

 

 —

 

 

(2,006,558)

 

Member distributions paid

 

 

(11,171,190)

 

 

(9,640,887)

 

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

 

 

(13,409,511)

 

 

(12,034,689)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

 

 

6,577,827

 

 

(1,347,047)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash - Beginning of Period

 

 

13,797,857

 

 

12,696,536

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash - End of Period

 

$

20,375,684

 

$

11,349,489

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

162,295

 

$

333,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures and construction in process included in accounts payable

 

$

88,534

 

$

154,169

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.

5

 


 

Table of Contents

 

Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Nature of Business

 

Granite Falls Energy, LLC (“GFE”) is a Minnesota limited liability company currently producing fuel-grade ethanol, distillers' grains, and crude corn oil near Granite Falls, Minnesota and sells these products, pursuant to marketing agreements, throughout the continental United States and on the international market. GFE's plant has an approximate annual production capacity of 60 million gallons, but is currently permitted to produce up to 70 million gallons of undenatured ethanol on a twelve month rolling sum basis.

 

Additionally, GFE owns a majority interest in Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC (“HLBE”). HLBE is a Minnesota limited liability company currently producing fuel-grade ethanol, distillers' grains, and crude corn oil near Heron Lake, Minnesota and sells these products, pursuant to marketing agreements, throughout the continental United States. HLBE's plant has an approximate annual production capacity of 60 million gallons, but is permitted to produce approximately 72.3 million gallons of undenatured ethanol on a twelve month rolling sum basis. HLBE owns a majority interest in Agrinatural Gas, LLC (“Agrinatural”), which operates a natural gas pipeline that provides natural gas to HLBE's ethanol production facility and other customers.

 

All references to “we”, “us”, “our”, and the “Company” collectively refer to GFE and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries.

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements as of July 31, 2017 consolidate the operating results and financial position of GFE, and its approximately 50.7% owned subsidiary, HLBE (through GFE's 100% ownership of Project Viking, LLC). Given the Company’s control over the operations of HLBE and its majority voting interest, the Company consolidates the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements of HLBE with GFE's condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements. The remaining 49.3% ownership of HLBE is included in the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements as a non-controlling interest. HLBE, through its wholly owned subsidiary, HLBE Pipeline Company, LLC, owns approximately 73% of Agrinatural. Given HLBE’s control over the operations of Agrinatural and its majority voting interest, HLBE consolidates the financial statements of Agrinatural with its consolidated unaudited financial statements, with the equity and earnings attributed to the remaining approximately 27% noncontrolling interest. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. These financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2016, contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.

 

In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals that we consider necessary to present fairly the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other fiscal period or for the fiscal year.

 

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

Reportable Operating Segments

 

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes the standards for reporting information about segments in financial statements. 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 in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Therefore, in applying the criteria set forth in ASC 280, the Company determined that based on the nature of the products and production process and the expected financial results, the Company’s operations at GFE’s ethanol plant and HLBE’s plant, including the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products, are aggregated into one reporting segment.

 

Additionally, the Company also realizes relatively immaterial revenue from natural gas pipeline operations at Agrinatural, HLBE’s majority owned subsidiary. Before and after accounting for intercompany eliminations, these revenues from Agrinatural’s represent less than less than 1% of our consolidated revenues and have little to no impact on the overall performance of the Company.  Therefore, the Company does not separately review Agrinatural’s revenues, cost of sales or other operating performance information.  Rather, the Company reviews Agrinatural’s natural gas pipeline financial data on a consolidated basis with the Company’s ethanol production operating segment. The Company believes that the presentation of separate operating performance information for Agrinatural’s natural gas pipeline operations would not provide meaningful information to a reader of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and would not achieve the basic principles and objectives of ASC 280.

 

Accounting Estimates

 

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. 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 the following significant matters, among others: economic lives of property and equipment, valuation of commodity derivatives, inventory, and inventory purchase and sale commitments, and the assumptions used in the impairment analysis of long-lived assets, which includes goodwill. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our condensed consolidated unaudited 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

 

The Company generally sells ethanol and related products pursuant to marketing agreements. Revenues from the production of ethanol and the related products are recorded when the customer has taken title and assumed the risks and rewards of ownership, prices are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Ethanol and related products are generally shipped free on board (FOB) shipping point. The Company believes there are no ethanol sales, during any given month, which should be considered contingent and recorded as deferred revenue.

 

In accordance with the Company's agreements for the marketing and sale of ethanol and related products, marketing fees and commissions due to the marketers are deducted from the gross sales price as earned. These fees and commissions are recorded net of revenues, as they do not provide an identifiable benefit that is sufficiently separable from the sale of ethanol and related products. Shipping costs paid by the Company to the marketer in the sale of ethanol are not specifically identifiable and, as a result, are recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer. Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of distillers' grains and corn oil are included in cost of goods sold.

 

Agrinatural recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the fee for the arrangement is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

 

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

Inventory

 

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost for all inventories is determined using the first in first out method (“FIFO”).  Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.  Inventory consists of raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and spare parts.  Corn is the primary raw material along with other raw materials.  Finished goods consist of ethanol, distillers' grains, and corn oil.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

From time to time the Company enters into derivative transactions to hedge its exposures to commodity price fluctuations. The Company is required to record these derivatives on the balance sheets 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. Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivatives are recorded in earnings.

 

Additionally, the Company is required to evaluate its contracts 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 and reporting requirements, and therefore, are not marked to market in our condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

In order to reduce the risks caused by market fluctuations, the Company occasionally hedges its anticipated corn, natural gas, and denaturant purchases and ethanol sales by entering into options and futures contracts. These contracts are used with the intention to fix the purchase price of anticipated requirements for corn in the Company's ethanol production activities and the related sales price of ethanol. The fair value of these contracts is based on quoted prices in active exchange-traded or over-the-counter market conditions. Although the Company believes its commodity derivative positions are economic hedges, none have been formally designated as a hedge for accounting purposes and derivative positions are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair market value, with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings or losses. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

 

The Company has adopted authoritative guidance related to “Derivatives and Hedging,” and has included the required enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosure about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses from derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. See further discussion in Note 4.

 

Investment 

   

On  November 1, 2016, GFE subscribed to purchase 1,500 capital units of Ringneck Energy & Feed, LLC (“Ringneck”) at a price of $5,000 per unit for a total of $7,500,000.  GFE paid a down payment of $750,000 in connection with the subscription, and signed a promissory note for $6,750,000 for the remaining balance of the subscription. By letter dated July 12, 2017, GFE was notified of Ringneck’s acceptance of GFE’s subscription and that payment of the balance of GFE’s subscription due under the promissory note was due not later than August 2, 2017.  Subsequent to the end of the third fiscal quarter, on August 2, 2017, GFE borrowed $7.5 million under its credit facility with Project Hawkeye, LLC (“Project Hawkeye”), an affiliate of Fagen, Inc., which is a member of GFE, and paid $6,750,000 to Ringneck as payment of the remaining balance of GFE’s subscription.  See Note 6 below for the terms of GFE’s credit facility with Project Hawkeye.

   

Ringneck is a South Dakota limited liability company that intends to build an 80 million gallon per year ethanol manufacturing plant in outside of Onida, South Dakota in Sully County. GFE’s investment is sufficient to secure the

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

Company the right to appoint one director to the board of directors of Ringneck and GFE has appointed Steve Christensen, its CEO to serve as its appointed director.  

 

The investment will be accounted for by the equity method, under which the Company’s share of the net income of the investee is recognized as income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and added to the investment account, and distributions received from the affiliates are treated as a reduction of the investment.

 

 

2.   RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

The Company has certain risks and uncertainties that it experiences during volatile market conditions. These volatilities can have a severe impact on operations.  The Company's revenues are derived from the sale and distribution of ethanol, distillers' grains, corn oil, and natural gas to customers primarily located in the United States. Corn for the production process is supplied to our plant primarily from local agricultural producers and from purchases on the open market.  Ethanol sales typically average 75 - 90% of total revenues and corn costs typically average 65 - 85% of cost of goods sold.

 

The Company's operating and financial performance is largely driven by the prices at which they sell ethanol and the net expense of corn. The price of ethanol is influenced by factors such as supply and demand, the weather, government policies and programs, and unleaded gasoline prices and the petroleum markets as a whole. Excess ethanol supply in the market, in particular, puts downward pressure on the price of ethanol. Our largest cost of production is corn.  The cost of corn is generally impacted by factors such as supply and demand, the weather, government policies and programs, and our risk management program used to protect against the price volatility of these commodities. Market fluctuations in the price of and demand for these products may have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s operations, profitability and the availability and adequacy of cash flow to meet the Company’s working capital requirements.

 

The supply and demand for ethanol are impacted by federal and state legislation and regulation, most significantly the Renewable Fuels Standard (“RFS”), and any changes in legislation or regulation could cause the demand for ethanol to decline or its supply to increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and the ability to operate at a profit.

   

On November 23, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) announced the final rule for 2017 Renewable Volume Obligation (“RVO”) requirements, which is set at 15.0 billion gallons for corn-based ethanol, which equates to the original requirements set by the RFS.  On March 20, 2017, the previously announced 2017 RVOs went into effect.

 

On July 5, 2017, the EPA announced the proposed rule for 2018 RVOs, which maintains the number of gallons that may be met by corn-based ethanol at 15.0 billion gallons. However, the total 2018 annual volume requirement for renewable fuel in the proposed 2018 rule is set at 19.24 billion gallons of renewable fuels, significantly below the 26 billion gallons statutorily mandated for 2018. According to the RFS, if mandatory renewable fuel volumes are reduced by at least 20% for two consecutive years, the EPA is required to modify, or reset, statutory volumes through 2022. With the 2018 being the first year the total proposed RVOs are more than 20% below statutory levels, the EPA administrator has directed  EPA staff to initiate the required technical analysis to inform a reset rule. If 2019 RVOs are also more than 20% below statutory levels, an RVO reset will be triggered under the RFS. This will require the EPA to modify statutory volumes through 2022 within one year of the trigger event, with the standard for review based on the same factors to be utilized when the EPA sets RVOs post-2022.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

Beginning in January 2016, various ethanol and agricultural industry groups petitioned a federal appeals court to hear a legal challenge to of the EPA’s decision to reduce the total renewable fuel volume requirements for 2016 through use of its “inadequate domestic supply” waiver authority. On July 28, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in favor of the petitioners, concluding the EPA erred in its exercise of  “inadequate domestic supply” waiver authority by considering demand-side constraints. As a result, the Court vacated the EPA’s decision to reduce the total renewable fuel volume requirements for 2016, and remanded to the EPA to address the 2016 total renewable fuels volume requirements. While management believes the decision should benefit the ethanol industry overall by clarifying the EPA's waiver analysis is limited to consideration of  supply-side factors only, no direct impact on the Company is expected from the decision.

 

Ethanol has historically traded at a discount to gasoline. However, any declines in crude oil and unleaded gasoline prices could have a negative impact on the market price of ethanol which could cause ethanol to trade at a premium to gasoline.  When ethanol trades at a premium to gasoline, a disincentive for discretionary blending of ethanol beyond the required RFS blend rate results. 

 

Management anticipates that ethanol prices will continue to change in relation to changes in corn and energy prices. If corn, crude oil and gasoline prices decrease, that could have a negative impact on ethanol pricing and demand, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Further, the ethanol industry is currently experiencing growth in production capacity, largely through plant optimization and expansions versus new construction. If ethanol supply increases at a greater pace compared to ethanol demand, it could result in oversupply and negatively affecting prices unless additional demand can be created.

 

 

3.   INVENTORY

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

July 31, 2017

    

October 31, 2016

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$

2,351,698

 

$

9,098,492

 

Supplies

 

 

2,768,156

 

 

2,755,958

 

Work in process

 

 

1,303,901

 

 

1,347,754

 

Finished goods

 

 

6,475,168

 

 

5,139,209

 

Totals

 

$

12,898,923

 

$

18,341,413

 

 

The Company performs a lower of cost or net realizable value analysis on inventory to determine if the market values of certain inventories are less than their carrying value, which is attributable primarily to decreases in market prices of corn and ethanol. Based on the lower of cost or net realizable value analysis, the Company recorded a loss on ethanol inventories, as a component of cost of goods sold, of approximately $65,000 and $108,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

4.   DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

As of July 31, 2017, the total notional amount of GFE’s outstanding corn derivative instruments was approximately 3,760,000 bushels, comprised of long corn positions on 2,000,000 bushels that were entered into to hedge forecasted ethanol sales through September 2017, and short corn positions on 1,760,000 bushels that were entered into to hedge forecasted corn purchases through December 2018. There may be offsetting positions that are not shown on a net basis that could lower the notional amount of positions outstanding as disclosed above. 

 

As of July 31, 2017, the total notional amount of GFE’s outstanding ethanol derivative instruments was approximately 1,260,000 gallons that were entered into to hedge forecasted ethanol sales through September 2017.

 

As of July 31, 2017, GFE had no restriced cash and approximately $95,000 due to a broker related to corn derivatives held by a broker.

 

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

As of July 31, 2017, the total notional amount of HLBE’s outstanding corn derivative instruments was approximately 4,800,000 bushels, comprised of long corn positions on 2,000,000 bushels that were entered into to hedge forecasted ethanol sales through September 2017, and short corn positions on 2,800,000 bushels that were entered into to hedge forecasted corn purchases through December 2018. There may be offsetting positions that are not shown on a net basis that could lower the notional amount of positions outstanding.

 

As of July 31, 2017, the total notional amount of HLBE’s outstanding ethanol derivative instruments was approximately 1,260,000 gallons that were entered into to hedge forecasted ethanol sales through September 2017.

 

As of July 31, 2017,  HLBE had approximately $144,000 of cash collateral (restricted cash) and approximately $95,000 due to broker related to corn derivatives held by a broker.

 

The following tables provide details regarding the Company's derivative instruments at July 31, 2017, none of which were designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Consolidated Balance Sheet location

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

 

Corn contracts - GFE

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

$

104,875

 

$

 —

 

Corn contracts - HLBE

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

104,275

 

 

 —

 

Ethanol contracts - GFE

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

51,116

 

 

 —

 

Ethanol contracts - HLBE

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

51,116

 

 

 —

 

Totals

 

 

 

$

311,382

 

$

 —

 

 

The following tables provide details regarding the Company's derivative instruments at October 31, 2016, none of which were designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Consolidated Balance Sheet location

    

Assets

    

Liabilities

 

Corn contracts - GFE

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

$

63,050

 

$

 —

 

Corn contracts - HLBE

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

388,525

 

 

 —

 

Ethanol Contracts - GFE

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

503,538

 

 

 —

 

Ethanol Contracts - HLBE

 

Commodity derivative instruments

 

 

273,813

 

 

 —

 

Totals

 

 

 

$

1,228,926

 

$

 —

 

 

At October 31, 2016, the Company did not have any cash collateral (restricted cash) related to margin requirements for commodity derivative instrument positions held by a broker.

 

The following tables provide details regarding the gains (losses) from Company's derivative instruments in statements of operations, none of which are designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of

 

Three Months Ended  July 31, 

 

Nine Months Ended July 31, 

 

 

    

Operations Location

    

2017

    

2016

 

2017

    

2016

 

Corn contracts

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

$

287,865

 

$

1,261,468

 

$

857,218

 

$

1,238,098

 

Ethanol contracts

 

Revenues

 

 

(122,765)

 

 

(1,375,892)

 

 

(395,495)

 

 

(1,271,172)

 

Natural gas contracts

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

32,358

 

Total gain (loss)

 

 

 

$

165,100

 

$

(114,424)

 

$

461,723

 

$

(716)

 

 

 

 

 

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

5.   FAIR VALUE

 

The following table provides information on those derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at July 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurement Using

 

 

 

Carrying Amount in

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices

 

Significant Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

in Active Markets

 

Observable Inputs

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

Financial Asset:

 

July 31, 2017

 

Fair Value

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Commodity Derivative Instruments - Corn

 

$

209,150

 

$

209,150

 

$

209,150

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

Commodity Derivative Instruments - Ethanol

 

$

102,232

 

$

102,232

 

$

 —

 

$

102,232

 

$

 —

 

 

The following table provides information on those derivative assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at October 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurement Using

 

 

 

Carrying Amount in

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices

 

Significant Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

 

 

 

in Active Markets

 

Observable Inputs

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

Financial Asset:

 

October 31, 2016

 

Fair Value

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Commodity Derivative Instruments - Corn

 

$

451,575

 

$

451,575

 

$

451,575

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

Commodity Derivative Instruments - Ethanol

 

$

777,351

 

$

777,351

 

$

777,351

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

The Company determines the fair value of commodity derivative instruments by obtaining fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes and live trading levels from the Chicago Board of Trade market and New York Mercantile Exchange. We determine the fair value of ethanol Level 2 instruments by model-based techniques in which all significant inputs are observable in the markets noted above.

 

 

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

6.   DEBT FACILITIES

 

Debt financing consists of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 31, 2017

 

October 31, 2016

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

GRANITE FALLS ENERGY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving term loan, see terms below.

 

$

 

$

 

Term note payable to Fagen Energy, see terms below.

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HERON LAKE BIOENERGY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving term note payable to lending institution, see terms below.

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Assessment payable as part of water treatment agreement, due in semi-annual installments of $189,393 with interest at 6.55%, enforceable by statutory lien, with the final payment due in 2021. HLBE made deposits for one years' worth of debt service payments of approximately $364,000, which is included with other assets that are held on deposit to be applied with the final payments of the assessment.

 

 

1,379,074

 

 

1,517,046

 

Assessment payable as part of water supply agreement, due in monthly installments of $3,942 with interest at 8.73%, enforceable by statutory lien, with the final payment due in 2019.

 

 

67,158

 

 

97,930

 

Note payable to electrical company with monthly payments of $6,250 with interest at 0.00% and a 1.00% maintenance fee due each October, due September 2017. The electrical company is a member of HLBE.

 

 

12,500

 

 

68,750

 

Note payable to non-controlling interest member of Agrinatural.  Interest is at One Month LIBOR plus 4.0%, which was approximately 5.23% and 4.53% at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively.  The note is considered due on demand with payments due at Agrinatural's Board of Managers' discretion.

 

 

100,000

 

 

200,000

 

Totals

 

 

1,558,732

 

 

1,883,726

 

Less: amounts due within one year

 

 

436,341

 

 

490,057

 

Net long-term debt

 

$

1,122,391

 

$

1,393,669

 

 

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

Granite Falls Energy:

 

GFE has a revolving term loan facility, under which GFE could initially borrow, repay, and re-borrow in an amount up to $18,000,000.  However, the amount available for borrowing by GFE under this facility reduces by $2,000,000 semi-annually, beginning September 1, 2014, with final payment due March 1, 2018. GFE had no outstanding balance on the revolving term loan at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016. Therefore, the aggregate amount available for borrowing by GFE on this facility was $8,000,000 and $10,000,000 at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016. The amount available for borrowing under this facility was further reduced at September 1, 2017 to $6,000,000.

 

The interest rate is based on the bank's One Month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) Index Rate, plus 3.05%, which equated to 4.28% and 3.25% at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively.

 

The credit facility also requires GFE to comply with certain financial covenants, including including restriction of the payment of dividends and maintenance of certain financial ratios including minimum working capital and a debt service coverage ratio as defined by the credit facility.    

 

The credit facility is secured by substantially all assets of GFE. There are no savings account balance collateral requirements as part of this credit facility.

 

In connection with GFE’s subscription for investment in Ringneck in November 2016, GFE entered into a credit facility with Fagen Energy, LLC (“Fagen Energy”), an affiliate of Fagen, Inc., which is a member of GFE. The Fagen Energy credit facility would have allowed GFE to borrow up to $7.5 million of variable-rate, amortizing non-recourse debt from Fagen Energy using the Ringneck investment as collateral. Subsequent to the end of the third fiscal quarter, on August 2, 2017, GFE executed a termination and replacement agreement with Fagen Energy and Project Hawkeye, also an affiliate of Fagen, Inc., to terminate the Fagen Energy credit facility and the loan agreements entered into in conection with the Fagen Energy credit facility, and secure a replacement credit facility with Project Hawkeye on substantially the same as the terms under the terminated credit facility with Fagen Energy. On August 2, 2017, the Fagen Energy credit facility was terminated and there were no amounts outstanding at termination. 

 

On August 2, 2017, simultaneously with the termination of the Fagen Energy credit facility, GFE entered into a replacement credit facility with Project Hawkeye. The terms of the replacement credit facility allow GFE to borrow up to $7.5 million of variable-rate, amortizing non-recourse debt from Project Hawkeye using the Ringneck investment as collateral.  The Project Hawkeye loan bears interest from date funds are first advanced on the loan through maturity, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (x) the One Month LIBOR Index Rate plus (y) 3.05% per annum, with an interest rate floor of 3.55%. 

 

The Project Hawkeye loan  requires annual interest payments only for the first two years of the loan and monthly principal and interest payments for years 3 through 9 based on a 7-year amortization period.  The monthly amortized payments will be re-amortized following any change in interest rate. The entire outstanding principal balance of the loan, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, is due and payable in full on August 2, 2026. GFE is permitted to voluntarily prepay all or any portion of the outstanding balance of this loan at any time without premium or penalty.

 

Pursuant to a pledge agreement entered into in connection with the Project Hawkeye loan, GFE’s obligations are secured by all of its right, title, and interest in its investment in Ringneck, including the 1,500 units subscribed for by GFE. The loan is non-recourse to all of GFE’s other assets, meaning that in the event of default, the only remedy available to Project Hawkeye will be to foreclose and seize all of GFE’s right, title and interest in its investment in Ringneck.   

 

As of July 31, 2017, there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility.  Subsequent to the end of the third fiscal quarter, on August 2, 2017, GFE borrowed $7.5 million under the Project Hawkeye credit facility to finance the balance of its investment in Ringneck.

 

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

Heron Lake BioEnergy:

 

HLBE has a revolving term note payable with a lender, under which HLBE could initially borrow, repay, and re-borrow in an amount up to $28,000,000 at any time prior to the March 1, 2022 maturity date. However, the amount available for borrowing by HLBE under this facility reduces by by $3,500,000 annually, beginning March 1, 2015 and continuing each anniversary thereafter until maturity.  HLBE had no outstanding balance on the revolving term note payable at July 31, 2017, and October 31, 2016.  Therefore, the aggregate principal amount available for borrowing by HLBE on this facility was $17,500,000 and $21,000,000 at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively.  

 

Interest on the revolving term loan accrues at a variable rate equal to 3.25% above the One-Month LIBOR Index rate, which was 4.48% and 3.45% at July 31, 2017, and October 31, 2016, respectively. HLBE may elect to enter into a fixed interest rate on this loan at various times throughout the term of the loan as provided in the loan agreements.

 

HLBE also agreed to pay an unused commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving term loan commitment at the rate of 0.50% per annum. The loan is secured by substantially all of HLBE's assets including a subsidiary guarantee. 

 

During the term of the revolving term loan, HLBE is subject to certain financial covenants, including restriction of the payment of dividends, restrictions on loans and advances to Agrinatural and the maintenance of certain financial ratios including minimum working capital, minimum net worth and a debt service coverage ratio as defined by the credit facility. Failure to comply with the protective loan covenants or maintain the required financial ratios may cause acceleration of the outstanding principal balances on the revolving term loan and/or the imposition of fees, charges or penalties.

 

As part of the credit facility closing, HLBE entered into an Administrative Agency Agreement with CoBank, ACP (“CoBank”).  CoBank purchased a participation interest in the revolving term loan and was appointed the administrative agent for the purpose of servicing the loan.  As a result, CoBank will act as the agent for lender with respect to the credit facility. HLBE agreed to pay CoBank an annual fee of $2,500 for its services as administrative agent.

 

Estimated annual maturities of debt at July 31, 2017, are as follows based on the most recent debt agreements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

    

$

436,341

 

2019

 

 

322,319

 

2020

 

 

318,253

 

2021

 

 

339,097

 

2022

 

 

142,722

 

Total debt

 

$

1,558,732

 

 

 

 

7.   LEASES

 

GFE leases equipment, primarily rail cars, under operating leases through December 2026. Rent expense for these leases was approximately $770,000 and $804,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, repectively, and approximately $2,395,000 and $2,510,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, repectively.

 

HLBE leases equipment, primarily rail cars, under operating leases through January 2027.  Rent expense for these leases was approximately $619,000 and $686,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, repectively, and approximately $1,597,000 and $1,931,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, repectively

 

 

8.   MEMBERS' EQUITY

 

GFE has one class of membership units.   The units have no par value and have identical rights, obligations and privileges.  Income and losses are allocated to all members based upon their respective percentage of units held. As of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, GFE had 30,606 membership units authorized, issued, and outstanding.

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

In December 2016, the Board of Governors of GFE declared a cash distribution of $365 per unit or approximately $11,171,000, for unit holders of record as of December 22, 2016.  The distribution was paid in January 2017.

 

In December 2015, the Board of Governors of GFE declared a cash distribution of $315 per unit, or approximately $9,641,000,  for unit holders of record as of December 17, 2015. The distribution was paid in January 2016.

 

In December 2015, the Board of Governors of HLBE declared a cash distribution of $0.05 per unit, or approximately $3,897,000,  for unit holders of record as of December 17, 2015, of which approximately $2,007,000 was made to the noncontrolling interest members of HLBE. The distribution was paid in January 2016. At December 17, 2015, GFE owned 39,420,949 Class A membership units and 15,000,000 Class B units of HLBE, and received an aggregate distribution from HLBE of $1,971,000.  The remaining $1,926,000 was distributed by HLBE to the non-controlling interest.

 

In April 2017, GFE purchased 54,875 units of HLBE from noncontrolling unit holders of HLBE at a price of $0.85 per unit for a total purchase price of approximately $47,000.

 

 

9.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Corn Storage and Grain Handling Agreement and Purchase Commitments

 

GFE had a corn storage and grain handling agreement with Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company (FCE), a member. Under the agreement, GFE previously agreed to purchase all of the corn needed for the operation of the plant from FCE. The price of the corn purchased was the bid price the member establishes for the plant plus a set fee per bushel. 

 

On February 27, 2017, GFE and FCE executed an amendment to the corn storage and grain handling agreement with an effective date of February 21, 2017.  Pursuant to the terms of the amendment, the parties agreed to amend their corn storage and grain handling agreement to accelerate the termination date of the agreement to midnight August 31, 2017.  Additionally, GFE began posting bids for the purchase of corn beginning June 1, 2017 and thereafter, but may not accept delivery of corn at its Granite Falls, Minnesota plant until September 1, 2017.  Subsequent to the end of third fiscal quarter, in exchange for the early termination, GFE paid an early termination fee to FCE of approximately $255,000, which was included as a component of corn payable to FCE within the condensed consolidated balance sheets at July 31, 2017. Prior to the amendment, the termination date of the corn storage and grain handling agreement was set to expire on November 2017.

 

At July 31, 2017, GFE had cash and basis contracts for forward corn contracts for approximately 3,049,000 bushels for delivery periods through December 2017.

 

At July 31, 2017,  HLBE had cash and basis contracts for forward corn purchase commitments for approximately 3,607,000 bushels for delivery periods through July 2018.

 

HLBE Corn Purchases - Members

HLBE purchased corn from board members of approximately $143,000 and $4,119,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and approximately $5,737,000 and $12,755,000 for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Ethanol Contracts

 

At July 31, 2017, GFE had fixed and basis contracts to sell approximately $12,760,000 of ethanol for various delivery periods through September 2017.  

 

At July 31, 2017, HLBE had fixed and basis contracts to sell approximately $12,528,000 of ethanol for various delivery periods through September 2017.  

 

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Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements

July 31, 2017

 

Distillers' Grain Contracts

 

At July 31, 2017, GFE had forward contracts to sell approximately $1,000,000 of distillers' grain for deliveries through August 2017.

 

At July 31, 2017, HLBE had forward contracts to sell approximately $394,000 of distillers' grains for delivery through August 2017.

 

Corn Oil

 

At July 31, 2017, GFE had forward contracts to sell approximately $458,000 of corn oil for delivery through August 2017.

 

At July 31, 2017, HLBE had forward contracts to sell approximately $770,000 of corn oil for delivery through September 2017.

 

 

 

 

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Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

We prepared the following discussion and analysis to help you better understand our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, and results of operations for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements and related notes in Item 1 of this report and the information contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016.

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so investors can better understand future prospects and make informed investment decisions. As such, we have historical information, as well as forward-looking statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations, performance and prospects in this report.  All statements that are not historical or current facts are forward-looking statements. In some cases,  you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, “plans”, “potential”, “predicts”, “projects”, “should”, “will”, “would”, and similar expressions. 

 

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control, and may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those projected in, expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by us are described more particularly in the “Risk Factors” section of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2016, and as supplemented by the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of our Form 10-Q for the three months ended January 31, 2017 and April 30, 2017 and this report on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

·

Fluctuations in the price of ethanol as a result of a number of factors, including: the price and availability of competing fuels; the overall supply and demand for ethanol and corn; the price of gasoline, crude oil and corn; and government policies;

·

Fluctuations in the price of crude oil and gasoline and the impact of lower oil and gasoline prices on ethanol prices and demand;

·

Fluctuations in the availability and price of corn, resulting from factors such as domestic stocks, demand from corn-consuming industries, such as the ethanol industry, prices for alternative crops, increasing input costs, changes in government policies, shifts in global markets or damaging growing conditions, such as plant disease or adverse weather, including drought;

·

Fluctuations in the availability and price of natural gas, which is may be affected by by factors such as weather, drilling economics, overall economic conditions and government regulations;

·

Negative operating margins which may result from lower ethanol and/or high corn prices;

·

Changes in general economic conditions or the occurrence of certain events causing an economic impact in the agriculture, oil or automobile industries;

·

Overcapacity and oversupply in the ethanol industry;

·

Ethanol may trading at a premium to gasoline at times, resulting in a disincentive for discretionary blending of ethanol beyond the requirements of the Renewable Fuels Standard (“RFS”) and consequently negatively impacting ethanol prices and demand;

·

Changes in federal and/or state laws and environmental regulations including elimination, waiver or reduction of the corn-based ethanol use requirement in the RFS and legislative acts taken by state governments such as California related to low-carbon fuels, may have an adverse effect on our business; 

·

Any impairment of the transportation, storage and blending infrastructure that prevents ethanol from reaching markets;

·

Any effect on prices and demand for our products resulting from actions in international markets, particularly imposition of tariffs on ethanol imported to Brazil and/or increased tariffs on ethanol exported to China and anti-dumping and countervailing duties on U.S. distillers’ grains exported to China;

·

Changes in our business strategy, capital improvements or development plans;

·

Effect of our risk mitigation strategies and hedging activities on our financial performance and cash flows;

·

Competition from alternative fuels and alternative fuel additives;

·

Changes or advances in plant production capacity or technical difficulties in operating the plant; and

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·

Our reliance on key management personnel.

We believe our expectations regarding future events are based on reasonable assumptions; however, these assumptions may not be accurate or account for all risks and uncertainties. Consequently, forward-looking statements are not guaranteed. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. In addition, we are not obligated and do not intend to update our forward-looking statements as a result of new information unless it is required by applicable securities laws. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which represent management’s views as of the date of this report. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

Available Information

 

Our website address is www.granitefallsenergy.com.  Our annual report on Form 10-K, periodic reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, are available, free of charge, on our website under the link “SEC Compliance”, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish such materials to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents of our website are not incorporated by reference in this report on Form 10-Q.

 

Industry and Market Data

 

Much of the information in this report regarding the ethanol industry, including government regulation relevant to the industry is from information published by the Renewable Fuels Association (“RFA”), a national trade association for the United States (“U.S.”) ethanol industry, and information about the market for our products and competition is derived from publicly available information from governmental agencies or publications and other published independent sources.  Although we believe our third-party sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information.

 

Overview

 

Granite Falls Energy, LLC (“Granite Falls Energy” or “GFE”) is a Minnesota limited liability company that owns and operates a dry mill cornbased, natural gas fired ethanol plant.  Additionally, through a wholly owned subsidiary, Project Viking, L.L.C. (“Project Viking”), GFE owns a majority interest of Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC (“Heron Lake BioEnergy” or “HLBE”), a Minnesota limited liability company that also owns and operates a dry mill cornbased, natural gas fired ethanol plant. As of July 31, 2017, we control approximately 50.7% of HLBE's outstanding membership units through Project Viking.  Additionally, through a wholly owned subsidiary, HLBE Pipeline Company, LLC (“HLBE Pipeline Company”), HLBE owns a majority interest of Agrinatural Gas, LLC (“Agrinatural”), which operates a natural gas pipeline. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “us”, “our”, and the “Company” refer to Granite Falls Energy and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries.

 

Our business consists primarily of the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products (wet, modified wet and dried distillers’ grains, corn oil and corn syrup) locally, and throughout the continental U.S.    Our production operations are carried out at GFE’s ethanol plant located in Granite Falls, Minnesota and at HLBE’s ethanol plant near Heron Lake, Minnesota.    

 

The GFE ethanol plant has an approximate annual production capacity of 60 million gallons of denatured ethanol, but has obtained EPA pathway approval and permits from the Minnesota Pollution Control Authority (“MPCA”) to increase our production capacity to approximately 70 million gallons of undenatured ethanol on a twelve month rolling sum basis. The HLBE plant has an approximate annual production capacity of 60 million gallons of denatured ethanol, but has obtained EPA pathway approval and permits from the MPCA to increase our production capacity to approximately 72 million gallons of undenatured ethanol on a twelve month rolling sum basis.  We intend to continue working toward increasing production at both the GFE and HLBE plants to take advantage of the additional production allowed pursuant to our permits so long as we believe it is profitable to do so.

 

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We market and sell the products produced at the GFE and HLBE plants primarily using third party marketers. The markets in which our products are sold may be local, regional, national, and international and depend primarily upon the efforts of third party marketers. We have contracted with Eco-Energy, LLC to market all of the ethanol produced at our ethanol plants.  We also independently market a small portion of the ethanol production at the GFE plant as E-85 to local retailers. 

 

We have contracted with Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (“RPMG”) to market the distillers’ grains produced at the GFE plant and with Gavilon Ingredients, LLC to market distillers’ grains produced at the HLBE plant. We have contracted with RPMG to market all of corn oil produced at our ethanol plants. HLBE also occasionally independently markets and sells excess corn syrup from the distillation process at the Heron Lake plant to local livestock feeders.

 

Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of costs relating to the corn and natural gas supplies necessary to produce ethanol and distillers' grains for sale at our ethanol plants. Pursuant to a corn storage and grain handling agreement, Farmers Cooperative Elevator (“FCE”) is the exclusive supplier of corn to the GFE plant. However, on February 27, 2017, GFE and FCE executed an amendment to corn storage and grain handling agreement pursuant to which, the parties agreed to amend the agreement to accelerate the termination date of the agreement to midnight August 31, 2017.  Prior to the amendment, the termination date of the corn storage and grain handling agreement was set to expire on November 2017. In exchange for the early termination, GFE paid an early termination fee to FCE of approximately $255,000 during the third fiscal quarter of 2017.  GFE began posting bids for the purchase of corn beginning June 1, 2017 and thereafter, and began accepting delivery of corn at its Granite Falls, Minnesota plant on September 1, 2017.  

 

HLBE generally does not have long-term, fixed price contracts for the purchase of corn. Typically, HLBE purchases its corn directly from grain elevators, farmers, and local dealers within approximately 80 miles of Heron Lake, Minnesota.

 

At the GFE plant, we pay Center Point Energy/Minnegasco a per unit fee to move the natural gas through the pipeline, and we have guaranteed to move a minimum of 1,500,000 MMBTUs annually through December 31, 2025, which is the ending date of the agreement.  We also have an agreement with U.S. Energy Services, Inc. to procure contracts with various natural gas vendors on our behalf to supply the natural gas necessary to operate the Granite Falls plant.

 

HLBE has a facilities agreement with Northern Border Pipeline Company, which allows HLBE to access an existing interstate natural gas pipeline located approximately 16 miles north of its plant.  HLBE has entered into a firm natural gas transportation agreement with its majority owned subsidiary, Agrinatural.  HLBE also has an agreement with Constellation NewEnergy—Gas Division, LLC to supply the natural gas necessary to operate the Heron Lake plant.

 

We have entered into a management services agreement with HLBE pursuant to which our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and commodity risk manager also hold those same offices with HLBE.  The management services agreement automatically renews for successive one-year terms unless either HLBE or GFE gives the other party written notice of termination prior to expiration of the then current term. The management services agreement may also be terminated by either party for cause under certain circumstances.

 

HLBE also owns a controlling 73% interest in Agrinatural, which is a natural gas distribution and sales company located in Heron Lake, Minnesota that owns approximately 187 miles of natural gas pipeline and provides natural gas to HLBE’s ethanol plant and other commercial, agricultural and residential customers through a connection with the natural gas pipeline facilities of Northern Border Pipeline Company.  Agrinatural's revenues are generated through natural gas distribution fees and sales.

 

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On November 1, 2016, we subscribed to purchase 1,500 capital units of Ringneck Energy & Feed, LLC (“Ringneck”) at a price of $5,000 per unit for a total of $7,500,000.  By letter dated July 12, 2017, GFE was notified of Ringneck’s acceptance of GFE’s subscription and that payment of the balance of GFE’s subscription due under the promissory note was due not later than August 2, 2017.  Subsequent to the end of the third fiscal quarter, on August 2, 2017, GFE borrowed $7.5 million under its credit facility with Project Hawkeye, LLC (“Project Hawkeye”), an affiliate of Fagen, Inc., which is a member of GFE, and paid $6,750,000 to Ringneck as payment of the remaining balance of GFE’s subscription. Details regarding our subscription for investment in Ringneck are provided below in the section below titled “Investments.”  Details of the Project Hawkeye credit facility are provided below in the section below entitled “Indebtedness - Granite Falls Energy - GFE’s Other Credit Arrangement”.

 

Reportable Operating Segments

 

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 in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our revenues from operations come from three primary sources: sales of fuel ethanol, sales of distillers' grains and sales of corn oil at GFE's ethanol plant and HLBE's ethanol plant.  Therefore, we have determined that based on the nature of the products and production process and the expected financial results, the Company’s operations at its ethanol plant and HLBE's plant, including the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products, are aggregated into one reporting segment.

 

Additionally, we also realize relatively immaterial revenue from natural gas pipeline operations at Agrinatural, HLBE's majority owned subsidiary.  The intercompany transactions between HLBE and Agrinatural resulting from the firm natural gas transportation agreement between the two companies are eliminated in consolidation. After intercompany eliminations, revenues from Agrinatural represent less than less than 1% of our consolidated revenues and have little to no impact on the overall performance of the Company.  Therefore, our management does not separately review Agrinatural's operating performance information.  Rather, management reviews Agrinatural's natural gas pipeline financial data on a consolidated basis with our ethanol production operations segment. Additionally, management believes that the presentation of separate operating performance information for Agrinatural's natural gas pipeline operations would not provide meaningful information to a reader of the Company’s condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements.

 

We currently do not have or anticipate that we will have any other lines of business or other significant sources of revenue other than the sale of ethanol and its co-products, which include distillers' grains and non-edible corn oil.

 

Plan of Operations for the Next Twelve Months

 

Over the next twelve months, we will continue our focus on operational improvements at our ethanol plants. These operational improvements include exploring methods to improve ethanol yield per bushel and increasing production output at our plants to take full advantage of our permitted production capacities, reducing our operating costs, and optimizing our margin opportunities through prudent risk-management policies.

 

We expect to have sufficient cash generated by continuing operations and availability on current credit facilities to fund our operations.  However, should we experience unfavorable operating conditions in the ethanol industry that prevent us from profitably operating the ethanol plants, we may need to seek additional funding.

 

Additionally, we expect to continue to conduct routine maintenance and repair activities at our ethanol plants. We anticipate using cash we generate from our operations and our revolving term loan to finance these plant upgrade projects.

 

Trends and Uncertainties Impacting Our Operations

 

The principal factors affecting our results of operations and financial conditions are the market prices for corn, ethanol, distillers’ grains and natural gas, as well as governmental programs designed to create incentives for the use of corn-based ethanol.  Other factors that may affect our future results of operation include those risks discussed below and in “PART II - Item 1A. Risk Factors”  of this report, “PART I - Item 1. Business” and “PART I - Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, and “PART II - Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended January 31, 2017 and April 30, 2017.

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Our operations are highly dependent on commodity prices, especially prices for corn, ethanol, distillers’ grains and natural gas. As a result, our operating results can fluctuate substantially due to volatility in these commodity markets. The price and availability of corn is subject to significant fluctuations depending upon a number of factors that affect commodity prices in general, including crop conditions, yields, domestic and global stocks, weather, federal policy and foreign trade. Natural gas prices are influenced by severe weather in the summer and winter and hurricanes in the spring, summer and fall. Other factors include North American exploration and production, and the amount of natural gas in underground storage during injection and withdrawal seasons.

 

Ethanol prices are sensitive to world crude oil supply and demand, domestic gasoline supply and demand, the price of crude oil, gasoline and corn, the price of  substitute fuels and octane enhancers, refining capacity and utilization, government regulation and incentives and consumer demand for alternative fuels. Distillers’ grains prices are impacted by livestock numbers on feed, prices for feed alternatives and supply, which is associated with ethanol plant production.

 

Because the market price of ethanol is not always directly related to corn, at times ethanol prices may lag price movements in corn prices and corn-ethanol price spread may be tightly compressed or negative. If the corn-ethanol spread is compressed or negative for sustained period, it is possible that our operating margins will decline or become negative and our plants may not generate adequate cash flow for operations. In such cases, we may reduce or cease production at our plants in order to minimize our variable costs and optimize cash flow.

 

Given the relatively flat nature of ethanol prices during the three months ended July 31, 2017 as compared to historical average prices, management currently believes that the ethanol outlook for the remainder of our fiscal year will remain at the current levels and that our margins will remain tight despite certain favorable market conditions.  Continued low prices for crude oil and unleaded gasoline or further decreases in the price of such commodities could have a significant negative impact on the market price of ethanol, which could adversely impact our profitability. This negative impact could worsen in the event that domestic ethanol inventories remain high, or if U.S. exports of ethanol decline.

 

Domestic ethanol inventories continued to increase during the three and nine months ended July 31, 2017. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), through the first half of calendar 2017, increasing ethanol production rates have outpaced domestic E10 gasoline demand and export growth, leading to elevated ethanol inventory levels at a time when they are typically falling to meet peak summer driving demand. The average daily domestic ethanol production reported by the EIA slowed to 1.01 million barrels per day during the three months ended July 31, 2017, down slightly from 1.02 million barrels per day during the three months ended April 30, 2017, due in part to plant shutdowns for routine maintenance. Average daily production, however, increased 2.6% during the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared with the same period last year and increased by 4.3% for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared with the same period of 2016 due to increased domestic production capacity.

 

Gasoline domestic demand remains flat as compared to 2016 levels. The EIA released in its Short Term Energy Outlook report of April 5, 2017, that U.S. gasoline demand is expected to maintain 2016 levels of approximately 9.3 million barrels per day in 2017. During the three months ended July 31, 2017, ethanol continued trading at a discount to gasoline, improving the economics of ethanol blending and encouraging discretionary blending as an oxygenate and octane enhancer for gasoline.

 

Exports of ethanol have also been increasing,  however export demand for ethanol is less consistent compared to domestic demand which can lead to ethanol price volatility. The EIA reports that year-to-date domestic ethanol exports through June 30, 2017, were 601.1 million gallons, up 12.0%, from 537.0 million gallons for the comparable period in 2016. Brazil accounted for 36% of the domestic ethanol export volumes through June 30, 2017, while Canada, India, the Philippines and United Arab Emirates accounted for 20.4%, 12.3%, 5.5% and 2.2%, respectively. China, the second largest importer of U.S. ethanol in 2016, increased its ethanol import tariff from 5% to 30% as of January 1, 2017. As a result of the increased tariff, China has imported negligible volumes year-to-date.

 

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Recently, on August 23, 2017, Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade announced it would recommend imposing a 20% tariff on U.S. ethanol imports after a 600 million liter tariff rate quota. According EIA data, through the June 30, 2017, approximately 1,045 million liters of ethanol have been exported to Brazil from the U.S., already exceeding the Brazilian tariff free quota.  However, on June 27, 2017, the Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico approved the use of 10% ethanol blends, effective immediately, up from 5.8%, in all but three of its largest cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, which could lead to increased exports to Mexico. Any decrease in U.S. ethanol exports could adversely impact the market price of ethanol unless domestic demand increases or foreign markets are developed. If ethanol exports decrease, this could lead to increased domestic ethanol stocks and reduce the market price of ethanol. Unless additional demand can be found in new foreign or domestic markets, a continued level of current ethanol stocks or any increase in domestic ethanol supply could further adversely impact the price of ethanol.

 

Our margins have also been, and could continue to be, negatively impacted due to the lower prices received for our distillers’ grains due to lower export demand and oversupply in the domestic market, along with increased corn and soybean availability.  Export demand from China and Vietnam, historically two of the largest importers of U.S. produced distillers grains, has significantly declined. Last year, China began an anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigation related to distillers grains imported from the U.S. which contributed to a decline in distillers grains shipped to China. In January 2017, the Chinese issued final tariffs on U.S. distillers grains. The Chinese distillers grains anti-dumping tariffs range from 42.2% to 53.7% and the anti-subsidy tariffs range from 11.2% to 12%. As a result of the imposition of these duties, exports of U.S. distillers’ grains to China have signicantly declined.

 

Additionally, exports of U.S. distillers’ grains to Vietnam had halted completely due to Vietnam’s imposition of stricter regulations on fumigation in December 2016. However, in a statement issued September 1, 2017, the U.S. Grains Council announced that Vietnam is lifting its suspension of U.S. distillers’ grains imports and easing fumigation requirements, potentially reopening a major market for U.S. distillers’ grains. Management anticipates distillers’ grains prices will remain lower during the remainder of our 2017 fiscal year, unless additional domestic demand or other foreign markets develop.

 

Corn oil prices have also been adversely impacted by oversupply of corn oil due to the substantial increase in corn oil production during the last few years. Additionally, corn oil prices have been impacted by the oversupply of soybeans and the resulting lower price of soybean oil which competes with corn oil for biodiesel production. Management also attributes lower corn oil prices, in part, to continued demand for corn oil from the biodiesel industry. Management anticipates lower demand for corn oil from the biodiesel industry may result if the proposed 2018 renewable volume obligations (“RVOs”) are finalized as the proposed rule reduces the renewable volume requirements for biodiesel from the statutory mandate.  If the demand for corn oil from the biodiesel industry declines due these lower mandates, corn oil prices could be adversely impacted.

 

Management anticipates continued lower corn prices due to the balance between corn supply and demand. Lower corn prices are primarily the result of the strong corn harvest in the fall of 2016, which increased the supply of corn available to the market.   According to the August 10, 2017 estimate of supply and demand provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the “USDA”), the USDA estimates the 2017 corn supply to be 14.2 billion bushels, suggesting slightly lower corn prices for the remainder of our 2017 fiscal year and into the 2018 fiscal year.

 

Although natural gas prices remained steady during the three months ended July 31, 2017, management anticipates short-term increases and volatility in natural gas prices for the remainder of fiscal year 2017 due to disruptions to natural gas production and damage to natural gas infrastructure resulting from Hurricane Harvey’s late August landfall.  The storm has resulted in extensive damage and flooding in Texas and Louisiana, especially in the coastal areas of these states. A full assessment of the extent of the damage is expected to be completed in the weeks ahead. There is still considerable uncertainty as to the extent of infrastructure damage and the ultimate amount of lost production from Hurricane Harvey. Therefore, we are uncertain as to how Hurricane Harvey will impact long term natural gas prices. However, management anticipates that the long-term impact of Hurricane Harvey natural gas prices will be less than the impact felt from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 due to shifts in where production takes place.  Since 2005, greater levels of production take place at inland basins, which are generally less affected by storms.We expect natural gas prices to be volatile or increase in the short to mid term given the unpredictable market situation.  Increases in the price of natural gas increases our cost of production and negatively impacts our profit margins.

 

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Government Supports and Regulation

 

The ethanol industry is dependent on several economic incentives to produce ethanol, the most significant of which is the federal Renewable Fuels Standard (the “RFS”). The RFS has been, and we expect will continue to be, a significant factor impacting ethanol usage. Under the provisions of the RFS, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) must publish an annual rule that establishes the number of gallons of different types of renewable fuels, including corn-based ethanol, that must be blended with gasoline in the U.S. by refineries, blenders, distributors and importers, which affects the domestic market for ethanol. The EPA assigns individual refiners, blenders and importers the renewable volume obligations (“RVOs”) they are obligated to use based on their percentage of total fuel sales. The EPA has the authority to waive the RVO requirements, in whole or in part, if there is inadequate domestic renewable fuel supply or the requirement severely harms the economy or the environment.

 

On November 23, 2016, the EPA announced the final rule for 2017 RVOs, which was set at 15.0 billion gallons for corn-based ethanol, 100% of the original statutory requirement for conventional ethanol. On March 20, 2017, the previously announced 2017 RVOs went into effect.

 

On July 5, 2017, the EPA announced the proposed rule for 2018 RVOs, which would set the 2018 annual volume requirement for renewable fuel at 19.24 billion gallons of renewable fuels, slightly less than the 19.28 billion gallons required under the final 2017 rule and significantly below the 26 billion gallons statutorily mandated for 2018. However, the proposed 2018 rule does maintain the number of gallons which may be met by corn-based ethanol at 15.0 billion gallons. The comment period for the proposed 2018 rule closed on August 31, 2017. By statute, the EPA is required to issue a final rule setting 2018 RVOs by November 30, 2017.

 

According to the RFS, if mandatory renewable fuel volumes are reduced by at least 20% for two consecutive years, the EPA is required to modify, or reset, statutory volumes through 2022. With the 2018 being the first year the total proposed RVOs are more than 20% below statutory levels, the EPA administrator has directed  EPA staff to initiate the required technical analysis to inform a reset rule. If 2019 RVOs are also more than 20% below statutory levels, an RVO reset will be triggered under the RFS. This will require the EPA to modify statutory volumes through 2022 within one year of the trigger event, with the standard for review based on the same factors to be utilized when the EPA sets RVOs post-2022.

 

Beginning in January 2016, various ethanol and agricultural industry groups petitioned a federal appeals court to hear a legal challenge to of the EPA’s decision to reduce the total renewable fuel volume requirements for 2016 through use of its “inadequate domestic supply” waiver authority. The “inadequate domestic supply” waiver provision of RFS authorizes the EPA to consider supply-side factors affecting the volume of renewable fuel that is available to refiners, blenders, and importers to meet the statutory volume requirements. EPA argued that the waiver provision also permitted it to consider demand-side factors, such as the availability of renewable fuel to the ultimate consumer.  On July 28, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in favor of the petitioners, concluding the EPA erred in its exercise of  “inadequate domestic supply” waiver authority by considering demand-side constraints. As a result, the Court vacated the EPA’s decision to reduce the total renewable fuel volume requirements for 2016, and remanded to the EPA to address the 2016 total renewable fuels volume requirements. While management believes the decision should benefit the ethanol industry overall by clarifying the EPA's waiver analysis is limited to consideration of  supply-side factors only, no direct impact on the Company is expected from the decision.

 

Current conventional ethanol production capacity exceeds both the final 2017 and proposed 2018 RVO mandates that can be satisfied by corn-based ethanol.  Future demand will be influenced by economic incentives to blend based on the relative value of gasoline versus ethanol, taking into consideration the octane value of ethanol, environmental requirements and the RFS RVO requirements. Moreover, beyond the federal mandates, there are limited markets for ethanol. Although the proposed 2018 rule’s maintenance of the 15 billion gallon RVO for corn-based ethanol signals support from the EPA and the Trump administration for domestic ethanol production, the Trump administration could still elect to materially modify, repeal or otherwise invalidate the RFS. It is unclear what regulatory framework and renewable volume requirements, if any, will emerge as a result of such reforms; however, any such reform could adversely affect the demand and price for ethanol and our profitability.

 

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Environmental and Other Regulations

 

Our business subjects us to various federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations require us to obtain and comply with numerous permits to construct and operate our ethanol plant, including water, air and other environmental permits. Although we have been successful in obtaining all of the permits currently required for our plants, any retroactive change in environmental regulations, either at the federal or state level, could require us to obtain additional or new permits or spend considerable resources in complying with such regulations. 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.

 

HLBE’s air permit requires certain on-going performance testing to be completed periodically to ensure compliance with minor source emission limits. On May 12, 2017, HLBE submitted a letter to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agengy (“MPCA”) regarding the results of certain non-compliant tests and proposed certain amendments permit conditions and adjustments to other components of plant operations and production to ensure compliance with minor source emission limits. Since that time HLBE has had continuing discussions with MPCA to resolve these non-compliant tests by agreement with MPCA. Such resolution may result in the payment of a civil penalty, which could be substantial, or other sanctions and remedies available to MPCA. Accordingly, HLBE anticipates additional future expense associated with these issues, including its ongoing discussions with the MPCA. There can be no assurance that HLBE will succeed in our discussions with the MPCA or enter into an agreement relating to its non-compliant emissions tests. Pending the resolution of this air permit issue, HLBE continues to operate subject to the compliance agreement.

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 

 

The following table shows summary information from the results of our operations and the approximate percentage of revenues, costs of goods sold, operating expenses and other items to total revenues in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands).  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  July 31, 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Income Statement Data

 

Amount

    

%  

 

Amount

    

%  

 

Revenue

 

$

54,251

 

100.0

%

 

$

58,019

 

100.0

%

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

50,048

 

92.3

%

 

 

51,717

 

89.1

%

 

Gross Profit

 

 

4,203

 

7.7

%

 

 

6,302

 

10.9

%

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

1,463

 

2.7

%

 

 

1,284

 

2.2

%

 

Operating Income

 

 

2,740

 

5.0

%

 

 

5,018

 

8.7

%

 

Other Expense, net

 

 

(18)

 

(0.0)

%

 

 

(148)

 

(0.3)

%

 

Net Income

 

 

2,722

 

5.0

%

 

 

4,870

 

8.4

%

 

Less: Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interest

 

 

(672)

 

(1.2)

%

 

 

(1,377)

 

(2.4)

%

 

Net Income Attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC

 

$

2,050

 

3.8

%

 

$

3,493

 

6.0

%

 

 

Revenues

 

Our consolidated revenue is derived principally from sales of our three primary products: ethanol, distillers’ grains and corn oil. Revenues from these products represented approximately 99.6% of our total revenues for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016.  The remaining approximately 0.4%  attributable to miscellaneous other revenue for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, is made up of incidental sales of corn syrup at HLBE's plant and revenues from natural gas pipeline operations at Agrinatural, net of intercompany eliminations for distribution fees paid by HLBE to Agrinatural for natural gas transportation services.  

 

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The following table shows the sources of our consolidated revenue and the approximate percentage of revenues from those sources to total revenues in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended July 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Three Months Ended  July 31, 2017

 

 

Sales Revenue

    

% of Total Revenues

Revenue Sources

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Ethanol sales

 

$

44,146

 

81.4

%

Distillers' grains sales

 

 

7,213

 

13.3

%

Corn oil sales

 

 

2,676

 

4.9

%

Miscellaneous other

 

 

216

 

0.4

%

Total Revenues

 

$

54,251

 

100.0

%

 

The following table shows the sources of our consolidated revenue and the approximate percentage of revenues from those sources to total revenues in our condensed consolidated unaudited statements of operations for the three months ended July 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Three Months Ended  July 31, 2016

 

 

Sales Revenue

    

% of Total Revenues

Revenue Sources

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Ethanol sales

 

$

45,038

 

77.6

%

Distillers' grains sales

 

 

10,124

 

17.4

%

Corn oil sales

 

 

2,606

 

4.6

%

Miscellaneous other

 

 

251

 

0.4

%

Total Revenues

 

$

58,019

 

100.0

%

 

Our total consolidated revenues decreased by approximately 6.5% for the three months ended July 31, 2017, as compared to the three months ended July 31, 2016 due primarily to the significant decrease in the average price received for distillers’ grains, as well as decreases in the average price received for our ethanol and corn oil.  The following table reflects quantities of our three primary products sold and the average net prices received for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  July 31, 2017

 

Three Months Ended  July 31, 2016

 

 

Quantity Sold

 

Avg. Net Price

 

Quantity Sold

 

Avg. Net Price

Product

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Ethanol (gallons)

 

31,998

 

$

1.38

 

32,283

 

$

1.40

Distillers' grains (tons)

 

78

 

$

92.39

 

79

 

$

128.57

Corn oil (pounds)

 

9,461

 

$

0.28

 

9,091

 

$

0.29

 

Ethanol

 

Total revenues from sales of ethanol decreased by approximately 2.0%  for the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 due to a decrease of approximately 1.1% in the average price per gallon we received for our ethanol, coupled with a 0.9% decrease in volume sold. This aggregate decrease in the number of gallons sold is attributable to an approximately 0.5% and 1.2%  decrease in the number of gallons sold at the GFE and HLBE plants, respectively, during the three months ended July 31, 2017 as compared to same period of 2016.  The decrease in the volumes of ethanol sold at our plants was due to the timing of ethanol shipments. We are currently operating our plants above their nameplate capacities. Management anticipates relatively stable ethanol production and sales during our 2017 fiscal year.

 

The decrease in average market price for the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 is due to several factors. Although domestic driving demand increased, industry-wide production outpaced domestic and foreign demand during the 2017 period causing an increase in national ethanol supply and restricting the growth of ethanol prices.  

 

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From time to time, we engage in hedging activities with respect to our ethanol sales. At  July 31, 2017,  GFE had approximately 1.3 million gallons of fixed and basis contracts for forward ethanol sales, for various delivery periods through September 2017, valued at approximately $12.8 million. At July 31, 2017,  HLBE had approximately 1.3 million gallons of fixed and basis contracts for forward ethanol sales, for various delivery periods through September 2017, valued at approximately $12.5 million.    Separately, ethanol derivative instruments resulted in losses of approximately $123,000 and $1.4 million during the three months ended July 31, 2017, and July 31, 2016, respectively. 

 

Distillers' Grains

 

Total revenues from sales of distillers’ grains decreased by approximately 28.8%  for the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.  This decrease was due to an approximately 28.1% decline in the average price per ton we received for our distillers’ grains,  coupled with an approximately 0.9% decrease in the volumes sold from period to period. The decrease in total tons of distillers’ grains sold during the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 was due to an approximately 7.9% decrease in distillers’ grains produced at GFE’s plant, offset by an approximately 10.4% increase in distillers’ grain production at the HLBE plant. The decrease in tons produced at the GFE plant was due primarily to decreased ethanol production which resulting in decreased distillers’ grains yield during the 2017 period. The increase in tons produced at the HLBE plant was due primarily to an increase in distillers’ grains yield from period to period.

 

The decline in the market price of distillers’ grains is due to lower domestic demand and lower export demand, particularly from China, as well as Vietnam. Reduced export demand from China and Vietnam, combined with lower corn and soybean prices, has led to an oversupply of distillers’ grains in the domestic market which has resulted in a decline in the price of distillers’ grains. Domestic demand for distillers’ grains may also remain low due to expansion of production capacity in the ethanol industry and end-users switching to lower priced alternatives. Management anticipates that distillers grains prices will remain lower during our 2017 fiscal year unless China reduces or eliminates its tariffs.

 

For the three months ended July 31, 2017, we sold approximately 97.4% of our total distillers’ grains in the dried form and approximately 2.6% of our total distillers’ grains in the modified/wet form. By comparison, for the three months ended July 31, 2016, we sold approximately 96.6% of our total distillers’ grains in the dried form and approximately 3.4% of our total distillers’ grains in the modified/wet form. We determine the mix between dried distillers’ grains and modified/wet distillers’ grains we sell at each of our plants based on market conditions for each plant and the relative profitability of selling the different forms of distillers’ grains. Management anticipates that we will maintain the current mix between dried distillers’ grains and modified/wet distillers’ grains going forward unless market conditions change in a way that favors one product over the other.

 

At July 31, 2017, GFE had forward distillers’ grains sales contracts valued at approximately $1.0 million for various delivery periods through August 2017 and HLBE had forward distillers’ grains sales contracts valued at approximately $394,000 for various delivery periods through August 2017.

 

Corn Oil

 

Total revenues from sales of corn oil increased by approximately 2.7%  for the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 due to an approximately 4.1% increase in pounds sold, which was offset by an approximately 1.4% decrease in the average price per pound received for our corn oil from period to period.

 

Management attributes the decrease in corn oil prices was due, in part, to decreased corn oil demand from the biodiesel industry. Management expects corn oil prices will remain relatively steady in the near term. However, management anticipates continued lower demand for corn oil from the biodiesel industry since the proposed volume obligations in the 2018 RFS for biodiesel are lower than statutory levels, which management believes will negatively impact biodiesel production. Additionally, the production capacity increase that is occurring throughout the ethanol industry may also result in oversupply that may negatively affecting prices unless plants curtail corn oil production or additional demand can be created.

 

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The increase in pounds sold from period to period was attributable to an approximately 9.7%  increase in the volume sold at the HLBE plant for the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, offset by a 2.0%  decrease in the volume sold at the GFE plant.  The decrease in pounds sold at the GFE plant was due primarily to due to decreased oil extraction rates per bushel of corn during the 2017 period. The increase in pounds sold at the HLBE plant was due primarily to improved oil extraction rates per bushel of corn from period to period.  Management anticipates that the corn oil production our ethanol plants will be relatively stable going forward.

 

At July 31, 2017, GFE had forward corn oil sales contracts valued at approximately $458,000 for various delivery periods through August 2017. At July 31, 2017, HLBE had forward corn oil sales contracts valued at approximately $770,000 for various delivery periods through September 2017.

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

Our cost of goods sold decreased by approximately 3.2%  for the three months ended July 31, 2017, as compared to the three months ended July 31, 2016.  However, as a percentage of revenues, our cost of goods sold increased slightly to approximately 92.3% for the three months ended July 31, 2017, as compared to approximately 89.1% for the same period in 2016 due primarily to the significant decline in the price of distillers’ grains which exceeded the decline in the price of corn from period to period.  Approximately 90% of our total costs of goods sold is attributable to our ethanol production segment. Therefore, the cost of goods sold per gallon of ethanol sold for the three months ended July 31, 2017 was approximately $1.39 per gallon of ethanol sold compared to approximately $1.45 per gallon of ethanol produced three months ended July 31, 2016. 

 

The following table shows the costs of corn and natural gas (our two largest single components of costs of goods sold), as well as all other components of cost of goods sold, which includes processing ingredients, electricity, and wages, salaries and benefits of production personnel, and the approximate percentage of costs of those components to total costs of goods sold in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended July 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  July 31, 2017

 

 

Cost

    

% of Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Corn costs

 

$

36,602

 

73.1

%

Natural gas costs

 

 

2,817

 

5.6

%

All other components of costs of goods sold

 

 

10,629

 

21.3

%

Total Cost of Goods Sold

 

$

50,048

 

100.0

%

 

The following table shows the costs of corn, natural gas and all other components of cost of goods sold and the approximate percentage of costs of those components to total costs of goods sold in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended July 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended  July 31, 2016

 

 

Cost

    

% of Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Corn costs

 

$

38,179

 

73.8

%

Natural gas costs

 

 

2,440

 

4.7

%

All other components of costs of goods sold

 

 

11,098

 

21.5

%

Total Cost of Goods Sold

 

$

51,717

 

100.0

%

 

Corn

 

Our aggregate cost of corn was approximately 4.1%  less for the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016,  due to an approximately 5.1% decrease in the average price per bushel paid for corn, partially offset by a 1.0% increase in the number of bushels of corn processed from period to period.  The corn-ethanol price spread (the difference between the price per gallon of ethanol and the price per bushel of grain divided by 2.8) for the three months ended July 31, 2017 was approximately $0.05 more than the corn-ethanol price spread we experienced for same period of 2016. 

 

The decrease in corn prices was primarily due to lower market prices as a result of the strong 2016 harvest and ample market supplies of corn pushing prices down. Management anticipates that corn prices will remain relatively lower

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into the foreseeable future as corn is plentiful, projections for the 2017 harvest remain strong although lower than previously forecasted and there is relatively stable corn demand. However, we may still experience short term volatility due to weather conditions, domestic and world supply and demand, current and anticipated stocks, agricultural policy and and other factors and could significantly impact our costs of production. If corn prices rise, it will have a negative effect on our operating margins unless the price of ethanol and distillers’ grains out paces rising corn prices.

 

From time to time we enter into forward purchase contracts for our commodity purchases and sales. At July 31, 2017,  GFE had approximately 3.0 million bushels of cash and basis contracts for forward corn purchase commitments for delivery periods through December 2017. At July 31, 2017, HLBE had approximately 3.6 million bushels of cash and basis contracts for forward corn purchase commitments for delivery periods through July 2018.  

 

Our corn derivative positions resulted in gains of approximately $288,000 and $1.3 million for the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which decreased cost of goods sold.  We recognize the gains or losses that result from the changes in the value of our derivative instruments from corn in cost of goods sold as the changes occur. As corn prices fluctuate, the value of our derivative instruments are impacted, which affects our financial performance. We anticipate continued volatility in our cost of goods sold due to the timing of the changes in value of the derivative instruments relative to the cost and use of the commodity being hedged.

 

Natural Gas

 

Our cost of goods sold related to natural gas costs increased approximately 15.5% for the three months ended July 31, 2017, as compared to the  three months ended July 31, 2016.    This increase in cost of natural gas from period to period as was primarily the result of an increase in the average price per MMBTU of natural gas due to increased domestic and export demand and lower production which used up natural gas stocks that built up in 2015. 

 

Management anticipates that natural gas prices may be volatile in the short-term and will increase given the considerable uncertainty as to the extent of infrastructure damage and amount of lost natural gas production from Hurricane Harvey. Management also anticipates higher natural gas prices during as we move towards the winter months due to the typical seasonal natural gas cost increases experienced during the winter months. If a shortage of natural gas were to occur due to the impacts of Hurricane Harvey or other events, it could result in significantly higher natural gas prices which could negatively impact our profitability.

 

We had no gain or loss on natural gas derivative instruments during the three months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses include wages, salaries and benefits of administrative employees at the plant, insurance, professional fees and similar costs. Our operating expenses increased by 13.9%  for the three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period ended 2016.   This increase was primarily due to an increase in our property taxes which was a result of the expiration of the State of Minnesota’s JOBZ program, which expired on December 31, 2015. Under the JOBZ program, our plants were exempt from property tax. Our efforts to optimize efficiencies and maximize production may result in a decrease in our operating expenses on a per gallon basis. However, because these expenses generally do not vary with the level of production at the plant, we expect our operating expenses to remain relatively steady throughout the remainder of the 2017 fiscal year.

 

Operating Income

 

Our income from operations for the three months ended July 31, 2017 decreased by approximately $2.3 million compared to the same period of 2016.  This decrease resulted largely from decreased prices for our distillers’ grains and ethanol at our plants and the narrowing of our net operating margin. 

 

Other Expense, Net

 

Our net other expense for the three months ended July 31, 2017 was approximately $18,000, compared to a net other expense of approximately $148,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2016.  We had less net other expense for the

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three months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 due to decreased interest expense because we had less borrowings under our credit facilities during the 2017 period.

 

Results of Operations for the Nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016

 

The following table shows summary information from the results of our operations and the approximate percentage of revenues, costs of goods sold, operating expenses and other items to total revenues in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended July 31, 

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Income Statement Data

 

Amount

    

%  

 

Amount

    

%  

 

Revenue

 

$

161,629

 

100.0

%

 

$

159,995

 

100.0

%

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

146,625

 

90.7

%

 

 

149,986

 

93.7

%

 

Gross Profit

 

 

15,004

 

9.3

%

 

 

10,009

 

6.3

%

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

4,655

 

2.9

%

 

 

4,174

 

2.6

%

 

Operating Income

 

 

10,349

 

6.4

%

 

 

5,835

 

3.6

%

 

Other Income (Expense), net

 

 

324

 

0.2

%

 

 

(225)

 

(0.1)

%

 

Net Income

 

 

10,673

 

6.6

%

 

 

5,610

 

3.5

%

 

Less: Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interest

 

 

(2,616)

 

(1.6)

%

 

 

(1,405)

 

(0.9)

%

 

Net Income Attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC

 

$

8,057

 

5.0

%

 

$

4,205

 

2.6

%

 

 

Revenues

 

Revenues from our three primary products: ethanol, distillers’ grains and corn oil, represented approximately 99.2% of our total consolidated revenues for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016. Miscellaneous other revenues attributable to incidental sales of corn syrup and Agrinatural revenues (net of eliminations) represented approximately 0.8% of our consolidated revenues for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

The following table shows the sources of our consolidated revenue and the approximate percentage of revenues from those sources to total revenues in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended July 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended  July 31, 2017

Revenue Sources

 

Sales Revenue

    

% of Total Revenues

Ethanol sales

 

$

131,378

 

81.3

%

Distillers' grains sales

 

 

21,860

 

13.5

%

Corn oil sales

 

 

7,158

 

4.5

%

Miscellaneous other

 

 

1,233

 

0.8

%

Total Revenues

 

$

161,629

 

100.0

%

 

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The following table shows the sources of our consolidated revenue and the approximate percentage of revenues from those sources to total revenues in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended July 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended  July 31, 2016

Revenue Sources

 

Sales Revenue

    

% of Total Revenues

Ethanol sales

 

$

125,746

 

78.6

%

Distillers' grains sales

 

 

26,613

 

16.6

%

Corn oil sales

 

 

6,479

 

4.1

%

Miscellaneous other

 

 

1,157

 

0.7

%

Total Revenues

 

$

159,995

 

100.0

%

 

Our total consolidated revenues increased by approximately 1.0% for the nine months ended July 31, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended July 31, 2016.  This increase is due primarily to increases in the average prices received for our ethanol and corn oil, partially offset by decreases in the the average prices received for our distillers’ grains.  

The following table reflects quantities of our three primary products sold and the average net prices received for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended  July 31, 2017

 

Nine Months Ended  July 31, 2016

Product

 

Quantity Sold

 

Avg. Net Price

 

Quantity Sold

 

Avg. Net Price

Ethanol (gallons)

 

94,567

 

$

1.39

 

94,070

 

$

1.34

Distillers' grains (tons)

 

234

 

$

93.41

 

228

 

$

116.82

Corn oil (pounds)

 

26,119

 

$

0.27

 

25,151

 

$

0.26

 

Ethanol

 

Total consolidated revenues from ethanol sales increased by approximately 4.5% for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016, due primarily to an  approximately 3.9%  increase in the average price received from period to period, coupled with an approximately 0.5% increase in total volume of ethanol sold in the 2017 period. The increase in gallons of ethanol sold from period to period was primarily due to a 2.6% increase in the volumes sold at the GFE plant from period to period due to increased production, partially offset by an approximate 1.4% decrease in the volume of ethanol sold at at the HLBE plant during the 2017 period.  

 

Management attributes the increase in ethanol prices to stronger ethanol demand in the market and improved gasoline prices which both impacted ethanol demand and prices during the nine months ended July 31, 2017. Comparatively, lower crude oil and unleaded gasoline prices and an increase in national supply had a negative effect on ethanol prices during the 2016 period.

 

Our ethanol derivative instruments resulted in losses of approximately $395,000 and $1.3 million during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Distillers' Grains

 

Total revenue from the sales of distillers' grains decreased by approximately 17.9% during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.  The decline in distillers' grains revenues is primarily attributable to an approximately 20.0% decrease from period to period in the average price received for distillers' grains, which partially mitigated by an approximately 2.7%  increase in aggregate tons sold. This increase in tons sold during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 was due to an approximately 5.0% increase in amount of dried distillers’ grains sold at the HLBE plant from period to period.    Management attributes lower distillers' grains prices for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 to lower domestic demand due to lower priced alternative feeds and lower export demand, particularly from China.

 

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Corn Oil

 

Total corn oil sales increased by approximately 10.5% for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.  This increase was due to an approximately 3.8% increase in pounds of corn oil sold from period to period coupled with an approximately 6.4% increase in the price per pound received by the plants for corn oil from period to period. The increase in volume sold is largely attributable to the improved oil extraction rates per bushel of corn during nine months ended July 31, 2017. Management attributes the increase in the corn oil prices we experienced, in part, to increased demand from the biodiesel industry, as well as increased demand from the corn oil feed market.

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

Our cost of goods sold decreased by approximately 2.2% for the nine months ended July 31, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended July 31, 2016.  Additionally, as a percentage of revenues, our cost of goods sold decreased to approximately 90.7% for the nine months ended July 31, 2017, as compared to approximately 93.7% for the same period in 2016 due to the wider margin between the price of ethanol and the price of corn from period to periodApproximately 90% of our total costs of goods sold is attributable to our ethanol production segment. Therefore, the cost of goods sold per gallon of ethanol produced for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 was approximately $1.38 per gallon of ethanol sold compared to approximately $1.43 per gallon of ethanol produced for the nine months ended July 31, 2016. 

 

The following table shows the costs of corn and natural gas (our two largest single components of costs of goods sold), as well as all other components of cost of goods sold, which includes processing ingredients, electricity, and wages, salaries and benefits of production personnel, and the approximate percentage of costs of those components to total costs of goods sold in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended July 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended  July 31, 2017

 

 

Cost

    

% of Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Corn costs

 

$

106,621

 

72.7

%

Natural gas costs

 

 

9,297

 

6.4

%

All other components of costs of goods sold

 

 

30,707

 

20.9

%

Total Cost of Goods Sold

 

$

146,625

 

100.0

%

 

The following table shows the costs of corn, natural gas, and all other components of cost of goods sold and the approximate percentage of costs of those components to total costs of goods sold in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended July 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended  July 31, 2016

 

 

Cost

    

% of Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Corn costs

 

$

111,724

 

74.5

%

Natural gas costs

 

 

7,356

 

4.9

%

All other components of costs of goods sold

 

 

30,906

 

20.6

%

Total Cost of Goods Sold

 

$

149,986

 

100.0

%

 

Corn

 

Our cost of goods sold related to corn was approximately 4.6% less for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, due primarily to an approximately 5.8% decrease in the average price per bushel paid for corn, which was offset by a 1.3% increase in the number of bushels of corn processed from period to period.  For the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, our plants processed approximately 32.9 million and 32.5 million bushels of corn, respectively. The corn-ethanol price spread (the difference between the price per gallon of ethanol and the price per bushel of grain divided by 2.8) for the nine months ended July 31, 2017, was approximately $0.12 more than the corn-ethanol price spread we experienced for same period of 2016. The decrease in corn prices was primarily driven by the strong corn harvest in the fall of 2016, resulting in a sufficient local supply of corn to the market.

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We had gains related to corn derivative instruments of approximately $857,000 and $1.2 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which decreased our cost of goods sold. We anticipate continued volatility in our cost of goods sold due to the timing of the changes in value of the derivative instruments relative to the cost and use of the commodity being hedged.

 

Natural Gas

 

For the nine months ended July 31, 2017, we experienced a 26.4% increase in our overall natural gas costs compared to the same period of 2016.  The increase in natural gas costs was primarily due to higher energy prices during the 2017 period.  Our higher average price per MMBTU of natural gas for the nine months ended July 31, 2017, was due to increased domestic and export demand during the 2017 period and lower natural gas production during 2016 which used up natural gas stocks.  Comparatively, natural gas prices were lower in the 2016 period due to large natural gas stocks that built up in 2015. 

 

We had no gain or loss on natural gas derivative instruments during the nine months ended July 31, 2017. In comparison, our natural gas derivative positions resulted in a gain of approximately $32,000 during the nine months ended July 31, 2016, which decreased our cost of goods sold.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Our operating expenses increased by approximately 11.5% for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period ended 2016. This increase was primarily due to an increase in our property taxes which was a result of the expiration of the State of Minnesota’s JOBZ program, which expired on December 31, 2015.

 

Operating Income

 

We had income from operations of approximately $10.3 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2017, compared to income from operations of approximately $5.8 million for the nine months ended July 31, 2016.  This increase resulted largely from increased prices for our ethanol relative to the price of corn and improved operating margin.

 

Other Income (Expense), Net

 

We had net other income of approximately $324,000 during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared to net other expense of approximately $225,000 the nine months ended July 31, 2016.  We had more other income during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the nine months ended July 31, 2016 due to patronage income and decreased interest expense as a result of fewer borrowings under our credit facilities during the 2017 period. 

 

Investments

 

On November 1, 2016, we subscribed to purchase 1,500 capital units of Ringneck at a price of $5,000 per unit for a total of $7,500,000.  We paid a down payment of $750,000 in connection with our subscription, and signed a promissory note for $6,750,000 for the remaining balance of the subscription.  By letter dated July 12, 2017, GFE was notified of Ringneck’s acceptance of GFE’s subscription and that payment of the balance of GFE’s subscription due under the promissory note was due no later than August 2, 2017.  On August 2, 2017, GFE borrowed $7.5 million under its credit facility with Project Hawkeye, LLC (“Project Hawkeye”), an affiliate of Fagen, Inc., which is a member of GFE, and paid the remaining balance due on GFE’s subscription of $6,750,000 to Ringneck.  See below for the terms of GFE’s credit facility with Project Hawkeye.

 

Ringneck is a South Dakota limited liability company that intends to build an 80 million gallon per year ethanol manufacturing plant in outside of Onida, South Dakota in Sully County. GFE’s investment is sufficient to the right to appoint one director to the board of directors of Ringneck and GFE has appointed Steve Christensen, its CEO to serve as its appointed director. The units we acquired in Ringneck are subject to restrictions on transfer, therefore, this should not be considered a liquid investment.  It may take a significant amount of time before we realize a return on our investment, if we realize a return on the investment at all.

 

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Because Ringneck did not conduct a federally-registered offering and currently is not subject to SEC registration and reporting requirements, we do not expect that information about Ringneck will be available via the SEC’s EDGAR filing system. Therefore, it may be difficult for our investors to obtain information about Ringneck.

 

In connection with our subscription, GFE entered into a credit facility with Project Hawkeye,  pursuant to which GFE borrowed $7.5 million to finance the investment in Ringneck. Details of the Project Hawkeye credit facility are provided below in the section below entitled “Indebtedness - GFE’s Other Credit Arrangement”.

 

Changes in Financial Condition at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016

 

The following table highlights our financial condition at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

July 31, 2017

    

October 31, 2016

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

$

36,484

 

$

40,349

 

Total Assets

 

$

113,071

 

$

121,471

 

Current Liabilities

 

$

6,753

 

$

14,337

 

Long-Term Debt, less currrent portion

 

$

1,122

 

$

1,394

 

Members' Equity attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC

 

$

80,570

 

$

83,685

 

Non-controlling Interest

 

$

24,626

 

$

22,056

 

 

The decrease in total assets is primarily due to an approximately $3.9 million decrease in total current assets at July 31, 2017 compared to October 31, 2016. The change in our current assets is due to decreases of approximately $4.5 million in accounts receivable,  $5.4 million in inventory and an approximately $918,000 decrease in the value of our commodity derivative instruments at July 31, 2017, offset by an approximately $6.6 million increase in cash on hand. Also contributing to the decrease in total assets was a decrease of approximately $5.3 million in net property and equipment due to depreciation expense during the nine months ended July 31, 2017, offset by capital expenditures.

 

Current liabilities decreased by approximately $7.6 million at July 31, 2017 compared to October 31, 2016.  This decrease was mainly due to decreases of approximately $4.0 million in corn payable to FCE, approximately $1.2 million in accounts payable, and approximately  $1.4 million in the current portion of our long-term debt at July 31, 2017 compared to October 31, 2016. The decrease in our corn payable to FCE and accounts payable is due to the timing of payments to vendors and lower corn prices during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 which reduced the amount of corn payable at July 31, 2017.  Our outstanding checks drawn in excess of our bank balance represents any checks that HLBE has issued which have not yet been cashed which exceed the cash HLBE has in its bank account. Checks that HLBE issues are paid from its revolving term loans and any cash that it generates is used to pay down outstanding balances on its line of credit with Compeer.  

 

Our long-term debt decreased approximately $271,000 at July 31, 2017 compared to October 31, 2016. The decrease is mostly due to payments on the note payable to the minority owner of Agrinatural, as well as payments on the note payable to the electric company and assessments paid under industrial water supply treatment agreement with the City of Heron Lake and Jackson County.

 

Members’ equity attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC at July 31, 2017 compared to October 31, 2016 decreased by approximately $3.1 million. The decrease was related to the distribution to our members of approximately $11.2 million during January 2017, offset by our approximately $8.1 million of net income attributable to GFE during the nine months ended July 31, 2017. 

 

Non-controlling interest totaled approximately $24.6 million and $22.1 million at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively.  This is directly related to recognition of the 49.3% noncontrolling interest in HLBE.

 

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Liquidity And Capital Resources

 

Our principal sources of liquidity consist of cash provided by operations, cash and equivalents on hand, and available borrowings under our credit facilities. Our principal uses of cash are to pay operating expenses of the plants, to make debt service payments on long-term debt, and to make distribution payments to our members.  We expect to have sufficient cash generated by continuing operations and current lines of credit to fund our operations for the next twelve months.

 

We do not currently anticipate any significant purchases of property and equipment that would require us to secure additional capital in the next twelve months. However, management continues to evaluate conditions in the ethanol industry and explore opportunities to improve the efficiency and profitability of our operations which may require additional capital to supplement cash generated from operations and our current credit facilities.

 

Cash Flows

 

The following table shows our cash flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands): 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

22,364

 

$

14,926

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(2,376)

 

$

(4,238)

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

$

(13,410)

 

$

(12,035)

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

$

6,578

 

$

(1,347)

 

 

Operating Cash Flows

 

During the nine months ended July 31, 2017, cash flows from operating activities increased by approximately $7.4 million compared to the nine months ended July 31, 2016. This increase from period to period resulted largely from an approximately $5.1 million increase in our net income, coupled with a net increase of approximately $2.3 million of various working capital items from period to period.

 

Investing Cash Flows

 

Cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.9 million less for the nine months ended July 31, 2017, compared to the nine months ended July 31, 2016. This decrease was due primarily to reduced payments of approximately $2.5 million for capital expenditures for the nine months ended July 31, 2017.  This decrease was partially offset by $750,000 of cash used by GFE during the nine months ended July 31, 2017 for the initial payment on our subscription for its Ringneck investment. Comparatively, during the nine months ended July 31, 2016, we used cash at the GFE plant for our grain bin storage expansion and at HLBE plant for our RTO replacement project,  as well as plant improvements.        

 

Financing Cash Flows

 

Cash used in financing activities was approximately $1.4 million more for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016. For the nine months ended July 31, 2017, we made payments of approximately $11.2 million in distributions to our unit holders, approximately $1.9 million reduction in checks drawn in excess of bank balance, principal payments of approximately $325,000 on HLBE’s long-term debt, and purchased approximately $47,000 of units in HLBE.  In comparison, for the same period in 2016,  we made payments of approximately $9.6 million in distributions to our unit holders and approximately $2.0 million to non-controlling interests, approximately $347,000 reduction in checks drawn in excess of bank balance, principal payments of approximately $9.9 million on HLBE’s long-term debt,  offset by proceeds of approximately $9.8  million on HLBE’s long-term debt. 

 

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Indebtedness

 

GFE’s United FCS Credit Facility

 

GFE has a credit facility with United FCS consisting of a long-term revolving term loan. The credit facility with United FCS is secured by substantially all of GFE’s assets. There are no savings account balance collateral requirements as part of this credit facility.  CoBank serves as administrative agent for this credit facility.

 

Under GFE’s long-term revolving term loan, GFE could initially borrow, repay, and re-borrow up to $18.0 million. However, the aggregate principal commitment available for borrowing under this facility reduces by $2.0 million semi-annually, beginning September 1, 2014, with the final payment due on March 1, 2018.  There was no outstanding balance on the revolving term loan at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016. Therefore, the aggregate principal amount available for borrowing under this revolving term loan facility at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 was $8.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively.  The amount available for borrowing under this facility was further reduced at September 1, 2017 to $6.0 million.

 

The interest rate is based on the bank's One Month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) Index Rate, plus 3.05%, which equated to 4.28% and 3.25% at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively.

 

GFE’s credit facility with United FCS is subject to numerous financial and non-financial covenants that limit distributions and debt and require minimum working capital, minimum local net worth, and debt service coverage ratio, including the following:

·

GFE must maintain working capital of at least $10.0 million. Working capital is calculated as GFE’s current assets plus the amount available under GFE’s long-term revolving term loan, less GFE’s current liabilities.

·

GFE must maintain local net worth of at least $34.0 million.  Local net worth is defined as total assets, minus total liabilities, minus investments by GFE in other entities.

·

GFE must maintain a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.0.  The debt service coverage ratio is calculated as GFE’s net income (after taxes), plus depreciation and amortization, minus extraordinary gains (plus losses), minus gain (plus loss) on asset sales and divided by $4.0 million.

·

GFE may make member distributions of up to 75% of GFE’s net income without the consent of United FCS provided GFE remains in compliance with its loan covenants following the distribution.  Any member distributions in excess of 75% of GFE’s net income must be pre-approved by United FCS. 

 

As of July 31, 2017, GFE was in compliance with these financial covenants. Management’s current financial projections indicate that GFE will be in compliance with its financial covenants for the next 12 months and we expect to remain in compliance thereafter. However, if market conditions deteriorate in the future, circumstances may develop which could result in GFE violating the financial covenants or other terms of its credit facility. If GFE fails to comply with the terms of its credit agreement with United FCS, and United FCS refuses to waive the non-compliance, United FCS could terminate the credit facility and any commitment to loan funds to GFE.

 

GFE’s Other Credit Arrangement

 

In connection with GFE’s subscription for investment in Ringneck in November 2016, GFE entered into a credit facility with Fagen Energy, LLC (“Fagen Energy”), an affiliate of Fagen, Inc., which is a member of GFE. The Fagen Energy credit facility would have allowed GFE to borrow up to $7.5 million of variable-rate, amortizing non-recourse debt from Fagen Energy using the Ringneck investment as collateral. On August 2, 2017, GFE executed a termination and replacement agreement with Fagen Energy and Project Hawkeye, also an affiliate of Fagen, Inc., to terminate the Fagen Energy credit facility and the loan agreements entered into in conection with the Fagen Energy credit facility, and secure a replacement credit facility with Project Hawkeye on substantially the same as the terms under the terminated credit facility with Fagen Energy.  

 

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On August 2, 2017, the Fagen Energy credit facility was terminated and there were no amounts outstanding at termination. Simultaneously with the termination of the Fagen Energy credit facility, GFE entered into a replacement credit facility with Project Hawkeye. The terms of the replacement credit facility allow GFE to borrow up to $7.5 million of variable-rate, amortizing non-recourse debt from Project Hawkeye using the Ringneck investment as collateral.  The Project Hawkeye loan bears interest from date funds are first advanced on the loan through maturity, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (x) the One Month LIBOR Index Rate plus (y) 3.05% per annum, with an interest rate floor of 3.55%. 

 

The Project Hawkeye loan  requires annual interest payments only for the first two years of the loan and monthly principal and interest payments for years 3 through 9 based on a 7-year amortization period.  The monthly amortized payments will be re-amortized following any change in interest rate. The entire outstanding principal balance of the loan, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, is due and payable in full on August 2, 2026. GFE is permitted to voluntarily prepay all or any portion of the outstanding balance of this loan at any time without premium or penalty.

 

Pursuant to a pledge agreement entered into in connection with the Project Hawkeye loan, GFE’s obligations are secured by all of its right, title, and interest in its investment in Ringneck, including the 1,500 units subscribed for by GFE. The loan is non-recourse to all of GFE’s other assets, meaning that in the event of default, the only remedy available to Project Hawkeye will be to foreclose and seize all of GFE’s right, title and interest in its investment in Ringneck.   

 

As of July 31, 2017, there were no amounts outstanding under the Project Hawkeye credit facility.  Subsequent to the end of the third fiscal quarter, on August 2, 2017, GFE borrowed $7.5 million under the Project Hawkeye credit facility to finance the balance of its investment in Ringneck.

 

HLBE’s Compeer Credit Facility

 

HLBE has a comprehensive credit credit facility with Compeer Financial, formerly known as AgStar Financial Services, FCLA (“Compeer”), which consists of a revolving term loan with a maturity date of March 1, 2022.  As part of the credit facility closing, HLBE entered into an administrative agency agreement with CoBank, ACP (“CoBank”). CoBank purchased a participation interest in the Compeer loans and was appointed the administrative agent for the purpose of servicing the loans. 

 

Under the Compeer revolving term note, HLBE may borrow, repay, and re-borrow up to the aggregate principal commitment. The revolving term loan principal commitment, initially $28.0 million, declines by $3.5 million on March 1 each year until maturity. There was no outstanding balance on the revolving term loan at July 31, 2017 or October 31, 2016. Therefore, the aggregate principal commitment under this facility at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016 was $17.5 million and $21.0 million, respectively.  

 

Interest on the revolving term loan accrues at a variable rate equal to 3.25% above the One-Month LIBOR Index rate, which was 4.48% and 3.45% at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively. HLBE may elect to enter into a fixed interest rate on this loan at various times throughout the term of the loan as provided in the loan agreements.

 

HLBE also agreed to pay an unused commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving term loan commitment at the rate of 0.50% per annum. The loan is secured by substantially all of HLBE's assets including a subsidiary guarantee.

 

HLBE's credit facility with Compeer is subject to numerous financial and non-financial covenants that limit HLBE’s distributions and debt and require minimum working capital, minimum local net worth, and debt service coverage ratio, including the following:

·

HLBE may not make loans or advances to Agrinatural, HLBE’s subsidiary, which exceed an aggregate principal amount of approximately $3.1 million without the consent of Compeer. 

·

HLBE must maintain working capital of at least $8.0 million. Working capital is calculated as HLBE’s unconsolidated current assets plus the amount available under HLBE’s revolving term loan, less HLBE’s unconsolidated current liabilities.

·

HLBE must maintain net worth of at least $32.0 million. Local net worth is defined as HLBE’s unconsolidated total assets, minus unconsolidated total liabilities plus the approximately $3.9 million of HLBE subordinated convertible debt converted into units on July 1, 2014.

·

HLBE must maintain a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.0.  The debt service coverage ratio is, calculated on an unconsolidated basis, HLBE’s net income (after taxes), plus depreciation and amortization,

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minus non-cash dividends/income received, minus extraordinary gains (plus losses), minus gain (plus loss) on asset sales and divided by $4.0 million.

·

HLBE may make member distributions of up to 65% of HLBE’s net income without the consent of Compeer provided HLBE remains in compliance with its loan covenants following the distribution. Any member distributions in excess of 65% of HLBE’s net income must be pre-approved by Compeer.

 

As of July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, HLBE was in compliance with these loan covenants. Management’s current financial projections indicate that HLBE will be in compliance with its financial covenants for the next 12 months and we expect to remain in compliance thereafter. However, if market conditions deteriorate in the future, circumstances may develop which could result in HLBE violating the financial covenants or other terms of its Compeer credit facility. If HLBE fails to comply with the terms of its credit agreement with Compeer, and Compeer refuses to waive the non-compliance, Compeer could terminate the credit facility and any commitment to loan funds to HLBE.

 

HLBE’s Other Credit Arrangements

 

In addition to HLBE's primary credit arrangement with Compeer, HLBE has other material credit arrangements and debt obligations.

 

In October 2003, HLBE entered into an industrial water supply development and distribution agreement with the City of Heron Lake, Jackson County, and Minnesota Soybean Processors. In consideration of this agreement, HLBE and Minnesota Soybean Processors are allocated equally the debt service on $735,000 in water revenue bonds that were issued by the City to support this project that mature in February 2019. The parties have agreed that, prior to the scheduled expiration of the agreement, they will negotiate in good faith to replace the agreement with a further agreement regarding the wells and related facilities.

 

In May 2006, HLBE entered into an industrial water supply treatment agreement with the City of Heron Lake and Jackson County. Under this agreement, HLBE pays monthly installments over 24 months starting January 1, 2007 equal to one years' debt service on approximately $3.6 million in water revenue bonds, which will be returned to HLBE if any funds remain after final payment in full on the bonds and assuming HLBE complies with all payment obligations under the agreement.

 

There was a total of approximately $1.4 million in outstanding water revenue bonds at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016. HLBE classifies its obligations under these bonds as assessments payable. The interest rates on the bonds range from 6.55% to 8.73%.

 

To fund the purchase of the distribution system and substation for the plant, HLBE entered into a loan agreement with Federated Rural Electric Association pursuant to which HLBE borrowed $600,000 by a secured promissory note. Under the note HLBE is required to make monthly payments to Federated Rural Electric Association of $6,250 consisting of principal and an annual fee of 1% beginning on October 10, 2009 until maturity in September 2017. In exchange for this loan, Federated Rural Electric Association was granted a security interest in the distribution system and substation for the plant. The balance of this loan was approximately $12,500 and $69,000 at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively. The Company expects to repay the full amount of this loan in September 2017.

 

HLBE also has a note payable to the noncontrolling owner of Agrinatural in the amount of in the amount of $100,000 and $200,000 at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively. Interest on the note is the One-Month LIBOR rate plus 4.0% and the note is due on demand. Payment of the note is due on demand at the discretion of the board of managers of Agrinatural.  The interest rate on this note payable was 5.23% and 4.53% at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016, respectively.

 

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Agrinatural Credit Facilities

 

On July 29, 2014, HLBE has entered into an intercompany loan agreement, promissory note and related loan documents with Agrinatural, its majority owned subsidiary (collectively, the “Original Agrinatural Credit Facility”). Under the Original Agrinatural Credit Facility, the Company agreed to make a five-year term loan in the principal amount of $3.05 million to Agrinatural for use by Agrinatural to repay approximately $1.4 million of its outstanding debt and provide approximately $1.6 million of working capital to Agrinatural. The Original Agrinatural Credit Facility contains customary financial and non-financial affirmative covenants and negative covenants for loans of this type and size.

 

Interest on the Original Agrinatural Credit Facility accrues at a variable rate equal to the One-Month LIBOR rate plus 4.0%, with the interest rate capped and not to exceed 6.0% per annum.  Accrued interest is due and payable on a monthly basis.

 

On March 30, 2015, HLBE entered into an allonge to the July 29, 2014 note with Agrinatural. Under the terms of the allonge, HLBE and Agrinatural agreed to increase the principal amount of the Original Agrinatural Credit Facility to approximately $3.06 million, defer commencement of repayment of principal until May 1, 2015, decrease the monthly principal payment to $36,000 per month and shorten maturity of the Original Agrinatural Credit Facility to May 1, 2019. Except as otherwise provided in the allonge, all of the terms and conditions contained in the Original Agrinatural Credit Facility remain in full force and effect.

 

In exchange for the Original Agrinatural Credit Facility, Agrinatural executed a security agreement granting HLBE a first lien security interest in all of Agrinatural's equipment and assets and a collateral assignment assigning HLBE all of Agrinatural's interests in its contracts, leases, easements and other agreements. In addition, Rural Energy Solutions, LLC, the noncontrolling owner of Agrinatural (“RES”), executed a guarantee under which RES guaranteed full payment and performance of 27% of Agrinatural's obligations to HLBE.

 

The balance of this loan was approximately $2.1 million at July 31, 2017 and $2.4 million at October 31, 2016.

 

On March 30, 2015, HLBE entered into a second intercompany loan agreement, promissory note and related loan documents (collectively, the “Additional Agrinatural Credit Facility”) with Agrinatural. Under the Additional Agrinatural Credit Facility, HLBE agreed to make a four-year term loan in the principal amount of $3.5 million to Agrinatural for use by Agrinatural to repay its outstanding trade debt and provide working capital. The Additional Agrinatural Credit Facility contains customary financial and non-financial affirmative covenants and negative covenants for loans of this type and size, including a covenant restricting capital expenditures by Agrinatural.

 

Interest on the additional term loan accrues at a variable rate equal to the One-Month LIBOR rate plus 4.0%, with the interest rate capped and not to exceed 6.0% per annum.  Prior to May 1, 2015, Agrinatural is required to pay only monthly interest on the term loan.  Commencing May 1, 2015, Agrinatural is required to make monthly installments of principal plus accrued interest. The entire principal balance and accrued and unpaid interest on the term loan is due and payable in full on May 1, 2019.

 

On May 19, 2016, HLBE and Agrinatural amended the Additional Agrinatural Credit Facility, entering into amendment to the loan agreement dated March 30, 2015 to increase the amount of the capital expenditures allowed by Agrinatural during the term of the facilty.  HLBE and Agrinatural also executed an allonge to the negotiable promissory note dated March 30, 2015 to defer a portion of the principal payments required for 2016, which such deferred principal payments continue to accrue interest at the rate set forth in the note and become a part of the balloon payment due at maturity.

 

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As provided in the Amendment, for calendar year 2016, Agrinatural may, without consent of the Company, proceed with and pay for capital expenditures in an amount up to $300,000 plus the amount of contributions in aid of construction received by Agrinatural from customers for capital improvements (“CIAC”), less a reserve for distribution to the Agrinatural members to cover the income or other taxes imposed as a result of receipt of CIAC in an amount equal to 40% of CIAC. For calendar years 2017, 2018 and 2019, Agrinatural may, without consent of HLBE, proceed with and pay for capital expenditures in an amount up to $100,000 plus the amount of contributions in aid of construction received by Agrinatural from customers for capital improvements (“CIAC”), less a reserve for distribution to the Agrinatural members to cover the income or other taxes imposed as a result of receipt of CIAC in an amount equal to 40% of CIAC. Prior to the amendment, Agrinatural’s capital expenditures were restricted to $100,000 per year.

 

In exchange for the Additional Agrinatural Credit Facility, Agrinatural executed a security agreement granting HLBE a first lien security interest in all of Agrinatural's equipment and assets and a collateral assignment assigning HLBE all of Agrinatural's interests in its contracts, leases, easements and other agreements. In addition, RES executed a guarantee under which RES guaranteed full payment and performance of 27% of Agrinatural's obligations to HLBE under the Additional Agrinatural Credit Facility.

 

The balance of this loan was approximately $2.6 million at July 31, 2017 and $2.9 million at October 31, 2016.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management uses 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.  We believe that of our significant accounting policies summarized in Note 1 to our condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements included with this Form 10-Q. 

 

At July 31, 2017, our critical accounting estimates continue to include those described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016. Management has not changed the method of calculating and using estimates and assumptions in preparing our condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.  

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

 

Item 3.   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 use cash, futures and option contracts to hedge changes to the commodity prices of corn, ethanol 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 pursuant to the requirements of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Exposure to interest rate risk results primarily from our credit facilities with United FCS, HLBE's credit facilities with Compeer and HLBE’s note payable to the minority owner of Agrinatural. The specifics of these credit facilities are discussed in greater detail in “Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Indebtedness.”

 

As of July 31, 2017, GFE had no exposure to interest rate risk as we had no amounts outstanding on our credit facility with United FCS.  As of July 31, 2017, HLBE’s exposure to interest rate risk results primarily from its its note payable to the noncontrolling owner of Agrinatural, as HLBE had no exposure to interest rate risk under its credit facility with Compeer as it had no amounts outstanding under this credit facility.  Below is a sensitivity analysis we prepared regarding HLBE's income exposure to changes in interest rates.

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The sensitivity analysis below shows the anticipated effect on our income from a 10% adverse change in interest rates for a one-year period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Variable

    

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Rate Debt at

 

Interest Rate at

 

Interest Rate Following 10%

 

Approximate Adverse

 

July 31, 2017

 

July 31, 2017

 

Adverse Change

 

Change to Income

 

$

100,000

 

5.23

%  

 

5.75

%  

 

$

500

 

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

We seek to minimize the risks from fluctuations in the prices of raw material inputs, such as corn and natural gas, and finished products, such as ethanol and distillers' grains, through the use of hedging instruments. In practice, as markets move, we actively manage our risk and adjust hedging strategies as appropriate. Although we believe our hedge positions accomplish an economic hedge against our future purchases and sales, management has chosen not to use hedge accounting, which would match the gain or loss on our hedge positions to the specific commodity purchase being hedged. We are using fair value accounting for our hedge positions, which means as the current market price of our hedge positions changes, the realized or unrealized gains and losses are immediately recognized in our cost of goods sold or as an offset to revenues. The immediate recognition of hedging gains and losses under fair value accounting can cause net income to be volatile from period to period 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  July 31, 2017, GFE had price protection in place for approximately 13.0% and 20.0% of its anticipated corn and natural gas needs, respectively, and approximately approximately 2.0%  and 6.5% of its ethanol and distillers’ grains sales, respectively, for the next 12 months. As of July 31, 2017,  HLBE had price protection in place for approximately 16.5% of its anticipated corn needs and approximately 2.0%  and 6.0% of its ethanol and distillers’ grains sales, respectively, for the next 12 months. Through these contracts we hope to minimize risk from future market price fluctuations and basis fluctuations. As input 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, 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 fair value of our corn and natural gas prices and average ethanol price as of July 31, 2017, 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 both of the GFE and HLBE plants for a one year period from July 31, 2017.  

 

The results of this sensitivity analysis, which may differ from actual results, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated Volume Requirements

 

 

 

Hypothetical Adverse Change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

for the next 12 months

 

 

 

Price as of

 

Approximate Adverse Change to

 

 

 

(net of forward and futures contracts)

 

Unit of Measure

 

July 31, 2017

 

Income

 

Ethanol

 

126,000,000

 

Gallons

 

10

%

 

$

19,300,000

 

Corn

 

37,300,000

 

Bushels

 

10

%

 

$

11,700,000

 

Natural Gas

 

3,000,000

 

MMBTU

 

10

%

 

$

809,000

 

 

Participation in Captive Reinsurance Company

 

We participate in a captive reinsurance company (“Captive”). The Captive reinsures losses related to workman's compensation, commercial property and general liability. Premiums are accrued by a charge to income for the period to which the premium relates and is remitted by our insurer to the captive reinsurer. The Captive reinsures losses in excess of a predetermined amount. The Captive insurer has estimated and collected a premium amount in excess of expected losses but less than the aggregate loss limits reinsured by the Captive. We have contributed limited capital surplus to the Captive that is available to fund losses should the actual losses sustained exceed premium funding. So long as the Captive

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is fully-funded through premiums and capital contributions to the aggregate loss limits reinsured, and the fronting insurers are financially strong, we cannot be assessed over the amount of our current contributions.

 

 

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and General Manager (the principal executive officer), Steve Christensen, along with our Chief Financial Officer (the principal financial officer), Stacie Schuler, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of July 31, 2017. Based upon 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.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during our most recently completed reporting period  that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC may be named as a defendant in legal proceedings related to various issues, including workers' compensation claims, tort claims, or contractual disputes. We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings.

 

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Item 1A.   Risk Factors

 

The risk factors below should be read in conjunction with the risk factors previously discussed in Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2016, as supplemented by the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of our Form 10-Q for the three months ended January 31, 2017 and April 30, 2017. Additional risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, could also have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

The Brazilian government has imposed tariffs on ethanol exports to Brazil, which may negatively affect the demand and pricing for ethanol.

 

On August 23, 2017, Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade announced it would recommend imposing a 20% tariff on U.S. ethanol imports after a 600 million liter tariff rate quota. According EIA data, through the June 30, 2017, approximately 1,045 million liters of ethanol have been exported to Brazil from the U.S., already exceeding the Brazilian tariff free quota. We cannot estimate the exact effect this tariff would have on the overall domestic ethanol market.  It is possible the tariff could reduce ethanol prices in the domestic market by decreasing Brazilian import demand for U.S. ethanol. Additionally, if ethanol prices increase, exports to Brazil may cease as a result of the tariff. Further, ethanol exports could potentially be higher without the Brazilian tariff. Any decrease in ethanol prices or demand may negatively impact our ability to profitably operate our ethanol plants.

 

State and federal government mandates affecting ethanol usage could change and impact the ethanol market.

 

Our operations could be adversely impacted by legislation or EPA actions, as set forth below or otherwise, that may reduce the RFS mandate. Similarly, should federal mandates regarding oxygenated gasoline be repealed, the market for domestic ethanol could be adversely impacted. Economic incentives to blend based on the relative value of gasoline versus ethanol, taking into consideration the octane value of ethanol, environmental requirements and the RFS mandate, may affect future demand. A significant increase in supply beyond the RFS mandate could have an adverse impact on ethanol prices. Moreover, changes to RFS could negatively impact the price of ethanol or cause imported sugarcane ethanol to become more economical than domestic ethanol.

 

On July 5, 2017, the EPA proposed the 2018 RVOs which maintains the RVO for conventional ethanol at 15.0 billion gallons, but reduces the overall biofuel target to 19.24 billion gallons for 2018 by decreasing volume obligations for advanced alternatives. According to the RFS, if mandatory renewable fuel volumes are reduced by at least 20% for two consecutive years, the EPA is required to modify, or reset, statutory volumes through 2022. With the 2018 being the first year the total proposed RVOs are more than 20% below statutory levels, the EPA administrator has directed the EPA staff to initiate the required technical analysis to inform a reset rule. If 2019 RVOs are also more than 20% below statutory levels, an RVO reset will be triggered under the RFS. This will require the EPA to modify statutory volumes through 2022 within one year of the trigger event, with the standard for review based on the same factors to be utilized when the EPA sets RVOs post-2022.

 

The U.S. Appeals Court for the D.C. Circuit ruled on July 28, 2017 in favor of various ethanol and agricultural industry groups aligned as petitionors against the EPA. The decision concluded the EPA erred in how it interpreted the “inadequate domestic supply” waiver provision of RFS in setting the 2016 RVOs. The Court concluded that the EPA was limited by the statute to consider only supply-side factors affecting the volume of renewable fuel that is available to refiners, blenders, and importers to meet the statutory volume requirements, and was not allowed to consider the volume of renewable fuel that is available to ultimate consumers or the demand-side constraints that affect the consumption of renewable fuel by consumers. As a result, the Court vacated the EPA’s decision to reduce the total renewable fuel volume requirements for 2016 through use of its “inadequate domestic supply” waiver authority, and remanded to the EPA to address the 2016 RVOs. While management does not anticipate any direct impact from the decision, the overall industry is expected to benefit from the limitation of the EPA's waiver analysis to the supply-side factors only.

 

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Natural gas production disruptions and/or infastrure damage resulting from Hurricane Harvey may cause natural prices to increase, which could reduce our profitability. 

 

Management anticipates short-term increases and volatility in natural gas prices for the remainder of fiscal year 2017 due to disruptions to natural gas production and damage to natural gas infrastructure resulting from Hurricane Harvey’s late August landfall.  The storm has resulted in extensive damage and flooding in Texas and Louisiana, especially in the coastal areas of these states. A full assessment of the extent of the damage is expected to be completed in the weeks ahead. There is still considerable uncertainty as to the extent of infrastructure damage and the ultimate amount of lost production from Hurricane Harvey. Therefore, we are uncertain as to how Hurricane Harvey will impact long term natural gas prices. However, management anticipates that the long-term impact of Hurricane Harvey natural gas prices will be less than the impact felt from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 due to shifts in where production takes place.  Since 2005, greater levels of production take place at inland basins, which are generally less affected by storms.We expect natural gas prices to be volatile or increase in the short to mid term given the unpredictable market situation.  Increases in the price of natural gas increases our cost of production and negatively impacts our profit margins..

 

 

Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

 

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None.

 

 

Item 5.   Other Information

 

None.

 

 

 

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Item 6.   Exhibits.

 

(a)

The following exhibits are included in this report.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit

10.1 

 

Agreement of Termination and To Execute Substitute Promissory Note; Commercial Security Agreement and Pledge Agreement (Ringneck Investment) Dated August 2, 2017 between Granite Falls Energy, LLC, Fagen Energy, LLC and Project Hawkeye, LLC

 

 

 

10.2 

 

Promissory Note issued August 2, 2017 by Granite Falls Energy, LLC as borrower to Project Hawkeye, LLC as lender in principal amount of $7,500,000

 

 

 

10.3 

 

Pledge Agreement Dated August 2, 2017 between Granite Falls Energy, LLC and Project Hawkeye, LLC

 

 

 

31.1 

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)*

 

 

 

31.2 

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)*

 

 

 

32.1 

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*

 

 

 

32.2 

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*

 

 

 

101

 

The following financial information from Granite Falls Ethanol, LLC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at July 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016; and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements.*


*   Filed herewith.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRANITE FALLS ENERGY, LLC

 

 

 

Date:   September 14,  2017

/s/ Steve Christensen

 

 

Steve Christensen

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Stacie Schuler

Date:   September 14, 2017

Stacie Schuler

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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